King Charles III’s visit and the Unveiling

Photos by Iona Wolff (https://www.ionawolff.co.uk/)

Licoricia and Asher, by Ian Rank-Broadley FRSS

King Charles III visits the statue when Prince of Wales

HRH King Charles III at the statue with Maggie Carver CBE DL, William Carver and the sculptor, Ian Rank-Broadley

HRH King Charles III with Debbie Sellin, Acting Bishop of Winchester, Dean of Winchester Catherine Ogle, and Rabbi Jonathan Romain

The Unveiling

The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mr Nigel Atkinson, unveils the statue

Maggie Carver CBE, Chairman and founder of The Licoricia of Winchester Appeal, speaks in front of assembled dignitaries including Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, Rabbi Charley Baginsky (CEO of Liberal Judaism), Rabbi Joseph Dweck ( Senior Rabbi of the Sephardi & Portuguese Sephardi Community of the United Kingdom), Marie van der Zyl (President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews), Bishop Debbie Sellin of Southampton, Dr Hugh Osgood (Moderator of the Free Churches Group), Archbishop Nikitas Loulias of Thyateira and Great Britain, Kevin McDonald (Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark), Father Jan Nowotnik (National Ecumenical Officer and Secretary to the Department for Evangelisation and Discipleship at the Catholic bishops’ conference)and members of Winchester’s Muslim community,

Others not pictured who attended were: Rev Dr Richard Sudworth (Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury & National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser for the Church of England), Lord Mann (Government Advisor on Antisemitism), Rabbi Jonathan Romain, Rabbi Maurice Michaels, Dean Catherine Ogle of Winchester Cathedral, Vice-Dean Roland Riem of Winchester Cathedral, the Winchester Cathedral Chapter, and Father Hogan of St Peter’s Catholic Church Winchester.

Inline image — Maggie and the Lord-Lieutenant

Rev Dr Richard Sudworth (Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury & National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser for the Church of England), Lord Mann (Government Advisor on Antisemitism), Debbie Sellin (Bishop of Southampton), Dr Hugh Osgood (Moderator of the Free Churches Group), Archbishop Nikitas Loulias of Thyateira and Great Britain, Kevin McDonald (Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark), Father Jan Nowotnik (National Ecumenical Officer and Secretary to the Department for Evangelisation and Discipleship at the Catholic bishops’ conference)

Patron Simon Sebag Montefiore, Dean Catherine Ogle and Rebbi Alex Wright, with the High Sheriff in the backhground

The Mayor of Winchester, and Leader of Winchester City Council

Roy Perry, ex-Leader of Hampshire County Council

Rabbi Alex Wright, Senior Rabbi of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London

Rabbi Mirvis’s speech:

Speech by Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, at the unveiling of a statue of Licoricia of Winchester on 10 February 2022

“Lord-Lieutenant, faith leaders, distinguished local representatives, ladies and gentlemen, today we recall the past for the sake of our future.

We recall many evil times when there was sustained horrific persecution of Jews in this country, leading ultimately to the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290. We recall that, within those exceptionally trying times, there was an extraordinary lady, committed to her faith, who was determined to raise her family, build a successful enterprise, and give a contribution of inestimable value to her country.

Our prayer today is that our memories of Licoricia of Winchester will be a blessing for everyone in the United Kingdom, and indeed the life and times of Licoricia provide inspiration for our future.

In the face of adversity, let us always show courage and fortitude, and, like Licoricia, never lose hope. Where there is diversity, let us respect our differences. Where there is discrimination, let us guarantee that every single person will reach his or her full potential and achieve their hopes and aspirations. Where there is inequality, let us always remember that every single human being is born equal in the image of God. Where there is unbearable poverty and hardship, let us reach out to one and all with love and affection, generosity and kindness. Where there are vulnerable minorities, let them all be provided with full protection. And where there is hatred, let us live up to the aspirations of the great Biblical verse engraved on this statue that we should always love our neighbours as ourselves.

May our recollections of Licoricia, and may this statue always provide a blessing for everyone in the United Kingdom, so that we should have a future of peace, harmony, mutual respect, and prosperity.

Amen”