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A view across Dresden

The Frauenkirche from the Augustusbrücke © Ricky Yates

On the evening of Sunday 21^st August, I once again officiated at the monthly English-language Anglican Service of Evening Prayer, hosted by the Frauenkirche, Dresden. But additionally, I was invited to attend a Sommerfest the following evening, being laid on as a ‘Thank you’, to everyone who helps at the Frauenkirche throughout the year, both volunteers and paid staff.

So instead of returning to Prague on the Monday morning as I normally do, I stayed on for a further day and night, in order to enjoy the Sommerfest. This in turn meant that I had several hours during the day on Monday 22^nd August, to occupy myself. As the weather was fine, I decided to climb the Frauenkirche dome, in order to reach the viewing platform, 67.06 metres above ground level, to enjoy spectacular views across Dresden.

This is the view westwards with the River Elbe flowing away to eventually reach the North Sea at Hamburg.

Whilst this is view looking eastwards, with the River Elbe flowing towards the centre of Dresden, having originally risen in the Krkonoše mountains in the far north of the Czech Republic.

In between, is the Augustusbrücke, which links the Altstadt, where the Frauenkirche is situated, with the Neustadt.

This is the Neustadt, which can be seen in greater detail than with the naked eye, courtesy of the zoom function on my camera 🙂 , with the towering spire of the Dreikönigskirche in the centre of the photograph. Hotel Martha, where I stay overnight in Dresden, is just to the left of the Dreikönigskirche.

The view to the south-east © Ricky Yates

The views are not always perfect. South-east from the Altstadt are this series of tower blocks which mainly date from the communist era.

Neumarkt, with construction work continuing © Ricky Yates

And here on one side of Neumarkt, the large square on the southern side of the Frauenkirche, reconstruction work following the devastation of the city in February 1945, is still continuing.

Alles in Ordnung :D © Ricky Yates — Alles in Ordnung 😀 © Ricky Yates

It is fascinating, some of the quirky things you can sometimes see from a vantage point such as this. I loved the way all these bicycles had been dutifully parked in neat rows. Very much, Alles in Ordnung 😀

When either ascending or descending the dome, you also get some amazing views of the Church interior. Here you can right down into the Hauptraum – the main worship space.

In the evening, I caught tram 11 out to Sommerwirtschaft Saloppe, the venue of the Sommerfest. It is an outdoor terrace with seating, and of course, a bar 😀 , situated in an attractive wooded area alongside the Elbe. Here we were treated to ein sommerliches GrillBuffet, together with a variety of drinks. It was wonderful to spend a little more time with some of the Frauenkirche people I already know, as well as to meet new people. It was also inevitably an evening for improving my limited German too 🙂

Frauenkirchenpfarrer Sebastian Feydt welcoming everybody to the Sommerfest © Ricky Yates

My chocolate dessert and appropriate liquid refreshment © Ricky Yates

Mariánské Lázne

Mariánské Lázne is a spa town in West Bohemia, located not far from the German border. Better known by its German name of Marienbad, in the nineteenth century, it developed as one of the top European spas, popular with notable figures and rulers who often returned there on numerous occasions.

To meet the needs of these international visitors, a whole series of hotels, colonnades and other buildings were constructed. These included Churches of different denominations, all located in relatively close proximity to each other.

This is Kostel Svatého Vladimíra, the Russian Orthodox Church. It is still in use, though the number of Russian visitors has dropped considerably in recent times, because of the serious fall in value of the rouble.

Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie © Ricky Yates

Here is Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie, the Roman Catholic Church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was constructed between 1844-1848 in the ‘new Byzantine style’, according to my research.

Evangelický kostel / Protestant Church © Ricky Yates

Squeezed between two taller and grander buildings, is the Evangelický kostel / Protestant Church. It was built to meet the needs of Protestant guests, in the years 1853-1857, from the public subscriptions of German Lutherans. In 1907, stained glass windows were added, donated by Kaiser Wilhelm II. It continues to be used for worship by the Ceskobratská Církev Evangelická, the main Czech Protestant Church.

And yes – there is also an Anglican Church. It is a classic example of a red brick Victorian Church building and was consecrated by the Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1879. My understanding is that it fell into disuse, some time in the late 1920s–early 1930s, when a combination of the Stock Market crash of 1929, and the subsequent rise to power of Adolf Hitler, meant that British citizens no longer came to take the waters.

Former Anglican Church in Mariánské Lázne © Sybille Yates

Sybille and I had twice previously visited Mariánské Lázne during the early part of our time in the Czech Republic, but on both occasions it was in winter and the Anglican Church building was snowbound and locked. So I was very pleased that when I was there again last Saturday, that it was open and I was able to go inside.

