The first major art exhibition in the UK to explore the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226), one of history’s most inspirational and revered figures, will be staged at the National Gallery next spring.
The exhibition presents the art and imagery of Saint Francis from the 13th century to today and examines how his spiritual radicalism, his commitment to the poor, his love of God and nature, as well as his striving for peace between enemies and openness to dialogue with other religions, make him a figure of enormous relevance to our times...
Wicken Fen, one of Europe's most important wetlands, supports an abundance of wildlife. There are more than 9000 species, including a spectacular array of plants, birds and dragonflies.
The raised boardwalk and lush grass droves allow easy access to a lost landscape of flowering meadows, sedge and reedbeds, where you can encounter rarities such as hen harriers, water voles and bitterns.
Wicken Fen Vision, an ambitious landscape-scale conservation project, is opening up new areas of land to explore. Our grazing herds of Highland cattle and Konik ponies are helping to create a diverse range of new habitats. (Source: National Trust)
Travel information
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve (NNR) is in Ely, Cambridgeshire and located southeast of Peterborough. Although about a little over than an hour's drive from Peterborough I have to go to March town to meet my work colleagues. March is about 30 minutes drive from Peterborough and was another 45 minutess drive to Wicken Fen. I went down to the NNR last September 2022 for a site visit together with work colleagues.
Where else would you go first in an English cathedral city but its magnificent cathedral with centuries of history as seen through its architecture and surrounding buildings and gardens, right? Well certainly that was the case with my visit to St Albans in Hertfordshire.
The city took its name from St Alban, the first British Christian martyr, who was executed in 305 AD for refusing to participate in a pagan sacrifice. The ground where the Cathedral stands specifically the north transept was the traditional spot where St Alban was executed.
In January 2022 I visited the cathedral city of St Albans as I have a few hours to spare waiting for my wife attending lessons from the nearby university in Hatfield. The city is just a 15-minute drive from Hatfield, which is an hour and 15 minutes drive from my city of Peterborough. I decided to just visit two famous places in the city that are close to each other - St Albans Cathedral and the ruins of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium.
In the southwest of St Albans lies the remains of the Roman Britain town of Verulamium. A few remains of Verulamium are still seen at Verulamium Park like parts of the city wall and a hypocaust (a central heating system in the Roman period) as well as items that are found in the museum. The ruins of the Roman theatre, however, is now part of the nearby Gorhambury Estate.
St Albans' Clock Tower is the only surviving medieval town belfry in England and is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The people of St Albans built the tower, which was completed by 1405 as a symbol of their resistance against the power of the abbot of St Albans. The Tower allowed the town to sound its own hours and, until 1863, the curfew. The Clock Tower's bell rang out for the first Battle of St Albans during the Wars of the Roses in 1455.
Today, the tower - and its 600 year old bell - still stands face to face with the abbey's tower and provides fantastic views across over St Albans and far into the Hertfordshire countryside. (Source: St Albans Museums)
Before I went to have a good look inside St Albans Cathedral I wandered around outside its vicinity as there were a few interesting sites to see including the Clock Tower. I walked a little bit around Market Place, the street where the Clock Tower is located before I had a good look of the tower from the outside. The Clock Tower is only open during weekends and bank holidays and it was a Monday when I visited St Albans. The tower also has a long and interesting history as can be seen by the plaques and from Wikipedia, too.
If you have not read the story of my visit to St Albans Cathedral please go here or click the link above.
Before I went inside the Cathedral I wandered a bit in the cathedral grounds to see the Abbey Gateway, the Verdun Tree and the Vintry Garden in detail. I also had a quick look at the nearby Clock Tower.
I visited the cathedral city of St Albans in January 2022 when I had a few hours to spare while waiting for my wife attending her lessons from the nearby university in Hatfield. The city is just a 15-minute drive from Hatfield, which is an hour and 15 minutes drive from my city of Peterborough. I decided to just visit two famous places in the city that are close to each other - St Albans Cathedral and the ruins of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium.
I visited the cathedral city of St Albans in January 2022 when I had a few hours to spare while waiting for my wife attending her lessons from the nearby university in Hatfield. The city is just a 15-minute drive from Hatfield, which is an hour and 15 minutes drive from my city of Peterborough. I decided to just visit two famous places in the city that are close to each other - St Albans Cathedral and the ruins of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium.
St Albans Cathedral was named after St Alban, the first British Christian martyr, who was executed in 305 AD for refusing to participate in a pagan sacrifice. The ground where the Cathedral stands specifically the north transept is the traditional spot where St Albans was executed.
