The core theme of this memorial is, ‘At the going down of the sun, we will remember them’
The Memorial shows a single figure facing towards the setting sun, head bowed in respect to shipmates. The figure’s cap is hel in the ‘at ease’ position. Coloured glass sails diffuse light onto a light granite pavement, their colours take inspiration from the five Oceans. Flashes of red represent blood spilled at sea, on land and in the air in defence of our nation. In bright sunlight and for a time every day, the glass panels cast a shadow suggesting the shape of warship whichis in th direct gaze of the figure; the shapes changing as the sun moves across the sky.*
*Information from a signboard next to the memorial
Tags: National Memorial Arboretum, The Naval Service Memorial
… around Britain by Church
Synopsis from the book cover:
Churches are all around us. Their steeples remain landmarks in our towns, villages and cities, even as their influence and quthority has waned. They contain art and architectural wonders – one huge gallery scattered, like a hanful of jewels, across these isles.
Thoughts:
The book meanders through through Britain exploring churches and sharing their history, art, nature and people. It was lovely to revisit old gems and see them through the eyes of others and learn new things about them. I was also introduced to new churches that I am tempted to visit. After my recent visit to Southwark Cathedral I returned to the book to re-read Peter’s experiences of the Cathedral, he is right; the Cathedral is an oasis of calm in contrast to the hustle and bustle surrounding it.
Tags: #8, 2024 Books, Book Thoughts, Books, Factual, Peter Ross, Steeple Chasing
Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that around every circle another can be drawn, that there is no end in nature, but every and is a beginning, and under every deep a lower deep opens.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tags: Cherie's Place Thought
In summer 2022, to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the moat transformed from a barren, flat lawn into a haven for bees, butterflies and other pollinators in the heart of the city. The moat was filled with wildflowers, grown from 20 million seeds.
But Superbloom was not just a spectacle for 2022. It was the first year of a permanent transformation of the Tower Moat into a beautiful naturalistic landscape.
Tags: Flowers in the Moat, London, Superbloom, The Shard, Tower of London
In 1736 Mahomet Weyonomon, a Mohegan Sachem (chief), died in Alsermanbury in the City of London. He was 36 years old. Foreigners could not be buried near St Saviour’s church, now Southwark Cathedral. The exact location of the grave is inknown. The sculpture behind you is his memorial.
Mahomet’s presence in London was the result of injustice and exloitation. His tribe had helped the first settlers in New England survive bitter cold and repel Indian attacks. The Mohegans became allies of the English but settlers began to steal tribal lands. Despite support for the Mohegan cause from Queen Anne’s Commissioners in1705, the lands were not returned.
Mahomet sailed to Lond in 1735 with three supporters to petition King George II for the return of the stolen lands. While awaiting an audience, Captain John Mason and Mahomet contracted smallpox and died.
This memorial was erected at the request of the Mohegan tribe to honour a fallen chief. A stone was brought from Mohegan lands and carved with forms that reflect ancient custom by Peter Randall-Page. It was unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, on 22nd November 2006 with the tribal chairman Bruce Two Dogs Bozsum and the U.S. Ambassador – symbolically granting the audience Mahomet never received.*
*from a sign board next to the memorial (see photo for further detail)
Tags: London, Mahomet Weyonomon, Southwark, Southwark Cathedral
