Visiting Southwell for the first time, the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Habgood, was greeted with a fanfare as he entered the Minster to celebrate the founding of the Southwell Dioceses on the Feast of Candlemas 100 years ago.
With ‘light’ as its theme, the opening centenary service on 2nd February reached its climax when the Bishop of Southwell, the Rt Rev Denis Wakening, performed the symbolic lighting of the first cathedral candle to the accompaniment of a fanfare by the Derby St John’s Brass Ensemble.
Representatives from over 200 churches in the diocese then moved forward to receive their lighted candles, which they presented at special services on Sunday 5th February to mark the beginning of the centenary in their parishes. After the distribution of candles by the Bishop of Sherwood the Rt Rev Richard Darby, the Provost of Southwell the Very Rev Murray Irvine, the Archdeacon of Nottingham the eVn Roy Williamson and the Archdeacon of Newark, the eVn David Leaning, the candle bearers encircled the Minster with light as the choir sang various anthems under the direction of the Rector Choir, Kenneth Beard and the assistant organist, Peter Wood.
Extract from The Bramley Feb 1984