tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post5104129802322287521..comments2024-03-28T09:17:03.940+00:00Comments on AncientBriton: Decline and fallAncientBritonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12357913998344777403noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-22682345288842813002016-01-19T21:20:06.837+00:002016-01-19T21:20:06.837+00:00Many thanks for your kind remarks Teilo. Be assure...Many thanks for your kind remarks Teilo. Be assured that this blog is not going the way of the Llandaffchester Chronicles.<br /> <br />Closure is not to restrict debate. Many comments on this subject have become lengthy and in danger of becoming repetitive, sometimes with unhelpful personal remarks contrary to the guidance given in the introduction:<br />'Anonymous' comments are not published. Comments for publication should be 'on topic' and not directed at third parties please.<br />Other comments will continue to be published as usual subject to approval.AncientBritonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12357913998344777403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-77373929398824436842016-01-19T20:05:21.478+00:002016-01-19T20:05:21.478+00:00That is a shame Ancient Briton.
I agree with "...That is a shame Ancient Briton.<br />I agree with "9 o'cloker", your blog and its content have been a source of illumination, particularly into the dark areas where light has been most needed.<br />Hopefully it won't go the way of the Llandaffchester Chronicles just when it is most needed.<br />You should know there are many many more supporters of your blog than critics.<br />Teilonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-17900767022468365502016-01-19T19:57:19.408+00:002016-01-19T19:57:19.408+00:00I would like to draw a line here on this subject p...I would like to draw a line here on this subject please. <br />I appreciate that commentators are concerned about the state of Llandaff Cathedral. Their concerns are understandable but have been adequately expressed.AncientBritonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12357913998344777403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-11353025835169039742016-01-19T18:42:25.325+00:002016-01-19T18:42:25.325+00:00In the light of recent developments, here is an up...In the light of recent developments, here is an updated list of suggestions proposed for consideration by the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral before any agreement is made to use Friends’ money to further help the deceitful Dean & Chapter.<br /><br />1. Demand the Health & Safety Audit Report dated 16th October 2013 be published in full.<br />2. Demand an Asbestos Survey, Asbestos Register and Asbestos Management Plan be published in full.<br />3. Demand the 2004 Quinquennial Report be published in full.<br />4. Demand the 2009 Quinquennial Report be published in full.<br />5. Demand the 2015 Quinquennial Report be published in full.<br />6. Demand the estimates/quotations for all outstanding maintenance and repairs be published in full.<br />7. Demand all Health & Safety Policies and Procedures be published in full.<br />8. Demand a Health & Safety Manager be identified.<br />9. Demand the full Organ Appeal accounts to be drawn up by independent accountant in accordance with best practice, presented to independent auditors for verification and be made openly available for public scrutiny.<br />10. Any and all irregularities discovered to be dealt with appropriately and robustly.<br />11. A full and candid explanation provided in writing for the resignation of Janet Henderson.<br />12. The resignation or (if necessary) the dismissal of Gerwyn Capon.<br />13. Any and all urgent repairs identified to be put out to tender and at least three quotations obtained - to include an itemised and clearly priced list of necessary work and other expenditure (equipment, scaffolding, materials, expenses etc).<br />14. The Friends of Llandaff Cathedral to select the best/most appropriate tender following the receipt of professional advice.<br />15. The selected contractor(s) to submit their invoices for payment of completed work to the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral for the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral pay the contractor(s) directly.<br />16. To prevent any future possibility of diversion of “restricted” funds to other unidentified purposes, no sums of money for any purpose be paid directly to Llandaff Cathedral.<br />17. a) Barry Morgan provides Bill Barlow with a full written and public apology.<br />b) Barry Morgan then definitely buggers off.<br />18. That the position of Chairman of the Council of the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral be filled by democratic election drawn from the members of the Council, themselves having already been elected to that Council.<br />19. That the Bishop of Llandaff be removed from the position of Vice President of the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral.<br /><br />Readers might also like to refresh their memories of past events by re-reading<br />http://ancientbritonpetros.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/the-journeys-end-but-for-whom.html<br />Lots of good health & safety references to be found.<br />Augustinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-56156486178971080032016-01-19T17:57:49.307+00:002016-01-19T17:57:49.307+00:00What motivates you people? The promise has been ...What motivates you people? The promise has been made that the report will be made available in Feb - what right have you to demand it before then. <br /><br />I overheard a child (at the 9am service) say to her mother the other day "he's very holy this new dean isn't he, not like ...". If Gerwyn's problem is holiness then what a wonderful problem to have - would that more aspired to holiness and just asked themselves "what can I do to make the situation better in this place of worship" rather than throw clerestory stones at those who have inherited problems pre-dating their appointment. <br /><br />Yes what a pity there are not more people in Llandaff prepared to do the right thing - pull together, contribute to the solution and attempt a little bit of love.gaychristianhttp://www.gay.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-9755205525918442272016-01-19T17:48:59.192+00:002016-01-19T17:48:59.192+00:00Good points, well made 1662.
