Monday 31 August 2009

Dr Rigby heads north

Francis Street, SW1. The recent break from blogging allowed a visit to this fine location, and - as you can see from the pictures - a break from Lancaster's weather. It was, of course, the result of the recently reported quest to bring 'Dr Rigby' back north. The building seen here is part of the vast complex at Westminster Cathedral.

This is the front door of Clergy House, home to the many priests who work at the Cathedral. It is here that the portrait of Dr Rigby normally hangs. Given that most of Rigby's working life was spent in Lancaster (and none of it in London) it may seem surprising that a painting of him is to be found here; perhaps it is a sign of his importance in English Catholicism.

Here is an image of the painting, which will be on public display at the Cathedral's 150th anniversary exhibiton at Lancaster City Museum 12th September - 21st November. Afterwards it will be returned to its rightful owners in Westminster. We are very grateful to Canon Christopher Tuckwell, the Administrator of the Cathedral, for the loan of this painting, and to Fr Slawomir Witon, Sub-Administrator, for his hospitality when the painting was collected last Friday. If you'd like to read a little about Dr Rigby and why he is so important in the Cathedral's history, look no further than Billington's Blog - the relevant post is here.