Hello, and a warm welcome to this small corner. Thank you for visiting here.
We are still waiting for Spring to arrive, but in the meantime, hubby and I took advantage of a sunny Saturday this weekend to visit Coventry. We have visited the Cathedral before but felt it was time for a return visit.
We began our day at the old Cathedral ruins and reflected on what we saw. On 14 November 1940, enemy forces subjected Coventry to a sustained and violent air raid attack, which destroyed many parts of the city and the Cathedral. Only the shell of Coventry Cathedral remained. From the wreckage of this building, a new hope was born.
The new Cathedral, designed by the Scottish architect Basil Spence and opened in 1962, stands next to these ruins and symbolically links the past and present.
Perhaps the most prominent part of the ruins is the charred cross and Altar of Reconciliation, constructed from two oak roof beams salvaged from the rubble. The inscription ' Father Forgive' was added in 1948.
The original cross can be found inside the Cathedral.
Within the ruins of the old Cathedral are several statues and memorials of significance.
This is the ' Choir of Survivors ' given by the city of Dresden and represents new life rising from destruction.
Another memorial is this one, which remembers all those who volunteered in the war effort, such as the Home Guard and the Women's Land Army.
This one is called the Statue of Reconciliation and speaks for itself. Identical versions can be found in Hiroshima, Belfast and Berlin.
Before we entered the new Cathedral, we enjoyed some nostalgia in a small exhibition of 1940s homelife and the war effort, which featured many artefacts donated by local people.
The approach to the Cathedral entrance is impressive, with the stunning bronze statue depicting St. Michael defeating the Devil and the incredible glass entrance wall etched with a host of angels.
This is just one of the angels.
This is part of the Baptistery Window, which is beautiful and much brighter than seen here. At the base stands the font, a huge sandstone rock from Bethlehem.
We wish you all a week when the sun comes out to play, if only for a while, and life is good for you.
B and D
Coventry cathedral is stunning, we loved our visit a couple years ago, so many good photos.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good day and there was so much to see. I read through the guide book when I got home and found there were still things I had missed such as the line of 1 penny coins to guide the steps of clergy and choir in neat procession.
DeleteI went to the University of Warwick and my degree ceremony in 1976 was held in the Cathedral
DeleteThat must have been an amazing event, to have your degree ceremony at the Cathedral.
DeleteI've not visited Coventry Cathedral, so I did enjoy reading your post and seeing your photographs.
ReplyDeleteThe cookies 'D' made look good :)
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and the coming week.
All the best Jan
If you get the chance, Coventry Cathedral is well worth a visit.
DeleteCookies were delicious as always.
Wishing you a lovely week whatever the weather.
The Cathedral is wonderful isn't it? I remember visiting not long after it was opened. My step-father's brother lived in Coventry and he took us to see it. P and I visited just a few years ago. I've enjoyed your photos and also seeing the new exhibit which has been installed more recently. Let's hope for a bit more sun this coming week:)
ReplyDeleteWe have been to the Cathedral a couple of times over the years and each time there has been something new and special to see in the exhibits. Glad you enjoyed the photos. It looks like the weather will be better by the end of the week but you never know. Have a good week whether it rains or shines.
DeleteThe cathedral is stunning, especially the Baptistery window. X
ReplyDeleteThe windows are beautiful especially when the sun is shining through them and I agree the Baptistry windows are spectacular to see x
DeleteIt looks like a lovely place to visit, I used to visit often as a child as I had an Aunty who lived in Coventry and we would spend summer holidays with her, so long ago I've forgotten what it's like now. The cookies look yummy, have a lovely Sunday. 🙂
ReplyDeleteI hope my post bought back some good memories for you, Linda. Just had a cuppa with one of D's cookies and it was delicious. Hope it has been a good day for you and that the coming week is also good.
DeleteI was taken to Coventry when I was about 12 or 13 and have visited both old and new cathedrals. But I don’t remember that much and so it was good to read your blog!
ReplyDeleteThose cookies look good, btw! Have a happy day! 😁
Thank you for visiting here, Sal. I'm glad you enjoyed stirring a few memories of the Cathedral(s).
DeleteD's cookies are always enjoyed when she makes a new batch.
Have a great week and I shall be popping over to visit you too.
What wonderful photo's of the Cathedral. Very inspiring. I like the new and old being there linked together...the meaning is very hopeful. We need hopeful right now, things don't seem very good in many areas around the globe, as well as here in the US.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy. We had a lovely few hours in Coventry. The message of the Cathedral is a very powerful one.
DeleteYes the Cathedral is beautiful, my step daughters had their school leaving certificates presented there,, did I say I lived in Coventry for 5 years when their dad and I first married.. I didn't really like the city, too busy and the ring road was a nightmare!
ReplyDeleteThe cathedral is a fantastic place for awards and presentations. I know a few people who have been to such an event there. Hubby agrees about the ring road though as he was driving. I didn't know you lived there for a while. Hoping the sun shines for you this week.
DeleteSuch a wonderful evocative place - thank you for sharing. xx
ReplyDeleteIt is a very special place and I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Have a good week, Joy x
DeleteHello Beverley, thank you so much for sharing this. It's amazing to see and very touching. I hope to get back for a visit one day and after seeing your splendid photos, will put this on our itinerary. So much to see here and take in. Your sentence, "The Cathedral today is a place of hope and reconciliation, forgiveness and peace, and a lasting message to our world," made me catch my breath. Living in hope here! Please also tell D her cookies look delicious and I will go to the link immediately. Thanks again for a terrific post!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Denise. I do hope you can visit this inspiring cathedral when you next visit. D will be very happy that you like her cookies. The website is definitely worth a look and recipes are easy to follow.
DeleteEnjoy the rest of your week.
A fascinating visit. I remember visiting many years ago. So poignant. B x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it brought back some memories of your own visit. It is a very special place to visit.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI loved the pictures.
You can never have too much knowledge.
It's a pleasure to discover your blog.
Janice.
Thank you , Janice. Lovely to have you visit.
DeleteIt's inspiring to see how uplifting the Cathedral is now after all the devastation. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. More yummy cookies, you always seem to have something delicious to have with your cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteHappy Saturday to you Jo. Surprisingly baking is having a week off here. That doesn't happen often! Coventry Cathedral was a wonderful place to visit and be inspired. We have visited two cathedrals so far this year and I'm sure there will be others to follow.
DeleteThank you for visiting us in this small corner, Janice. It is good to find new blogging friends. Have a great week x
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, especially the reconciliation photo... it's interesting that they are on their knees. Maybe world leaders could remember that too.
ReplyDeleteReconcilliation and humility are both in short supply in today's world.
DeleteThank you for your photos. Coventry is Dresden's oldest sister city - the first contacts were made by the churches of Coventry and Dresden in the 1950s. The partnership has existed since 1959 and has become a symbol of reconciliation and the desire for peace since the two cities, which were badly destroyed in the Second World War, shook hands.
ReplyDeleteMy home town is Dresden.
Thank you for the photos of Coventry and I send you a hug.
It feels like we have an even closer connection now, Viola. We don't live in Coventry but not too far away. Reconcilliation and peace are things our world very much needs. Perhaps they should look to the example of Coventry and Dresden.
DeleteHave a lovely weekend x