20250922 Chichester

On Sunday night, after we had unpacked, done a little laundry (because for the first time we had the luxury of a two night stay!!!), and plugged in all necessary batteries, we went for a walk to see the famous Chichester Cathedral in the dying sun.

First the composers: Leonard Bernstein wrote the Chichester Psalms, which were commissioned for the 1965 Southern Cathedrals Festival at Chichester Cathedral by the cathedral’s Dean, Walter Hussey. Bernstein is honoured with a plaque on a wall in the garden, outside the front doors of the cathedral. (See photo.)

Gustav Holst‘s ashes are under a plaque in the cathedral’s floor.

Also worth noting in the cathedral are the Roman mosaic under the floor, only a small portion of which is exposed. “The Romans knew the City of Chichester as Noviomagus Reginorum. This mosaic remnant, which was discovered in 1966, was almost certainly part of the floor of a public building. The remains of six additional rooms from the same period have been identified; these extend out under the south east precinct of the Cathedral.”

Patti also loved the beautiful embroideries (kneelers, seat cushions) created and maintained by the cathedral’s “Seffrid Guild“, featuring modern designs, intentional symbolism and a level of visual cohesiveness that is gorgeous.

And then… it was time to eat and tuck ourselves in because the next day, Monday, was shaping up to be an action packed day. Read on…

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Chichester – The Weald & Downland Living Museum – with HELEN!!!

During the early planning stages of this trip, our dear friend Janice very generously connected us with Helen Kirkpatrick – her birth mother – when she found out that we were going to be visiting Chichester where Helen lives. Of course, we stayed in touch with Helen and a day or two before we arrived in Chichester, she suggested a couple of options for connecting with us, one of which was a visit to – and our own privately guided tour of!!! – The Weal & Downland Living Museum.

Helen has volunteered with this incredible organization for years, and on Monday morning after picking us up at our hotel in her zippy little Honda, and driving us out to the grounds, she put us through our paces. How did we recognize Helen, waiting for the ride? No worries. She has purple hair.

Helen also has an encyclopedic knowledge of English history, and a real passion for the work that this museum does. As you will see from the photographs, it is a very, very special place. They rescue and conserve historic buildings, teach traditional trades and crafts to ensure their preservation, and share the untold stories of rural life and those who lived in the South East of England.

Founded in 1970, the award-winning Weald & Downland Living Museum is a leading museum of historic buildings in England, covering 40 acres in the South Downs National Park in West Sussex, so you’re not only going in and out of 50 historic (from 950 AD to the 19th century) buildings that have been moved to this gorgeous site and then authentically restored, you’re visiting period gardens, traditional farm animals and a mill pond, and traipsing through the woods in hilly terrain.

We absolutely loved it. If Helen hadn’t suggested this visit, we would never have seen such a beautiful museum.

After our walk around the site we enjoyed a delicious meal and visit in the museum’s cafe, and then Helen dropped us back at our hotel. Patti was so exhausted, she had a nap. In contrast, Helen was, apparently, going home to take laundry off the line and iron the sheets. (Told you: she is a force.) We were grateful to have had this time with Helen, so, thank-you, Helen and Janice.

We made it to Evensong at Chichester Cathedral for 5:30. It was 5 “lay vicars”, i.e. men, singing very spartan harmonies, and gorgeously austere. Then we toddled down the street to the same Italian restaurant we had been at on Monday night because, coincidentally, our dinner company for the evening – our neighbour “Sue Howson” from across the street in Toronto and her childhood friend “Stuart” – suggested that we meet there.

We appreciated catching up with Sue on what she has been doing over the summer (she’s been in Cambridge, UK, dealing with the publication of a book and managing her home there, for those of you who know her!), and after we left them, we wended our way back to the hotel and fell into bed. So much socializing! So much fresh air! So much Italian food!

Next day… A 77 km ride to Winchester. And more National Trust properties.