2011

Rectory Ramblings

            In the last magazine Michael Harding (our much appreciated format editor) pointed out that the timings of production meant that nothing was to be found in last month’s issue about contemporary events, such as the riots that began over August: Although rather “stale buns” by now, it also stirred me to action.

Rectory Ramblings

            As I write this I am happily contemplating having our annual summer holiday in a few weeks time – although it will be all over by the time most of you are reading this! I confess that this year has been rather fraught as regards this: the plans are to visit the Greek island of Zakynthos – and there has been concern about the fate of the currency, much deeper austerity than we are suffering! And added to this my family & I have been rather unwell since before Easter! We are looking forward to the rest

Rectory Ramblings

Lawrence Austin

            You will all know, by this time, that Lawrence sadly passed away at the North Staffs Hospital on Sunday evening 15^th May. His had been a relatively short illness, just 11 weeks from start to finish: as well as being a great servant of the Church, our Town has lost one of its great characters – and our love and prayers go to Jean, David, Kevin and Jane and all their families as they adjust to life without him

Rectory Ramblings

            The news has been dominated by two events in the last couple of weeks: one was the Royal Wedding, the other was the death (execution or assassination, depending on your point of view) of Osama Bin Laden, the self-confessed leader of Al Qaeda. One may get a little tired of the dominance of both these in the news (my newspaper dedicated 11 pages for one and 15 for the other!) but there is no doubt in my mind that both are deeply significant