Three new Canons were installed at Leicester Cathedral during a service of evensong on Sunday (9 February).
They are: the Revd Dr Tom Wilson, Director of St Philip’s Centre; Vivienne Froggatt, Lay Associate Minister in the North East of Leicester, and Pam Spokes, Head Warden of the Cathedral.
The service was led by Bishop Martyn and attended by Cathedral members, friends, family, church community and colleagues from across the Diocese of Leicester.
We spoke to the new Honorary Canons, who shared a little of their journey to this appointment and their hopes for the role going forward.
The Revd Dr Tom Wilson, Canon Theologian, said: “I moved to Leicester in 2015, to become Director of the St Philip’s Centre, which exists to help Christians develop their confidence in inter-religious encounters and to help people of all religions and none to learn how to live well together.
“It’s a real honour to be asked to become one of the Canon Theologians. I’ve known Cathy Ross, the other Canon Theologian, for years, and look forward to working with her.”
He added: “In her book, Grit, Angela Duckworth recommends having at least one thing in your life that you find hard to do. For Christians, thinking long and hard about some of the more complicated and challenging texts in the Bible must be one candidate for developing grit.
“In the book, Angela recommends the little and often strategy, of intentionally working at the hard thing for regular, but short, periods to develop capacity and grit. My role as Canon Theologian is to provide regular opportunities to help Christians think theologically and develop their theological grit.”
Vivienne Froggatt, Lay Canon, said: “Being rooted in Leicester, and in particular the North East of the city, my focus has always been towards serving the community through and with the local churches in my role as an Associate Minister.
“Recently I have been working on an Oral History Project through St Philip's Centre which has enabled me to hear stories from a rich, varied and vibrant mix of Leicester residents, both those who were born in the city and those who have moved here from elsewhere.
“I feel incredibly privileged to be immersed in these stories and feel the whole experience has gifted me fascinating glimpses into Leicester's exciting and challenging position as the world in one city.
“Leicester Cathedral seeks to serve the whole population of the city and county, so I feel very honoured that I have been invited to join the college of honorary canons. I'm looking forward to finding out what the role of Honorary Lay Canon looks like for me and supporting the work of the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral in the coming years.”
Pam Spokes, Lay Canon and Head Warden of Leicester Cathedral, said: “Since joining the team of volunteer welcomers in 2014, the cathedral has become a large part of my life, leading me to take on other roles, such as KRIII guide, member of the Festival Year Working Group, volunteer administration assistant in the Music Department during a staff vacancy, and most recently as Head Warden and also Secretary of the Friends of Leicester Cathedral.
“It means a lot to me to have been appointed an Honorary Lay Canon I and look forward to using my talents to continue to serve the cathedral in my new role.”
The Revd Dr Tom Wilson
Tom is the Director of the St Philip’s Centre in Leicester. The Centre's aim is to enable people to learn to live well together, which it does by facilitating encounters that lead to greater mutual understanding, the development of trust and the possibility of co-operation on issues of common concern. Tom has published over a dozen books on theology and religious studies. His current areas of work include theological writing, community-based research, cohesion projects, coaching, pastoral supervision, leadership development and support for those whose voices are not heard.
Viv Froggatt
Firmly rooted in the Humberstone area of Leicester, I have worshipped in the local churches of St Elizabeth’s Netherhall and St Mary’s Humberstone for most of my life. I sojourned to the exotic metropolis of Ratby for seven years in the 1990s, but the lure of home was too strong. It's thanks to my long-suffering husband, John, who supported me when I felt the overwhelming call to move home, that I’m able to swan around doing churchy ‘stuff’. He keeps me fed and watered whilst unselfishly gifting me the space to serve God with never a moan on his lips… well, maybe just the occasional one!
Pam Spokes
My husband Rodney and I moved to Leicester in 1976 and my first involvement with the church was at St James the Greater, where I served as Senior Warden and Chairman of Christian Stewardship.
I am a member of the Rotary Club of Leicester, Membership Secretary of the Arts Society, and look back with enjoyment on the years I spent singing with Leicester Philharmonic Choir.
During my career, I worked in areas as diverse as local government, the motor trade, banking and the regional press, including as Personal Assistant to the Editor of the Leicester Mercury and Office Manager of a National News Agency.
Since joining the team of volunteer welcomers in 2014, the Cathedral has become a large part of my life, leading me to take on other roles, such as KRIII guide, member of the Festival Year Working Group, volunteer administration assistant in the Music Department during a staff vacancy, and most recently as Secretary of The Friends of Leicester Cathedral. I look forward to continuing to serve the Cathedral as an Honorary Canon.