Who's Who
At the heart of any Cathedral is a small group of people who are called to maintain the daily offering of prayer and worship. The Cathedral Chapter, which includes the Dean and Canons, oversees the life of the Cathedral in all its aspects.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Our Chapter
Members of the Carlisle Cathedral Chapter
The Canon Missioner is a full-time residentiary post, called to play a full part in the regular duties of the Cathedral, but with special responsibility for mission, outreach and pastoral care of those who come to the Cathedral as worshippers, visitors and pilgrims, alongside care for regular members of the Cathedral community, the permanent staff and the Cathedral volunteers.
Revd Canon Michael Manley was appointed in 2007 and also leads our all-age, family and youth work. Michael is our main link to the City Centre, our ecumenical, interfaith and community work, and our overseas projects.
The Canon Warden takes a lead role in Safeguarding, the Cathedral’s emerging Arts, Culture and Learning programme, and a full role in worship, governance and business development at the Cathedral.
Alison moved with her husband and two sons to Cumbria in 2001 to take up the headship at Lanercost Church of England Primary School. Her career in education has spanned 35 years, prior to which she conducted research at Loughborough University. During her time at Lanercost CE School, Alison was instrumental in setting up both a Church Schools and a Godly Play group alongside taking on lead roles in education for the local authority.
Alison has recently retired from headship and now pursues her interest in education as community guardian for the Children’s Forest and as a volunteer for Tyne Valley Rail Partnership. She has an active interest in helping to shape and take forward teaching and learning for the Cathedral.
Ruth was born in Manchester and moved to Cumbria as her parents retired to the area. She has had careers in nursing and banking before training for ordination at Cranmer Hall Durham. She was ordained by the Bishop of Carlisle in 2002.
She is married to John, who is also ordained and they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren.
They have always lived and served in Cumbria, including, Kendal, Workington, Penrith, Flookburgh, Levens and Dalton in Furness.
Ruth has recently retired from full time ministry and now lives with John in Carlisle. She has served on the Cathedral Council for several years and is an Assistant Director of Ordinands. She also looks after the Retired Clergy in the Diocese.
Trevor has had a career within the financial services, corporate banking and agribusiness sectors, spanning over 45 years
He and his wife came to live in Cumbria in 1994 when he was appointed as the Area Director for Barclays Bank. He was Chief Executive at H&H Group in Carlisle between 1999 and 2008
Between 2009 and 2019, he served as a Non-Executive Director – and then Chairman of the Board – of the Cumberland Building Society
He has had a lively interest in the mission of the Cathedral during his years in Cumbria and has been a Trustee of the Carlisle Cathedral Development Trust since 2007
Alan has lived and worked in Carlisle all his life, retiring in March 2018 after over 30 years in practice as a Chartered Accountant. He is currently a non-executive director of the Cumberland Building Society.
He is married with three children and six grandchildren. He is lay chair of the PCC at St James Carlisle and Chair of Governors at Robert Ferguson Primary School.
James is the Senior Non-Executive Member of Chapter.
He practices as a barrister in Manchester, specialising in business and property litigation.
He also serves as Chancellor of the Diocese of Carlisle.
James is married and lives near Keswick. He has two adult children.
James worked in the London Insurance market for a few years before returning north to the family farms.
Since then he has been involved with various local businesses.
He is currently Treasurer and Organist of Kirkandrews-on-Esk Parish Church.
ROLE OF THE CHAPTER
The Cathedral Chapter:
- Maintains a pattern of daily worship and invites others to join them in these acts of prayer and praise
- Gathers at least six times a year ‘in Chapter’ as the governing body which shapes Cathedral policy and orders the Cathedral’s life
- Serves, as opportunity allows, the community in which the Cathedral is set – both the secular community of the County of Cumbria and the City of Carlisle, and also the ecclesiastical community of the Diocese of Carlisle
- Continues the tradition of welcome and hospitality to the common life of the Cathedral and its precinct
The College of Canons
The College of Canons brings together experienced priests who are appointed by the Bishop and who are able to advise the Chapter as it shapes Cathedral policy and act as ambassadors for the Cathedral across the diocese. Each of the 24 members of the College has their own stall within the Cathedral.
This body elects the Bishop of Carlisle as part of the formal process of appointment. In recent years, Honorary Ecumenical Canons have been able to contribute an ecumenical perspective to the deliberations of the College.
