All of a sudden, I find that my days are becoming increasingly occupied. This is no bad thing. After winding up in Intensive Care over four years ago, I chose to distance myself from all existing obligations. Feeling that I had become “dead weight” after some lengthy surgery, I needed “unlimited” time to recover, rather than set myself a timetable or target. That didn’t stop me from indulging in travelling (in some comfort) in six out of seven continents. It wasn’t too long before I was able to spend, for instance, three days on a train in Australia, or crossing Canada (from Toronto) to the Pacific Coast. All this has been documented in earlier blogs.
Much to my slight discomfort (but also to my relief) St. John’s continued very nicely without me as churchwarden. Any help wanted from me when I returned was “below minimal” leaving me questioning my relevance during my truncated term “in office.” Delighted therefore was I to be asked to take care of the sound mixer during services, and now, finding myself back on sidesman’s duty around once a month. As well as “meeting and greeting,” I shall read for the first time since January 2020. And on Saturday, I am on stewarding duty for a couple of hours at the 17th century St. Anne’s Church, whose history, I understand, pre-dates the 1625 inscription carved above the entrance. Time for some spiritual reflection then, as well as the possible debate between me and the other person on duty, on the merits or otherwise of ultra-modern worship.
Buxton Festival (of which I am still a Patron) also maintains contact. I feel that I do get my money’s worth, although that is not really the intention of my modest support. I was invited to a “get-together” at the home of the Chairman of what is now, and has been now for some time, The Friends of Buxton Festival or, is it now, Friends of Buxton International Festival? “International” has been used and dropped twice before, in 1981 (I think) and in the 1990s. The recent logo BIF still takes some getting used to. We are on our fourth logo since 1979. Interestingly, the Virgin logo has prevailed since the release of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells album in the mid 1970s.
It was only slightly cool for the gathering of people who had volunteered at the first post-lockdown Festival. All extremely pleasant and convivial with the signature Friends’ catering as well as a generous bar, in the most attractive and extensive garden of the host.
Tomorrow, I have been invited to the unveiling of a statue of the 5th Duke of Devonshire by the current Duke. While this has been in situ for some time now, I welcome being present at this historic event, in the Crescent Square.
Yesterday, I enjoyed not the longest of walks. Usually, I seek out some long-since closed piece of railway, adapted for cycling, horse riding and walking. However, on this occasion, I chose to revisit Solomon’s Temple, which I am told was built by public subscription in 1896. Ever since Buxton became popular with visitors and holiday makers, “Sollers” has been a venue for numerous visitors, and remains so today. In 1911, there was a cafe nearby, and the windows glazed. I think, during the season, a cafe may do quite well, particularly at weekends. I think the longevity of reglazing might be short-lived!
I visited the Parish Office today to pick up my reading for Sunday. Why is the extract from James split up, as presumably ordained by the Church of England? But that is the reading as listed in the Lectionary for 19th September 2021. The reading ends mid-verse; the rest of that verse is definitely not woke! I have read this from the King James and New International Version Bibles, complete with explanatory commentary.
Friday 17th September
Cool grey skies were the order of this morning diminishing the incentive to get out of bed. Nevertheless, I had an unveiling to attend, the 12th Duke of Devonshire unveiling the statue of his ancestor, the 5th Duke of Devonshire. This was a unique historical event I felt privileged to be invited to attend. I had the opportunity to express my pleasure of the renaissance of The Crescent to Trevor Osborne whose unstinting commitment resulted in the most magnificent restoration of the long since out of use building, which for decades appeared abandoned. I have documented my stays and other events at this magnificent hotel in previous blogs.
I am back home now, having enjoyed, thoroughly this extremely agreeable event. I am looking forward to my third stay at The Crescent during the Buxton International Festival “Big Weekend.” Oh! Good heavens. I will have to bring out the dinner suit!
Thank you for reading this blog. Warmest wishes, David, 18.41hrs Friday, 17th September 2021.
David's Cruise 