A weekend of contrasts!
I was fortunate to be asked, along with a great friend, to the Britain's Got Talent final in Wembley. I didn't know what to expect and am delighted to say that all my previous unfavourable suppositions have been utterly dashed.
Richard Holloway, our host, was fascinating to talk to and he really has done the most amazing job with BGT. Despite its fame and controversy, BGT is a traditional, kind hearted and fun talent show. Simon Cowell could not have been more encouraging or pleasant to people and during the breaks he and the other judges chatted, laughed and encouraged the performers and charmed the entire audience. David Walliams was equally amiable and Aleysha Dixon was delightful and Amanda Holden was refreshingly self deprecating. The quality of performances in the final was extremely high, the weakest in fact was one of the grown-ups who was a comedienne. Attraction, who won, gave an extremely moving performance, my favourite part being Churchill's famous words 'Keep Calm' being acted out in human form.
Boarstall Tower is an enchanted place nestled away in the midst of the verdant Oxfordshire countryside. It really is a felicitous picture; foursquare, embattled, moateD, Mediaeval, at the end of a short straight drive next to an ancient parish church. A large flat lawn to the rear of the building is the only clue to the real past of this little building. Boarstall Tower, as it is now, was the gatehouse to a huge rambling mansion, which is vanished.
Boarstall is home to Mr and Mrs Robert Dixon and they have filled it with fascinating things and have given life to this historic building. The Dixons have started recital series in the banqueting hall on the top floor, so it was to hear soprano Luci Briginshaw that I journeyed to sunny Boarstall. Her programme of art songs and other masterpieces was sublime and filled the ancient space.
Luci Briginshaw
The secret Mediaeval mini-castle is the perfect setting for chamber music. To get to the banqueting room one clime a twisting spiral staircase high up in the gatehouse. From this high vantage point one can imagine the sprawling mansion that once lay below this precious little building.
On shutting the front door under the high Gothic arch and walking over the moat I was out of this little dream land. I look forward to going back again!
For information on Boarstall please see:-
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/boarstall-tower/
No comments:
Post a Comment