Readers might think that my life is totally taken up with being a busybody, snooper and NSA / GCHQ mole. Not so! As some will know, I am a deep sea diver and accomplished parachutist. I'm also a dab hand at origami and I was the All Sussex tiddlywink champion until I had to retire due to a tournament inspired injury involving some skullduggery by the opposing team getting a hold of my wink.
Besides this I have a keen interest in history and this instalment of my blog might intrigue some of you. There is an induction loop connection so do read on.
I am a member of the Anglo-Finnish Society. My interest in this country dates from the 1960s when I spent the whole summer in the Northeast of Finland. I was employed to teach English to children on a farm and also to help bring in the harvest. Finland has a hot but short summer and a long, cold winter so summers are very full. I enjoyed myself immensely, especially because it was light until 11PM and then light again at 1AM which, due to my sight problem, was wonderful for me.
I recently learned of an interesting connection between Lewes, Finland and the Crimean War of 1853-1856. I became aware of this connection at a very interesting event which took place at the Church of St. John sub Castro in Lewes, East Sussex. If this has whetted your appetite, please read on at my personal blog (http://bennettsworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/interesting-finnishrussian-event-in.html).
The occasion was a rededication of the memorial in the church yard to that Church to Finnish prisoners of war who died in Lewes during their captivity there in the Crimean War.
The whole ceremony was memorable. It was a wonderful sunny day. Inside the church we were treated to a brilliant speech by the Russian Ambassador which touched poignantly on modern events. The Finnish Ambassador and a historian also gave good speeches. All these speeches were of exactly the right length: that means that when they were finished, one wanted more!
When the speeches began I pressed the T-setting on my hearing aid in what I thought would be a vain attempt to tune in to the induction loop circuit. To my joy, there WAS an induction loop and it was working perfectly. I didn't even know there was an induction loop in the Church.
Later I expressed my appreciation to the vicar and to the church wardens and they were tickled pink. Well done!
To see my video clips go to my Flickr account:
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/hova/10035974943/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/hova/10035873635/
Enjoy them!