For the last couple of weeks, I have been waiting to hear news of new crop circle, but nothing has appeared. I checked the date when the first circle came last year 2023 and found it was the 28th May.
It was at Winterbourne Bassett in barley and was in the vicinity of an ancient standing stone.
photo ~ near Winterbourne Bassett
Therefore, if the circles follow the same trend, we may have to try and possess our souls in patience for a few more days yet.
I understand from a farmer, that his wheat crop has taken well but he is not so happy about the barley due to the excessive amount of rain we have had from early spring up to the middle of May.
As I mentioned in my last letter, apart from oil seed rape (canola), barley is the next crop ready to accept a circle. The crop has to be of a certain height in order to retain an impression.
Last weekend, my son who is over from Sydney and my sister visited Wells cathedral. Of all the cathedrals I have visited - I love visiting cathedrals and churches, especially the tiny ancient shepherd churches; they are tucked away deep inside the hills and dales of the countryside. They have a special simplicity, but possess a rare peace - Wells cathedral is my favourite.
It was a long drive down to Somerset from Hampshire, made longer due to a strip of road passing Stonehenge being temporarily closed, hence a rather tortuous diversion. This closure is due to laying the electrics for the proposed tunnel. The road (A303) will be open in mid-July.
Built in 1175, Wells Cathedral is one of the first and finest examples of Gothic architecture of its kind, the style of architecture being brought over from France.
We were late entering the cathedral, and as a result we only had a very short time to look around as Evensong was due to start at 3pm to commemorate the life of Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) ‘who was one of the leading musicians of his generation and had profound effect on the development and history of English music as a performer, conductor, composer.’
He was a prolific writer of music. He wrote several symphonies, also chamber music and songs. He also wrote many works for the organ and is often remembered for his religious music. He played a large part in the Royal School of Music and was their Professor of Music for over forty years.
It was a wonderful service with a full choir, the music still ringing in my ears several days later.
Before the service started, we just had time to climb the steep stone steps up to the Chapter House. It is surrounded by the arms of the diocese chapters. This is my very favourite place in the whole cathedral. I could spend hours just sitting quietly on one of the surrounding stone seats. It is an octagonal room, and the harmony I feel may be due to that fact. Indeed we are told by Plato that music and number are related and this is a good example. Silence has a music of its own. The octagon represents not only the passage from the earthly plane (square), to the celestial plane (circle) - a symbol of protection to ward off negative spiritual activity and a bridge between heaven and earth.
As you can see from the photograph, the architecture is one of outstanding beauty. The carving of the middle column commands the rest of the stations, each displaying carvings of similar quality. It was built between 1275 and 1310 by unknown architects.
photo ~ Wells Cathedral
photo ~ Steps to the Chapter House
photo ~ The Chapter House ~ © unknown
Amongst many other unique features, is the famous clock. We are told that the clock is considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism in Britain, and probably in the world, to survive in its original condition and still in use. The original works were made about 1390 and the clock face is the oldest surviving original of its kind anywhere.
photo ~ The Clock ~ © unknown
The weather was perfect. A wonderful day. I found it difficult to come down to earth and be a part of our modern and tumultuous world once more.