MEMORYLANE

The Office Manager (She Who Wears Another Hat – Head Gardener), called me in and said something to the effect that 6 box files had remained untouched and unsorted for about two years, and in the interests of the environment should be forthwith touched and sorted. “The Environment” has become a catch-all phrase that is intended to make one feel guilty and un-green. In reality, I think, it meant that they were cluttering up her office. So now they are cluttering up my office. So just when I should be writing a sermon for Sunday I find myself going back through history.

I cannot think why I should have a copy of the Daily Express dated Thursday November 5^th 1931 (one penny!) But it is fascinating reading: there was a fear that the UK was going to impose tariffs on all food imports so everyone was dumping their food on Britain – “Polish Bacon at 2p a lb.; “Flood of unwanted Soviet butter”. Another headline concerned “Devil Worship” in Finland and “Lord Kylsant in gaol”. But quite where it came from, and why I kept it, I shall never know. I then began to get very excited about “The Daily Universal Register” Saturday 1^st January 1785. That was Two-pence Halfpenny. It was issue number one, until I looked at the small print on the back page “Reprinted by The Times, 1985”. Ah well, can’t win them all!

There were several other such treasures, not least my school reports from the age of 4 until I left school at 18! They do not make such interesting reading, but apparently at the age of 7 I was good at composition, had very, very poor handwriting and was hopeless at boxing and soccer. Nothing much changed there then!

Another box revealed loads of photos, newspaper cuttings and documents that my late wife had tucked away and I had left untouched. I found a lovely letter, obviously written by one of the children:

The Dog Bowl

The Vicar’s House

On Top of a Hill

Next to a dishwasher,

DOG 3LE

Dear Mr RSPCA

My mummy smacked me put her in jail – for ever. All dogs go to heaven.

Buster.

Another box contained loads of old talks, sermons, training notes, children’s addresses and the like. Most of that has gone. I’m retired, for heaven’s sake! Memory Lane can be a pleasant and warm distraction, and sorry, but there are some things which will just be returned to their box and stored for another day. But I am not sure about the school reports…….

Christopher Elliott

GROWING STRAWBERRIES

Here's a good tip from the Head Gardener for growing strawberries vertically! If like us you are pushed for room in the garden find an old dustbin - we are using a plastic one. I drilled approximately 12 holes in the side about 1 inch (2 cms) in diameter, plus some smaller drainage holes in the bottom which were covered with broken crocks. Fill up to the first level of holes with a good mix of compost and soil, plant the first strawberry plants, fill up more soil to the next level, plant next layer, and so on to the top where 3 -4 plants can also be added.
Finally, a piece of plastic pipe (narrow bore) with holes drilled through the length of it can be inserted down through the centre to aid watering. I imagine a short piece of hosepipe would also do the trick.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Is one ever too old for a good old fashioned birthday party?
My youngest, attaining the grand old age of 30 last week declared that he did not have his fair share of tea parties when he was younger! So yesterday we put that right with good old fashioned tea, sandwiches (egg and turkey) sausages on sticks, sausage rolls, pineapple and cheese on sticks, iced gems, crisps, cake, and jelly and ice cream. It was great - nearly all the family together with his nephews and nieces. There was fizzy pop, and a gesture to the adults a little something stronger.
It was so much fun sitting around the table, chatting, playing games with the grandchildren and just being in each other's company. Then as it was turning dark, down to the park for a walk to go on the swings and roundabouts and climbing frames, when, I think, everyone forgot their age.
Only when we could no longer see did we head for home and a cuppa before getting back on the road.

I believe in parties - always have done because they are so important for bonding and keeping in touch. Oh yes, some are tedious - standing round with chardonnay and nibbles making aimless chatter can be pure hell, but sitting round the table, making conversation, laughing, joking, including all ages gives a foretaste of heaven - the company of friends old and new and family old and young. And the Blessed Lord is truly present when we are together.