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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
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ReplyDeleteSarnia - August 22, 2021 at 5:25 PM
Soz, do you come from Nomansland?
Soz - August 22, 2021 at 7:24 PM
No I don’t but I know the Forest very well. My aunt lived in Houghton near Stockbridge and my sister in Hyde ( I lived with her when she was ill) so my route between the two took me through Nomansland.
As a child I remember driving into the forest to collect horse manure for my grandmother’s garden. She made sure there was a cardboard box and shovel in the boot!!!
Miriam - August 22, 2021 at 6:25 PM
I can't even post, what my professional N-i-L cricket coach, said about The Hundred.
He coaches juniors, at Essex County cricket club, plus he is the senior coach at a cricket academy, along with his own private cricket coaching sessions.
His words and comments, cannot be repeated. He was just appalled.
Miriam - August 22, 2021 at 6:59 PM
Another sad loss -
Don Everley, from the Everley Brothers.
Lanjan - August 22, 2021 at 8:29 PM
Saw Don and Phil Everly when they came to Liverpool,Miriam.
They were great.
Lady R - August 22, 2021 at 10:29 PM
Ah memories of my youth - RIP Don 💿 🎸 🕯
Opening a couple of blogs early as I'm off to the Cairngorms and the Moray Coast for 9 days - lots of walking, visiting castles, some dolphin hunting and a wee bit of pony trekking...
ReplyDeleteThe Everly Brothers remind me so much of my childhood. Every Sunday was housework day and mum would have "Tommy Truesdale's Country Show" on West Sound Radio playing as she pootled about the house with a can of polish and every 10 minutes asking for help in taking down or putting up net curtains from every window in the house. To this day the smell of Pledge or Mr Sheen makes me think of Country & Rock & Roll music...
An language person said this morning family members can harmonise better than anyone else.
DeleteI love their harmonising. If fact I adore all harmonising, whether rock, classical etc!
It must mean that my sons cannot be unusual when answering the phone and saying to me ' It's one of your sisters but can't tell which one!'
I don't hanker for the days of my youth - days spent on the sea were soul-satisfying and remain with me for ever, but the rest wasn't worth hankering after. Now I've got a beautiful garden, a lovely warm stove for the winter, a smart new front door and a mighty Wurlitzer of a concert organ to play (when the church is usable!). Much better.
ReplyDeleteThe mention of your “Wurlitzer” church organ certainly brings back memories for me Sarnia my ex and I travelled most weekends to concerts and even though our relationship finally broke down it does not detract from the absolute wonder of having seen and heard these superb instruments. Comptons, Wurlitzers etc the ones that still had fully functional lifts were so exciting along with the changing coloured lights. Expertly played in so many forms classical, popular songs, old favourites from the wartime just about anything. I remember Phil Kelsall organist at The Blackpool Tower when he was just starting out and his playing is just phenomenal and all without any sheet music. Amongst our main Venus were The Odeon in Leicester Square, The Granada Tooting, Gaumont State Kilburn and many others what fantastic buildings and interiors in the ones I have mentioned.
DeleteLady R: I think I must also be 'on the cusp' as you put it - more Libra than Virgo.
ReplyDeleteGood to know Sarnia as yet I appear to be the only Libra on the blog - any other takers out there?
DeleteNot me Lady R, I’m an Aquarian.
ReplyDeleteSarnia have you a connection to Nomansland? Talking about organs, my cousin played the organ in Broughton church for my aunt’s funeral. He lives in America and he had a huge organ built into his house!
Many Aquarian’s in my family Soz including my IOW sister 😊
DeleteWow your cousin had an huge organ built in his house - what a joy (soundproofed area or no neighbours 🤔 🤣)
I've been singing along to the Everly Brothers, and find l still remember almost every word! RIP Don.
ReplyDeleteLady R knowing my cousin , the room would be soundproofed and no neighbours for miles!
ReplyDeleteSo it dosnt matter Soz he can just let rip 👏🏻 Wish I could hear it from here….
DeleteSoz: I have a long-term acquaintance who comes from Nomansland so I've heard quite a lot about it over the years.
ReplyDeleteLady R: it is a proper church organ, although I can make it sound like a cinema organ if I want to - I just call it the 'mighty Wurlitzer' because it's the biggest 3-manual I've ever played, with the most satisfying collection of stops.
Yes I did realise what you meant Sarnia which is why I put apostrophes around the word
DeleteWurlitzer but as you point out sound wise they can be made to sound like each other. I am in awe of you being a Church organist such a wonderful sound.
Just love the heading on this page. Thank-you GG.
ReplyDeleteLady R. I am on the cusp of virgo/libra, so I am just a jumble of both.😂
For some reason, the song which is in constatly in my mind at the moment, is:-
ReplyDeleteCalypso by John Denver.
No idea why..🤷♀️
Which day in September, Miriam?
ReplyDeleteLanjan 🎂 is October but at the end of the month so is a Scorpio (dear Mr LJ was my fellow Libra being 11th October just a day before me)
ReplyDeleteIndeed,Lady R ,John's birthday was a day before yours -well balanced ,being Libras !
ReplyDeleteI haven't a clue what else Libras are supposed to be like.
Very kind?
Very calm?
Very tidy ?
-and mine as you say is later in the month
I share my birthday -same year-as Pelé the famous international footballer .
Miriam shares her birthday with that of my sister!
She also shares it with the date that ITV started on the night that Grace Archer was killed(some years before Miriam was born I hasten to add)
Kind I do hope so LJ as I love anything people orientated. Calm (?) sometimes 😃
DeleteTidy yes. Not always so good at decisions…
I was going to add to LJs list...... can't ever make decisions tho'.
DeleteNow you've said it yourself Lady R.
Indeed Mrs P 🤔😂🤔😂
DeleteAh, the day before mine.
ReplyDeleteTherefore you are the 21st September Sarnia 🤗 with Miriam on the 22nd September 😄
DeleteMy Virgo daughter is the 21st Sarnia.
DeleteNo, Sept 20th. I thought Miriam's birthday was the night Grace Archer died and ITV was launched. Mr Google said that was Sept 19th, which was why I thought Miriam's birthday was the day before mine. Oh dear, what a tangle I've made out of such a simple matter!
