Easter has come and gone but its message of rebirth is still reflected all around us in nature: seeds are sprouting, leaves and blossoms are bursting out and birds are flitting around building new nests. How our hearts go out to those people in UkraIne and other areas of conflict where hope is at a premium and new life seems so far away. Those of us who have faith in God the Creator are still left wondering ’why’.
Most people will know about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There is another anniversary of local significance we can celebrate: the 200th anniversary of the astronomer Sir William Herschel’s death. His connection with the church of St Laurence at Upton has been mentioned in these pages before (See the issue July/August 2021). The Upton church of St Laurence is celebrating the event with an exhibition and talk (see page 8).
Readers may not be aware that the composer Josef Haydn, made two extensive musical tours of London. It was during one of those that he was inspired to write the much-acclaimed oratorio ’The Creation’. It is said that Haydn was invited to see Herschel’s telescope and that it was the night sky seen through the telescope that inspired him to compose The Creation. By a happy coincidence, Sough Philharmonic Society is performing Part I of Creation is May (see page 8)!
So on to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Sad to say, I have had no response to the invitation to share stories of Her Majesty’s coronation and other events with our readers. I hope you will send in reports of your celebrations that you would like to share with the rest of the community.
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