The Glory of Gloucester Cathedral formerly the St Peter's Abbey

Here we have some of the most wonderful treasures of our Mediaeval Abbey, which perhaps is forutnate it did not suffer the fate of so many abbeys of the time,becoming as it did one of the Kind's Schools, possibly because of its many royal links and the burial of many royal personages and predecessors of the Tudor monarchy. Harry Potter has been filmed here and do his this winters 'Dr Who'Special. The Victorian St Peter's Catholic church will also be visited when I come up to that period, but at present I am working up to the end of the first milennium!

I visit the many tombs and chantries of this wonderful place, which is meticulously conserved and loved by all Gloucester people and many town events still happen here.

The Kings Chamber Choir which sang Occuli Omnium is not the cathedral choir (though several of the tenors and basses are former members!)and the higher parts sung by girl choristers from the school.

I do promise a return visit for some carols.

The recording production is not wonderful for this, because I am still learning to use this equipment and print Gurney's poem which was read near the end.The poem likens the glory of Creation to Music in the Cathedral.

The Valley by Ivor Gurney

There was such beauty in the dappled valley
As hurt the sight, the heart stabbed to tears.
The gathered beautifulness of all the years
Hovered thereover, it seemed, eternally
Set for men's joy. Town, tower, trees, river
Under a sky royal-azure Heaven for ever
Up-piled with towering mountains of March cloud.

A Herald-day of Spring more wonderful
Than Her true own. Trumpets cried aloud
In sky, earth, blood. No beast, no clod so dull
But the strength felt of the day, Power of the Giver
Was glad for being, lowly at once, and proud.
Kyrie Eleison, and Gloria,
Credo, Jubilate, Magnificat:
The whole world gathered strength to praise the day