Thinking of sending someone some flowers this Spring? Then take a look at the fantastic choice being offered by Marks & Spencer. These arrangements are really special, a bit more expensive than some you can buy, but in my opinion these are worth the little bit extra. What's more all prices include delivery. Order by 5 pm for next day delivery. To make your gift really special you can add one or more of their 'little extras' which include chocolates, glass vase, silver-plated photo frame, teddy bear or champagne. M&S offer 3 easy ways to order, over the internet at http://www.marksandspencer.com/ , by telephone or simply order in store. So, if you want to send someone special, something special, for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or just to cheer them up take a look at these great M&S gifts. The Spring selection is available for delivery from 7th January to 31st March.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Spectacular, Rather Than Significant
The following story is a piece I wrote for the local area magazine, it was published in the MACLA News Magazine Summer 2005 edition. It is a true story. I was 4 and a half years old at the time.
It was a lovely Sunday evening in mid-July, St Swithin's day 1945. We were hurrying along the bottom road to Blankney, myself, my mother and my aunt. There were other people too, mainly in small groups. Everyone had an urgency in their step and there was much excited murmuring. Where we were going I was not sure, but it was clear even to a four and a half year old boy, that the reason for our hurried journey held great significance. I remember my mother grabbing me by the hand to make sure I kept up and I was being dragged along, reluctantly, my feet barely making contact with the road. A few minutes earlier I had been playing happily in the yard at our home in Drury Street, Metheringham but my constant pleading to return fell on deaf ears. On reaching the long sweeping bend into Blankney we followed a path which led through the woods and onto the drive that links Blankney Hall with Metheringham station. As we headed up the drive in the direction of Blankney village I became aware of muffled voices in the distance. Turning left off the drive through a gap in the trees the reason for our impromptu walk suddenly became frighteningly clear. There before us stood Blankney Hall, huge flames leaping into the night air, through what a few hours before had been the roof of this stately building. Not being aloud to go any further we joined a throng of people standing at the north-east corner of the beautifully ornate sunken gardens that fronted the Hall. I clearly remember a strange silence as the large crowd of onlookers stared at the burning building in stunned disbelief. Being a small boy the event to me was spectacular rather than significant. We must have stayed for quite some time, watching the frenzied activity around the weakened building, because the light began to fade and the flames, now much smaller, were a vivid orange against the night sky, pierced by what was left of the charred roof structures.
The fire had evidently started around 5 pm. and was finally contained at 8 pm. The evening service at the church was cancelled and the Rector assisted Lady Londesborough, who was still living in a few rooms at the south end of the Hall. The most likely cause of the fire was thought to be an electrical fault in a blanket cupboard situated at the north end of the hall which at the time was occupied by WAFF's. The Hall had been commandeered by the Royal Air Force during the second world war and used as an operations room under the control of Digby Camp. The WAFF's were safely evacuated and most of their belongings were salvaged.
Despite the efforts of fire crews from RAF Digby, Lincoln, Sleaford, Billinghay, Metheringham and Woodhall Spa the Hall was damaged beyond repair. Sadly, sixty years on, nothing remains of the once magnificent Hall and for all intents and purposes it may never even have existed.
It was a lovely Sunday evening in mid-July, St Swithin's day 1945. We were hurrying along the bottom road to Blankney, myself, my mother and my aunt. There were other people too, mainly in small groups. Everyone had an urgency in their step and there was much excited murmuring. Where we were going I was not sure, but it was clear even to a four and a half year old boy, that the reason for our hurried journey held great significance. I remember my mother grabbing me by the hand to make sure I kept up and I was being dragged along, reluctantly, my feet barely making contact with the road. A few minutes earlier I had been playing happily in the yard at our home in Drury Street, Metheringham but my constant pleading to return fell on deaf ears. On reaching the long sweeping bend into Blankney we followed a path which led through the woods and onto the drive that links Blankney Hall with Metheringham station. As we headed up the drive in the direction of Blankney village I became aware of muffled voices in the distance. Turning left off the drive through a gap in the trees the reason for our impromptu walk suddenly became frighteningly clear. There before us stood Blankney Hall, huge flames leaping into the night air, through what a few hours before had been the roof of this stately building. Not being aloud to go any further we joined a throng of people standing at the north-east corner of the beautifully ornate sunken gardens that fronted the Hall. I clearly remember a strange silence as the large crowd of onlookers stared at the burning building in stunned disbelief. Being a small boy the event to me was spectacular rather than significant. We must have stayed for quite some time, watching the frenzied activity around the weakened building, because the light began to fade and the flames, now much smaller, were a vivid orange against the night sky, pierced by what was left of the charred roof structures.
