Yates's Talk

Invitation reminder from David Yates

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Sat, 5 Nov 2011 10:43:00 -0700

Hi Webmaster2195.,

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noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:35:00 -0700

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The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.19)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Sat, 9 Feb 2008 13:05:00 -0800

June 12 ~ After breakfast said farewell to Helen and Allan and went into Moffat to do some last minute shopping for presents and some shirts. Then set off for home, calling at Tebay Farm Shop for some fruit, bread and meat and also have some lunch in the cafe. The weather by this time was wet and windy and for some of the journey on the motorway it was not easy driving. Arrived home mid-afternoon, having driven 2926 miles (4700km) in 20 days ~ having had a wonderful holiday, full of memories of new and old places visited, some fantastic weather and hopes of many more holidays in Scotland and the Islands ……………………………………….. now you may wonder what this map is all about. Well I will tell you, some time ago now I helped a young Chinese Student, Chen Jie in Wuhan, with an architectural project which he submitted as part of his degree course. Since then we have kept up a regular chat with each other, and while on holiday I sent postcards to him of all the places visited and this map was used in conjunction with these pictures.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.18)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Sat, 9 Feb 2008 12:46:00 -0800

June 11 ~ How quickly holidays draw to a close and taking advantage of a very hot last full day, travelled the 100 miles from Moffat to Logan Gardens ~ they were spectacular. Leaving the gardens, detoured via the beach and little harbour at Port Logan, and went to the lighthouse at the extreme southern tip of the Mull of Galloway. This is the southern most part of Scotland , but the extreme heat haze over the sea obscured the Isle of Man which can normally be seen from this headland. On the way back to Moffat, called at the Galloway Smokehouse to get some smoked fish and meat. In the evening, made the final visit to Claudios for the dinner.

(The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was established in 1670 and during the 20^th century acquired three Regional Gardens - the mountainous Benmore in Argyll; Dawyck in the wooded hills of the Scottish Borders and Logan on the Gulf Stream-warmed southern peninsula of Dumfries & Galloway).

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.17)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Sat, 9 Feb 2008 12:04:00 -0800

June 10 ~ It was overcast first thing, but soon the sun returned and again it became very hot, so decided to go via Elvanfoot to Wanlockhead and the Lead Mines Museum. Stopped for a coffee at the museum and noticed a leaflet about an abbey near Maybole in Ayrshire. Having never been there, checked the map for distance and set off to have a look. This proved to be well worthwhile. The abbey, called Crossraguel was a substantial ruin and was very photogenic. Returned to Moffat via Newton Stewart and the main coast road. After a brush up and change of clothes went off to meet Doreen and Dennis at Claudios for a family get-together and evening meal.

Tibetan Buddhist Monastery

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Sat, 9 Feb 2008 03:46:00 -0800

For many years when I have visited Scotland, I have made a point of going to this peaceful place. The monks and workers are a delight to meet and the feeling of calm created within yourself is a rare thing in this time of rush and bustle. I have included some photographs of my own, but please visit the site through the link in my Partner Site Section

Kagyu Samye Ling

1967 - 2007

Located in a peaceful valley on the banks of the river Esk in Scotland, Kagyu Samye Ling was the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre to have been established in the West. It is a centre for wisdom and learning within the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and is open to people of all faiths and none. You are welcome to come for day visits, short stays or to participate in our meditation retreats and courses available throughout the year.

Founded in 1967 and currently under the guidance of Abbot Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Samye Ling is part of Rokpa Trust, a registered charity which has three main areas of activity: spiritual, humanitarian aid, and Tibetan medicine and therapy. Our activity extends around the world through an international network of Dharma centres.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.16)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Thu, 7 Feb 2008 13:56:00 -0800

June 9 ~ Yet another hot day! So went to Caerlaverock Castle and Sweetheart Abbey. Then returned to Moffat and sat in the cool Lounge at 'Fernhill' before going to Claudios Restaurant for an evening meal.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.15)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Thu, 7 Feb 2008 12:04:00 -0800

June 8 ~ After breakfast, took one or two pictures of Mary and John, said farewell and started off for Moffat in glorious sunshine. Decided to take the longer route to Fort William and crossed the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh and passed through Glen Shiel and Glen Garry. Only stopped briefly in Fort William to fill up with diesel at Morrisons. Then on through Glen Coe and over Rannoch Moor to stop at the Old Flax Mill for lunch between Crianlarich and Killin. After lunch continued on to the M9 and then the M74 eventually arriving in Moffat at late tea-time. It was still very warm, so walked down into the town and had a drink at the Annandale Hotel. Here met a very interesting lady from Bath who was visiting Scotland on a fishing trip!

