Hogmanay, New Year and Customs

You may well be wondering why a picture of a Kashmiri Cuisine Restaurant is on the top of this article! Read on to find out more.....

Well, we're almost at the start of another year. It is Old Years Eve tonight. and the New Year commences at a millisecond after midnight!

The Scots will no doubt be out in force, celebrating what they call Hogmanay. There will no doubt be the tradition of "first footing" taking place, and much whisky consumed!

New Years Day hasn’t always been the first of January.

Thousands of years ago, the Ancient Egyptian New Year was in the middle of June, when the River Nile overflowed its banks. Even today, the New Year of the Jews and Hindus is not when we celebrate it. Even in Christian countries New Year has been celebrated on many different occasions.

In 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII caused the making of the calendar which we use today, January 1st was made New Years Day, because it had been so in Ancient Rome.In Ancient Rome this day was given over to the worship of the god Janus – from which we get the name of the month January

In Roman mythology, Janus (or Ianus) was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. His most prominent remnant in modern culture is his namesake, the month of January, which begins the New Year. Janus was usually depicted with two heads facing in opposite directions. According to a legend, he had received these from the god Saturn, in reward for the hospitality received, and the gift to see both future and past.

So one of his heads is looking backwards into the Old Year, and the other is looking forwards into the New Year.

It is traditional at this time of year to look back over the last year and then make New Year Resolutions.

The Bentley's and the Butlers will be celebrating the New Year in a rather different fashion to the Scots! We will be dining at the local Kashmiri & Indian Restaurant - the Aagrah, in Shipley. This is something we have done over the last two or three years, and has now become something of a tradition!

STOP PRESS NEWS.......

A Royal Accolade

Mohammed Aslam, Managing Director and Executive Chef of the Bradford based Aagrah Group of Restaurants, has been honoured with an MBE in recognition for his services to the hospitality industry in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

May you have a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

A Relaxing & Enjoyable Break At Masham

We have just returned from an interesting and totally relaxing three days up in North Yorkshire – The King’s Head Hotel in Masham to be exact. We arrived there on Monday late afternoon into a market place that was covered with ice and snow!
After a relaxing two hours snooze in our bedroom, we made our way to the hotel restaurant for a superb meal.

I was so relaxed that I asked the proprietors wife to choose my main course for me from either the Black Sheep Ale Pie or the Chicago Chicken. She chose the Black sheep Ale Pie, which was superb, so the following evening I chose the Chicago Chicken, which was again superb! For starters on the Monday I had home made Carrot and Coriander soup, and the sweet I chose was School Strawberry Sponge and custard.

The Dining Room was fully decorated to suit the Christmas spirit, and there were even crackers on the table on Monday evening.

Afterwards we went for a walk around the market square, which looked delightful with its decorations.

Tuesday morning found us at Leyburn Railway Station, waiting for the local Wensleydale Railway

(A Diesel Multiple Unit complete with festive decorations, and mulled wine and mince pies en route!) The journey consists of a 34 mile round trip between Redmire and Leeming Bar. The scenery along the route was made all the more interesting by the fact that a fair amount of snow had fallen in the previous two days.

It was interesting to see that as we approached some of the level crossings (as at Wensley) the train slowed to a halt, and one of the crew descended to the tracks and walked forward to open the level crossing gates. The train then pulled through the level crossing; the crewman closed the gate, and climbed back on board the train.

Sign at Wensley Level Crossing

We then spent sometime in Leyburn, before returning to Masham for another splendid evening meal!
On Wednesday morning we did some shopping in the local shops (freshly baked bread and bread baps, fruit etc) and then we decided to go for a run on a little country road past Swinton Park Hotel

and then on to Fearby and Ellingstring, and came across a little ford over the road.

We eventually reached Middleham (famed as a centre for race horses) and, whilst we were having coffee and scones in a café I counted over one hundred race horses passing the window!

We drove on to Bedale, and then back to Masham to collect some old fashioned sweets from a wonderful shop called Joneva in the market square. The shop stocks all the old favourites you will remember from your childhood – midget gems, black jacks, and a hundred and one other varieties of sweets, as well as home made fudge with (would you believe it?) Black Sheep Ale Flavour, and Old Peculier Flavour!

We returned via Ripon and spent about 35 – 40 minutes looking in the shops in the Market Square there before returning home.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" Song - The Religious Significance

Mention of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", and the parody version "The Twelve Gifts of Christmas" reminded me of another piece about the song. Did you know that it was used to teach Roman Catholic children the basics of their faith, when their religion was banned in this country.

Below is the explanation of their interpretation of the song:



The term “calling birds” in the carol is a derivation from the original “colly” or “collie” bird. “Colly” means “black” and comes from the word coal. Hence the four colly birds in the carol refer to blackbirds.

However the carol has a hidden meaning. During the C16th the Catholics were not allowed to practice their faith. In order to teach their children the basic doctrines, they made up nonsense songs in order not to arouse the suspicions of those non Catholics around them.



1. A partridge in a pear tree - Jesus on the Cross

2. Two turtle doves - the Old and the New testaments, which are essential to each other.
“New is in Old contained,
Old is in New explained”

3. Three French hens - were expensive in the 1500’s and so symbolised the three gifts brought by the Three Wise Men. They could also depict the three virtues - Faith, Hope and Charity.

4. Four calling birds - the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

5. Five gold rings - the first five books of the Old Testament - The Pentateuch.

6. Six geese a-laying - refers to the six days of Creation (Genesis)

7. Seven swans a-swimming - the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 12 vss 6 - 8)

8. Eight maids a-milking - these refer to the eight blessings listed in Matthew 5 vss 3 - 10,
known as the beatitudes [Blessed are the poor....]

9. Nine ladies dancing - the nine fruits of the spirit (Galations 5 vss 22 - 23) Love, Joy, Peace &c.

10. Ten Lords a-leaping - the Ten Commandments. We seem to have lost the vision of these today. They are the basis of living in relationship with God and each other.

11. Eleven pipers piping - the eleven faithful apostles [less Judas the betrayer]

12. Twelve drummers drumming - The Apostles Creed [I believe in God the Father, maker of Heaven and Earth.....]

The Twelve Gifts of Christmas

We've all heard of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", but have you seen the letters that were exchanged between the recipient of the gifts and the giver?



December 25th
Dearest John: I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a delightful gift. I couldn't have been more surprised.
With dearest love and affection, Agnes

December 26th
Dearest John: Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine, two turtle doves.... I'm just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just adorable.
All my love, Agnes

December 27th
Dear John: Oh, aren't you the extravagant one! Now I must protest. I don't deserve such generosity. Three French hens. They are just darling but I must insist...you're just too kind.
Love Agnes

December 28th
Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really! They are beautiful, but don't you think enough is enough? You're being too romantic.
Affectionately, Agnes

December 29th
Dearest John: What a surprise! Today the postman delivered five golden rings. One for each finger. You're just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, John, all those squawking birds were beginning to get on my nerves.
All my love, Agnes

December 30th
Dear John: When I opened the door there were actually six geese a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining and I can't sleep through the racket. PLEASE STOP!
Cordially, Agnes

December 31st
John: What's with you and those darn birds???? Seven swans a-swimming. What kind of @#% joke is this? There's bird crap all over the house and they never stop the racket. I'm a nervous wreck and I can't sleep all night. IT'S NOT FUNNY....... So stop with those f$&*#@% birds.
Sincerely, Agnes

January 1st
OK Buster: I think I prefer the birds. What am I going to do with eight maids a-milking? It's not enough with all those birds and eight maids a-milking, but they had to bring their own cows. There is manure all over the lawn and I can't move into my own house. Just lay off me. SMART ASS.
Ag

January 2nd
Hey Moron: What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there's nine pipers playing. And boy - do they play. They never stopped chasing those maids since they got here yesterday morning. The cows are upset are stepping all over those screeching birds. No wonder they screech. What am I going to do? The neighbors have started a petition to evict me. You'll get yours.
From Ag

January 3rd You Rotten SOB: Now there's ten ladies dancing - I don't know why I call those sluts ladies. They've been with those nine pipers all night long. Now the cows can't sleep and they've got diarrhea. My living room is a river of crap. The commissioner of buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why the building shouldn't be condemned. I'm sticking the police on you.
One who means it,

January 4th Listen F#@%head: What's with the eleven lords a-leaping on those maids and aforementioned "ladies"? Some of those broads will never walk again. Those pipers ran through the maids and there have been illegal acts with the cows. All 234 of the birds are dead. They have been trampled to death in the orgy. I hope you're satisfied, you rotten swine.
Your sworn enemy, Miss Agnes McCallister


January 5th From the law offices Taeker, Spredar, and Baegar

Dear Sir: This is to acknowledge your latest gift of tweleve fiddlers fiddling, which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Agnes McCallister. The destruction, of course, was total. All correspondence should come to our attention. If you should attempt to reach Miss McCallister at Happy Dale Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter, please find attached a warrant for your arrest.

So now you know!

New Year & The Roman God Janus

It’s only five more days to New Years Day, and mention of New Year, and Hogmanay yesterday reminded me of the story of the Roman God Janus, – but let’s back track a little first!

