England June 2011 by Chancellor Neilson

The Chancellors June 2011 Trip to England began on Thursday June 9 at Lincoln. Thursday evening I met with Dr Nicholas Bennett, Vice-Chancellor and Librarian, Lincoln Cathedral Library, and Carol Bennett, Lincoln Cathedral Education Officer. I asked about the archives of the Cathedral concerning the travels of the Lincoln Copy of the Magna Carta and they suggested that I meet with Linda Tilney which I did Friday afternoon. After the meeting I attended evensong at the Cathedral where the results of the election of a new Bishop were announced. After the service the Magna Carta Lecture. "Magna Carta and the Rule of Law"  [view video-S] [view text] was presented by Lord McNally, Minister of State for Justice and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, followed by a reception at the Deanery. I had a chance to meet Phil Hamlyn Williams the new Chapter Clerk and Chief Executive of Lincoln Cathedral, .

On  Saturday Linda Tilney provided a 30 minute recording [view video-S] of her recollections of the Magna Carta travels and I took the afternoon train to London.

On Monday, by kind permission of Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, Mrs Eleanor Laing MP, invited me to a reception to launch The All Party Parliamentary Group on the Magna Carta, in the Speaker Apartments, House of Commons. We were welcomed by Rt Hon John Bercow MP and Mrs. Eleanor Laing MP followed by an explanation of the aspirations of the 800th Anniversary Committee by Sir Robert Worcester KBE, DL. [view video-S]

Tuesday evening there was a Choral Evensong In Celebration of Magna Carta at the Temple Church, The Reverend Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of the Temple, presiding,  [view video-S] followed by a dinner at the Inner Temple. The speaker following dinner was Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Master of the Rolls and Chairman of the Magna Carta Trust. [view video-S]

Thursday afternoon the 800th Anniversary Committee met at Royal Holloway followed by seventh annual Royal Holloway lecture. The lecture was presented by TheRt Hon Lady Justice Arden DBE, entitled "Magna Carta and the Judges - realizing the vision".  [view video of lecture-S] [view text] [view video of dinner-S]