Hereford Cathedral Choir Advent Service in the Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks

13/12/2013

By 2013 Bob Tabor

Bob and Bea attended the Hereford Cathedral annual Advent Service in the Guards’ Chapel at Wellington Barracks, London on Tuesday 3rd December in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.  HRH and Sir Timothy were received at the Guards’ Chapel by The Reverend Kevin Bell CF, Assistant Chaplain-General and Chaplain to the Household Division.  Also in attendance were Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, The Countess of Darnley JP; Mr Algernon Heber-Percy, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire; Bob; Mrs Diana Flint DL, High Sheriff of Shropshire; The Rt Reverend Alistair Magowan, Sufragan Bishop of Ludlow; The Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford; The Reverend Canon Andrew Piper, Precentor, Hereford Cathedral; Mr Christopher James OBE DL, Chairman, Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust and Mr Glyn Morgan, Chief Executive, Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust.

The Reverend Bell and Mr Christopher James both welcomed Her Royal Highness and the congregation.   HRH then laid a wreath at the Special Air Service Memorial at the rear of the Chapel.    Major Andy Townend MBE offered The Regimental Collect of the Special Air Service and The Dean offered the Bidding Prayer.  The First Lesson was read by HRH The Princess Royal and the Second Lesson was read by Mr Clive Aslet.  The Third Lesson was read by  Colonel Hugh Bodington, Chief of Staff at Headquarters London District & Headquarters Household Division and the Fourth by Mrs Diana Flint.  The Bishop of Ludlow read the Advent Gospel and the Dean gave a wonderful Sermon.  Throughout the Service the Hereford Cathedral Choir sang in magnificent voice – the music was very moving.

The Service was followed by a Reception in the Officers’ Mess which was also attended by HRH The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.

This is the fourth Hereford Cathedral Advent Service in the Guards’ Chapel and, once again, it was wonderfully organised by Mr Glyn Morgan and Mrs Erica Manley from the Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust.  It was a truly spiritual, moving and memorable evening.

Bob introducing guests to HRH The Princess Royal
Hereford Cathedral Choir Advent Service in the Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks