Doris Goddard and Stan Gibby are completing their current three-year term of office on Friends Council and have indicated that they will not be seeking re-election at the AGM in June.
As there are already two vacancies on the Council, this will mean that there will be an election for up to four members of the Council. Anybody interested in standing for election should contact the Secretary in the first instance.
Stan writes:
Little did I suspect in moving to live in Wells eight years ago that I would enjoy the privilege of helping in a small way to keep this magnificent institution alive and buzzing. Serving on the Friends Council for most of that time and for much as Deputy Chairman of the Friends has been a personally rewarding and satisfying time for me. Now the hour has come for me to stand away from the Council. So I say a fond farewell.
So farewell indeed and as with all farewells time to say thank you. ‘Thank you’ to my Council colleagues for their talents, diligence and friendship. And the same also to the Chapter and Chapter staff and all the staff and volunteers at the Cathedral. Above all a big ’thank you’ to all the Friends of Wells Cathedral for electing me to the Council, for your support and generosity.
Truly, Wells Cathedral is awesome. Long may we all help to keep it so.
Doris writes:
It was so strange this year not to be able to attend a single service of carols, a Communion, or crib service, as I’d broken my ankle, even before Advent started. It has made me appreciate how much the music of Christmas plays a part in the season. Seeing the service booklets and being told about how full the Cathedral was, and how much things were enjoyed was simply not the same. We are lucky to have such a wonderful wealth of music on offer, sung by the best singers in the country, if not the world! It is wonderful too to know that as Friends, we have had the opportunity to restore our magnificent organ to carry on the tradition of music at Wells.
I’ve personally spent many years on the Friends Council, enjoying making lunches and teas on Friends day, but feel that now different skills are needed, so I will step down this year. (though remain to help in any way I can, even if it’s only coffee and biscuits.)