DeleteAs I was travelling back to Nottinghamshire this afternoon I listened to a programme on BBC4 - “Planet Bach”. Well worth listening to.
ReplyDeleteThank you for 'Cathy's Clown' Gary! Memories of Radio Luxembourg listened to under the sheets.
ReplyDeleteRIP Don
LJ...and others.
ReplyDeleteI had my 1st birthday, on the day ITV started along with that tragic Archers episode, which was heard on the same day.
I had a lovely birthday last year, a day at "The Zoo" in sunshine, with good company. It was, sort of extra special as 10days before, I got my state pension. It was a double celebration, in a wierd way! Whilst having a loo stop, a snack and a drink, we sat by the wall of rememberance. This was really nice, as names and dates, were on copper leaves, placed on a painted tree on a white wall. I had never seen this before, but was fascinating. I lived for 8 years, attending the local primary school for 4years, only a 20 minute walk away. It was poignant, as I knew several names, particularly two previous teachers.
DeleteThere are no plans yet, for my birthday this year.
It will evolve.
I am renewing my Chester Zoo membership on September 1st. I have so missed my visits, but this was the best way, for me. I love going in the autumn, winter + spring, when it is so much quieter.
DeleteAlso there are no leaves on trees etc, so often see much more.
Back to a lily, as blue was too vibrant.
ReplyDeleteBack to a lily, the blue was too vibrant.
ReplyDeleteFinally decided on a lovely peach rose bud. This is Cheshire Life, I think but not entirely sure.
ReplyDeleteCharlie Watts RIP. A cool chap.
ReplyDelete😔so cool.
DeleteA very rich and titled person had a party and invited the Stones to stay and play. The butler said that Charlie was 'the only 'gentleman' there!' RIP Charlie!
DeleteLady R: for those with a leaning towards Libra I believe achieving Balance is the name of the game, isn't it; in my case, harmony. Fussing, (or taking love of detail to excess), can be a Virgo trait.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Sarnia ✔️
DeleteMy ex was a Virgo and he was tidy to the unth degree and it was decreed that I be the same with anything either of his or “”household wise”” (not two packets of something open at the same time etc even if by mistake ie kitchen or toilet rolls - shades of Rob!)
I needed to be tidy in my job share role and was happy to be so but it was the manic and unnecessary behaviour that did for me eventually!
A nice surprise to see todays obituary of Charlie Watts in the Guardian featuring an early portrait by my ex, Jeremy Fletcher.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely man, Charlie Watts.
A great photo Mrs P ✔️
DeleteCharlie Watts was only pop musician to merit a poster on my bedroom wall. Never mind Mick Jagger or any of he Beatles ( except George Harrison, later) ever interested me.
DeleteCharlie Watts was the drummer’s drummer and a real gentleman to boot.
I was very very sorry to hear of his death yesterday.
A talented man, both of them.
DeleteI meant Jeremy Fletcher and Charlie Watts.
DeleteNice day at the cricket 🏏🏏🏏!
ReplyDeleteToday I’ve become a convert to Leyland paint. Found out that you can colour match paint with leyland paint from expensive brands. I’ve always been a Dulux person before. I can really recommend Leyland. The paint goes on beautifully. Our living room/dining room is now going to be “covert feather” and the lime green room will become “foraging” Basically light beige and a bit darker beige. 🤣🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteAre you getting a discount for your recommendation PtbY? 😂
DeleteHaha. If only. 😁
DeleteSpicy : v happy chez M et Mme Parsley !! 🏏🏏🏏
ReplyDeleteWon’t be around tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteDriving up to N Wales for Brother in Law’s funeral - assuming Coroner has now released the body & it’s travelled up from Carmarthen.
Have to leave at 6am so it’s going to be a very long day.
This will be my first burial funeral, all others I have attended have been cremations so it will be a bit different.
Anyway, should be back online on Saturday.
Take care.🎉💕
DeleteThe last two funerals that I have attended, have both been burials. He went first, followed by his wife, 18 months later.
DeleteThe grave was dug deep, so that the 2nd coffin was put on top of the first...so this husband + wife, were together again, as they were in life.
The very close family, were able to say their final "Good-byes" in a very dignified way, far better than in a crematorium, when the coffin just disappears.
I will be thinking of you all tomorrow.
Miriam. Xxx 🤗
Bon courage AP.
ReplyDeleteI will be thinking of you 🙏🏼 both Archerphile. Safe journeys and do hope the weather is kind particularly as it is a burial (of which I have attended a few, one in the most atrocious weather conditions).
ReplyDeleteHope it's a day of celebration as well as farewell ARCHERPHILE
DeleteDrive safely.
N.Wales looks partially cloudy/sunny, warm but not too hot.
DeleteAt least, such a very sad day, will not be rainy and wet.
Take Care AP and Mr. AP.
Thank you all for your good wishes
DeleteI had checked the weather report in order to decide what to wear. I was worried it would be too hot but I think we should be OK
Little bit of good news tonight from France
At long last, after months and months of form filling and interviews and gathering of documentation ( including Mr A’s and my birth certificates and marriage certificate!), our son has been granted French Citizenship.
This means he is OK to carry on living and working in France and owning property despite Brexit.
As he pointed out, it also means that if France were to declare war on another country, he could be called up for national service……he is hoping his flat feet will excuse him! 😂 🇫🇷
🍾🇲🇫🐓
DeleteI am just having a quick look in.
ReplyDeleteAll seems quiet, but then, so am I. My major "happening" today, was that the garden bin was emptied, so I can now start to fill it up again 😁
I had a lovely day yesterday, in glorious sun-shine with 'al fresco' coffee, followed by lunch, with Big Sis in her emaculate large garden.
The theme this year, with both their community and mine, is:-
Who can grow the tallest and largest, Sunflower.
I have seen some wonderful specimens. There is somewhere not too far away, who have made a Sunflower Maze, on a farm. 🌻🌻🌻🌻
I didn't plant any, but next year will be different..😁🤣
DeleteThe bees just love the sunflowers, and if left, the dried seeds are a good source of food for the birds. I have learnt a lot.
DeleteBefore Covid appeared I had a recall on my car.
ReplyDeleteMany reasons why it's never been auctioned.
Finally today I had an appointment in Cheltenham and I set off with a plan to get there given by a helpful man in the service department of a very large dealership.
My first instruction was to come off the M5 at junction 11but when I arrived there, there were road works and no sign of which road led to Cheltenham until halfway round the roundabout I saw a temporary sign, but too late to be able to take the turning.
After ten minutes of desperately trying to find my way I found my self in a business park 15 minutes from home, having gone in a huge half circle.
After a frantic phone call I decided to quit, but as the tearsmet my eyelashes I pulled myself together realising that I had lost my confidence after almost two years of doing virtually nothing most days.
Since I now knew where I was I made my way back to my proposed starting point and picked up my route and arrived at my destination.
Revived with coffee I took Lady off for a walk around a local 'Pocket Park ' that I had researched for a couple of hours of intensive sniffing of new smells. Yet more tea and biscuits and amazing service at the dealership left to discover that my car had been cleaned as well.
On the way home I heard on PM that tonight's ' Any Questions ' was coming from Stroud. How I had missed this piece of local information I don't know, but I dropped into town quickly, was offered a spare ticket which I gratefully accepted, took Lady home and fed her, and was back at the venue with minutes to spare.
So if any of you were listening tonight or will listen tomorrow, I was in the audience.
And no, I didn't ask a question.
What a day, said Enid !
After all that I rather hope that my loss of confidence this morning was a temporary situation.
I understand your lack of confidence re post lockdown Mrs P. When I started driving again what with the many major roadworks plus building work going on everywhere it was a job to find my way around our own area and going further afield was at first very strange but it does get better.
DeleteWhat a treat at the end of the day though “ Any Questions” spotted just in time and with a spare ticket available too! Plus your unexpectedly cleaned car 🚘
What an interesting post, Mrs P. I so enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteHow strange Mrs P, were we’re in that area too, yesterday morning on our way to our brother in laws funeral.
ReplyDeleteWe left home at 6am to reach our daughter who was driving us to and from the funeral.
Along the M4 to Swindon, then Cheltenham, Cirencester, Ledbury, Leominster, Craven Arms and into Wales. Another couple of hours negotiating narrow twisty roads, often stuck behind tractors and eventually to the isolated village.
The funeral took place in a tiny church on top of a steep hill (pitied the poor coffin bearers!).
The service was beautiful, very personal and meaningful, unlike many cremations I have been to, (especially one where the celebrant got the deceased name’s wrong)
The grave was specially chosen to look down on their house, which is The Old Rectory, across a lovely valley to the mountains of Snowdonia beyond. The sun shone brightly which made a great difference and Mr A’s sister coped surprisingly well for most of the day.
Then a short wake at John’s favourite pub a few miles away and time to set off home.
Another 4 1/2 hours through increasing heavy traffic.
Our daughter was brilliant at coping with all that driving, seemingly tireless and very patient. We owe her a great deal for relieving Mr A of the task.
We are both pretty exhausted today after all the travelling and high emotion of yesterday, so shan’t be doing much over the weekend.
Thank you Archerphile for sharing yesterday’s journeys and funeral with us. As ever I could see it all in my minds eye from your (wonderfully written) detailed description. So glad it all went so well. Your daughter a real diamond coping with all that driving in one day such a relief for Mr A I agree. Will Mr A sister continue living in her isolated spot?
DeleteAlthough never wise to make any big decisions for sometime after a loss and a very unexpected one in this case as well.
Yes do rest up today and take care of yourselves 🥰
Mr A’s sister will I’m sure feel more settled after the funeral. Those first few months are very hard but I remember my auntie saying to me, having lost uncle a few years before, it will get better and with time it does. Your comment on the celebrant getting the name wrong put me in mind of Mike’s auntie’s funeral where the vicar said she and Uncle Jim had met through his sister. Her name was Veda but vicar said Bidet! We had a hard time controlling our laughter!!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my best wishes to you all, Archerfile in coming to terms with this sad loss.
Archerphile - you had such a very long journey there and back.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is most certainly a star.
I am so pleased for you that it was a very satisfying service and pleased of course for Mr A P and his friends wife.
I do hope she can take a deep breath and feel able to make those huge decisions to come in a calm manner.
My longest - in years - friend lost her husband very early this year and was in very great shock, but in recent weeks tells me that she is feeling much better now.
It comes to many of us, but in different ways, and most of us do learn to cope.
Thank-you Archerphile, for sharing your very sad event.
ReplyDeleteYou must still be tired, emotional and concerned for your S-I-L.
I have been like Mrs P. about driving.
ReplyDeleteI got my new wheels, just a week before the October lockdown, followed by Christmas being lost (so home alone), followed by going into that awful winter lockdown. I became a true hermit, as it was so cold + dark. This affected me far more than I realised, at that time.
It took me a long while to gain my confidence driving again, particularly as I had to re-adapt to this different vehicle.
I had several "panic" attacks, when I was stopped at temporary traffic lights due to road-works, as I kept stalling as the gear box was different.
All is fine now, but I still prefer the country lanes.
This will change very soon.
AP, solidarité.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Not long back home, managed to avoid too many delays on the last mad Saturday on the roads before the French rentrée.
ReplyDeleteNow ensconced in front of back to back Test highlights, bottle of red, evening session 1st day, England 24 - 0, some time to go! 😊🍷🍷
Lady R, my sister in Law was only married for 10 years ( we were convinced she would never do so!) but in that time has made many good friends in the village and wants to stay in the area. But The Old Rectory is a very large house built in the early 1800s and needs a lot of maintenance and has a huge garden so it will have to be sold and she’ll look for something much smaller. She definitely wants to stay in Wales rather than come back down South.
ReplyDeleteRegarding celebrants getting names wrong- it happened at Mr A’s mother’s funeral.
Her names were Mabel Margaret, but never in her entire life had she been called Mable. She was always Peggy, even as a child.
She died very suddenly & unexpectedly at age 61. We had never discussed her funeral wishes and a cremation was quickly arranged at a Surrey crematorium.
The celebrant had never met her and only had a brief discussion about what was wanted at the service.
Needless to say, when the time came he started “ We are here today to celebrate the life of Mabel…..! A gasp went around the room. It just wasn’t her, and it was quickly obvious the priest knew nothing about her. It was awful and distressing for the family, in top of the shock of her very early death.
Once again thank you for your reply Archerphile. I hope you will keep us up to date with your s-i- l I can’t help thinking of her and very glad to hear she loves her friends and life in Wales and still wants to remain there. A tough move ahead and all that comes with doing so.
DeleteWhat distressing Cremation stories you have told us. It truly does make a difference if the person was known to the celebrant. My mum’s funeral was wonderful because of this.
The vicar who got Veda’s name so wrong had not known auntie either. In Mike’s case his brother is a lay preacher and took the service in the crematorium. His sister gave a eulogy. Katy read the next room poem. It was such a family run service and much better in that way than by a celebrant unknown to the deceased. We were lucky though in having the resources within the family. It must have been very upsetting to have Mr A’s mother referred to by other than her widely known name.
ReplyDeleteNews for all Charles Paris fans:
ReplyDeleteA new detective serial starts on Radio4 on Friday at 11.30am.
Brill. Can’t wait. Thanks for the info.
DeleteThank you Archerphile for that cheerful news.
DeleteFriday mornings booked then.
ubscrsI love Charles Parish.
DeleteThanks for the info.
I will do what I always do - subscribe to it on Sounds. I then listen to all episodes in a row.. I do this, to get the continuity as to the plot, which is why I listen to the TA omnibus.
Not sure what the strange start was all about. Sorry 😁
DeleteHave just been listening to the Poet Laureate has gone to his shed. He invites different people for a chat and the latest was with Prince Charles. It was a very interesting talk between the two and reflected the caring attitude of Charles towards the environment. It is a radio 4 program and available on Sounds if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteNo names wrong at my father-in-law's funeral - OMiaS took the service.
ReplyDeleteAt the service, and afterwards at the pub, I was struck by just how many people knew and loved Dad. And I learnt so much about him that I'd never realised before. So, a sad day, but lovely at the same time. And his timing was perfect - a couple of weeks later and only six of us would have been able to gather for a very different, lockdown funeral.
OMias! Is he a vicar or maybe a humanist? Or can anyone take a funeral service? I am curious Owias…
DeleteLady R ?
DeleteI'm surprised that you don't seem to have realised that the Shoe 👠 is a modern Rectory.
OWia 👠 - I've learnt that the best part of a funeral is hearing about the past life of the departed, especially if it's a person you might have known for perhaps a quarter of their life. And I've noticed too, that as life becomes less formal, we hear more than we might of heard in earlier times.
Well blow me down Mrs P - indeed I have not 🙄 so thank you.
DeleteTotally agree with your following comment to. OWias.
It was some time ago, but I managed to elicit an admission that he was in fact OViaS, so it must be a Vicarage shoe. Rectories are inhabited by Rectors, who apparently have some sort of rights that vicars don't, but it was all too complicated for a mere non-conformist like me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked in the Anglican church, understanding its inner workings was several levels above my pay grade and therefore not part of my job description. I did, however, manage to pick up the fact that an archdeacon needs to have all his faculties...
Keep em coming Sarnia - your posts are so amusing ! And informative, where else would I find out the difference between a rectory and a vicarage?
ReplyDeleteA rector collected the tithe on his own behalf. A vicar collected it vicariously, on behalf of the rector. These days, tithes are no more, CofE vicars all receive a stipend, and the main difference is that rectors live in a rectory and vicars live in a vicarage.
DeleteA faculty is what you need in order to hammer a nail into the Church wall! Actually, I think that is classified under permitted minor works. But anything vaguely substantial needs a faculty, permission from the diocese. And if you want to put new heating in a 1950s building by a relatively interesting architect, beware the Twentieth Century Society! Apparently the exterior view of the building is more important than whether or not the building is useable! (Fortunately the diocese over-ruled on that one.)
🤣 found all these comments re faculties really funny. You might be lucky enough to get away with putting in one nail but two screws are definitely faculty worthy! Too long a story.
DeleteMy godfather was a Very Reverend whatever that means. I never saw him after my baptism!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, the faculty. One church had been designed in the 1920s as 'the cathedral in suburbia', with a clear view through to a rather nice rose window above the altar. Immediately after the war a High-Church vicar wanted to install statues, for which he was refused a faculty. He then applied to erect a rood screen across the chancel, which was granted, and had the statues added on the top. Therefore until recently the window was obscured by a Palladian-style screen with blue and gold pillars topped with four almost life-sized evangelists.
ReplyDeleteAs to buildings being usable, I gather that wishing to add toilets to your mediaeval village church is the stuff of nightmares. Howls of protest erupt for miles around from people who have never set foot in the place, but want it kept as it was when their great-grandparents were married there in eighteen hundred and frozen to death. And then there are memorial pews - move them one inch to the left at your peril. As for replacing them with chairs which are actually comfortable to sit on...it's a minefield!
My parents' church had to remove the pews when the floor got dry rot, or something similarly unpleasant. Mind you, the chairs which replaced them were rather less comfortable! The regulars tend to bring their own cushions or use the kneelers.
DeleteOMiaS had a friend who wanted to remove some piece of church furniture that certain members of the congragation were rather attached to. He moved it sideways a couple of inches at a time over several months. No-one noticed!
Another vicar had a major clear-out then recalled the Archdeacon's visitation was due the following day. That evening, someone torched the skip and all evidence disappeared. Apparently, living in Dagenham can sometimes have its advantages : )
We had one elderly lady who often had to drive back down to the village in the middle of a service to go to the loo. After years of debating where a toilet would be allowed to be put in the church (Norman previously Celtic) and after said lady long gone it was decided to have a composting toilet (waterboard wanted an exorbitant unaffordable price to lay in water and sewage pipe) put in the outside shed where vicars used to stable their horse while taking the service.
DeleteA friend of mine, when her husband became priest at a similarly ancient church, was told 'You'll have to get used to people coming into the vicarage to use the toilet.' I think she made it quite clear they wouldn't!
DeleteA few years later they were investigating composting toilets, but I don't know if they ever happened.
Dear friends, please accept my apologies for confusing a rectory with a vicarage.
ReplyDeleteSloppy writing, since I did know that there was a difference, though not the reasoning behind the difference. Thank you OwiaS for the correction.
An apt discussion since much of my weekend has been taken up with concerts and services at a church in a nearby town.
Prior to Covid I was at that church for various activities on a weekly basis, and in the year before Covid major works were carried out, with a new stone floor and the removal of the pews.
