Rufford Christmas Fayre

Encouraged by my daughter, Esther, I helped out running a stall at the Rufford Christmas Fayre at Rufford Country Park. The stall was a mixture of jewellery, cards and photographs. Also assisting us was Esther's friend, Harriet, who had also made a number of jewellery items.

At one stage we were visited by the Mayor and Mayoress who showed a keen interest in all we had produced but, sadl, this did not stretch to a financial investment in our goods. We were also visited by Robin Hood, both male and female, and Friar Tuck.

One thing we could not control was the weather. When we arrived, the rain was constant. As we went through the morning it persisted and was accompanied by some bouts of wind, making life difficult for stall-holders. You can see from this shot how, even when the sun shone, the after-effects of the rain were making life uncomfortable for us.

Because of the weather, attendance was very low, but the experience was good and we learnt many lessons for the next time.

Melton Mowbray Christmas Tree Festival

Each year at St. Mary's Church in melton Mowbray, A Christmas Tree festival is held. Literally hundreds of local organisations participate in this event be exhibiting a tree which either reflects their activity or business or which depicts an aspect of the Christmas story. St. Mary's Church is pack out with trees of all shapes and sizes for several days and money is raised for restoration work on this magnificent church which boasts a long and distinguished tradition.

This tree was entitled 'The Pair Tree' (notice the spelling) and was a cross between Christmas and Noah's Ark. It shows the level of ingenuity exhibited in this festival. Melton Mowbray has a beautiful town centre which hosts a market on Saturdays. Famed for its Pork Pies, Melton Mowbray attracts many seasonal visitors, many of whom flock into the church as part of their pre-Christmas festivities.

Experimenting with the light, I took this photo in the chancel. With camera bag in one hand, tripod in the other and a distinct lack of light, I managed to knock over a candle stand when I had finished taking this shot.

We should be rightly proud of our Christian heritage, especially when it comes to Christmas Time. It is important to maintain the traditions of our faith at a time when pluralism and secularism is urging us to abandon religious practices. After all, Christianity defines us as a nation and our spiritual past has made us who we are today.

Celtic Heart

This is a visual reflecting the Celtic Journey of Faith. Where are you on your 'Journey of Faith'? Are you starting out and in need of help and encouragement? Have you lost your way and are in need of someone to help you back on track? Please get in touch if you need someone to guide you.

Words and music are by Liz Babbs and Simeon Wood.

CARGO in Huthwaite

Paul Field, the well known Christian musician, came to Huthwaite on November 17th to perform his musical CARGO which focusses upon the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The Methodist Church was packed out for the performance which was supported by a local choir. Much of the organisation was done by Lenna Pursglove (pictured left). In spite of a hiccup with the data projector, the evening went really well and those who attended were both inspired and challenged.

The following morning, Paul took part in the Sunday Service which again focussed on those in the world who are disadvantaged.

Fresh Expressions Vision Day

On November 3rd, we held a Fresh Expressions Vision Day at Melbourne Methodist Church. The day was led by Tim Lea and Rachel Jordan who led us excellently through what's happening across the country in terms of Fresh Expressions of Church which are springing up all the time.

Wedding Anniversary

For this year's wedding anniversary, Margaret and I went to Derbyshire for the day. It was cool and cloudy but we wandered over the hills overlooking Calver and Cliff College to be greeted by these placid residents of the hillside. It was an exhilerating walk and a good preparation for our coffee later that morning.

We enjoyed coffee in the quaint little cafe and craft shop in Calver village. This is a must for any tourists in this region. The pleasant surroundings and well-stocked gift shop make for a welcome break from the day's walking. Calver is a typical village in this part of Derbyshire and being only a couple of miles from Chatsworth House, it is a good place to stop off whilst in the vicinity.

Having then visited the Chatsworth House Farm Shop at Pilsley, we went for the first time to the church in the grounds of Chatsworth House at Edensor. The stained-glass windows were a rare treat and we sat meditatively for a while.

Sinking

This is a comedy clip.

Blades

On the main raod through the Lady Bay area of West Bridgford is a Methodist Chapel which was bought by a sports equipment firm a few years ago after closure. It is now a beautifully designed café on two storeys. It is an excellent place to chill out and meet with friends. Most mornings it is full of mothers and toddlers.

Having led services in the chapel over many years it was a revelation to see how the building has been transformed by its new owners. The churhes are still involved with the café in that Carol Services are held at Christmas.

My wife, Margaret, who works for the nearby Cheshire Home, organised a visit to Blades for the residents. They enjoyed a morning drinking coffee and relaxing together at the World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

It is really satisfying to know that a building which has served the community for so many years as a church is still acting as a spiritual oasis.

Vienna Fotomarathon 2007

Well the results have been published. Our son, Andrew was again the top analogue photographer but had slipped from 3rd overall to 17th. I was not quite so fortunate, achieving a ranking of 253rd. Anyway, the experience was really good and there's always next year.

Andrew's photos can be viewed on his web site. Click on the Fotomarathon 2007 link on the left.

The winning entry can be viewed here.

CARGO by Paul Field

The Brewhouse Theatre, Burton on Trent was the venue for the musical production, CARGO by Paul Field. The production commemorates the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, a movement pioneered by William Wilberforce. The concert took place on Friday October 5th at 7:30pm.

Paul has written a number of musicals and has also written and produced songs for Cliff Richard and many other top artists. Paul's web site gives more details of CARGO.