New Years Day hasn’t always been the first of January. Thousands of years ago, the Ancient Egyptian New Year was in the middle of June, when the River Nile overflowed its banks. Even today, the New Year of the Jews and Hindus is not when we celebrate it. Even in Christian countries New Year has been celebrated on many different occasions.

In 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII caused the making of the calendar which we use today, January 1st was made New Years Day, because it had been so in Ancient Rome.

In Ancient Rome this day was given over to the worship of the god Janus – from which we get the name of the month January

In Roman mythology, Janus (or Ianus) was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. His most prominent remnant in modern culture is his namesake, the month of January, which begins the New Year. Janus was usually depicted with two heads facing in opposite directions. According to a legend, he had received these from the god Saturn, in reward for the hospitality received, and the gift to see both future and past. So one of his heads is looking backwards into the Old Year, and the other is looking forwards into the New Year.

It is traditional at this time of year to look back over the last year and then make New Year Resolutions.

Masham - North Yorkshire

We are planning on heading up to Masham for three days. Masham has a large market square.

We will be staying at the King’s Head Hotel, which is in the market square. The King’s Head Hotel is a fine Georgian building which dates back to the eighteenth century. In its time it has been a posting house, and an excise office. It looks warm and inviting from the outside, on a cold winters night!

The village of Masham itself was established in Saxon times. There is an air of old England about the town, with its quaint almshouses and spacious market place which holds a traditional market twice a week.

Masham Church is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and a round pillar in the churchyard, with figures representing Jesus and the Twelve Disciples is believed to be part of a cross carved over one thousand years ago!

There are amazingly not one, but two breweries in the town – Theakston’s and the Black Sheep Brewery. Theakston’s Brewery is home to the famous ale known as “Old Peculier”

The name is from the chairman of a special court.

In olden days, the journey from York to Masham was both arduous and dangerous, so the Archbishop of York established the Peculier Court of Masham to avoid having to make regular visits (peculier is a Norman word meaning particular).The chairman of this court is known as the Official and he has a special seal to mark his approval or decision.

The Court has a great deal of local power and the following are some of the offences dealt with in the past:

Not coming to church enough

Keeping a hat on during communion

For bidding the church wardens to do their worst

Not bringing children to be baptised

Husband and wife living apart
Drunkenness
Swearing

Brawling and scolding

For harbouring Roman Catholic Priests

For carrying a dead man’s skull out of the churchyard and laying it under the head of a person to charm them to sleep!

It sounds as though Masham was a bit of a wild place in days gone by!

It's Not Every Day That You Have a Portrait Session

Hi there! It’s Ruby here again.

I just thought that you’d like to know that I have had my first set of portraits taken by a professional photographer. Matthew has been working professionally for about fifteen years, and he used to live next door to us, (so they tell me) before I arrived on the scene. He spent ages with me, making sure he took me from my best side. He brought lots of equipment – photofloods, background white paper roll, cameras and tripods, and he took lots of photos of me.

What I didn’t know was that one of them was going to be mounted in a frame and given to him ‘n’ her for a Christmas present.

He tends to specialise in human portraits and wedding photography, but made an exception for me!

The first one is the one that was chosen to be framed.

I was so pleased with his work that I promised him I'd let him have a bit of free publicity on the bosses website!

Why not put Matt Leach Wedding Photography into your search engine and have a look at some of his work?

But do remember that he specialises in Wedding Photography and portraits. He did me as a special favour!!!

PS I expect those cat friends of mine (Milo and Wilson, and Tillie and Socks) will be going for their portraits next!

Hogmanay

It’s now only 6 days to The New Year, or the celebration the Scots call Hogmanay. To most Scots this is a good excuse for a "good old knees up!" It's basically their way of seeing in the New Year.

The roots of Hogmanay perhaps reach back to the celebration of the winter solstice among the Norse, as well as incorporating customs from the Gaelic New Year's celebration of Samhain. In Rome, winter solstice evolved into the ancient celebration of Saturnalia, a great winter festival, where people celebrated completely free of restraint and inhibition. The Vikings celebrated Yule, which later contributed to the Twelve Days of Christmas, or the "Daft Days" as they were sometimes called in Scotland. The winter festival went underground with the Protestant Reformation and ensuing years, but re-emerged near the end of the 17th century.

There are many customs, both national and local, associated with Hogmanay. The most widespread national custom is the practice of 'first-footing' which starts immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and often involves the giving of symbolic gifts such as salt (less common today), coal, shortbread, whisky, and black bun (a rich fruit cake) intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder. Food and drink (as the gifts) are then given to the guests. This may go on throughout the early hours of the morning and well into the next day (although modern days see people visiting houses until 3 January). The first-foot is supposed to set the luck for the rest of the year.

