Pete's Band plays again

Pete's Band was reunited for one more gig on Saturday.  Despite offers to appear at The Sage/City Hall etc, the band settled for a quiet night at Bruce and Mel's house.  Numbers knocked out with aplomb included The Bonnie Maid of Fife, The Rose of Allendale, and Remembrance (by Les Holloway).   It's the Albert Hall next.  Failing that, Eric has offered to host the next gig.

If readers are wondering where the band gets its name from - it's very simple.  The band are named after Pete Challoner (of New Rope String Band fame) who led a class at folkworks 10 years ago.

From the right - Ming, Mel, Bruce, Eric, Rinke, YC

congratulations

Congratulations to Michael Walker who is engaged to be married to Annemarie.  He proposed a couple of days before Christmas, and was thrilled when Annemarie said "yes". They are pictured on Bournemouth pier.  Some relatives have dared to suggest that Michael's description of the ring was not A1 ("a man's description!").  So to put matters right, here is a photo of the ring.  With his practiced-eye, YC can confirm that it is shiny, circular and very smart.

Christmas Special

Why did nobody buy Donner and Blitzen in Santa's Christmas auction?  Because they were too dear.

Ho ho ho!  And with that merry jape, the Birtley News Christmas special whizzes into action.  Here is a quick resume of events you might have missed over the year on your favourite website.  Click on the links for more details and photos.

James and family are in Krakow, Poland.  YC visited them in October and enjoyed sushi and football (not at the same time).

Mr & Mrs Rev T are swimming every day in The North Sea (bracing...), and have enjoyed lots of sailing on the fine craft Stella Genesta.

In church news, Emma was ordained in the summer; Geoff retired as parish priest from Holy Saviour's; and an alumna from St Peter's College was appointed as the first female bishop.

Which just leaves news of YC - still managing to hobble round a few fell races, drink the odd pint of beer, and sing in the folk choir at The Sage Gateshead (photo below).

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: he is the Messiah, the Lord."  Luke 2 10 - 11

Happy Christmas!

First Female Bishop - St Peter's Alumna

The Church of England has appointed its first female bishop.  YC was following the news, and pleasantly surprised that it was Libby Lane.  Libby and her husband George were both in the same year as YC at St Peter's College Oxford, and YC knew them through the Christian Union and Chapel Choir.  Here is the Junior Common Room photo taken in 1989.  George and Libby are at the top left (George is wearing an SPC tie).  But can sharp-eyed readers spot a (even more) youthful YC? 

Help your Aussie reli's win big - vote now!

Calling all Walker/Miller relatives, and indeed anyone else.  Patrick and Tristan Miller from Canberra need your help.  They have entered a logo competition for their local orienteering club.  Anyone can vote - but it has to be by Friday 5th Dec.  

Their logos are:

• the control flag (the orange and white triangular affair)
• the two Easter bunnies (black preferred)
• the egg and sun.  

Their friend Noah is also in the competition so if you think the triangle map is good you could also vote for it.   You are allowed 3 votes.

Not only are you supporting Patrick & Tristan, but you are doing your bit to promote young folk's interest in the great outdoors.  What  are you waiting for?

You will find the designs by clicking here.

You can vote by clicking here.

Ite missa est - on to the next stage Geoff

Geoff Lowson has retired as parish priest of Holy Saviour's Church, Tynemouth.  After 9 years of hard work, he is putting his feet up (possibly) in York, where the next stage on his journey will commence.  He flitted in to Holy Saviours like Bede's sparrow 9 years ago, and now he flits on to whatever life holds.

Geoff preached some extremely thought provoking sermons, to which YC was always glad to lend an ear and dissect afterwards, over a cup of tea or possibly something stronger in The Tynemouth Lodge.  Indeed only tonight Geoff was reflecting on the word "Mass" -  meaning "Go out" from the service.   YC confesses to thinking that the Latin translation was a tad wide of the mark.  But having consulted his favourite dictionary, YC can only say: "Oh ye of little faith!"  The trusty dictionary defines Mass as deriving from Ite missa est - Go it is the dismissal.

what the well dressed walker wears (possibly)

YC thought these photos might give readers a chortle.  They were taken about 10 years ago on in the Lake District.  One was definitely on Barrow on the Coledale Horseshoe.  The other was probably near the summit of Dale Head - though YC is open to suggestions on that one.  Check out the breeches.

on Barrow with Coz & Piers

on Dale Head?  Coz, Alex, YC, Kelvin, Helen, Emma