Friends from far and near gathered at Wells Cathedral on the 6th, 7th and 8th of June.
As the Cathedral was due to be closed for filming, the Friday afternoon was slightly different. There were two tours of the Treasury Block and Vicars Close and a talk on Bishop Reginald de Bohun.
A small party of Friends also went to visit St Cuthbert’s, one of Wells two parish churches and a very fine building its own right. As well as a tour of the building, there was the fascinating history of the two reredoses and the largest collection of medieval painted fragments in the country.
On Saturday the AGM began by a Presidential Address from the Dean and a report from the Chancellor, who is also the Keeper of the Fabric.
Michael Hopkins was re-elected as Chairman for a maximum sixth month term while the Friends Council completed the process to nominate a candidate for election as Chairman at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 15th November 2025.
Also on Saturday there were free tours around the Cathedral for Friends – including the ever popular High Parts Tour. Friends were invited to attend Evensong and the first lesson was read by Mr Robin Duijs, a Vice President of the Friends. Saturday ended with a dinner at the Crown in the Market Place. This was a very convivial event with a amusing bit also thought provoking after dinner speech from the Archdeacon of Lincoln, the Venerable Gavin Kirk.
On Sunday the Friends were also included in the Cathedral Eucharist, with a welcome from the Chancellor, a mention in the Archdeacon of Wells’ sermon and the use of the Friends Hymn – the firs time it has been sung for many years.
Friends Weekend 2026 will be 5th to 7th June.