Capon also stated “T...Good points, well made 1662.<br /><br />Capon also stated “The Cathedral’s architect, engineers and insurers have confirmed that there are no outstanding health and safety matters to be addressed that put the congregation, visitors or anyone else at the Cathedral in jeopardy. Indeed, were there any such risks, the insurers would have closed the building down.”<br /><br />Note.<br />The Cathedral's old Architect has not spoken for himself.<br />The Cathedral's new Architect has not spoken for himself.<br />The Cathedral Engineer has not spoken for himself.<br />The Cathedral's Insurers have not spoken for themselves.<br /><br />The chances are that the leaked Health & Safety Audit was concealed from them too.<br />After all, if the glove puppet is to be believed (and I am NOT suggesting he should be believed for a second) had the Cathedral's Insurer known about the failings identified in the Audit of 16th October 2013 and known of the report itself, they SHOULD have closed the building there and then until matters were rectified.<br /><br />But the Audit report remained hidden.<br />The building remained open.<br /><br />Throw the book at them indeed.<br /><br />And, good people of Llandaff, don't forget to demand the publication of the legally required asbestos survey etc.....<br />Episkoposnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-9204619083248268172016-01-19T16:42:48.569+00:002016-01-19T16:42:48.569+00:00“The Cathedral has had a full structural review wh...“The Cathedral has had a full structural review which was revisited and updated in November 2015 as part of the quinquennial survey."<br /><br />Entirely irrelevant.<br />This is a pathetically transparent attempt to divert attention away from the real issues, which are<br />a) that from 2006 the Cathedral failed to carry out its statutory obligations concerning Asbestos,<br />b) that from 2008 the Cathedral failed to carry out its statutory obligations concerning Health & Safety,<br />c) for all those years EVERYONE that ever entered the building had been put at risk,<br />and<br />d) Gerwyn Capon perpetuated the cover-up even when he had TWO opportunities to come clean (the media articles about the Prebendal House Kitchen and the lumps of stone falling from the Clerestory during the funeral.)<br /><br />I for one hope the relevant enforcement agencies throw the book at them.<br />1662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-49398338478401245202016-01-19T15:55:19.376+00:002016-01-19T15:55:19.376+00:0023rd August 2015
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news...23rd August 2015<br />http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/leaked-report-shows-church-wales-9913096<br />Dean Capon said....<br />“We have nothing whatever to hide..."<br /><br />19th January 2016<br />http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/llandaff-cathedral-warned-unstable-masonry-10754391<br />Dean Capon said....<br />"The quinquennial survey will be presented to the Cathedral Chapter in February and is not a public document"<br /><br />Gerwhine doesn't want everyone to see the report and decide for themselves, least of all those he wants to foot the bill.<br /><br />Produce the Quinquennial Report<br />Gerwyn Must Go!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-36651527135093164102016-01-19T12:24:00.255+00:002016-01-19T12:24:00.255+00:00Well done to the leakers and the ex singers.
