Meg Gilley
@teacupmeg.bsky.social
Seeker, sew-er, carer, nothing to laugh at at all
John Coward (1832-1917) ran 3 local gas companies, a JP, poor law Guardian, councillor, prominent Primitive Methodist, so a significant person in Durham City. What’s more, he built Dunelm Mount, our home for 40 years. He is buried in St Cuthbert’s churchyard. The gravestone needs restoration.
November 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
John Coward (1832-1917) ran 3 local gas companies, a JP, poor law Guardian, councillor, prominent Primitive Methodist, so a significant person in Durham City. What’s more, he built Dunelm Mount, our home for 40 years. He is buried in St Cuthbert’s churchyard. The gravestone needs restoration.
I spent the morning The Story Durham (county record office) researching John Coward (that’s another story) and came across this snippet about St Nic’s Durham. It amused me.
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I spent the morning The Story Durham (county record office) researching John Coward (that’s another story) and came across this snippet about St Nic’s Durham. It amused me.
Durham Cathedral from the riverbank.
November 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Durham Cathedral from the riverbank.
The gardens of heaven.
Durham Lumiere 2025, palace green, elysium garden
Durham Lumiere 2025, palace green, elysium garden
November 18, 2025 at 12:23 PM
The gardens of heaven.
Durham Lumiere 2025, palace green, elysium garden
Durham Lumiere 2025, palace green, elysium garden
Lights shining in the darkness.
Lumiere Durham 2025, cathedral cloisters.
Lumiere Durham 2025, cathedral cloisters.
November 18, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Lights shining in the darkness.
Lumiere Durham 2025, cathedral cloisters.
Lumiere Durham 2025, cathedral cloisters.
Even in November as we await the first snows of the season, flowers bloom, feverfew to heal our aching heads and hearts, sheltering under the lamp post.
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Even in November as we await the first snows of the season, flowers bloom, feverfew to heal our aching heads and hearts, sheltering under the lamp post.
The widowed 2nd wife of my 7x gt g’fr was sued for dilapidations by the new Rector of Boldon Edmund Tew in 1735. Clergy had to maintain their own accommodation. It went to a Consistory Court.
November 6, 2025 at 9:08 AM
The widowed 2nd wife of my 7x gt g’fr was sued for dilapidations by the new Rector of Boldon Edmund Tew in 1735. Clergy had to maintain their own accommodation. It went to a Consistory Court.
I see trains go over the Durham viaduct every day. I can watch them from the bay window in my gran cave. And I find myself praying for them, almost automatically, making the sign of the cross in my head as a blessing. Now I know why, and will do it more consciously.
November 3, 2025 at 8:33 AM
I see trains go over the Durham viaduct every day. I can watch them from the bay window in my gran cave. And I find myself praying for them, almost automatically, making the sign of the cross in my head as a blessing. Now I know why, and will do it more consciously.
My g’dr’s (10 yo) audit of her Halloween haul:
November 1, 2025 at 6:43 PM
My g’dr’s (10 yo) audit of her Halloween haul:
Sometimes the universe offers a precious and unexpected gift, like this oak leaf with Silk Button Galls from the wasp Neuroterus numismalis. Isn’t it beautiful?
October 28, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Sometimes the universe offers a precious and unexpected gift, like this oak leaf with Silk Button Galls from the wasp Neuroterus numismalis. Isn’t it beautiful?
A day in Leeds with friends, not a city I know well, but it is rather splendid.
For nostalgic reasons, we went to Leeds Market, where Barbara Quigley had taken us winter 73/74 during a power cut in the 3-day week, and I bought fabric for my wedding dress.
(Yes, I bought fabric)
For nostalgic reasons, we went to Leeds Market, where Barbara Quigley had taken us winter 73/74 during a power cut in the 3-day week, and I bought fabric for my wedding dress.
(Yes, I bought fabric)
October 21, 2025 at 9:11 PM
A day in Leeds with friends, not a city I know well, but it is rather splendid.
For nostalgic reasons, we went to Leeds Market, where Barbara Quigley had taken us winter 73/74 during a power cut in the 3-day week, and I bought fabric for my wedding dress.
(Yes, I bought fabric)
For nostalgic reasons, we went to Leeds Market, where Barbara Quigley had taken us winter 73/74 during a power cut in the 3-day week, and I bought fabric for my wedding dress.
(Yes, I bought fabric)
Waiting for Choral Evensong @ St Cuthberts CofE Church Durham, with Hild & Bede College
October 15, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Waiting for Choral Evensong @ St Cuthberts CofE Church Durham, with Hild & Bede College
Here are the pots I made, back from firing.
October 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Here are the pots I made, back from firing.
Am in Durham for 3 appointments (incl flu jab, too young for Covid jab despite being a cater) so having lunch in between: Thai Som Tham Salad (only 1 chilli) with coconut water to drink.
October 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Am in Durham for 3 appointments (incl flu jab, too young for Covid jab despite being a cater) so having lunch in between: Thai Som Tham Salad (only 1 chilli) with coconut water to drink.
And to complete the anniversary celebration I went to the Hild & Bede Choral Evensong at St Cuthberts Church. The choir is very good this year.
