The grand setting of Durham Cathedral brings us a reminder of three great, yet humble men of faith, learning and prayer. The saintly lives of The Venerable Bede, Saint Cuthbert and George Herbert have inspired Christians for centuries.
Continue reading “Great men have been among us”
There is no escaping from the influence of the sea here. Holy Island, Lindisfarne, off the east coast of Northumberland, is dominated by the rhythm of the tides as they ebb and flow. This is a ‘thin place’ with a deep spiritual history.
Continue reading “Holy Island”
Sing on sweet thrush, upon the leafless bough,
Sing on sweet bird, listen to thy strain,
And aged winter, mid his early reign,
At thy blythe carol, clears his furrowed brow.’
Robert Burns
The other day (Feb 1st ) I was sitting indoors when I heard a sound for which I am always waiting at this time of year. Opening the window, there it was, loud and clear, crisp and melodious—unmistakably the first Song Thrush—right on cue, singing its heart out claiming a territory for itself. It’s my favourite songbird, especially because it is the first bird to sing. It gives us so much pleasure by its beautiful solo performance – a herald of the dawn chorus to come, causing ‘aged winter to clear his furrowed brow’.
Memories of a childhood spent in the quiet lanes around the delightful Cotswold village of Elkstone remind us the value of learning in Nature’s Classroom. Hands-on, outdoor learning about nature and the countryside is something many modern children lack, to their great loss
Continue reading “Nature’s Classroom”
A Listening Heart 