Sound, light, colour…history

The Guards Chapel, London, England. Looking down the central aisle fitted with a deep blue carpet. Horizontal pews to wither side. Above the pews to the left and right, the Guard's colours hag from the wall. In the background the golden area of the chapel with altar.
The Guards Chapel, London was hit by a V-1 flying bomb in 1944.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018.

Thread Thirteen

From Buckingham Palace Road we turn onto Birdcage Walk, bypassing the tourists who have lined up along the gates to view the Guards. Instead of joining the onlookers we choose instead to visit the Guards Chapel, badly damaged by a V-1 flying bomb attack in 1944.

A cobalt blue, lit vase sits on a stone base.
Candlelight within a blue vase at the Guards Chapel, London.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018.

Smaller Chapels to the Guards Regiments line the one wall and two candlelights glow within blue vases informing us that a particular Guards Regiment is on active duty…a reminder that there is conflict somewhere in this world  that has taken these lads from home.

Along a brick wall a Victorian/Edwardian fountain near to a stone marker blocked by a black and red plastic recycle bin.
A black recycling bin blocks the view of a historical marker.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018.

A brisk walk across St. James’s Park follows and we then change course and head towards Piccadilly. All the while I search for a chance to find something new. This day is unusual, as we find the end words of a message on a wall about a garden commemorating a site hit by the destruction of an attack during the Blitz. I stand looking upon this part message and choose to move the large black plastic recycle bin blocking the view out of the way. In an instant all is revealed…we have discovered something new at a site I have walked by so many times.

The bin removed reveals a white tablet inscribed with details of a World War Two attack.
The bin set aside reveals the marker’s lettering informing those who pass by what this site has endured.
The bin was returned to its position.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018.

A few short steps later we walk amongst the vendors at Piccadilly Market. From leather belts, vinyl recordings, souvenirs to origami (one will feel there should be peace cranes here), and then open our eyes to Christopher Wren’s church, St. James’s Church, Piccadilly.

St. James's Church its steeple reaching skywards. Below and barely visible the tent covers of the market.
St. James’s Church, Piccadilly, London.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018.

A sign tells us that this site was also hit in the Blitz and badly damaged. Within the church we find three Great War Memorials, as the notes from a fine piano sail through the building. The pianist keeps this journey’s soundtrack in motion. The dance across the keyboard, is thoughtful – classical – perfect…as movement after movement…leads us on our live documentary.

Inside St. James's Church a pianist plays at a Grand piano as light streams through the stained glass. The pianist plays in the altar area. It is a large area and one hopes that you can imagine the notes rising and falling within this space.
Light, colour and sound at St. James’s Church, London.
P. Ferguson image, August 2018.

All here today listen, the tourist, the resident, the unfortunate as the light passing through the coloured glass adds accent to the notes that rise and fall. We stand within the church’s history…a people’s history…as the palette changes with the sun’s movement and notes fade away to sleep…

——-SNIP——-

Previously published Pipes of War website, 17 August 2018