Outlook - Broughton Parish
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The Parish Magazine of St John Baptist, St Martin’s and St Peter’s £1
June 2020
Broughton
Outlook
Jesus said:"I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last." John 15.16
We seek to make Jesus known in our community, through our joyful, loving service and worship.
Some days it seems like
someone stole the sun...
but it still shines...
just hidden for a moment
behind the clouds
2 Broughton Outlook, June 2020
the vineyard called his manager to pay
“It’s Not Fair” the workers, beginning with the last “For my thoughts are not your
hired. “When those hired about 5 thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,
One of the most stressful places on my o’clock came, each of them received says the Lord, for as the heavens are
daily commute between Preston and the usual daily wage. Now when the higher than the earth, so are my ways
Liverpool for over 20 years was where first came, they thought they would higher than your ways and my
the M58 joins the M6 North. The M58 receive more; but each of them also thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah
is a relatively empty motorway outside received the usual daily wage.” 55:8-9).
peak times. However, 4:30 p.m. to
6:00 p.m. weekdays is “rush hour,” ‘That’s not fair,’ they grumbled God is love. Jesus is the incarnation of
which inevitably means that conges- because they were paid the same as God’s love. Although we have to strug-
tion slows traffic down. those who only worked one hour gle for justice and equality for all in
although they had laboured all day. society and even the Church, God’s
From Pimbo to Junction 1 there are The landowner replied: “Friend, I am justice is an unconditional gift. It can-
warning signs that the motorway nar- doing you no wrong; did you not agree not be earned or merited. And it is just
rows from three lanes to two. Queues with me for the usual daily wage? Take as well that forgiveness and mercy
form. Until traffic lights were installed what belongs to you and go; I choose come with that unconditional love as
at the Junction roundabout, those to give to this last the same as I give to we have to quell the tendency to be like
queues were often 1 mile long, mean- you. Am I not allowed to do what I the self-satisfied Pharisee praying in
ing it could take up to 20 minutes to choose with what belongs to me? Or the Temple and comparing himself
get onto the M6. Predictably as most are you envious because I am gener- favourably to the tax collector who
cars waited in the middle lane in ous? So the last will be first and the cried “God, be merciful to me, a sin-
preparation for the narrowing, there first will be last.” (1-16) ner.” Jesus said “[the tax collector]
were always cars that stayed in the went down to his home justified rather
outside lane until the last possible Like the disgruntled grape pickers, than the other; for all who exalt them-
opportunity to merge then signalling don’t you feel for the Prodigal Son’s selves will be humbled, but all who
to join the queue. brother? There he was, working hard humble themselves will be exalted.”
on his father’s estate year after year, (Luke 18:9-14)
Needless to say, those drivers in the being a dutiful, obedient son. His
queue were reluctant to encourage the brother took half of the value of the So here is a lesson for me and for you
queue-jumping upstarts and the line estate and lived the high life, travelled, if you recognise yourself as the
became bumper to bumper just avoid- fulfilled all manner of desires until he stressed out commuter gripping the
ing a “dodgems” scenario! Sometimes spent every last penny and decided wheel : how about giving the pushy
a large truck would simply block the that he was better off returning home driver a smile and wave a signal to cut
lane far away from the pinch point to to face his punishment than living in a in front of the queue? That may not
prevent the use of the outside lane all pig sty and starving. And what hap- deal with the driver’s bad habits – but
together. Righteous indignation all pens? When he is far off, their father with mine! Generosity rather than
round and just another layer of stress sees him, loses all dignity, runs to meet envy or anger. I may even reduce my
to add to an already fraught day for all him and embraces this wayward own stress levels!
concerned. “That’s not fair!” “That’s brother, ordering a big feast in cele-
cheating!” Drivers grip their steering bration of his return. You can just see Psalm 145, as so many verses in the
wheels. Road rage. Sound familiar? the stay-at-home brother fuming and Bible, reminds us:
sympathise with his refusal to join the
Consider two of Jesus’ parables. In party. The Lord is gracious and merci-
Matthew Chapter 20, Jesus describes ful, slow to anger and abound-
the Kingdom of Heaven as being “like The father says to the disgruntled ing in steadfast love, The Lord is
a landowner who went out early in the brother: “Son, you are always with me, good to all, and his compassion
morning to hire labourers for his vine- and all that is mine is yours. But we is over all that he has made. (8-9)
yard. After agreeing with the labourers had to celebrate and rejoice, because
for the usual daily wage, he sent them this brother of yours was dead and has Thanks be to God. Amen.
