On Sunday 20th October during a special Evensong we gave thanks for the dedicated service of Caroline Robinson, our Chief Finance Office, who retires this month.
The service, attended by congregation members, family and friends, highlighted Caroline’s incredible contribution to the life of the Cathedral since 1990. Specially chosen hymns, prayers, and a sermon by interim Dean of Chelmsford, the Very Revd Paul Kennington emphasized the work Caroline has undertaken during her time serving the Cathedral. Caroline was also thanked by Chief Operating Officer Justine Horseman Sewell, Non-Executive Chapter Member Andrew Copp and Cathedral Warden Sue Hawkins.
Asked to reflect on her time at the Cathedral, Caroline said:
"I first started working for Chelmsford Cathedral in 1990 when I became Stewardship Secretary, looking after congregational pledged giving and covenants (the predecessor of Gift Aid). In 1996 I began working three days a week in the office when Provost John Moses invited me to become Treasurer. The 1990s were a period of change for the Cathedral as it moved from its roots as a parish church to embrace all the additional responsibilities and opportunities of being the mother church of the Diocese. The Cathedrals Measure 1999 was a major step forward and we were just the second cathedral to adopt its new Constitution and Statutes in February 2000, and I began my 15 year term as a Chapter member.
Dean Peter Judd oversaw our Millennium Appeal, Fitting Chelmsford Cathedral for the 21st Century. This involved much fundraising and was made possible with a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Over the next fifteen years, many modern artworks were installed, all paid for by donations. A particularly significant work is the Tree of Life, painted on 35 birch wood panels fitted into the original tracery of the North Transept blank window, by Mark Cazalet. He also created another favourite of mine, the etched glass window in St Cedd’s Chapel. My leaflet, Modern Art and Artefacts, covers all the new works.
In 2005 I was delighted to be elected to the Executive of the Cathedrals Administration and Finance Association (CAFA), becoming a trustee and director. I helped to organise all their annual residential conferences. It was a pleasure to host the CAFA Conference here in Chelmsford in 2016. I worked on three iterations of the Accounting Regulations for Cathedrals (which interpreted the Charity regulations for cathedral use), helping to ensure that they were comprehensible and suitable for all Cathedral finance officers. I also served on the Executive of the Association of English Cathedrals (AEC) for seven years. It was an honour and a privilege to be at the centre of the national church, serving all the Anglican cathedrals.
Being involved in the three Flower Festivals in 2004, 2009 and 2014 were a great joy. They involved flower clubs from all over Essex and I was privileged to help arrange the Cathedral’s own displays each time. They attracted visitors from all over East Anglia, especially after being featured on Look East. In the same period, several Mystery Plays were staged in the Nave with amazing lighting, props and memorable acting, mostly by members of the congregation. Canon Simon Pothen as Satan is never to be forgotten!
The next great event was the suspension of Gaia through the nave ceiling in 2022. In the end, 40,000 people came to see it. The financial headache was justified!
A new Cathedrals Measure received Royal Assent in April 2021. I had been involved in CAFA and the AEC’s submissions to the Working Group and was, therefore, keen to be part of Chelmsford Cathedral’s implementation group. Working alongside Alex, then COO, it was hard work but very rewarding. When we achieved registered charity status on 1 March 2024, I decided it was time to retire."
While Caroline retires from her staff role, she will continue in all her volunteer roles including with the Social and Fundraising Committee. the Flower Guild and running the Cathedral bookstall with her husband.
