Rowan Williams
Ronald Blythe Lecture with Rowan Williams
- Next Event
- 7th May 7:00pm
- Event Finishes
- 7th May 9:00pm
About this event
Baron Williams of Oystermouth will deliver the inaugural Ronald Blythe Lecture at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
Ronald Blythe was a renowned British writer, essayist, and poet, best known for his book “Akenfield” (1969), which provides a vivid account of rural life in Suffolk from the early 20th century to the Ronnie had a deep connection to the English countryside, which greatly influenced his work.
Ronald Blythe’s literary career was marked by his long-running column, “Word from Wormingford,” in the Church Times, where he shared reflections on rural life and nature.
In addition to “Akenfield,” Ronnie was the author of numerous books and essays, often exploring themes of nature, history, and the changing landscape of rural England. He passed away on January 14, 2023, at the age of 100. RowanWilliams, himself a prolific and well-known poet, will celebrate Ronnie’s life and work and speak of the power of poetry to connect us with the natural world, people and places, our spirituality and our innermost selves.
The Cathedral is proud to host the first Ronald Blythe lecture in memory of Suffolk’s famous poet. Rowan Williams will speak at the first of what will become an annual lecture in honour of Ronald Blythe. Each year the lecture will be devoted to poetry and the power of the spoken word, to music and the arts, celebrating their unique ability to be an interpreter of human life, love and faith.
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About the Venue
For over 1,000 years, the site of Suffolk ’s Cathedral has been one of worship and pilgrimage.
The death of Edmund, King of the East Angles, at the hands of the Danes in 869 led to the building of an abbey to house his remains. St James’s Church was built within the precincts of the Abbey, becoming a Cathedral in 1914. The Cathedral building has continued to develop over recent years with the addition of the Millennium Tower, completed in 2005, and its magnificent painted and gilded vault, added in 2010. In 2009 the Cathedral changed its dedication to become the Cathedral Church of St James and St Edmund.
Visitors are welcome to look around the Cathedral on their own. Entry is free but donations gratefully received. A free introductory leaflet is available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Polish. Visitors are most welcome to attend any of the daily services.
Guided Tours of the Cathedral run Monday to Saturday at 11.30am from the font from April to October. Tickets can be purchased at the Cathedral Shop. Occasionally a tour may have to be cancelled if another event is taking place in the Cathedral. If you are travelling some distance, please do ring the Cathedral office to check. These tours last approx 1 hour and cost £7 per person (under 16s free).
St Edmundsbury Cathedral Tower Tours - Experience a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of St Edmundsbury Cathedral's Millennium Tower with fun and knowledgeable guides. Explore heady heights with amazing views from the top of the tower, the highest point in Bury St Edmunds! Don’t forget your camera!
St Edmund Statue by Dame Elisabeth Frink - A trip to Bury St Edmunds would not be complete without a photo of the iconic St Edmund statue by Dame Elisabeth Frink. The statue can be found outside in the Great Churchyard of the Cathedral.
Cathedral Lego Project - St Edmundsbury Cathedral has launched an ambitious project to recreate the Cathedral out of 200,000 LEGO bricks! Visitors can see the Lego Cathedral being built before their eyes and donate a brick to be part of this amazing project. The Lego Cathedral is located in the South West corner of St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Opening times may vary based on volunteer availability.
The Ancient Library - The Ancient Library was founded by Dr Miles Mosse in 1595 as a resource for clergy training. There are over 550 books, mainly printed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The library, in a room over the north-west porch designed by Stephen Dykes Bower in 1960, has bookcases made by Leonard Goff in 2004. If you would like to visit the library, please contact the librarian through the Cathedral Office on visits@stedscathedral.org or 01284 748730.
Pilgrim's Kitchen - after touring the Cathedral why not relax with a cuppa at the Cathedral's cafe?
"A lovely gem in Bury St Edmunds, a must visit."
"Really gorgeous cathedral with a lot of history and a lot of areas to explore."
"The grounds are spectacular enough as they contain the remains of a destroyed abbey but once you enter the Cathedral it's like entering something from Camelot. I have never come across a Cathedral with such a range of textures and colours on the floor, cleaning and stained glass."
