I seem to have been getting days and months wrong in my recent writings; not surprising, perhaps, after 171 days of lockdown since arriving back from South America at the end of March. Then, the summer was several weeks away, but now, the most popular season of the year is fading like a northern sunset. Nevertheless, today is very nice indeed, and a glorious day on which to open the doors of St. John’s Church, Buxton for the first time in six months.
At 8.10 this morning, BBC’s Sunday Worship was centred on the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for an as yet unspoiled North America. Apparently, 30 million of us today can trace their ancestry back to the 100 passengers and 30 crew of the Mayflower back in 1620. Unlike the express liners of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and today’s “bloated” cruise ships,
I felt an unexpected sense of relief when, after the usual pandemic precautions, I was shown to any seat with an order of service placed on it. “Very well thought-out” I mumbled to myself as I duly chose where to sit. I was far from alone, although some designated seats did remain unoccupied. Michael Williams resumed his place at the organ, and the permitted choir of six were of “cathedral quality”. Rector Liz English and Rector (elsewhere to be) Keith Cocking presided with utmost dignity. Keith’s homily was on the subject of forgiveness, and a timely reminder on the subject!
As I got up this morning, I listened once again to Sunday Worship which this week centred on the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Founding Fathers on the Mayflower, a ship little larger than that of a double deck bus, with a compliment of a hundred passengers and thirty crew. I learned that today, 30 million could trace their ancestry to that sailing in 1620. Those first settlers who struggled in the beginning were welcomed by the indigenous population who would soon be cruelly exploited as more from European lands continued to arrive. Thus, two religious events provided much food for serious contemplation.
After church, Freda who lives near by, joined me for lunch at the Old Hall Hotel, where I am writing this blog.
To one of my readers, Happy Birthday, Tom. Have a great day!
Finally, it occured to me to illustrate the Bush Wireless on which I discovered the joys of Beethoven as a c. 8 year old!
Stay safe, David, Old Hall Hotel, Buxton, 15.13 hrs.
David's Cruise 