From Timothy Parsons
I’ve spent four-and-a-half years in Exeter – roughly the time that a chorister spends in the Cathedral Choir. Like a chorister’s career, my time here has been relatively short, but packed with excitement, progress, and life-changing experiences.
There are a lot of people whom I have to thank for that. I’m eternally grateful to Timothy Noon for offering me the job here back in 2016. His unfailing passion and commitment to what we do has inspired me each and every day, and I couldn’t have wished for a better training as I now prepare to become a Director of Music myself. I’m hugely thankful to our Dean and Chapter – and in particular to our expert and effervescent Precentor, James Mustard, who has been such a constant support, especially in this last very challenging year. It’s been such a privilege to work with the Cathedral Choir: the two sets of choristers have taught me more than they could imagine, and their delightful good humour has invariably put me in high spirits first thing in the morning! It’s also been great to work with our fantastic team of lay vicars and choral scholars, and it’s been a blessing to live in the close-knit community of Cloister Garth. I’d like to extend my warmest thanks to the entire congregation and wider Cathedral community for welcoming me so warmly to Devon. I feel fortunate that so many people have shown me such kindness and that I’ve been able to make countless wonderful friends here. We had the most wonderful send-off from the Cathedral at Evensong on Easter Sunday: despite not being able to see so many of you, we were hugely touched by the kind words from the Dean, Timothy Noon and Heather Morgan and couldn’t have hoped for a more wonderful last day.
Most of all, I want to thank my fiancée Cressida, who is (as I’m sure you can understand) the single biggest reason I’m glad I came to Exeter! She has been part of this community for her whole life, so to leave this city behind is even more of a wrench for her than it is for me. I know that she is one of the treasures of Exeter Cathedral and I promise to look after her! We are both hugely excited to start our new life together in Bury St Edmunds: please do come and say hello if you are in Suffolk. But Exeter is a place which will always be a home to us, and we are so much looking forward to remaining part of the Cathedral community in the years to come and to hearing about the various exciting projects that are about to unfold. Although we have twice had to postpone our wedding, we can’t wait to get married here in July. So our undying thanks to every one of you, and please stay in touch!