News & Views

The fourth and final talk by Dr. Alec Hamilton

The Title is: “Is it or isn’t it? A Field Guide to Arts & Crafts Churches.”

Alec says “It’s my attempt to answer the big question that constantly crops up: “What are the essential characteristics of an Arts & Crafts church?” Also expressed as, “How do I know it’s an Arts & Crafts church when I finally get into it?” (Another popular one is “There is a church near me. It has a Burne-Jones window. Why, oh why, is it not in your book?” And I have a soft spot for “Who was this William Morris bloke anyway

As this fourth talk is for VicSoc, I have to warn you it costs £5 to view. I know. A disgrace. But cheaper than Netflix and Curzon Home Cinema. And shorter. And VicSoc needs the money – rest assured, I do not get a bean. Meanwhile VicSoc has to carry on its work as statutory consultative body on planning matters, and keeping a sharp eye out for buildings under threat, despite the current unpleasantness. Whereas I am a diversion.

You can book here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/141162186901  (And, yes, it was awfully jolly to be asked back. And, yes, this is an all-new talk – 22 churches I have never lectured on before.)

For those of you who find my stern academic rigour intimidating – and quite rightly so: it is – there will be a Quiz at the end. Fun – even for intellectuals.

Leave them wanting more, I say…”

If you missed Alec Hamilton’s talk yesterday lunchtime, it is available on the Churches Conservation Trust’s YouTube feed. Just enter Churches Conservation Trust into your browser and you will find all the information.

Weekly lectures are free and are live at 1.00pm but you do need to register or sign into Facebook.

Dear Friends

Hey! Here’s an idea. A talk – but it’s “online”! You know, you watch it through your computer. Yes, I know. What a wacky notion. I bet nobody else has thought of it. It’s so modern.

Heigh ho. One can but try.

So anyhow…

Just in case you can’t spend nearly enough time looking at a screen, here’s more.

I am doing a talk (entirely new) on 11 February which may interest you.

It’s for the CCT (Churches Conservation Trust), and titled: ’Dreams, Distractions and Destruction: Britain’s lost Arts & Crafts Churches’.

It is at lunchtime: 1 p.m.

The talk is free and open to all. If you are interested, you can sign up here: https://www.facebook.com/events/147756693521434

In March 2020 daffodils  were in flower in the garden, the same clump have a bulb in bud today, will we have another flower in the same year?

The leaves are falling and filling the gutters and hoppers. If they are not cleared it could result in water ingress and damp. I am pleased to say these leaves were cleared today.

The Rev. Caroline Wickens departs Long Street Methodist Church to continue her 45 mile sponsored ride around the Churches in the Circuit.  Donations are  in aid of the Faith Network for Manchester and donations can be made via the Ride for Faiths Together page on gofundme.com

Go to the Web site manchestermethodist.org.uk  to see the Week by Week worship list.

Worship for Sunday 18th October, by Deacon Pru Cahill

Why not try viewing or listening to the live daily prayers at 10.00am  and streaming throughout the day from Wesley’s Chapel.

Following the long lock down, Theo (martial arts leader) held his first session on Monday last. Although having to have his classes outside to conform to guide lines, it was good to see the premises in use once again. After this Monday’s  outside session, he should be able to move back inside during the last week of the month.

While doing our weekly check of the building this morning, I opened the main church door to check the rain hopper and was surprised to be greeted by a delivery man. On balance he was more surprised than me to see the church door open. The delivery was a copy of a new book, by Julian Treuherz and Peter De Figueiredo, in which they “pull back the curtain to reveal 111 fascinating and eccentric destinations” in and around Manchester. “Edgar Wood in Middleton”, together with a photo of the garden and church feature at number 32 (alphabetic order). I suggest the church and school rooms fall in the fascinating category rather than the eccentric!

In line with the Methodist Church policy I did the weekly buildings check, as the Church is not being used during lock down. Shortly before 11.35, I noticed the sun shining on the font and took a photograph, while watching the shadow I was surprised to see how fast the shadow was moving across the stone and bronze sculpture and took a second image. Note the time between the two images and the distance the shadow travels.