‘By God’s grace, I will bless the Lord at all times.’

I was moved as I watched the BBC morning program with Dan Walker interviewing Dr Gee Walker, the mother of the late Anthony Walker, the 18 year old student who dreamed of becoming a lawyer before his life was cut short by an unprovoked, racially motivated attack on the night of the 29 July 2005...

How long have we been talking about this?

During the pilgrimage to Santiago in 2013 I wrote a short blog about ‘Saving the World?’ it was a little tongue in cheek at the time but nevertheless was highlighting the need to try to sustain the world’s resources. In the film ‘The Way’ there are many shots of wind turbines in the background as...

The glory days of Jackie Milburn are coming back to the Magpies!

It has been an exciting time for supporters of Newcastle United Football Club with news of the takeover by Saudi State or is it a wealthy company from that country that made good selling rather good Pease Pudding in abundance? Anyway one of those supporters is my brother and he is delighted. Having spent 3...

I never did like fishing!

Back in the summer news came up on my phone of a man by the name of Michael Packard who whilst on a fishing trip found himself thrown out of his boat into the mouth of a whale! Having survived the ordeal in 45 foot of water off Cape Cod the lobsterman told news reporters...

Who is the greatest?

You find on on-line discussions the arguments for who is the GOAT in tennis, football, Rock Bands, conker players etc. GOAT in case you haven’t heard stands for the ‘Greatest Of All Time.’ Federer, Messi, The Beatles and a kid I think called Alan Barrett from Rogerstone School who I think cheated by soaking conkers...

He’s football crazy, he’s football mad

There was a song in the 70’s called Football Crazy by Robin Hall and Jimmie MacGregor. Some of the lyrics could have been written about me: ‘For he’s football crazy, He’s football mad, the football it has taken away the little bit of sense he had, And it would take a dozen servants to wash...

Now what am I going to wear this evening?

I have never been known for having a great sense of style when it comes to dress sense. It was quite a relief when I was ordained as a priest as it led to me not having to think too much about my clothes each day. Of course remembering the liturgical colours is important and...

Not just Jamie Oliver but an evening with a Master Chef winner!

At the beginning of the Pandemic I started writing this series of blogs. In the early months I tried following Jamie Oliver and posted some recipes in the style of Oliver’s ‘Keep on cooking and carry on’. To help me out I had Paul Lion our All Saints chef and former owner of the Elva...

Scapegoat or hero?

I remember travelling to America with my brother Tim in the mid 1990’s and during a storm on the Outer Banks of North Carolina I recall hearing an advert on the television. It was a legal company asking the viewer whether they had been involved in an accident at work or indeed at play to...

Will people come back to church?

Charlie Mackesy is his wonderful book ‘The Boy, the mole, the fox and the horse’ offers the following insight. ‘What do you think is the biggest waste of time?’ asked the boy. ‘Comparing yourself to others’ said the mole. Last evening I had my ministerial review with a man who has been an excellent support...