A VISIT TO THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

On my recent visit to Kensington I thought I'd pop into The London Natural
History Museum. And although I had visited there a few years ago, I was
keen to see their new exhibition The Museum of The Moon, a giant model
of the Moon created by artist Luke Jerram. Apparently this art installation
has been touring the World since 2016.
It seems that it came to The Natural History Museum just in time to
celebrate the 50th year anniversary since that first Moon landing by
Apollo 11 back in 1969.
And depending on what time you visit the Moon exhibition you just might
catch a performance by a troupe of dancers to liven up the proceedings.
The Museum of the Moon runs until January 1st 2020.

The Museum building itself is quite a draw with it's mixture of Gothic Revival
and twelfth century Romanesque-style architecture, a style that was
in line with Museum founder Sir Richard Owen's vision of creating a
'cathedral to nature.'
There's definitely something of Harry Potter about the whole place.
The Museum first opened in 1881 and the visiting figures today are quite
impressive, with over 4 million visitors each year.

THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM WEBSITE. 

Above: The main front entry to the Museum

And below is The Main Hall.

Above: With clever robotics, this giant Dinosaur (above left and below) seemed to
come to life. The children certainly enjoyed this display.
And yet it's amazing how big these pre-historic creatures were.

The Museum's Palaeontology collection includes more than 250,000 fossil
mammals, covering over 200 million years of mammalian evolutionary
history. 

Below left: The front entry to The Main Hall.
And below right, the sitting statue of Charles Darwin
by Joseph Boehm.

Below, busy crowds entering and leaving The Museum.

THE GRANDEUR OF THE LONDON BROMPTON ORATORY

Saturday was a busy day as I set off for South Kensington in search of a grand looking Church
called The London Brompton Oratory. Situated almost next door to The Victoria & Albert
Museum in Cromwell Road, it didn't take long to find. And it's certainly as spectacular as all
the pictures I had seen of it prior to my visit.

Designed by a young 29 year old architect by the name of  Herbert Gribble, it's first foundation
stone was laid in June 1880. And on the 16th April 1884 the building was completed and
concecrated.
And looking around The Oratory you might say that it's practically several Churches built
into one, as running the length of each side of the main Church are several Chapels.
Unfortunately just as I arrived at The Oratory, a Mass was taking place so I just snapped a
few pictures then moved next door and spent a couple of hours in the wonderful Victoria &
Albert Museum, then returned to a quieter and empty Oratory allowing me better access
for picture taking, although crowds were gathering for a Wedding.
But after moving on I then had a look in at the nearby London Natural History Museum.

Interestingly a couple of notable Weddings that took place here was when Edward Elgar married
Alice Roberts in 1889, along with film director Alfred Hitchcock who in 1926 married Alma Reville.
I wonder if he ever considered using this place as a film location.
This large neo-classical Church is closely connected to The London Oratory Boys School, and
many of the boys are involved in the Church choir and can often be seen in all their 
finery parading in a procession on their way in to Sunday Mass.

Looking at the Oratory Parish Magazine it's clear to see they have a busy Summer schedule
as next Wednesday (19th June ) they're putting on a Bach organ recital along with 
full choral accompaniment. And the following Saturday 22nd June is The Oratory
Summer Garden Fete.

WEDNESDAY 19th JUNE  -  J.S BACH'S  CLAVIERUBUNG PART III ( THE GERMAN ORGAN MASS ).

THE BROMPTON ORATORY WEBSITE