Since the early 1990s, the building has belonged to the Mariánské Lázne Town Council, who use it as an Exhibition and Concert Venue. But the reason I found it open was because it was being made ready for a wedding that was to take place there later that afternoon. No doubt this would have been a civil ceremony, conducted by the local registrar. The main reason that I was visiting Mariánské Lázne was to conduct a religious wedding, following the liturgy of the Church of England, but at a different venue. Somewhat ironic to say the least!

Plaque commemorating King Edward VII worshipping in the Anglican Church © Ricky Yates

Of the original interior, the only remaining features are the pulpit and this marble memorial plaque from 1911, commemorating the frequent visits of King Edward VII, both as Prince of Wales and later, as King. I knew that this plaque existed and was very pleased to be finally able to see it, and get a photographic record.

The smaller colonnade being made ready for the wedding © Ricky Yates

Finally for this post, here is the smaller of the two colonnades in Mariánské Lázne, being made ready for the wedding I was there to conduct. The larger colonnade is featured in the first photograph of this post. The happy couple were Bismark and Hannah. Bismark comes from Ghana whilst Hannah was born in Norway, but of Ghanaian parents. They met whilst both studying medicine in Hradec Králové and are now working as doctors in Norway.

They originally asked if I would conduct a service of blessing for them, following a civil marriage. But once I explained that I could legally marry them, they gladly agreed. We did have a few problems, convincing the local registrar that I could conduct a legal marriage ceremony for them. However, we did eventually succeed. Below are the happy couple, following their marriage.

Bismark & Hannah following their wedding © Ricky Yates

More about the wedding of Phillip and Lisa

My postcard © Ricky Yates — My postcard. Photo © Ricky Yates

One of the delightful features of Phillip and Lisa’s wedding were the individual touches they created that made every guest feel welcome. One of these was a named envelope, marking the place where each person was to sit at the reception, which contained an illustrated postcard with a personal message on the back.

Apparently, during her childhood, Lisa spent numerous holidays in Skegness, a traditional British seaside resort on the Lincolnshire coast. Phillip recreated his own version of a famous 1908 poster by the illustrator John Hassall (1868-1948), produced for the Great Northern Railway, declaring that ‘Skegness is SO bracing’.

Here is mine, declaring that Coventry, the city of my birth and the first eighteen years of my life is, ‘SO bracing’ 🙂 Whilst the artwork is a fairly accurate recreation of the original poster, it does contain a typical Phillip Yates addition of a squashed beer can on the beach 🙂

As well as my personal postcard, there was also a wrapped present from Phillip and Lisa, awaiting me at my place on the top table. It contained this inscribed beer glass, with the contraction of their names as ‘Phlisa’, which also appeared on their wedding invitations.

My postcard & inscribed beer glass, together with the EU flag © Ricky Yates

However, inside my beer glass was a further gift – an EU flag – emphasising my strong support for the ‘Remain’ cause, in the recent referendum. Apparently Hugh, Lisa’s father, also received an inscribed beer glass. Inside his beer glass was a Scottish flag, in recognition that, although of Irish heritage, he was actually born in Glasgow 🙂

The wedding of Phillip and Lisa

Welcome poster featuring Phillip's artwork. Photo © Ricky Yates — Welcome poster featuring Phillip’s artwork. Photo © Ricky Yates

On Saturday 30^th July 2016, I had the privilege of officiating at the marriage of my son Phillip, to my new daughter-in-law, Lisa. The wedding took place at the Parish Church of St. Jude, Mapperley, Nottingham and was followed by a reception in the neighbouring Church Hall.

Phillip and Lisa announced their engagement in December last year, whilst on a short trip to Lisbon, Portugal. In early January 2016, Phillip wrote to me saying that they planned to be married in July this year and would like me to officiate, if I would be willing to do so. My response was that if that was what both of them wanted, then I would be more than happy to officiate and would regard doing so as a great privilege.

Fortunately, having bought a house together late last year in Mapperley, Nottingham, they discovered that their local Parish Church of St. Jude, was just five minutes walk away from their new home. They went to see the Vicar, Rev’d John Allister, who agreed to them being married at his Church as they resided in his parish. He was also perfectly happy for me to officiate, subject to the agreement of his bishop.

At John’s suggestion, I wrote to the Chaplain of the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, seeking her boss’s agreement to me officiating. After she had made contact with my diocesan bishop, twenty-four hours later, I received an email with a delightful typo. It gave me permission to conduct ‘the weeding’. I did reply saying I was surprised that my gardening skills had become so well-known 🙂 In turn, John replied saying that there was plenty to do in the Vicarage garden!

Phillip and Lisa, immediately following the marriage service © Ricky Yates

I have to say that I found conducting the wedding of my son quite a moving experience. I was therefore very pleased that the ceremony did have its lighter moments. The first of these was when I said the famous words, ‘First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now’. Lisa turned her head and gave the congregation such a look, that laughter ensued.

