12 Comments CherryPie on Mar 25th 2020
I believe there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright!
Henry David Thoreau
14 Comments CherryPie on Mar 23rd 2020
Due to Covid-19 the Grand Prix was cancelled leaving Mr C at a loose end. I convinced him that we should go and see the Knife Angel on Sunday afternoon just in case movements around the Telford area are restricted (due to the dreaded virus) in the coming week or two. Neither of us wanted to miss it in its current location.
Part of my suggestion for an afternoon out after visiting the Knife Angel was a short walk around Telford Town Park. The weather was perfect. Although Mr C was not in the mood and reluctant he indulged me. He was pleasantly surprised with what the Town Park has to offer and wants to go back for a longer walk to explore more of the history of the area.
The sculpture, made from over 100,000 seized blades, was specifically created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour whilst solidifying our critical need for social change. Not only does the Angel act as a catalyst for turning the tide on violent and aggressive behaviour, but it is also acts as a beautiful memorial designed to celebrate those lives who have been lost through these violent and thoughtless actions.
The full story of the Knife Angel can be read here.
14 Comments CherryPie on Mar 18th 2020
Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.
Soren Kierkegaard
22 Comments CherryPie on Mar 16th 2020
Sheffield Cathedral is the oldest building in Sheffield still in daily use. Formerly the Parish Church of Sheffield, it was granted Cathedral status in 1914 – however the history of Christianity on this site goes back over 1000 years.
Like many churches, Sheffield Cathedral is a building which has many stories to tell. It tells the story of the Christian faith in Sheffield through the centuries of worship, prayers and remembrance which have taken place within its walls and continue today in an unbroken Christian tradition.
It also tells the story of the City of Sheffield from the early 12th century when William de Lovetot built the first church on this site and established the township of Sheffield, through to the newly refurbished and welcoming building which today invites you to explore and learn more about the stories and the heritage told by this remarkable building.
14 Comments CherryPie on Mar 14th 2020
The Peace Gardens area was originally the churchyard of St Paul’s Church, which was built in the 18th century. The church was built to accommodate Sheffield’s increasing population, which had outgrown the capacity of the Parish Church (which is now the Anglican Cathedral).
A wealthy local goldsmith called Robert Downs paid for St Paul’s Church to be built and work started in 1720. However, Robert Downs later had a disagreement with the church authorities and for a short time he allowed dissenters to worship in the building. This was stopped when the church was finally consecrated or blessed in 1740.
By 1938 the Church of England had no further use for St Paul’s and it was demolished to make way for a proposed extension to the Town Hall. Unfortunately, due to the Second World War, the extension was never built and all that remained of the building were the churchyard walls.
We created a temporary garden with the remaining walls and named it St Paul’s Gardens. However the name soon changed to the Peace Gardens due to the popular desire for a return to peacetime. The name became formal in 1985.
The Goodwin Fountain has 89 individual jets of water and is dedicated to Sir Stuart and Lady Goodwin. Sir Stuart was the founder of an important Sheffield steel and tool making firm – Neepsend Ltd – and a man of considerable wealth.
Throughout their lives they donated a lot of money to a number of charities in the local area, especially hospitals. One of the donations was for the construction of a new fountain at the head of Fargate in 1961. The fountain was originally intended as a tribute to Alderman James Sterling, however, it became known as the Goodwin Fountain and was eventually dedicated to them.
In 1998, the old fountain at the top of Fargate was worn out and was replaced by the new fountain in the Peace Gardens.
The Holberry Cascades are 8 large water features that are dedicated to Samuel Holberry, who was the leader of the Sheffield Chartist Movement, and are located on either side of the 4 entrances to the main area of the Peace Gardens.
The waterfalls from the bronze vessels represent both the pouring of water into Sheffield’s 5 rivers, and the pouring of molten metal used in Sheffield’s metal industries.
57,000 litres of water are pumped through its water features. The system employs a water re-circulation system and is kept clean using a brine solution rather than chemicals.
16 Comments CherryPie on Mar 9th 2020
It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.
Ursula K. Le Guin
8 Comments CherryPie on Mar 8th 2020
