Category Archives: Uncategorized

On Friday we visited Sheringham Park. In the Spring the rhododendrons are spectacular… ‘Rhododendrons don’t flower in October,’ I said. I was wrong. There were flowers throughout the park. ‘Rhododendrons Don’t In October’ became Rhodio – a new word meaning ‘a totally unexpected event.’ On Saturday we enjoyed a long beach walk… I kept lookingContinue reading “Rhodio“

Last week I read these words. I remembered the old hymn… At even, ere the sun was set,The sick, O Lord, around thee lay;O in what divers pains they met!O with what joy they went away! Once more ‘tis eventide, and weOppressed with various ills draw near;What if thy form we cannot see?We know andContinue reading “At Even, Ere The Sun Was Set“

Yesterday … …Andy Flannagan wrote of ’the soap opera of personality politics’ for ‘Premier Christianity: ‘… we must resist this temptation to create pantomime villains and comic heroes…’ Boris Johnson is returning to London from his Caribbean holiday in his bid to return to Downing Street. …The US congressional panel investigating last year’s Capitol riotContinue reading “Pantomime Villains & Comic Heroes“

I used to be bored by politics. The last 10 years have changed all that. ‘Unprecedented’ has become a cliché, and the daily soap opera acted out in Downing Street and Parliament lurches between tragedy and comedy. Wednesday’s episode included conflict, resignations, un-resignations, a chaotic vote on fracking and a ‘joke’ that 10 Downing StreetContinue reading “Conflict, Continuity and Consistency“

On Sunday at church… today I read… the story of ‘The Prodigal Son’… The son who takes his father’s money, spends it, and in desperation feeds pigs. .. The turning point comes when he says to himself: ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger.Continue reading “I Will…“

It’s autumn; the seasons are changing; four signs: …Our apple tree has done well this year. Some apples have already been enjoyed by the family in pies and crumbles; some are stored for later. …Yesterday I was raking leaves that have fallen from our horse-chestnut tree in front of our house. …Recently we’ve had ourContinue reading “Changing Seasons“

At the time – now we remember. A headline in my newspaper: ‘Marmalade sales surge following The Queen’s death.’ Apparently ‘There has been an 18% rise in sales of marmalade in the UK in September, seemingly in tribute to a sketch the late monarch performed with Paddington Bear…’ Paddington’s tea at Buckingham Palace… the QueenContinue reading “Marmalade Sales Surge…“

As a child I didn’t like history… I thought my history teacher was boring. History was irrelevant. I could manage without it. I worked with good history teachers in schools… I observed some of their lessons. History became fascinating… I became interested in local history… My interest grew… As a child I loved Christian faith…Continue reading “Thomas Bilney“

Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here;Come bow before him now with reverence and fear… This beautiful song has meant a lot to me over the years… …It calls me to be still. If I’m not busy doing stuff or involved in some activity I’m planning what comes next.Continue reading “Be Still for the Presence of the Lord“

Yesterday we went to a friend’s house in Norfolk. Each year a group of us try to meet up. We first met as young Christians in Derby where we trained as teachers 50+ years ago. Marriages have lasted; faith, although sometimes rocked, remains strong. I’m always encouraged. Yesterday there were 11 of us. We’ve gotContinue reading “Beyond This Point…“