Video I came across on Youtube about Handel, this portion charters his affiliation with the church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZQxfEs8G-A

As promised here is the entry from Nathaniel Brycesons 1846 diary regarding his visit to St Lawrence’s church one Sunday afternoon.

Sunday 20th September 1846

Started half past 7 o’clock for Edgware, where I arrived at half past ten.  First place went to – Whitchurch – strolled about the burial ground an hour, taking down sundry inscriptions from tombstones into scrapbook.  Went in the church during sermon, and afterwards was shown over the church by the clerk.  It is most beautifully decorated with painted walls and ceiling, all scriptural pieces.  Then he showed me the Duke of Chandos’s family vault, over which is the marble monument of the Duke and his two wives, with sundry other branches of the family, and underneath is the coffins (48 in number) of the Brydges Chandos family (upwards 90 years) which is now extinct.  The vault has been built 130 years and is sound as when first built.  The most curious of all is a coffin with two bodies in it – a mother and daughter as I was told – the size whereof was tremendous, in appearance more resembling a coal barge than a coffin.  It is elm, covered with black velvet, and finished with brass furniture; inscription on lozenge brass plate was dated 1761.  The oldest date I saw was that of a child died 1704.  This job cost me 6d, but I was highly gratified.  Dined at ‘The Old Boot’, Edgware (bread and beef).  Afterwards went in burial ground of Edgware Church and then in the church, took down inscriptions from two brasses, 1599 and 1632, then back again to Whitchurch and viewed the same over as I did in the morning, more lengthened, and with this addition – I saw the public vault which was piled with coffins thickly and irregularly.  Picked a few blackberries and afterwards made for home sharply, where I arrived shortly before 8 o’clock, having walked about 25 miles.  Left Edgware just before 5 o’clock.  ‘Remark’: Poor old Granny Shepherd this day is the same age as Dr Samuel Johnson was when he died, viz 75 years 3 months 6 days.  Had cup of tea at coffee shop, Dean Street, opposite Little

Here are some pictures from my visit to St Lawrence’s church which I spoke about in the Canons Park post.

This is the church which was rebuilt by The Duke of Chandos, although the tower on the left remains from the previous building circa 1360.

Above you can see I tried to take a picture through 1 of the windows with little effect, but you can just about make out some of the chandeliers.

The picture above is from the north end of the building where the mausoleum of the Chandos family is inside.

At this end is also the 300 year old organ which Handel played every Sunday whilst he was resident at the nearby Cannons mansion in 1717-1719.

I came across something very interesting the other day, an 1846 diary entry from a young man’s visit to this church and in particular the mausoleum.

I will post the entry in the next blog.

I have been meaning to start a new piece on this blog featuring some of my historical interests mixed with my amateur photography.

Below is one of my favourite places on earth, Canons Park.

Above you can see the view from the front of Canons Park looking towards the old 18th Century Mansion built by the successful cabinet maker William Hallett.

Below is a close up of the mansion which now serves as the main building for the North London Collegiate School for girls.

This mansion was built on the site of an older more magnificent building named Cannons, which was built in the earlier part of the 18th century by James Brydges, The Duke of Chandos.

The Duke invited the famed composer Handel to stay between 1717-1719 and the then young composer produced many of his best known works including Acis and Galatea and The Chandos Anthems in homage to his great patron.

After the Dukes death in 1744 Cannons was floored by his son to raise money to pay the family debts.

The original colonnade of Cannons now stands infront of the National Gallery in Trafalgar square, from this you can get an insight into the size of the original building.

Below stands the original gate post pillars to The Duke’s mansion, just off Edgware Road.

Leeds home and away shirts given to me by Enoch Showunmi and Jermaine Beckford.

I recently blogged about Jermaine Beckford, if you haven’t seen it just look a few entries below this one.

Jermaine’s 2 goals on Saturday means he is the top goalscorer in England with 31 goals, the 1st Leeds United striker in 18 years to score over 30 in a season aswell.

Also, most of you wont know this but Enoch Showunmi was in my class at primary school lol, I havent seen him in over 10 years.

We kinda got reacquainted via facebook, great to see he made it as a professional, plan to see him soon also.