Enthronement tickets go quickly

As the clock ticks down to the enthronement of The Rt Revd Tim Dakin as Diocesan Bishop, the Bishop of Basingstoke, who has led the diocese during the vacancy, expressed pleasure at the appetite among parishes to attend.

"We have been delighted by the enormous interest shown across the diocese in tickets to attend the enthronement service," said Bishop Peter Hancock.
"But we also know that the high volume of requests and limitations on space has meant that not all of those requests have been able to be met."

Wide range of invitees

The many aspects of a bishop’s work and the civic importance of this service mean there will be a wide range of invitees on 21 April in Winchester Cathedral, and the Bishop explained that the focus had been on his clergy, readers and others most closely connected to Bishop Tim's future ministry.

"We have however been able to ensure that each parish applying has been allocated at least two tickets for the service, and that all clergy and readers expressing an interest – as representatives of more than 250 parishes in the diocesan family – have been accommodated," continued Bishop Peter.
"This means that there will be a good representation of both clergy and laity on the day."

Similar to Bishop Tim's consecration, for which the Diocese provided transport to St Paul ’s Cathedral for everyone wishing to attend, logistics of the enthronement have presented a mountainous task. Bishop Peter expressed his thanks to those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
"Despite a huge number of applications, we have arrived at what under the circumstances I believe to be the best allocation of tickets," he said.

Another opportunity to pray with Bishop Tim

For those who have missed the enthronement, there will be an additional opportunity to pray with the Bishop that same weekend as, on the following day, Bishop Tim will celebrate the Eucharist at a service in the Cathedral at 10am – to which all are very warmly welcome. Preaching at the service will be the Venerable Sheila Watson, Archdeacon of Canterbury, who will have conducted Bishop Tim to his throne the previous day.

At the conclusion of that service Bishop Tim will rededicate one of the Cathedral’s chapels to the memory of St Alphege, the 27th Bishop of Winchester (Bishop Tim will be the 97th!) the millennial anniversary of whose martyrdom also occurs that weekend. The service will be followed by coffee and refreshments.

"I know you will wish to join me in praying for Bishop Tim as he makes final preparation to begin his important ministry here in the diocese of Winchester," said Bishop Peter.

Check the Diocesan website for photos, reports and transcripts of the key parts of the service later in the day on 21 April.