.jpg)
Our guide was Mark Steeds, pub landlord and member of the Radical History Group, so it wasn't long before we were immersed in the story of the slave trade and its eventual abolition, in which episode the pub 'The Seven Stars' played an important role.
Here's Mark explaining how the Reverend Thomas Clarkson came to the pub in 1787 and started to put together evidence later passed onto William Wilberforce to support the Act for the Abolition of Slavery. In order to do this dangerous work, Clarkson, an educated gentleman, disguised himself as a miner. So tenacious was her that Coleridge described him as 'the Moral Steam-Engine, or the Giant with one idea'.
After the Seven Stars, we made our way to Redcliff Quay, where we saw a beautiful sculpture entitled 'Exploration'. It's one of several celebrations of our sea-faring heritage, though I have to say that this is probably my favourite. The obelisk part is by Philippa Threlfall and is called 'The Unknown Deep'. It's topped by a steel armillary sphere which functions as a sundial.

Then to Castle Park for a potted history of the mediaeval centre of our city, so tragically lost one full moon in November 1942. The trees were starting to smoulder today, almost 70 years later, as if in remembrance.
Peter Randall-Page's sculpture 'Beside the Still Waters', with temporary installation of fallen leaves, and King Street with rainbow.
.jpg)
that light was something, wasn't it? -love that first photo!
ReplyDelete