Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi
St Davids Cathedral
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Appointment of Head Verger
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The Dean and Chapter of St Davids Cathedral are seeking to appoint a Head Verger
for the Cathedral. Mr Barrie Webb, the cathedral’s current Head Verger, will retire
at the end of June 2014 and the Dean and Chapter intend to appoint an enthusiastic
person as soon as possible to work alongside Mr Webb until his retirement at which
time the appointed person will take over all duties of the Head Verger.
St Davids
St Davids is situated in the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and has a
population of under 2000. It was given a Royal Charter by the Queen in 1995 which
formally recognised its status as a city. The nearest towns are Fishguard and
Haverfordwest, both about fifteen miles away.
The Cathedral
The present building was begun in 1181–82 and is reputed to be on the site of the
monastery founded in the mid-sixth century by David, patron saint of Wales. The
high quality of mediaeval architecture and woodwork, ranging from Transitional
Norman to late Perpendicular, together with the tranquil atmosphere of the
Cathedral, attracts around 300,000 visitors annually including many school groups.
The cathedral also serves as a place of pilgrimage and many pilgrims visit the Shrine
of St David which was restored and dedicated in March 2012. A new education and
pilgrimage centre, Tŷ’r Pererin which is located on Quickwell Hill, was opened in
March 2013. The cathedral’s new programme of education and outreach at Tŷ’r
Pererin is enabling the Dean’s vision to turn visitors into pilgrims to flourish.
The cathedral is a splendid setting for the worship which has been offered here for
over fourteen centuries and continues daily with a minimum of twenty statutory
services each week. St Davids has a strong choral tradition with choral services on
Sunday and also Choral Evensong at least four times each week during school term
time. At least one verger is present at every service and it is expected that the
Head Verger will be a committed Christian and a communicant member of the
Church in Wales or Church in communion with it.
The Cathedral’s liturgical life embraces the following categories:
 Cathedral church of the Diocese of St Davids which stretches from
Aberystwyth in the North to Llanelli in the east.
 Parish church for the Parish of St Davids.
 Civic church to the City of St Davids.
 The Shrine of St David and its focus as a centre for pilgrimage.
The Vergers Department
The Head Verger is assisted by a second full-time verger, a part-time relief verger
and a part-time caretaker. The new Head Verger will be appointed by the Dean
and Chapter in consultation with Officers holding responsibilities for various
aspects of cathedral life.
The Head Verger’s Duties
The Head Verger is a key member of the cathedral administrative team which is
comprised of: Dean, Canon Residentiary, Organist & Master of the Choristers,
Administrator and Head Verger. With a small staff team harmonious working and
flexibility in undertaking a wide variety of tasks is essential.
The Head Verger is responsible to the Dean who also holds the offices of Precentor
and Vicar. On a day to day basis he/she will need to liaise closely with the on-duty
clergy, Organist, Administrator, Architect, Cathedral Shop staff and the cathedral’s
volunteers.
Security of the buildings and contents
 A duty verger opens the cathedral daily at 7.00am and locks up and sets the
Cathedral’s alarm system after the Evening Office (or later when events
determine this).
 Both vergers are required to live within the Cathedral Close and are on call
outside normal hours in case of any emergency or unusual happening within
the Cathedral, its annexed buildings or the Cathedral Close.
 The vergers are responsible for keys issued to them and for the use and care
of other keys kept on the premises. The Head Verger is responsible for
ensuring all keys are logged out of the key cupboard appropriately and
returned safely.
 Donation-boxes are emptied daily and jointly by the duty verger and another
member of the staff. The duty verger assists in the counting of these monies
each morning. The Head Verger is responsible for the banking of the
donation box and service monies as directed by the Administrator.
 The vergers are responsible for ensuring that both the Cathedral Bookshop
and Domus Giftshop are maintained with adequate amounts of change and for
the security of these monies in transit to and from the shops. They are also
required to move stock to and from the shops and office as necessary.
 The duty verger should check that the public toilets within the Bishop's Palace
buildings complex have been opened in the morning and closed in the
evening.
 The Head Verger is responsible for ensuring that security requirements in
respect of buildings, contents or procedures required by Ecclesiastical
Insurance Group are adhered to and that new policies are implemented.
The Head Verger will, when requested, meet with representatives of EIG on
site to liaise regarding policy implementation.
Cleanliness and tidiness
 The Head Verger is responsible for and directs the presentation of the
building in terms of cleanliness and furniture arrangements.
 The Vergers are responsible for ensuring that the Cathedral is clean, and neat
with first class presentation at all times. Although there is a part-time
cleaner some cleaning duties will be expected of the Head Verger especially
the many areas of the building, which, though inaccessible to the public still
require a cycle of cleaning maintenance e.g. tower spiral staircases, triforium
walkways. Some silver and brass cleaning is undertaken by a team of
volunteers in whom the Head Verger should liaise and support. The Head
Verger will also be responsible for recruiting new volunteers as necessary.
 The Head Verger is responsible for the management of the laundry
arrangements and the care of the altar silver, vestments, frontals and linen,
their use and repair.
