The first ever visit from members of Winchester Cathedral to their 'twin' cathedral in Newcastle was hosted at Shepherds Dene.
Led by the Dean, The Very Revd James Atwell and his wife Lorna, the 20 strong party had four long days of sightseeing with day trips to Holy Island and Jarrow and, nearer home, to Corbridge, Heavenfield and Hexham in the Tyne Valley. They attended Sunday Eucharist at St Nicholas Cathedral and a Festival Evensong at St George's Cullercoats. The visit ended with a whistle stop tour around Newcastle led by Canon Robert Gage.
T
he highlight at Shepherds Dene was a celebratory dinner on the Saturday night attended by Bishop Martin and staff and members from St Nicholas's. The Dean said of their stay:
"As you could tell people thoroughly enjoyed the time at Shepherds Dene and were enormously grateful for the way you looked after us. The house itself felt like a home ... and you couldn't have been more considerate or made us feel more welcome"
Picture shows guests enjoying pre dinner drinks in the entrance hall at Shepherds Dene.
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