Lent Pilgrimage

See you at Denver Church (not Downham Market – that’s where we’re walking to next) at 10am this Thursday

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Now online: National Gallery Technical Bulletin

Newly digitised Technical Bulletin archive makes the Gallery’s groundbreaking research available online, free.

The Technical Bulletin archive provides insight into the Gallery’s scientific research

X-ray machines, infrared cameras, microscopes and mass-spectrometers might not be the first things that come to mind when people think about the National Gallery. However, they are essential to the research of the Scientific and Conservation departments, who work behind the scenes to investigate and preserve paintings in the collection.

Their vital research is charted in the National Gallery Technical Bulletin, which – since its launch in 1977 – has achieved a leading position in documenting the scientific examination of paintings. Previously only available in print form or by subscription, the digitisation of all 32 volumes of the Bulletin allows a wider audience to access unique research at the Gallery.

Over 200 articles can now be downloaded free from the Gallery’s website. They provide insight into the materials and methods used by artists historically, the conservation and treatment of paintings, and how 21st-century scientific techniques can shed light on artworks of the past. Other articles deal with preventive conservation and digital documentation of paintings. 

Online publication of the journal enables articles to be accompanied by high-resolution images and easily browsable indexes. Ashok Roy, Editor of the Technical Bulletin and Director of Science, described the digitisation of the Bulletin as a “spectacular achievement”:

“The online archive will be a lasting beacon to the Gallery’s leading research presence in this subject. It will be an invaluable resource for specialists and students working in the field, as well as general readers keen to broaden their knowledge of Old Master paintings.”

About the Technical Bulletin

The National Gallery Technical Bulletin was launched in 1977. It is a peer-review journal, edited by Ashok Roy, the Gallery’s Director of Science. The Bulletin is published annually and widely regarded as essential reading for conservators, conservation scientists, art historians, collectors and curators. In 2009, the Technical Bulletin’s 30th anniversary was marked by a special edition and a conference held at the National Gallery.

Future issues of the Technical Bulletin will appear both in print and online. A selection of past volumes can still be purchased in print at the National Gallery shop.

Browse the Technical Bulletin archive
Browse the archives using the indexes: artist index, author index, volume index

Now online: National Gallery Technical Bulletin | News | National Gallery, London

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ELY CATHEDRAL BUSINESS GROUP – LAUNCHED!

Launching the newly formed Ely Cathedral Business Group, at a Reception at Ely Cathedral on Thursday 23rd February, Tom Green, the Group’s Chairman, said:

Ely Cathedral Business Group believes that there is a strong correlation between the health of the business sector, and the wellbeing of the communities in which those businesses operate. Our purpose is to explore this relationship, and strengthen the correlation. We want to help businesses succeed and make our communities stronger. We set out to do this against the backdrop of global economic crisis where we are bombarded daily with more gloom and doom, and stories of bad business practice resulting in weaker communities. This is as true for High Street retailers, service and manufacturing company’s in small communities, as it is for the UK, Greek, European and global communities. This correlation works equally with bad business, where the weakness and ill health of the business sector and economy is reflected in poverty and distress of the local community.

As a business person, and a believer in this correlation, I am horrified by simplistic suggestions in the media and from other opinion formers that capitalism has failed. But at the same time, I am equally horrified by the appalling examples of greed & recklessness which have resulted in this perception. A cursory glance at the newspapers, or TV news can easily leave one with the impression that the ‘pursuit of profit’ means greed, so is bad; debt is bad; and that to receive a bonus is tantamount to receiving stolen goods. I have even heard suggestion that democracy, the very bedrock of our free society, has failed and that control of our economy would be better in the hands of unelected centralized bureaucrats. – What a series of frightening misunderstandings!

