Interesting Articles on Harry's Place

There have been a number of very interesting posts recently regarding Rev. Dr. Stephen Sizer (from the parish of Virginia Water) on the Harry's Place blog.

They certainly pose some interesting questions for the Bishop of Guildford.

Why does the Bishop of Guildford Christopher Hill tolerate racism within his diocese?
Stephen Sizer links to Atzmon fansite

Visiting the Knesset in Jerusalem

Chagall Hall at the Knesset in Jerusalem (Steve Nimmons, top right)

source: http://www.knesset.gov.il/tour/eng/tour7.htm

The Chagall state hall is used for state receptions. The hall was designed and decorated by the Jewish artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985). Chagall designed for the hall 12 floor mosaics, one wall mosaic and three Gobelin tapestries.

The tapestries were ordered in 1965 and were produced over a period of four years. The work is presented in the form of a triptych (a picture made up of three parts), in which each of the parts is both part of the whole and a separate unit. 

The three tapestries are large and were planned as an impressive colorful decoration for the reception hall. At the same time they were designed as a sort of concise and poetic expression to the fatefulness of the Jewish people.

The right hand tapestry describes Jacob's dream, the revelation of Mount Sinai, the sacrifice of Isaac - which is the first covenant between Israel and its God, and the prophecy of Isaiah: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them" (Isaiah, 11:6).

The central tapestry expresses the connection between the people of Israel and its God with Eretz Yisrael, and the attachment of the people of Israel to the idea of the ingathering of the exiles. The central figure on this tapestry - Moses - is seen twice: During the giving of the Law and during the travelling of the people to the promised land. The tapestry describes various events from the history of the people of Israel in the diaspora, from the exit from Egypt to a description of the burning village, which symbolizes the Holocaust, as well as the priest Aaron, facing the seven branch candelabrum - representing the State. In addition King David is seen playing the harp, and behind him the bride - the virgin of Israel.

The left hand tapestry describes Jerusalem as the focus of the Jewish experience throughout its history. The three motifs in this tapestry are: The biblical motif emphasizing the image of David, Ruth, and Bo'az, and the story of the spies; the motif of the return to Zion in the new era, describing the pioneers and the building of the country; and the religious motif that deals with the Jewish holidays and the pilgrimage.

Petersfield Statue Requires Urgent Restoration

An interesting article in ‘The News’ Portsmouth - Thursday 15th December 2011. The prominent statue of King William III (which is 348 years old) is in need of restoration. It is clearly a responsibility of the local country council to ensure this statue, which has prominence in the town of Petersfield is properly maintained and restored. Please write to your local County Councillor in Hampshire and elected representatives in Petersfield to ensure this matter is given immediate attention.

Concern as Town’s Landmark is crumblingA REGAL statue that has stood in Petersfield Square for two centuries may need extensive repairs after a limb came adrift. 

Experts from Hampshire County Council were called in when an arm broke away from the torso of the monument. The break could indicate wider damage, meaning the statue, which is a representation of King William III, may need a workshop restoration.

The county council is responsible for the 348-year-old lead statue, which has a bronze skeleton. 

The statue depicting William of Orange, as the Dutch-born king was known, was cast in 1753 by John Cheere. It is one of only four such pieces of the Protestant monarch in the UK - the others are in Hull, Brixham and Bristol. 

The statue was last restored in 1960, and Petersfield historian David Jeffery said it may well be due another. He said: 'It is a symbol of Petersfield and as such I believe its very important its kept in good order and stays in the The Square.' 

The statue was commissioned at a cost of £500 by Sir William Jolliffe, who died in 1749, and placed it front of his new house to mark his fervent Protestantism. In 1812 the statue, modelled on the bronze of Marcus Aurelius (c200 AD) in the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, was moved to The Square, but the Jolliffes retained ownership. 

A spokeswoman for the county council said: 'Due to natural ageing, the lead around the top of the statue's raised right arm has split, causing it to drop down. An assessment has established its core remains structurally sound. We are now exploring options around localised repair, or whether more far-reaching work may be required.'

Grand Priory Holds Parliamentary Dinner

Cross-posted from the Knightly Order Valiant of St. George.

The UK Grand Priory of the Knightly Order Valiant of St. George held a very successful charity evening at the Houses of Parliament on Saturday October 29th.

Treated to private tours of both the House of Commons and House of Lords, members also toured The Royal Gallery, which is used for important occasions including state receptions, dinners and parliamentary ceremonies, often with Members of both Houses present and the Queen’s Robing Room.

The Robing room is principally used by the Sovereign for the State Opening of Parliament. Today, it is in this room where the Queen puts on the Imperial State Crown and her ceremonial robes before making her way to the House of Lords.

Members and guests then attended a private drinks reception on the House of Commons terrace. We dined 31, hosted by Andrew Rosindell MP (Member of Parliament for Romford).

