Church matters.Byline: By Francis Wood The nation's FAVOURITE Put together artistic flair, a knowledge of Britain's churches and the capacity to write good English and you get Andrew Barr Andrew Barr (born 1973) is an Australian politician. He has been an Australian Labor Party member for the seat of Molonglo in the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly since 5 April 2006, after being elected on a countback to replace former Treasurer Ted Quinlan, who . A former producer of BBC's Songs of Praise, he has now produced his third book on the theme of Nation's Favourite. After Hymns and Carols, this time he presents the nation's favourite churches (Lion Publishing pounds 14.99). His choice of 30 examples may surprise but hardly disappoint you as he trips happily from Durham to Devon, from a primitive Welsh chapel to Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey, originally the abbey church of a Benedictine monastery (closed in 1539) in London. One of England's most important Gothic structures, it is also a national shrine. The first church on the site is believed to date from early in the 7th cent. also taking in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The North East is well-represented from Yorkshire to the Borders. Ancient or modern, of whatever denomination, each church is someone's favourite and Andrew also looks at the views surrounding them. He continues the format of his previous books with a good choice of colour photographs making this an ideal coffee table book. But be warned. The text is so absorbing that the coffee could go cold as you continue to read. He draws on interviews with people he has met at each location as well as local history and his own childhood memories. I particularly enjoyed Andrew's visit to Paddy's Wigwam, the Roman Catholic cathedral in Liverpool. He claims to have designed a similar one as a boy! There is also a glossary of church terms in case you don't know the difference between the clerestory clerestory or clearstory (both: klĭr`stōr'ē, –stôr'ē), a part of a building whose walls rise higher than the roofs of adjoining parts of the structure. and the triforium triforium (trīfôr`ēəm), in church architecture, an arcaded gallery above the arches of the nave. In the interiors of medieval churches each bay of the nave wall customarily had three divisions in its height—arcade, triforium, . Excuse me now, as I go out to buy a second copy to give away for Christmas. ALL HALLOW'S EVE Christians have a problem with Halloween. They don't want to spoil the fun but they feel uncomfortable when so many stunts are aimed at scaring young children. At a time when there are so many genuine horror and terror Horror is the feeling of revulsion that usually occurs after something frightening is seen, heard, or otherwise experienced. It is the feeling one gets after coming to an awful realization or experiencing a hideous revelation. stories around why should we add to a list of the macabre? After all this is really All Hallow's Eve, a time for a joyful celebration of the saints in glory. Sadly it's now become yet another commercial bonanza so it's unlikely that we shall see an immediate change in how it is being observed. But a growing number of parents would prefer not to see their children dressed as monsters or murderers. At present these are in isolated pockets for change but they have a website www.halloweenchoice.org Click on and you could learn what's happening and how to become involved. If Jamie Oliver can change the nation's school food, albeit little by little, there may yet be hope for those who aim to change Halloween. WHISPER WHO DARES Following my comment on peace and quiet we now know that Northumberland National Park Northumberland National Park is the northernmost national park in England. It covers an area of more than 1030 km² between the Scottish Border in the north to just south of Hadrian's Wall.It is one of the least populated and least visited of the National Parks. has been voted the most tranquil part of England with the North Yorkshire Moors second. We might take warning from a notice which appeared in the brochure of a hotel in Italy: 'Our hotel is noted for peace and quiet. Crowds flock from all over the world to enjoy its peace and solitude'. Diary Dates TONIGHT: St George's Cullercoats. Organ Recital with Shaun Turnbull. 7.30pm SUNDAY: Heaton Methodist Church. Anniversary Service: 10.45am. Worship led by Rev Ian White former President of the Methodist Conference. TUESDAY: Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle. Oasis ( a time for reflection in a busy city. 12.30pm NEXT SATURDAY: St James and St Basil, Fenham. Autumn Fair with Wingrove Primary School Choir. Noon ( 4pm Heaton Methodist Church. Autumn Fair. 2pm St Mark's Methodist Church Gateshead. District Autumn Music Meeting. Handel's MESSIAH Part 1. 6pm Salvation Army Hall in North Shields. Faith Supper and Bible Study. 7pm Please send items for CHURCH MATTERS to Francis Wood, 52 Albemarle Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne, city (1991 pop. 199,064) and metropolitan district, NE England, on the Tyne River. The city is an important shipping and trade center. The famous coal-shipping industry began in the 13th cent. , NE2 3NQ or telephone 0191 28 5338. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion