Olympic Spectacle

We sat and watched the Olympic Opening Ceremony on televison last night, along with a few million other people in the United Kingdom. Due to the fact that much of the information about the opening ceremony had been kept tightly under wraps, we had very little idea of what was to come.

We knew that Danny Boyle, the film director, was running the whole show and that there had been some fairly late publicity mentioning a set piece based on England's green and pleasant land, but little else had leaked out.

The opening set up, featuring what was described as a representation of Glastonbury Tor (The circular mound of green with a path winding up it) complete with a tree on the top was used very effectively as a transition piece between the green and pleasant land and the coming of the Industrial Revolution titled "Chaos").

The top of the Tor opened to let workers from the Industrial Revolution exit it. Huge smoking mill chimneys grew out of the ground and a grimy, noisy, smoky atmosphere ensued. Out of this the five olympic rings were manufactured (rather a smart touch) and as they ascended into the night air they threw off sparks.

There were certain highlights which took the audience fancy. The Mr Bean sequence was one such item, but I think the piece de resistance had to be the collection of the Queen by none other than the current James Bond, and delivery to the Olympic Stadium by helicopter, with the Queen and James Bond parachuting into the arena!

The real queen featured in the sequence at Buckingham Palace, whilst the change over to a stunt double was so skilfully handled that it was only when she bailed out of the helicopter (a live sequence) that you began to wonder how this had all been done!

The culmination of all this was the delivery of the Olympic Torch by what seemed to be a jet speedboat, driven by David Beckham, and the eventual lighting of the Olympic "beacon".

A very entertaining evening which proved that we Brits can lay on a magnificent spectacle!

Well Done Danny!

Six million and forty eight thousand!

I bet you are wondering what the significance of the figure six million and forty eight thousand is!

Well all will be revealed before you get to the end of this blog!

Approximately two months ago I started a blog an the journey we take to the Isle of Arran, then looking back about a month ago I continued it with a blog on some of the CalMac ferries we have used during our holidays in Scotland. By a strange coincidence both these blogs were written on the 27th of the month.

Well here we are approximately a week before the 27th of this month and I thought it was about time I continued the holiday themed blog. So what shall I tell you? Let's start off at the departure point on the mainland of Scotland. A place called Ardrossan.

In the twenty odd years we have been taking our holidays on the Isle of Arran, Ardrossan has changed quite dramatically. I remember the first time we drove down the main street to the ferry terminal, it looked a typical dour grey street. lined with typical dour grey terrace houses which fronted directly on to the pavement. Not exactly an inspiring sort of place.

Ardrossan - Glasgow Street - a dour grey street.

 Dour grey terrace houses.

Fronting directly on to the pavement. 

After crossing the level crossing and entering the dock area - again a bit grim and grotty, with the usual dockside debris - chains, anchors, large containers, oil drums etc. etc. we wondered what we were letting ourselves in for!

We waited patiently for the CalMac ferry - in those days it was a smaller one called the Isle of Arran, and watched excitedly as the bow lifted up and the bow doors opened to disgorge a stream of holiday traffic, some coaches and a few commercial vehicles.

Bow doors opened to disgorge a stream of holiday traffic, some coaches and a few commercial vehicles.

Inside the ferry, on the car deck.

Six million and forty eight thousand??? - It's the number of seconds from July 21st to when we set off on our holidays!! (In other words ten weeks)

Anyone for Ardrossan, Brodick and the Isle of Arran?

Decision Time!

Well, it was decision day last night at the PCC (Parish Church Council) meeting.

Like all the churches I have played the organ for, the prevalent attitude seems to be "as long as the organ is making a sound we don't need to spend any money on it"

This has been the attitude at the church where I have been organist for during the seven years. Each year in my annual report I have stated that due to lack of regular upkeep the organ was becoming less likely to survive unless a huge programme of cleaning and maintenance was carried out. I have regularly pointed out that an organ is like a car in that it needs regular maintenance and servicing, but over the years this has fallen on deaf ears!

