News: The Queen to visit Guildford Cathedral’s Golden Jubilee Community event

Guildford Cathedral will welcome Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, to the Cathedral’s 50th Anniversary Community event on Friday November 18 – half a century since The Queen attended the Consecration of the Cathedral on Stag Hill in May 1961.  Over 800 invited guests, representing local community projects, schools, County and Borough will also be in attendance.

After meeting some of the 150 singers from Diocesan primary schools, the Surrey Songsters and the Cathedral’s Boy and Girl Choristers, the Queen and Prince Philip will be introduced to community groups by The Rt Revd Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford, and The Very Revd Victor Stock, Dean of Guildford, who said, ‘How splendid that Her Majesty The Queen is taking part in our Golden Jubilee celebrations as she took part in the Consecration 50 years ago!  And how particularly imaginative that she has asked to take part in an informal celebration of the relationship between the Cathedral and the wider community’.

The Queen will meet children from Queen Eleanor’s Church of England School, Guildford, who will be taking part in a typical school workshop activity. Her Majesty will see examples of the Cathedral past and future, the Watts Gallery Art for All Learning Programme, and the University of Surrey’s multi faith work and a research project. 

The Duke of Edinburgh will view displays and meet representatives from Penal Affairs and Mothers’ Union. He will then move on to meet representatives from the Bishop of Guildford Foundation/Community Foundation for Surrey, SAAVS (Surrey Appropriate Adult Volunteer Service) and Street Angels/YMCA, before returning to the Nave for the Service of Thanksgiving.

Bishop Christopher commented, ‘The Queen has vivid memories of signing a brick for Guildford Cathedral and then the great Consecration of the Cathedral fifty years ago.  But the accent in the forthcoming visit will be on the Cathedral and Diocese serving the wider community for the future.  To the next fifty years!’

Although entry to the Cathedral building is strictly by invitation, if members of the public wish to see the Queen driving to or from the Cathedral, then they are welcome to be on the Cathedral green from mid-morning.  It is important to note though that, for security reasons, there will be no parking available at the Cathedral on the day.

Added Thursday 10th November 2011