Person by person, brick by brick a Cathedral emerges in an epic drama coming to Channel 4, UK this Autumn
 

On the night of 14 November 1940, the city of Coventry burned as Luftwaffe bombs and incendiary devices rained down. The next morning, Coventry Cathedral lay in smoking ruins.  The decision to re-build the Cathedral was taken immediately by the Provost Dick Howard, as a sign of hope for the city and for the future of a ravaged world.

While sifting through the rubble, Jock Forbes, the Cathedral’s stonemason, found that two of the charred medieval roof timbers had fallen in the shape of a cross.  He set them up in the ruins, much as a distinctive metal cross was set up at Ground Zero after the collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11th 2001.  This charred cross was later placed on an altar of the rubble of Coventry Cathedral with the moving words ‘Father Forgive’ inscribed on the Sanctuary wall.

Cathedrals are places where stories collide.  Places where thousands of people who would not normally meet can come together. They may be tourists or worshippers, professionals or rogues, lovers or haters but they all come.

Within the walls of any Cathedral you will find these stories, often ancient, often painful inscribed on the walls and floors.  Memories of knights, soldiers, wives and children. Tombs of priests, saints and kings.  Lives well lived and lives lost.  At St Paul’s Cathedral in London alone, you will find memorials to a dazzling array of famous British figures including Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Horatio Nelson, The Duke of Wellington and Florence Nightingale. In recent years, an estimated 2.5 billion people watched the wedding of Prince Charles to the Lady Diana Spencer played out at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Cathedrals hold our history in all its beauty and terror, preserved sometimes in the moment as wars raged. The most famous medieval Cathedrals were built between about 1000 and 1600 AD in England, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. So why were they built and what of the people who built them? Best selling author Ken Follett, who wrote the enduringly popular novel ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ about the building of a cathedral, sums up the paradox of these great buildings;

‘The building of the medieval cathedrals is an astonishing European phenomenon. The builders had no power tools, they did not understand the mathematics of structural engineering, and they were poor: the richest of princes did not live as well as, say, a prisoner in a modern jail. Yet they put up the most beautiful buildings that have ever existed, and they built them so well that they are still here, hundreds of years later, for us to study and marvel at.’

From as early as AD 604, Cathedrals were a key part of the everyday practice of Christian life in Europe.  Life was celebrated and mourned here, from baptism to communion, to marriage to death. People came to talk to their Priests and whilst Bishops, Lords and Kings came to speak to their people.

The cost of building a Cathedral was vast, both in terms of money and human endeavour.  This is why they are principally found in towns and cities where money congregated, such as Canterbury and York, Lincoln, Worcester and Chichester.

Building might take hundreds of years and would employ the skills of a number of master craftsmen, women and labourers.  To build a Cathedral you would need a good architect plus quarry men, stone carvers, carpenters, a master mason, a master stone cutter, a stone dresser, a black smith, plumbers, a roofer, mortar makers, a glazier or glass maker, a stained glass craftsman, sculptors and other labourers. Families would hand their work on the project to their sons and daughters until the job was done. Through rain and snow, despite war, famine and plague, from sunrise to sunset they worked with one mission – to build on.

Everyday people were remembered in the building, names carved into walls and onto plaques or tablets of stone. Gargoyles were sometimes made in the image of a bishop or a worker.  Stained glass windows, statues, and painting told Bible stories for those who couldn’t read.

Person by person, inch by inch, brick by brick a Cathedral emerges. So many stories under one roof, no wonder that one day these stories would be told.  Ken Follett, the novelist who took up the challenge was already well established as a writer of thrillers like the best selling Eye of the Needle published in 1978. He describes what gave him the idea to write his Cathedral epic;

‘The stones themselves reveal the construction history: stops and starts, damage and reconstruction, extensions in times of prosperity, and stained-glass tributes to the wealthy men who generally paid the bills. Another story is told by the way the church is sited in the town. Lincoln faces across the street to the castle, religious and military power nose to nose. Winchester has a neat grid of streets, laid out by a medieval bishop who fancied himself a town planner. Salisbury moved, in the thirteenth century, from a defensive hilltop site – where the ruins of the old cathedral are still visible – to an open meadow, showing that permanent peace had arrived.’