Toasts were proposed by Grand Prior of The United Kingdom H.E. the Chevalier Simon McIlwaine MKN GCStG KL CLJ MMLJ, Deputy Grand Prior and Grand Chancellor of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom H.E. The Chevalier Mark D. Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ and by Grand Herald of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom H.E. Eur Ing Steve Nimmons GCStG OLJ. A toast to the President of Hungary followed the Loyal Toast. The Grand Prior gave the toast to our esteemed host Andrew Rosindell MP and Chev. Steve Nimmons GCStG OLJ proposed the toast to the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom.

Andrew Rosindell MP provided a most entertaining, thought provoking and erudite reply including a précis of his work as chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Flags & Heraldry Committee.

Chev. Steve Nimmons reminded attendees of the exemplary work of our Spiritual Protector Canon Andrew White GCStG and his mission in Baghdad, the work we do with the Mongolian Red Cross Society and of course the work we do with Armed Forces charities, the Army Benevolent Fund in Particular as well as our affiliated regiment (Third Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment).

Grand Prior Chevalier Simon McIlwaine also reminded the attendees of the excellent work the Order does with the Children of Watamu and Fairbridge and greeted fellow members of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia, the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem and Commissioned Kentucky Colonels. We were in very august company and delighted to welcome several dignitaries including Col. Stuart Notholt KStG who commands the United Kingdom Brigade of Kentucky Colonels.

A raffle at the end of the evening raised £240, added to the profit for the dinner representing a significant success and contribution to our charitable work.

Andrew Rosindell MP very kindly presented the Order with a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which was received with thanks by Grand Prior Simon McIlwaine GCStG and senior officers of the UK Grand Priory.

Andrew Rosindell MP (Romford) presenting a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to representatives of the Knightly Order of St. George (Steve Nimmons GCStG, left), Mark Haley GCStG and Simon McIlwaine GCStG (right) at the House of Commons.

Rotary Centenary Dinner at Mansion House

I was delighted to attend the Rotary Club of London's Centenary dinner at Mansion House in London on Thursday. The event was hosted by Lord Mayor Michael Bear, club President Baroness Miller of Hendon and Vice President Lord Hunt.

The Lord Mayor returned the toast to "The Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation" in fine style.

The Marquess of Salisbury (Robert Gascoyne-Cecil) returned the toast "To the Guests" with a discerning balance of entertainment and erudition.

Here's to another 100 years of the Rotary Club of London!

Order of St. George visit to the House of Commons

Members of the Knightly Order Valiant of St. George visited the Houses of Parliament on Saturday, kindly hosted by Andrew Rosindell MP (Romford). We were treated to private tours of both Houses and a sumptuous dinner. The event was a charity fundraiser for the Army Benevolent Fund.

Steve Nimmons (left) with Andrew Rosindell MP (Right)

Andrew gave a thoroughly inspiring speech after dinner, and kindly presented a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to representatives from the Order.

Small World, So it seems

I was in Israel last week and popped into see the studio of Israeli artist Frank Meisler in the Old City of Jaffa.

Meeting Frank Meisler

Frank does really interesting work, below are a few of his works/sculptures.

Jerusalem Depiction - Frank Meisler

David Ben-Gurion, Frank Meisler

Theodore Herzl, Frank Meisler

Frank's Kindertransport installations are very famous, anyone passing Liverpool Street station in London has undoubtedly seen this one...

Frank was telling me that he had been great friends with (the late) Ulster Unionist MP Harold McCusker. A small, world, indeed...

Apprentice Boys of Derry Funding Application

Really interesting article in yesterday's Belfast Telegraph. A very important initiative and one worthy of support...

Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall in Londonderry

Belfast Telegraph

Friday, 30 September 2011

The Apprentice Boys in Londonderry have submitted funding applications totalling £3m which they say will secure the group's future on the West Bank of the Foyle.

Funding for a £1m restoration project for the Memorial Hall in Society Street and a £2m capital project for an interpretive centre to be built in a vacant lot have been submitted.

The Memorial Hall was built in 1873 and extended in 1936, and this funding application will allow comprehensive restoration work.

At the minute the hall also acts as a Siege of Derry museum.

But over the years the number of visitors has increased significantly, necessitating a new centre.

Apprentice Boy and Assembly Speaker William Hay said that while the final decision is very much still with the funders, they are optimistic that work will begin early next year.

“This is a project that has been ongoing for a number of years but we are now at a stage where we will be able to appoint a project manager,” he said.

“A number of applications for restoration work on the Memorial Hall and for an interpretive centre have been submitted to various funders and hopefully they will be successful for us.”

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/apprentice-boys-in-3m-funding-bid-16057159.html

Meeting Col Richard Kemp

I was very pleased to meet Col. Richard Kemp last week.

Steve Nimmons and Col. Richard Kemp

Col. Kemp served in the British Army from 1977 to 2006. He was Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, an infantry battalion Commanding Officer, worked for the Joint Intelligence Committee and COBR and completed 14 operational tours of duty around the globe.

Northern Ireland Friends of Israel Article

Thanks to my good friends at Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, you can also read about my latest sojourn to the Middle East on the NIFI website.

Thanks guys!