Now I am drinking gin with Campari and tonic and waiting for dinner to cook.
Now I am drinking gin with Campari and tonic and waiting for dinner to cook.
October 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM
And to complete the anniversary celebration I went to the Hild & Bede Choral Evensong at St Cuthberts Church. The choir is very good this year.
Now I am drinking gin with Campari and tonic and waiting for dinner to cook.
Now I am drinking gin with Campari and tonic and waiting for dinner to cook.
Who is this saint steadfastly keeping watch way above the reach of iconoclastic reformers?
October 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Who is this saint steadfastly keeping watch way above the reach of iconoclastic reformers?
It now costs £2 to leave a candle burning for my frail spouse. I know it says donation … but that’s some pressure.
October 8, 2025 at 10:15 AM
It now costs £2 to leave a candle burning for my frail spouse. I know it says donation … but that’s some pressure.
25 years ago, Durham Cathedral was covered in faux spider webs. At the rehearsal, there was a guy walking round with an owl on his arm. I fully expected to be presented with a sorting hat.
Harry Potter 1 was being filmed.
Harry Potter 1 was being filmed.
October 8, 2025 at 9:42 AM
25 years ago, Durham Cathedral was covered in faux spider webs. At the rehearsal, there was a guy walking round with an owl on his arm. I fully expected to be presented with a sorting hat.
Harry Potter 1 was being filmed.
Harry Potter 1 was being filmed.
Sitting in Durham Cathedral, praying and remembering my ordination as deacon. I read Bp Michael’s charge before i came out: Formation, Transformation, Reformation.
The cathedral is full of tourists wishing I would move, bcos I impede their photographs.
The cathedral is full of tourists wishing I would move, bcos I impede their photographs.
October 8, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Sitting in Durham Cathedral, praying and remembering my ordination as deacon. I read Bp Michael’s charge before i came out: Formation, Transformation, Reformation.
The cathedral is full of tourists wishing I would move, bcos I impede their photographs.
The cathedral is full of tourists wishing I would move, bcos I impede their photographs.
Tomorrow, 8 October is the 25th anniversary of my ordination as a deacon. I have no appointments (tho desperate for a haircut). I will have a Quiet Day of reflection and go to the Cathedral.
October 7, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Tomorrow, 8 October is the 25th anniversary of my ordination as a deacon. I have no appointments (tho desperate for a haircut). I will have a Quiet Day of reflection and go to the Cathedral.
For those local to Durham and follow my family history discoveries over recent months, I will be telling the story of my 7x gt g’fr and his 3 sons at:
The Parish Hall Framwellgate Moor
(In front of St Aidans Church)
Mon 20 Oct 2.00pm
All welcome.
Honestly, it’s a great story. Do join us.
The Parish Hall Framwellgate Moor
(In front of St Aidans Church)
Mon 20 Oct 2.00pm
All welcome.
Honestly, it’s a great story. Do join us.
October 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
For those local to Durham and follow my family history discoveries over recent months, I will be telling the story of my 7x gt g’fr and his 3 sons at:
The Parish Hall Framwellgate Moor
(In front of St Aidans Church)
Mon 20 Oct 2.00pm
All welcome.
Honestly, it’s a great story. Do join us.
The Parish Hall Framwellgate Moor
(In front of St Aidans Church)
Mon 20 Oct 2.00pm
All welcome.
Honestly, it’s a great story. Do join us.
Just musing on the number of words now that begin E- (mail, commerce, etc).
Remembering from family history that I had a great uncle Ewald, pronounced E-wald. And wondering what that was the electronic version of.
Uncle Ewald was born in Saltburn and lived in York.
Remembering from family history that I had a great uncle Ewald, pronounced E-wald. And wondering what that was the electronic version of.
Uncle Ewald was born in Saltburn and lived in York.
October 3, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Just musing on the number of words now that begin E- (mail, commerce, etc).
Remembering from family history that I had a great uncle Ewald, pronounced E-wald. And wondering what that was the electronic version of.
Uncle Ewald was born in Saltburn and lived in York.
Remembering from family history that I had a great uncle Ewald, pronounced E-wald. And wondering what that was the electronic version of.
Uncle Ewald was born in Saltburn and lived in York.
Branch fallen from Ash tree. Look at the wonderful patterns from the boring beetle
September 30, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Branch fallen from Ash tree. Look at the wonderful patterns from the boring beetle
Avenue of Himalayan Birch. Lots of fungi to be found there
September 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Avenue of Himalayan Birch. Lots of fungi to be found there
Went on fungus foray @ Durham Botanical Gardens with Durham Wildlife trust Botany Group:
Shaggy scaly cap
Tan Ear
Liberty Cap
Amanita Muscaria
Shaggy scaly cap
Tan Ear
Liberty Cap
Amanita Muscaria
September 30, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Went on fungus foray @ Durham Botanical Gardens with Durham Wildlife trust Botany Group:
Shaggy scaly cap
Tan Ear
Liberty Cap
Amanita Muscaria
Shaggy scaly cap
Tan Ear
Liberty Cap
Amanita Muscaria