HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
December 31, 2011
CAMILLA, DUCHESS OF CORNWALL: FINALLY AND AT LONG LAST! BRAVO!! I agree completely
I think we can now move on. Oh my goodness, it has been a long and rocky road! But I think we are back on track! FINALLY. I really like the Duchess of Cornwall; she brings out the best in Prince Charles who looks to her for that much needed “common touch” which the Duchess has in abundance. Enjoy the photos.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
DAVID BECKHAM HIGHLIGHTS HIS FAVORITE PIE AND MASH SHOP
I have been to this PIE AND MASH SHOP with my friend Maureen Walker. I agree with David Beckham.
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Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
WAR HORSE: MY EXPERIENCE *** HATS OFF TO SPIELBERG and to JOEY and to young ALBERT — Amazing talent!
After weeks of anticipation and following the progress of the film, Mrs. Moore and I joined a group of our friends to see WAR HORSE last night–with great expectations. I knew the story because I have seen the play in London, but I was truly enthralled watching this visual masterpiece. There were moments during the film when I was so filled with emotion that I thought I would have to leave the theater. I was either as tense as a rope-tied feather bed or as happy as tears can express. I don’t think I have ever sat through a film of 2 1/2 hours where no one moved, no one said a word, and no one even wiped away their tears. It is a strong drama suitable for young people 12 and over–not because of any “twisted” elements, but because of the level of tense drama. The photography was unbelievable, and the sets were magnificent–just as I would expect from the genius Spielberg. The “barbed wire” scene where Joey is trapped is one of the moments the audience was allowed a bit of comic relief but also the moment where the producer makes sure you have caught the theme of his film. The only downside was Tom Hiddleston’s performance; I thought he was weak and not right for the part. He is more suited to his role in CRANFORD where he was brilliant. MY RECOMMENDATION: DON’T MISS THIS FILM; YOU WILL NOT FORGET THE EXPERIENCE. I think it is Spielberg at his best.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
December 30, 2011
URBAN EXPLORER (London with Kids): TOP TEN THINGS TO DO WITH CHILDREN OVER THE NEW YEARS WEEKEND
Check out their website; it has a complete list of weekend activities. Also, you may wish to support this worthwhile organization whose focus is CHILDREN ACTIVITIES,
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
LONDON EYE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE — Heads up!
THE LONDON EYE will be closed for annual maintenance from 7 January until 20 January. Plan accordingly to avoid being disappointed.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
December 29, 2011
“ANNUS HORRIBILIS” (1992) REPLACED BY “ANNUS MIRABILIS” (2011-2012)
Twenty years ago, I suffered through the intense attacks on the Queen and on the institution of the monarchy. I was in England much of that year with friends and with my older children, and I began to think people had gone mad. I read the papers and often found myself “furious” and wishing I had an opportunity to tell Mr. Murdoch what I thought of him. The events of the year further devastated the Queen: the collapse of Diana and Charles’ marriage, the Duchess of York’s behavior, and the great fire in Windsor Castle. The Queen must have thought the world was coming down on her. She was absolutely correct when she spoke at the Lord Mayor’s Luncheon at Guildhall in November 1992 and described her year as an ANNUS HORRIBILIS. We have all had moments when someone says something, causing you to say to yourself: ”THAT IS EXACTLY CORRECT–they’ve hit the nail on the head.” That is exactly what I felt when the Queen spoke at that luncheon in November 1992 at Guildhall. That is 20 years ago now, and the Queen’s awareness and shrewd calculations guided her to somewhat reinvent herself to face a harsher, less forgiving public. In many ways, this insightful Queen made changes more quickly than did her advisors who were still fighting old battles while the Queen went on to more purposeful leadership. Read some of the words from her speech at Guildhall in 1991:
It is now the “ANNUS MIRABILIS.” It is NEW YEARS 2011-2012, and like the god JANUS, we have the ability to review in our minds the great events of 2011 while anticipating 2012. Today, with a great sigh of relief, we see a very diffierent public who have begun to talk about THE AGE OF ELIZABETH II. The year 2011 has seen such glorious events as the Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the 90th birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh, the wedding in Scotland of her granddaughter Zara Philips, the State Visit to Ireland–a most significant event, the visit to Australia for the Commonwealth meetings, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s highly successful trip to Canada, the Prince of Wales’s visits to Africa and the Middle East, the largest number of visitors to the QUEEN’S GALLERY at Buckingham Palace, the Duke of Cambridge’s accomplished rescue of drowning Russian sailors, the interesting State Visit to England of an American President. The Queen’s popularity in the polls has never been higher as she continues to visit institutions all over the country and the Commonwealth, eagerly keeping an eye on the country’s success and failures. Perhaps, the name often associated with Queen Elizabeth I –GLORIANA–better suits Queen Elizabeth II, 400 years later.
