I still cannot catch that cosy, happy, exciting whiff of Spring enjoyed by Mole; but I am trying to remain optimistic, what with Ukraine’s embattlement, a Cabinet that may find itself in clink, half of England flooded (dreadful for moles) and, who knows what? These are difficult times.
But catching Mole’s optimism, how about this?
In June we celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee holiday week. 70 years of faithful service: wars and not just rumours of war; ‘red on the map’ (Conrad) ever diminishing, the tragedy at Aberfan, her Annus Horribilis in 1992, Diana’s death and then the death of Prince Philip in 2021 and her, terribly alone. There were the great days: the London Olympic spoof, the great Australia walkabout in 1970 – never done before by a monarch and so many more happy days.
There are many things only a Queen can do: drive without a license, avoid jury duty, go without a surname, own all the unclaimed swans in England, pay no taxes, dismiss a Prime minister, declare war. But these are slim pickings and you can surely see that, by and large, Her Majesty has a rotten job. A job which she does magnificently.
So let us join with the village in celebration.
What should we do to celebrate such a wonderful event? I am sure this inventive village has many ideas lined up, but for our part, well, we shall have a very special service on Sunday 5 th June and we can enjoy the best hymns, best prayers, sing the National Anthem, enjoy an ecumenical service, one that is ‘culture fair’, one that is in fond reverence of a great lady. The Scouts will parade; the sun will shine
and we’ll all make this a wonderful day
The best hymns? don’t ask me. Hymns are like good wine, you don’t know why but some are just right, you love them!
The best prayers?
Last Sunday Stephen Dunn led the intercessions at a baptism and, I think, surprised the baptism family with two very old prayers, one of which that could almost have been written just for them, the second, for us all. Here it is:
‘Help us this day, O Lord, to serve thee devoutly and the world busily. May we do our work wisely, give succour freely, go to our meat appetitely, sit thereat discreetly, arise temperately, please our friends duly, go to our beds merrily and sleep surely, for the joy of our lord Jesus Christ AMEN’ Sulpicius Severus 460AD. (this was a proper word in those far off days, long my it and others like it, remain.)
Charles Wimbush