As part of Trustees' Week this November, we’re pleased to share a personal reflection from Trustee, Roger Walkinton, on why he chose to serve Chichester Cathedral.
His story highlights a lifelong connection to cathedrals, combining personal passion with professional expertise. It’s a great example of how trusteeship can be a meaningful way to contribute to causes close to your heart.
I first set foot in Chichester Cathedral for the 1977 Advent Processional, conducted by John Birch, Organist & Master of the Choristers but also our University Organist at Sussex, where I was one of his Choral Scholars. In my final year, I served as acting Organ Scholar, and at the end of my first term, he encouraged me to visit Chichester, and I was completely wowed by the Advent music. It was serene and magical. Both he and the cathedral had a huge and lasting impact on me.
Chichester Cathedral... serene and magical
Roger
During my gap year, I worked at Lincoln Cathedral, my hometown, as an Information Officer, Tower Guide and Shop Assistant under the jauntily named Dean, The Very Reverend The Honourable Oliver Twistleton-Wykeham-Fiennes. After graduating from the University of Sussex, I was delighted to be appointed to help run the 1983 and 1984 Chichester Festivities concerts in Chichester Cathedral and at Goodwood. These were the 908th and 909th Festivities, and here we are, now facing the 950th anniversary!
When I worked for the Festivities in the quaint Canon Gate House, Alan Thurlow had succeeded John as Organist & Master of the Choristers, and he invited me to occasionally deputise as a bass Lay Vicar in the cathedral choir. We lived for a few months in 1983 in No. 3 Vicars Close, which had recently been vacated by Mrs. Margaret Maclean—whose grandson, one Hugh Grant, was about to become a rather famous actor! My wife Jill was pleasantly surprised one day to come home from teaching at Arundale School to find the legendary Peter Skellern practising on our piano prior to a Festivities performance with Richard Stilgoe!
A fundraising career with the National Trust then followed, mostly at their London Head Office, until I was appointed Deputy Director of Fundraising at St Paul’s Cathedral and simultaneously Secretary of its Friends. So, three stunning cathedrals have featured prominently in my career, and I have either visited or sung in visiting choirs at most other cathedrals in England too.
But Chichester has a special place in my heart. Ten years ago, we had the great privilege of having our daughter Rosie’s wedding here. How memorable that was!
Roger
Cathedrals neatly combine my abiding interest in their history, architecture, and music. So, the opportunity to become a Trustee of the Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust, a separate charity which raises funds for the Cathedral, a year ago was utterly irresistible—particularly at a time when music features so highly in its fundraising priorities. For what is a cathedral without music? As Sir John Rutter says, it would be like a body without a soul.
If I can offer something of my experience with cathedrals, heritage, and fundraising, help share the passion for the place and its activities, enthuse and encourage others, comment and contribute as a trustee, then I shall feel my trusteeship has been worthwhile. It is, in part, a kind of homage to the late John Birch and the cathedral, both of whom launched my career. Today, the clergy and lay team, indeed the whole cathedral community, have extraordinary gifts and talents, which I would love to see rewarded by extraordinary gifts from other extraordinary people!
There are few things more sublime than listening to Choral Evensong. Some even say the experience ought to be available on the NHS- particularly when it is of the high quality found at Chichester Cathedral. How lucky we all are to have that available to us, not to mention the range of life skills it gives to the young choristers year after year. But, like everything worthwhile, it all comes at a price, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure its financial underpinning for generations to come. That is why I am delighted to be taking a lead with the team in raising funds for the Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Fund for Music.
If you’ve been inspired by this story and are passionate about faith, history, heritage, or music, why not consider volunteering yourself? Your skills and experience could make a real difference in ensuring Chichester Cathedral continues to thrive for future generations. We welcome volunteers in various capacities- reach out and see how you can get involved!