Day: 18 October 2017 - The world of Brian Snellgrove

So, we leave the Methodist centre (see previous entry). There is a nice reward here. If you give your name and e-mail to be kept in touch, you can return as many times as you want within a year. For £6 (£5) entry that is not too bad, as we English say in our understated way.

Bristol is a place that you can never tire of, if even remotely interested in architecture or quirky creativity. See my numerous previous entries by typing in ‘Bristol’ in the search box on the top right of this page.

an old passage that has seen many centuries

half a pig…. don’t ask

And now to ‘hugs in my life’, part 2. We sat in the central area see image. Next to us was a young lady of Swedish origin if I got my accents right. She was about 22 and was talking to a slim young student type and asking him, of all things, if he wanted some lipstick (as you do).
Across the way, some school boys were kicking a foot ball across an area of water in front of the building (The Science Museum). Inevitably the ball landed in the water. The boys tried to fish it out using long objects, but unsuccessfully. The girl joked ‘ just get your shoes and socks off and get it. It’s only water. I disappeared to try and find a long plank of wood but meanwhile she had done just that, walked over and rescued the ball.

Anyway, me being me, we chatted about the English and how backward they are in some ways, the fear of being thought stupid etc. I said ‘the ball is in the water so you just get it out’. There is no ethics here. No one to blame. No harm done. She laughed and as I turned to leave to see the movie she said ‘have a good rest of your day’. I said, ‘now you have a good afternoon, evening, week, year, lifetime’. For some reason she found this very funny and she said ‘I am going to give you a hug’ which she did, then she hugged Francoise. The young man saw this and said ‘I want some of this’ so bless him this young man came and gave someone who was old enough to be his grandfather a lovely hug, and repeated it to Francoise. So sweet and I was so touched. Off to the Watershed, quality cinema among the Odeons of this world (no disrespect).

This establishment is a really cool place. Adjacent is a social area bar etc where people can have small meetings apart from the usual bar, coffee etc.

Buzz

you can write what you think about the films (expand to read)

one caught my eye in particular

We were the first in the cinema and enjoyed the social service announcements scrolled on the screen.

our own private show

this cinema caters for people with brains.

and edgy too

The cinema soon filled up to about 90% capacity. Blessed be we did not have crisp and popcorn eaters. The patrons respected the movie and sat in silence all through. This exquisitely crafted film was the result of 120 artists hand drawing or painting 62,500 pictures which were put together like cartoons in the old days. If I could give this film 11 out of 10 then I would. So sensitive and just plain beautiful (mixed metaphors there). A great end to the day.

Off to stroll through the entertainment area to the bus station. We entered to the sound of a tinkling piano. One of these ‘play me’ ideas. very good. We talked to the man after he finished. He is a part time teacher and loves to play to others whenever he can. Three of us spontaneously came forward and thanked him. He has a broad smile or a face that always smiles.

Sitting on the top deck of the bus to Street. A drunk female comes up the stairs, bum half hanging out with a tall chap slobbering over her, voice too loud. We move forward out of the way. Ride through the dark countryside. Fog. Autumn is here.

Monday 17 October 1664

….Thence to my office doing some business, but it being very cold, I, for fear of getting cold, went early home to bed, my wife not being come home from my Lady Jemimah, with whom she hath been at a play and at Court to-day.

I wonder if was damp as well as cold. It was after all only October.

*****

well, that’s honest …only in Bristol…which is actually quite an edgy and cool city

yes, and…..?

In today’s special Bristol edition – visit to our buffet – visit the world’s oldest Methodist building – walking around a shopping mall – another unexpected hug – review of ‘Loving Vincent’ – the pianist in the bus station – drunk bus passengers on the 376

*****

Trivial matters first.

The all-you-can-eat buffet the Cosmo did not let us down. It is within reach of two art galleries and with easy connection to the centre of Bristol by many buses (unless you like climbing steep hills). I again remind newcomers to the buffet scene – the connoisseur will case the joint before selecting any food. The ratio of excellence between the starters including salad, the main courses and the sweet course will show you how much room you allocate to each. There is no need to rush and fill your plate with all manner of things at one go. Take your time and make several visits. The dirty plates are normally taken away whilst you visit the food.

depleted supplies – get there early

Bear in mind – the management do not want to waste food and so do not plan on replenishing the lunch tureens much after 1.30 pm. The best idea is to get there about 12.30 – after the first rush and before the food supplies have become depleted otherwise your choice will be limited. This particularly applies to fish for some unknown reason.

*****

Edmund Burke 1729-1797

The centre of Bristol seems to be a permanent building site / road works. For the last three years the road system has been subject to one type of repair or renovation after another.
I did notice a rather fine sculpture of Edmund Burke, an MP for Bristol in 1774-1778. The words on the foundation stone ‘I wish to be a member of parliament to have my share of doing good and resisting evil’ were theoretically impressive and noble, but he had to answer charges that he neglected his constituency.

very impressed by the ‘in your face’ challenge to us about how we look at ‘different’ people

So on to the one and only John Wesley the founder of Methodism (don’t forget his brother Charles). The oldest Wesleyan church and building has had a massive renovation courtesy of some very generous philanthropists, and the National Lottery. What a shining example of good design which any gallerist(?) or exhibitor would benefit from visiting irrespective of their interest in religions.

the entrance 36 The Horsefair BS1 3JE 0117 926 4740 open 10.30 -4pm. use Ctrl and + to enlarge

John Wesley on his famous horse (or one of them)

250,000 miles is scarcely believable but then are so many aspects of his life (enlarge to read)

the original chapel – benches were used. The pews are a recent addition.

Through the back behind the pulpit, an extra building has been constructed. It consists of meetings rooms (smaller), a bookshop, a small coffee bar, and an extension of the upstairs rooms which have been so cleverly converted into a top class quality museum. I am so frustrated at this point knowing what photographs to leave out, so for the majority you are just going to have to go along and see for yourself. but meanwhile here is a taster.

one of his most famous observations

I can’t remember the typeface but it is absolutely spot on. Traditional yet dynamic. By the way, did you know that the term ‘Methodism’ was originally a term of ridicule.

read on (enlarge to read)

an engraving

Visitors are offered a most up to date and ingenious way of using the recorded voice DIY Guide. You just point the device at the icon and it recognizes where you are and starts speaking. No numbers to press.