On a few occasions now I have been contacted by someone wanting to see our Collingham Cresset Stone. Many others remain oblivious to its existence. Certainly, the reasons for its existence remain somewhat shrouded in mystery. It isn’t very much to look at – a circular stone with fairly well-defined dimples within it; seven smaller dimples and one larger, each forming a cup-like shape. Cresset means ‘cup’ and such stones are understood to have been made and used for the purpos

I have always loved losing myself in a good book . It began with being read to both at home and at school. I still have some of those childhood books tucked away on one particular bookshelf. What childhood books do you still treasure? What words or phrases remain with you, because of having those books read to you? This year marks the 100 th Anniversary of the first ‘Winnie the Pooh’ book, the lovable character who originally appeared in one simple story published in the Lon

A clergy colleague of mine was recently labelled ‘ a traitor ’ – imagine that! Fear not, it was all a bit of fun. Each table allocated to a team at the village quiz had been given a Reality TV -themed name. She happened to find herself a member of ‘ Team Traitors ’. Despite immediately staking a claim for being ‘ a faithful ’ (which seemed reasonable) the die was cast, the name stuck – for that evening at least – and much hilarity ensued! The name traitor may be the tv show’s

I remember many years ago taking my young goddaughter and her brother to Halifax and watching the figure of Archimedes way up high, being lowered into his bathtub, and hearing and watching the water gushing out. “ Eureka !” That is, of course, both the name of the Museum we were visiting and the moment being dramatically re-enacted by the Archimedes installation. That simple ‘bathtub moment’ led the ancient Greek mathematician and scientist to immediately grasp a new understa

When did you see your first Christmas Jumper, this year? Mine was the morning of 1 st November in Wetherby, and it was being nonchalantly worn by a gentleman fetching in his bin. The wearing of the Christmas Jumper will by now have gained momentum and will reach a climax around 11 th / 12 th Dec, when Christmas Jumper Day is kept in countless workplaces and schools. The brightest and jolliest jumpers will be put on and worn with pride and delight and in the process, donat

November is a Remembering month. The Remembering of All Saints; All Souls and All whom we have loved and see no longer - 2nd November (this year 2nd Nov at St Oswald’s). The Remembering of World Wars, past conflicts, sacrifices made and lives lost - 11th November, and Remembrance Sunday (this year 9th November at the Memorial Hall). The Remembering of Guy Fawkes, the gunpowder plot and a time of political and religious unrest - 5th November. Remembering is a complex but signi

Does anybody else remember the escapades of “ My Naughty Little Sister ...” - a series of stories written by Dorothy Edwards and...

YOU & BUNTING The question most often asked when people step inside St Oswald‘s Church is, “How old is it?” It seems a simple question,...

March to May was reported as the sunniest on record. June brought showers, but also the longest day of the year. That said, I imagine...

“Our Father….” If I said those words in the midst of a gathering of people, and asked others to join in, I have little doubt that very...

A year ago, the present Diocese of Leeds was celebrating its 10th Anniversary – ten years earlier the Dioceses of Ripon and Leeds,...

"Why don't you wear a suit?" The question asked of Ukrainian President Zelensky during his meeting with President Trump in the Oval...

“Food, glorious food” For those of us who at some time in our education were taught Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, we will remember that...

It is now 5 days ago (as I write) since we awoke to our winter wonderland! Snow often divides opinion – initial delight at the scene on...

What will you be doing to ‘bring in’ New Year? Will it be partying, or snoozing, getting over the night before, or stepping out into the...

The Church of England's 2024 theme for the festive season ahead is:- “Follow the Star: Calm and Bright”. Those who are well versed in...

I sit to write these words one day after 7th October - a day now become an anniversary for all the wrong reasons! I have also just heard...

“For one special week every year (since the 1970s), we Turn the World on its Head, and get Prisoners praying for Prison Officers Victims...

“…a Profession of Hope !” It’s a phrase I came across recently used in an article written by … a Farmer . The author described how: - “...

Desert Island Discs is a radio programme which will be familiar to many, having been on the soundwaves for over 80 years. A guest or...