Unknown to me, sometime ago the PCC decided that they would not spend any major amounts of money on the instrument, and this decision has finally backfired on them.

They decided to have a survey done on the instrument to see just what it would cost to put the instrument back into first class condition. The survey was carried out by the very reputable organ building firm of Harrison and Harrison of Durham, and the results echoed, almost to the letter what I had been reporting to the PCC for the last seven years. [Surprise, surprise!]

Three options were suggested.

The first was to put the organ back into A1 condition. Cost - a mere £233,723 + 20% VAT!

The second option was to reduce the instrument to a 2 manual and do more or less the same restorative work. Cost - £187,323 + 20% VAT.

The third option was a new 2 manual organ of similar size and capability. Cost - £409,404 + 20% VAT.

A price to remove the current instrument (if we decided to go for option 3) was also quoted - £16,790 + 20% VAT.

So assuming the PCC decided to go for the cheapest option (keeping the instrument and reducing to a 2 manual with all the necessary remedial and restorative work carried out would cost us £187,323 + 20% VAT (£224,787)

As the PCC don't have this kind of money (how surprising!) we were faced with a problem. We can't afford any of the suggested solutions what do we do?

We have an electric piano (not capable of supporting a church congregation in full flow, not the sort of instrument to use at weddings and funerals etc. etc.)

Purchase a Hymn Singing Karaoke Machine (yes! they do make such things!!) A very third rate solution which encourages singing like an automaton.

Go for a digital electronic organ - Prices range from just under £10,000 to £60,000.

I produced a report on the present organ, and possible solutions, and the PCC bit the bullet and voted to go down the digital electronic organ route.

There are a multitude of electronic organ builders around, so the first course of action is to narrow down the field and discard those who merely produce electronic organs for home use.

Then there will be the inveitable - send for catalogues and price lists, compare specifications, listen to and play actual instruments, either in the makers showrooms, or better still on instruments which have been installed in churches.

I know it might seem a long way to Christmas but........

being an ex teacher I am used to planning at least one term ahead. So it should be no surprise to you that on Monday evening I attended at meeting held at the Vicarage, to plan all the services and events leading up to Christmas.

Alright, I can hear you saying, "But the children haven't broken up for their Summer Holidays yet!" True, but with life as hectic as it is at the moment, it is always a good idea to plan well ahead.

Let me just give you an example of just how hectic life is at the moment. This week, on Monday, I had to attend a planning meeting at the Vicarage. On Tuesday I was scheduled to give a talk on Rodgers & Hammerstein Musicals to a group of retired Civil Servants in an office block in the centre of Bradford.

On Wednesday I have to attend a Parish Church Council Meeting and lead a discussion on the way forward with the church organ [Like most church organs it has been sadly neglected and as a result will need into the HUNDRED'S OF THOUSANDS of pounds spending on it if it is to be kept playable for the next forty or fifty years.] The PCC commissioned a report on it by the well known firm of Harrison and Harrison, and the cheapest option was going to cost in the region of £182,000. Wednesday promises to be fun!

Thursday I have a funeral to play for at St Lawrence Church Pudsey, followed by a choir practice at my home church.

Friday I have a wedding to play for, and Saturday two weddings to play for, after which we have an invite to dine out with two of my choir members. 

Sunday, after the morning Eucharist we head down to Underwood, Nottingham for the eigth birthday of my cousins grand daughter.

In fact looking ahead I have 21 weddings to play for before the end of September!

Just to give you  an idea of what we have planned at church between September and December just have a look at the proposed Services and Events......