to his vineyard....” come to life; he was lost and has been
found.” (Luke 15:11-32) Canon Andrea Titterington
The landowner goes out again about 9
a.m. and again at 3 p.m. and then at 5 Envy. Righteous indignation. Anger.
p.m. At the end of the day the owner of Resentment. “It’s not fair,” we cry.
Broughton Outlook, June 2020 3
I first came across this poem, The Great Realisation,written by Tom Roberts.whilst watching a streamed service from
St Cuthbert’s Church. It can be found on Youtube under Tom Foolery – “The Great Realisation” and I recommend you
watch the complete video. It may be a simplistic presentation but it gives a message of hope. Born in Auckland, New
Zealand of Welsh parents, he now lives in the UK. The video was filmed by candlelight, as he read it, as a bedtime story, to
his 7-year-old brother. He is also known as a comedian who goes under the stage name “Probably Tomfoolery” and has
written other poems about life during the Coronavirus pandemic which record social history as it happens and can be found
on his website. http://www.probablytomfoolery.com These are worth watching. A very talented young man!
Barry Townsend, Churchwarden.
The Great Realisation
Tell me the one about the virus again, then I’ll go to bed.
‘But my boy, you’re growing weary, sleepy thoughts about your head.
‘Please! That one’s my favourite. I promise just once more.
‘Okay, snuggle down my boy, though I know you know full well
The story starts before then, in a world I once would dwell.
‘It was a world of waste and wonder, of poverty and plenty
Back before we understood why hindsight’s 2020
‘You see the people came up with companies to trade across all lands.
But they swelled and got much bigger than we ever could have planned.
‘We’d always had our wants, but now it got so quick.
You could have anything you dreamed of in a day and with a click.
‘We noticed families had stopped talking. That’s not to say they never spoke.
But the meaning must have melted and the work life balance broke.
‘And the children’s eyes grew squarer and every toddler had a phone.
They filtered out the imperfections but amidst the noise, they felt alone.
‘And every day the skies grew thicker, `til we couldn’t see the stars.
So, we flew in planes to find them while down below we filled our cars.
‘We’d drive around all day in circles. We’d forgotten how to run.
We swapped the grass for tarmac, shrunk the parks till there were none.
‘We filled the sea with plastic cause our waste was never capped.
Until each day when you went fishing, you’d pull them out already wrapped.
‘And while we drank and smoked and gambled, our leaders taught us why,
It’s best to not upset the lobbies, more convenient to die.
‘But then in 2020, a new virus came our way.
The government reacted and told us all to hide away.
‘But while we were all hidden, amidst the fear and all the while,
The people dusted off their instincts, they remembered how to smile.
‘They started clapping to say thank you, and calling up their mums.
‘And while the car keys gathered dust, they would look forward to their runs.
‘And with the sky less full of voyages, the earth began to breathe.
And the beaches bore new wildlife that scattered off into the seas.
‘Some people started dancing, some were singing, some were baking.
We’d grown so used to bad news but some good news was in the making.
‘And so when we found the cure and were allowed to go outside,
We all preferred the world we found to the one we’d left behind.
‘Old habits became extinct, and they made way for the new.
And every simple act of kindness was now given its due.
‘But why did it take a virus to bring the people back together?’
‘Well, sometimes, you got to get sick, my boy, before you start feeling better.
‘Now lie down, and dream of tomorrow, and all the things that we can do.
And who knows, if you dream hard enough, maybe some of them will come true.
‘We now call it the Great Realisation, and yes, since then there have been many.
‘But that’s the story of how it started, and why hindsight’s 2020.’
4 Broughton Outlook, June 2020
Socially Distanced Garden Visitors
Wonderful images taken by Barry Townsend in his back garden
tures and seminars online and there-
Life at become a player of my college football
team. fore still able to continue studying the
Degree Course which I am loving.
