Aylesford Priory

Hi folks,
well I did the "Peace Garden" in the rain so time to shelter from the weather inside for the last part of the Priory.

Last one from the outside with the rain still pouring down.

Close up of the Altar through the left hand archway.

Through the right door we entered St Anne's Chapel.

The walls with ceramics tell a story of Mary's parents. The green walls reflect hope and new life.

An Angel appears to Joachim in the fields telling him his prayers are answered.

He meets his wife Anne at the city gates and she tells him that she is pregnant at long last.

The birth of Mary.

Anne and Mary going to the temple so Mary can be dedicated to the service of God.

Finally a candle shot with all the vibrant colours.

Back in the rain which was still falling so we decided to call it a day but not before a couple of outside shots.

And seeing as it was lovely weather for ducks I decided to add one.

Hope you enjoyed the visit.

Thanks for looking.

Best Regards, Mike

Aylesford Peace Garden

Hi folks,

yes at last I have returned after a bad bout of Sinusitus but I think I am on the mend so we went out today in the rain to get some pictures to do a blog for you all.
We, that is Sue and I did not go far from home only over the hill into Aylesford Priory on the outskirts of Maidstone and by the River Medway.
Going around the Priory we found this amazing "Peace Garden" tucked away to the side of the Priory.

It had a long path through the middle leading to some gates at the end. On the boarders were a variety of flowers to look at.

Positioned on some of the wooden posts on the way through were a large array of metal insects.

Still raining we came across this wet bench but could not sit down.

Delphiniums

This glass Mosaic should really catch the sun but it did not play ball.

These tubs were a delight as they just stood one on another getting smaller the higher you got like tiers of a wedding cake.

More insects fixed to posts.

Roses are my favourite flower.

There you are, hopefully the rain will stop for the weekend and we can all get out in the sunshine.

Thanks for looking.

Best Regards, Mike

Stockbury with the Club

Hi folks,

sorry for the absence due to a very severe sinus attack which put me out of action for a few days.

We went away with the club, the Kent and Sussex Auto Camping club for a weekend and this is the story so far on Saturday morning.

Winnie with her new wind brake and boy did we need it.

All hands to the pump, erecting the Clubs Marquee.
Front to back, Shelia, Chris, Roy and Lesley.

and up she goes, with Shelia, Chris #2, Lesley and Dave behind the pole.

Giving a helping hand to fit the bungees. Laurie, picking up Lesley and Joanne in the background.

Nearly there, ready for Saturday morning coffee. with Sue, Lorrie, Chris#2 and Roy having a discussion.

All up and ready to go. got a bit windy though.

Friday night and all ready for the weekend as the sun drops on the longest day of the year.

See how we got on later.

Thanks for looking.

Best regards, Mike

Return to the Remembrance Poppy Factory

Hi folks,

Starting the second part with more intricate poppies made in the Richmond factory, I have never seen any like these before.

We were by far not the first to tour the factory and this man was very proud in displaying his picture with Her Majesty. 

Some Work in Progress on this "Cavalry Old Comrades" wreath, this time not poppies but rosettes.

This machine took about half a dozen flat poppies and "heat pressed" them into the crinkly poppies you see in the foreground.

This has instructions so that the correct forms are made.

Close up of Poppy and Rosette wreaths.

Here we were able to make our own poppy, the device is designed so that it can be made with one hand although we used two.  The stem is placed into the slot, the leaf has a little hole which is positioned on top followed by the poppy with a little hole then snap on the black button top and there is Margarets' poppy made.

This is a photograph of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.  

The tomb is surrounded by an oblong frame of poppies supplied by the Poppy Factory and which is renewed twice a year.

This machine as you can tell cuts out the poppies, the surplus which is being wound onto the spool at the top isn't wasted but given to organisations for bunting.

Just to finish my tour to you........... The old poppy cutting machine, not used now but still in working order.

So there you are Blog followers, I shall now hand the reins back to Michael who I hope will carry on keeping you entertained.

Hope you enjoyed the visit and thanks to Sue for the photographs and the text.

Best Regards, Mike

Remembrance Poppy Factory, Richmond

Hi folks,

Sue went with a small group to the poppy making factory in Richmond and I thought you might like to share the sights with her.  I have handed the Blog over to her so she can tell you about her day there.

The Factory is just across the road from Richmond Park so Gill, Margaret and I sat eating our lunch in the park, not very much activity on the River Thames but it was very pleasant.

 

It seemed unfair that one oarsman was doing all the work but this just shows that there was some life on the River Thames through Richmond Park.

Well, I had to show this picture, Gill on the right patriotically flying the flag bag while Margaret on the left is displaying her new shopping bag!

We had an interesting talk about why the poppy was chosen as a symbol of Remembrance and how the factory came into existence before being shown around the factory.  

It was explained that if a member of the workforce didn't want to be spoken to they kept their headphones on and were able to continue listening to what they were listening to.  Also we could take as many photos as we wanted but were to ask the person involved.  Here we have a man proudly showing us a completed Poppy Wreath.

As you can see the poppies are put through and into the recesses in the discs and the bases are clipped on.

A teddy bear was left in charge of this workstation. 

Apologies for my next one but the "Seeing Eye" Labrador dived over to someone with his cuddly toy just as I pressed the shutter.  Michael thought it was relevant to the day that the lady at this workstation was partially sighted and had her dog with her.  The Lab would not settle again so here is my action shot!

There you have it for today the second part shows more of the Factory and what they have produced.

Thanks for looking.

Best Regards, Mike and Sue who took the pictures.

Woodchurch with the the Kent Kite Flyers

Hi folks,

Last Sunday Sue and I visited Woodchurch to fly on the village green with the club, the wind was a bit fickle but we still had to have a go.

Gigantic array of windmills erected by Wendy with Mike having a quick slurp.

Gareth's Edo, I think on its maiden flight with loads of lines in the bridle to tangle and yes they did.

You can see the amount of line in Gareth's hand.

There, look at the size of it, all hand made by Gareth, well done that man.

From one extreme to another

Stephen on the field

Steve pondering, I wonder what's going through his mind?

Janet making adjustments.

Up she goes.

There, thanks for looking, another fantastic day out.

Best regards, Mike