Slide Shows on Cathedral and Church Architecture - by Michael G Hardy
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Some Details about Myself |
A Personal History of Michael G Hardy |
I have no formal training in architecture, but a life-long interest in old churches was undoubtedly instigated by my parents who would never miss the opportunity of visiting a church on any travels around the country.
I started to photograph churches in the 1960s, which led me to start giving occasional slide shows in the 1970s and 1980s, but I could not continue due to work commitments.
In 1994 I decided to give up commuting to central London and working for an ever-changing privatised industry, and spend my time researching, photographing, and presenting my Slide Shows on Cathedral and Church Architecture.
I am a member of the following relevant organisations, (not in any particular order): The National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, English Heritage, Historic Houses Association, Ancient Monuments Society and the Friends of Friendless Churches, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, SAVE Britain's Heritage, Historic Churches Preservation Trust, Open Churches Trust, Round Towers Churches Society, Ecclesiological Society, Society for Church Archaeology, Buckinghamshire Architectural and Archaeological Society, Historical Association, Council for the Protection of Rural England.
My interest in gardening brought me onto the committee of my local village Horticultural Society in 1986, and subsequently Chairman from 1991-1996, after which I was appointed President.
I was a founder member of the Wembley Centre of the National Trust and their Newsletter Editor from 1981 to 1983.
I have been Honorary Secretary of Lacey Green Windmill Restoration Committee since 1984, and have organised the opening of the windmill to the public since then. The mill is the oldest smock mill in the country and has wooden machinery dating from around 1650. It has been restored to working order by The Chiltern Society since 1971. I have a particular interest in Windmills and Watermills, as well as various other aspects of our industrial and civil engineering history.
For some years I was Vice-Chairman of the Historic Works and Buildings Group of The Chiltern Society which has an interest in Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Historic Landscapes, Historic Farmsteads, and Historic Parks and Gardens across the Chilterns. I also represented the group on the Society's Executive Council for some years. In 2006 the Historic Works and Buildings Group was re-named the Historic Buildings and Landscapes Group.
For the last few years I have taken on the task of organising an annual Church Crawl for the Buckinghamshire Architectural and Archaeological Society. From 2006 to 2009 I was a member of the Council of the Society (commonly known as BAS).
Occasionally I also organise other church visits for interested groups or societies.
I feel that with such an interest in cathedrals and churches, I ought to mention whether I am a church-goer myself. I was baptised and confirmed in the Church of England and used to very regularly attend church services, at one time participating in services with various duties (except any involvement with the choir). For various reasons (which include changes and opinions within me and the church) I now no longer feel the need or the desire to attend most of today's church services, although I very much regard myself as a Christian, and a lifetime member of the Church of England, and I try to live in what I was brought up to believe is a Christian manner.
This page last modified on 13th July 2009