The Capital’s Heritage on Display

No one can have failed to notice that the beginning of June was dominated by the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. For those interested in historic buildings it was a great opportunity to view the capital’s many heritage sites on t.v., safe from the inevitable rain and in the comfort of our homes. Whatever the criticisms of the BBC’s Jubilee Pageant coverage, the camera-work was undeniably professional in recording the celebrations both outdoors (the Queen’s ceremonial routes) and indoors (the magnificent Westminster Hall with its breathtaking medieval architecture.) Unique vantage points gave a new perspective to some of the familiar streets and buildings. Admiralty Arch at the head of the Mall became a magnificent back-drop to the red, white and blue crowds slowly making their way to the palace to glimpse the royal family.

Admiralty Arch and the crowds on The Mall

Similarly the view of Westminster Hall’s interior showed the Queen and her invited luncheon guests from a rarely seen aerial perspective. (Keen viewers will also have noticed details of the 1393 hammer-beam roof, seen at close quarters!) In the newspapers, many fabulous photographs of that weekend’s events appeared. Among these, the one that impressed me most was a wide angled view of the royal family attending  the Service of Thanksgiving at St.Paul’s Cathedral.

The Service of Thanksgiving, St.Paul’s Cathedral

Maybe it’s an “age thing” with me but, as in 2002 when Brian May played guitar on top of Buckingham Palace, I found Madness’  elaborate performance somehow equally disrespectful of the esteem in which we have come to hold the royal family and their palaces. Surely their set could have been delivered, like the other artists , from the specially constructed stage? ( I realise I might well be in the minority here!)

Moving on as they say...the subject of metal theft has again been in the news in recent weeks. This time St. Michael’s and All Angels church in Howarth, West Yorkshire was targeted by thieves for evidently the third time. Famous due to the fact that two of the Bronte sisters are buried there, the church is now facing the prospect of a plastic roof being installed as well as a planned £1.25M restoration programme having to be re-evaluated in light of the recent extensive internal damage to religious paintings and plasterwork caused by the theft. The vicar of the church, the Rev. Mayo-Smith, reflected the feelings of many when he  commented, ”My response is one of great sadness because of the lack of respect it shows, not just for churches but for historic buildings in general”.

Turning to a happier topic, summer has (apparently) arrived and that can only mean the LHAR Volunteers’ Summer Event, to be held at Gunby Hall, near Spilsby  at the end of June. Having attended several of these events I am eagerly anticipating this one (though I can hardly believe that it is a year since a similar event was held at Doddington Hall.) All we need now is a fine day! Is that too much to ask, considering the year’s atrocious weather so far?

I will of course be providing some comments from the Gunby event in my next blog!

Colin, Heritage Steward