Lancaster Living in Hall was not as daunting as I
imagined it might be, and spending I am in regular contact with all my new
time with 11 complete strangers has friends as we all try to keep going
Before accepting my place at become one of the most incredible through this difficult time.......... but of
University, everyone told me about the aspects of this whole first year. course it’s also nice also just to sit,
experiences awaiting me, living away Furthermore, I know I have made new relax, and enjoy myself at home with
from home and becoming indepen- friends for life! my family.
dent, and certainly, life as a first-year
undergraduate has offered these expe- Sadly, COVID-19 has taken away many So, despite my first year coming to an
riences and a huge range of new of the wonderful opportunities for the abrupt halt, I know that when our lives
opportunities. time being, and knowing that I will eventually return to normality, I will
not be returning to my Hall of will be able to return with plenty of
The academic work at the University Residence has been tough. But despite happy memories of my first year as a
has been particularly stimulating as this, I have got to look for the posi- Student at Lancaster.
has Society Life and Sport. I have tives; I am still receiving all my lec- Max Cross
Broughton Outlook, June 2020 5
been redbreast) and dubbed his wife
Robins Revealed “Jenny Wren”. In time the redbreast of
woods and eventually dying.
With the bird being so beloved, it is no
Barry’s photographs on page 4 of the Robin Readbreast was dropped, and surprise that it is seen as very bad luck
nest-building robin reminded me of robin became the enduring title. to kill, or even injure a robin, or to step
just how often, when I’m working in its eggs. In Irish folklore, killing a
my own garden, this cheeky chap This association with Christmas arises robin would result in a permanent
stands by watching, waiting for any in part from the fact that postmen in tremor in the hand that struck the
worms my spade my uncover. It is no Victorian Britain, especially busy dur- killing blow. 19th century tales speak
surprise that in a recent nationwide ing the festive season, wore red jackets of piglets dying or cows producing
survey, the robin topped the poll as and were nicknamed "Robins". bloody milk after the death of a robin.
Britain’s most popular bird, and no
surprise either that it has been unoffi- Folklore behind the robin is often con- Some say that if a robin pecks on a
cially adopted as our national bird. tradictory - sometimes it is seen as a window or enters a house then it sig-
sacred bird, a friend to humans, while nals the death of a loved one. Robins
Often the first melody we hear as the in other legends it is associated with are seen as messengers for the spirit
dawn chorus begins, its song can be death. world and there are numerous anec-
heard almost all year round, even in dotes about their presence being a
midwinter. Like so many garden birds The iconic red breast of the robin has a comfort following the passing of a
it has adapted from its original wood- number of origin myths. One old loved one. If a person destroyed the
land existence to enjoy the food, water British folk tale says that the robin was nest of a Robin, he should expect a
and nesting places offered by a more entirely brown, but was stained by the death in his family within a year, or a
urban environment. blood of Jesus as He was dying on the fire to destroy his house, or lightning
cross. The robin flew to his side and to strike it and damage it. Breaking the
The European robin (Erithacus rubec- sang into his ear in order to comfort eggs of a Robin will result in some-
ula), known simply as the robin or him in His pain. The blood from His thing valuable of your own being bro-
robin redbreast in the British Isles, is a wounds stained the robin's breast, and ken. To see a Robin sheltering in the
small insectivorous passerine bird, thereafter all robins had the mark of branches of a tree indicates that rain is
specifically a chat, that was formerly Christ's blood upon them. on the way, and to see one chirping on
classified as a member of the thrush an open branch indicates that fine
family (Turdidae) but is now consid- A few legends are relateds to fire, weather is coming. You should make a
ered to be an Old World flycatcher. rather than blood. One describes how wish when you see your first Robin of
About 12.5–14.0 cm in length, the the robin scored its breast in the fires the season, and make sure to do it
male and female are similar in of purgatory while delivering water to quick, for if the bird flies away before-
colouration, with an orange breast and tormented souls. In Wales this led to hand, you’ll receive no good luck for
face lined with grey, brown upper- the bird being known as “brou-rhud- the next twelve months.