GOOD & BAD CAPITALISM
Capitalism is no more Good or Bad, than Medicine. But just as it is possible to have good or bad medicine, so it is with Capitalism. Like democracy, capitalism is not a perfect system, but it is the best we have, and it is our job to make it work: We need, proudly & confidently, to describe, celebrate and promote GOOD CAPITALISM We need to acknowledge, root out and eliminate BAD CAPITALISM The key word for GOOD CAPITALISM is SUSTAINABILITY – or as the Oxford English Dictionary defines it, “the ability to keep going continuously”. Which crucially, and by definition, cannot be measured on a short-term basis. Good Capitalism is the means by which we manage sustainable economic growth in our communities making it possible, in spite of the inevitable peaks and troughs of the economic cycle, to invest more in welfare & public services including health and education. Good Capitalism relies on Good Debt as an enabler of economic growth. Good debt is modest in proportion to the capital which it supports, and carries an interest cost and repayment programme which can prudently be met in view of likely business performance over the term of the debt. Good Capitalism also depends on rewards for success (which may be called bonuses). Good bonuses are objective rewards for value created, measured & paid against defined criteria, and over an appropriate timescale. A positive “bonus culture” is a good thing, and is one where fair rewards are recognised as being earned. These kind of descriptions have been sadly absent from the examples of corporate failure which we all know so much about today.

WHERE BETTER?
In seeking to explore & strengthen the correlation between the health of the business sector and the well being of communities, ECBG considers it a priority to describe, celebrate and promote good capitalism and, thereby, to help correct the misconceptions that I have just mentioned. And what better place to be doing it than in and around ELY Cathedral? Where better to gather local business people together to promote their goods and services and to learn from one another? Where better to discuss the ethics and morals of modern business practice? Where better to look for ways of helping our communities? Where better to consider sustainability, than in one of the world’s most magnificent buildings which has stood in its’ current form since the 1400’s and where the earlier Abbey and Monastery date back over 1300 years to the year 673? The global economic crisis, which commenced in 2008, has launched an unprecedented period of change for all of us. The ECBG want to participate constructively in that change. This is not a naval gazing process, it is about working together to find practical ways to make things better. We want to observe the “ripple effect” – of ideas, initiatives and relationships formed here – impacting further afield – in Cambridgeshire, in our nation and in the big wide world about us….

A CALL TO ACTION
What does all this mean in practice, and how do these words and ideas become actions? We want to engage with as many businesses and business people as we can – large businesses and small, from all sectors and from right across our local area. We acknowledge that, in the current economic climate, many businesses are struggling, and also that smaller businesses, (upon which so much of our local economy and community depends) have fewer resources than larger companies and thus less ability to engage. But still we want them all involved –– we want Thursday 31st May 2012 to be a day that local business people remember: A day when they spent the afternoon & evening in the breath-taking and awe inspiring space of Ely Cathedral, in the company of hundreds of other local business people A day when, free of charge, they exhibited & promoted their company’s products and services, and were able to visit and learn from other exhibiting business people A day when good business was celebrated, when they were inspired by what they saw and heard, and made to feel proud of their own contribution A day of valuable time, well invested, with tangible benefits arising from new relationships A day of encouragement, reassurance and a spur to action

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AT THE CELEBRATION RECEPTION IN MAY
Charlie Mayfield – Chairman of John Lewis Partnership, Chairman of UK Commission for Employment & Skills Rt Reverend Stephen Conway – Bishop of Ely Little did I know, back in August last year, when I asked Charlie Mayfield to be our key note speaker, that today the John Lewis Partnership would be being promoted by the Deputy Prime Minister as the model for our nation’s economy. Charlie’s talk is entitled Health, Wealth & Happiness – where does it come from? Exploring the role played by business in the wellbeing of communities, and he says “One of the guiding principles of the John Lewis Partnership is our responsibility to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities in which we trade. I therefore warmly welcome the opportunity provided by Ely Cathedral to contribute to this Celebration of Business”. Stephen Conway, the Bishop of Ely, will speak on Church, Capitalism & Community – conflict or co-operation, and he says “I am delighted that our Cathedral is sponsoring this Celebration of Business, welcoming everyone, from all faiths and none, into this magnificent building. Just as the Cathedral stands at the centre of our community, so does the role of business. This is our opportunity to encourage good business, and especially the positive contribution it makes to our lives”.

CELEBRATING BUSINESS FOR A WEEK IN MAY
The week, from Friday 25th to Thursday 31st May is designated as a Celebration of Business in Ely Cathedral. Free of charge, businesses are invited to erect their stands in the Cathedral on Friday 25th, and leave them there all week. Clearly for most of the time the stands will be un-manned, but on Thursday 31st May, from 2 O’Clock onwards we want maximum representation – this is the main Business to Business event, for promotion and networking, and it will lead seamlessly into the evening Celebration of Business reception, during which, helped by wine and delicious food, we will listen to Charlie Mayfield and the Bishop. Whilst encouraged to have their stands in the Cathedral all week, businesses are most welcome to come just for Thursday 31st May, setting up during the morning.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ELY CATHEDRAL BUSINESS GROUP: Visit www.elycathedralbusinessgroup.org

TO BOOK YOUR: • FREE EXHIBITION SPACE • ATTENDANCE AT THE CELEBRATION RECEPTION Visit www.elycathedralbusinessgroup.org and complete the online application form.

Tom Green is Chairman of the Ely Cathedral Business Group, Chief Executive of Spearhead International Ltd, and a Lay Member of the Chapter of Ely Cathedral.

Filed under: Uncategorized, Bishop of Ely, Cambridgeshire, cathedral, Debt, Ely, Ely Cathedral, John Lewis Partnership, Keynote

Youngster Enhancement Service (YES) – PAKISTAN Fostering Friendship and Enhancing Capacities Through concrete and lively activities at grassroots level

BIshop Rafiq Masih, whom I met at the Lambeth Conference, has now retired as Bishop of Hyderabad, and writes as follows about his new project:

I am now involved with an NGO with the name of Ecumenical Association for Community Development and Research (non-profit) registered with the Government in Societies Act of 1860 to undertake and initiate all community development programs and projects addressing human rights, capacity building, leadership/discipleship development, education for youth, community empowerment by establishing social groups, and mobilizing communities to work themselves for their development, health related issues including HIVAIDS, mother & child, disaster response by responding immediately to any disaster and peace building process by promoting peace and solidarity. EACDR is to serve, developing youth and build relationships, and to bringing together to promote Peace and Interfaith Harmony by ecumenical formation.

We are seeking seed money for this new ministry. Please find attached one of our proposal and budget for your prayers. Please also share and ask your friends to pray.
Every blessing,

Bishop Rafiq Masih
Chairman/Founder
Ecumenical Association for Community Development and Research
B-40, Shairf Square
Hussainabad, Hyderabad
Pakistan
0092-332-2034006

Details are below the fold

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Ely Schools Bulletin 27th February

Our latest bulletin can be found at: http://ely.anglican.org/education/schools/documents/27February2012.pdf

As well as all our usual items,

• There is still time to book for our Church School Leaders’ conference – if you want to book a place, please contact me before close of play on Tuesday (28th), as we need to finalise number with the venue.
• The second "Talking Education" dialogue takes place at the Michaelhouse Centre in Cambridge on Wednesday (29th). This event is free, and booking is not necessary. Trevor Cooling and Jonathan Bartley will be exploring the topic " Faith Formation in a Secular School".
• As we are now in Lent, we have started to receive materials from schools taking part in the Bishops’ Lent Challenge, and you can follow progress on our blog http://lentchallenge2012.wordpress.com/.
• We have details of the Keswick Hall lecture 2012 and the "Peaceful primary schools" conference, and news that has been sent in from our schools

kind regards,

Cathy Priestley

Schools Administrator/PA to Director of Education

Ely Diocesan Office

Bishop Woodford House

Ely

CB7 4DX

01353 652724

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St Bede’s Charity Concert

16th March at St Bede’s Inter-Church School, Cambridge; featuring Empire Nation and Roughshod theatre company. A night of awesome music and theatre in aid of Kabango School, Masindi, Uganda

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The Cost of the Beauty of Holiness

The Cost of the Beauty of Holiness The spiritual price of the visual tradition in the western church

Mr N. MacGregor O.M. (Director, British Museum)

Wednesday, 7 March: Painting for the Powerful?

