Coventry for the Day

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.

Another beautiful feature is the 'Tapestry of Christ in Glory, ' designed by Graham Sutherland and woven by hand in one piece on a loom in France.

One of the more recent pieces of art added is this one by Charlotte Mayer. The plaque says, "Roses and thorns are never far apart in life, but it is the beauty of the rose we remember." - those words touched my heart.

The Cathedral today is a place of hope and reconciliation, forgiveness and peace, and a lasting message to our world, and we enjoyed our visit very much.

Meanwhile, not forgetting D - she made some delicious cookies this week called funfetti cookies. They have sprinkles and white chocolate inside. Thank you, D. 😊

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