...took place yesterday evening, starting from Westminster Cathedral. We got a huge crowd!! I started by explaining about the history of the Cathedral, and the convent in Carlisle Place, and Archbishop's House, and then we went on down past Horseferry Road - where I told them about James II's family escaping that way in 1688, with James 111, later to be called the "Old Pretender", as a small baby...and then on to Parliament and the Abbey. Although with such large numbers, I had to raise my voice and it all got fairly hard work, everyone was so interested and enthusiastic that the whole mood was simply terrific, and as we finished there was a roar of "Yes" when the suggestion was made for the next Walk.
Well, the next one is now planned: October 15th, meet outside the Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer, Cheyne Row, Chelsea, at 6.30pm We'll be exploring the story of St Thomas More and the sites associated with him in Chlsea. No need to book for the Walk, just turn up. Wear comfortable shoes and be suitably clad - we'll be walking whatever the weather. For more info about all these walks look here.
I am most grateful to the Cathedral authorities who helped to publicise the Walk, and gave it their blessing. It was a glorious September evening, and the atmosphere in the crowd was warm and friendly, and as the light faded and the lamps came on, London felt rich in history.
Our Walk ended with prayers for our country, said in front of Westminster Abbey, with Parliament behind. A strong sound as the crowd prayed the Our Father with a united voice. Our poor country is in desperate need of prayers at this time.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Thank you very much for a very enjoyable evening. We were very lucky to have such fine weather and I hope that your voice was not too hoarse by the end of the evening.
P.S. It was lovely to be able to have a little cheer for the (hopefully) forthcoming Papal Visit to Britain.
This sounds wonderful...wish I could have been there (I'm in the USA).
I would love to have a guided tour around the sight of the Tyburn tree and the Martyrs' Shrine at the Benedictine convent...someday!
Thanks you for your very interesting talk. A historian friend of mine didn't buy your explanation of the parliamentary portculis, because, he said, Henry Tudor brought it with him. If you've any sources for the St Lawrence explanation, I'd be interested to see them.
Thanks once again.
Post a Comment