28 October, 2008

Personchester

A good post about Personchester for once. The Art Gallery was showing an exhibition of preraphaelite Christian art. The originals of the ones I saw at Lee!

http://blog.standonline.org.uk/italker/files/2007/10/the-light-of-the-world-print-c10081280.jpeg

20 October, 2008

Lee, on the outskirts of Lewisham

Lee nestles between Lewisham and Blackheath, and can be said to be fairly well to do. Starting at the Old churchyard of St Margaret of Antioch a heritage trail leads to the ice house in Manor House Park. The church of St Margaret of Antioch has clayton and bell stained class and wallpaintings, and an exhibition of christian art reproductions. Well worth a visit.
From Travels around London

the Merchant Taylors and Boone's almshouses have been providing care for old people for 300 years since 1608 including a derby and joan club with a waiting list.
From Travels around London



From Travels around London

12 October, 2008

finchley and the city

A visit to the London Maze, the City of London Corporation's local history fair at the Guildhall, a new building on old foundations (i.e. it was flattened during the second world war) which was interesting in itself. The fair was less interesting although I looked at a book about london housing in the 1930s. £35 was too much to pay though.

From Travels around London


Next on the list of visits was Wesley's Chapel. This was surprisingly like a Church of England church of the 18th century, the only difference being the pulpit directly behind the holy table. The communion rails were donated by Margaret Thatcher, who was married and had her children christened in the chapel.

The Museum of Methodism in the chapel cellar was somewhat confused and confusing with each explanatory board numbered, except when they weren't, but had artefacts and paintings relating to John and Charles Wesley and methodism in general. I'm not sure I came away with a greater understanding of Methodism but it was interesting.

From Travels around London

Afterwards I had a visit to Finchley which was better than I thought it was. The Church, dedicated to St Mary, was almost as long as it was wide, with a fine timbered roof of the 1940s (again the chancel was flattened during the second world war). The church was of 13th century origin but altered in the 19th and 20th centuries. The main drag of Finchley and the housing was pleasant. This was Margaret Thatcher's constituency

From Travels around London
The finchley archer at East Finchley symbolyses rapid transport to central London. Yeah right.