And now it is soon to be 2012 when we will enjoy the great events of the Queen’s DIAMOND JUBILEE as all of Britain and the Commonwealth will have the opportunity to express a nation’s gratitude for 60 years of dedicated service on the Throne. All eyes will be on London for the great Royal Barge ride down the Thames, the Ceremony of a Grateful Nation in Saint Paul’s Cathedral, and the 18th century Gold Coach parade from Buckingham Palace. I will be one of the many, many thousands of people who will be in London to enjoy this great week in June. And then, the world’s attention will again be on London for the Olympic Games when the Royal Family will welcome people from all over the world to this ancient city, London.
As the Queen leaves London in August 2012, later than she usually begins her summer holiday in Scotland at Balmoral, she will join an exclusive club: THE CLUB OF THREE. Who are the three? They are the three British monarchs who experienced a Diamond Jubilee–60 years on the throne: King George III, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen is in good health, and we all hope she has another ten years–or more– on the throne, and I don’t know what that celebration will be called. We know her heart beats with Britain and her beloved Commonwealth. THIS IS THE “ANNUS MIRABILIS” chasing away all memory of the “ANNUS HORRIBILIS” which seems almost remote in our memories.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
FAMILY THEFT: 18th century Sir William Beechey engraving: KING GEORGE III AND HIS SONS, WINDSOR, MILITARY REVIEW
For years, a very large 18th century engraving hung over my desk in my office. It is the 18th century engraving by Sir William Beechey of King George III with his sons reviewing the Royal Dragoons at Windsor Castle. I bought the engraving from Grosvenor Prints in London at least 25 years ago and loved having it over my desk. When the GREAT FIRE swept through Windsor Castle, the original enormous Beechey painting from which this engraving was made was destroyed because the team rescuing the castle’s treasures was unable to remove this great masterpiece from the walls in the State Dining Room. I believe it was the only great treasure lost in the unbelievable fire. Since the original image was destroyed, there was increased interest in the engravings of the painting. This enhanced interest in my engraving was part of my family’s conversations; one day, it vanished from my walls. I had a grin when it happened because I think I knew who had committed the theft. The following week, I was at my son’s home for dinner when I noticed that the huge frame and image was proudly hanging over my son’s sofa. I chuckled and was inwardly pleased that my son really does appreciate some of the historical items I have cared for. The great Engraving has been saved! This year, our entire family gathered at Thomas Jr.’s house for Christmas. While everyone was enjoying the festivities, I walked into my son’s new office and there was the “stolen” engraving hanging over his office desk. Perfect. When families prize their family’s treasures, somehow the next generation eventually assures their care. I think this impression was my best Christmas present.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
CHRISTMAS DAY AT SANDRINGHAM: Wonderful images
AND now the fabulous images from Sandringham House:
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
MAJOR ART EXHIBITIONS IN 2012 *** blog.londonconnection.com
2012 will be a year filled with exceptional exhibitions all over Britain, and in some circumstances all over the Commonwealth. The Gardens of Kensington Palace are being refurbished, Windsor Castle is presenting an amazing exhibition from the Queen’s private collection, and Buckingham Palace will highlight the Queen’s life at the Queen’s Gallery. The Victoria and Albert is presenting Cecil Beaton’s Exhibition of royal Portraits to honor the Queen in her special year. So, there will be a lot to see and several places to visit; it is going to be very exciting. I was very interested in an article this morning which highlighted five art exhibitions “not to be missed” during the Diamond Jubilee year. What might they be?