Friday 7th Sept Musical “1611”


Sunday 23rd Sept Harvest Festival & Back to Church Sunday

Sunday 21st Oct Healing Service & Eucharist

Thursday 25th Oct 7.30 pm Confirmation Service

Wednesday 31st Oct 5.00 pm Alternative Halloween Service/Service of Light

Thursday 1st Nov 7.30 pm All Souls

Sunday 4th Nov Patronal Festival (All Saints)

Saturday 10th Nov Musical “Follow the Fleece”

Sunday 11th Nov 10.30 am Remembrance Sunday (Parade Service)

Sunday 2nd Dec 6.00 pm Advent Carol Service

December 10th or 11th Eldwick School Carol Service

Sunday 16th Dec 2.00 – 4.00 pm Grotto/Crib [Christmas Fayre?]

Get Inside the Story: Life Size Crib Scene

Wednesday 19th Dec 7.30 pm Festival of Lessons & Carols (by Candlelight)

Saturday 22nd Dec Carol Sing in Market Place

Sunday 23rd Dec 7.00 pm Street Carol Sing [meet at church]

Monday 24th Dec 6.00 pm Christingle/Crib Service/Nativity Play/Tableau – involving younger children

Monday 24th Dec 11.30 pm Midnight Mass

Tuesday 25th Dec 10.30 am Christmas Day Eucharist [Nativity Play?] maybe involving Scouts & Cubs

These are all over and above the usual Sunday Services and necessitate extra practices for the choir!

Next year I am going to hibernate!!!!!

What? Not the Aagrah???

We went out with Hannah and Ben for an Indian Meal last night ( A belated Father's Day present for me really).

Amazingly we did not go to the Aagrah in Shipley. Some little time ago Hannah and Ben had been to Akbar's - an Indian Restaurant in Leeds Road Bradford, and had been very impressed with the food and service. They decided it would be a nice Father's Day Present for me, hence our visit there last night!

A table set with a delicious selection of Indian Food

Our table was the one in the foreground

The starters are almost a meal in themselves, so we shared two different starters between the four of us. - Onion & Potato Bhaji consisting of Onions & potatoes deep fried in a spicy Indian batter and served in a side salad, and Mushroom Pakora consisting of Mushrooms coated with a spicy batter and deep fried, served with fresh salad.

I followed this up with Chicken Tikka Masala - Chicken breast marinated in a yoghurt, herbs and spices, cooked over a charcoal grill and then finally pot roasted with ginger, garlic, onions, tomatoes, with a sprinkling of coriander, whilst Dot chose  Vegetable Makhani - A mild creamy vegetable dish with nuts, in a rich sauce.

A Family Size Nan Bread was brought to us (almost the size of a car tyre!) and lemon pilau rice as well.

I have to say that they gave the Aagrah a run for the money.

It's going to be a problem in the future if we decide to go for an Indian Meal where to go to!!!

Tell It Like It is

I'm not sure where I came across this poster advertising the services of the London Underground, but I just had to share it with you! I think the ad man did an excellent job with it.



The Bridge Inn, Hotel & Spa Complex at Walshford

Yes dear blog readers, I have moved up in the world! I am now moving in very much elevated surroundings!

Entrance to The Bridge Inn

The Courtyard where you can dine in fine weather



One of the Bars in the Bridge Inn

Private Dining Room at the Bridge Inn

So how come I found myself dining in the private dining room at this most salubrious establishment?  Contrary to popular rumour I had not just hit the jackpot on the Euromillions! However the meal didn't cost me a penny!

A fine two course dinner, served in these very pleasant and palatial surroundings and at no cost. I can already hear you asking "How do you do it? What's the catch?"

Well there really is no catch at all, you see. I was invited to address the Lower Wharfedale Rotarians at their meeting for their new chairman. (It does help to have the right connections!)

One of the clergy I play weddings for at Rudding Park and Hazlemere Castle is a member of the Rotarians, and when he found out that I gave talks he asked me if I would be willing to give the opening talk for the incoming president of the Lower Wharfedale Rotarians at their meeting at the Bridge Inn, and he mentioned that a free meal was thrown in if I would be willing to attend!