parts and a whitish belly. It is found dyn”, or “breast-burnt”. A variation of
across Europe, east to Western Siberia the burning theme suggests that the Another association of the Robin with
and south to North Africa. wren stole fire from the heaven, and death is in a pagan belief. In Celtic tra-
returned to earth entirely aflame. In ditions, Yule is the time when the Oak
This factual, taxonomic desription order to replace the feathers the wren King triumphs over the Holly King.
however does little to explain why this had lost, birds queued to donate a The Holly King represents the death
diminutive bird is so popular and fig- feather to the wren. The robin howev- and darkness that has ruled since the
ures so prominently in our national er strayed too close to the burning onset of Samhain (Halloween). At the
folklore. wren, was itself burned in the process Winter Solstice, the Oak King is reborn
- the red belly is the remain remains of and begins a new cycle of life and light-
this. Another fire-related legend has ness. A similar version of the Oak
the robin being burned while fanning King versus the Holly King theme is
flames to keep the baby Jesus warm. the killing of the Wren. The Wren is
An alternative legend has it that its the little King of the Waning Year, and
breast was scorched fetching water for is killed by the Robin Redbreast, the
souls in Purgatory. new King of the Waxing Year.
The wren and the robin are often That the robin was seen as an omen for
linked together in folklore, sometimes good or evil is perhaps not too surpris-
as man and wife. An old English leg- ing when we see the male robin’s high-
The robin has become strongly associ- end tells of the robin and the wren ly aggressive territorial behaviour. He
ated with Christmas, taking a starring working together to cover unburied will fiercely attack other males that
role on many Christmas cards since bodies with leaves if they were found stray into his territories. There are
the mid 19th century. Indeed it was the in the woods. This is described in the even instances of robins attacking
Victorians, who had a habit of giving old English ballad “Babes in the their own reflection.
names to their birds, who gave him the Wood”, which describes the story of BH
name Robin (previously he had simply two children being abandoned in the
Broughton Outlook, June 2020 6
Broughton Choristers wore black cas- viewed for my job as Choirmaster!
The Choir in socks, but to be honest, I wasn’t over JC)
Lockdown impressed by his description.
Every Harvest, Roger would bring a
Chorister Training
The first, we hope, of a series of huge salmon to Church which he said By now I was thoroughly enjoying
articles in which Gentlemen - he’d just caught....... and I’d no reason singing with the Choir, but structured
and possibly Boys - talk about to disbelieve him as Asda and training of the boys wasn’t something I
their early experiences in a Sainsburys didn’t exist in Preston as remember. In its place there was a
Church Choir. far as I can remember. Residential RSCM Easter Course at
Rossall School. I was encouraged to go
Today, one of our Senior These days also saw the first Choir - and duly obliged. I hated it! I some-
Gentlemen, Mr John Turner Sports, which were were held at how contacted my mum and dad (can’t
recalls his early years as a Roger’s house in Longridge. They were remember how, as we didn’t have a
Broughton Chorister. run by his wife Jo, who was a very telephone) and told them if they didn’t
enthusiastic P.E. teacher at the Park come and get me I would die. It was
Where it all began......Broughton
School, Preston’s Grammar School for freezing cold and I was even told off by
Primary School
Girls. one of the prefects for wearing my
It must have been during an assembly socks in bed! The only enjoyable thing
Choir Day Trips also became an annu-
when George Smithies heard me was free time in the afternoons, when
al event and I remember one to the
singing and said he’d be contacting my I’d go to Cleveleys and play on the slot
Lake District where we ate at ‘The
parents. Mr Smithies (the Headmaster machines.
Chestnut Tree Cafe’ in Bowness, and
and a wonderful man) was a member
the following year we visited Trentham Fortunately I didn’t die........but to this
of the choir, had a fine tenor voice and
Gardens near Stoke. very day, I still shiver when I hear the
was always actively looked for poten-
tial Choristers among the boys in his word Rossall!
