Hundreds attended the regular services at 9am, 11am and 6.30pm, and there were still substantial numbers in the nave up till 9 at night. Well before the special 3pm Songs of Praise most of the seats in the Cathedral had been taken and the Dean estimated that over a thousand people attended the service.

The Mayor of Southwark, the Deputy Lieutenant for Southwark, and Simon Hughes MP were in attendance. The full choir of men, boys and girls led the singing, and the gospel choir from St Saviour and St Olave's School added some exuberant items. Richard Stilgoe and Mark Rylance among others contributed readings, and the house came down for 10-year old Billie Tuthill who read A A Milne's 'They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace'.

In the Cathedral churchyard an entertainer juggled sharp knives over the prone bodies of fearless six year olds, and balloons and painted faces bobbed among the crowds. A magician, hog roast, bouncy castle, dancing in the street, and loads of other entertainments fizzed around the precincts.

Back in the Cathedral over 200 people joined in playing African drums with the Drum Café group, inspired by their electric contribution to the Songs of Praise. The Cardboard Citizens drama group acted a short presentation. They feature homeless people, and are sponsored by the charity CRISIS.

"Southwark Jubilation" was a co-operative event between the Cathedral, the Borough Market, the Bankside Residents Forum and the Wardens of St Saviour's - who contributed £5000.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY ARE AVAILABLE FROM Patrick Olivier (see below).
CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Rose Harding at Southwark Cathedral, 020-7367 6722.

Ends.

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