Rev'd, Mr & Mrs Yates © Kathy Garner — Rev’d, Mr & Mrs Yates © Kathy Garner

Then I had to deal with an over enthusiastic bridegroom. ‘Phillip, will you take Lisa to be your wife?’, I asked. ‘I will’, he immediately replied, before I could ask the rest of the question – ‘Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?’ I did then get a second ‘I will’, having completed the question.

After Phillip and Lisa had made their marriage vows to each other, the plan was for my grandson/Phillip’s nephew, Finley, to bring me the rings. But having taken one step forward, he then dropped the box containing the rings, straight onto the floor! Fortunately, Adam, the best man, rescued the box and brought me the rings for them to be blessed and then exchanged.

At the end of the marriage service, I experienced an interesting change of role. Having pronounced the blessing of the whole congregation and sent the new Mr and Mrs Yates off down the aisle, I then had to also be the father of the groom, and escort Lisa’s mother Kathleen, out of the Church.

From L to R: Jovan Vukoman, Usher, Adam Garner, Best Man, Phillip Yates, Bridegroom, Steve Mountain, Usher, Hugh MaGahern, Father of the Bride, Yours Truly, Father of the Bridegroom © Claire Garner — From L to R: Jovan Vukoman, Usher, Adam Garner, Best Man, Phillip Yates, Bridegroom, Steve Mountain, Usher, Hugh McGahern, Father of the Bride, Yours Truly, Father of the Bridegroom © Claire Garner

St Jude's Church Hall, suitably decorated for the wedding reception © Ricky Yates — St Jude’s Church Hall, suitably decorated for the wedding reception © Ricky Yates

After photographs and initial celebratory drinks in the Church grounds, we sat down in the Church Hall for our celebratory meal of fish and chips with mushy peas, all part of the overarching seaside theme of the reception and the decoration of the hall.

My grandson Finley with my son-in-law, Ian © Ricky Yates

As is traditional, the evening celebration began with the happy couple having their first dance together. My thanks to Kathy and Claire Garner, respectively the mother and wife of the best man, for giving me permission to use a couple of their photographs, to illustrate this post.

I have a new passport!

Just over two weeks ago, I wrote a post entitled ‘Dealing with British bureaucracy‘, in which I described the hurdles I was seeking to overcome, in order to obtain a new British passport. At the end of that post I wrote, ‘Watch this space to see if in two weeks time, I have been successful in my quest’. So here is the promised update.

On the evening of Wednesday 27^th July, I flew from Prague to Luton, where I picked up my pre-arranged hire car and drove to the outskirts of Peterborough, where I had booked to stay the night. The next morning, I drove into the city and followed signs to a multi-storey car park, just a short walk from the Passport Office.

My appointment was for 10.30 with the clear instruction to arrive ten minutes in advance of my appointment time. When I arrived outside the Passport Office at about 10.15, there was a queue of people who I soon discovered, also all had 10.30 appointments 🙂

At 10.30, the first batch of people, including me, were admitted. We were first subject to security procedures very similar to those at airports, with pockets being emptied, bags being scanned etc. I do find it sad that all of this is now required, just to enter a government office 🙁 After this, I was checked off against the booking list, given a numbered ticket and told to sit and wait until my number was called.

Within a few minutes, I was summoned to desk nine. I presented my current passport, my application form, together with my two new photos. I explained to the passport officer that I had a problem with the application form because it asked me for my UK address, something I do not have. After a short discussion, he agreed that he was perfectly happy for me to insert the Nottingham address of my son Phillip, even though I don’t live there!

Fortunately, he raised no concerns about my new photographs, deciding that I could still be recognised from the photograph in my soon to expire current passport, which dates from early 2006.

The only issue he did raise was in relation to my title. He noted on the observations page of my soon to expire passport, that I was ‘Reverend’. Did I want this in my new passport? I duly pointed out to him that I had put ‘Reverend’ on the application form, where it asked for ‘Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, or title’ Therefore, unlike the Czech authorities, who would not allow ‘Rev’ on my Czech driving licence, Her Majesty’s Passport Office have not de-ordained me 🙂

At 10.45, I left the Passport Office with a numbered receipt, telling me to return four hours later at 14.45, to collect my new passport. Therefore, all I was left to do, was to occupy myself for the following four hours.

Fortunately, Peterborough Cathedral is only a few minutes walk away from the Passport Office, a place I had only ever visited once previously. I enjoyed exploring this amazing building as well as spending time being still and praying. I followed this by a short walk alongside the River Nene, a lunchtime pizza, and then collected my shiny new passport, valid until December 2026. Mission accomplished!

The west front of Peterborough Cathedral © Ricky Yates