A New Choirmaster
School And then.......yet another
Brian Cryer (Head of Music at Preston
An invitation to join the Church Choir Choirmaster
Grammar School) followed Gerry
was accepted and so began a lifetime Dawson as Choirmaster and he was Brian Cryer was followed as
of Choral Singing. much more easy-going, but only Choirmaster by a Young Man just
stayed for twelve months. Sunday starting out at William Temple
A daunting Choirmaster!
morning was always something to look School......... and he’s remained with us
The Choirmaster at the time was Gerry forward to because if John Ross was to this day. This new Young
Dawson - an old man who shouted a there (a young adult) he’d occasionally Choirmaster was enthusiastic in every-
lot, and I well remember my early give me a lift home on his motor bike thing he did and I remember him turn-
Choir Practices as a Probationer, when and drop me at the end of Brookside ing up for Easter Monday football,
he accompanied on the organ and Road - no compulsory helmets in those boots still in a box, with a label on it
glared at us through the mirror. He days and I never told my parents. marked Merrigolds 17/11d in old
was fierce! money. That was nearly 90p!
Choir Sporting Events
The wonderful Mr Houghton Speaking of old money, leads me to the
Sport was very much a part of Choir
Hot Pot Supper which was when we
In my early days I remember Roger Life. Easter Monday saw the Lads ver-
were paid …... at the fine rate of 2d a
Houghton quite vividly. I’d never met sus Dads annual football match and
service/practice! You could earn up to
anyone quite like him and all the Older there was also an Organ Side versus
£1-4-0 a year if you were a regular
Boys told me to call him ‘Codger’......... Vestry Side annual Cricket Match.
attender (or £1.20 in today’s money).
but not to his face! He once took me
In those days the Choir Vestry was To be allowed to attend The Hot Pot
“beating” for which I was paid well. All
next to the Vicar’s Vestry and although Supper, the necessary form had to be
I had to do was hit bushes with a stick
the Choir wasn’t as large as it is today, returned; you then received a letter
and then when any birds flew up, make
it was still a reasonable size, and we telling you to provide “Hot Pot for
sure I was not shot. Fortunately I got
were quite cramped for room. Four persons.” I can’t actually remem-
things right and was in Church the
ber, but I presume we ate immediately
next day! The first cricket match I remember or else all the food would be cold! We
was played on the Fulwood and were then entertained by a magician
I once remember being alongside him
Broughton Ground, but the venue Brian Berry – of course!
whilst he was speaking to another
moved to Penwortham Power Station,
adult and he introduced me as ‘One of
courtesy of Ted Cavanagh who worked (continued on page 7)
our Black Crows’. In those days all
there. (Which is where I was inter-
Broughton Outlook, June 2020 7
Choir in the boys. Great days............the begin- What has our
ning of a life-long love of singing in a
Lockdown Choir Warden been up to?
(continued from page 6) John Turner
(What John hasn’t mentioned is that And from one of the more senior
there was a collection during the gentlemen of the choir to one of its
course of the evening to defray expens- youngest choristers...
es?! JC)
Dear Mr Catterall,
Christmas
How are you? I hope you are keeping
Carol singing was always good fun. We
used to walk the streets for three hours well. I just thought I would email you
and sing under lampposts. and let you know what I have been up
to during the lockdown.
One night it would be the estate
behind The Black Bull - all the ‘ways’, My mum is working in Critical Care at
Janice Drive and Conway Drive; the the hospital so I have been going to Under the cover of darkness Barry
next night, Ashwood Road and the rest school on the days she is at work. crept in to change the altar frontal
of the ‘trees’ and then on Friday, School is very different to normal. I get Thank you to The Church Times
Broughton and Whittingham Lane. to play a lot more than we normally do.
When we arrived at Judge Bell’s, JC I still have to do some work like Maths
always made us sing either “Ding Dong and English and I’ve been playing foot-
Merrily” or “Ding Dong Ding.” ball. Note from Jim
At the end of each evening, JC and Me and my dad have been on lots of Titterington
Roger Houghton used to go off to
Parklands Drive bus shelter which was
bike rides and I have been running PCC Treasurer
with my mum and practising my
very posh and had benches, and there
ukulele. We have had lots of barbecues
they would sit and count the money! There has been a very positive
in the back garden when it’s been response from parishioners to my
PS I have to admit, I always sunny and my mum bought me and request to support the parish,
declined the kind invitation to count my sister a paddling pool. despite the current absence of ser‐
the Carol Singing money in Parklands vices, by donating to parish funds
Bus Shelter. A warm fire and a hot Thank you for wishing me a happy
via Standing Order.
toddy at home seemed a more attrac- birthday. I got a telescope for my
tive option! (JC) birthday from my mum and dad and I The PCC wishes to thank everyone
can even see the craters on the moon who has responded and also those
Football........and Sermons!
with it. I saw the supermoon the other who have taken the time to visit the
Choir football was the brainwave of night. I also made a den in my garden parish office with their envelopes
Brian Chiverton. With the help of his and and had my tea in it, and one night and donations. Your giving in grace
Dad Jack, Les Anson and others, a my sister and I slept in a tent in the is vital to our present and our
Preston and District Choir Football garden. future.