So my visits this weekend have been my first since the renovations.
My neighbour and I shared our unhappiness at the rows of chairs in place of the pews as well as much of the church furniture stripped from the walls. We regretted also an absence of kneelers, but then spied a pile of them against a wall. So I collected two and used mine to pray throughout Choral Evensong yesterday, making my point silently.
My neighbour had been to communion in the morning and found it all very strange to be without an alter rail.
However our dissatisfaction was tempered by our pleasure at having an inaugural music festival in the district.
Oh dear Lord (not being disrespectful)
ReplyDeleteHave just been told that someone sitting in the pew immediately behind us at the funeral has tested positive for COVID.
So we have to take tests and it is only 2 weeks today until our cruise starts.
Have managed to stay out of trouble for 18 months through self isolation and taking great care when out & about, only to face possible infection at a funeral.
How ironic!
Keeping fingers crossed for you both.🤞
DeleteHave you booked a PCR test? I bet you have.
DeleteI am sure you will be OK and you finally will get that cruise.
Do you know what age these +ve people were...
Oh dear : (
DeleteHere's praying you manage to stay virus free.
And that the person behind you has mild or zero symptoms.
I seem to have read that the Owia 👟👡 abode, is a Rectory.
ReplyDeleteI also had no idea about this, and I found it very interesting to learn.
Actually, it's a vicarage.
DeleteScroll up for the enthralling difference between the two : )
I am not sure what has just happened, but for some reason this page "refreshed" to 2nd April 2018, the 1st Ruthy page.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how she is and what she is now doing.
I also noticed, a lot of very different names, which are never seen now sadly.
Wow I really started a discussion!
ReplyDeleteOh Archerphile you seem to lurch from one problem to another I have all my fingers and toes crossed for you both regarding your covid test results and clearance for your upcoming cruise.
(Also for your daughter)
How fortunate that we have an expert on hand to fill in all the gaps! I seem to remember that that at one point only temporary appointments of 'priest in charge' were being made. I can't help wondering what kind of footwear they were assigned to live in. OWiaS, do you have a creative suggestion?
ReplyDeleteThe building remained a vicarage. As it's officially part of the postal address, changing it temporarily to the Priest-in-Charge-arage would have caused confusion!
DeleteNormally I'm lazy and just give our house number and road name. This caused difficulties when we changed energy supplier. Apparently the boiler registered at Number 1 Shoe Lane is the one actually sited in the Scout hut round the corner! When we finally solved this little mystery and enterered our address as St Whotsit's Vicarage, 1 Shoe Lane, we were finally able to go ahead with the switch.
Poor Mrs P. It's probably no comfort to remember that pews only began to come into fashion in the C18, and that any change to the currently established order in churches is always met with unhappiness. I try to soften the mutterings at the introduction of a new hymn with the reminder that had we been around in an earlier century the complaints would have been about 'Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven', or 'The Lord's my Shepherd'. There was certainly displeasure in C19 churches when the box pews which formerly concealed all manner of unseemly activity during worship were replaced with open ones, exposed to one and all! It's dislike of alteration to what people have become used to.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be tip-up seats around the wall - hence the phrase 'The weakest go to the wall.'
DeleteI gather markets etc used to be held within the church - 'twould have been a trifle tricky if the pews had already been in situ.
I agree with you about church music. Some new stuff is very good, some less so. 'Twas ever thus. But the rubbish stuff never made it into Hymns Prehistoric and Time Immemorial and so got quietly forgotten. The same will happen with today's music.
BTW 'While Shepherds Watched' is a bit of a dirge. But, as Sarnia probably knows, the original tune is now better known as 'On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at'. It is my ambition to get this fine tune reinstated : )
While Shepherds Watched isn't a dirge down here in Cornwall. It is sung to the Lyngham fuging tune, usually at the end of the village Carol service held in the Methodist chapel, and I wish you could all hear it. With all the different groups of voices coming in at different times in the round it is really something to experience. Magical and roof raising.
DeleteWhenever I come on board here, via my 'phone, I still see the posts from March 14th, 2020. This was when we all went into the first massive lockdown.
ReplyDeleteGG did his normal wonderful heading, a video of Italians singing from their balconies, as they were already "locked down".
One of my posts on this page, which I keep seeing, is related to my sisters, who at that time both sung in choirs.
Now in September 2021, their choirs are starting again. They are both, however, not sure if they will carry on.
The reasons are:- social distancing will still being maintained, the rehearsal rooms are now different due to bigger premises required with ventilation, and the rehearsal times are very much shorter, just 45- 60 mins. The yearly fees are staying the same though. Both are still so very undecided what to do, due to the travel times, that they both need.
Is any-one else, facing a similar problem, with a previous group activity, which was so loved and enjoyable, but now is not as it was??
As one sister said, she is also thinking about another problem, which affects her. This is that the new rehearsal room, has only one, same sex, loo!!!
DeleteLittle things mean a lot.
Indeed, Miriam. I now have to contemplate playing the organ throughout the winter in an unheated church opposite an open double door. The console is to be wheeled further up the church, away from the door, but whether this will be sufficient difference to make the experience bearable, remains to be seen.
ReplyDeleteI still find it hard to accept though , that what was once so very normal, can now actually be enjoyed again, with the many constraints involved.
DeleteThese are still totally sensible, and Life will go on..in a still differing way.
It's now knowing how to adapt and enjoy, in the best ways possible.
You URCs are a hardy bunch Sarnia! When our church boiler died of old age we decamped to the church hall until it could be replaced.
DeletePerhaps the poor organist should, at the very least, be provided with a portable heater. An infra red one might be best - anything with a fan might be a little too distracting.
That may be so, Miriam, but I'm not prepared to endure all the attendant discomfort of a chilled stomach for the sake of once used to be such a joy.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad, but also so very understandable.
DeleteIt is still quite upsetting, that many are giving up what was once a joyous and up-lifting part of a previous life. What was just pure interest and very enjoyable, will happen again, of that I am sure.
I loved Freddy Mercury, who sadly died from Aids, nearly 20 years ago now.
DeleteThis was in the early stages of that awful new virus. Now, he would he would still be alive.
Modern medicines and trearnents, make fantastic progress so quickly these days, so I am staying optimistic.
My choir are now meeting in gardens or on zoom, so I have been able to return to singing.
DeleteMy Tai Chi sessions have returned in full, but for some time our instructor has been holding a less formal session in our libraries restored walled garden which has been lovely when the weather has been good, which it has been on most occasions.
Also the independent cinema in a town about six miles away has also returned to screening and I have now been three times.
So for me Miriam quite a chunk of reality has returned, for which I am most grateful.
On the other hand, so much Covid around that I haven't been to see my family in Bath for a very long time.
Before listening to TA tonight, I heard a trailer with Sue Perkins now being the host of, Just a Minute.
ReplyDeleteThe late + great, Nicholas Parsons, is certainly not easy to replace but Sue P. was a regular panellist, so she should do well.
OWIAS and Sarnia 10pm above.
ReplyDeleteWhile shepherds watched was the only carol permitted to be sung during the Commonwealth.
ReplyDeleteWritten in common metre, no end of tunes would fit perfectly inc Cranbrook, Lyngham, old Foster etc etc...
We always sang it to Lyngham at the Ebenezer Methodist Church in Guernsey. Cranbrook is a bit tricky because the copy I was given hasn't the same length of lines as expected in the one commonly sung so the 'missing bits' catch people out.
Deleteas it's only sung once a year people don't have the opportunity to get used to it, so the dilemma is whether to sing it as written or to change it to the well-known version that they're comfortable with.
Thanks Janice, I may have heard the shepherds sung to Lyngham before, it sounded familiar.
DeleteSo many great tunes, but all we ever get is Old Winchester : (
BTW Have you ever hear Oh Jesus I have Promised sung to the Muppet Theme tune? It works! But probably at a slightly slower pace than the version I've just listened to on Youtube.
I'm happy enough with the C20 music group 'Hatherop Castle', which always got the Boys' Brigade going!
DeleteChoral singing remains an extremely emotional subject for many of us.
ReplyDeleteOur latest rules & regs include :
If using a public rehearsal space, (salle des fêtes etc), "pass sanitaire" is obligatory (vaccin, test) at each rehearsal, président of the association that runs the chorale is ultimately responsible. I am chef de chœur, employed, & not responsible. Local préfecture can set their own regs depending on the local situation.
We are awaiting our local mairie 's decision before we can think about contacting our choristes...
You must be very frustrated Parsley.
DeleteI feel for you.
OwiaS: during my Anglican Period there was nothing as user-friendly as Hymns Prehistoric and Time Immemorial. My first church was wedded to Ye Olde Englisshe Hymnall, (1906 edition) in the preface of which the Editor, one R Vaughn Williams, thundered authoritatively and condescendingly on the subject of 'modern enervating tunes'. Every tune in the book possessed a metronome instruction of funereal solemnity. This congregation were often heard to complain that wedding and baptism parties didn't know any hymns these days, but my comment that their repertoire, most likely learned in Infant School, just didn't extend back to 1906 fell on deaf ears.
ReplyDeletePS I asked for a convector heater.They bought me a very expensive industrial one on a tall stand which scorches the top of my head and leaves the bottom of my back freezing cold.
ReplyDeleteI just googled Lyngham and found something on hymnary.org.
ReplyDeleteLovely tune (if it's the right one), but I'd have to listen several times to see how it would fit While Shepherds Watched.
Zoe: say ' While shepherds wa-a-a-a-atched their flo-ocks by-y night/All seated on the ground/ All sea-ea-ea-ea-eated on the ground/The angel o-o-of the Lo-ord ca-ame down (space while men sing 'And glory shone')And glory shone around/And glory sho-one a-around/And glo-o-ory shone around'. Hope that helps. It looks idiotic written down but practise saying it first until the rhythm of the spoken words matches the tune and then try singing it.
ReplyDeleteYour comment Sarnia has started me off singing it, and it isn't even quite September yet! My daughter in law tells me though that Christmas begins in the Philippines on September 1st with shops selling decorations and playing carols over their music systems. I find that some things act like comfort blankets and for me Lyngham is one of them. So is the August bank holiday Wadebridge folk festival which was cancelled last year, and because of rising cases in Cornwall all the main indoor events have just been cancelled this year as well.
DeleteAnd imagine Zoe, if there are enough people for rounds, first the basses coming in, then the tenors, followed by altos and sopranos.
ReplyDeleteJanice, do you sing 'Lo-ord ca-ame down' as I've written, or is it 'Lo-o-ord came down'? It's decades since I've had the pleasure of singing it to this tune and I'm not sure I've got it right.
ReplyDeleteMorning Sarnia, I go with The Angel o-o-f the Lo-o-ord.......
Deleteo-of not oof!
DeleteFound a really nice version of Old Foster on YouTube by the Taverner choir. Worth a listen.
DeleteI am off down to the garage ( once a small milking shed) now . Someone is coming to reroof it when a late brood of swallows have flown the nest and there is a century's worth of junk to be cleared in there. One thing at least is staying though - an old small organ, which was in a little chapel attached to the vicarage. It was offloaded on to me by a church warden who didn't have the heart to burn it when the vicarage was sold. Ditto the great old organ pipes when the main church changed over to an electric organ. If you have sheds beware of friends who think they make ideal storage spaces. One of the churchwardens made bird boxes of some of the smallest pipes, and bats seem to have taken up roosting in some of the bigger ones.
Thanks Janice, I couldn't quite remember.
ReplyDeleteSorry, can’t join in with this conversation from lack of Knowledge
ReplyDeleteBut there was a beautiful Welsh hymn sung at the funeral which I knew and even managed to join in with the part sung in Welsh
It is called Canol Lan, often sung by Welsh Male voice choirs and it brings tears to my eyes.
See if you can find it.
Just checked it. Wonderful tune from a mixed choir of children and adults. Set me up nicely!
DeleteIt's beautiful. I played it at my son's wedding in Cardiff 25 years ago because it is his father-in-law's favourite hymn. I also use it for the funerals of people with Welsh connections.
DeleteThanks Archerphile, it's lovely.
DeleteApparently the tune also works for one of my favourite hymns - I will sing the wondrous story.
