The Priceless Nature of Archiving

Journal

Volume 2

The photographic image of seagulls at the end of today’s entry, was taken, very quickly, at 4.54pm Tuesday 21 July 2020, as more than a thousand seagulls suddenly swooped in over the lower lake at Pittville Mount Park. It was an astonishing sight and a very special moment; and because I was pedestrian, I was able to hear the commotion too! It is in such moments, that we sense a “oneness” with Nature.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.”[i]

Luke 2:9 NKJV



And the glory of the LORD shone all around them, and they were sore afraid (ancient)

Painting in Watercolour

by

Desmond B Webb

An impromptu family text

Painting by my Father – and given to me on March 12, 1998

(and possibly framed by Dad’s Grandson, Chris (CJM) 24 yrs)

*

Look what I found in the loft yesterday evening! This was last displayed at Abbots Croft on the wall to the left of the lounge window so as not to catch sunlight, more than twenty years ago. Already fast fading on the back, as Dad used a pencil when writing on the taping on the reverse - it is my birthday present “12.3.1998” and Dad apologises for the fact that he feels it went wrong and he hopes he can produce a better one. It took me quite a while to convince Dad that - no - for me, this is perfection!

There but not there!
Really?
Yes Dad.
And you've done this with water colour.
Incredible.
It's like an oil painting ...
the further away
the more the intricate detail is seen ...

What a find!

What a lovely gift for you.  Ok, will do.

I can’t recall the painting at the mo, it does look faded. Shall enjoy seeing it for real.

Will collect the chair for the tip this Friday but will check first.

Haha - no it's not faded. That's the point - that's why Dad wasn't too pleased. You know how Dad's mouth would go if he wasn't entirely convinced ... and I remember saying so clearly ...

'No, don't Dad. Don't try to do another. This is perfection. I must keep this out of light.’

When you are here Carol, you'll see what I mean; but in due course, also use the magnifying glass. I keep it now to hand, precisely for this purpose, to examine the incredible detail of Mum's embroidery with "The Tree of Life", and the rigging of the Titanic - despite mine and yours accidental - world-stopped-spinning-moment-when-we-moved-the-heavy-dresser - attempt to sink it again!!! haha  That it withstood that drop to the ocean floor - the rigging that Mum sewed around the funnels remaining in place, and still in place; absolutely amazing!

I adore that ship; even the lifeboat hanging down on one side - that's exactly how we saw the lifeboats hanging with the Costa Concordia cruise liner that toppled over just off shore about 8 years ago! xx[ii]

Oh gosh yes, the dresser and ship! That’s what makes memories stick!

I well remember Mum doing the Tree of Life as I was often calling in if in Chelt.
Mum said she had to hide it rapidly one time as you arrived unexpectedly
and she said she was going to keep that soft bag
beside her chair in case it happened again.
I can see her telling me now .x

Kenneth Thomas Webb
Liverpool and Gloucestershire

June 8, 2022
All Rights Reserved

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© Kenneth Thomas Webb 2022

One of the Fifteen Founding Members of the Leaders Lodge

The photograph below was taken, very quickly, at 4.54pm Tuesday July 21, 2020,
as more than a thousand seagulls suddenly swooped in over the lower lake at Pittville Mount Park.
It was an astonishing sight and a very special moment, and because I was pedestrian,
I was able to hear the commotion too.
It is in such moments,
that we sense a “oneness” with Nature.

First written November 2, 2020

… thousands of Seagulls suddenly descended and flew around above the smaller of the two lakes at Pittviile Mount Park, Cheltenham Tuesday, July 21, 2020. IBM

[i] Und siehe, des HERRN Engel trat zu ihnen, und die Klarheit des HERRN leuchtete um sie; und sie fürchteten sich sehr. Lukas 2:9 Lutheran Bibel

[ii] Costa Concordia disaster, the capsizing of an Italian cruise ship on January 13, 2012, after it struck rocks off the coast of Giglio Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Over 4,200 people were rescued, although 32 people died. (courtesy of Wikipedia)