'Britain from the Air'
"A collection of over 100 large scale images by Britain's top photographers (curated by the Royal Geographical Society) is on display in Bath City Centre from now until the end of February 2011. The images are displayed throughout the centre of Bath, in the shopping streets and squares and around the magnificent Bath Abbey."
Sophie, if you're reading this, how do you fancy a visit to Bath when I come to see you? I've heard there's a lovely quilty shop nearby too!
Ros
Along with a group of friends from our parish I made an early start in order to arrive at Hyde Park well before the gates opened at 1pm. Since I was holding the banner they sent me through the gate first and we all ran towards the arena and managed to get a good spot right by the fence where the Pope would drive past.
The organisers laid on a full afternoon of entertainment and inspiring talks, while we waited for the Pope to arrive and for the rest of the 80,000 people to file in. There was a real party atmosphere, with unusually sunny weather for this time of year. Towards the Pope's 6pm arrival the excitement really started to build, on the big screens we could see him slowly driving from Vauxhall along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace and along Park Lane towards us. People were lining his route and running along to catch a glimpse. This was clearly no ordinary State Visit, the last time I remember an atmosphere like this was Princess Diana's funeral.
As the Pope-Mobile arrived into the arena I could hardly believe my eyes as the Pope stopped just in front of us to bless a baby that someone had passed up to his now open window. It struck me like never before that this gentle and humble man, the 256th successor to Saint Peter, was here to carry out the direct instructions that Jesus had himself given to Peter as he 'handed over' to him and started the Christian Church.
This first ever State Visit of a Pope was poignant in so many ways. We are just a stone's throw from what used to be know as Tyburn, where in the 1500s many great Christian saints, both Catholic and Protestant, were martyred in gruesome fashion for refusing to denounce their Faith. And here the Pope was addressing the modern challenges that Christians face, luckily in this part of the world that no longer includes physical violence. Even so, today's threats such as secular attempts to silence shared faith still risk damaging our Great British society, which owes its greatness in large part to its Christian heritage.
The main purpose of the Pope's visit is also poignant. The Beatification (one step towards becoming a saint) of Cardinal John Henry Newman, also highly regarded by the Anglican Church which he left, has paradoxically brought much unity and strength to the two great Churches. On a personal level for me it was momentous, having gone to school at the Oratory which Newman founded in Birmingham. It was amazing to see Pope Benedict arrive there to be greeted by Father Gregory, or "Pop Greg" as he was affectionately known in my school days all those 40 years ago!
Mike
For a short video clip of the highlights of the visit:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk
A photograph from the 1880s of Harriet Tubman with some she helped to escape
I don't have a colour scheme in mind, though I thought it would be interesting to include reproduction fabrics from the 1800s. This red/white fabric is a William Morris print which is called 'willow boughs' from 1887.
I have also decided to sew this quilt by hand, to offer it up as a prayer for those who are still held captive in slavery today, that one day they too will taste freedom.
Chop everything up, no need for a perfection, and put it in a good heavy based pan .
Bring it to the boil and then turn down the heat , simmer for about an hour until reduced to a thick pulp.
Spoon into sterilised jars and enjoy after standing for a while to let flavours develop.
Driving along this morning I noticed the hedgerows were full of elderberries, plump and ripe and very inviting. So what can you do with them? Well, they have amazing medicinal properties (good for arthritis, asthma, colds, digestion) and they taste pretty good too.Wash the fruit then add to a large saucepan.
Cover with cold water, bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 25 minutes. During the final 10 minutes of boiling mash the fruit with a masher.
Line a colander with muslin and pour in the fruit mix, pushing down with a wooden spoon to extract as much juice as possible.
Measure the volume of liquid then pour into a clean saucepan along with 100g sugar to every 100ml juice and 5 cloves to every 100ml liquid. Bring mixture to the boil and keep boiling for 10 minutes. Remove the cloves with a metal tea strainer then pour the cordial into sterilised bottles. Store in a cool, dark, place.
Elderberry Jelly
elderberry jelly from Simply Recipes.
Have fun!
Ros
