Cathedral and Diocese

I RECENTLY paid my first visit to the Cathedral with the special ticket allowing entry as a worshipper in the Diocese. As anticipated it was an enriching experience in every way.

However I noticed there was hardly anything about the Diocese at large in the Cathedral or in the various guides that were available. Hardly anthing until I arrived in the shop, where behind a counter and almost hidden was a splendid map of the Diocese with all the Parishes marked and all the Rural Deaneries with their boundaries.

It was a fascinating publication (although I could not see it very well because of its position). Could this very worthwhile map not be placed in the main concourse of the Cathedral, say on an easel someplace? I visited Truro Cathedral recently and a similar publication is on display that was attracting much interest and, I don’t think it was as well illustrated. I quite accept your visitors are more numerous and international in make up than may visit Truro. It could also be that Truro being more remote attracts more people from their Diocese. But is that not what Christ Church are trying to do as well ? I am quite sure many visitors of all types would find information about how the Cathedral functions as the centre of its Diocese very interesting and  worthwhile.

Raymond Short
Gerrards Cross