Church

Turn..turn...turn Another song from my youth! Really showing my age this time. The Byrds. Jim Morrison. And all you Baby Boomers out there are singing along. “to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven”. Some may recognise those words, not from the song, but from a funeral service. They [...]

I'm writing this whilst watching the Big Painting Challenge. Partly because I like to think I know the Reverend Richard Coles (I've spoken to him twice) and partly because who knows, one day, in retirement I might take to watercolours. Despite failing Art O Level, dismally. By the time you read this of course the [...]

I wonder if there is another village in England which is home to both the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff? Population of about 1300 and two of the oldest titles in civic life live here. Not bad, eh? It has been my privilege to be Chaplain for the past year to Dr Sarah Furness [...]

2017. How can that be? Surely it is only three years since the millennium celebrations? It ought to be the case that time slows down as we get older but it just runs faster and faster. If you blink you miss another year. Or a decade. As you can see I'm a bit obsessed with [...]

Who dreams it up? A boxer dog bouncing on a trampoline? Foxes, badgers and squirrels in perfect harmony? Puleease. Except, but don't tell anyone, it all makes me happy. But how have they done it? The advent of Christmas announced by the arrival of an advert from John Lewis. (Other seasonal adverts also available.) I [...]

It's that time of the year again. When I have to cope with a quivering wreck of a dog when fireworks go off. Actually, living in Rutland, the fireworks tend to only last a few days. A friend living in a city has to cope with a similarly afflicted dog for weeks. Diwali, Bonfire night, [...]

Well, that’s it. Another Olympics over. We can slump back on our couches now. Wait a minute. That’s what we did while we watched the fittest athletes in the world compete for the highest prizes … OK. As you were. Un mondo novo (a new world) was the theme of the Rio 2016 Olympics. The [...]

All change!! No, honest, I’m not talking about politicians, Prime Ministers, party leaders and the like! I’ve been helping a friend to prepare for moving house. This...? tip! This...? Charity Shop! You can’t throw that away, surely! Some of us grew up with parents who ruthlessly got rid of things as soon as they had done their job, [...]

Oh, the anticipation … the news went round – “it’s coming! Are you going to see it?” Well, did you? The Flying Scotsman! Saturday morning, the dogs and I set off to find a good vantage point down the lane to Teigh, and found 3 others doing the same. We waited, admiring the view, watching [...]

Are you a people watcher? In A&E, it can pass many a tedious hour inventing the back story to why others are there. NHS staff have to deal with some pretty challenging situations – often caused by the good old general public, and our stupidity. Apparently two hundred plus people are treated each year for [...]

Do you like eating out? There’s a little hostelry near a favourite holiday haunt of mine in France which I love to visit. In fact, one of the first things I do on arriving is see if “Les Quatre Vents” is still there and in business. So far, so good…. Nothing better than their meal [...]

Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water, I will lay me down … I think I mentioned before that I was a great fan of Simon and Garfunkel. The first LP I ever bought was one of theirs - 'Bridge over Troubled Water' (if you don't know what an LP is, think black vinyl dinner plate [...]

Saturday morning. 9am. Radio 4. Saturday Live. Inheritance Tracks – a song someone inherited from their parents, and one they would pass on to their children. My mother was a Judy Garland fan, and I have inherited “Somewhere over the Rainbow” from her. (or maybe “Clang clang clang went the trolley...” – let’s not go [...]

What do you like to do on holiday? Are you a laze on the beach type, party all night, tramp the hills, or sightseer? Maybe you like to visit ancient buildings and churches? I went to the Lake District at the beginning of July, (not a beach or party type, then …) and popped into [...]

Those of you who live near the church will have noticed the roof alarm going off more frequently lately. (It’s there to ward off any who might take a fancy to the lead on the roof). The alarm company is looking into the reasons it has been triggered so many times, and we hope any faults will soon [...]

Pointless. Not this. That. The television programme. I love it. So I was delighted to accept a ticket to watch the filming of an episode. Today, before writing this. And as the friend I went with is disabled we were on the front row. Front row!! Alexander Armstrong spoke to me, and it was fabuuuulous. Even more [...]

Buying new shoes can be really stressful – I have BIG feet. Assistants look at me as if I’m from another planet when I ask with faint hope for size 10. And oh, the luxury of a specialist shop for large sizes! I inherited my feet from my Dad. He took 13s. Fortunately his uncle [...]

I have a friend who was born in the then Belgian Congo. He now lives in Hampshire. He will be able to vote freely on May 7th. As will his children. Not so in the DRC. He is a reminder to me of why it matters so much to vote.  We have the great good fortune, whichever [...]

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin. I could tell you a story about cards and candles; about parties and presents; about turkey and tinsel … But I want to tell you a story about the source of creative energy in our universe, emptying himself of his power to make himself vulnerable as one of us; sharing our lot; [...]