camp bestival 2023

 

 

Camp Bestival finished with a bang last Sunday and what an evening we had! Who could possibly fail to love a line-up featuring a sixth-placed  'X Factor' contestant, a former Spice Girl, local legends Napalm Death and the inimitable Primal Scream.

Given the child-friendly credentials of Camp Bestival the choice of the last two appeared more than a little random ... a grindcore act ranked seventh in US death metal listings and a band with an illustrious history of drug and alcohol abuse. No matter, they were both brilliant, particularly Festival closers, Primal Scream, who I've longed to see play live for some time now.

Many thanks to our friends Graham and Farah for the tickets. You gave us a night to remember!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aston villa 3 v 0 lazio

 

 

Already it seems an age away, but here's our friendly against Lazio - last season's runners up in Italy's Series A ...

 

 

A funky communion

 

We joined a Methodist church in November last year after three years struggling to come to terms with the formality, liturgy and tradition of the Church of England. It's been so good to reconnect with our roots.

Last week we celebrated a 'funky Communion', complete with bacon sandwiches, hippy clothing and a deep sense of joy.

We talked on our tables, shared stories and hopes and fears. We read newspapers to search out meaning in prayer. We listened to popular secular music with profound themes. And we danced...

Yes, it was different. Yes, it was not to everyone's taste. Yes, it didn't always hit the mark. And yes, it was absolutely the right thing to do.

For a Christian, communion is a holy, mystical experience. And reverence does not exclude joy.

I'm deeply heartened to know Jesus' first miracle was to transform water into wine and that he was a regular party-goer. My heart longs for more people to join in the party.