Thomas William Walsh KOSB - Rest In Peace

A service to celebrate the life of Thomas William Welsh KOSB will take place at 10:30 hrs at The Three Counties Crematorium, Braintree on Thursday 14 January 2021. Tom sadly died on 11 December 2020. The service will be conducted by Reverend Chris Ramsey.

 

In the midst of time

The warriors memory

Shall ne’r fade...

Though generations pass

One fatefully after another

Their footprints remain

As evidence of their actions –

That led the hard way

To all our freedoms!

To this day in which we stand

No, their memory will not dim

But burn as brightly

As each new sun

That heralds a new day

The breath of life remains

 

Amen – Rest in peace

All Rights Reserved & Copyright - David John Drew 'Versificator Regis'

Ladonia Consul in the State of Colorado

David Drew is appointed as Consul in the State of Colorado.

David J. Drew was born in 1964, and raised in Northumberland in the North-East of England. His parents and family were industrialists involved in shipbuilding, mining and construction. He pursued an education in the arts and studied design at Tyne Metropolitan College, graduated with a BA degree in graphic design from the University of Plymouth and an MA degree (illustration and graphic arts) at the University of Brighton. He worked as a freelance illustrator in publishing in London for several years before frustration and sheer boredom drove him to transition in to a career in the culinary arts – rising through the ranks of the Savoy Group to the position of Executive/Banqueting Chef for Digby Trout Restaurants at the Science Museum in South Kensington. With his American wife and three chidren, he emigrated to Denver, Colorado in 2003. Drew has worked for the Colorado State Department of Human Services since then, for fifteen years, as a therapist at a nursing home for veterans. 

David has long been involved in micronationalism, since 2002 he participated in Sir Richard Booths’ ‘Kingdom of Hay’ on Wye (and was created Baron of Carville by King Richard), is a citizen of the Empire of Atlantium (Emperor George ‘Cruickshank’ II), was commissioned as ‘Poet Laureate’ of the Dominion of British West Florida by Governor Bo Register, as well as recently graduating from the Naval Academy of the Republic of Molossia – being awarded the honorary rank of Commodore by President Kevin Baugh. He is currently creating a website for his long established micronation the  ‘County Palatine of Carville.’ David is a Knight Chevalier of the Order of St. Isadore of Seville, and an Officer in the Order of St. George (UK). 

David has spent a lifetime of support for ecology and the preservation of natural habitats and wildlife. He has been an active volunteer for his local nature center in Aurora, and since childhood has been a patron of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust and the invaluable work of Gerald Durrell. Most recently he studied and graduated from the American School of Health Sciences with a Masters Diploma in herbal medicine.

Drews’ engagment with the Republican Monarchy of Ladonia opens a new and exciting chapter in his life, with his appointment as Consul of Colorado. His greatest desire is simply to help others reach their maximum potential and flourish. With his experience of being an ambassador for the NTCA ( National Tourism Coastal Academy) in England, he hopes to create a ‘School of Diplomacy’ for Ladonia that would enrich all micronational citizens in effective international relations.

Yes, the future holds untold and infinite potential!

The Ladonia Herald

https://ladoniaherald.com/category/news/

St. Andrew's Hospitality Center

Photo: The St. Andrew Hospitality Center (Friends of St. Andrew) - a homeless resource center run by parishioners of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora since 1986, on 1525 Dallas Street, Aurora 80010. 

“If you did anything other than look out for number one in 2019... if you fed a hungry and thirsty homeless person... thank you, if you saved a life... thank you, if you consoled the bereaved... thank you, if you helped a veteran... thank you, if you secretly said a prayer on behalf of someone living or dead... thank you... if you provided free medical assistance to an injured person... thank you, if you gave without asking anything in return... thank you, if you offered a word of hope to someone in despair... thank you, if you smiled at a stranger and wished them all the best... thank you, if you consoled the distressed in the midst of chaos... thank you, if you found a lost person and returned them home safely... thank you, if you cared for someone, anyone in ill-health... thank you... if you contributed to the sustenance of the poor... thank you, if you educated children toward the prospect of a better future... thank you, if you gave someone the benefit of doubt, if you forgave an injury... thank you, and if you asked for forgiveness and one more chance to be a better person... thank you!

 

For as much or as little you have done for those less fortunate than yourself over the past year... thank you - and please make it a special resolution to continue your good work in 2020, even in the absence of thanks or praise, and often in the blatant face of adversity!

