2008/5/19 Eddie Fernandes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > Dear Frederick, > For a photograph of Churchill with friends and family go to > http://goanvoice.org.uk/supplement/ChurchillUK2008.html > > Also Tomcat wrote in the Herald: 18 Mat 2008: > > CHURCHILL IN THE HOUSE? > > We were told that PWD Minister Churchill Alemao would be going to the House > of Commons on his birthday, where he would be guest of honour at a lunch > hosted by Goan-origin MP Keith Vaz, at which British Prime Minister Gordon > Brown would be present, and that he would make an address to the House. > > Now Tomcat doesn't know which house Churchill is supposed to be addressing, > but it certainly isn't going to be the House of Commons. You see, a certain > Big Ben who's a close friend told Tomcat that Keith Vaz frequently hosts > lunches in the House of Commons for visitors from Goa. It's impressive for > the visitor concerned and convenient for Amcho Keith, because like our Lok > Sabha, the House of Commons has a highly subsidised canteen that serves good > quality food, and Keith doesn't have to spend too much to impress the pants > off his visitors..............................
> Eddie Fernandes RESPONSE: Here is a piece I wrote for our Parish's Newsletter, on our visit to the Houses of Parliament, might intrigue some, perhaps..... Morning of Monday 14th April 2008 was bright and sunny, albeit a bit nippy and crisp. Fourteen of us gathered at Wimbledon Station for the onward journey, to visit Westminster Palace, better known as the Houses of Parliament. The trip was arranged by the Guild of St. Gerard Majella's Beryl, I trust everyone knows Beryl ! We reached there within the hour and after the usual clearances, we were escorted around. Our tour Guide was a Welshman and I must admit I hadn't heard a Welsh accent in a long while and so had some difficulty understanding. Nevertheless some of the questions posed by our guide were readily answered by our group – sure they could make a good quiz team. We started off at the main Hall which has a lot of history to it…trials were held for treason and sentences were pronounced. Two Catholics: Sir Thomas Moore was pronounced guilty here as well as the now celebrated Guy Fawkes. This hall was also used for the lying in state of some noteworthy people; Sir Winston Churchill lay there from 27th January until 30th January 1965. We then proceeded through the various passage ways which were adorned by large paintings, celebrating British history, like the Duke of Wellington's battle at Waterloo and Lord Nelson's battle at Trafalgar. We then entered another huge chamber which had been bombed during World War II, the older tiles were clearly discernable from the repaired portion. There were various busts of past Prime Ministers in another part of the building; these included Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Harold Wilson, Macmillan, Ted Heath as well as the much loved/much hated Margaret Thatcher. Onwards then to the Princes Chamber, which was adorned with paintings of Henry VII, Henry VIII the various wives, including Arthur's, Catherine of Aragon who upon the death of her husband was married off to Henry VIII. We were then taken to the House of Lords, which was all red in colour and the famous woolsack upon which the Speaker of the House of Lords sits. We were informed that wool from many Commonwealth Countries makes up the stuffing – to symbolise unity. Alas visitors are neither allowed to sit on it, nor on the Lords' benches. We then proceeded to the House of Commons and were informed of the various protocols before entering the Commons. The Commons in contrast, is a sea of green. Members can utter all sorts of obscenities and are immune to prosecution so long as they remain within the confines on the floor area, which are defined. One famous episode is when King Charles I entered the House of Commons to arrest 5 Members, he was unsuccessful in his attempt. The saying 'toe the line' is derived from the Commons; warring factions were required to stand behind the lines to avoid battles with swords! We were almost done for the day, save the obligatory photo shoot and then aah, to the relief of many, to the toilets! It was an inspiring outing recapping on history and how Catholicity was entwined in the early years. As an aside, when the 'Mary Rose' King Henry VIII's flagship was salvaged there were a lot of Catholics who served on board (secretly) as witnessed by the numerous Rosary beads which were found intact. -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
