Not everyone, it would seem, is happy with Bath Abbey’s event notice strung across the West Front.
Not the place, say some, for a banner to be hung. It’s the most famous side of the building and is much photographed by our visiting tourists.
I took this up with Frank Mowat, the Abbey’s Executive Director, who told me : ‘Each year during the Christmas Market we offer Shoppers Carols.
These are hugely popular with visitors to Bath and especially the regulars who travel across from Wales each year, who love to pop in for 30 minutes to sing Christmas Carols with us.
In fact, we have over 6,000 visitors come to our Shoppers Carols throughout the Christmas Market.
Over the years, many visitors have asked if we could have large signage that tells shoppers what time the shoppers’ carols take place, and this is what has led to the banner across the Bishop’s Balcony.
Usually our signage would be on an A Board or on a poster by the entrance of the Abbey, however, because the Christmas market crowds are so large each year, its easier and more effective for us to publish the timings on a large banner which means that shoppers do not need to wade through the crowd to get up close to the entrance of the Abbey as they can see what time to arrive for Shoppers Carols from a distance in Abbey Churchyard.
As soon as the Christmas Market ends, we will take down the banner.”
So now we know. Thank you, Frank.
Some people will complain about anything. The banners are fairly small, in muted colours, only obstructing a fraction of the facade, and very temporary. Heaven forfend the abbey isn’t picture perfect at all times. It’s a functioning church, not an untouchable object.
I think people see it as tacky, which it is in context of such a beautiful building , only temporary. ,but I suppose people would rather see a sighn written in Calligraphy but it’s Christmas so they must be tolerant of temporary. situations , 👍🤝🤝
Aesthetics isn’t really the Abbey’s strong point at the moment (have a look at the front row choir stalls, which have been in place for four years, and you’ll see what I mean). But it’s advertising its own church services, which is part of its mission. It’s not exceptional in hanging banners off the West end stonework; I saw Winchester Cathedral a few years ago doing the same to advertise the ‘Ride and Stride’ charity event for churches.