 Ordering and movement of furniture is undertaken by both vergers, often
jointly, especially in the moving of heavy items such as the nave choir-stalls.
 The vergers are not responsible for the cleaning or maintenance of the
Bishop's Palace public toilets. This is undertaken by a cleaner contracted by
the Dean & Chapter.
Maintenance
 The Head Verger is responsible for the supervision of the heating system
including the operation and programming of the boilers and liaison with
heating and plumbing engineers.
 The Head Verger is responsible for the operation of the smoke detection
system, including regular fire drills and liaison with Chubb maintenance
personnel. The Head Verger is also the designated Fire Safety Officer for the
Cathedral and its environs.
 The Head Verger is responsible for the correct operation and maintenance of
the sound reinforcement and hearing loop systems.
 Both vergers undertake routine maintenance such as changing light bulbs and
bleeding radiators, for which there should be a regular routine.
 The Head Verger is responsible for notifying the Administrator of fabric
defects. It is usual that basic minor repairs, that do not require specialist
skills or qualifications, are undertaken by vergers department.
 Access and maintenance work at upper levels requires both vergers to have a
good head for heights and compliance with all health and safety requirements
is essential, including the wearing of safety harnesses.
 The Head Verger may be required to liaise with the architect and contractors
over specific projects in association with the Administrator.
Services
 Preparation of the quire, nave or chapel(s), in respect of furniture, altar,
vessels, books, candles, votive lights, scripture passages and any other
requirements for the Daily Offices and other services. Vergers often share in
the reading of lessons at the Daily Office and always serve at the weekday
celebrations of Holy Communion. It may prove appropriate for the Bishop to
license the Head Verger to administer the chalice.
 After agreement with the Dean, to make practical arrangements for the
ordering of the building for special services.
 Processions at the Daily Offices, at choral services on Sunday and on other
special occasions are led by a verger. Vergers also operate the sound system
and are alert during services to deal discreetly with unforeseen events.
 The Head Verger is expected to marshal and organise processions particularly
before a major service when it may be necessary to direct 100+ members of a
procession into a correct line-up and procession. Courtesy, firmness and
resolve are essential qualities in dealing with procession logistics.
 The Head Verger will attend planning meetings in advance of a major service
and is expected to offer constructive advice regarding service logistics.
 Outside school term time it is common practice for visiting choirs to maintain
the cathedral’s choral tradition, particularly during the summer school
holiday. Engagement of visiting choirs is administered by the music
department. However, the Head Verger plays an ‘ambassadorial role’ in
contacting choirs prior to their visit and also in welcoming them upon arrival.
The Head Verger is responsible for agreeing rehearsal times and also for
familiarising the choirs with both the orders of service and in the movement
of processions.
 The Head Verger currently trains the server and acolyte team and organises
their rota.
Other events
 Preparation of the building for concerts and other events. The Head Verger
acts as the main point of contact on site for concerts other than those
sponsored by the Cathedral music department. This requires liaison with
concert organisers to agree seating plans, rehearsal times, staging and
changing facilities.
 The Head Verger is responsible for the design of demountable staging
required for concerts and other events and for arranging its building and
dismantling.
 Vergers have special responsibilities during the annual nine day St Davids
Cathedral Festival to which a considerable amount of energy and time must
be committed. With particular respect to seating and staging arrangements
and contact with an international spectrum of artistes. The Head Verger
will liaise with the Festival Administrator directly.
 Liaison with the Cathedral Tour Coordinator regarding public tours and
private guided tours.
 Liaison with the Education Team regarding school visits.
Visitors and pilgrims
 So far as duties permit vergers are required to welcome visitors and pilgrims
and where possible answer any questions they may have and explain the
function, symbolism and ministry of the Cathedral.
 Vergers must be polite and helpful at all times, not only to visitors and
pilgrims, but also to staff and volunteers and all involved in the maintenance
of the building.
 The vergers ensure that reasonable conduct is maintained in the Cathedral.
We want visitors and pilgrims to enjoy their visit to St Davids. Should
untoward circumstances arise then vergers need to use tact, sensitivity and
when necessary, firmness.
Supplies
The Head Verger is responsible for maintaining stocks of the following within
pre-set limits:
 Candles, votives, wine, altar bread.
 Cleaning requisites.
 Light bulbs and other sundry maintenance supplies.
Administration
 Computer skills are useful in this position and certainly the desire to acquire
them is essential.
 With a small staff team each department takes responsibility for producing its
own documentation. In the case of the Head Verger this may include using a
computer for correspondence, to produce detailed seating plans, to generate
posters, volunteer staff name badges and temporary signs.
 The Deanery Office has a comprehensive package of equipment including a
colour photocopier, laminating machine, fax and computers. The Head
Verger will need to use these facilities and may be required to assist with
other office activities.
 The Head Verger is responsible for compiling the statutory service register.
 The Head Verger is required to attend the weekly staff meetings which take
place on Thursday mornings.
Health and Safety
 The Head Verger is the cathedral’s appointed Health & Safety Officer.