After a superb two course meal + the usual coffee and mints, I gave them my talk illustrated with musical examples which I call "Down Memory Lane." It obviously went down well, because at the end of the meeting I was asked if I would be willing to give the another talk at a future date.

Hurrah for Charity Shops (2) and a bit about a Bog

After visiting the SCAD shop in Settle, I moved on to the Help the Aged Shop, which is situated opposite the side entrance to Settle Town Hall.

Once again I was tempted. This time to two CD's (see below)

Sometime ago I had purchased a CD by the violinist Nicola Benedetti [Italia] and was very impressed by her performance. Some years ago, when we were heading for the Isle of Arran, we called off at one of the daughters of one of the Cottingley Church members. She lives in West Kilbride, which is only a few miles up the coast from Ardrossan, where we catch the ferry to Brodick. I discovered that Nicola Benedetti was born in West Kilbride, and her family still live there.

Anne-Sophie Mutter is another female violinist who plays a mean fiddle! and as there was also a DVD included in this package I was again tempted to make the purchase. Some years ago she was married to Andre Previn (who can forget his appearance on the Morecambe & Wise Show?) and one of the pieces she plays was written for her by him.

My attention was also attracted to some large format books, going at £1.00 each.

The result was I purchased.....

as well as the AA Illustrated Guide to Britain - a comprehensive book  with lots of information about Britain, and selected routes to tour.

The page illustrated here is "Border Farmland South of the Tweed". This is an area very familiar to us as we often spend our holidays in this part of Northumberland.

We then went on to The Gamecock at Austwick, where he had a delicious dinner. I happened to visit the Gents whilst we were there, and noticed at the back of the toilet door a sign which read "NO EXIT" - mine host Eric obviously has a sense of humour!

I also noticed these two as well...........

Hurrah for Charity Shops!

On Friday 29th June after Dot had had her dressing changed we decided to go off for a run to two of our usual spots - Settle and Austwick. It was quite sunny, when we set off, and had the promise of a fine day. We arrived at Settle around 11.00am, so the first "port of call" was the "Naked Man", for a cup of coffee and a slice of rather delicious chocolate coated almond slice.





Whilst Dot went off exploring the shops, I payed my usual visit to the S.C.A.D. (Skipton & Craven Association for the Disabled) charity shop. There is always a quite large collection of CD's Video Tapes and DVD's, not always what one would be temped to buy at full price, but at charity shop rates they are often very tempting! The end result was that I came out of the shop with four CD's and three video tapes.

This Helios CD contains a pleasant selection of classical favourites.

 The EMI Classics for Pleasure CD has the Saint-Saens "Organ" Symphony on it, as well as the well known Widor Toccata from Symphony Number 5 (Often used at weddings)

 This National Trust issued CD caught my eye simply because it contained a selection of themed music all about cats.

The Fivepenny Piece were a folk group which originated from Lancashire roots, and during the time the two elder girls were younger they would have heard many of the songs featured on this CD!

 

The three video tapes I purchased were priced at 3 for 50 pence!

 

Based on the best selling novel by Joanne Harris, Chocolat tells the story of a Vianne, who opens a chocloate shop in a small, tranquil old fashioned French town. The straightlaced villagers are tempted to abandon themselves to the delights of chocolate and happiness!

 "The Ring" is what can only be described as a heap of hokum! Four teenagers watch a tape and all meet with mysterious deaths one week later. Investigative reporter Rachel Keller tracks down the video tape and watches it.The clock is ticking and Rachel has just seven days to solve the mystery of "The Ring" before she too might die!

 

Tom Willen's son is kidnapped and when he goes to pay the ransom things go wrong. He has been warned no to go public, but he does, by appearing on nationwide television with a proposition to the kidnappers that could not only put himself in grave danger, but also risk the life of his son!

 

I have already listened to the four CD's and enjoyed them. Even if the videos are not up to much, at a total cost of 50 pence I will hardly feel cheated!