Caldicot Churches Together
Visit to the Houses of Parliament
24th November 2009.
It was dark, damp and windy but everyone gathered in Jubilee Way for the Coach which left at 7.30 a.m. We arrived in London at 11.30 a.m. and, after passing through rigorous security, we were divided into two groups and taken on a whirlwind tour of the many rooms, corridors and staircases. We began in Westminster Hall, which was constructed in the time of William Rufus (son of William the Conqueror). The Houses of Parliament have been restructured on two major occasions: once after the fire in 1834 and again after the bombing in World War Two.
We were taken to the House of Lords, passing many paintings and sculptures of past monarchs and prime ministers along the way. We saw St. Stephen’s Hall which had been redesigned by Charles Barry after the fire. There are brass studs on the floor here to show where the original Speaker’s Chair used to be. It was here that King Charles 1 attempted to arrest five members of Parliament, thus provoking the start of the Civil War. The ceilings along the corridors and rooms were ornately decorated.
We entered the Robing room, which is only used once a year; it is where the Queen waits before the annual state opening of Parliament and puts on her Imperial State Crown. Around the walls are paintings by William Dyce, which depict the chivalric virtues of hospitality, generosity, mercy, religion and courtesy, shown through scenes of the legend of King Arthur and his court. Underneath the paintings there are carved panels showing episodes from the life of King Arthur.
We then were led into the House of Lords and saw the famous woolsack and the Queen’s throne. Unfortunately we were not allowed to sit on them! From there we were taken through the central lobby and then on to the Commons, passing by the door on which Black Rod hammers. Again there were members of the party who wanted to follow suit. We saw the new security which had been installed at great expense after the incident when Tony Blair was doused in flour. We could not stay there long because they were about to close the room in order to take the sniffer dogs in before the Commons began sitting for the business of the day.
Jessica Morden, our MP, met us in Westminster Hall and took us to one of the conference rooms overlooking the Thames. She told us about her work and then answered questions. Pastor Jim wanted to know what the Churches Together could do to help her and she answered to keep informed of what was happening on the streets (i.e. the Street Pastors), in order that she could ask questions in Parliament. She then took us to the Chapel underneath Westminster Hall.
After our tour of the Houses of Parliament we went for lunch and then some of the group went on a tour of Westminster Abbey and then we walked up to St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Some of us attended the evening service in the Dick Sheppard Chapel, swelling the usual congregation to a large number much to the delight of the minister. Then it was time to return to the bus for the long trip home.
Our grateful thanks is given to Pastor Jim and everyone who organised the trip – it was a fantastic day.
