A bit of peace and quiet ...

I wrote way back in February about my regular lunchtime walks (http://outofmeed.blogspot.com/2008/02/weird-japanese-guy.html if you're interested ...) but thought I'd tell you a bit more about one of my regular lunchtime haunts, Southwark Cathedral.

The cathedral is found on the south bank of the river Thames, just to the right of London Bridge - a short 5 minute walk from my office. I like that it doesn't cost me £10 to get in, (Unlike St Pauls!) and that you can just sit and not be bothered.

Quick bit of history about the cathedral ... It has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,000 years, but a cathdral since 1905. The present building is mainly Gothic, built and rebuilt from between 1220 and 1420. William Shakespeare buried his brother, Edmund there in 1607, and the Cathedral contains a 19th century large stained glass window dedicated to William, depicting scenes from all of the plays he wrote, at the base of the which is a statue of a reclining William Shakespeare holding a quill.

And much more interestingly ... The Southwark Choir performed the 'Mr Bean' theme song, and parts of the Doctor Who episode 'The Lazarus Experiment' take place at Southwark Cathedral. (But, although the exterior appears, the interior shots were filmed at Wells Cathedral - so disappointing loads of school children when they visit Southwark Cathedral!).

My favourite bit though is the Harvard Chapel, named after the same Harvard who endowed the US university. John Harvard was born in Southwark in 1607, a butcher's son, and was baptised in St Saviour's (As the cathedral is 'properly' known) - the relevant entry, with his father's signature, is in the Cathedral register (And is on display by the chapel.)

The chapel originally the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, but its modern reconstruction was paid for with funds given by members of Harvard University. The s stained glass window was donated by a Harvard graduate, and then American Ambassador to London, Mr Choate in 1905. He was present at its official unveiling on 22 May 1905. The window depicts the baptism of Christ and the arms of Emmanuel College Cambridge, which John Harvard attended, and Harvard University.

That's the history out the way, why do I like it? I like the chapel as it's quiet. There a massive, thick, what looks like oak, door which blocks out the majority of noise from the rest of the church. I have a favourite seat on the back row right next to a wall which means I'm out of sight, and can lean against something (I have fallen asleep in there a couple of times!). After a morning in a noisy office, 30 minutes of quiet in the chapel is much needed.

Occasionally I sit in the main body of the church, and whilst having my bit of peace and quiet, watch the people lighting candles. They fall into different groups - Some would come in very forcefully and light their candle with great purpose, whilst others would sneak in and self-conciously light their candle and then sneak out again, as if they were afraid someone would notice them and question why they were there.

I often light candles there for friends and family, though freely admit I don't know if I'm doing it 'right'. By my logic, I'm doing it right as it's how I want to do it - I'll light the candle and think about whomever it's for, and that's enough for me.

Candle light is nice ... Especially when you look closely and see that the light is coming out of the darkness ... Hmm ... Germ of a song there?