WW1 memorial, St Mary, Ross on Wye

Most, if not all, cities, towns and villages have an outdoor cenotaph listing the fallen of WW1, WW2 and subsequent conflicts. In November it becomes the focus of remembrance of those who gave their lives in the military service of their nation. In many places this memorial is complemented by a similar list of the fallen of, particularly, WW1 in the local Anglican church. This conflict - the "war to end all wars" - resulted in more miltary deaths than earlier or later wars in which Britain had been involved and profoundly affected society and families across the nation. The memorial in the church of St Mary, Ross on Wye, is very typical of such monuments. It lists the names in alphabetical order (some do it by rank!) followed by the regiment or service in which they fought and features the line from Horace (Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori). Also typical is the dates and a decorative mosaic, here featuring a cross and wreath. It is spotlit, hence the vignette-like fall off of light towards the edges.

Writing the above brought to mind a brass memorial that I recall seeing in Sutterton church in Lincolnshire.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

The Last Supper

On a brief visit to Leominster Priory we were surprised to come upon this sculpture of "The Last Supper". It is the work of the English sculptor, Peter Barnes, was completed in 2019, and is currently touring cathedrals and larger churches. The piece is a mosaic with a difference being constructed of a clay-like base material inset with black and white computer keyboard keys.

These form the shape, features and clothing of the figures. They also combine to make traditional patterns and biblical quotations that are worked into the surface. The artist says he lost count of the number of keyboards he needed, but estimates that it has more than 50,000 keys.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

BHS, Hull

When, in 1971, I moved from the Yorkshire Dales market town of Settle to the East Yorkshire city and port of Kingston upon Hull, it was something of a culture shock. The countryside, hills, mountains, valleys and villages of the Dales were replaced by the imposing city buildings and flat, urban sprawl of the city. I was often asked if I regretted the move and my answer was always the same - "No"- because the visual interest and history of the city was something that I appreciated and which provided a seemingly endless supply of subjects for my camera. One of the most noticeable buildings was the BHS store in the main shopping area. This former Co-operative store has a huge, fine and imposing, concave mural of 1963 by Alan Boyson that references the city's fishing fleet.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10     2015