The fire had evidently started around 5 pm. and was finally contained at 8 pm. The evening service at the church was cancelled and the Rector assisted Lady Londesborough, who was still living in a few rooms at the south end of the Hall. The most likely cause of the fire was thought to be an electrical fault in a blanket cupboard situated at the north end of the hall which at the time was occupied by WAFF's. The Hall had been commandeered by the Royal Air Force during the second world war and used as an operations room under the control of Digby Camp. The WAFF's were safely evacuated and most of their belongings were salvaged.
Despite the efforts of fire crews from RAF Digby, Lincoln, Sleaford, Billinghay, Metheringham and Woodhall Spa the Hall was damaged beyond repair. Sadly, sixty years on, nothing remains of the once magnificent Hall and for all intents and purposes it may never even have existed.
Brainteaser
To solve today's Brainteaser, just answer this simple question:
Where do royalty, clergy and birds come together?
Good luck with this one. The answer will be revealed in tomorrows Blankney Journal.
Where do royalty, clergy and birds come together?
Good luck with this one. The answer will be revealed in tomorrows Blankney Journal.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Poem - Blankney Masquerade
In her book, Henry Chaplin a Memoir, his daughter The Marchioness of Londonderry writes, 'an old yellow sheet of paper has been preserved on which in faded ink is written , A List of the Company as they danced at the Masquerade at Blankney, the 9th January 1749'. Shortly before the masquerade Diana Chaplin had been married and it is thought the event may of been held in her honour. Her father Thomas Chaplin had died in 1747 and it was presumed his unmarried son John Chaplin, Diana's brother, hosted the occasion. Today's poem was written based on details from that faded piece of paper and accompanying notes.
Blankney Masquerade
It was January 1749
The event, a masquerade ball
The occasion, to mark a society wedding
The place was Blankney Hall
Diana, daughter of the late Thomas Chaplin
Had allowed her heart to be won
By Lord George Sutton Manners
The Duke of Rutland's son
To mark this great occasion
A match in heaven made
Excited servants prepared the Hall
For the Blankney masquerade
John Chaplin, brother of the bride
Acting as mine host
Was in the guise of King Henry V111
As he rose to propose the toast
The groom appeared as a Spaniard
As a Jardiniere the bride did revel
And Sir Francis Dashwood, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Was there dressed up as the Devil
Among other guests that danced that night
In their costumes so bizarre
A Priest, a Russian, a Chimney Sweeper
A Vandyke, a Turk and Huzsar
Miss Mannering wore a black gown with stars
Representing night
Dominos, Dancers and Queen of the Scots
Helped to make such a dazzling sight
Oh to have been there, that January night
As a fly upon the wall
And witnessed the rich and colourful sight
Of the Blankney masquerade ball.
Rodney Garlant
Blankney Masquerade
It was January 1749
The event, a masquerade ball
The occasion, to mark a society wedding
The place was Blankney Hall
Diana, daughter of the late Thomas Chaplin
Had allowed her heart to be won
By Lord George Sutton Manners
The Duke of Rutland's son
To mark this great occasion
A match in heaven made
Excited servants prepared the Hall
For the Blankney masquerade
John Chaplin, brother of the bride
Acting as mine host
Was in the guise of King Henry V111
As he rose to propose the toast
The groom appeared as a Spaniard
As a Jardiniere the bride did revel
And Sir Francis Dashwood, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Was there dressed up as the Devil
Among other guests that danced that night
In their costumes so bizarre
A Priest, a Russian, a Chimney Sweeper
A Vandyke, a Turk and Huzsar
Miss Mannering wore a black gown with stars
Representing night
Dominos, Dancers and Queen of the Scots
Helped to make such a dazzling sight
Oh to have been there, that January night
As a fly upon the wall
And witnessed the rich and colourful sight
Of the Blankney masquerade ball.
Rodney Garlant
Could There Be A Jam Shortage?
The WI (Women's Institute) have launched a worthy campaign for No More Violence Against Women. Members are being asked to get involved by joining 'A Million Women Rise' march through London on 7th March in support of the campaign and lobby their MP on 30th January to improve victim support services. In addition, members are being asked to see whether local newspapers carry adverts for sexual services from trafficked women. (How will they know?). They are then asked to fill out surveys on the WI website or at their federation offices. When do they get time to make all that jam?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)