One of the Church of England's best-loved cathedrals is astatine the centre of a bullying enactment implicit its world-famous choir, The Mail connected Sunday tin reveal.
Winchester Cathedral is reeling from the contention that has seen cardinal figures leave, with Canon Precentor Andy Trenier accused of a dictatorial absorption style.
He is said to person berated the Director of Music Dr Andrew Lumsden successful beforehand of the lad choristers, and told singers they could permission if they didn't hold with his approach. Those targeted by his volcanic temper are said to person been near trembling.
Canon Trenier's narration with the 8 big antheral laic clerks is said to person irretrievably breached down amid allegations that helium has been coercive, manipulative and belittling. They are 4 abbreviated of their accustomed tally of 12 because, his critics say, moving astatine Winchester is present seen arsenic a poison chalice.
Winchester Cathedral is reeling from the contention that has seen cardinal figures leave, with Canon Precentor Andy Trenier (pictured, successful 2022) accused of a dictatorial absorption style
Canon Trenier's narration with the 8 big antheral laic clerks is said to person irretrievably breached down amid allegations that helium has been coercive, manipulative and belittling. They are 4 abbreviated of their accustomed tally of 12 because, his critics say, moving astatine Winchester (pictured) is present seen arsenic a poison chalice
Only past week, the choir won an Ivor Novello grant for the soundtrack to the video crippled Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, having already received a Grammy for it successful February. Hollywood composer Stephen Barton – who commissioned the choristers to execute connected the winning soundtrack – held situation talks with the Dean of Winchester Catherine Ogle past week.
Mr Barton, 41 – himself a erstwhile chorister determination – told The Mail connected Sunday: 'The evident occupation is astonishingly anemic absorption and bureaucracy, and a subordinate of the clergy treating a nationalist philharmonic treasure similar a idiosyncratic fiefdom. Anybody successful absorption who acquiesced to this indispensable present surely resign, if they person a shred of conscience.'
In a missive to Mr Barton aft their meeting, the Very Reverend Catherine Ogle acknowledged determination was a problem, writing: 'We are seeking to go much blessed and healthy.'
Winchester Cathedral attracts much than 300,000 visitors a year, and is the last resting spot of Jane Austen. Its choir is believed to person been formed successful the 14th century, with Henry VIII enshrining it successful statute successful 1544.
Dr Lumsden, 1 of the country's finest choral experts, is acceptable to permission successful July aft 22 years, and the 61-year-old is believed to person been forced out. He signed a non-disclosure statement (NDA), contempt the Archbishop of Canterbury telling Times Radio successful 2021 that NDAs were 'unacceptable'.
Winchester Cathedral attracts much than 300,000 visitors a year, and is the last resting spot of Jane Austen. Its choir is believed to person been formed successful the 14th century, with Henry VIII enshrining it successful statute successful 1544 (pictured: choristers astatine the cathedral)
Assistant Director of Music George Castle was made redundant successful October 2021 and a consequent ailment recovered that Canon Trenier's behaviour towards Mr Castle and different musicians had, astatine times, been 'inappropriate'.
Winchester Cathedral said: 'For the wellbeing and extortion of each our clergy and staff, it is Cathedral argumentation not to remark connected confidential HR matters.'
Canon Trenier refused to comment.
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