 The Head Verger must ensure that the cathedral’s health and safety policy is
carried out, particularly in the case of events when seating plans and stewards
on duty must be in accordance with Fire Authority recommendations.
 Involvement in the implementation of an evacuation plan will be required.
It is also the responsibility of the Head Verger to ensure the evacuation
procedures are kept up to date.
 The Head Verger must ensure that safe working practices are adopted and
staff are appropriately trained for their duties.
 The Head Verger is responsible for ensuring that the annual fire extinguisher
maintenance contract is carried out and that both vergers and other
nominated persons are proficient in their use.
 The Head Verger is responsible for carrying out weekly tests of the fire alarm
systems. The Head Verger is also responsible for undertaking weekly
checks that the cathedral’s fire fighting equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers, dry
riser, fire blankets) are fit for purpose and are tested as required under the
Cathedral policy and the appropriate records maintained.
 The Head Verger is responsible for ensuring that all vergers are trained in
First Aid.
 The Head Verger is responsible for undertaking risk assessments for activities
taking place in the Cathedral and ensuring that outside organisations have
provided their own risk assessments where appropriate.
Other Duties
 Such other tasks as the Dean and Chapter may from time to time determine.
Terms and Conditions
Hours
 The hours of work are on a flexible rota system and vary, but are normally
about 40 hours in a five day week. The rota is worked in such a way that one
of the team of vergers is always either on duty or is on call throughout the
week for the duration that the Cathedral is unlocked. In view of the variety of
duties in which the Head Verger is involved, considerable flexibility regarding
working hours is essential.
 There is an entitlement to four weeks holiday each year and also a further
eight days in lieu of statutory holidays (both vergers are usually required to
be on duty on statutory holidays). A maximum of one week's holiday may be
taken during the months of July or August due to the busy nature of the
vergers department at that time. Holiday entitlement cannot be granted
during the annual St Davids Cathedral Festival at the end of May, during Holy
Week or on major Festivals.
 If exceptional extra hours are worked in the case of evening concerts, a special
payment is made related to the hours worked. Overtime is not payable in the
case of statutory activities e.g. midnight service at Christmas.
Remuneration
 The salary will be £18,500 per annum. The first salary review for this
appointment will in July 2015 and annually thereafter. The vergers receive
fees for marriages and funerals at which they have assisted. There will also be
a contribution of 7.5% of salary towards the Cathedral stakeholder pension
scheme. When special payments are due for evening concerts and unsocial
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hours this will be at the rate of time and a half from 7pm until 12pm and at
double time after midnight.
Absence due to sickness will require a medical certificate after seven days.
During the first six months of service rules governing statutory sick pay will
apply. Thereafter during the next eighteen months the first three months
sickness will be on full pay and the following three months on half pay.
After two years’ service in the case of sickness, payment will continue for six
months at full pay. In the event of sickness for a longer period, pay or benefit
will be at the discretion of the Dean and Chapter.
The Head Verger’s accommodation is provided rent-free at Pen-y-Ffos within
the Cathedral Close. This delightful house is adjacent to the cathedral and has
four bedrooms. The house has a rear stone-walled garden with apple trees
and the up-keep of the garden is the responsibility of the occupier. From the
time of appointment, until Mr Barrie Webb’s retirement, the new Head Verger
will be housed in The Treasury which is also located in the Cathedral Close.
You will keep and leave the premises in a clean condition and notify the Dean
and Chapter of all damage or defects to or in the premises and be responsible
for the up-keep of the garden and make good all damage to any part of the
premises and all fixtures and fittings caused by the wilful or negligent act or
omission of yourself, your family or guests.
Not make any alterations or additions to the premises nor attach any fittings
or fitments of any kind including television or other aerials to any part of the
premises, not erect any shed or other outbuildings without the previous
consent in writing of the Dean and Chapter.
Vacate the premises and remove all belongings from them within 14 days of
ceasing to be employed by the Dean and Chapter.
Council tax and water rates applicable for the accommodation will be paid by
the Dean and Chapter.
Telephone rental and business calls will be paid by the Dean and Chapter.
Term of appointment
 This job description will form the basis of a contract which will be drawn up
when the appointment is made.
Contract of employment
 The first six months of employment will be a probationary period during
which the employment may be terminated by either party on giving the other
notice of one month. Thereafter notice is three months on either side.
 Following the initial three month review, there will be an annual appraisal of
the post holder’s performance and duties.
 Any offer of employment is made subject to a satisfactory Disclosure &
Barring Service Disclosure in line with the Cathedral’s policies on
Safeguarding.
Applications
Letters of application together with curriculum vitae and the names of three
referees, one of whom should be a priest, should be addressed to:
The Very Reverend Jonathan Lean
Dean & Precentor of St Davids
The Deanery
St Davids
Pembrokeshire
SA62 6RD
Applications may also be made by email to: dean@stdavidscathedral.org.uk
The Dean is very happy to speak informally with prospective applicants about this
post. He may be contacted on 01437 720202 or dean@stdavidscathedral.org.uk
The closing date for applications is 18 September 2013 and shortlisted candidates
will be invited to St Davids for interview on 27 September.