The pond has not been the only thing occupying us this spring. One of the more unusual, but by no means unpleasant, events was a visit from the Bishop of Wakefield. Partner Stuart Beaumont, who looks after a portfolio of local churches amongst his other work, meets the Bishop from time to time at diocesan functions. However, it was the minister of our local church who asked if she could bring along the Bishop to have a look at our offices.
Why I had been expecting our guest to turn up in ‘mufti’ so to speak, I’m not really sure, but to be met by a man with a voice well used to piercing the far corners of a cathedral, and clad head to foot in purple, was something of a surprise. The Rt Revd Stephen Platten turned out to be not only a charming guest, but one with a keen knowledge of and clear views on contemporary architecture.
Having assured Stuart on arrival that he would only be able to stay for a few minutes, we were gratified when he was still with us three quarters of an hour later, arguing in detail the merits of the works of David Chipperfield and Sir Michael Hopkins (an example of which is Norwich Cathedral Refectory above). A little research in advance of the visit would have told me that, amongst his many works, Stephen has published a book on the Cathedrals and Abbeys of England; not something you do without a fair degree of interest in our field of work.
No comments:
Post a Comment