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I was asked by LilyVegas if I could post the story of Richard Armitage's casting as John Thornton in North and South from the BBC Classic Drama Collection (www.classicdramaDVD.com). You can view it here. Enjoy!
PS: Let me know if you can't read the article - it seems OK using the Mac but other computers may not read the image as well.
I had to do the unthinkable today and take our cat Tigger to the Vets to be put to sleep. He had had a battle with kidney disease and cysts and finally life had become too uncomfortable for him. I thought I would be braver than I was when I dropped him down to the Vets..... It was the right decision but I empathise with other pet owners who have had to go through this.
Update We received flowers and a message of sympathy today from Merewether Veterinary Hospital who looked after him so well for all these years and who finally had to put him to sleep - how lovely was that!
I have finally managed to find Part 6 of the BBC Classic Drama DVD Collection featuring the first two parts of the adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, North and South. 
The magazine contents are as follows:
1. A Northern Tale - The story behind Richard Armitage's casting as mill owner Mr Thornton.
2. An Industrial Love Story - How Elizabeth Gaskell's romantic novel highlighted the social concerns of the day
3. The Social Novelist - the role faith played in Elizabeth Gaskell's childhood.
4. The Great Divide - between people in the industrial north and genteel south (sounds like the Newcastle/Sydney divide).
5. Parlour Life
6. The workshop of the North - working conditions in the Victorian Cotton mills
7. A Victorian Heroine - interview with Daniela Denby-Ashe who portrayed one of the main characters alongside Richard Armitage.
I have also started reading the novel - it will be interesting to see how close the adaptation is to the original story.
It has been raining continuously all morning and I pity the poor participants in ANZAC day marches. I have been playing with html and was inspired by Annette's excellent formatting of her website which I visit regularly. I don't have many ambitions to do complex web design but the technique of placing a border around text has been something I have wanted to do for a long time and Annette manages to do this easily when she posts messages on her site. Finally, finally, I found the appropriate instructions on typepad and with the assistance of "Web Monkey" I have even discovered background colours although they are a little bright, I feel. Now I've wasted all morning playing here, I must get on and hang washing out to dry!
Some notes hastily scribbled while I was sitting in a pew last Sunday watching our head server go through his paces as Sub-deacon. (The person sitting behind me must have wondered what I was doing - I was not a Mystery Worshipper). Before anyone mistakenly thinks I am taking Holy Orders - the answer is "no, no, no, no....!". This is the role of a layperson who is still part of the serving team but with more responsibilities than crucifer, acolytes and thurifer.
1. Process - bow at green line, celebrant censes altar, SD and D move to sanctuary step, then when celebrant returns to place, bow and move to seats.2. SD does 2nd reading ensure acknowledge altar on way to lecturn and return - move towards end of psalm.
3. Gospel procession - SD holds incense boat for celebrant then moves with Deacon to face altar. Deacon holds Gospel book. Turn to face congregation on first hallelujah of processional introit. Move to middle of aisle with procession. Hold Gospel for deacon to read. Take Gospel back to altar raised above head...(hope it doesn't weigh too much!). Return to place with Deacon (in line ie move as one) face priest giving address until he does the "May the words that I speak..etc etc..". Sit. (Don't look as if bored in sermon).
4. Nicene Creed - bows and sign of cross in some parts - to be investigated more closely - cross for resurrection, bow at names of Christ and Holy Spirit...I think... More attention needs to be paid by me!
5. SD does intercessions.......!!! (Help!)
6. SD assists celebrant to set up alltar for communion (have done this before at 8.00am). Stand on left side of celebrant.
7. Help priest follow order of service in communion - Thanksgiving 1,2,3,4, or 5 with appropriate prfaces for season.....
8. Bow at "Holy, Holy, Holy". After each elevation, genuflect. after "Blessing and Honour" elevate chalice. Put chalice on altar and genuflect after the 3 Amens. Receive communion.
9. Administer chalice to communicants....... praying no drops spill!!
10. Return chalice to altar with celebrant and D, genuflect then take chalice out to aumbry in side chapel. Not sure what happens out the back yet.
11. Process out - bow at altar then process.
As you can see I have quite a lot to learn and will need lots of rehearsing and coaching. Stay tuned - my first service is in June!! I am a perfectionist so let's hope I can get it right!!!
Our garden is a little overgrown at present and my path to the clothes line can be a trap for unwary guests thanks to the many garden spiders who spin their webs at face height. This is one of many who insisted on blocking access to the line.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
I was sent the following email for anyone who may be interested and in Australia on these dates!
Friday, 9th May, 8pm The King of InstrumentsRupert Jeffcoat – Organ
Saturday, 10th May, 8pm
Festival Gala Concert
Featuring tertiary vocal students from the Newcastle Conservatorium (Directed by Christopher Allan), University of Newcastle Brass Ensemble (Directed by John Kellaway) and Peter Guy (Organ)
Sunday, 11th May
9:30am Sung Eucharist
The Cathedral Choir will sing Louis Vierne’s setting of the Mass during the morning Eucharist
6pm Festival Evensong
To conclude this year’s Music Festival, the Cathedral Choir will sing the Collegium Regale setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis of Herbert Howells
Continue reading "Cathedral music festival 9th to 11th May" »
I apologise to visitors of this blog who have absolutely no idea what I will be alluding to in the next few sentences. On another site I was asked to write a response to a message that appeared on yet another site. My answer as MHJTBH is posted over here. Bouquets to the person (actor) who wrote the original message!
Now, we trudge along here as best we can. There is not a huge amount of news except for the fact that I have been nominated for subdeacon, a challenge I feel I am ready for. The nomination has to be passed by Parish Council and I think the Bishop and I will most certainly need some "coaching" in the role especially with the Chalice and intercessions. On reflecting as to whether my work in the cathedral influences my paid work with children, I would have to say no, it is actually the opposite - my paid work has an influence on my work in the cathedral - I think in part I am more grounded because of my physiotherapy and more confident to interact with people. I'm not sure whether that makes any sense at all - many people would say they have a "faith" that sustains them at work - i don't think that works for me. My work feeds my faith (for want of a better word - I'm not sure if I like the term "faith". This post is a tangled web of thoughts to be sure!
LOL - received this email from our head server this morning. It seems our new assistant priest has a sense of humour.....which I suspected!
Dear Team, Fr Daniel has suggested that we might "brighten" up the gospel procession after the dean goes on holidays after next Sunday. Check out the website below for his suggestion...... youtube Gospel procession
My personal preference in terms of "brightening up" the entire service would be to invite these two and their Parish Council along!
Geraldine Grainger (Dawn French) and Harry Kennedy (Richard Armitage) in Vicar of Dibley
