Vicar’s June letter
Dear friends,
David Burt has an amazing memory for dates! The number of times in conversation he says something like “Next Wednesday is very special to me, it is the 48th anniversary of when I first had a curry!”. (I made that up! I have no idea when David ate his first curry!) Not only that, but he will be able to tell you where he was, who he was with, exactly what he ate, how he felt the day afterwards, and so on. For instance, in recent conversations he has shared with me that 19 May was the 50th anniversary of when he first rang a full peal, 20 May was the 61st anniversary of his confirmation, 21 May was the 47th anniversary of when he first met Barbara and 22 May was the 11th anniversary of the death of his father.
I find his recollections of dates and details amazing every time he shares something with me. (I suppose, given that I don’t know any of the dates for events he his referring to, that he actually has them all mixed up and doesn’t really remember anything, but I am pretty certain that this is not the case.) Personally, I struggle to remember dates at all. I can remember lots of special times and events in my life, but for anything earlier than last year I would generally have difficulty working out what year something happening, never mind the month or date. I couldn’t tell you the date of my confirmation or my ordination (although I can remember the date of my induction here!)
There are a few events though (beyond the obvious birthdays and marriages) where the date seems to have been burnt into my sub-consciousness. One that springs to mind is 30 July 1966 whenEnglandwon the FIFA World Cup Final. In reality, I probably remember the date from more recent reading rather than from the day itself as I was only 9 at the time! Another date I remember is 7 June 1977. I was in my second year atLiverpoolUniversityand was travelling back up toLiverpoolfrom Staffordshire on my bike (not a Harley in those days!) on a beautiful sunny day in readiness for my year end exams. But that was not why the day, or the date, was so memorable. It was, of course, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. As I rode along through various towns and villages, avoiding motorways and enjoying a leisurely ride, I passed many street parties and celebrations. I peeped my horn at each passing and received warm and friendly waves, greetings and smiles in response. It was a wonderful occasion, with the country united in celebration and pride. Being out and about and seeing so many people celebrating seemed to make it more memorable to me than actually attending a party.
This year we are celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics coming toLondonafter a wait of 64 years. I am sure that the Jubilee and the Olympics will both be occasions where the country is again united in celebration and pride. Queen Elizabeth II became only the secondUKmonarch to rule for 60 years when the anniversary of her accession occurred on 6 February 2012. We rightly celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s thoughtful and meaningful reign and Christian leadership and wish her God’s blessings for the years to come.
If you are not busy celebrating elsewhere, you would be most welcome to join us at the vicarage on Monday 4 June, any time from 1.00pm to 5.00pm for good company, conversation, a chance to bring and share some food and possible an opportunity to share a day and date that will become fixed in all our memories! All welcome.
Yours
