Pictures by Brian Pickering

The Minster community bade a fond farewell to Canon Chancellor, Nigel Coates on Sunday 22nd September at a special service in the cathedral, followed by a reception.

Nigel has been residentiary Canon of the Cathedral for more than 14 years and a leading figure in developing the Chapter House Leaves Project.

He and his wife Rhoda are moving on to the New Forest at the end of the year. He said : “I look forward in retirement  to a continuing association with the Leaves Project and with reconnecting with the Leaves of the New Forest, where our roots lie and where I hope to take up wood carving again.”

You can read his farewell sermon here.