Just Resting

Meet Felicity, whose been my model for a couple of hours.

We had s pleasant stroll up and down the main parts of Beeston, looking for some interesting nooks and crannies that might make for an interesting photo or two.

This is Beeston Parish Church, but doesn't look at all religious here, even though it was built in the 1840s.

In Or Out?

On June 23rd, the UK has a vote on whether it want's to remain in the European Union, or come out.  It joined in 1973, and is one of 28 countries that make up the EU.

I went along to the Parish Church tonight, as there was going to be a debate about whether the country would be better off being in or going out. I was hoping to get some sort of answer, as I really don't know at the moment. Yes, I can see the advantages, and I can also see the problems. One being in how the EU actually operates, and what unfair influence it can have on a country.

There were a group of six people, sadly in a way all men, that were going to answer questions suggested by the audience. I submitted one about getting to the actual facts, despite all the scare stories, false information and general propaganda instigated by both sides.  This panel consisted of a couple of academics from the University of Nottingham. One Greek and one from Pennsylvania, America. Both professors. Also present was the BBC's local political correspondent John Hess.

There were around a hundred people in the audience, who were mainly of the older generation. As people were entering the church, they are asked if they would like to vote; in, out or don't know. I of course voted 'don't know'.

The discussion went on for a couple of hours, and touched on subjects like trade, immigration and travel. It was quite interesting to hear a discussion, rather than a dogfight, which you usually get with politicians.

At the end though I still am not fully convinced either way. But as John Hess said, everyone should vote, even if it means tossing a coin.  Heads in, tails out.

Harp Odyssey

Besides organising the day long music festival that took place last month in Beeston, the Oxjam team put on a classical music evening last night at our local parish church.

There was a varied programme of artists including a flute player, a couple of guitarists and the University of Nottingham's String orchestra.

One of the performers I know quite well is harpist Christine Palethorpe, as she plays with another of my musical friends; Emma Bladon-Jones. They perform as a double act called Paper Doves and play folk and popular tunes.

The church was full and everyone seemed to enjoy the music that was on offer. Although being classical music, there was no dancing or cheering, just some polite clapping at the end of each piece of music.

I was there taking photos, but felt quite conspicuous of walking around the church with my camera in my hand. It feels OK at gigs, but for some reason it feels out of place with classical music. Fortunately I had my super zoom lens with me, so could get close, without being close.

Maria

Besides having some gargoyles, Beeston Parish Church also has quite a few very old gravestones, like this one from 1877.

Doing a quick Google search on her name, I found out that she was born in 1799 and died on the 2nd August 1877. She was originally from Dublin and employed as a lady's maid. She lived on Dovecote Lane in Beeston.

Fete-A-Ccompli

Yippee, the very popular annual church garden party is back after an absence for a couple of years due to the tramworks.

And what a lovely day for it, being so very warm and sunny. A typical English summer's day. Such a shame that we don't get that many these days.

There were plenty of people mingling about looking at the various stalls, including a large one for books, listening to a small orchestra, eating a freshly cooked burger or just sipping tea in the sunshine.

Even though I am still not feeling very well, it was good to sit in the warmth, or chat to some people that I know, including some neighbours, who had a homemade soap stall.

Vote For Me

I went to the first of perhaps many Hustings events in Beeston, during the run up to the general election next month.

We have six candidates standing to be out next MP, but only five turned up to answer questions from the very large audience that had packed into our parish church. For some reason the UKIP person stayed away, which is probably just as well with their brand of politics.

For some reason Broxtowe is a marginal seat, and often features on the TV news. Our recent MP Anna Soubry only won by less than 400 votes, over our previous MP, Nick Palmer, with many think he'll be making a welcome return next month.

It was a lively debate, with topics ranging from Trident, the economy and HS2. Strangely there were no questions about the continuing privatisation of the NHS. Only David, the Green Party candidate mentioned it as part of another question.

There was a bit of a commotion when an old soldier got up a couple of times to complain about how the armed forces, especially the Army that were being poorly treated over their pensions, Government spend on kit and equipment and health concerns of soldiers.

He started off well, then it defended into farce, as his dad joined in the argument, and the vicar and verger had to break up the duo. Things then calmed down and the discussion continued.

Beware The Yellow Line

Well we have had rain on and off for most of the day today. So I wonder if summer is over for another year.

Fortunately it stopped in the afternoon long enough and a bit of sun came out for me to do a spot of photography.

I decided to have a walk along some of the route that the new tramline is taking. They've now taken a big chunk of land from the side and front of Beeston Parish Church. Safety fencing is everywhere.

There was a great big puddle, and after a few minutes of looking for the best angle, I managed to find one that shows a great reflection of the top of the church's bell tower, only marred by the fencing.