"the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye"
Now this fruit tree, pictured here, is special because it sits in the centre of the site of the original garden of Eden. Which is bang in the centre of our humble town of Bedford, in England.
What a fascinating time my father and I had at the Panacea Museum on Saturday. It tells the story of the Panacea Society, formed by Mabel Barltrop (later known as Octavia) as a religious organisation holding fast to the prophesies of one Joanna Southcot whose box of prophesies (which may only be opened by a gathering of 24 Bishops of the Church of England), they also took ownership of.
When we moved to Bedford twenty years ago, this community was still active, still placing adverts to petition the bishops to open the box and sending squares of linen to those requesting healing. They held a good amount of the property in the most desirable residential area of Bedford and were renting it out at peppercorn rates to those who fulfilled strict criteria. When the last member died in 2012 a charitable trust was formed and now we can learn much about the beliefs and lifestyle of the Panacea society - although the box remains firmly shut and in a secret location.
The Garden of Eden, however is open to the public; juicy and ripe as this apple looked, I didn't feel in the least bit tempted to take a bite.
Well as you know, I like a bit of SC! This is a fine example! Love the dof as well. I'm not sure I believe you weren't tempted!....I think you could well be a bit naughty!
Fascinating story too.