Archerphile - I know Canol Lan sung in Welsh so well. As you know I worked in N. Wales in many places, for over a cummulative 20+ yrs. I always tried to go to the funeral, of a sadly deceased client, if this was possible. Canol Lan was often part of the music, and still gives me "goose-bumps", to this day.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite carols is:- The Shepherds Pipe Carol, by John Rutter.
At a carol concert in Chester Cathedral which I sang in many years ago, this was sung. Sadly in the programme for the audience, this was shown as "The Shepherds Pie Carol"...
What a misprint.
Janice and Sarnia, thank you for the clues about fitting the music to the words.
DeleteI'm busy this evening, but will listen again tomorrow.
I'll also listen to the other hymns /carols that have been mentioned today.
Do any of you know Geoffrey Beaumont's setting to 'Now thank we all our God'?
Sorry Zoe, but I prefer a more traditional version...lovely though it was.
DeleteGracias, Zoe. Love it. The congregations I work with prefer it. But of course, unlike the writer we're not struggling to hold on to the concept of the bounty of God when our nearest and dearest have succumbed to the plague. There must be many thousands currently in the same position who would also prefer the traditional setting - or none at all!
DeleteI love The Shepherd's Pipe Carol too, Miriam.
Delete'Though, as misprints go, Shepherds Pie Carol is a cracker : )
The only positive thing done today, is that I have booked my 'flu vaccination.
ReplyDeleteWhen in the supermarket and just as I was leaving, past the in-store pharmacy, I spotted a small notice about 'flu vaccines.
I went and asked about booking one. This had to be done on-line this year, which I have done.
This was so silly. After talking face-to-face with a member of the pharmacy staff, I had to return home to book via the website.
Still I have it all booked and being done 3 weeks time. It suits me to go to the pharmacy, rather than my surgery.
I am just pleased that I have a definite date.
Small and gentle note: it's actually CALON Lan. Canol means something entirely different.
ReplyDeleteOWiaS, Aug 30th 6,38pm: Ah, yes, St Whotsit, the little-known Scandinavian saint, close associate of St Whosit and St Wheresit!
ReplyDeleteMy father introduced Beaumont's folk Mass to our inner city Birmingham church.
ReplyDeleteMy mother hated it!
Janice, Aug 30th 10.24: you could always sing O for a thousand tongues instead. oops, I'm doing a Miriam.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how to take that!
DeleteI try to keep my posts longer and less frequent, as previovsly requested by many, and to do as you all do.
Oh well, I have tried..😭
I hadn't thought of that. I can have Lyngham all year round now and just switch over at Christmas! Thanks 😂
DeleteIt appears that I am still posting too often, yet again.
ReplyDeleteOld habits do die hard though..
I must turn my 'phone off, sit on my hands and keep my wittering thoughts to myself...but not sure I can, but I will cerrainly try. 🤞
Miriam, see my post on the other blog.
DeleteYes indeed you have been paid a big compliment on the other blog 7.27.
DeleteJust had a nice surprise
ReplyDeleteHeard from Saga that they arrange and pay for all Covid tests we need before AND after our cruise! So we don’t have to book a PCR test to be taken within 72 hours of our return to UK at vast expense - it will be done on the ship at their expense.
A very sensible thing for a tour company to do if they want to encourage more people to book holidays.
And we are only going ashore in Norway for 2 accompanied trips in a ‘bubble’ so the risks are quite small anyway.
That's brilliant news and will save a lot of hassle and angst, for you both.
DeleteA Michaelmas Daisy for September
ReplyDeleteAnyone listen to the birthday cake quiz yesterday. Radio 4 6.30pm.
ReplyDeleteWith that annoying Richard Osman. Gave it a go. Total tripe. Didn’t like him before, dislike him even more now.
Whereas the omnibus of “how does that make you feel?” makes me actually laugh out loud. Helps that sexy voice Roger Allam is in it. I listened to it whilst gardening with ear phones in. Neighbours must think I’m a mad woman when suddenly I start laughing.
Ptby, agree on all counts. Came across 'How....Feel' by accident, loved it.
ReplyDeleteA series that had me in tears this week was 'Listening to the dead' by Katie Hims, written in2013 before Home Front, but in a similar vein, same producer and possibly actress.
Ooh I’ll check that one out. Thanks.
DeleteI've been listening to How does that make you feel for years.
DeleteLove it.
Yes PtbY I picked up a few minutes of that birthday programme.
Speechless with disgust.
Having tried House of Games some time ago and not liked it, Mr A and I now record it and watch it the following lunchtime and are really enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteWe are no good if the questions include film titles, film stars or pop music but like questions on geography, history and general knowledge.
On the other had MrA listened to Richard Osmans new radio quiz last night and declared it was “infantile rubbish”!
I have just done a glowing testimonal to Dunelm, where I went this morning. On picking up a click + collect order, I then went to look for a much needed new duvet (on making the bed on Sunday the duvet suddenly produced a small rip!). I saw exactly what I wanted but not in the right size. The floor manager/supervisor was brilliant - searched the stock room, tried to find it another store and then found that as a new line and continuing store delivery problems, the only way was to order direct for home delivery. This I did, even though I had to pay the £3.95 delivery cost. The service was brilliant and faultless, esp. when she helped me decide on a new egyiptian cotton flat sheet.
ReplyDeletePeople are so quick to complain about poor service, I always acknowledge good service as I know how much this means.
PS Did you know that old duvets are not able to be recycled! My old one, plus the old quilted matress protector, will now end up in a bin bag in the landfill! I suppose it is due to being personal bedding.
DeleteYou can’t recycle pillows and cushions either. Think it’s just because they won’t easily recycle. You can with duvet covers, pillowcases, cushion covers and curtains though.
DeleteI suppose it comes down to "sterilising" these items, costing more than it's worth.
DeleteMiriam
DeleteDuvets. For years I have cut duvets in half, or quarters depending on size, machined them up and covered them with worn sheeting or duvet covers to be used for dog and cat beds.
I used to regularly supply the RSPCA hospital in Putney.
All from discarded duvets put out for rubbish collection.
Also
The feathers from old pillows can be put into a compost. ( in layers of course, not all at once) or just dug in to the ground.
My old pillow feathers went in the compost - apart from the few the wind caught and blew away : )
Delete(The pillow was so old that I suspect they were dodo feathers.)
I saw Ann Cleeves on BBC Breakfast, this morning. She was just as I imagined her.
