Dear Sheddists,
last week we visited Lichfield Cathedral just as the final touches were being added to their forthcoming, 'Imagine Peace' exhibition.
We pass rows and rows of trees in pots surrounding the Cathedral. One thousand nine hundred and eighteen of them to be precise. They symbolize the end of the First World War and the regrowth of woodlands at the Somme and the Western Front. Out of conflict hope returns.
There are lots more art installations inside, some created by local school-children and uniformed groups, others by Peter Walker, the Cathedral's artist-in-residence. There are long scarves wrapped around stone pillars and knitted hats, all part of a piece called 'Make do and mend'. Poignant letters to the 'front-line' have been written by children and pinned to an enormous board.
Nearby there's a bed covered in a brightly coloured patch-work quilt. It represents the power of dream. Seemingly by chance a set of ladders has been placed close to the bed, no doubt to help assemble the remainder of the installation. It brings to mind thoughts of Jacob's ladder and his wrestling match with God.
The two most poignant encounters lie ahead, however.
The first is a lovely white-haired lady cleaning wax from a pew candle-holder. She's caught in a shaft of sunlight from the windows overhead. We stop to chat and she tells us of her service in the Cathedral. There's a twinkle in her eye and the depth of her love is clear to all.
The second is an exhibit called, 'Buttons', constructed around the statue of 'The Sleeping Children' by Francis Chantrey. The statue commemorates the death of two clergy daughters, the eldest by burns sustained when her nightie caught fire and the younger, just a year later, following an illness. Buttons are scattered on the floor to represent all the innocent children who died in war. They form a protective barrier around the two sleeping girls.
So much food for thought.
Yours as ever,
electrofried(mr)
Dear Sheddists,
at various points during the summer there were understandable doubts as to Villa's survival. A cash-flow crisis, the threat of administration and the potential exit of all our star players saw the club face fire on multiple fronts.
Fast forward a month or two and we now have two new owners, financial stability and the core of last year's team still in place. Of particular note, the transfer window closed with Super-Jack Grealish still ensconced in claret and blue, the new owners having made it clear he was not for sale.
An adequate performance at Hull on the opening day of the Championship season saw us secure three points and so to our first home game. Newly promoted Wigan put on a fine show in their own opening fixture and emerged with a very credible victory against Sheffield Wednesday. A decent challenge then for Villa.
We got off to an excellent start, capped by a marvelous free kick from new-boy, John McGinn, met with an equally effective header from James Chester. One nil up and it looked like an easy afternoon ahead. It was not to be. Miles Jedinak, playing out of position in Villa's back-line, gifted a goal to Wigan courtesy of a hospital back-pass to new keeper, Orjan Nyland. Nick Powell duly netted from Nyland's muffed clearance and the scores were level.
Worse still followed in the second half. Callum Connolly headed home for Wigan leaving Villa reeling on the ropes. But they dug in and in sharp contrast to last season refused to fold. After a period of sustained attack the equaliser came from a defensive error, Chey Dunkley netting in his own goal from a tricky McGinn corner.
And then, something almost unheard of in many a season, we bagged a last minute winner deep into injury time. Birkir Bjarnason got on the end of a Conor Hourihane cross and cue celebrations from an ecstatic Steve Bruce!!
It certainly wasn't our finest performance and Villa will need to play much better if we are to secure promotion at the third time of asking. However, there are promising signs on which to reflect. John McGinn, our new recruit from Hibs, played his socks off and for many was man of the match. He put on a skillful, feisty performance, never giving up on the ball and distributing telling passes with ease. Definitely one to watch. Jack Grealish was class and James Chester as unflappable as ever in defence.
With six points on the board after just two games (we took six to reach the same tally last year) there's a good foundation on which to build. A busy week lies ahead with two away fixtures - the first, mid-week against Yeovil in the League Cup and the second against Ipswich on Saturday.
Up the Villa!
yours as ever,
electrofried(mr)
