Floating...

In my time, I have seen some incredible recording studios; I'm constantly staggered at the lengths people will go to to creat that perfect creative environment. Real World studios (Peter Gabriels place) in Box just outside bath is no exception - possible the largest control room anywhere. Check the site. Look for the realworld studios link. The accomodation and food is just excellent, too.

Sarm Hook End (Formerly Hook End Manor), is nothing short of pure extravagence. Formerly home to Dave Gilmour, now amongst the world's finest studios. Check it out.

My current favourite, however, has to be Astoria - Gilmour's floating studio. The boat itself was built between 1910 and 1912 as a houseboat for impresario Fred Karno (inventor of the custard-pie gag, according to Wiki). He wanted to be able to seat a full orchestra on the top deck! Flash git! Check the pics and vid

Other great and good studios can be virtually toured here if you're interested.

Downloads Suspended

Sorry folks, I've temporarily had to suspend downloading of the hi bitrate audio from the jeznashmusic website. This is due to current server restrictions, i.e., I need to cough up for more space! With the administrative costs accumilating, I will be looking at a way of charging for downloads - the Paypal Donate thing is a good idea, but is not really allowing me to meet costs.

I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, should you wish to obtain any of the material, contact me via the website.

Education and the Church

I'm all for raising standards in education. Part of a high profile debate is the issue of whether passing exams is equal to getting a good education. As an educator myself, I believe it is important to commend "distance travelled" as much as actual qualifications. I worked for some time in a college for the blind and visually impaired. There was no nationally recognised way of quantifying distance travelled; learners followed the same courses as those at mainstream colleges - the main difference being the level of support and resources.

A sunday school teacher recently remarked that education in schools is extremely 'prescribed', i.e., pupils work towards passing and exam, and this is the main objective. In one of her classes, she asked the group of children to do a task which involved mainly self expression. She could not believe how uncomfortable nearly all the children felt with this.

Could not a function of the church be to supplement personal and creative development in schools? Could Sunday School be about facilitating children to become the people God has created them to be, rather than focussing primarily on bible stories? What about Sunday art, song-writing and drama workshops? Getting kids to write and perform their own material? Anybody seen School of Rock? I believe this is what Sunday School aught to look like! A whole class of children working as a team, writing, promoting, rehearsing, and performing a "rock show to change the world"!!

Seriously, though, i'd like to see further development of the partnership between school and church, that the lives of our children might be enriched socially, academically and spiritually.

Fruits and Gifts

The ‘little service’ is a treasured oasis of calm, reflection, meditation and thought. The service I went to on Sunday 4th June was no exception. We looked at the Pauline writings regarding fruit and gifts of the spirit. It was a wonderful reminder of attributes afforded to us as individuals, and resources afforded to us collectively. I’d personally like to thank Nick Martin who prepared and led the service (I believe this was his debut at doing so). It was simple, yet clear and well thought out; a gentle mix of challenge and encouragement. Splendid.