Who was St Alban?
Alban was a citizen of Verulamium, the Roman town that grew to become St Albans. During the reign of the Emperor Diocletian many Christians were persecuted for their beliefs. One such was Amphibalus, a deacon who fled from the authorities. Alban, though himself a pagan, offered shelter to Amphibalus.
During the time he hid the deacon from the Roman authorities Alban himself became converted to Christianity. Eventually both men were captured by the Romans and put to death. Alban could have escaped his fate if he agreed to sacrifice at a pagan altar, but he refused, and was executed. (Source: Britain Express)
A Last Supper is a 2009 interpretation by British contemporary artist Lorna May Wadsworth of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper (1495-1498). What is striking about this painting was the depiction of Jesus Christ as a black man, represented by Jamaican-born fashion model, Tafari Hinds. I came across this painting, actually a high resolution print instead of the original oil on aluminium art piece while wandering inside St Albans Cathedral during a previous visit. Apparently, this fine art print was displayed in the Altar of the Persecuted in the North Transept since 2020 in support of the Black Lives Matter movement by the cathedral.
When asked to explain why she used a black man to portray Jesus Christ in her painting, Wadsworth explained:
Painting the Last Supper altarpiece made me really think about how we are accustomed to seeing Jesus portrayed. Experts agree he would most likely have had Middle Eastern features, yet for centuries European artists have traditionally painted Christ in their own image. I cast Tafari as my Jesus to make people question the Western myth that he had fair hair and blue eyes. My portrayal of him is just as ‘accurate’ as the received idea that he looked like a Florentine. I also knew that, from a previous portrait of Tafari, there is something in his countenance that people find deeply empathetic and moving, which is the overriding quality I wanted my Christ to embody. (Source: Lorna May Wadsworth)
If you have not read the story of my visit to St Albans Cathedral please go here or click the link above.
After wandering outside the cathedral grounds enjoying the beautiful gardens and nearby Clock Tower, I entered the Cathedral through the gift shop. I managed to see some of the highlight places inside the cathedral. I come from a cathedral city myself and St Albans is just as magnificent as our very own Peterborough Cathedral. Our cathedral looks bigger from the inside because of its open plan design while St Albans have walls separating the different parts of the Cathedral.
I visited the cathedral city of St Albans in January 2022 when I had a few hours to spare while waiting for my wife attend her lessons from the nearby university in Hatfield. The city is just a 15-minute drive from Hatfield, which is an hour and 15 minutes drive from my city of Peterborough. I decided to just visit two famous places in the city that are close to each other - St Albans Cathedral and the ruins of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium.
I visited the cathedral city of St Albans in January 2022 when I had a few hours to spare while waiting for my wife attending her lessons from the nearby university in Hatfield. The city is just a 15-minute drive from Hatfield, which is an hour and 15 minutes drive from my city of Peterborough. I decided to just visit two famous places in the city that are close to each other - St Albans Cathedral and the ruins of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium.
St Albans Cathedral was named after St Alban, the first British Christian martyr, who was executed in 305 AD for refusing to participate in a pagan sacrifice. The ground where the Cathedral stands specifically the north transept is the traditional spot where St Alban was executed.
Who was St Alban?
Alban was a citizen of Verulamium, the Roman town that grew to become St Albans. During the reign of the Emperor Diocletian many Christians were persecuted for their beliefs. One such was Amphibalus, a deacon who fled from the authorities. Alban, though himself a pagan, offered shelter to Amphibalus.
During the time he hid the deacon from the Roman authorities Alban himself became converted to Christianity. Eventually both men were captured by the Romans and put to death. Alban could have escaped his fate if he agreed to sacrifice at a pagan altar, but he refused, and was executed. (Source: Britain Express)
In January 2022 I visited the cathedral city of St Albans as I have a few hours to spare waiting for my wife attending lessons from the nearby university in Hatfield. The city is just a 15-minute drive from Hatfield, which is an hour and 15 minutes drive from my city of Peterborough. I decided to just visit two famous places in the city that are close to each other - St Albans Cathedral and the ruins of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium.
The village of Upton is located east of Peterborough. I went cycling to this village with Ted one hot cloudy sunny day last August 2021. I went through mixed terrain - tarmac road, grass/dried mud and gravel. I started from my neighbourhood in Ravensthorpe then onto Stamford Road running past the village of Marholm where the road is made of tarmac. I do not consider myself as a road cyclist so I chose a route that also included grass/dried mud and gravel.
