Norfolk Pilgrim

How necessary, some have asked, was the total closure of our parish churches, so that not even live streamed services from the church building was permitted? There is a growing sense among one section of the Church of England that the decision owes more to the resurgence a Puritan spirit within the church. "The Privatisation of religion,"  Bishop Peter Selby called it in an article in the Tablet;  and, more accessibly here on a YouTube Easter Message for members of the congregation of st. John the Divine, Kenningto n. The big guns may be lining up in defence of the Church as Holy Place with a function more important than a museum of curiosities or a sheep shed.   In a thoughtful and inspiring sermon, part of BBC4 Sunday Worship service marking the 800th anniversary of Salisbury Cathedral, Bishop Nicholas Holtam had some important things to say about church buildings. The words were used in connection with the much loved Salisbury Cathedral, bu...

In a small and crowded island rural tranquillity and the remaining wild places require protection. Protection from any developments that compromise their status and change their character.  In the Mediterranean and Canary Islands we label such developments as costa-isation but it happens elsewhere too.  Arguably, it has already happened in parts of Norfolk and the Broads   In the Ascent of Mount Carmel Book 3, Chapter 36, section 3 St.John of the Cross makes these observations. It is good to  "........withdraw ourselves from noise and from people when we pray, even as did the Lord. Wherefore he that makes a pilgrimage does well if he makes it at a time when no others are doing so, even though the time be unusual. I should never advise him to make a pilgrimage when a great multitude is doing so; for, as a rule, on these occasions, people return in a state of greater distraction than when they went. And many set out on these pilgrima...

It came as no surprise to pass " Death and Glory " as we made our way back up the Bure from a short cruise on Cygnet . I had been having an internal dialogue with the Coot Club ever since we came through Horning. Back in the golden day, when I was a lad, before the old the Ferry Inn had burned down and the wherry Albion was still trading, there was nowhere near the river traffic there is today. It seems to my inner dyspeptic, grumpy old git that nothing will ever be the same. "Take a grip!" The positive. open, hopeful self replies. "Its change. All things change and yet nothing changes." The Coot club reminded me that although the Hullabaloos have taken over the pub, they tend to congregate in  certain places and the Broads are still a magic breathing space. More than ever  guardians of the Broads are called fight to protect, nurture and celebrate this unique environment. You are right boys and the good news is there are lots of us at it. Ho...

It came as no surprise to pass " Death and Glory " as we made our way back up the Bure from a short cruise on Cygnet . I had been having an internal dialogue with the Coot Club ever since we came through Horning. Back in the golden day, when I was a lad, before the old Ferry Inn had burned down and the wherry Albion was still trading, there was nowhere near the river traffic there is today. It seems to my inner dyspeptic, grumpy old git that nothing will ever be the same. "Take a grip!" The positive. open, hopeful self replies. "Its change. All things change and yet nothing changes." The Coot club reminded me that although the Hullabaloos have taken over the pub, they tend to congregate in  certain places and the Broads are still a magic breathing space. More than ever  guardians of the Broads are called fight to protect, nurture and celebrate this unique environment. You are right boys and the good news is there are lots of us at it. Horse...

At a mid-point of a walk from St. Andrew, Wickhampton towards the Berney Arms and windmill, I stopped to take stock. It is amazing what a little perspective can do! I am so frustrated at the failure of people to see and celebrate the value of our Broads National Park heritage landscape, I could scream! But out here it would be lost on the wind and the limitless sky. Instead I turn my binoculars onto a group of curlew poking in the marshy earth with beautifully curved bills and wonder. "Consider the birds........ Across the marsh, beyond the station, was my terminus. The Berney Arms mill, sadly the pub remains closed. The lyrics of Slim Dusty Pub with no Beer come to mind - nothing so lonesome morbid or drear. More seriously, I wondered what I could possibly do to raise the profile of the church in the landscape with those who hold stewardship for the National Park. There maybe opportunities to celebrate the church in the landscape as part of the up-coming Water,...