Wind and sun

Saturday 27th October 2018

The bitterly cold wind has blown the leaves off the tree whilst the sun catches the sweet-scented winter-flowering shrub near the stable (a kind of vibernum?)
It's a pressurised afternoon to have my sermon reading for the 6.00 p.m. vigil Mass of St Simon and St Jude.

Discussions at Blanchland

Friday 26th October 2018

 A beautiful if cold day for a day conference on

Sacred Space in Communities

Kielder School assembly

Tuesday 23rd October 2018

On the way back down the North Tyne valley after an "Open the Book" assembly at Kielder First School

Making the best of a disaster

Monday 22nd October 2018

At least the loss of my favourite lime tree (as a result of storm damage) can be used to provide logs for the fire.
     More importantly, the Office of the Schools Adjudicator has just announced that the formal proposal to close Bellingham Middle School has been rejected.  A great deal of work has gone into making an appeal against the proposal and the local community will be very relieved.

A plentiful fruit harvest

October 2018

A few minutes under the trees which we planted on the rectory glebe produced these windfalls.

Autumn draws on

Tuesday 16th October 2018

Molly doesn't seem to mind that the weather is becoming cold and grey.

Open the Book

Tuesday 25th September

Acting out the Bible story of giving into temptation in the Garden of Eden



Some of the props (wily serpent, tree and a bite out of the forbidden fruit)

Confirmation Service

Sunday 16th September 2018

A happy Confirmation conducted by our Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Revd Christine Hardman, in a full St Cuthbert's Bellingham

Growing a Living Church

Saturday 8th September 2018


Cutting willow in Kielder village (followed by "strip the willow"!)

Willow weaving the church

A "Trinity window" with three fish

Constructing a spire

Inside the "church"

Bishops' Mission

Friday 7th September 2018

Pupils at Bellingham Middle School working with "Thankful Playdough" as one of the morning's activities in the Prayer Space in School...

...whilst the visiting bishop waits to be useful.

I heard that this was produced by two boys who were grateful for protective love.