Art in the Boardroom: Valerie Dean

Following exhibitions by The Ven. Martin Webster and Andrea Farmer, the Art in the Boardroom programme at Chelmsford Diocesan Office now features the work of commission4mission artist Valerie Dean.

The set of Stations of the Cross paintings which Valerie is currently showing in the Boardroom at Guy Harlings (Chelmsford Diocesan Office) have a very clear and intense focus on details which are evocative of the whole, as can be seen from the photographs she has taken of the set which can be viewed here. Valerie is keen to discuss ways of making these Stations available for any church that would be interested in having them. 


Valerie Dean's Stations of the Cross can be seen in the Boardroom at Guy Harlings (Diocesan Office, 53 New Road, Chelmsford CM1 1AT) from Monday 20th May – Friday 28th June 2013 during office hours. However, because the Boardroom is in regular use it is best to ring 01245 294400 before visiting to check boardroom access.


Guy Harlings is a Grade II listed building, constructed in about 1716-1721 by John Comyns, later a Baron of the Exchequer, and re-fronted at the beginning of the 19th century. Three parts of the building will be open: the front hall, containing 16th century linenfold panelling with a frieze of carved heads, made of timber probably from the Tudor house on this site; the board room; and the resources centre (bookshop). The rooms overlook an expansive lawned garden. The name of the building comes from Guy Harlings who inherited a brewery on the site in 1453. The building has housed the offices of Chelmsford Diocese since 1951.

Art at Guy Harlings

The Ven. Martin Webster, Archdeacon of Harlow, will be showing some of his paintings in the boardroom at Guy Harlings, the Diocesan office for Chelmsford which will be open to visitors between 10am and 4pm on 8 September as part of Heritage Open Days.

Guy Harlings is a Grade II listed building, constructed in about 1716-1721 by John Comyns, later a Baron of the Exchequer, and re-fronted at the beginning of the 19th century. Three parts of the building will be open: the front hall, containing 16th century linenfold panelling with a frieze of carved heads, made of timber probably from the Tudor house on this site; the board room; and the resources centre (bookshop). The rooms overlook an expansive lawned garden. The name of the building comes from Guy Harlings who inherited a brewery on the site in 1453. The building has housed the offices of Chelmsford Diocese since 1951. A pamphlet will be available and items of interest will be on display.

Discover the history of Guy Harlings, browse the bookshop, find out about the print unit and take a look at the art on display in our boardroom. The Dean of the Chelmsford Cathedral, The Very Revd Peter Judd will be offering a tour of the Cathedral starting from Guy Harlings at 11am. 

New Archdeacon of Harlow

Martin Webster (right) with Bishop John Gladwin and Chris Newlands following tonight's service

Commission For Mission member Revd. Canon Martin Webster was tonight collated and installed as Archdeacon of Harlow in a service held at Chelmsford Cathedral.

Martin has served in the Archdeaconry of Harlow for the last twenty three years, where he was most recently Team Rector of Waltham Abbey Team Ministry and an honorary Canon of the Cathedral.

The choir from Waltham Abbey conducted by their Director of Music, Stephen Bullamore, led the worship. Martin was collated and installed by Bishop John Gladwin in one of his last functions as Bishop of Chelmsford. Bishop David preached using salt and light as images to describe the ministry that he anticipates for Martin in his new role. Bishop David also spoke about the creativity that Martin will bring to the role, highlighting his love of landscape painting.

News from 'Church Times'

Commission For Mission is featured in an article written by Glyn Paflin in today's Church Times. Entitled 'Society backs craftsmanship' the article, which features our launch event in March, suggests that churches may be em­boldened in their commissioning of contemporary art by the setting up of Commission For Mission and the example of St Albans Romford, our launch venue.

Also in the current edition of the Church Times is the news that the Revd. Canon Martin Webster, Team Rector of the Waltham Abbey & Holy Cross Team Ministry and a Commission For Mission member, is to become the next Archdeacon of Harlow. We wish Martin well in his new ministry and look forward to exploring with him and others ways of contributing to the rich artistic heritage of Harlow itself.

Martin Webster

Martin Webster is interested in promoting Christian Art as a form of engaging with the gospel. He paints (oils and acrylics) particularly 'sacred spaces' usually forest/landscape views. He is the Archdeacon of Harlow.