Wakefield Cathedral

[Richard A Thackeray]

I know we're out of the Leeds area with this, but I had a bit of a 'behind the scenes' tour last night.My daughter's a chorister in the Cathedral choir, & I've seen the basement before - not the Crypt, that's still on the 'to do list'The basement has some offices, stores & the rehearsal rooms, etc....Whilst we were waiting for her last night, my wife asked the Verger if he'd show me up the Tower (I've been up before, but it was about 20 years ago)I know there's a few people who regularly go up, as the Bell-Ringers gain access to their floor.He showed me their floor, but we couldn't access the bells themselves, as there were problems with the lights.Then it was continue up the 220-odd steps to the top of the tower.From gloom & a dingy spiral staircase, we popped out into fresh air at the base of the Tower.What a cracking view, it's certainly worth the effort.From up there, the layout of what remains of the old layour of Wakefield is apparant, with all the buildings suggesting some hidden/blocked-in yards!!Now that's a reason for another visit, but with the camera next time!!Then after a look around from all 4 faces, & asking him if he'd ever been tempted to put a 'Bat-signal' on the spotlights that illuminate the spire & re-align them to the cloudsNo, he hadn't but I could see the idea appealed (he's only in his late 20's/early 30's)After that was the surprise............. he opened the door into the spire..............Now that was an incredible sight, imagine looking down (but, up!) a well.Circular stonework disappearing well beyond the reach of a 500watt floodlamp, for what must be another 130 foot or more.Absolutely magnificent.An inspection turned up masons marks everywhere, but no evidence of any 'put-log' holes in the wallsSadly, we had to leave after 15 minutes up there as choir practice was coming to an end.As I said, I shall return with a camera(it's 247feet to the tip of the spire)http://www.wakefieldcathedral.org.uk/Hi ... mlThere'll be another chance to revisit it soon, as there's a sponsored abseil down from the Tower next month.I'm tempted to do it, & talk Kevin into letting me into the Spire again.Plus, we'll be there to see Kate Rusby in a couple of weeks too.(see about 'half-way' down the Cathedrals 'Whats On' page for details of both)

[Tasa]

Thanks for this great description of your visit - you obviously enjoyed the experience! It's wonderful to see behind the scenes of places like this, and do take some photos next time you go up the tower.A couple of years ago, I arranged for phill.d and me to go up the tower at St Bartholomew's in Leeds as I have connections with the church, and Phill took some excellent photos which are in his Flickr collection, including the view up the middle of the steeple, similar to what you describe but with a very intricate wooden support structure.

[majorhoundii]

My daughter lives near Salisbury, the cathedral there has the tallest spire in the country. It may be an illiusion but Wakefield's doesn't look that much shorter. I seem to remember readng somwhere that it is the tallest spire north of the Trent -anyone know if this is true.BTW coming up the M1 from the South I always look first for Emley Moor and then the cathedral spire, as a sign I'm nearly home. Next it's Holy Trinity Ossett's spire (I was married there and jokingly call it the Temple of Doom)