Naturally his publishers were nervous and in a way, Follett’s journey to bring his novel about required as much dedication as the cathedral builders needed.  His epic novel ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ was written over a span of 13 years. Follett remembers his first attempt, when he realised exactly what he had taken on;

‘Looking back, I can see that at the age of twenty-seven I was not capable of writing such a novel. I was like an apprentice watercolour painter planning a vast canvas in oils. To do justice to its subject, the book would have to be very long, cover a period of several decades and bring alive the great sweep of medieval Europe. I was writing much less ambitious books, and even so I had not yet mastered the craft.’

The Pillars of the Earth was eventually published in 1989 and has been a hit ever since.  The novel has made numerous appearances on best seller lists around the world including 80 in Germany.

The Pillars of the Earth is a majestic novel.  Follett throws the reader instantly into the cold, damp, difficult lives of a central character, Tom Builder, as he tries to keep starvation from the door of his family.  Although penniless, Tom harbours a life long dream to put his talent for building to work on the most ambitious project available to a man of his time; the building of a Cathedral in Kingsbridge, Follett’s fictional town set in a beautiful corner of South West England. 

So has this book captured the imagination of people around the world that filming of an ambitious $40 million eight hour television adaptation ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ is now complete. This compelling series was produced by a vast array of veteran executive producing talent including, three-time Oscar® nominee Ridley Scott (Robin Hood, Gladiator, American Gangster), Tony Scott (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Top Gun, Spy Game) and David  W. Zucker (The Good Wife) along with long term German production partner Tandem Productions.  Well loved British actor Ian McShane, no strange to sinister roles, plays the villain of the piece.  The story has a wealth of intriguing, heroic and duplicitous characters for the cast of well loved actors including Donald Sutherland, Matthew Macfadyen and Sarah Parish to get their teeth into.

The mini series will premier in the United States in July and is slated to appear in the UK on Channel 4 this Autumn. Tim Highsted, Programme Acquisition Director of Channel 4 says, “We are delighted to premiere The Pillars of the Earth on Channel 4. Epic in scale and ambitious in its storytelling, this miniseries is sure to spellbind viewers and is the perfect addition to our acquired programmes.”

So for those of you who like to step outside of our hurried world for a while, why not visit one of Europe’s many historic local Churches, Abbeys or Cathedrals?  Take some well-earned time out to explore the stories they keep and to remember the grit, determination and courage of those who built them.

And when the days draw in and you are ready for a good story on TV to whisk you away to another time, another place – The Pillars of the Earth maybe just the thing to while away hours.

Links you might like!

www.ken-follett.com

http://www.the-pillars-of-the-earth.tv/

www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/pillars.intro.php

Amazing Cathedral Facts

Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England took around 365 years to build. St. Thomas Becket was murdered in the north-east transept on Tuesday 29 December 1170 by knights of King Henry II.

Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany took 600 years to build. The cathedral suffered seventy hits by aerial bombs during World War II but did not collapse. 

Notre Dame, Paris, France was built in 182 years. On 24 April 1558 Mary, Queen of Scots was married to the Dauphin François (later François II of France) in an elaborate ceremony at the Cathedral.

St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy was built between 1506 and 1626. The Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people.

Work on the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, USA was started in 1907, finished in 1990. Popular TV series ‘The West Wing’ starring Martin Sheen filmed the second season finale ‘Two Cathedrals’ here.

Favors are generally the gifts that are handed over to guests by people who host any of their celebrations such as weddings and baby showers. These are a way of commemorating the special event that has been lightened even more by the presence of guests. So, wedding favors serve as a token of appreciation for their presence in the celebration. Glass Coasters Hearts of love is one of these wedding favors that is both elegant and is also a useful gift that can be given to guests at the wedding.

Every set that consists of four hearts is made from fine quality glass of standard size and has the measurement of 4 by 4 inches. The heart symbolizes the relationship or the love that exists between the couple tying the knot. This is the reason that the glass is also frosted with letters that are of heart-shape and it reads L.O.V.E.

