Behind the scenes at Bristol Cathedral

Bristol Cathedral is one of England’s great medieval churches. Founded in 1140 as an Augustinian Abbey the building is famed for its Elder Lady Chapel, the Chapter House and the vaulted ceiling.

Its stunning interior has been used in dramas like Wolf Hall and The White Princess; and this Christmas the eyes of the country will once again be on Bristol Cathedral as, for the first time, its Christmas Day Festival Eucharist service will be broadcast live on BBC One.

Bristol24/7 meet some of the people who work and look after one of the city’s most beautiful and historic building.

The Revd Canon Nicola Stanley, Canon Precentor 

“My job is looking after any service which takes place in the Cathedral. From tiny morning services with two or three people to a huge service like an ordination with 1000 people, it’s my responsibility to make sure everything is organised.

“I love the fact that the cathedral is such a beautiful building and I love the fact that it’s at the edge of a slightly edgy city. It has a very different feeling to many others. It’s not middle England, it’s edgy. You don’t come to Bristol and think ‘I must go to the cathedral because there is nothing else to do’. There is loads to do in Bristol and we have to work hard to earn our place here.

“My biggest challenge is conveying to people that this cathedral is for them. There is no one in this city for whom this cathedral is not for; it’s for everyone and even if people are not Christians they are more than welcome to come here.”

Sarah Morris, executive assistant 

“I look after the Dean’s diary and I run the Cathedral diary as well so all the bookings for the building come in across my desk. I make sure everyone knows what is going on and look after the volunteers as well.

“I’m the longest serving member of staff; I started 24 years ago part-time when my children were small and the job has grown from there. The building has got a lot busier over the years. There are far more things going on now and it’s like juggling an enormous jigsaw puzzle.”

“Sometimes you go to an evening concert and it is lit up by candles and I can’t believe how beautiful it is and how lucky I am to work here.”

Glynn Usher, head verger

“I lead the team of vergers. There are four of us including me, and we are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the cathedral.

“The age of the building does make it harder to look after. It’s incredibly difficult to keep clean because a lot of the woodwork is medieval and has to be very carefully cleaned. You can’t use a lot of modern products on the brass work and metal work and so on. It usually takes longer and the things you need to do it very often cost a lot more.

“The building itself makes the job special. My passion is for open churches, for people to come in here so that the building speaks to them. And also of course there’s a community here. The chapter, the choir, the other members of staff… It’s a really eclectic mix of people and that’s exciting in itself.” 

Paul Walton, assistant organist 

“Most of my job is playing the organ for the Cathedral choir and leading the chorister rehearsals every morning.

“I started learning the piano at the age of four. Then I joined the church choir and became interested in the organ. From there I went to the Royal College of Music in Manchester where I did a BA and a postgrad in the organ.

“My job is quite varied. I enjoy playing and conducting the choirs and making sure the choir know the music for the particular occasion and if I am playing making sure I am on top of the music for the occasion. 

“The Cathedral has one of the best acoustics around for organ music and making us sound even better.”

Caroline Wren, cafe manager

“I’m the coffee shop manageress. Apart from normal cafe stuff we do lunches for the dean and events, choir teas, and tea and coffee for the staff. 

“You get to meet lots of tourists and lovely people; you do get a lot of people with mental health issues coming in and it’s like a nice safe haven for them. We have a few characters who come in who are absolutely lovely; people and you just wouldn’t get to meet otherwise. They feel safe here. We are not Starbucks. People are not here on their laptops. 

“People are appreciative of the cathedral and what we have to offer. We have beautiful gardens in the summer and it’s a beautiful place to be.”

Read more: Wolf Hall tours begin at Bristol Cathedral