Venue: Palmerston Room, The Fisher Building, St John’s College

Lectures are at 5 pm All Welcome

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Blue Labour – Red Tory

Here are links from Canon Alan Hargrave to a couple of articles which appeared in this month’s Third Way magazine by two very influential thinkers from the left & right of politics – Maurice Glasman (‘Blue Labour’ – who spoke at the Big Conversation) and Philip Blond (author of ‘Red Tory’). “I think they both address important issues about how the church might engage more creatively with the wider community in the light of the new political climate.”

http://www.thirdwaymagazine.co.uk/editions/mar-2012/high-profile/society-rules.aspx

http://www.thirdwaymagazine.co.uk/editions/mar-2012/high-profile/labour-pains.aspx

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Celebrate Early Music History’s 30th volume with FREE access to an anniversary selection

Early Music History recently published its 30th volume. To mark the occasion, Editor Iain Fenlon has chosen seven articles from the past three decades that highlight the journal’s breadth of coverage. CUP are delighted to offer you free access to his selection.*

Featured articles include:

• Songs and society in early Tudor London
  John Milsom

• Reading and singing: on the genesis of occidental music-writing Leo Treitler

• Production, consumption and political function of seventeenth-century opera Lorenzo Bianconi and Thomas Walker

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New opportunity for churches and schools to partner in heritage education

Government to put local heritage at the heart of the curriculum

The Education Secretary, Michael Gove, is to announce this week that he wants schoolchildren to get to know their local heritage and how it relates to the ‘story of England’. English Heritage is to receive £2.7m over three years from the Department for Education for delivering the Heritage Schools initiative, under which ‘heritage brokers’, experts in heritage education, will be recruited to work with schools. Their role will be to ensure that teachers understand the opportunities and potential of their local historic environment for delivering an engaging curriculum as a core part of the school timetable. Mr Gove believes that visiting and studying the physical remains of ‘the rich, controversial and thrilling story of England’ will inspire pupils, parents and teachers to delve further into ‘our rich island story, give children have a sense of pride in their local area, engage parents in their children’s learning and involve communities in the life of the school.

The proposal is the result of an independent review of cultural education led by Darren Henley, the managing director of Classic FM, due to be published this week. Darren Henley said: ‘It is vital that the schools have teachers who recognise the importance of cultural education within their schools and have the training, experience and tools to teach it to a high level. The impact great teachers and great teaching can have on a child’s engagement with cultural education should never be underestimated. Every day in schools across the country, life-changing moments happen for children because of the intervention of a dedicated teacher.’

Our Fellow Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: ‘Outside every school there is a rich history. In the high street, the housing estate, the park, riverside and field, every town, city and village is full of places in which significant events have taken place. We want every child, their parents and teachers to enjoy and take pride in the heritage of their local area and to understand the part it played in the rich story of England. Our Heritage Schools initiative will bring history to life both in the classroom and out of it, weaving it into the life of the community and endowing present and future generations of children with a vivid understanding of the place in which they grew up.”

English Heritage also said that ‘heritage brokers’ would seek partnerships with local heritage organisations in delivering the Heritage Schools initiative; those organisations could include a local church, archive, after-school history club, local history or archaeology society, civic society or museum. The aim would be to build lasting relationships between these organisations and local schools.

Related articles

• Education cash for historic sites (bbc.co.uk)
• Gove tells schools to think local in history lessons (guardian.co.uk)

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