Before Action - remembering the Dymock Poets

A concert was held at St Mary's Church Dymock, 

 home of the Dymock Poets exhibition,

to mark their centenary of the months leading up to the outbreak of the First World War. An amazing performance played to a packed audience. 

Bob May's magic was woven through the performances, Alice Earll made her violin sing in an impressive solo and the local choir echoed throughout the church.

Part one 'Under an English Heaven' featured poems from the six poets - Lascelles Abercrombie, Wilfred Gibson, John Drinkwater, Rupert Brooke, Robert Frost and Edward Thomas - accompanied by the choir. Rounded off by a trilogy violin solo.

Part two 'The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. A piece in seven parts, each part preceded by a short reading from a 'war poet' ably presented by Peter Thorpe.

A very memorable and thoughtful evening.

Spring is Sprung finale - Gloucester's Golden Triangle

'Tis the time of daffodil weekends in the golden triangle in Gloucestershire. It's amazing to think this time last year there was a frost on the ground and most of the daffs were tight in bud. This year at Dymock, Kempsley and Oxenhalls they are blooming in profusion:

Nature was certainly in a mood to show off with butterflies, red kites and spring lambs:

Oh to be in England now that the spring is here :)

Spring is Sprung II

Seems one day each weekend we are blessed with a fine spring day. Enticed by more spring colour we headed off to Batsford Arboretum near Moreton in the Marsh in the picturesque Cotswold.

From buds about to burst

to spring blooms

to trees that have stood the test of time

Batsford really does have them all

 surrounding an impresive des res and picturesque village church.

Certainly a bridge over recent troubled waters ;)