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.14)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Thu, 7 Feb 2008 11:47:00 -0800

June 7 ~ The day started with very low cloud and fog, so went into Portree and visited Skye Crafts to select a cross-stitch map of Skye for Chenjie's mother, and then returned via the Staffin road to Columba 1400 to access the internet and check e-mails and send messages to family and dear friends abroad. By this time the fog was lifting so returned to Portree and onto to Armadale and the gardens at Armadale Castle. By this time the weather had turned very warm and sunny which showed the gardens at their best. Returned to the Ferry Inn at Uig via the west coast of Sleat through Tarskavaig, Tokavaig and Ord ~ stopping several times for photographs.

Church of Saint John the Divine

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Mon, 4 Feb 2008 07:08:00 -0800

(groundplan and perspective created by Edward HOLMES of Birmingham)

ST. JOHN THE DIVINE

From 1847 services were held in the National school in Horninglow village, licensed at the request of the incumbent of Holy Trinity, in Burton. There was an afternoon congregation of 60 adults on Census Sunday 1851, besides Sunday school children. A church, paid for mainly by voluntary subscriptions, was opened in 1866 and served a district chapelry within Holy Trinity ecclesiastical parish. The area covered Horninglow township except for the Wetmore area on the east side of the Birmingham-Derby railway line.

The bishop's consecration sentence gave the original dedication as St. John the Evangelist, but the present dedication to St. John the Divine was in use by 1911. The change was presumably made by Thomas Lewis during whose incumbency as vicar (1910-25) services became Anglo-Catholic in nature: he installed a rood screen as a memorial to the dead of the First World War, to which statues of the Virgin Mary and St. John were added in 1928.

The living, which was a vicarage, was initially worth £150 a year, rising to £290 by 1872, and the income came mainly from an endowment given by a local farmer, John Hopkins, and his brother-in-law William Hopkins of Dunstall Hall, in Tatenhill. William was named the patron, and he nominated his son-in-law, John Auden, as the first incumbent. On his death in 1873, William bequeathed the patronage to Auden, whose wife Sarah became the patron after her husband's death in 1876. After her death in 1925, the patronage was vested in trustees, still the patrons in association with the bishop in 1999.

No vicarage house was provided in the endowment, and the 'parsonage' that Auden occupied in 1868 was presumably the house in Horninglow later bequeathed to Sarah Auden by her father, William Hopkins. The present vicarage house was built in 1910 a short distance north of the church in Rolleston Road.

The National school in Horninglow Road North, west of the church, became a parish institute and reading room after it was replaced by a board school in 1876. A new room was added in 1887. The present parish room in Rolleston Road, built at the same time as the vicarage house in 1910. A church hall was opened in 1949 on a site to the north-east.

Church Building

The church was designed by Edward Holmes of Birmingham in a Geometrical style and consists of a chancel with north vestry, a nave of five bays, north and south aisles, and an engaged southwest tower with spire. It is built of brick faced externally with cream Coxbench stone and rendered internally with plaster and dressings of Bath stone. The nave arcades have octagonal piers with heavy, crocketed capitals and arches of blue York and red Alton stone in bands, and the high and wide chancel arch rests on corbels with short, detached stone shafts. The east window depicting the life of St. John the Evangelist is by William Warrington of London. The vestry was extended northwards in 1911, and in 1928 the east end of the south aisle was fitted out as a Lady chapel with a memorial window for Sarah Auden depicting St. Chad and St. Hilda with Celtic motifs. The font is at the west end. A peal of four steel bells was increased to six in 1875-6.
A burial ground beside the church was extended in 1898, 1911, and 1923.

From: 'Horninglow: Established church', A History of the County of Stafford: Volume 9: Burton-upon-Trent (2003), pp. 185-187. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=12359. - for information of Private & Personal use only

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 8 Theatre at Priene in Greece

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Fri, 1 Feb 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 8 Theatre at Priene in Greece

The auditorium of this theatre dates from circa 300 B.C., but the raised stage is about a century later. The scene building was two storeyed and in front of this was built a one storey high proscenium with cross beams to the main wall carrying a timber roof. In front of the proscenium a row of half columns carried an architrave and Doric frieze. Painted scenery was bolted to the panels between these half columns.

