Diocesan Digest Lichfield

14/08/2025

Listen to the August 2025 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.upload.hear.media/player/?tn=lichfieldcathedral
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

"We have a bumper edition this month with the usual array of features from right across the diocese and the wider church to keep you informed and entertained.

We learn how church communities are being taught to live alongside some of the smallest, most elusive but fascinating creatures – Bats.

We hear about a church in Shropshire that’s just won the Lichfield Diocese second gold eco church award.

And as this summer’s Lichfield Festival come to a close we hear from some of the performers.

All that plus a Pastoral letter, a tour of the natural world, your letters and a new feature telling you how to listen to us on smart speakers."

14/07/2025

Listen to the July 2025 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest
Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

This month we’ll spend time chatting to some of the performers scheduled to appear at this year’s Lichfield Summer Festival.
We’ll also hear what is being done to make faith communities more welcoming to people living with dementia.

There’s also the regular features; A pastoral letter about the work of the church in North Staffordshire, What’s on at the cathedral and news from the parishes of the Lichfield Diocese.

And we mustn’t forget out monthly look at what’s going on in the natural world.

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.

12/06/2025

Listen to the June 2025 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

"As we continue to mark the 80th anniversary since VE Day, we hear more on the amazing story of Peggy Knight who was parachuted into occupied France to work with the resistance before going on to lead a very ordinary life.

There’s also more about the larger than life character we called Casanova that cathedral guide and actor, David Titley brought to life in a one man stage play.

We find out about a scheme to help men to break the cycle of loneliness and benefit the community at the same time and we head to a retreat centre in the heart of the beautiful Peak District.

And if that isn’t enough we speak to an author who’s been researching the relationship Queen Victoria had with her Prime Ministers.

There is a very important chat we want to share with you about what is being done to make churches more friendly places to people with dementia.

Add in the news from the parishes of the diocese, the wider church and what’s happening in the natural world at this time of year and there really is something for everyone."

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.

15/05/2025

Listen to the May 2025 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

"Hopefully we have something to whet the appetites of everyone for what is an edition to celebrate Spring.

We will get out into the garden in search of a seldom seen creature with a rather obvious calling card, hear about an activity found in many churches across the diocese, find out about the traditions that underpin May Day and mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

We’ll also join the Bishop of Lichfield for part of his pilgrimage around the diocese, learn more about a Christian charity doing great work in Stoke on Trent and find out why a cathedral volunteer brought the life of the notorious womaniser Casanova to life on the theatre stage.

And we will also hear what happened when some diocesan staff got to hold a 10,000 year-old block of ice."

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.

16/04/2025

Listen to the April 2025 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

"In this edition we hope there is something that will appeal to everyone.

We learn about an exciting idea to involve everyone across the diocese in a creative project involving sewing and knitting.

There’s a chance to hear about the work of a Christian charity in Stoke on Trent that provides support for people who are homeless, elderly, isolated, in debt or needing support with benefits.

As Lent continues we’ll hear how people in Lichfield can get out of the house and make new friends through a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

There’s more on a little known period of history when Lichfield was the seat of Britain’s third Archbishop, and as the 80th anniversary of VE day draws near, we hear the fascinating story of a housewife who parachuted into France during the second world war to help the Resistance.

Plus there’s also all the usual features; the parish and diocesan news, what’s on at the cathedral, the pastoral letter, and the hymn of the month."

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.

13/03/2025

Listen to the March 2025 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

"For March we look forward as the search begins for a new Archbishop of Canterbury but we also look back to a little known period in history when Lichfield had its own Archbishop.
We also greet the beginning of Lent, the start of Spring - and learn about frogs!

And if that’s not enough we hear how a West Midlands clergyman got on when he appeared on a national television game show.

There’s also all the usual features; the parish and diocesan news, what’s on at the cathedral, the pastoral letter and the hymn of the month".

Our second stream has changed! Instead of archive material it now contains the previous month's editions, so if you missed October's edition or want to listen to it again you can find it at https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?tn=Lichprev or click the link on the Digest's page on the Cathedral website, https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.

12/02/2025

Listen to the February 2025 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

"This month we take you to a little known ‘cathedral’ which you might mistake for a small country church, learn about a new project to record the historic graffiti that can be found in our churches and celebrate one of the first festivals of the year.

