Goodhand in Banbury

Well it was in fact '5 of the Best' because one of the choirs pulled out due to a number of members going down with Covid. However it was a good evening with a variety of singing from the Banbury Choral, Banbury Rock Choir and Cherwell Choral in the first half giving us quite us quite a range from Hayden's Te Deum, Robbie Williams Angels and Bach's Magnificat ( First Movement).  The second half saw 5 Ways (Barbershop style) take us through various numbers 'New York, New York,' Country Roads and the audience really warmed to them before the 'Milltown Singers' gave us 'Fly to Paradise' by Eric Whitacre and then a Medley of songs by Billy Joel very much appreciated by the audience.  Then all the choirs sand as a finale 'Sing' The whole event had been organised by the Rotary club of Banbury to raise funds for RVS Dementia Service, My Vision and Katherine House Hospice. the event was hosted by St Mary's Church, Banbury. So it was good to s

 In the light of recent public statements made by leading politicians its good to affirm my own Churches statement below.

Being a tourist   Well what to do when your wife goes to the Stitch and Sew show?   How about a day in St Albans a place I have never visited.  So I was a tourist for the day. I resisted a coffee to start with and headed to the Cathedral. To its credit it does not charge visitors and was a great sacred space to walk around and explore. I even took up the offer of one of the volunteers to show me their technology that’s highlights the frescos in the main aisle. We had a good conversation.  So a good visit to a place buzzing with people and lots of school trips going on. Then I gave in and had a coffee in the Cathedral coffees shop.   The painting of the Last supper is by Lorna may Wadsworth and very striking. St Alban's tomb The St Amphibilus Icons by Peter Murphy  are very vibrant as they tell the story  of St Amphibilus and St Alban. The figures above the altar which include St Alban are all martyrs including Bonhoeffer and Archbishop Oscar Ramero.  I was told the Cathedral is pos