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 7 Theatre of Dionysus

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Fri, 1 Feb 2008 08:47:00 -0800

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 7 Theatre of Dionysus

The origins of this theatre are somewhat obscure, but the earliest parts date from circa 500 B.C.. No raised stage is found in the theatre of Dionysus and players performed in the orchestra with a backcloth formed by buildings of the Temple of Dionysus to whom the plays were offered. Any scenery used would have been of timber and the actors entered by ramps (parodoi) either side of the orchestra.

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 6 Stadion at Athens

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Fri, 1 Feb 2008 08:35:00 -0800

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 6 Stadion at Athens

The Stadion at Athens was started in 331 B.C. and is 600 feet long. Firstly used only for foot races, it was used at a later date for other athletic meetings. One end of the Stadion is straight with a semi-circular end at the other. Though many stadia were built into the side of hills, this stadion is constructed on the flat. In recent times this stadion in Athens has been restored and re-built to accommodate between 40,000 and 50,000 spectators.

Distant Lands : Music for my very dear frend "Chen Jie"

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Fri, 1 Feb 2008 05:05:00 -0800

"Distant Lands"

As I mentioned in "My Early Sketches", I helped a student at Wuhan University in China with an architectural project within his degree. He also showed an interest in Western music so for the 2007 Chinese New Year I wrote him a short simple piece for Piano and Flute called "Distant Lands", and I thought it might be nice to include it here. Since then I have written another piece for him called "Walking on the Clouds" and I will probably post this to "My Music" in due course.

The Final Judgement Part One By David Yates

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Fri, 1 Feb 2008 04:39:00 -0800

The Final Judgement

As I say in my "Who am I" section, I enjoy composing music, and though I am very much an amateur and had no proper training in this, I have still written quite a lot of Choral Music. The most ambitious of this is an oratorio type work called "The Final Judgement" - as yet only completed to the end of part one. It is written in a sort of quadraphonic fashion! Four three-part choirs to be placed at the cardinal points of the compass; four soloists (SATB) and Organ. The libretto comes straight from sections of the last book of the "New Testament" in the Bible ~ The Revelation of Saint John the Divine. When I will get this finished is anybody's guess, but if nothing else, I am enjoying myself.................................................

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 5 Theatres

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:35:00 -0800

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 5 Theatres

Greek theatres which were usually hollowed out of the slope of a hill and consisted of an orchestra, auditorium and stage. The orchestra was circular and was used by the chorus who by voice and acting unfolded the drama taking place on the stage. The auditorium was cut out of the rock to form tiers of seats sometimes faced with marble. The stage had a permanent architecural background of timber or stone with dressing rooms behind. Most Greek theatres were situated within an area containing a temple of a god to whom most of the plays were offered.

In some instances Greek theatres were adapted by the Romans to suit their own drama. But for this the stage was increased in size and importance and was raised so as to form a separate area for the actors. The area used by the Greeks for the chorus (the orchestra) was now included in the auditorium, and was used by senators and dignitaries. The auditorium used by the Romans was semi-circular, unlike the Greek which was two-thirds of a circle. In some theatres construction was of concrete vaulting supporting tiers of seats, under which was shelter from any sudden storms.

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 4 Minerva Medica

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 07:48:00 -0800

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 4 Minerva Medica

Minerva Medica in Rome was built about 270 A.D.. This building formerly the Temple of the Goddess Minerva, is now generally regarded as the Nymphaeum of the Baths of Gallienus. It is an interesting building for two reasons - it is decagonal in plan but has a circular dome, with pendentives (1) and also each angle is buttressed externally which is unusual in Roman architecture. The dome was of concrete ribbed in tiles and large windows on each side of the decagon admitting light to the interior.

(1) A pendentive is an overhanging triangular section of vaulting between the rim of a dome and each adjacent pair of arches that support it.

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 3 The Baths of Caracalla

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:30:00 -0800

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 3 The Baths of Caracalla

The Baths, or Thermae, of Caracalla, were built between 211 and 217 A.D., and had accommodation for 1600 bathers. The base on which the main buildings were built, was 20 feet high and measured 1100 feet square. Under this were the furnaces and hot-air ducts for heating the buildings. The area contained not only a stadium but also places for wrestling and games, and drama and lecture halls. The main Thermae contained a 'tepidarium' (warm room), 'calidarium' (hot room) and a 'frigidarium' (cold room) very similar to a modern Turkish bath. All this was heavily decorated with mosaics and painted frescoes.

