Posts Tagged ‘Glastonbury Abbey’

• Has it Really Been 4 Months?

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , on December 7, 2012| 1 Comment »

Well, it’s long past time that I should have posted something new here – having the WordPress holiday snow over a headline about Lugnassadh is pretty shameful on my part.

OK, moving on.

A location of great interest to most Avalonians – Glastonbury, England – has some news. As mentioned here before, Glastonbury Abbey is raising money for preservation work at the Abbey. While they have held some fundraising events already, the Friends of Glastonbury Abbey is increasing the cost of a season ticket by £1, making an adult season pass £25. They will also be offering lifetime memberships for £300. Click here to read more details.

While I and many of my readers cannot take advantage of these offers, I do hope their efforts to raise money is successful. After all, I know several people – myself included – who would someday like to visit this sacred site. And they need £500,000 to do the preservation work for the Lady Chapel, the North Wall, and the Abbot’s Kitchen.

ADDITION: A friend pointed out that some might wish to contribute to the conservation efforts. If so, check out the Rescue Our Ruins web site.

Coming Soon!

Next week, I’ll kick off with a more serious post about a lesson learned this Samhain season. Then, we’ll switch gears and look at some of my favorite things – just in time for the season of Yule and gift giving.

Bright blessings to you all!

Thistle

 

© 2012 PJ Graham

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• Glastonbury Abbey seeks preservation funds

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on May 21, 2012| 2 Comments »

Have you ever visited the famous ruins of Glastonbury Abbey – or are you saving your nickels and dimes in order to do so? If so, recent news from the Abbey trustees should be of interest.

Abbey director and curator Janet Bell announced that the trustees need to raise 500,000 pounds (just over $790, 000 US dollars at the current exchange rate) for preservation work on the North Wall, the Lady Chapel, and the Abbot’s Kitchen.

Left to right: the Lady Chapel, the Nave, and the Choir. Photo copyright: Jusben, Morguefile.com

Glastonbury Abbey is the ruins of the medieval monastery that claimed to find the remains of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere in the 12th century. Also, the Abbey rests near the Tor, which some consider to have been the Isle of Avalon (including some of us that follow the modern Avalonian, Grail, and Arthurian traditions). The Tor and other nearby locations have historical and spiritual meaning for Pagans and Christians alike. The Abbey and its surrounding landscape is replete with far-reaching myth and folklore.

Aside from historical, mythical, and spiritual reasons behind the project, Philip Welch, editor of the Mid-Somerset Series, says the area needs to sustain tourism at the Abbey since other industries in the area are struggling.

A web site has been set up for the fundraising effort, Rescue Our Ruins, and visitors to the site can learn the specific reasons the funds are needed. On June 1, visitors can visit the Abbey for free in honor of the official launching of the Rescue our Ruins Appeal.

Perhaps making a donation to this fund would be a good charitable act for individual or groups of Avalonians, particularly those who have admired the awe and mystery of the Abbey in person – or who wish to in the future.

Bright blessings!

Thistle

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• Was Arthur buried in Scotland?

Posted in News & Updates, tagged , , , on January 5, 2012| 2 Comments »

An interesting story came up today, so I thought write a quick post about it.

For more than eight centuries, legend has suggested that Glastonbury, England was the burial place of Arthur (and thus Avalon). The suggestion that Glastonbury’s monks created the myth to save their abbey has been around for quite some time. Now, literary archeologist Damian Bullen is claiming that evidence in an area known as the Scottish Borders – near the town of Selkirk specifically – helps to prove this point.

Reported in Deadline News in the UK, Bullen’s theory is that the Yarrow Stone, discovered four centuries ago in Scotland, is actually the grave marker for the legendary king. To see his argument, go here:

http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2012/01/05/scottish-stone-holds-key-to-holy-grail-of-arthurian-legend-claims-historian/

I’m afraid my Latin and knowledge of ancient and medieval British history is not strong enough to add commentary regarding the veracity of Bullen’s theory. But I do find it interesting that, once again, the legend of Arthur encourages people to look upon their history anew and to never settle for the pat answer.

Of course, Selkirk is one more addition to a list of locations that are purported to be the legendary Isle of Avalon, so it won’t get lonely anytime soon.

Bright blessings!

Thistle

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