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Continue reading →: A Dinosaur in a Cathedral
Today’s newspaper tells me that a full scale cast of the most complete giant dinosaur ever discovered is currently on display at Peterborough Cathedral. The words of the hymn based on the Canticle of St Francis came immediately to mind: All creatures of our God and King, Lift up your…
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Continue reading →: Via Matris
The principal liturgies of the Great Three Days (Sacrum Triduum) are the most rich and powerful in which we can participate. The worship, by word, symbol, sacrament and music enriches the soul and floods the imagination, and it is right that we should let this happen. The actions and images…
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Continue reading →: Receiving Letters Patent
I was delighted to visit the College of Arms, in London, to receive my Letters Patent – a formal document confirming my coat of arms. I went with my dear school friend, Mike, who had previously introduced me to a former pupil of his, Dr Clive Cheeseman, who was at…
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Continue reading →: Where do I fit in?
When he was about six years old my son Gregory said to me, “Daddy I can’t remember where I lived before I came to live in our family.” Parents encounter this kind of simple, and profound musing from children. Where do I come from? Why am I here? Where do…
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Continue reading →: What to do during a boring sermon
As I was retiring from parish ministry a friend and worshipper at the church gave me a copy of a book titled 101 Things To Do During a Dull Sermon. I couldn’t help thinking that perhaps I was being given this as my friend no longer needed it as I…
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Continue reading →: Starting the Finchale Camino
During Lent this year I am walking the Finchale Camino beginning at Finchale Abbey on the banks of the River Wear near Durham. My plan is to walk the route that is within County Durham, about 25 miles. It’s a splendid walk through a favourite part of England for me…
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Continue reading →: Fast
In 1609 Bishop James Montagu asked the churchwardens of his diocese of Bath and Wells to report to him the names who traded in meat, or who ate meat in Lent. (The visitation article is reproduced above.) A bishop who asked this in 2026 would need to be prepared to…
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Continue reading →: A is for Apple, B is for Bell
Today I am saying thank you for Mrs Betty Brewer and Miss Blackett, two ladies who contributed greatly to my life. They were my first teachers in the two County Durham primary schools I attended from the age of four. They, along with my parents, taught me the alphabet and…
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Continue reading →: Let’s open church doors
A special claim of the Church of England is that ot serves all the people of England regardless of the faith, or lack of faith they profess. Each person has a claim on the care and services of their parish priest and parish church. The parish system of the Church…
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Continue reading →: Just William and his creator
The final few months of 2025 brough many downs, and a few ups, and so I decided in January to read some books for comfort. Together with this I also decided to nominate for myself an author of the month for the months of 2026. January’s choice was RICHMAL CROMPTON,…
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A Retired Rector's Reflections 