5280 Explorer

Author: 5280 Explorer

  • Announcing the Culminating Event of Our Project in England: A Special Talk and Unveiling

    Announcing the Culminating Event of Our Project in England: A Special Talk and Unveiling

    With profound gratitude and a certain satisfied exhaustion Mary and I would like to share an invitation with you to attend our “big event” here in Uxbridge.

    Someone asked if we managed to get everything accomplished we had planned. Like so much in life, there’s what you planned–and what unfolded instead. This long visit was the perfect opportunity to pursue a number of threads of my original project regarding Sir Richard Lane. But I decided to set a number of them entirely aside, with no regrets. There was a singular opportunity here in Uxbridge that seemed much more important.

    I wanted to do what I came to Uxbridge for in the first place–to visit the place Richard Lane arrived at nearly 400 years ago as a negotiator for the king. Of course, that got complicated when it eventually became clear that every part of the lovely structure he would have set foot in no longer exists. But I realized that there was a way I could still do it–and that I could even take the world with me. But it would be a tremendous amount of unplanned work requiring some sacrifices. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, the comprehension gained by moving through a scene as though you were walking there can’t be matched. Perhaps that comprehension (made whole by the beautiful image Misha is finalizing) will enable a lasting and more energized appreciation for this lovely but lost part of Uxbridge’s historical heritage.

    And now its done, and we feel like celebrating! Interestingly, we are going to have some very gracious help with that. The Mayor of Hillingdon/Uxbridge, along with the current MP for Uxbridge, The High Sheriff of Greater London, the Recorder of Northampton and the High Sheriff of Northampton are all attending the event and helping with the unveiling. There is a “why” to these particular special guests, by the way. Perhaps you will recall that two of the negotiators in 1645 were close friends and former colleagues of Middle Temple who found themselves on opposite sides of that negotiating table exactly 380 years ago…MP Bulstrode Whitelocke (negotiating for the parliament), and former Recorder of Northampton Sir Richard Lane (negotiating for the king). It gives me chills…

    Artist Misha Farris, who is about to graduate with an MA from Teesside University, near Newcastle

    The main event will feature the wonderful young artist, Misha Farris, and her new artwork (which is being gifted to the people of Uxbridge at the event). And in case you’re wondering, I have only seen line drawings and early color and lighting concepts of her work. I will be seeing it for the first time along with everyone else!

    Finally, Mary and I are having a commemorative gift made for all of the attendees–our small, personal thank you for the warm welcome we have received in this lovely town.

    So, if you can make it, send an email to the address at the bottom of the flyer. Mention that you are a subscriber to my research blog. I will very likely be able to get you a seat. At some point, check out the historic carved paneling in the other upstairs room. And although I’m sure we will be busy, please don’t leave without saying hi!

  • Save the Date! December Talk on the History of the Uxbridge Treaty House

    Save the Date! December Talk on the History of the Uxbridge Treaty House

    I will be giving a talk at the Uxbridge Library and Archives about my research into the Treaty House of Uxbridge on December 9. Along with details of its history, I will be sharing some of my forensic 3D reconstruction of the lovely but enigmatic original building and grounds as they were in the time of the 1645 Peace Treaty negotiations–nearly 400 years ago.

    The talk will be on Monday, December 9 from 2-3pm at the Uxbridge Library on High Street. This talk will feature a number of the most interesting of the minor mysteries that had to be settled before the 3D model could be completed. I will also be including a preview of the “fly through” video I am creating so we moderns can experience a very real sense of what it was like to have “been in the room” at this famous event of the English Civil War.

    Americans may not know there is a holiday in the UK that is similar to our Veterans Day, called Remembrance Day. We first encountered it last fall when we were in town for my first talks in Uxbridge. Its symbol is a two lobed red poppy with a bit of green leaf. You see it on pins, on people’s cars, and large renditions of it on nearly every bus and lorry in sight. In the UK, this holiday is about remembering the sacrifices made by those from all of the corners of the realm, and it is an important, thoroughly celebrated holiday.

    Probably the most poignant moment we experienced was being caught at a train station at Heathrow airport last November. We were making our way out to the gate for our flight home when a two minute silence was called for (several minutes in advance). When it turned 11:11 on the 11th day of the 11th month (the moment the armistice that ended the “Great War” took effect), all the trains, carts and luggage stopped wherever they were. The thundering tumult simply stopped, leaving us amid a sea of people standing still for two long, poignant minutes in a silence broken only by the echoing yammer of a distant video advertising board. I don’t think either of us will ever forget the experience…

    This year, we were able to celebrate it with the locals! The day started with a service at St Margaret’s Church (one of the oldest buildings in Uxbridge) led by our friend, Vicar Andy Thompson. After the service, Andy led a packed town procession from the plaza outside the church on High Street to the Peace memorial in a nearby park. At 11:11 came a bugle rendition of “The Last Post” preceding the two minutes of silence. Its conclusion was heralded most appropriately by the playing of “Reveille”. Next were a few inspiring addresses, including one by our friend Nicholas Schoefield, Priest of the Catholic church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Michael. Finally, it was time for the wreath laying ceremony. Representatives from many different groups paid their respects, each coming up in turns to lay a wreath at the foot of the Peace Monument (topped by a statue of the Greek Goddess “Victory”). The large crowd included clusters of many different uniforms and and a number of town dignitaries as well. I couldn’t help but marvel at the ranks of school age children standing resolute and intent on the ceremony. Apparently, this is simply how it is done. Brilliant.