Dear friends As many of you might know I have the privilege of being one of the many Duty Chaplains at Westminster Abbey a couple of weeks each year. I find this aspect of what I do really engaging, and it gives me an opportunity to be ‘simply’ a Parish Priest all week. Just talking to people and getting alongside them, having some really interesting conversations about life, the world, politics, death, and of course faith. No PCC meetings, endless emails or phone calls, just talking to people, as well as surrounded by all that history. This article is what that I meant to write in April as I happened to be in London the week after a new statue; ‘Man Blinded by Flag’ – Banksy, was unveiled (well actually was installed in secret overnight) in Waterloo Place, London. Of course, I had to go along and see it, and these two pictures are just a couple of those that I took. But life got in the way and something else was written for the May magazine instead. I was in Westminster again during October and I went back to see if this statue was still there, and it is. The reason that I am sharing these images is that the statue moves me deeply. You all know that I love art, and so I tend to notice things around art that moves me, and this statue is one of those. The statue is of a man walking confidently along carrying his flag which has been blown right across his face which therefore blinds him to the drop right in front of him that will either cause him great harm, or, perhaps, even end his life. BUT the man still carries on, he does not stop to remove the flag so that he can see clearly, he blindly continues striding forward sure of his own confidence that all is well with his world, when in fact all is not well, and his next step will see him fall flat on his face. A message that within the current political climate is, I think, very relevant. I also have to admit that I too often walk blindly forward unaware of the trip hazard right in front of me, and I suspect many of you will do this as well. BUT if we do not step out then life becomes dull, unfulfilled, safe, regulated. So, the statue also reminds me of a Christian taking a ‘Leap of Faith’ stepping out into the unknown, but aware that God will support us if we are truly doing his work in the world. This ‘Leap of Faith’ is, for me, clearly shown in the film ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ where Indiana has to take leap of faith over a canyon to prove that he is worthy of obtaining the Holy Grail. I suspect that many of our own leaps of faith are not quite so risky, nor do we take the steps blindly, but we know that there will be risks involved. However, at some stage we all must step out into the unknown, in faith, and in hope, trusting always that God is constantly by our side, guiding and directing us on life’s crooked pathway. Not having blind faith, but faith that God is there supporting us.I pray that your next leap of faith is truly blessed by God, and that through it you experience the love that God has in his heart for you.On a different note, when I am in Westminster Abbey, I do get to be there when there are no visitors whichbecomes a very prayerful time for me, as well as allowing me to see the art and memorials up close. These arejust two of the pictures I took on my last visit – the cross is that of the RAF Chapel right at the East end of theAbbey, most people do not notice it as there is a very small walkway in front of it which is full of visitors movingaround the Lady Chapel. The Icon of Christ is at the West end, and is normally surrounded by visitors, whichagain means that people really do not get to see it, the votive candle stand in front is full of candles lit by visitorspraying just 45 minutes after the doors open to the general public.With all Gods BlessingsRobert
Coffee and ChatThe next Coffee and Chat will be atMere and Tabley Community Club, 10.30 onNovember 11thFor further information, contact Judy Hancock : 07811 614319 oremail annhancock60@hotmail.com
From the RegistersOctober 2nd Little Bollington Church, Little Bollington School Harvest Festival 14th Little Bollington - Funeral and Burial of Jennifer Ann Richardson 20th Dunham Massey, 7.30pm PCC meeting 26th Dunham Massey - Funeral and Burial of Valerie Carol Harris 30th Bradwell Crematorium - Funeral of John Smith
Gentlemen’s LunchThe next lunch will be held at the usual venueThe Golden Pheasant,Plumley Moor Lane,Plumley,0nThursday 19th November 2026New members and visitors are always welcome to join our social lunches.We meet every third Thursday of the month throughout the year.For further information, please contact:Ed Wakefield 01565 830127 or Derek Moorhouse 01565 830398Gentlemen’s LunchVisit toHolyhead Maritime Museum, Anglesey (Ynys Mon)September 17th 2026After leaving a rather wet Rostherne, weather conditions improved the further west we travelled. Thejourney, via M56 and A55 Express route, was punctuated by traffic delays which seriously impacted ouragenda. However, to relieve the frustration we called Aber Falls distillery, for coffee and a gratuitoustasting. This lifted morale immensely as we continued on to our destination, having renegotiated ourETA with the venues.On arrival at the Maritime Museum the Curator and staff were welcoming and attentive. The museumis located in the former oldest Lifeboat Station in Wales, dating from 1828! A new Lifeboat Stationfacility is evident nearby.The artefacts and information in the museum highlight the regions perilous maritime history and thebravery of the volunteers who man the Holyhead lifeboats. It is a testament to the town’s richseafaring heritage! Narratives featuring 49 RNLI gallantry medals is evidence of the journey throughcaptivating stories of shipwrecks and courageous heroic rescues. It is significant to mention thatthere are five strategically located operational lighthouses on the island! The presentation andcollection also showcase sailing vessels to steam, motor ships and lifeboat models throughout theages. There is a dedicated exhibit of the 1939 HMS Thetis submarine disaster. The Thetis, built atCammel Laird, Birkenhead, was on a sea trial and sank in Liverpool Bay with 103 people aboard, onlyfour survived. The boat was salvaged, restored and sunk again during WW2! Another notableshipwreck concerned the catastrophic disaster in 1859, of the Royal Charter. This was an iron hulledSteam Clipper travelling from Melbourne to Liverpool, when a force 12 gale impaled it on to the rocksoff Anglesey. The ship’s manifest recorded 459 people aboard, of which only 41 survived. Anotherinteresting aspect of this tragedy was the ship carried a massive amount of gold bullion, belonging tothe miners returning from the Australian gold fields. A great deal of the gold was retrieved but the siteremains a magnet to this day.Having surfaced from an overwhelming maritime experience the ‘captain’s’ table beckoned in theTreardour Bay Hotel. A delightful lunch gracefully served by friendly efficient staff, was manna to theequally appreciative patrons.Derek