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 2 Circus Maximus

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:04:00 -0800

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 2 Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus in Rome, of which now nothing survives, was a vast edifice, started by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C., and added to and enlarged by many succeeding emperors, each adding his own enrichments. It was 2000 feet long by 650 feet wide and had a seating capacity for 255,000 people. The vaults were of concrete and the overall construction was similar to that of the Colosseum. The last race in the Circus Maximus took place in 549 A.D.

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 1 Colosseum

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:56:00 -0800

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 1 Colosseum

When I was at College, I did a series of little pen and ink sketches as part of my architectural history studies. I thought it might be a change from the Scotland Diary to look at these for a time. So I am starting with probably one of the most famous buildings of the ancient world - the Colosseum in Rome. This was started by Vespasian in 70 A.D. and completed by Domitian in 82 A.D. Externally it is a vast ellipse 620 feet by 515 feet, while the arena is 287 feet by 180 feet. The construction is interesting, lava is used for the foundations with brick for the supporting walls, while pumice is used for the vaulting to reduce the weight. The facade was of travertine blocks and was 158 feet high, while the seats, columns and ornaments wre of marble. My original drawings are now in China. I sent them to my friend Chenjie in Wuhan when he was doing an architectural history project as a module in his degree course.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.13)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:29:00 -0800

June 6 ~ The day dawned hot and sunny and after breakfast went into Portree to buy an assortment of cakes and tarts to take to Kinlochewe later in the day. Being early, after crossing the Skye Bridge took the coast road to Plockton and then on through Lochcarron to Kishorn and lunch at the Fish Restaurant. Still with much time to spare took the road over the Beallach-na-Ba to Applecross and round the coast to Sheildaig. Past Loch Torridon , Ben Alligan, Liatagh and Beinne Eighe to Kinlochewe. After a most enjoyable afternoon with the 'Ladies' headed back to Skye via the new road through Glen Docherty, Achnasheen and Kyle, with a short stop for Fish and Chips. Then back to Earlish and the usual cakes etc., and bed.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.12)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:47:00 -0800

June 5 ~ Wonderful day today, hot, warm and sunny. Decided to go to the Glendale area. Called in as usual at Daisy Budge's Craft Studio near Dunvegan to stock up on Celtic Cards, then called in at the Blackhouse Museum House at Colbost. After that went up the steep rough road to near the radio masts above Glendale and took several photos and here the phone signal was high so made one or two calls and text messages to home and to Chenjie, before continuing on to Glendale itself for lunch at An Strupach Café. In the afternoon went to Neist Point and walked to the Lighthouse overlooking the Minch and the Outer Hebrides. Returned to Uig for the by now traditional meal at the Ferry Inn then supper and bed.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.11)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0800

June 4 ~ Lovely morning so went round the north of the Trotternish via Kilmuir to Staffin. Had coffee at the Columba 1400 Retreat House and also checked and sent e-mails to the family and to Chenjie and Francis in China. Then carried on to Kyle of Lochalsh and the afternoon trip on the glass-bottomed boat called Atlantis. Saw plenty of sea birds including Cormorants, Shags, Herring and Blackbacked Gulls, Oyster Catchers and some grey seals. The captain tried to find otters, dolphins and porpoises but was not lucky. Sometimes they also see Killer Whales (Orcas) and in the summer, Basking Sharks. After looking underwater at a World War II warship wreck, the captain took us to lock at an underwater forest of every type of sea plant. In the evening the meal was again at the Ferry Inn in Uig, then back to Mary's for supper and bed. (Before returning to the Ferry Inn and Mary's, took the long route back and stopped to take a few pictures on the way.)

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No. 10)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:31:00 -0800

June 3 ~ Today is Sunday, and a wet Sunday as well. Went to the 11-00am Eucharist Service at St. Columba's Church, Portree. After the service joined some of the congregation for a chat over tea and coffee before going on to the Cuillin Hills Hotel for a very good buffet lunch. Rested during the afternoon at Mary's before she brought in the supper again at 9-00pm. Because of the wet weather, did not take any photographs at all today.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No. 9)

noreply@blogger.com (Yates) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:10:00 -0800

June 2 ~ Went to the Aros Centre in Portree to do some shopping and have a snack before going on over the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh to get the ticket for the submersible boat trip on Monday. Up until recently, the Skye Bridge had a very heavy toll charge, but after a vigorous campaign by locals and visitors alike, the bridge is now free of toll altogether. Weather not too bad, warm with sunshine and showers. In the evening again went to the Ferry Inn for a meal before returning to Earlish and the usual supper of homemade cakes and pancakes and cups of tea.