The Memoirs of a Minor Canon

MEMOIRS OF A MINOR CANON The son of a Lincolnshire Rector, Ronald Ellwood Sibthorp was still at school when he began to take an interest in cathedrals, reading their history, studying their architecture and later, growing to love the glorious music which (with one or two exceptions) is only to be heard in these buildings. A few years after his ordination in 1935 he was appointed to a minor canonry, together with the Precentorship, at Peterborough, later moving to Truro and then to Lichfield. A minor canon or priest vicar (the title varies from cathedral to cathedral) is responsible for singing the priest's part in the daily services, and in conjunction with the cathedral organist, for choosing the music and overseeing the organisation and discipline of the choir. He holds a key position, and during 23 years in this office the author discovered that the life of a cathedral behind the scenes has many amusing, and sometimes extraordinary facets. An account of some of his almost Trollopeian experiences fills a large part of this book, and should provide entertaining reading for many, whether acquainted with a cathedral or not.