 

Thank you all!

All Rights Reserved & Copyright David John Drew 'Lord Carville' 2019

The Urban Environment

Exploring minute alterations in the urban environment - our parking lot at work was recently repaved and although I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was excellent, I did admire the way that they had precisely painted the white demarcation lines, to me, that’s an art. Strange how we want life to be all neatly ordered isn’t it? Just like a parking lot! And often we’re reminded that life is really a tangled mess in reality. Been doing more genealogical research into my Cornish grandfather, John Drew, born around 1810 in Truro - hundreds if not thousands of hours of study that only amounts to a few bare facts. In my conclusion, after careful analysis... it’s a tragic start in life for John Drew... yet he made the most of it - born illegitimate to a mother, called Susanna (she must have been pretty young at the time - maybe 16) ... born in the local Workhouse in Truro, and abandoned to the powers that be. Yet, they looked after him, taught him how to read and write, paid for an apprenticeship- set him up in life. Life isn’t easy, we can’t always have everything in straight lines - sometimes it’s a mess and we do our best!

All Rights Reserved & Copyright 2019 David John Drew

A Ship’s Tale: QE2 of the Cunard Line

A Ship’s Tale: QE2 of the Cunard Line

Here is my attempt at the ‘Fornythislag/Mallahattr’ meter – and I found it difficult to maintain the 4 syllable a line count and often drifted into 5 or 6 in order to keep a sense of meaning. Despite this, AI incorporated some cross-rhymes and alliteration, with the end rhymes being impossible I although I tried!) The verses are concerned with a ship, a cruise liner called the QE2 (Queen Elizabeth the Second), built originally in the 1960’s on Clydesbank in Scotland, with her maiden voyage being the 2^nd May 1969 (a real Bealtaine beauty!) She was officially retired in Dubai on November the 26^th in 2008 with nearly 40 years of service with the Cunard line. As a praise poem, I focused on three main aspects of the ship’s life: her construction on the Clyde, her participation in the Falklands war as a troop ship (in 1982), and finally her retirement in the Middle East (last destination being Port Rashid). Simple as they may appear these meters require a greater depth of thought and more concentrated word-meanings than anything else I have yet attempted. The best reward are some excellent kennings. This poem was written for the QE2’s tenth year of retirement - and success as a floating hotel. 

 

A sea scop’s tale – by Mungo’s Clyde,

Vast coracle created – ribs well rising,

The prow proudly yawns – dawn’s volt-blue flames,

Venerable Cunard’s name – the keel wide and deep,

With smoky steel spine – a beam hard-set,

Well flared sea-mare – the ship-builders pride,

The ocean bride sighs – in seams fog wrought,

A red molten scheme – a breed iron hones

Skiff shield of welder’s - the plover’s bead dream,

Sailors surf plough – a ship town’s bread,

This tongue of the Gael – a chrism of the Queen,

Thro’ Irish waters – A Southampton berth,

Cross’ trans-Atlantic – New York’s darling,

Neptune’s mistress – long cruise of comforts,

Of nostalgic airs – the Champagne flowing,

Soft swaying kisses – then clouds of distress,

To battle called – the seagulls screaming,

In troops transporting – to Falkland’s sound,

With Britain’s war crew – too bold in conflict,

The ice-cold south – her heart ever true,

Safe homeward bound – the Islands protected,

Dover’s white cliffs – a mother’s saluting,

The streamline Maiden – forty years strong,

Great graceful liner – of dolphin guided,

Swift and noble – richly desired

Thousand and one night – retired in majesty,

The keen of mourners, into Eastern dawn,

A captain navigates – to the Prince of Dubai,

Bid fond farewell – In port Rashid,

Barque of last longing – final end journey,

Shooting stars illumine – sky glow of fireworks,

A desert flower now – in Persia’s gulf.

 

All Rights Reserved 2018 & Copyright David John Drew ‘Ollamh Draoi’

Six Arborial Haiku

 

Poor is the man who fails to be inspired by the tree. Oftentimes they are simply sturdy natural structures that we pass by on a daily basis, and we may be lucky enough to have a garden with one or two or more. On closer inspection, indeed meditation, we might revel in all their bejeweled majesty, or draw a multitude of inspiration in form and textures. We may listen to the gentle song of their leaves. In olden times the tree was very symbolic; a greater existence, the roots reaching down into the earth for nourishment, the trunk, a strong and sturdy body, and the branches reaching upwards to heaven, as the first psalm in the King James Bible says;

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his leaf shall not whither; and whatsoever he doth shall prosper..."

