When I was at vicar school memories were fresh of the TV comedy series "Rev", about a hapless vicar trying to run a parish in London. Most people thought this was a comedy; I thought it was a training manual. A decade later, I am still following the instructions I learnt from it. One episode started with the hapless Rev Adam and his deputy on Remembrance Sunday, standing alone at a war memorial now surrounded by high-rise flats, observing the two minute silence. Nobody else was there; it was just them remembering. And so, this Sunday, a member of the congregation will be in Billingsley Church on Remembrance Sunday. He will ring the bells just before 11am, then pause for 2 minutes and ring the bells again. At Sidbury, a member of the congregation will be at the soldier cut-out, at the head of the drive to the church. He will read the exhortation "At the going down of the sun....", observe the two minute silence at 11am and then end with the Kohima epitaph, "when you go home...". I imagine both will be alone; I will be leading remembrance at Glazeley so cannot join them. It really does not matter. On Remembrance Sunday, at 11am, they will be acting on behalf of their communities to remember the sacrifice of past generations. In fact they will not quite be alone; alongside them will be all the company of Heaven.
We welcomed some very special overseas visitors last month who had travelled from the USA. They share their family name with that of our village, Billingsley. We hope they enjoyed their visit; their comments in the visitor book would seem to suggest they did.Looking through the visitor book no fewer than 29 entries have been made so far this year. This is something of a record and certainly makes up for the times when visiting was difficult during the pandemic. Many of the comments left by visitors make note of how special St Mary’s is and they are pleased to find the church open. We are quite sure that many more have visited but preferred not to leave a comment.The church is always open and welcomes all regardless of faith or those of non faith. The church and it’s grounds offer a quiet space for contemplation, reflection and prayer. It is also full of many significant historical features, local history and interesting artifacts.; leaflets are available to guide you around the church and provide background information. There is also a well used book exchange which visitors are welcome to take advantage of.