League was set up in the late 60’s.
I miss coming to Choir and seeing my
There were about 10 teams in all and
friends a lot. I sing in the car and at Seems right to me...
this was very successful for several
years. Many of our Choristers were home all the time and I can’t wait to
very sporty and there were no comput- see everyone again. Please can you add
ers or phones to play on in those days! my news to the Choir News letter and
say hello to everyone for me. Hope to
Sermons meant time to look at football
see you very soon!
programmes in the pews........ but we
had to make sure JC’s spy who was in Love from Euan Joyce
the congregation didn’t spot us.
Whether there ever was a spy I’m not
sure, but that was the rumour amongst
Broughton Outlook, June 2020 8
Light up a life
May 2020
5th The Dempsey family In loving memory of Jack Dempsey on his birthday.
10th Helen J Verity In memory of my dear friend, Janet Nelson (neé Houghton) on her birthday,
“Happy Birthday Chuck!”
17th Anne Dempsey To celebrate John’s birthday
28th Keith Gorton In memory of my dear wife, Margaret, on her birthday
28th Wendy Sidders & family In loving memory of Irene Williams on her 90th birthday. A much-loved mother,
grandmother and friend. Much missed.
Anyone who would like to have the church flood-lit on a particular occasion to celebrate an anniversary or commemorate
a loved one can book it by calling Chris Couper on 01772 863782 or e-mail chris.j.couper@talk21.com
The cost per night is £15. Please send cash, or cheques made payable to “PCC of Broughton”, to Chris Couper, 78
Greenacres, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 7DB.
REMINDER —- PLEASE REMEMBER TO GIFT AID YOUR DONATION, the church can claim an extra 25 pence for
every pound you give.
thus ensuring that all persons end’s leave (an exeat) each half term,
And From the Man ‘signed-in’ were actually present! which commenced after Saturday
Himself.. Attendance at all meals - Breakfast,
morning lectures (12.15) and ended at
10.00 pm on Sunday. Exeats had to be
Following articles by Patrick Hurley Lunch and Evening Meal was compul- applied for and this entailed a visit to
and Max Cross about their first year at sory. Gowns were to be worn at the Vice-Principal – a fearsome
University, in last month’s Outlook Evening Meal. prospect!
and on page 4 of this month’s edition,
the Choirmaster was invited to Lectures were certainly all compulsory At the end of the first year
enlighten us about his own experi- and began after chapel at 9.20. The
ences! final lecture (if you were unlucky …...following exams, it was usual for
enough to be timetabled for it) ended roughly 10% of the student body to be
September 19...........can’t at 6.20. ‘advised’ (!) to leave the College!
remember!! I survived.......of course!
School Over – Freedom at Last! Accommodation
...but I was in for a rude awaken- But in those days there were perks,
ing! Whether you were in Digs or in Hall, many certainly not enjoyed by today’s
you had to be ‘in’ by 10.00 pm. students!
Day 1 Landladies were required to report
late-comers to the Vice Principal, and There were no Tuition fees.....there
Certainly no ‘Freshers’ Week’! On if you were ‘in Hall’ and arrived after was even First Term Book allowance -
arrival at College, it was straight in to a this time, you were locked out and had £44.00 for everyone!