And so, I offer a selection of my own observations on trees, and my favorites happen to be the birch, the alder, willow, oak and the hazel:

Verdant eyes

Cool shade by lazy brooks:

Green giant sleeping.

+

Winds flaking birch bark

Of butterfly births, floating:

Into books of words.

+

Hazel fingers stretch

Chocolate nuts jingle sweet:

A flock of sparrows.

+

Damson boughs bending

Ripe scent of summer fruit:

On hot buttered toast.

+

Choral breeze of leaves

Forest tongues flickering light:

Chameleon chants.

+

An ocean of bark

Oak vessels swaying softly

Seagulls perched on masts

+

All Rights Reserved & Copyright: David John Drew 'Lord Carville' 2018

MMCVII - Drew/Harrell Annual Newsletter

Life can be as complex and frustrating as a Jackson Pollock jigsaw puzzle, we may drift into a profound depression attempting to analyze the point or meaning of it all. This year of 2017 has verged on the abysmal with seemingly catastrophic changes on every level of society in the U.S. but particularly in government. The appearance of a small but entirely vicious creature on the lawn of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue initiated a surge of paroxysmal activity throughout the nation.

It has somewhat been a year of anniversaries and great discoveries - of celebrating the past in the present. Kim and David celebrated their 20^th wedding anniversary in August with a trip to Iceland, England and Scotland. They made new friends in Reykjavik and established and renewed actual physical contact (not via Facebook) with old ones including Dr. Edward Cooper (of Spanish fortifications fame) and Juliette Banner (the restaurateur) in London. Family was the focus of a short stay in Newcastle upon Tyne (the author’s home-town) - reestablishing links with Uncle Bob and Auntie Maureen, Christine, Jim and nephew Michael... and of course ‘Mam.’ A short tour of Scotland, in and around Edinburgh was made infinitely more pleasurable with the companionship of Deirdre Smith and Oddmar Sandvik, the rambunctious ‘Bergensere.’ We failed to reach the Holy island of Lindisfarne - but realized that often our lives are directed by forces of nature and not by human will or desire. 

 

Kim attended her 30^th College reunion at Colorado College. She continues to impart her jewelry skills to unwitting students at Aurora Community College and the Art Students League of Denver. Kim had a splendid year of business despite the recession of intellect at the highest levels of government - thankfully, we still possess talents like Kim that keep the wheels of creativity, intelligence and commerce rolling despite crap on the tracks. Meanwhile, David came to the sudden realization that he has completed 12 years of work at the Veterans Living Community Center in Aurora. He is currently in training for retirement. David continues to shun gluten as a dietary evil that threatens the clarity and sanity of the digestive tract

 

Hannah commenced her studies as a freshman in Hinkley High School, and discovered one of her callings in Mandarin Chinese with a potential expedition to Mongolia on the horizon. She also plays an active role in the drama and theatre society. It has been our delight to follow her sharp mind as it explores many exciting topics - for example, her reading and reflections on the novel ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ by Harper Lee. * Isabella celebrated her 17^th birthday on the 17^th day of 2017 (17 being the Star card (XVII) in the Tarot) - which to our mind is a fantastically magical and beneficial omen! She continues to excel in both volleyball and tennis, but also possesses a keen mind bent on achieving the topmost fruits of academic success - and perusing potential colleges when she finally graduates from high school. Her studies in psychology draw her in the possible direction of Stanford university in California. * Beatrice is in her second year at Colorado State University, after studying equine sciences she has made a radical change and decided to major in creative arts. She acquired her driving license this year, and Mario (her boyfriend) enabled the purchase of a 2004 metallic turquoise Mustang convertible that simply makes a busy student life easier. 

 

Apart from the death of any sense of normality in the world, we say goodbye to John Hurt (actor), Adam West (the first and only true Batman), Chuck Berry and Fats Domino (musicians), Jerry Lewis (comedian/actor), Helmut Kohl (German politician), Roger Moore (actor), Robert M. Persig (writer)... and all those who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity. - Happy Holidays and Best wishes for 2018 - David, Kim, Bea, Bella and Hannah

All Rights Reserved & Copyright 2017 David John Drew, 'Lord Carville'