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The Society of Friends of Westminster Cathedral

Who are the Friends?
Anyone can become a Friend of Westminster Cathedral. The Friends number almost two thousand Catholics and non-Catholics, including local parishioners, visitors from overseas, sightseers and architectural admirers of our great Cathedral. There are Friends of Westminster Cathedral from every part of the World. Everyone who is interested in the spiritual life, history, architecture or music of the Cathedral is encouraged to support us by joining the Friends. If you love this Cathedral and want to help sustain it for the years to come, please do something! Become a Friend of Westminster Cathedral today.

History of the Friends of Westminster Cathedral
Our Society was founded in 1977 to promote the Catholic faith in Westminster and to help the Cathedral and her mission. The Society raises funds for the Cathedral where they are needed, to contribute towards its embellishment (for example our Mosaics work) and to support the Cathedral’s renowned musical tradition. Since its foundation, the Society has raised money to decorate the Vaughan Chantry, to purchase new chairs and hymn books and to install a new sound system to name only a few projects undertaken.

The principal aims of the Society are to financially and socially support the Cathedral and its community. The Society arranges several fundraising events every year in order to achieve these purposes.

The Society is well-known for its enjoyable social and musical events and participation in these is a great way of getting to know people who love Westminster Cathedral.

There is much work to be done to sustain the Cathedral, and, to ensure it will be here for future generations. Our Society recognises the national importance of Westminster Cathedral as a place of prayer and peace, and its importance to pilgrims and parishioners as a source of hope and forgiveness. The Friends exist to preserve the Cathedral as a centre of musical excellence, a historical treasure, and a focal point for the community.

Forthcoming Friends Events 2009

Wednesday 8 July - Friends Summer Party and Barbecue. Join Friends in the delightful surroundings of Allen Hall, Chelsea, site of St Thomas More’s London
house, for good food, wine, music and conversation 6.30pm. Tickets £25

Thursday 16 July - Secret Tour of Westminster Cathedral Clergy House 6.45pm – Refreshments will be served. Tickets £13

Thursday 23 July - Quiz and Fish and Chip Supper Westminster Cathedral Hall 7pm. Tickets £15 to include a glass of wine

Monday 26 October - Fundraising Piano Recital by Stephen Hough. Westminster Cathedral 7.30.
Reserved seats plus pre-concert reception will cost £50 – unreserved seating is £15. Available from The Friends Office: 0207 798 9059 or email friends@rcdow.org.uk.
The pre-concert reception in Clergy House will start at 6pm. People should be in their seats by 7.15pm.
Petroc Trelawny will be Master of Ceremonies.

For tickets for all events please contact Christina White in the Friends office on 020 7798 9059 .

Click here to read more about recent Friends' events

How do I become a Friend?
Join us now by completing the application form. These can be obtained from the Friends' Director at the Friends Office. Please call us on +44 20 7798 9059 or send an email to christinawhite@rcdow.org.uk or click here for an application form to print and complete.

How does the Society operate?
The Society is managed by the elected Council. The Friends' Director acts as the operational centre of the Friends

Friends Events include
- Choristers' Recitals
- Talks by eminent Speakers
- Tours of rarely seen parts of the Cathedral
- Quiz Evening
- Club Dinners
- Candlelit Concerts
- Christmas receptions and tea parties
- Visits to historic and religious sites
- Golf Days
- Quiet Days of Recollection
- Receptions after major Cathedral events .

What does Membership cost?
Annual Membership of the Friends costs just £25 per year.
Life Membership costs £250 and Overseas Membership costs £35 per year.

What does Membership include?
- The Friends’ Newsletter published twice a year.
- Advance notice and priority booking for all Friends events including a "secret" tour of the Cathedral and a reception in the Throne Room after the annual dedication Mass.
- The opportunity to further develop a Cathedral dedicated to prayer and to the glory of God.
- A copy of the Friends' Report and Accounts.

Stephen Hough Fundraising Piano Recital Westminster Cathedral Monday 26 October 7.30pm Click here for more

Quiz and Fish and Chip Supper Thursday 23 July

Join the Friends - Click here for an Application Form

Canon Christopher Tuckwell Chairman	Peter Sheppard Vice-Chairman, Chair - Events Committee
Andrew Hollingsworth Treasurer	Christina White Friends' Director
Mary Maxwell Chair - Parish Liaison	Barry Lock Mosaics Appeal Group
Richard Collyer-Hamlin Chair - Development Sub-Committee

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Westminster Cathedral   42 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QW   United Kingdom
Email us Tel: 020 7798 9055   Fax: 020 7798 9090   Registered Charity Number 233699