What ...Well done to the leakers and the ex singers.<br />What a pity there aren't more people in Llandaff willing to do the right thing.<br />I don't believe a word that Capon says.<br />Produce the Quinquennial report.9 o'clockernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-7595328422686838502016-01-19T12:06:52.843+00:002016-01-19T12:06:52.843+00:00"We continue as we please", His Hon Mich..."We continue as we please", His Hon Michael Michael Evans QC and Recorder Stuart Batcup QC; Church in Wales Provincial Court, Caernarfon, October 1997. <br /><br />Nothing changes in the ecclesiastical banana republic. Enforcerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08943009288993021671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-25582984692026294832016-01-19T11:29:25.657+00:002016-01-19T11:29:25.657+00:00The meeting of the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral w...The meeting of the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral will have a lot to discuss at their meeting next week!1662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-37557038367527503382016-01-19T10:12:37.425+00:002016-01-19T10:12:37.425+00:00The dean and chapter have brought the cathedral in...The dean and chapter have brought the cathedral into disrepute.<br />They won't be getting any contribution from me.Ruthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-43022929007119093252016-01-19T09:34:47.790+00:002016-01-19T09:34:47.790+00:00The the smart money is not as smart as you might t...The the smart money is not as smart as you might think. Not employed by the Church, just an on-looker and attender at the Cathedral. And Catnap's response below reads as if s/he did not read my initial message. I am astounded that people are sending messages here about the Archbishop when they know that his wife has just died and he is grieving. Where is the charity? Phrases like "Bully Boy Bazza and the new Shite Rite" as below - where is the compassion. You would think that people would hold their comments in this period of deep sadness and mourning. You would think, wouldn't you?gaychristianhttp://www.gay.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-69210353938643758862016-01-19T09:31:41.639+00:002016-01-19T09:31:41.639+00:00I wonder if the Chapter knew this time yesterday t...I wonder if the Chapter knew this time yesterday they'd be launching a "restoration appeal"? <br /><br />In the circumstances the Friends would be wise to refuse to have anything to do with it until the Organ appeal accounts are produced in full.<br /><br />The Cathedral authorities cannot be trusted.Simple Simonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-9562106011935192252016-01-19T01:56:47.796+00:002016-01-19T01:56:47.796+00:00News
Local News
Church in Wales
Llandaff Cathedral...News<br />Local News<br />Church in Wales<br />Llandaff Cathedral was warned about unstable masonry nearly two years before some fell during a funeral<br />20:04, 18 JAN 2016 UPDATED 20:04, 18 JAN 2016<br />BY MARTIN SHIPTON<br />Last July hairline cracks were identified in a pillar by Cardiff council officials who inspected the interior of the Cathedral after the incident<br /><br />Llandaff Cathedral authorities had been told to repair structural problem nearly two years before masonry fell from ceiling, leaked report shows<br /><br />The Church in Wales was warned that masonry was unstable in Llandaff Cathedral nearly two years before some of it fell to the floor during a funeral, a leaked report has confirmed.<br /><br />Last July hairline cracks were identified in a pillar by Cardiff council officials who inspected the interior of the Cathedral after the incident.<br /><br />Read more: Repairs being carried out at historic Welsh cathedral after piece of stone fell from building during funeral<br />But a report by health and safety consultants Argent had identified a problem in October 2013.<br />'Matter of urgency'<br />The report, leaked to two former members of the Cathedral choir Matthew Mudge and Adam Poole, said: “You must as a matter of urgency carry out a review of the unstable masonry to the Flag Tower and Clerestory and have suitable repairs carried out.”<br />Mr Mudge said: “In October 2013 the Cathedral was not compliant with a whole host of legislation and regulations on a wide range of health and safety matters.<br />“This included, among other things, the state of the kitchen, food handling/hygiene, asbestos, legionella and masonry they knew at that time to be unstable in the Clerestory and on the Bell Tower.<br />To the best of our knowledge and belief, to date no repairs have been carried out to the Clerestory although some of the pillars appear to have been strapped up.”<br />'Cavalier approach to safety'<br />Dr Poole said: “It is very unsatisfactory that the Church in Wales authorities responsible for the Cathedral had been told of the risk of masonry falling nearly two years before such an incident actually happened.