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Yesterday afternoon we watched the Co-op Juniors Theatre Company’s, ‘Magic of Christmas’ show at Snape. The publicity material said: ‘Prancing reindeer, rocking Santas, a moving nativity scene, toe-tapping music and dynamic dancing are set to delight audiences…’ They most certainly did. Eighty-five excellent young people, all under twenty-one, were under the spotlights, singing and dancingContinue reading “Under the Spotlight”

‘Don’t you know about Bishop Odo?’ Gus asked me in a far ranging conversation. I had to confess I didn’t and had to ask Mr Google. I learnt that Odo was William the Conqueror’s half-brother. He lent William 100 ships as part of the invasion fleet and fought with him at the Battle of Hastings.Continue reading “Bishop Odo”

Our exceedingly elderly TV was showing its age. We decided we needed a new one. We visited our local electrical appliance store, and chose one. Yesterday two pleasant young engineers fitted it. We chatted. They said they’re from Ipswich. They discussed jobs they’d already done, jobs they were still to do. I asked if theirContinue reading “The Unseen Behind the Seen”

Ahead of last night’s Norwich City game, head coach Philippe Clement said of their opponents Sheffield United, ‘They’re a very aggressive team… We need to be up for that fight. If you only focus on how to stop the opponent, you can’t win the game… There is one pressure here and that is winning’. DoingContinue reading “Doing Good Things”

Yesterday I watched ‘Santa and the Christmas Wish’, the Seagull Theatre’s early years Christmas show. Two weeks ago there was a script, and empty stage and five professional entertainers. The stage was transformed with a wonderful set. There were days of rehearsal. Music and sound effects were added, lighting was planned. Last week performances started.Continue reading “Plans, Change, Improvement, Success…”

Yesterday was the second Sunday in Advent – that often focuses on peace. I started the day thinking about the romantic comedy ‘Guys and Dolls’. The pious Sarah Brown, committed to the ‘Save-a Soul Mission’ falls in love with and marries Sky Masterson, a gambler who’ll bet on anything… Nathan Detroit, who runs illegal gamblingContinue reading “A Kinder, Simpler Peace”

It’s the second Sunday in Advent. I’ve spent the last week singing, listening to, Christmas songs. Many highlight Advent themes – peace, joy, hope, love, faith… Last night, on Strictly Come Dancing, one couple danced to ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat’. I wondered. What if we think of this as a Christmas song? ForContinue reading “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”

Yesterday I was presented with three distinctively different pictures of Christmas… Comforting Christmas… Like most other days this week, yesterday was a carol-singing day. We sung Christmas songs at our morning Singing for Wellbeing group, then in the afternoon Singers for Wellbeing and Ukelele Strummers sung at a Christmas craft fayre at our local EastContinue reading “Christmas – Comforting, Competitive or Compassionate?”

I walked by the sea this morning as the sun was rising. The half-light meant that I couldn’t see people clearly. I said ‘Good morning,’ to people’s outlines. I couldn’t see who they were. I was speaking to silhouettes. Our Christmas plans are still being formed. We know certain events that will happen over theContinue reading “Silhouettes”

Signs of Christmas are all around: Christmas Music… Christmas songs are played on the radio. I’ve sung and played carols at least once every day for the last week… Yesterday it was our Accessible Carol Service. Many groups, including Topcats Charity, Pathways Care Farm, Lowestoft Signing Choir, and a number of accessible singing groups cameContinue reading “Signs of Christmas”