Watching Andrew Marr’s Britain from Above (BBC1, Sunday) gives us an extraordinary picture of our country. Clogged roads and railways, the smoking nation’s ageing arteries, run between massive landfill sites and even more massive sewage works. Ships crawl, bumper to bumper, round our shores. Biblical swarms of aeroplanes darken our skies. The ether hums and […]
Ten things you probably didnt know about Temple Balsall
Posted on by James Woodward
Tucked away between Knowle and Balsall Common this cluster of buildings is one of the West Midlands best kept secrets. Here are some things you may like to know? We have one of the countries oldest timber framed buildings which was the preceptory of the Knights Templar We have a thriving Church of […]
In Praise of
Posted on by James Woodward
The Bank Holiday!! First a liitle bit of explanation and history : A bank holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom and also in the Republic of Ireland. There is no right to time off on these days, although the majority of the population not employed in essential services (e.g. utilities, fire, ambulance, […]
In praise of …..
Posted on by James Woodward
Barmouth Beach Let these image speak for themselves…… The space and sea and mountains are breathtaking……. praise be!
An Ageing Mind?
Posted on by James Woodward
Tradition says that as you get older, you gradually lose your marbles as dottiness and dementia take over from the acuity of younger days. In this cogent book, Gene Cohen, director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University, shows that this is just another myth. Quite the reverse, as we […]
Sabbatical Reflections after two months return!
Posted on by James Woodward
It is now nearly two months since I returned from my sabbatical. I have spent some time ( but not too much!!) reading English Bishops reflections on the Lambeth conference. What surprises me most is the latent anti Americanism that come from their pens. Here is my tribute to the episcopal Church in America!! […]
Kettles Yard
Posted on by James Woodward
Kettle’s Yard is an art gallery and house in Cambridge. Kettle’s Yard was originally the Cambridge home of Jim Ede and his wife Helen. Moving to Cambridge in 1956, they converted four small cottages into one idiosyncratic house and a place to display Ede’s collection of early 20th century art. Ede maintained an ‘open house’ […]
On my Bookshelves
Posted on by James Woodward
and waiting to be read…. a bit serious …… any suggestions??!!
Holiday Reading – Part One
Posted on by James Woodward
Readers of my book reviews will certainly know that novels and thrillers are not particularly high up on my list. This book, however, is absolutely wonderful. Written by Robert Harris (The Ghost, Arrow books 2008), it really is a page-turner of the first order. I had, of course, never heard of Harris who is boldly […]
Make me a Christian?
Posted on by James Woodward
This is the Reverend George Hargreaves who thinks Britain is in a state of moral decline and that a return to a more ‘Christian’ way of life would stop the rot. He and his team of mentors aim to show how, by convincing a group of non-Christian volunteers to live by the teachings of the […]
A New Day
Posted on by James Woodward
Do you ever just marvel at the wonder of life? Mysterious, surprising, endlessly pregnant with possiblilities. I love the peace and quiet of a Sunday – an early start and sitting sliently watching the day emerge. Today the sunrise was cast the midst and damp from the grass. A cat serached ( I think) for […]
Back from vacation!
Posted on by James Woodward
As I drove down the Kenilworth Road towards Temple Balsall I always get a slight sense of apprehension about what I might find! The roads are quiet and I hope that most have been on holiday which will surely affect the e mail in box and paper on the desk – but not […]
Engraving and Printing
Posted on by James Woodward
Jenny Uglow is a masterful biographer and historian. She has that ability to so describe a scene, a place, a situation that we are taken beyond the facts into the life behind them. In this book (Nature’s Engraver: a life of Thomas Bewick). Uglow takes us to my beloved North East, and the Tyne […]
Writing Biography?
Posted on by James Woodward
Robert Peel by Douglas Hurd This book was certainly a bit of a struggle, at times, but worth it (I think) in the end! My own interest in political biographies lies mainly in those post Second World War lives – and many of those names will be familiar to you. This volume attracted […]
Things I don’t understand
Posted on by James Woodward
In the end I think that I find people who believe themselves to be very clever rather boring. Why? Not because I do not admire intelligence and strive for it – no! – but because I cannot comprehend how you get to a point where you are not aware of how much […]
Shropshire Gin
Posted on by James Woodward
The final party goers have left – having enjoyed a refreshing choice ( I hope ) of drinks. Pimms – of course – and a little mixture of of my own. Here are the ingredients: and plenty of – Here goes: take a bottle of Gin and pour it over lots of […]
15 000 Postcards?
Posted on by James Woodward
Temple Balsall has no village situated as it is between larger villages and towns. This means that we are tucked away providing protection and privacy but we want people to know something of our life and work. Yesterday saw Temple at its best – bathed in glorious sunshine.The main pathway down the middle of the […]
Treasure?
Posted on by James Woodward
I am having a very satisfactory time clearing an assorted collection of ‘stuff’ from my house – odd chairs, mugs that are no longer used, and an accumulation of CDs and books. I am always surprised at how much material goods we surround ourselves with – the cathedral of the shopping centre lures us into […]
Hay on Wye
Posted on by James Woodward
It is a long drive but worth every pound of petrol! The town of several million books – heaven and that is no exageration. The trip requires some discipline – there are so many shops and stacks of books that soem comcentration in certain areas is necessary for focus and satisfaction. Yesterday was literary […]
Jason Hicklin
Posted on by James Woodward
My friend Pauline Smith has introduced me to an artist whose work is very evocative. Alas I have only had the chance to see them via his web page – but look at these : I love the energy and movement and perspective – who would have thought that black was such a versatile and […]