Just before I climbed up towards the village of Ufford I turned left to a public bridleway that goes to Southey Wood, the largest wooded area of the village that is run by the Forestry Commission. This bridleway is a favourite among cyclists; in fact, some of my cyclist friends have been there before me riding with their mountain bikes.
Ted is the nickname I gave my urban bike, the Cannondale Treadwell 3 Remixte 2020 in black colour. Cannondale describes this bike as "designed to bring a bit of fun and style to the daily runaround. It’s a light, simple, responsive bike for rolling around, meeting up with friends, and getting from here to there with that feeling of freedom that only two wheels can give." And I can confirm that that is exactly what my experience is when riding Ted with my wife and friends.
Like most people during the recent Covid-19 pandemic I got into cycling as a way to endure the many restrictions imposed on our personal lives. Although a bit late than most of our friends in the local Filipino community, my wife and I decided to buy bikes mainly to maintain our fitness. Early on I decided on an urban hybrid bike as I plan to use it to commute to my workplace when everything goes back to normal.
The railway station of Bridgwater in Somerset is a Grade II listed building. The main station building is worthy to be photographed. However, in my rush to go inside so as not to miss my train back home I forgot to take a photo. I did have a clear look of it though.
While waiting in the railway platform a group of Pop Art portraits caught my eye. I am not sure what they were at the time, whether they were part of an advertisement or just a pop-up gallery. Searching on the internet did not bring joy either. Seeing these beautiful artworks perked up my short stay in the station, so all was not lost.
If you have not read the story of our day-trip to Hunstanton please go here or click Day-trip link above.
Hunstanton is a seaside town in Norfolk, a favourite of my family for day-trips when our sons were younger. Aside from the usual seaside resort facilities that appealed greatly to children, Hunstanton is also famous for its coastal cliffs with distinct white chalk over red limestone features.
A dominant feature that you will find in the beach at Hunstanton is that of a wave breaker or groyne and they are quite numerous in the area. Groynes are beach control structures needed to maintain beach levels.
Hunstanton is a popular seaside town in Norfolk, a favourite of our family for day-trips when our sons were younger. Before arriving at this town we always take a customary stop at Sandringham Country Park to rest our legs, grab a quick bite or take a brief wander nearby or let the children play.
On this particular visit in 2014 we started out late in the morning so after an hour's drive we arrived at Sandringham Country Park. We stayed longer, had lunch and just enjoyed the country park more than usual. The kids played longer, too. I think we tried going into the House but decided not to as it will be late when we finish the tour.
From Sandringham it was just a 15-minute drive to Hunstanton. On arrival the tide was very low so we thought walking in the tidal flats would be best. And we also had a go at crabbing as we have heard of it from Filipino friends who have successfully tried it, but we failed! We only knew later that we were at the wrong place and that the best place for crabbing was still far ahead, near Old Hunstanton, I think. Ha!
The Emett Clock, otherwise known as The Aqua Horological Tintinnabulator, is a 'water-powered' clock. Designed and created by kinetic sculptor Rowland Emett, the installation of the clock at intu Victoria Centre in Nottingham was completed in 1973. Since then, The Emett Clock has become a much loved local landmark and a popular meeting place among shoppers.
After our morning visit to 'Pure Land' meditation centre and Japanese garden, our group decided to have lunch at an 'all you can eat' buffet restaurant in Nottingham, an hour's drive away from the garden. Unfortunately, the manager got scared of my son's multiple food allergies and politely asked us to leave.
So, our family headed off to our all time favourite fastfood restaurant famous for lovin' it. We finished earlier than the rest of the group who stayed in the buffet restaurant so we had time to waste. We went inside intu Victoria Centre, which was just beside 'maccy d' for some window shopping.
Our summer holiday celebration in 2019 was extended for another week. And this time to a place that will remind you of Japan more than the United Kingdom - a Japanese garden!
I thought the day-out in Skegness Beach the week before was our last hurrah for the summer of 2019. But, a text message from a friend to my wife inviting us to go to this Japanese garden extended the celebration. Curious as we have not been to a Japanese garden before, we accepted the invite.
'Pure Land' Japanese garden and meditation centre is located in the Nottinghamshire village of North Clifton, near Newark. It is less than an hour-and-a-half drive from Peterborough.
This award-winning Japanese garden is created and ran by Buddha Maitreya, who is Japanese, and whose main aim in creating the garden was 'to provide a peaceful, beautiful area which guests and visitors to the centre could enjoy.' While we enjoyed the beautiful garden I do not think our group had a peaceful time while there. We were a 17-strong contingent from Peterborough, half of which are teenagers!
