CHRISTMAS stamps for 2024 from Royal Mail feature original illustrations of 5 UK cathedrals: St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh; St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh; Liverpool Cathedral; St Deiniol’s Cathedral, Bangor; and the RC Westminster Cathedral.
The Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, David Gold, said on the launch: “Cathedrals are a hugely significant a part of our cultural heritage and play a very important role in local communities. They also offer space for peaceful reflection and a little bit of an escape from the challenges of day by day life, which could be especially vital at Christmas.”
Designed by the British artist Judy Joel, the stamps were revealed for the primary time on 5 November. Royal Mail described the five buildings as “a few of the most spectacular cathedrals within the UK”, highlighting the primary, Edinburgh, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott and consecrated in 1879, as “boldly reminiscent of upwardly soaring medieval Gothic cathedrals, with its three spires dominating Edinburgh”.
The stamp for St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral marks the Church’s origins within the fifth-century hilltop sanctuary founded by the saint. At Christmas, “[its] hallowed partitions echo with the sound of carols and all discover a warm welcome inside”.
Liverpool, one other Gilbert Scott design, is noted as “the people’s cathedral”, where “breathtaking heights and a way of space mix with beautiful craftsmanship.” Bangor Cathedral is described as a spot where Welsh and English now “coexist in worship and prayer”, after the turbulent history of a region “battered by medieval wars between the princes of Gwynedd and the English kings”.
Candlelit midnight mass at Westminster, the biggest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, designed by John Francis Bentley in a neo-Byzantine style, is widely known because it “ushers within the celebration of the birth of Christ”.
Royal Mail worked closely with Janet Gough, formerly director of cathedrals and church buildings for the Church of England, and an authority on historic churches (Interview, 19 July). “These special stamps are a reminder that, for hundreds of years past, cathedrals have provided sanctuary, community, joy, and wonder on the birth of Christ,” she said.
“And they proceed to accomplish that today, standing on the very heart of our cities. All the UK cathedrals shall be open over Christmas, able to welcome people of all faiths and none. For services, prayer, and celebration, to seek out peace, or to benefit from the splendour of their music, architecture, and treasures, visit a cathedral this Christmas.”
The Bishop of Bardsey, the Rt Revd David Morris, expressed his delight with the St Deiniol’s illustration. “It really is a lovely design. I stay up for receiving my first Christmas card with the Bangor Cathedral Royal Mail stamp,” he said.
The stamps, along with a spread of collectibles, at the moment are on sale.