ReplyDeleteWhat I didn't like, was that her first book in her latest new series, The Long Call, is already being televised and will be on screen series, over the winter.
I will not be watching it. I much prefer to use my imagination. The 1st book, was a scene setting one, so can the characters actually be known, at this early stage.
I hate it when books are adapted to the TV, with the characters, plots being changed so much, that they are just far too different to respect these.
On that note, I need to.get back to my Shepherds Pie making...and the messy kitchen.
For the first time in over 53 years I do not own a car.
ReplyDeleteI decided that I do not need one and have not driven the one I had for the past two months.
It went to a very good home today and the new owner seems delighted with it.
So it is buses, trains and taxis for me from now on -maybe not in that particular order!
I am still awaiting a new driving licence as mine expired last week, although I am being allowed to use my judgement as to whether to drive!
DeleteTrouble is my consultant is in Rochester about 8 miles away so if I cannot drive it would have to be a taxi.
I much prefer my car although I only use it about every two months!
However there is a Stroke Meeting place every Thursday now, so may go to that. At least it is a change from the sitting room walls!
The meeting place is my old cricket club so I'll know my way around!
Did you all know that petrol is now going to be sold with more plant based ethanol in it to save the planet? We currently get petrol called E5, in future it will be labelled E10 at the pumps.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that older cars cannot use E10 and will have to find a garage still supplying E5 which is the more expensive Un Leaded Super pump. The Govt has a website where you can check which petrol your can needs to run on.
We did checked ours this morning - I had to contact Nissan Customer Services because my car is so old it wasn’t listed. To my delight my Micra, first registered in April 2020, is OK for the new petrol
Sadly Mr A’s Lexus, registered in Oct. 2011 cannot use the new E10 so he will have to use the more expensive fuel, if he can find it.
I can’t help feeling a bit smug that my 21 year old car is OK and his 10 year old one isn’t! 😏
What amazes me, is how this has suddenly been sprung upon us all, unless I missed a previous announcement.
DeleteI am surprised that Mr A's car registered in 2011, which is only 10years ago, cannot take the new E10 fuel.
Pleeeeease, Miriam, why do you never see the compliments?
ReplyDeleteI have, don't worry.
DeleteTo be totally honest, I just didn't know how to respond/reply and in what way 🤷♀️
Don't take it personally, as I was just very confused and unsure.
Thank-you.
Miriam
ReplyDeleteI saw that interview with Anne Cleeves yesterday too.
I am amazed that they are already putting her new North Devon series on TV when she has only written one book of the series (the second to be published very soon)
With both Vera and the Shetland stories they had been around for years before being adapted for TV and the characters had become well established.
The main characters in North Devon books are so new I haven’t formed much of an opinion about them yet (didn’t much like them really, only the area they are set in, which I know very well). So I don’t really want my opinion being formed by a TV adaptation rather than from the books.
Too soon, Anne, too soon.
My thoughts also, as I still do not know what I think of what is, just one book in a new series.
DeleteWhat worries me, is what other authors have said. This is that when a book and a series, is televised and the main character is cast, they then write, with that person in mind and not as originally thought about.
This so happened with the Elizabeth George books. Inspector Lynley + his side-kick, Sgt. Barbara Havers, were never the same after televised.
Garden man came today and what a difference.
ReplyDeleteMy beech hedge is now 2foot lower and 8" narrower, the other hedge is now straight and also narrower again. A large shrub has gone, but sadly the roots could not be removed as far too vast, we surprised us both. However he told me what to get, to paint on the many stumps, to kill it off completely.
I cannot believe how much larger + lighter my garden is tonight, in comparison to last night.
Now it's up to me..to maintain and replant.
Sadly some of my plants were damaged, but I don't mind and I was prepared for this event. I realise that the work done, far outweighs this and these will regrow next Spring.
I actually want some rain, to start really sorting things out...
I don't think rain is too far away, in the next few days. It seems the remains of the USA storms, might be heading our way soon, but I hope I am wrong.
DeleteMiriam!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy this site, with both the pages. Thanks to.GG and his great work and his very brilliant, topical settings, plus all who post regurlarly - I am here to stay - as this is by far, the Best TA site...
DeleteNow you know how much your objective analysis of each week's episodes are appreciated, I should hope so!
DeleteSorry, that should be 'analyses'.
DeleteI am watching my 17yr old cat, very carefully at the moment.
ReplyDeleteShe seems to be starting to show some early signs of senile dementia...
Don't laugh nor dismiss this, as cats can suffer from this condition, in the same way, as humans can.
I became aware of this in another cat, she was one of a sister's, who sadly had to be put down, the cat that is.
At least I am aware of this now, so can monitor the situation.
Yes, you get it in dogs too. What signs are you seeing, Miriam? If she is blundering about she could be losing sight or hearing. Might be worth a visit to the vet to reassure yourself.
DeleteHer normal health check is due soon, but I am going to bring it forward.
DeleteThe symptoms are:- strange yowling, wanting constant attention, not eating the fresh food put down, so sits by the food cupboard yowling for food. It is just different and she peeded and "dumped" in the bathroom again today.
I have also noticed other simple but differing behaviours.
She is still looking really good, with very thick and glossy coat.
She does though, curl up tightly beside me at night.
I am starting to fear that things are not at all right, so need a vet trip.
Also she seems to be, just now and again and not very often, a little bit wobbly. This is certainly not normal yet
DeleteYour cat is obviously not well Miriam, and well done you for being able to recognise so many symptoms.
DeleteI am thinking of you and the painful and difficult decisions likely to have to be made when the time is right.
And you will know when that is as you are clearly a perceptive woman.
You could well be right about dementia, Miriam but of course it may be something else. Good idea to bring her health check forward. Thinking of you!
DeleteOur Tabitha who lived to over 18 had a stroke about 2 years before that. The vet said that the smaller animal brains heal quicker than humans. She was a bit wobbly and dopey to begin with but it sorted itself and she had a further 2 plus happy years, but after the stroke for some reason she would miaow quite loudly if she thought she was alone in the house and whoever was around would give her a cuddle just to reassure her.
DeleteWe experienced similar symptoms with our old cat Bobby, we think he had a small stroke, maybe two, took to wandering around, miaowing, bumping into things, etc. Distressing. ❤️
Delete