WORCESTER CATHEDRAL

 

My plan to walk from the village of Kempsey to Worcester and back, along the river, avoiding parking and driving problems, seemed sensible on paper. The weather was kind, but along with most of England the incessant rain over the past months had meant that the paths were sodden. Evidence of the higher than usual river was all over. That the farmers would be having problems with planting let alone growing crops was obvious even to the untrained eye.

Our walk was going well, the views over the river to the Malvern Hills magnificent and inspired further visits here. As we walked down a rather muddy bank, we let the dogs off to avoid being pulled over. I had my trusty poles keeping me upright, but poor Dorothy fell splat down in the mud. This was compounded by Kit deciding that Dorothy needed was to be run up and face licked. The resulting paw marked jumper could have been a designer number!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the interests of our students, and our reputations, our first stop at Worcester Cathedral was to use the facilities to remove as much mud as possible. This obviously did not work as well as we thought as Dorothy was asked whether she was just down from the farm at Communion.

We attended Communion with the dogs which was a few days after Easter Day. The celebrant challenged us by asking how we were transformed after Easter as Jesus had been transformed.

Worcester were certainly unphased by our attire and special mention for Ian who directed us to the webcam showing the peregrine on 4 eggs and the cafe. Unfortunately, the latter, due to lack of staff, had a very limited service but we enjoyed a coffee and resumed our tour of the Cathedral.

Worcester Cathedral has the tomb of King John, of Magna Carta fame and also Prince Arthur’s Chantry, a chapel to bless the dead. Prince Arthur was Henry VIII’s elder brother.

Another helpful guide showed us the pink giraffe and white elephant in the West Window and the memorial plaque to Stanley Baldwin and his wife.

Of course, this is Elgar country and he performed at the cathedral many times. There is a plaque to him, and a window based on the Dream of Gerontius.

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We walked back to Kempsey on a higher route arriving at a very picturesque, if impassable ford by the church to enjoy coffee and cake from our rucksacks.

In Southwell Minster we learnt that St Oswald had died washing the feet of pilgrims at Worcester. These pilgrims were most impressed by their welcome at the cathedral and no deaths occurred.

Its free to enter, has toilets, a café and extremely dog friendly.