<br />It demonstrates a cavalier approach to safety which is wholly unacceptable.”<br /><br />Dean of Llandaff Very Rev Gerwyn Capon, a former chaplain to the Archbishop of Wales who took over his current role in March 2014, issued a statement in response to the comments made by Mr Mudge and Dr Poole which said: “The Cathedral has had a full structural review which was revisited and updated in November 2015 as part of the quinquennial survey.<br />"The building is perfectly safe, and the Chapter will be launching a restoration appeal for the fabric in partnership with The Friends of Llandaff Cathedral.<br />“The quinquennial survey will be presented to the Cathedral Chapter in February and is not a public document.<br />"As part of the recommendations of the survey the Cathedral architect will prioritise the work that needs to be done over the next five years.<br />“The Cathedral’s architect, engineers and insurers have confirmed that there are no outstanding health and safety matters to be addressed that put the congregation, visitors or anyone else at the Cathedral in jeopardy. Indeed, were there any such risks, the insurers would have closed the building down.”<br />Lux Et Veritasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-78599705662697459072016-01-18T21:08:19.660+00:002016-01-18T21:08:19.660+00:00Llandaff Cathedral was warned about unstable mason...Llandaff Cathedral was warned about unstable masonry nearly two years before some fell during a funeral<br /><br />http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/llandaff-cathedral-warned-unstable-masonry-107543911662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-90360061735161270042016-01-18T20:33:50.827+00:002016-01-18T20:33:50.827+00:00One seriously doubts it.
I suppose it was only go...One seriously doubts it.<br /><br />I suppose it was only going to be a matter of time before it happened but has anyone else noticed that the monthly statistics for Communicants are no longer published in the "From The Registers" page of The Bell?<br />(See page 25 of http://www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk/documents/BellFeb2016Final.pdf)<br /><br />In the same edition, the duplicitous Dean writes<br />"We have enjoyed a very encouraging time in the Cathedral over Advent and Christmas – those of you who were present for the Advent Procession, the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, together with the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist on the Eve of Christmas and on the Day itself, will know that we were overwhelmed with the size of the congregations. It reinforced my confidence that the liturgy and life of the church still speaks powerfully to people."<br /><br />You see readers, hard facts are terribly inconvenient when they contradict ones claims.<br />The truth will out however hard he tries to conceal it.<br />The communicant numbers are falling.<br />The giving has dwindled.<br />The deceitful Dean must go.Episkoposnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-25013288181326154152016-01-18T18:58:25.066+00:002016-01-18T18:58:25.066+00:00Hole in one Matthew.
Bully boy Bazza forced the ne...Hole in one Matthew.<br />Bully boy Bazza forced the new shite Rite on everyone.<br />You may rest assured, as recent revelations on this blog have confirmed once more, "best practice" is as rare in Llandaff as honesty, decency and integrity.Zadoknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-57923958499174460222016-01-18T17:42:00.978+00:002016-01-18T17:42:00.978+00:00I'm wondering what this recommendation quoted ...I'm wondering what this recommendation quoted above by Zadok from the Cathedral annual report actually means: "to bring Sunday morning liturgies in line with best Church in Wales practice". I'm particularly distrustful of the jargon expression "best practice" beloved among social workers and allied trades, which I suspect of meaning no more than "according to the latest (but not necessarily well-founded) way of doing things". In this context does it mean something like <br />* all celebrations of the Eucharist having to be "over the counter"<br />* women and girls playing an equal part in vested roles with men and boys<br />* the Sacrament distributed by children as well as by licensed adult laypeople<br />* prayers (including the great Prayer of the Eucharist) preceded by the invitation to "kneel or sit", with the inevitable result that almost everyone opts for the latter posture?<br />Parce nobis Domine!Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06908070025869221948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-19469639192780883172016-01-18T10:16:57.182+00:002016-01-18T10:16:57.182+00:00Didn't think you would gc.
