Easter Memories

[Alan Marsden]

Bill R. thanks for your reflections, however, I don't see how one can assume that Canada has a more politically sophisticated population, take a look at the federal government that we voted into office !
Alan M

("There ain't no such thing as a free lunch ". - Libertarian slogan - Robert A Heinlein - The moon is a harsh mistress,1907

[Alan Marsden]

It's interesting to note how the Easter subject has diversed, I guess rocketmanjohn is responsible telling us about his mamoth four weeks holiday, better watch out you school teachers, your being caught up!
I note that Martin mentions rolling eggs (painted pace eggs I assume), in Avenham Park! What splendid memories I used to have of that gorgeous park and it's sister Miller Park. The school dance and singing performances in the valley for the 52 Guild, walking along the top walk there adjacent the Park Hotel with the awesome views right over the Pennines, the lovely Aviary and fountain , people walking the parks well dressed in their 'Sunday best',the brass bands playing in the stand, and the beautiful wooden footbridge and intriguing rock gardens resplendant with multitudes of goldfish !
On visiting Preston in 89 I took my wife one afternoon to see the sights !
In Miller park the aviary had closed, I believe it was boarded up, the gardens looked flower bare,the fountain had rubbish in it, the large flower pots on top walk were knocked over,and upon walking thru to Avenham park we observed a decimated rock garden who's sole visitor was a gentleman holding a large fishing net and two large plastic buckets and he was collecting Goldfish !
Could this be the keeper of the park ? I think not, when I ran to the 'locked up' park keepers house for assistance, the "gentleman" with his buckets of fish departed at great haste in the opposite direction, his appearance gave rise to the notion that 'Avenham Goldfish Madras', courtesy of the Parks department could be for supper !!
Alan M
(' Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community" - Anthony J. D'Angelo )

[Karen]

I spent almost every lunch time of my school life in Avenham Park.
I was at Winckley Square and we either had to walk in a crocodile through the park or if we had a cool nun, we were allowed to sit or to play in the valley.

I took my family to the park for The Third Declaration of the 1992 Guild.
There was also a concert and light show, by the Phil(I think) and The Marines band .. great stuff, the finale was the 1812 Overture .. with cannon of course.
We were on a high for the next two days.

My youngest daughter and I walked along Avenham Terrace and then back to Winckley Square, through the park last Fall ... it wasn't quite as spendid as it used to be but seemed to be well used by walkers, joggers and strollers .. so maybe it's coming back to life.

Ciao Karen.

[Alan Marsden]

Karen, thanks for the good news , I hope that you are right. When last in Blackpool I thought that it too had improved considerably !
Winckley square is a lovely place ,the surrounding Georgian buildings adding to its grace. When at school ( Preston Tech 51-53 ), I used to walk thru the square each week as we used the changing rooms at the Harris Art school when on Wednesday's we played soccer or cricket after running thru Avenham park and over the Tram bridge to the playing fields. The 1812 would have sounded great in the park setting !
My interest in classical music can be attributed to the Liverpool Phil.,as we used to attend school concerts given by the Phil. and the Halle, at the Public hall.
The last time I heard the 1812 was at the Ontario place performance of the Toronto symphony.
Two years ago, we took our visitors from Preston to the Toronto Symphony for a performance of 'The Last night of the Proms', complete with 'land of hope and glory', Jerusalem, etc, needless to say we were appropriately dressed in 'Union Jack' attire !
Alan M

[noel]

We get a "last night at the proms" here every New Year's Eve Alan. It's usually an orchestra assmbled from musicians at a lose end from the northern orchestras, Halle, Royal Liverpool Phil etc. 3 years ago the did the 1812 and the cannons they sounded so realistic it was unbelievable. Guild Hall by the way.

[Karen]

Some more of the concert story.

We had all been issued with huge white garbagebag like rain gear ... the hood part was a corner of the 'bag' and there was a hole for our faces to peek through ... my lot(including me) put our's on when we were waiting in the stands before the show started,.. we looked like the KKK and removed them as soon as every one around us had finished with the 'photo op'!!

It had been raining hard all day and had only stopped just before we reached the park.
The ground was very wet and muddy ... the Conductor appeared to a thunderous applause grinning from ear to ear, dressed in his immaculate evening dress and wearing a pair of green wellies with his pants tucked in!!

When we got to the 'Land of Hope and Glory' bit, we were the only ones bobbing .....
with all the dignitaries around us looking down their noses at the antics of the uncouth 'North Americans' .....the maestro turned around quietened the orchestra .. pointed up to us and said "They've got it .. you can all follow them"!!!
Our 15 seconds(didn't run to minutes) of fame!!

Ciao Karen.

[rocketmanjohn]

Karen, I was also on the park for the concert and I also remember the green wellies. It was the London Phil, I think, but you did'nt mention the choreographed fireworks to the 1812, the best I've ever seen, the hair stood up on the back of my neck. It was very noisy and thoroughly enjoyable, it was my grand daughters first time in England and she sat on my knee, and slept through the entire show.
John

[Karen]

John, I can still feel the tingle ... it was THE best anyone could ever experience ... we were literally on a high for days.
I didn't say too much because it is so hard to put that much emotion and feeling into words ... 'You had to be there'!!!

Remember the laser panther - creeping across the band stand?
The fire works were so impressive 'cos they were right overhead, everyone had a grand stand seat.
How on earth could that little girl sleep through that?!!!!
I guess you were excused from bobbing, that might have wakened her!!
Did you try your KKK mac?! ....I still have mine and the
Matthew's Ale cushion off of my seat.

We travelled back to Leyland on the train ... it was delayed - then when it finally arrived and while we were all sitting there waiting for it to move .. a whole bunch of cops came running on to the platform .. we thought the worst .. but it turned out to be this young guy on his stag night .. his lovely friends had thrown him out of the train at each station .. completely naked!!
I had to yell at a policeman to get out of the way .. he was blocking my view .. much to my kids amusement, he obliged!!!

A night to remember.

Ciao Karen

[rocketmanjohn]

Yes Karen, I remember the laser light show, this kind of thing was in its infancy then even though its only 11 years ago, very tame by todays standards, but it impressed me. That night I parked the rental car at 'The Continental', had a quick pint, and walked to the show along the river bank, it was a really nice walk and its sad to hear things have been neglected. No, my KKK outfit is long gone, and would have been a bit risky bringing it home, that sort of thing is still all too real in the deep south. I still have a miniature bottle of 'Guild Ale'though.
John

[Karen]

Oops .. forgot where you lived John, or I wouldn't have asked!

I don't remember being given a mini bottle of ale .. maybe my son knows something about that!!!!!

Ciao Karen.