THE CATHEDRAL CHANCEL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20105, 8 December 1930, Page 16

THE CATHEDRAL CHANCEL.

QUESTION OF ENLARGEMENT. "The Bisliop had some interesting information to give tho Cathedral Guild at its annual meeting last month, concerning the design of the Cathedral's Chancel when the time came to enlarge it," says tho "Church News." "That day may still be beyond the financial horizon just now, but as whatever the Guild may decide to offer the Chapter as its memorial of the Jubilee of the .Cathedral next November, may be conditioned by the plan to bo followed in the inevitable extension of tho Chancel, the Bishop had undertaken to obtain the highest expert opinion on the question. He coopted Dean Carrington and with bim went to the eminent architect, Sir Giles Scott, grandson of tho Sir Gilbert Scott who designed the Cathedral, to discuss the matter. "Sir Giles was of opinion that it would be best to retain the present apsidal shape, rather than to convert ifc into a square-end, and in lengthening the walls about*24ft east, to insert additional windows for lighting. He thought some bare wall would enhance the effect of such decoration of tho walls as might be dono; the effect of the bare walls on acoustics might be overcome by draping them. Mosaic on the walls he considered inappropriate in a Gothic building; and decorated tiles were not favoured. "Sir Giles could not undertake to prepare plans, but he kindly made a sketch of his idea of tho extension and presented it to the Bishop, declining a fee; and he also undertook to look over any plan that might be prepared. The Bishop said that it seemed impracticable to build a Chapter House on to the Cathedral without overbuilding the area available; but tho need should not bo lost siy;ht of. Possibly some place in the Sijuaro might be acquired. Sir Giles had suggested the possibility of incorporating a robing room, choir vestry, etc , in the extension of the chancel "Tho Dean in speaking of possible forms the memorial' of the .-jubilee might take, mentioned that estimates of the cost of installing modern loudspeakers in the Cathedral to overcome the acoustic troubles, amounted to over

£2OO. Something was needed ; he quoted the melancholy fact that the choir in effect had not heard a sermon lor years! "The Guild re-elected the Bishop as its president, the Dean and Dr. AV. Irving as vice-presidents. Miss M. Cotterill as secretary, and Mr G. McKcnzie as treasurer."