The smart money on ...Didn't think you would gc.<br />The smart money on The Green says you're on the staff at Llandaff Cathedral.<br />Preventing the truth coming out about the compulsive and habitual liars running the Cathedral seems to me a much more likely reason for you wanting this blog taken down.<br />Bet you don't reply to this either.Stop the Abuse of Officenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-16717622247077784142016-01-17T19:08:38.656+00:002016-01-17T19:08:38.656+00:00Gerwhine the duplicitous Dean didn't have much...Gerwhine the duplicitous Dean didn't have much to say for himself today.<br />He couldn't look me in the eye.<br />Did the little sh*t look anyone in the eye today?Simple Simonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-10492247013076069942016-01-17T18:54:58.440+00:002016-01-17T18:54:58.440+00:00Well said Simon.
A budget of £16k for building rep...Well said Simon.<br />A budget of £16k for building repairs in 2013?<br />Pathetic.<br />The Cathedral was spending £105k per annum on repairs in the early 1990s, although £25k of that was being put aside into a sinking fund to build up a reserve.<br />I was told the best part of £15k was spent on the reframing and restoration of the Marshall Throne painting on 2013.<br />And where is that nowadays?<br />Locked away out of sight in the Chapter House?Stop the Abuse of Officenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-14363585005965263572016-01-17T09:49:49.142+00:002016-01-17T09:49:49.142+00:00Here's a few figures from March 2013, just bef...Here's a few figures from March 2013, just before Janet Henderson arrived. The Archbishop, in his capacity as Visitor, made the following appeal in 'The Bell':<br /><br />One of the greatest challenges we now face is a financial one and I have written to every person on the Electoral Roll about this. Just to make sure that no-one can say that they have not been told, I reproduce below the Cathedral’s budget for this year. It is a budget based on doing nothing new but it projects a deficit of £81,000 without doing anything much to address the fabric, which needs at least a further £200,000.<br /><br />For 2013 we have budgeted that we will spend:<br />Ministry & Mission £180,203;<br />Worship & Music £198,350;<br />Our giving to others £27,500;<br />Cathedral Building Repairs £16,000;<br />Other property costs £81,250;<br />Administration and Governance £62,547<br />http://www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk/documents/BELLMar2013Final.pdf<br /><br />So they were spending on maintenance less than a third of what was spent on administration. Despite acknowledging that £200K was needed, they couldn't get their priorities straight.<br /><br />For building that's nearly 900 years old in places, this really beggars belief. Simon Stylitesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-64871199489388247772016-01-17T09:41:50.406+00:002016-01-17T09:41:50.406+00:00Zadok, many thanks for your timely memory-jog.
O...Zadok, many thanks for your timely memory-jog. <br /><br />One has to ask what kind of a cathedral has to reestablish something as basic as a Fabric Committee? The reason is of course that the previous Committee was abolished in 2006 by John Lewis, so for 6 years the only monitoring and maintenance was done by the Administrator. The same person who was simultaneously Dean's Warden, Steward, Deputy Chapter Clerk and member of the Council of Friends. Oh yes, and on the Organ Appeal Committee too. <br /><br />Given all his other roles it's no surprise that he felt quite capable of replacing the Fabric Committee!<br /><br />Despite the apparent good intentions shown in 2012 in setting up all these new Committees, the current Dean has done much the same as Lewis and sidelined them. One gets the sense that he doesn't want anyone else having insight into the workings of the Cathedral. Every request for transparency is met with angry denials and accusations of "gossip".<br /><br />We are seeing the result of this stonewalling right now. Simon Stylitesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4019954714374602353.post-76052520803684168922016-01-17T09:18:42.174+00:002016-01-17T09:18:42.174+00:00In answer to 'Gerwyn Must Go' blog of abov...In answer to 'Gerwyn Must Go' blog of above, AB: quote, "Llandaf has been running illegally". With respect, I would add that the whole Province had been 'running illegally' up to the pension scandal discovery 1994 -1998, followed by the Provincial Court of CiW 1997. Enforcerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08943009288993021671noreply@blogger.com