Royal Academy Bronze

Last week I visited the Royal Academy Bronze exhibition.  From the excesses of the ancients to the minimalist or quirky modern I found it all thoroughly enjoyable.  However I do appreciate, indeed revel in,  the ancient portrayals more than the modern that is with one exception, Anish Kapoor. His work rarely disappoints and his bronze dish made me smile and relax and drew me in in a way that others seldom do. Rodin stands head and shoulders above everyone for me, I felt that from the time a few years ago when his work was shown en masse and I was captivated.

Happy Gallery Browsing – Denny Bradbury

Fortunate to be offered a ticket by a friend I went to the Olympic park and saw the athletics last week.  The park iself is so well designed and the volunteers are great.  This is all topped by the inspirational athletes.  I loved Anish Kapoor’s offering, especially lit up at night.  This blog has to be brief because once we get into the realms of how good everything was it could go on for ever.  Of course nothing is perfect but the whole comes together really well. Had a fantastic day. Well done to all countries who encourage their para athletes to shine, shame on those who don’t.

DennyBradbury

The more one delves into historical writing, either academic tomes or popular encapsulations, the more it becomes clear that personal or political perspective is paramount. I am writing a series of articles for my current village and while trying to put their history into a national framework I find I am frequently trying to correct the myth of certain characters.  Just as there is a society for the much maligned Richard the Third perhaps there should be one for King John.  He is so vilified that one would think he was guilty of so many more heinous crimes than his forbears.  This is not so, for while he was undoubtedly as bad as the rest, his able administrators were able to ensure that the Common Laws of England were founded on solid ground. Who knows, he may even have really loved his second wife, and also his children. Few people are all bad. With parents like his it is a credit to him he had any good in him at all.

Denny Bradbury

I am sure all writers are asked how they get their ideas for stories or poems. Unless you have experienced the wonderful nudge from your own muse it is difficult to explain. My muse sits on my shoulder and suddenly I am writing again full of enthusiasm. From my Denagerie of Poems:

My muse leads me a merry dance, she draws me on and then perchance,

drops a thought right in my brain and I am set to write again.

She is a comfort and elusive, mostly comfort.  Back in wind torn Dorset once more I a set to write and edit another sift of poetry in readiness for my second book of poems.  Best wishes to all writers and may your muse be kind to you.

Denny Bradbury

Longevity in itself is not something so worthy of note, but dedication to duty and stability may be seen as priceless in a world so heavily influenced by media hype with its resultant dedication to superficial ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ empty vessels.  Churchill maintained that although democracy was not perfect it was a jolly sight better than the alternatives.  (A democratic monarchy saves us from so much.) To this end I celebrate with the Queen and all fellow peace loving citizens of these islands and wish everyone a happy celebration of the good in our society.

Denny Bradbury