A few images from Dunham Massey, a National Trust property in Cheshire. These were taken on 19th February – just at that time of the year for us in England where the spring flowers are arriving, heralds of joy and new hope.
Category Archives: inspiration
An Amazing Speaker on Issues of Domestic Abuse, Human Trafficking and Forced Marriage in the UK: Raj Holness
Yesterday ( Monday 12th February 2018) at St Paul’s Church, Leamington Spa, I heard an amazing speaker Raj Holness who runs an organisation called Break the Silence Uk (BTSUK) which seeks to protect and support women who have suffered domestic abuse, human trafficking and forced marriages, and also to provide a refuge for them alongsideContinue reading “An Amazing Speaker on Issues of Domestic Abuse, Human Trafficking and Forced Marriage in the UK: Raj Holness”
The Beatles, A Cry From the Heart, and a Curious Collection of Letters From Beatles Fans Full of Youthful Passion
Did you know my very first published work under the name of SC Skillman was a cry from the heart, in the form of a poem which appeared in print courtesy of The Beatles? No? Here it is, a cry from the heart of a frustrated fan, as it first appeared in Beatles Monthly editionContinue reading “The Beatles, A Cry From the Heart, and a Curious Collection of Letters From Beatles Fans Full of Youthful Passion”
Spiritual and Unifying: the Dramatic and Emotional Appeal of Brahms’ Requiem for All Who Love Choral Singing
King Henry VIII School, Coventry (well known as representing Gordon Shakespeare’s school in the 2009 Christmas film Nativity!) was the scene on Saturday where a large number of local singers and musicians gathered together for a “Scratch” rehearsal and performance of Brahms’ Requiem. As with all scratch performances of course the majority of participants hadContinue reading “Spiritual and Unifying: the Dramatic and Emotional Appeal of Brahms’ Requiem for All Who Love Choral Singing”
Build Something That Will Outlive You in Hamilton the Musical
I recently went to see the musical Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London where a magnificent cast through phenomenal singing and dancing told the story of a man who lived and died passionately and made big mistakes which swept him through to a memorable death. Through powerful singing and dynamic, electrifying, whiplash sharp dancing,Continue reading “Build Something That Will Outlive You in Hamilton the Musical”
Reflection Upon The Nativity film 2010
I recently watched again “The Nativity”, the TV mini series first broadcast by the BBC at Christmas 2010 but this time I watched the entire film on DVD. I remember the series had a strong impression on me when I first viewed it and we could hardly wait for each new episode. Seeing it asContinue reading “Reflection Upon The Nativity film 2010”
A Diversity of Spiritual Outlooks Through Time at the British Museum in London
On Saturday 23rd December 2017 I went to see the exhibition “Living with Gods: peoples, places and worlds beyond” at the British Museum in London. The exhibition curator Jill Cook had set out to show the development of religious symbols through physical objects which people in widely diverse cultures and historical periods have used to denote theirContinue reading “A Diversity of Spiritual Outlooks Through Time at the British Museum in London”
Christmas Is Coming – “Enchanted Kenilworth” at Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
On Friday 15 December we went to an Enchanted Kenilworth event at our local English Heritage castle in Kenilworth. As English Heritage members we’ve visited this castle many times but it was so beautiful to see the trees, castle ruins and grounds illuminated with imaginative light displays. We particularly enjoyed the large projected image ofContinue reading “Christmas Is Coming – “Enchanted Kenilworth” at Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire”
A Snowy Walk to the Saxon Mill, Warwick
When thick snow arrives it transforms our world, for as long as it stays on the ground and on the trees, on the rivers and ponds. The fascinating thing about snow – as an occasional visitor to our familiar landscape – is how it acts as a catalyst for the negative and the positive inContinue reading “A Snowy Walk to the Saxon Mill, Warwick”
A Deep Spirituality and Wisdom That Touches the Heart, from Some of the World’s Greatest Mystics
Imagine you could step into the Monastery right now – perhaps like the one which we saw in the 2005 TV series, or even the one in this image – and move apart from all the frantic busyness and stress and tension of your life, and receive some deep wisdom from the heart of theContinue reading “A Deep Spirituality and Wisdom That Touches the Heart, from Some of the World’s Greatest Mystics”
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