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
December 28, 2011
PRINCE PHILIP, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH: Who is this INDOMITABLE HUSBAND OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II?
The Duke of Edinburgh has been in the news over the Christmas holidays because of his sudden near-heart attack while at Sandringham. We all know the rumors about this indomitable husband of the Queen; however, there has been a growing affection for this man who has said what he thought without hesitation. His grandchildren adore him, and the Queen admires him and enjoys being with him. But what is the real story about this amazing man? This publication should be insightful and interesting;
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
THE PRINCE OF WALES WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS CLARENCE HOUSE’S CHARITABLE EFFORTS
As you know, I am a huge fan of the Prince of Wales and Princes William and Harry. The Prince of Wales’s contributions in so many aspects of British society are remarkable. Now the two young princes are joining their father in his struggle to make a difference, using their position and contacts. I find it fascinating to following CLARENCE HOUSE’s Website. It is really very interesting. The New Years front page is very revealing and insightful. Hm! Nice.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
THE V&A’s EXHIBITION: THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee *** February 8, 2012 through April 22, 2012
The Victoria and Albert Museum is preparing an exhibition of Cecil Beaton’s photographs of the Queen. This is one of the many royal exhibitions to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. A publication will accompany the exhibition, showing the great portraits by the talented photographer.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
THE QUEEN’S VISIT TO IRELAND: ONE OF THE TOP EVENTS OF 2011
I am old enough to have lived through the agonizing relationship between Britain and Ireland for the past 50 years. The news has been continually dominated by bombings, hatred, accusations, and the total “camera ready” status of London as one part of the Capital experienced devastation one month and another part was terrorized on another occasion. There have been two sides to the history of this hatred, but it came to a point that both sides forgot what they were hating; it had become hate-for-hate’s sake. ”The Ireland Issue” was a regular point of discussion in my parents and grandparent’s homes, so I was very aware from an early age. My wife and I have close Irish friends living in the States and in Britain, and even they are confused by the entire matter. When it was announced from Buckingham Palace that the Queen would make a State Visit to Ireland, the first visit of a reigning Sovereign since 1920, my fist tightened, and I said to myself: YEH. I hate contention, terrorism, wars and rumors of war, so I knew I was going to follow this State Visit to Ireland with full attention. When the Queen said that too much time had been wasted, I witnessed another event where this very sensible Monarch crossed another bridge and put forth her hand in reconciliation. The visit was a great success, and the Queen even enjoyed a visit to the National Irish Horse Stud which I am sure she has wanted to visit for years. Now, the very sensible Irish President is about to invited to a return STATE VISIT TO BRITAIN as guest of the Queen. Hopefully, this great second meeting of the two heads of state will close the doors on a century of dismal hatred. Mrs. Moore and I along with our friend June Gibson decided that we were going to Ireland on our return to the States after our summer in England. We flew from London to Dublin and enjoyed our visit very much. Everyone was eager to show us a good time, pointing out important national monuments and good places to eat. I was absolutely stunned by the streets which were lined with the most magnificent Georgian architecture. I had never seen so many Georgian fanlights in all my life; it was fabulous! It put Beacon Hill to shame! Our driver dropped us off at the memorial to Oscar Wilde which we would never have found, being tucked in a corner of a park rather obscured by shrubbery. Actually, I had forgotten that Oscar Wile was Irish and spent his your in Dublin. Our party returned to New York with a really warm spot in our hearts for all that we enjoyed in a country we have always wanted to visit and know. There is no question about it; the Queen’s visit to Ireland was one of the top events of 2011. THIS IS AN EVENT WITH A FUTURE. Bravo! Hats off to the Queen, always building bridges.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
December 27, 2011
FAMILY THINGS: My friend Countess Bismarck has a rich collection of fabulous family miniatures on ivory. PHOTO SHARING
A stunning miniature
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
