I enjoyed my recent visit to Westminster Abbey. One of the things that particularly caught my attention was the painting of Queen Elizabeth II which was displayed in the Chapter House. The artist Ralph Heimans painted the portrait during the Queen’s Jubilee year:

THE CORONATION THEATRE: PORTRAIT OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Ralph Heimans (2012)
Oil on canvas

This unique painting of Her Majesty The Queen
standing on the Cosmati pavement in Westminster Abbey
has been purchased by the Abbey thanks to the
generosity of Lord and Lady Harris of Peckham.

This official portrait was painted during the
Diamond Jubilee Year of Her Majesty the Queen

A week after my visit I was quite dismayed to hear that the painting had been vandalised with spray paint.  After reading more of the story I understood why the man did what he did.  The man is a member of  Fathers4Justice (although it was not an official protest) and it was just four days before Fathers day and he would not be able to see his children on that day.

Desperate means lead to desperate measures.  I think he managed to highlight the problem but I think his actions might put some people off the cause.

It is a shame that the paint can was not noticed on entry into the building, during the obligatory bag search.  If a search is necessary (for whatever reason) it should be done properly.

On Saturday evening a good friend came round to visit.  There was lots of chatting, board games and a demonstration of Japanese medical skills and the next thing I knew it was 4.30 in the morning!!

The result of this late night/early morning meant I was rather lethargic during Sunday morning.  But I was forced to spring into action in the afternoon to clear away all the Christmas decorations. Following that there was the obligatory appearance of the vacuum cleaner to clear up all the little bits of decorations that linger on the carpet.  After all this activity I was able to log onto my computer for a few minutes before getting ready for my Sunday evening meal.

When I got up from the computer and left the room there was a heavy clunk as if something had fallen over.  When I went to investigate I couldn’t see that anything had moved and decided that it was the chair spinning round and hitting the desk.  I promptly forgot about it, until this morning…

When I opened the door to that room (the room I am in now) there was a little bit of resistance and it wouldn’t open fully.  When I managed to  open the door  and look behind it to investigate the problem I immediately noticed the word God glowing out from the dark and I could see a faint book outline underneath.  I bent down to pick the book up and realised that there were also two CDs on the floor as well.

I discovered the word God was on a bookmark. It is one I picked up a few years ago from St Mary’s Parish Church in Whitby whilst investigating my family history.  On one side of the bookmark there is a picture of the Church and on the other side the following quote:

God

Grant me

the Serenity

to accept the things

I cannot change,

Courage

to change

the things I can

and Wisdom

to know

the difference.

The other three things were also interesting…

The book was ‘Christy Moore, One Voice, My Life in Song’ – When I was campaigning against the moving of our work down south and the subsequent loss of skills, I used some of his songs in the campaign videos that I made.

One of the CDs contained photos taken by a colleague at a PCS conference a few years ago. Some of the photos on the disc were of an event where one of my campaign videos was shown – Tomorrow the first meeting takes place do discuss how we can raise awareness and campaign against the same issues.

The second CD had a few photographs that my Dad took of the flowers that I bought for my Mum’s 75th Birthday. She is 80 this year.

A message?…

My message to anyone who thinks they can’t make a difference by speaking up or campaigning for what they believe in is: You don’t know if you don’t try! If you don’t try you will lose but if you do try you might just win. Apathy is your enemy!

First they ignore you
Then laugh at you, and hate you
Then they fight you
Then you win

When the truth dies
Very bad things happen
They’re being heartless again

I know it’s gone and there’s gonna be violence
(Want you to love me)
I’ve taken as much as I’m willing to take
(Want you to be)
Why do you think we should suffer in silence
(The heavens above me)
When a heart is broken, there’s nothing to break
(Eternally)

You’ve been mixing with some very heavy faces
The boys have done a bit of bird
They don’t kill their own
And they all love their mothers
But you’re out of your depth son
Have a word

I know it’s gone and there’s gonna be violence
(Want you to love me)
I’ve taken as much as I’m willing to take
(Want you to be)
Why do you think we should suffer in silence
(The heavens above me)
The heart is broken, theres nothing to break
(Eternally)

All is wonderful in past life
Dreaming of the son she wants
You should see me in the afterlife
Picking up the sons of guns

RAP:
When you think we’re lost, we’re exploring
What you think is worthless, I’m adoring
You don’t want the truth, truth is boring
I got this fever, need to
Leave the house
Leave the car
Leave the bad men where they are
I leave a few shells in my gun
And stop me staring at the sun

I know it’s gone and there’s gonna be violence
(Want you to love me)
I’ve taken as much as I’m willing to take
(Want you to be)
Why do you say we should suffer in silence
(The heavens above me)
My heart is broken, there’s nothing to break

Campaigning through the years:

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.