A Happy Place Dear friends, What makes a place “happy?” What makes somewhere good to live? Do you have a “happy place” in your life? Unsuprisingly, there are a number of common factors which promote “contented living” in a given location. Neighbours who are friendly, and who will hold onto your parcel when it has been misdelivered, or even pop it round.…
FOMO/NOMO Dear friends I can’t begin to count the number of Black Friday offers I have missed out on. What a terrible person I must be, as I am not in the least bit bothered. Phrases like “LAST CHANCE!” “special early access!” “exclusive discount deal!” “It’s HERE!” and “NOW’S THE TIME!” shriek at me from my inbox. I must confess a few…
Howard’s Tears Dear friends, Can you remember who taught you to read? Can you remember the first book that really caught your imagination? There is, really, nothing in the universe like a good book. Character, plot, and the opportunity for freedom, within a world of your own imaginative creation, guided by of the author’s script. The ability to read (and write) are,…
A partial diagnosis Dear friends, I’ve been trying for a while to get some kind of comprehension of our national condition. What is the matter with us? The symptoms are many and varied, but the overall malaise and sense of unease seems to be all pervading. It is cheap and convenient to list the external global factors, but I am coming to…
Diamonds on the gate Dear friends There were autumn jewels festooning the church gate at St John’s on Remembrance Sunday, which halted me in my hasty tracks to the morning service there. Dewdrops on the cobwebs garlanded the Commonwealth War Graves notice and sparkled in the morning light, which was angled just right at that moment. Nature still notices, I thought. The…
A new name Dear friends, This week we honour and give thanks for those who gave their lives in two world wars for our freedom. We are fortunate to live in communities that are small enough to have recorded every loss, every sacrifice. Or so we thought. Continuing historical research has in the last few years brought more names into the light…
The Tied Chair Dear friends, The Revd John Coulson won’t be a name familiar to you, but the keen-eyed can find it on the board with the list of Rectors at the back of Checkendon Church. He was the second incumbent (=Rector) to be appointed by University College, Oxford, in 1779, after the College had bought the rights to make the appointment…
History calling Dear friends, As weary and battered Palestinians trudge back up the road to their shattered cities, as green masked gunmen emerge from dark places to strut their stuff, as emotionally shredded Israeli hostage families weep with joy, as The President parades and preens, we wonder, “is this it?” Is this dreadful and appalling mess what history really looks like? A…
Brute (revival!) Dear friends, I’ve decided to join the ranks of celebs who launch their own brand of perfume. My creation harks back to the sexism and libertarianism of the 1970’s, with a fragrance just for men, especially those who are aspiring to leadership. There have been bulk orders from both East and West, and I’m working on a forthcoming Christmas ad…
A Humble House September has been a month of astonishing fruit harvest, as plum, pear, apple, greengage trees astounded us with their abundance. In the lanes and the woods the oaks, sloes, chestnuts and horse-chestnuts rain down their bounty. There has been a joyful outpouring of neighbourly sharing, and swapping, as freezers bulge and jam pans brim. We all stand humbled under…