November 2018

Remembrance Sunday: what is the value of remembering the past?

On Remembrance Sunday 2018 in the Tower of London around 10,000 candles were lit in the dry moat to remember those who fell in World War 1.

The event started with smoke drifting as in the battle fields of France.

A single flame was carried from the Tower. The flame was passed across the field, slowly the candles were lit to represent those who had fallen.

Eventually the whole Tower was circled with light. It was a moving display with the candle lighters creating shadows on the Tower walls like a tableau of soldiers in ‘no-mans land’ and haunting music was playing. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Feeling tired? Take this simple action to balance your energy

Remembrance Sunday for the end of World War I is this weekend. Personally I had not fully appreciated the scale of the losses and the impact on many communities. I was moved by a map of Newcastle which showed a red dot for each person who died. I was amazed at how many there were in each street. Some households must have lost father and sons. I cannot begin to imagine how you cope with such overwhelming losses.

The ‘Shrouds of the Somme’ exhibit by Rob Heard installed at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London conveys the scale of loss at the Battle of the Somme. There is a sea of shrouded dolls with each one representing an individual whose body was not found after the battle. The figures go on and on and is a poignant reminder of the impact of war. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Life is for living and enjoying

Everybody’s life has its ups and downs. Even in the hardest of lives you can take pleasure in small things.

In a the middle of a busy business day I stepped outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air. Unexpectedly I was given an amazing display of a hawk soaring and swooping in the sky.  I could feel the air rushing in his face and the power of his wings guiding the air current to send him soaring above the hills. It was exhilarating and energizing just to watch.

Of course the hawk was hunting totally oblivious to his audience.  He was doing it with such energy and elegance I am sure he was having a wonderful time. I had to smile at his prowess. read more

By Alison Wem, ago