As it happens I was in Llandaff on Saturday for ordinations (my mother was amongst those being deaconed).  The Majestis does indeed contain a divison of the organ, but since a lightning strike Easter before last the organ has been out of action, and there's currently a big fundraising push to build an entirely new organ 9I'm not quite sure what the implications for the pipes in the Majestis are).

I don't particularly object to the Majestis, and apparently my Dad, the first time he went into the Cathedral (having been brought up a good Welsh congregationlist) was so overwhelmed by the comparitively vast scale (though fairly small by cathedral standards) that he managed to overlook it entirely.

The other modern addition is the Welch Regiment chapel to the north of the nave.

Congratulations to your mum, David.

hh, only in America.

A nod's as good as a wink, Don B. I've put out a contract with some friends of mine who have form in this kind of thing if you get my drift. You might want to keep your eyes open for news reports of some of those unfortunate 'lightning strikes' that seem to hit our cathedrals so unexpectedly. I don't think you will be disappointed.

The lads have already put a bit of assault work in on this mock up of Salisbury without the spire. Looks much tidier.

I first came accros Martin Warner when he was Administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and heard him give the address before the Saturday Evening Procession with statue round the grounds.  He spoke without notes and a Bible in his hand.  He quoted the recently released Bridget Jones film in which one character (probably Colin Firth) said "I love you just as you are."  Father Martin repeated this several times to indicate this is God's love for us, and its so true.  We try to kid ourselves and those we admire that we are different from what we are, but God knows and still loves us.  (Which is why, by the way, to say you are a "real person" is self delusion, but let it pass.)

Walsingham only a generation ago was regarded as beyond the pale catholic - and indeed does not allow women priests to celebrate mass there.

I was amazed he was made Canon of St Paul's, only a generation ago, and indeed at times now, a by-word for state religion, with a woman canon in place (the lovely "I Love" Lucy Winkett.)

When he came to preach at our church I saw him receive communion when a woman had presided at mass.

I have three times attended the Sunday when the perform the Nelson Mass.  The other two preachers I heard did amateur musicology.  Canon Warner related the gospel reading, the human condition and the music together.

And he has wonderful liturgical style.  I don't mean he is a fussy old show off.  When he presides at a said eucharist in that vast space under the dome, with an unknown congregation of strangers and visitors, he appears completely unfazed, but what he does and says is completely un-self conscious and authoritative without being pompous or bossy.

I have a lot of time for him: he is too good to be lost in all the admin and politics that bishops, bless them, have to be involved in.

  Martin on left, Rowan on right.

I like the Epstein but loathe the GP arch thing it is on. So that's half a vote each way. Hedging my bets or indecisive would be other descriptions.   
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I will think about what impresses me most George.  It's the arch that bothers me as well.

Don B.  I remember my one and only trip to Walsingham with fondness.

Thank you for that information about Martin Warner, very informative.  I'll read up on him a bit more

Why cannot I work out this quote thingy?

Don Basilio,

Call me a Feminist with cropped hair in Doc Martens (please!) but that Arch is just so masculine a statement is it not?  It does not belong there.  It actually impinges on The Majesty of Christ, and it seems it's the concrete arch, not the Epstein that is important.  Well, that's how it seems to me.  Male Ego against Female Spiritual.

Anty, I'd forgotten, you have actually seen it and didn't like it.  Fair enough.

And I got the Guys and Dolls reference, thanks, kitty.  Nice one.  Or Nicely Nicely one.