Our Lady of the Waters and the Wye – Hereford Cathedral

Our Lady of the Waters and the Wye raises awareness for SewerageGate.

A sculpture of Our Lady of the Waters and the Wye mounted on two canoes arrived in Hereford this week on its journey downstream from Hay-on-Wye to Monmouth to raise awareness of river pollution.

A very special visitor arrived at Hereford Cathedral this week – Our Lady of the Waters and the Wye

The canoe bearing the four feet high wooden sculpture arrived on the banks of the Wye next to Hereford Cathedral on Tuesday and she was carried inside in time for Evensong before resting overnight in front of the altar.

The river pilgrimage was the idea of Father Richard Williams of St Mary’s Church in Hay-on-Wye and the sculptor Philip Chatfield, who has also carved stone statues for Tintern Abbey and St Mary’s Church in Monmouth.

Campaigners say biodiversity has crashed in the Wye due to pollution from chicken farm slurry, the overflow of sewage, excessive use of fertilisers and  runoff from arable land and soil erosion.

The aim of the special journey is to raise awareness and to call for concerted action to cleanse the river.

Father Richard Williams said:

“This is a unique occasion nationally. There is so much division in the world, but this is a marvellous opportunity to celebrate something good and to help restore it to what God and nature would have it be.”

Tom Tibbits, chair of the Friends of the Upper Wye said:

“We’re delighted to see the churches in our local area take this initiative to highlight the appalling pollution of the Wye. 

It’s extraordinary to see Belmont monks and Hereford Cathedral play their part in this and shows the strength of feeling, throughout our community, about the decimation of our precious river”.

The statue arrives in the Welsh border town of Monmouth on August 19. Churches along the way have held services, prayers and blessings.

News Date : 18th August 2022