A clear November day when some trees still retain their autumnal colour . Here we are on Castle Hill about to enter Lancaster Priory to see a moon.
The view on entering of our time worn natural satellite - a recreation of the surface by Luke Jerram which he calls the 'Museum of the Moon'.
Walking down the aisle to enter the chancel and look back from the 14th Century choir stalls.
which are intricately carved. It is appropriate that these wonders of woodwork by unknown medieval craftsmen have
an embroidered cushion celebrating the furniture making of Robert Gillow and the company he founded in the 19th Century -
Gillows of Lancaster and London. The medieval misericord of the folding seat can be seen above it.
The moon is 7 metres in diameter and there were both spiritual and cultural references to the moon scattered around in the Priory as well as an information sheet with prayers, stories and the dates of the moon's cycle through the month. I love a pun and the leaflet uses Lancaster's river as one as it is called - By the Light of the Silvery Lune. Moonlight on water is of course always magical.
Going up the stairs to the gallery a different perspective of the moon can be seen.
There has been a church on Castle Hill since Saxon times however Lancaster Priory dates from the 14th Century but apart from the rich medieval heritage changes have been made
throughout time . The bell tower (10 bells inside) is is dated 1759 but it needs some repair and there is a sponsor a brick scheme running inside the church.
The Museum of the Moon like its celestial template is always on the move and the Light Up Lancaster festival, which it was part of, ends today so it will travel south to the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff for December and the new year. (
Museum of the Moon website)