It consists of each letter in every quadrant of that coaster. While a part of the color is clear, the other part has a splendid, frosted effect, which gives a white color to it. However, a set of four coasters is not very expensive. If you still have any problems, you can simply discard the box and present one piece individually to every guest without offending them. This is a great solution for those who have a limited budget.

Not only is the gift delicate because of the glass that will be broken if it is not carefully handled, but similar is the case with the relationship of the couple that should be handled cautiously. This stylish gift is also packed and presented to guests in a similar way.

This wedding favor is packed with a beautiful ribbon made of satin that adds to its appeal. These are artistic and trendy solutions to express gratitude to the guests. Furthermore, whenever they use this wedding favor, they will be reminded of all the memories that are associated with your event as well as remembering the special relationship they share with you.

Though these glass coasters hearts of love are great wedding favors, still, they can be presented on many other occasions such as Valentine’s Day parties, anniversary parties, bridal showers and many more. Also, these glass love coasters can easily fit in with any of the color schemes, any theme and any season. You can call them both sophisticated and casual wedding favors that are available in mirror glass finish and clear glass finish.

Last but not least, these are also available online and can be ordered over the Internet. Apart from glass coasters hearts of love, there are many other exclusive glass love coasters such as FALL or AUTUMN glass coasters, Cherry blossom love coasters, Asian LOVE glass coasters and many more that you can choose from.

For an ever lasting love and affection to your wedding reception guest. These Coaster Hearts Of Love which is a Symbol Of Your Relationship are the perfect choice to celebrate your very special occasion.

The Gold Coast’s beautiful climate and the natural beauty of the beaches, parks and gardens provide wonderful locations for ceremonies, wedding photographs and receptions.

The Gold Coast region caters for all tastes and styles to ensure your day is exactly the way you want it. It is becoming increasingly popular as a wedding location primarily for the wide variety of services available. Choose your style from the prestige of the resorts and country clubs to the informality and natural beauty of the beaches and the hinterland.

Access

Domestic and International airports at the Gold Coast and Brisbane provide excellent access to the whole Gold Coast region. Bus and train travel, linked through to the Brisbane Transit Center if necessary, is also easily organised and easy to follow.

Sometimes traveling to your wedding with a number of guests, you may be able to organize travel discounts through either the service provider or your local travel agent.

Climate

Climate and weather conditions are very important considerations when planning your wedding. The Gold Coast’s average daily maximum temperature in summer is around 28 deg Celsius, with the minimum around 20 deg Celsius. Although nor predominately wet, there is the chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Winter temperatures are moderate, with the average daily maximum around 22 deg Celsius and the minimum around 10 deg Celsius. The days are predominately crisp and clear. Spring and autumn are usually warm and dry and consequently the most popular times for weddings. You need to book at least 6 to 12 months ahead if you are considering marrying during these times.

During winter, dusk can arrive very quickly and so an early wedding is a very good idea. Summer months are hot and humid so summer brides should consider air conditioning for the ceremony and reception and perhaps bottled water and a nice shady spot if is to be held outside.

If you are able to be married outside, ensure an alternative venue and an effective way of contacting guests at short notice has been arranged, particularly during summer months. It is important you and your guests enjoy the day. Consider the comfort of elderly people and young children when planning your day.

Finally, remember to consider the expected temperature and location of the wedding and choose appropriate styles and fabrics for the bridal party. This will ensure everyone looking their best for your Gold Coast Wedding Photographer.

Red is one of the top colors for weddings. Brides love it because it can be romantic, regal, bright, elegant, and even a little bit sexy. There are so many different ways that you can use red to create fabulous centerpieces; here are a few of the top ideas to inspire you.

If you are looking for a wedding flower that says “love”, you certainly cannot go wrong with red roses. This is one of the most popular flowers for bouquets and centerpieces for very good reason. Red roses are timeless, and yet they are also dramatic. The rich red pops very well against the bride’s white gown. You can use red roses in a variety of ways for your centerpieces. If you are wearing a very elaborate wedding gown with sparkling custom bridal jewelry, then go for extreme opulence in your centerpieces. Tall antique silver vases will look amazing when overloaded with rich red roses. Surround the vases with tall candlesticks with graceful ivory tapers for even more romantic ambiance.

