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…Last week good friends of ours became grand parents for the third and fourth time as premature twin sons were born to their daughter-in-law. The family and their friends are delighted that mother and babies are progressing, but prayer and patience are being exercised. There are things to do, but there’s an element of allContinue reading “Hanging In There”

On DIY SOS last night Nick and the team helped a family in Kidderminster. The BBC explains: ‘…The 11-year-old (Nathan) can have up to 200 seizures a day and needs round-the-clock care, leaving parents John and Emma exhausted. Meanwhile, teenage sister Kira has seen more and more of her home taken over by Nathan’s needs…’Continue reading “You Are Not Alone”

Yesterday’s local news showed James Toffali playing the piano on the streets in Bury St Edmunds. Known as ‘The Piano Man’, James set off from Land’s End in Cornwall on 11 July cycling with his piano 874 miles to John O’Groats – with his cocker spaniel, Jeff. Having battled homelessness and mental health issues, heContinue reading “With Enthusiasm”

In yesterday’s papers… …Local police are taking part in the national ‘Is Your Vision Roadworthy?’ campaign. Motorists can be pulled over and tested for poor eyesight… Drivers could be fined £1000 and lose their licence. ‘Eighteen lives were lost last year and around 3,000 people were seriously injured due to drivers or bikers with uncorrectedContinue reading “The Importance of Good Eyesight”

Recent news has included distressing pictures of floods across the UK. For us on the East Suffolk Coast we’ve been spared the worst of the weather. Yesterday the Carlton Marshes nature reserve reported: ‘Storm Austen and Storm Boelo over the weekend… minor tree damage and some higher-than-normal tides today… thankfully stopping just a few inchesContinue reading “Lovely Weather for Ducks”

…Yesterday on TV – a feature on Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Rosetta Tharpe was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose 1930s mixture of spiritual lyrics and electric guitar brought gospel music into the mainstream. Her influence on Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and many more, shaped rock and roll and music as we knowContinue reading “Four Women – Seen, Noticed, Remembered.”

I was recently reminded of John Bell’s Iona Community song ‘The Summons’ Will you come and follow meIf I but call your name?Will you go where you don’t knowAnd never be the same?Will you let my love be shown,Will you let my name be known,Will you let my life be grownIn you and you inContinue reading “The Summons”

Yesterday was about long-term plans… remaining patient and persistent… …‘Singing for Health’ in the morning at the Seagull Theatre. Twenty years ago, Suffolk County Council announced it was preparing the site for sale; the Victorian building was to be bulldozed and redeveloped. The Save the Seagull campaign, purchase of the building, and development to becomeContinue reading “Long-term Plans… Patience and Persistence”

Yesterday… …Sitting in our conservatory we heard a dull thud. Outside, a dazed-looking Mrs Blackbird was standing on the path, recovering from flying into the window. Five minutes later she was still there. I guess she had a bit of a headache. Then I heard a squawking-bird-sound. Our Neighbour’s Mr Grey Cat had caught MrsContinue reading “It Started With Mrs Blackbird…”

Yesterday was the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster which killed 116 children and 28 adults. I remember, as a teenager, watching the TV pictures of emergency services, miners and local people digging out those trapped… Yesterday the King was there, describing the ‘most tragic of days imaginable…’, 21st October 1966, when mining debris fromContinue reading “Reflections on Aberfan…”