‘Welcome’ meeting with the Principal to contact the Hostel Tutor (or find a
at 6.30 in the Gladstone Hall. We were window which had been ‘accidentally ‘ All meals (including Sunday Morning
advised not to unpack, as tomorrow we left open!). Coffee and Daily Afternoon Tea) and
were all taking an exam. accommodation were provided free of
In Hall, visitors were allowed on charge. There was a Laundry
‘Such a waste of time gentlemen, Wednesday and Saturday evenings allowance. Six shillings and sixpence
if you fail and have to re-pack only, but had to leave at 9.50 pm, per week!
everything’! when a Senior Student would wander
along the corridors ringing a very loud For Teaching Practice, private coach-
Daily Routine hand bell and calling, ‘All Women es to schools were arranged; if stu-
Out’! dents were posted to schools some dis-
I was in ‘Digs’. Mrs Bell’s house was a tance from College, they were provid-
bus journey away, but I was still Holidays and Exeat ed with accommodation (paid for of
required to arrive at College in time to course!). I stayed for a month in a
sign in between 7.50 – 8.00 am......the We were allowed the usual half term Morecambe sea-front hotel!
whole procedure was conducted under and full term holidays. In addition
the watchful eye of the Vice-Principal, each student was permitted one week- (continued on page 9)
Broughton Outlook, June 2020 9
outside the Grosvenor Hotel in the Solemn Eucharist at Chester Cathedral
And from the centre of Chester at six in the morning, on St Peter’s Day. I can assure you
Man Himself singing ‘Lloyd George knows my
Father, Father knows Lloyd George’
(continued from page 8) (those were the only words) to the tune
of Onward Christian Soldiers, percus-
Dining with the Principal was a very sion accompaniment provided by dust
pleasant experience. Being Senior bin lids (‘borrowed’ from landladies).
Organist, I received regular invitations The residents of the Grosvenor were so
addressed to ‘My Dear Catterall’ and appreciative.......not!!
spent several very enjoyable evenings …............But it was Rag Day!
at High Table.........with a reminder of
course that it was ‘Carriages at 10.00’! …....and oh, those wonderful hairy
Wednesday afternoon Student Fell
There was a dance every Saturday Walks in North Wales led by a delight- there was a perfectly good reason for
evening in the Gladstone Hall. fully eccentric English lecturer. No this, and can report that the fish swam
Partners were inspected by the Vice- health and safety restrictions in those happily round their bowl under the
Principal who was always present at days! seat of the lady in front (the poor dear
the door and whose very audible com- being completely unaware of their
ments on dress fashions were, shall we Just as much fun was walking on the presence) as the Choir sang Darke in
say, interesting! ice on the the River Dee during a par- F!
ticularly cold winter. It was perfectly
But of course, School Life really was safe (everything was safe in those Yes, Great Years; I made friends for
over........and as Students we could days!) – cars were driving on the river life.
(and did!) do daft things occasionally! at the same time! I wouldn’t have missed College life for
And then there was the occasion when the world
Yes, clad in PJs, I did sit in the road a group of us took two goldfish to the
And finally....from an anonymous bard
Broughton Choir Practice During hymns and change of pace They lift the spirit and declare
Evening Chatting is a constant case That happiness is ours to share
Noise is almost volume numb So when you’re down with lack of glee
At the start of practice time Trying to share the latest crumb The funny side of life is free
Probationers there 6.30 fine
Keen attentive learning new Back to practice end the fray Parents in attendance there
Music is their constant clue Chatting is but not ok Appreciate we do declare
Gentlemen now join the group That all the work and effort too
Older boys arrive for seven Basses, tenors in the loop Heart is there in all you do
Some in kit unfit for heaven
No matter what you wear tonight Counter‐tenors in the stalls Never tire from week to week
Sports and shorts are yours by right So the pace but now enthrals Practice time is never cheap
Boys and men in true accord Rain and cold distractions lurch
Some boys early some boys timely Heavenly music to The Lord But you are here to lead His Church
Rushing in with scripts gripped finely
Nods and smiles to friends around From time to time as does occur So, long obedience constant true
Singing is the only sound Our Choir Master doth repair Same direction all of you
To share with all that listen to In God’s Temple it is right
Songs that make the rafters ring A homily of great virtue To Glorify the Risen Christ
Anthems that you often sing
Canticles that can inspire A glimpse of stories, chat and such May your time and efforts know
Worship is your fond desire Of pleasantries that very much That you but set our hearts aglow
Are funny in the nicest way So we thank your service true
And never ever go astray Be uplifted all of you.You can also read
