Always seeking knowledge to better help you
On Sunday 18 April, my travels took me to Stratford in East London. It had a dramatic facelift since it hosted the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and is now a bustling hub for shoppers and tourists.
As. part of my visit to Stratford, I visited the Westfields Mall to buy an item. To my surprise, I saw this display of biscuits tins (see below).
While I did not buy the biscuits (not yet), I decided to buy the item below. I believe it will go well with a lunch sandwich.
It is now official that Prince Harry will be attending the Coronation and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
As Prince Harry is no longer a working member of the Royal Family, it is unclear what role if any he will play during the Coronation.
You may also be aware that the date of the Coronation is also the fourth birthday of Prince Harry and Meghan’s son, Prince Archie.
The Coronation Concert
It was announced today that Lionel Ritchie, American singer, songwriter, global superstar and Chair for the Global Ambassador Group for the Prince’s Trust will be performing at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.
Children’s activity
Below are templates published by the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace specifically for children.
Coronation Wordsearch and Maze
Coronation Colour-in Crown
The King’s Procession to Westminster Abbey.
The King’s Procession, accompanied by The Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry, will depart Buckingham Palace through the Centre Gate, and proceed down The Mall, passing through Admiralty Arch and south of King Charles I Island, down Whitehall toward Westminster and along Parliament Street.
The King’s Procession will continue travel around the east and south sides of Parliament Square to Broad Sanctuary to arrive at the Sanctuary of Westminster Abbey, where the Coronation Service will begin at 11 o’clock British Standard Time.
The total distance of travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey is 1.3 miles.
King Charles III coronation is scheduled to take place at Westminster Abbey, London on Saturday 6 May, 2023. Over the next 30 days, I will share my experiences throughout London as King Charles III coronation approaches.
The first documented coronation at Westminster Abbey was on Christmas day in the year 1066. On that day, William was crowned King. King William was also later known as William the Conqueror.
The official coronation emblem is below along with information explaining the significance of the emblem’s design.
“The emblem pays tribute to The King’s love of the natural world, unifying the flora of the four nations of the United Kingdom; the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, the daffodil of Wales and the shamrock of Northern Ireland. Together, the flowers create the shape of St Edward’s Crown, with which His Majesty The King will be crowned during the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey […]. The emblem has been designed using the red, white and blue of the union flag. “
If you have any questions or requests then please let me know.
And so the safari home continues.
Since last week, I continued my desk research.
I drew on information shared with me by my mother and grand uncles, now deceased, and my siblings and cousins. In addition, I found a few gems through targeted internet searches – yes the internet.
My initial research has lead me to the following conclusions:
I located a story that involved Crooked Island, the then Governor of The Bahama Islands and 10 Downing Street, London. Fascinating right? It appears that the story in question took place when Dianna’s daughter was alive. While this may not be connected with Dianna, I am relying on my instincts which are “telling me” to research the Governor/10 Downing Street path. As far as instincts go, I am inspired by the Monarch Butterfly.
These butterflies 4,000+ miles migration span three countries (Mexico, The United States and Canada) and unfolds as follows:
So I will follow my instincts. I intend to conduct additional desk research at the National Archives at Kew, Richmond, England. I am very hopeful that this will take me closer to my maternal home.
As always, I will keep you posted about my journey. If you have done this already then please feel free to share your story or any recommendations in the comment space below.
Many thanks.
And so it begins.
Today I am starting my maternal ancestral safari.
I have been inspired by many people over the years but most recently I was reminded about this intended safari after viewing a video clip from a movie I saw some years ago.
I wrote a blog about the video clip on 2 August, 2022 titled “When Professionals deliver … reflection comes easily”.
The blog was focused on words that were spoken by Actor Djimon Hounsou, while playing the character Cinque, in the 1997 movie, Amistad. Those words and the context in which they were spoken resonated with me once again.
So now I am up and moving, seeking the answer to the following question:
“Where is home of my maternal ancestors?”
I will keep you posted about my journey. If you have done this already then please feel free to share your story in the comment space below.
Many thanks.
Read the quote below.
These words were spoken by Actor Djimon Hounsou, while playing the character Cinque, in the 1997 movie, Amistad.
Once you have read the words, listen to the short 2 minute video clip of Hounsou delivering his lines at the link that follows.
“We won’t be going in there along.“
…
“I meant my ancestors.
I will call into the past.
Far back to the beginning of time and beg them to come and help me at the judgement.
I will reach back and draw them into me and they must come .
For at this moment I am the whole reason they have existed at all.”
Keeping our ancestors memory alive.
Please see article below.
Point of interest …
A permanent national Monument to the Windrush Generation was commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government in the UK (now called Department of Levelling up, Housing and Communities) is expected to be unveiled at Waterloo Station, London today on Windrush Day, 22 June. The Windrush Generation originated from some of the then British West Indian Territories.
I take this opportunity to thank and honour those pioneers from that generation who made significant contribution to rebuilding the UK after the Second World War. My understanding is that they were humane, ambitious, intelligent, skilled, community mined and loved their country.
Well done to the Windrush campaigners and supporters who successfully secured this day and to the UK for honouring the Windrush Generation in this way.
Last week I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Wanye Thompson’s weekly advice posted on Facebook.
In short he charged listeners to get up of their seats of complaint and do 7 acts of kindness to strangers. The idea is to start countering our environment from becoming more contentious as it is heavily polluted with derogatory words.
So I took up the challenge.
Below are my results so far:
Friday 1 April, 2022 – was introduced to a new hire at work. At the end of the work day while leaving the office, I shared my experiences with the induction training and told him if he has any questions that I would be happy to help
Saturday 2 April, 2022 – left home with about 70p with the intention of giving it to someone. These were coins that I had accumulated for several months. Later in the day I saw a man sitting in front of a Marks & Spenser Store on Ealing Broadway while he was asking people passing for spare change. I placed the 70p in his cup and gave him a thumbs up. He gave me a “Thank you”
Monday 4 April, 2022 – On a few occasions over the past weeks I noticed a cleaner in the office building who works quietly and efficiently on small projects. So today, when I walked pass her I made eye contact and greeted her with a “Good afternoon”. She returned the greeting.
Tuesday 5 April, 2022 – While at the counter in a restaurant waiting to make a take away order, a young girl (I estimate to be about 12 years old) asked one the staff for a box cover. After several attempts, the server did not understand. When the server’s back was turned to the counter I suggested to the girl to ask for a cover for the bucket. The girl followed my suggestion and got the cover/lid she wanted. As she turned to walk away, she said “Thank you”
Wednesday 6 April, 2022 – While in a grocery store, a woman pretended that she did not see me in front of the queue. When it was time for the next shopper she looked at me as if she was confused. I smiled and gestured that she should proceed before me.
Thursday 7 April, 2022 – Wanted to buy a magazine to support a homeless vendor but I did not have enough money … so I contributed the money I had to her.
Above is my list. Join me and share one of your experiences in the comment section below.
All the best.