Arts
A Christmas Trip to Remember
Mum, Dad, Big Brother and I were off to stay with my aunt and uncle in a small Yorkshire village for Christmas. I had passed my driving test about a year earlier and was to [more…]
Christmas
Arts
Christmas Music Quiz 2020 – Answers and Winners
I hope (some) people enjoyed the Christmas Music quiz and thanks to all those who entered. Even the ones who may have cheated* After checking entries, SB pulled a couple of names out of a [more…]
Arts
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
The third Sunday of Advent – #Joy. A traditional English carol from the 16th century or earlier. © OldTrout
Hobbies
Christmas Music Quiz 2020
As we fast approach the season of bah-humbugs and miserable sods, I thought it would be a chance for Puffins to win one of two (Ed. or four?) £25 Hook Norton Brewery vouchers* to cheer [more…]
Arts
In The Bleak Midwinter
This is a poem written by Christina Rossetti, set to music first by Gustav Holst in 1906 and then by Harold Darke in 1911. This is by Darke : © OldTrout
Christianity
The Psalms
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort [more…]
Arts
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It is time to light the first candle. #Hope. O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of [more…]
Arts
A Christmas Movie that reflects 2020
As a very strange Christmas swings around, we’ll soon start to see a plethora of Yuletide films appear on television. From the great and the good (films like The Bishop’s Wife and It’s a Wonderful [more…]
Arts
Stir Up Sunday
The last Sunday before advent begins (22.11) is traditionally known as ‘stir up Sunday’. This is when families would come together to make the mixture for their Christmas Pudding, all taking it in turns to [more…]