[This is the fourteenth of a series of articles giving a
brief description of each of the 26 ancient Anglican cathedrals coupled with a
sketch of a person, activity or
institution connected to the area]
Chichester Cathedral
stands in the middle of the quintessentially English middle-class City of Chichester in West Sussex.
Chichester is typical of the highly prosperous South-East of England, a rich
administrative location with a first-class summer Festival Theatre bringing in
and sending out West End productions; many maintain second homes there to enjoy
the nearby sailing and leisure opportunities.
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| Chichester Cathedral |
Chichester, (the suffix “–chester” indicating a Roman Camp from the
Latin “castra”), possesses many Roman relics. After early building disasters,
the Cathedral we now see was consecrated in 1199.
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| The Nave at Chichester |
The Cathedral has many fine features but the whole is in my
view less than the sum of its parts. I usually leave Chichester
somehow disappointed that I have not enjoyed it more – the mischief lies in its
disparate constituents creating a lack of artistic unity.
The Nave and Choir are mainly Norman,
the fine stone ribbed vault is Early English and the Lady Chapel in the East End is in the Decorated style. Subsidence problems
plagued the two West towers, which I think rather clumsy and ugly, as is the
separate bell tower. The dominant spire was built in the Early English style in
the late 14th century but it needed many repairs and finally
collapsed in 1861, to be faithfully rebuilt by George Gilbert Scott. The
Cloisters are Perpendicular.
Much 20th century modern art within strikes a
jarring note to my eye including a large altar tapestry by John Piper and a
vivid window by Marc Chagall; both are notable works of art in their way but
are not in sympathy with the cathedral.
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| The Piper Tapestries |
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| The Chagall window |
Chichester Cathedral is thus far from perfect, but it has much of beauty to recommend it and cherish. Its famed Bishop, George Bell (1883- 1958) was an ecumenical supporter of the anti-Nazi German Confessing Church; he knew and tried to help its leaders Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemoller. Bell aroused much controversy by condemning “area bombing” in WW2: however muddle-headed he might have been, Bell was a man of courage and principle.
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Only a short distance from Chichester
is Goodwood, a stately home, a
wonderful race-course and a venue for a variety of sporting events. The House,
much modelled by Wyatt, is the seat of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, also Duke of Lennox, who
holds an unrivalled three dukedoms and who owns the Estate.
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| Goodwood House |
The great attraction is the Racecourse, often described as
the most beautiful in England,
with its situation overlooking the glorious South Downs.
The most prestigious of the several meetings during the year is the July
“Glorious Goodwood” meeting. I had the good fortune to be a non-executive
director of a prosperous company, which had a box at Goodwood, and my lovely
wife and I were invited to join colleagues and business guests for about 8
years in a row. It was always a memorable occasion – I wore the traditional
linen suit and Panama hat and my wife was in a charming summer confection. The
sun always seemed to shine, the champagne bubbled and quite often our selected
horses would win us a pound or two.
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| The Pleasures of Goodwood |
Less snooty than Ascot,
Goodwood offers a perfect day at the races. In 2012 it saw the swansong of
wonder-horse Frankel who won the Sussex Stakes for the second time, soon to
retire unbeaten after 14 victories. The highest rated horse in the world,
Frankel is said to be worth £100m at stud.
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| Frankel wins again at Goodwood |
For the motor-heads among you, Goodwood has for the last 20
years offered The Festival of Speed, a gathering of famous rally and racing
cars and famous drivers. The event takes place in front of the House and
recalls the celebrated racing track that operated there from 1946 – 68 and
involves races and a hill-climb. Many spectacular vintage vehicles are also
shown.
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| A McLaren - Mercedes |
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| A royal Rolls-Royce |
Not the least reason to treasure Goodwood is its part in
introducing the Pekinese dog to England. The Peke was the closely
guarded palace dog of the Chinese Emperor and the breed had thrived in China
for 2,000 years.
In one of the only-too-common European incursions into China in 1860, the British and French looted the
Summer Palace
in Peking and despite brave defence, managed
to take away 5 Pekes. One was given to Queen Victoria, who loved it and the
other four given by Admiral Lord Hay to his cousin, the Duke of Richmond. Family
member Lady Blanche Gordon-Lennox bred the feisty dogs and we now have the
Goodwood line of Pekes. The Pekinese are brave, loyal and the best of
companions. My family had one for 12 years, a splendid little chap called
Kassim. For him alone, I say many thanks to Goodwood!
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| A beautiful pedigree Pekinese |
SMD
12.11.12
Text Copyright © Sidney Donald 2012
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