Red roses can also be used in a more contemporary fashion to create centerpieces with some flair. Mound red roses in a tight dome shape and display them in low square vases. For contrast, you can think about adding smaller accent displays with lime green flowers. The red and lime color combination is very hot right now.

There are plenty of other beautiful red flowers besides roses. For a winter wedding, elegant red amaryllis make a lovely single flower centerpiece. They would look lovely at a reception where the bride is wearing a snow-white bridal gown with simple crystal drop custom jewelry. If you would like to add some height and architectural interest, you can use tall red-dogwood branches as an accent. To enhance the all-red effect, fill the bottom of clear glass vases with red marbles.

For a country casual wedding, red flowers work wonderfully. In the spring, bright and cheery red gerbera daisies make fun centerpieces. They look great in combination with other colors of gerberas like yellow, pink, or orange. These flowers call for absolute simplicity in the way that they are displayed. You can pop them into an eclectic assortment of vessels, like painted tin buckets or white pitchers. For a really cool effect, “plant” red and orange gerbera daisies into a bed of wheatgrass as your centerpieces.

If you are having a relaxed wedding in the autumn, think about using deep red potted mums. The red mums with the yellow centers are especially pretty. The great thing about potted mums is that they are very affordable when compared to cut flowers, and yet they are also very full and beautiful plants. Best of all, after the wedding, the potted mums can be sent home with guests or planted in the newlywed’s garden.

Centerpieces do not have to be floral. For a bride who is having an Asian inspired wedding, a really fantastic centerpiece would be an arrangement of branches hung with red origami cranes. Red is a lucky color for Chinese weddings, and the crane is a symbol of longevity in both China and Japan. This would be a very beautiful and memorable red centerpiece design.

Red has always been, and will always be, a great color for weddings. Whether your style is romantic, classic, contemporary, or eclectic, there is a red centerpiece design that will be fabulous for your wedding. When you are looking for panache, you simply can’t beat red.

Using Centerpieces on Wedding Table Arrangements

Wedding Table Centerpieces are an important part of your decor. The Wedding of the table is what everybody looks at it there. Consider that visitors will spend more time receiving than in ceremony and many of them will sit at the table at least 55 percent of the time!

When guests sit at tables, the center piece is the attraction they see and glaze at when going to eat them. Getting a beautiful wedding table is easier than you thought. Just feel at ease and go through this article to see how you can wow your guests with elegant setting!

The table center pieces must be based on the seasonal availability of decorative items, the theme of your wedding, the color scheme of your wedding, and personalities of the bride and groom.

Wedding Table Center Pieces Ideas

Flowers are the most traditional center piece and they can work very well for wedding table decorations. But flowers are not only plant that can do a center piece though. Consider small trees, Ferns and other live plants.

The flower center pieces will light the board. It is autumn, winter, spring and summer, Floral arrangements. The size varies by type of arrangement you need and room you are on the table. You may even decide to have silk flower center pieces on tables that your guests can take home at the end of the night.

The latest ideas center pieces wedding is a bowl of fish in a beautiful shaped bowl with a little touch of color. The fish is said to amuse and amaze guests as they sit and enjoy dinner.

If you want to light in the room, you’ll do it alone, but add candle center pieces on the table arrangement will add warmth to every table. Add elegance any table, candles come with many different scents and shapes.

Some Brides choose wedding favors as table center pieces. This arrangement is consist of basket decorated with a beautiful hula Garland on scales with the number of small icons that visitors can choose from when sitting at the tables. These little favors might be almond tins, mint tins, wine bottle stoppers or engraved key card.

It is important to distinguish between eye-catching center pieces, and those who are simply garish, Gaudy or prominent. Such centerpieces reduce the aura in the room and can leave guests wondering about the “single center piece” when you want it rather focus on the event and the happy couple. The table center pieces should be classy, quiet, dignified, and they should not scream “look at me” as overly prominent center pieces tend to do.