A late birthday

Dear friends,

It was my birthday over the summer and, unusually, I bought myself a present. I had to order them, as they needed to be custom made, and so I’ve had to be patient. But they arrived a few days ago, and I’m very pleased with them. A new pair of cases for the two tom-tom drums in my drum kit. They replace a couple of mismatched, but brutally tough, cases I bought second or third hand back in the late 1970’s from the drum shop on the Tonbridge road on the edge of Maidstone. This hard as nails establishment had a damp and musty cellar, into which the shop owner – a rather laid back individual somewhat akin to the Donald Sutherland character Oddball – would throw all the kit that he’d acquired in part exchange. For youthful and cash strapped musicians (what has changed?) this was a veritable treasure trove. “Got anything for a twelve inch?” “Yeah, over in that corner, I’m sure there’s something, man.”  My new cases are UK made (as the old ones were), hard, blue, rugged, and lined, and the drums fit well. Of course the old cases must now go to the tip, or be “vinted” – after all, they are properly retro, and still have their maker’s badges. I think back to the jobs they’ve been asked to do; – hauled round Oxford pubs and beer cellars, even the Town Hall once, taken on Oxford pastorate missions, relocated to Scargill House chapel in Yorkshire, then Trinity College Chapel, in Bristol (where they were almost stolen, but rescued by Morris, who is now an Archdeacon in the midlands), up north to the vestry at All Saints’, Otley to play for countless family services, farther on to Carlisle and the Scotby All Saints’ 60’s band, then back south yet again for twenty years languishing in the Rectory garage.  Sterling service, without complaint, taking the knocks in their stride. The toms they held are to this day undented, and the drums’ chrome is not rusty. Saying goodbye to stuff you’ve carted around all your life can be poignant, but I have to remember that, like our mortal bodies, the point of the cases is only what they contain, and the songs that they indirectly facilitate.

Now the drums themselves have come out again, and are enjoying a second life being played once more. Why did I ever stop? Life, I suppose, and opportunity. But music is being made, and rhythms old and new are being explored. I’m wondering about a gig at St Paul’s, as I’ve heard they are open for bookings….and my cases are probably now smart enough to get me through the door. But, like everything, you should not judge by appearances. The drums inside are what matters, and whether the drummer can keep in the groove.

Worship Services for Sunday 20th September 2026

9.30am Informal Worship at St John’s Stoke Row with Mr Peter Ferguson

11am Family Baptism Service at St Peter and Paul, Checkendon with Canon Kevin Davies. A friendly and informal celebration with the Checkendon church music group and refreshments.

Midweek zoom service: Wednesday Evensong at 5.00pm  410 935 129

Nature Notes

How quickly the grass turns green once again! Our cultivated blackberry on the front fence has been in good fruit, with diligent watering through the drought paying off. The crop is not huge, but it is good and sweet, and goes well with the (few) apples that we have this year. Blackberry and apple is the authentic flavour of an English autumn, to my mind. The classic crumble combination, and we also enjoy it here with a flapjack style topping, which works well in the oven.

The clearing of the vegetable beds continues, gently. The flower bed will be left for longer, to give the birds and insects something to work on (like the sunflowers, or echinacea). The birds are now more in evidence, but we wait until October before recharging the feeders. The welcome rains bring relief to them, too, as grubs and other insects multiply. Self sown coriander is springing up in the newly dug raised bed – maybe enough for a curry before winter?

In the lanes the farmers make the best of a bad harvest and liberally spread muck on the harrowed stubble. The stench is pungent and ammoniacal – pig manure, perhaps? This distinction is above my pay grade, as well as almost beyond my comfort zone. We gave thanks for all farmers at Doug Grigg’s funeral, and laid him to rest in the churchyard, a farmer returning to the soil in the place that he loved.

Looking ahead, our church Harvest thanksgivings will be on October 4th. Steve and Frances will be bringing their produce stall to Checkendon from Manor Farm, Peppard, in aid of the Ways and Means mental health charity. Thank you everyone for your support of your churches.

May the Lord bless you, and hold you in his love.

Your Rector, Canon Kevin