We also help you to keep warm through the cold weather, listen to some of the birds that can be found in our churchyards over the winter months and give a passing nod to the fact that the patron saint of passion has his – or is it her – feast day this month.

All that plus the usual features and, as usual, the Digest has something for everyone."

Our second stream has changed! Instead of archive material it now contains the previous month's editions, so if you missed October's edition or want to listen to it again you can find it at https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?tn=Lichprev or click the link on the Digest's page on the Cathedral website, https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.

20/01/2025

Listen to the January 2025 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

"It’s the time to remember the events of times past and look forward to the opportunities that this year will bring. And we’ll do a bit of both in this edition.

We’ve all heard various tales and stories about the customs and traditions surrounding Christmas and the new year but do you know how they came to be so popular?

A retired archivist from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford will explain how this time of the year is a real mish mash of customs overlain on top of lots of others until its hard to determine which is pagan and which has its roots in Christianity. But one thing is for sure and that is we wouldn’t be without any of them.

We also take a walk along the route of a pilgrimage from Birmingham to Lichfield, hear from a singer songwriter who we started to get to know last month and we venture out into garden to try and hear a special winters song.

Add to that the usual news from the parishes and wider church, a pastoral letter plus the latest events at the cathedral for January."

Our second stream has changed! Instead of archive material it now contains the previous month's editions, so if you missed October's edition or want to listen to it again you can find it at https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?tn=Lichprev or click the link on the Digest's page on the Cathedral website, https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.

08/12/2024

Listen to the December 2024 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

“December's is a joyous edition where the central theme is music.

We’ll hear from Lichfield Gospel Choir about what it members and how singing is a great benefit to people’s mental health.

We chat to a singer songwriter from the Black Country about how she was amazed to hear one of her songs played on national radio.

And we hear some singing from the coast of South African as well as one person’s take on what music means to them along with a pastoral letter which reminds us oh how important music and singing is at this time of the year.

There’s also the usual features to keep you informed of what’s happening around the parishes of the Lichfield Diocese and the wider church, what’s on at the cathedral over the festive season and we’ve the second part of a short story written especially for the Digest.

And that’s not all. We take a trip to Warwickshire to hear about why a church is adorned with mice – yes mice, and to Stoke to hear about an exhibition of knitting……well, there might be a bit more to it than that.”

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.

13/11/2024

Listen to the November 2024 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

"This month we hear about a seldom told tale from the 18th century when famous Lichfield actor David Garrick tried to stage a major celebration to mark 200 years since the birth of Shakespeare – but it didn’t go exactly to plan. We find out why.
We also learn how a Lichfield historian is attempting to bring the spirit of Florence Nightingale to life in a presentation she is planning, we continue our tradition in showcasing new short stories written especially for the Digest and we hear from that star of the horoscope pages of your daily newspaper, Russell Grant who is also quite an aficionado of musical theatre.

There are also the usual features, the news from the parishes of the Lichfield Diocese, the wider church news and what’s on at the cathedral over the next few weeks."

Our second stream has changed! Instead of archive material it now contains the previous month's editions, so if you missed October's edition or want to listen to it again you can find it at https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?tn=Lichprev or click the link on the Digest's page on the Cathedral website, https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.

12/10/2024

Listen to the October 2024 edition of the Diocesan Digest by clicking on the following link :
https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?url=http://www.bwbf.org.uk/localtns/lichfieldcathedral/TOPD_playlist.pls
Find out more by visiting our website at:
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

Paul Marriott, the editor, has supplied the following details:

"This month’s edition is all about new beginnings because we bring you news about the new Bishop of Wolverhampton, the new Dean of Lichfield and a new community space in Shropshire.
Plus we hear from a Lichfield historian who is on a mission to bring the city’s heritage to life, get to grips with Black history month and learn all about fungi that are starting to appear as the weather turns damp.

There’s the hymn of the month, the parish news, we look forward to what’s on at the cathedral.

And we have a special treat for you in the second episode of a new short story written especially for the Digest"

Our second stream has changed! Instead of archive material it will now contain the previous month's editions, so if you missed September's edition or want to listen to it again you can find it at https://www.bwbf.org.uk/player/?tn=Lichprev or click the link on the Digest's page on the Cathedral website, https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/about-us/diocesan-digest

The Diocesan Digest was founded in 1989. It is the Sound Magazine for our Cathedral and the Diocese. It is produced and run by volunteers and is a registered charity - number 702995.