It was a memorable evening with the theatre packed out. Graham Meers had organised a backing choir of 24 local singers. They performed magnificently. We were delighted to welcome Councillor Liz Stapeles, the Deputy Mayor of the East Staffordshire Borough Council (pictured here with Paul Field and Sue Nickson).

This was an occasion of which the local Methodists can be proud.

Ruddington Framework Knitters' Museum

It's not every Sunday that I'm invited to lead worship in a museum but last Sunday I found myself in the Ruddington Framework Knitters' Museum where the congregation of Ruddington Methodist Church are meeting during the refurbishment of their church in Nottingham. It was a wonderful setting and I really felt a closeness with the worshippers. Something of the historic surroundings added to the message of Abraham and 'Living by Faith'.

Vienna Fotomarathon 2007

The Vienna Fotomarathon 2007 took place on September 8th. There were around 1,000 entrants, all descending upon the Rathaus at 9:30am for registration. The following set of pictures are my attempts at trying to win.

The themes we had to take were as follows:-

1. Action
2. Life is just a game
3. AWD "money rules the world"
4. Architecture around Schwarzenbergplatz
5. All different types of people around Naschmarkt
6. Sweet - Sour
7. Spittelberg
8. Today - Tomorrow
9. Music in Vienna
10. Holidays in Africa
11. Q19 - More than shopping
12. Municipal Tenement
13. Passion and Love
14. Gösser placed in nature
15. Environmental protection concerns all of us
16. Faith
17. Soccer and the European Cup
18. Red is Hot
19. Autumn Impressions
20. Insights - Lookouts
21. Musings
22. Plays of light
23. Happy drinking
24. Fernwärmer Wien - Duet of energy, waste and art

These themes had to be shot in order during a 12 hour period.

Vienna Fotomarathon 2007 - 1

1. Action As it happened, there was a game of 5-a-side football taking place outside the Rathaus.

2. Life is just a game This table football game was also outside the Rathaus.

3. AWD "money rules the world" AWD sponsored the event and this picture was taken outside the Parliament building.

4. Architecture around Schwarzenbergplatz Obviously, this was taken in Schwarzenbergplatz.

Vienna Fotomarathon 2007 - 2

5. All different types of people around Naschmarkt Naschmarktwas very busy that day but finding the right people was difficult.

6. Sweet - Sour This was also taken at the Naschmarkt.

7. Spittelberg Spittelberg is the waste recycling station in Vienna, lavishly decorated by Hundertwasser.

8. Today - Tomorrow A really tricky one. All we could find was this programme of events.

Vienna Fotomarathon 2007 - 3

9. Music in Vienna This music group were performing on a stage which, the following day, would be host to the Pope during his visit to Vienna.

10. Holidays in Africa We had to find a shop with African goods. A little creativity was needed here too.

11. Q19 - More than shopping This shopping centre was our lunch stop. We needed it!

12. Municipal Tenement The light was beginning to fade along with our energy levels.

Vienna Fotomarathon 2007 - 4

13. Passion and Love Well - sort of!

14. Gösser placed in nature How did this get there?

15. Environmental protection concerns all of us Even the dogs...

16. Faith St. Peter's Church in the centre of Vienna.

Vienna Fotomarathon 2007 - 5

17. Soccer and the European Cup Lucky mascot - but who will win?

18. Red is Hot The fire brigade are always ready.

19. Autumn Impressions An autumn display in one of Vienna's shops.

20. Insights - Lookouts Who's this peculiar character?

Vienna Fotomarathon 2007 - 6

21. Musings An idle conversation after a hard day's work.

22. Plays of light Imaginative scenes in Vienna's shopping area - Kärntner Straße.

23. Happy drinking Downing a welcome pint.

24. Fernwärmer Wien - Duet of energy, waste and art Back at Spittelau, the final destination for the marathon.

Outer Hebrides 1 - Stopover at Loch Ness

In August of this year, I travelled with my son, Andrew and his girlfriend, Alex to Scotland. We started off at Loch Ness where we stayed a couple of nights and then spent a week on the Outer Hebrides. Around Loch Ness in the early morning there are some excellent scenes. This shot was taken at Fort Augustus on the southern tip of the loch.

We toured around the loch and visited Aviemore. This shot was taken near to Aviemore beside Loch an Eilein which offers pleasant walks and scenery.

Outer Hebrides 2 - En Route

The scenery on the road between Loch Ness and Kyle of Lochalsh is stunning. We stopped off at Eilean Castle prior to crossing the bridge over to Skye. It was wise to make an early start from Loch Ness so that we could travel to Uig on the Isle of Skye in good time for the afternoon ferry. The roads were quiet and we watched the sun rising as we travelled. The view over the lochs was stunning.

We were taken by surprise by the castle at Eilean. Even in the early morning, many tourists joined us to gaze upon the scene.

Now that Skye is approachable via the road bridge, the journey north to Uig was much shorter than in previous years. From Uig, the ferry takes you, car and all, to the Outer Hebrides, landing at the secluded harbour of Tarbert. It takes just under two hours to cross the waters and on a calm day, the journey is most relaxing.

Outer Hebrides 3 - Butt of Lewis

As this was our first time on the Outer Hebrides, we had no idea what to expect. We started off on Harris but soon found ourselves travelling right to the north of Lewis (the Butt of Lewis). Here you see gannets scouring the coastline for food. The wind is very strong and care needs to be taken when walking near the steep cliffs.

The scenes here are tremendous but there is absolutely no commerce to be seen. The little harbour is tranquil and is home to a number of small fishing boats. The Butt of Lewis is the northern-most tip of the island and is well worth a visit.