Jonathan Briggs: Mistletoe Matters

Photograph © Jonathan Briggs

There was a feeling of warmth and friendship as 89 members and guests arrived at Linden House for our Christmas lunch. We were welcomed by seasonal music, played on the piano by Simon Bott, the Linden House manager. The hall was seasonally decorated in red and green and there were fresh, evergreen arrangements on the tables, made by committee members. Candles were lit, crackers were pulled and everyone was served a delicious Christmas meal.

 

Feeling replete and mellow after a glass of wine, the audience sat back to listen to the guest speaker, Jonathan Briggs, talking about mistletoe. He was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable expert on the subject and told us about the mysteries of mistletoe, illustrated by a presentation showing its cultivation and harvest. It is found growing widespread in the Midlands, as there are still many apple orchards here.The simplistic shape of the leaves and the white berries have sometimes inspired Art Nouveau artists; Lalique is a good example.

In the past, druids and pagans believed mistletoe to have magical properties involving life and fertility as well as healing powers, hence the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe!Although many viewed it suspiciously, perhaps because the plant grows parasitically upon apple and oak trees, the tradition of bringing mistletoe into the house at Christmas has continued.

Jonathan was thanked for his informative talk as were the Linden House staff for an excellent lunch which was enjoyed by all.

I hope you all had a good Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Hilary and Ian Templeton: Pictures in Harmony

Ian and Hilary Templeton

Pictures in Harmony.

When Ian and Hilary Templeton retired a few years ago, they decided they needed a worthwhile hobby to share together. Hilary took up photography and Ian, who already had an interest in music, combined their hobbies to create Pictures in Harmony.

This collaboration combines artistic photos of their travels with anecdotes and background music, to entertain and amuse the audience. Their aim is to raise funds in aid of the Air Ambulance and to date almost £30,000 has been donated.

During their hour-long presentation, we were shown a miscellany of photos and photo montages from around the world.  Ian with his gentle, lilting, Scottish accent narrated whilst the complementary soundtrack played in the background.

First to be shown was Chicago City whilst Frank Sinatra crooned his version of the song Chicago. This was followed by a tour of Austria with its beautiful mountainous and verdant scenery accompanied by a track from The Sound of Music. Next we enjoyed photos of Akaroa in New Zealand where Ian and Hilary had visited a quirky, colourful garden which was bursting with numerous mosaics covering paths, walls, pots, animal shapes and just about every other surface imaginable! Ian then recited Smuggler's Song by Rudyard Kipling while showing pictures of a smugglers' cove in Cornwall. Then it was on to Loch Lomond and the Isle of Inchcailloch. They concluded with an animated version of the romance between a pink and a blue toothbrush to the tune originally sung by Max Bygraves .

The presentation was humorous and very cleverly done. So much was included in such a short space of time; we thoroughly enjoyed it.