The Hogmanay custom of singing "Auld Lang Syne" has become common in many countries. "Auld Lang Syne" is a traditional poem reinterpreted by Robert Burns, which was later set to music. It is now common for this to be sung in a circle of linked arms that are crossed over one another as the clock strikes midnight for New Year's Day, although in Scotland the traditional practice is to cross arms only for the last verse.

So for December 31st 2009/January 1st 2010 "Happy Hogmanay!"

Christmas With The Family

The Christmas Celebrations have been completed. – the Christmas meal – a delicious starter of carrot and coriander soup, followed by slices of turkey, along with stuffing [sage and onion, and apricot], Brussels sprouts, carrots, leaks, roast potatoes, potato croquettes, cranberry sauce, and gravy, all swilled down with a medium sweet chardonnay, has all been consumed. Sweets such as Christmas pudding, lemon meringue pie, mince pies etc. have been left for another day due to full and contented feelings after the main course!

The usual Christmas crackers were pulled, silly jokes were exchanged (What did the policeman shout at a snowman burglar - FREEZE! What does a lazy Santa Claus get? – THE SACK etc. etc) and party hats were worn.

The theory was that we may have gone for a walk on Boxing Day, but, being old and doddery, and also due, in the main to the mistress of the house working, this just didn’t take place. So all the Christmas left overs have not been packed and taken to be consumed on a picnic. Up to a year or so ago, it was the annual trek to Fountains Abbey, followed by a picnic in the car park afterwards.

Following on from the Christmas meal, which was a quiet and sedate affair this year (we just had our youngest daughter and her fiancée joining us (plus a miniature pinscher [ Pixie] and a woolly mop [Macey] ) we all moved on to the middle daughters house, where our eldest grandchild (Olivia) opened her presents, and gifts were exchanged between the respective adults. Approximately an hour later the family then moved on to the oldest daughter’s house, and once again the grandchildren (Mollie & Tom) were occupied with opening of presents, and the respective adults exchanged presents.

Now we look forward to our trek up to Masham for three days total relaxation at the King’s Head!

Goodwill To All Men, But Not A Certain Maths Teacher

A Christian supply teacher has been suspended from her job teaching ill children at home after offering to pray for a sick pupil.

Olive Jones, 54, from Weston-super-Mare, said the girl had been too poorly for a lesson. The teacher then decided to speak about her belief in miracles. But the girl's mother said they were not believers and made a complaint. Mrs Jones, who did not have a formal contract, was told by Oak Hill Short Stay School she would be suspended.

Mrs Jones, who is originally from Llanteg in Pembrokeshire, visited the child at her home on 25 November and said she was told of the decision just hours after the incident. The part-time maths teacher had worked for the Oak Hill Short Stay School and Tuition Service North in Nailsea, near Bristol, for almost five years. She said: "If I had done something criminal, I believe the reaction would have been the same. "It is like a black mark against my name and character when it comes to getting a reference for another job, just because I shared my testimony, as if I committed a criminal act.

"I simply wanted to encourage them to be open to prayer but if they did not want to then I would never force it down their throat."

She said she had been called to her manager's office and told that sharing her faith with a child could be deemed to be bullying. Mrs Jones added: "I was in complete shock, I was trembling.
"I am amazed that a country with such a strong Christian tradition has become a country where it is hard to speak about your faith."

Nick Yates, of North Somerset Council, said: "Olive Jones has worked as a supply teacher, working with the North Somerset Tuition Service. "A complaint has been made by a parent regarding Olive. This complaint is being investigated. "To complete the investigation we need to speak to Olive and we have offered her a number of dates so this can happen. "At the moment we are waiting for her to let us know which date is convenient for her."

In February a community nurse, Caroline Petrie, also from Weston-super-Mare and a friend of Olive Jones, was suspended from her job for offering to pray for a patient.

She was later reinstated by the health trust.

Speaking about her friend's case, Mrs Petrie said: "All Olive wants to do is help, she sometimes cries over those children and calls me to pray with her over the phone for them. "This is a total shock, she is an amazing maths teacher so it really is their loss."

Mrs Jones, who has been a teacher for more than 20 years, trained at Aberystwyth University in Wales.

It really makes you wonder just what sort of a crazy world we live in. I thought this was supposed to be a Christian country.

All the Latest News from Ruby

Hello there! It’s your lovable Labrador Ruby here. I’ve just got back from a walk with the missus and thought I would do the blog today!

I went to a birthday party yesterday and met up with my two sparring partners Pixie (the miniature Pinscher) and Macey (The woolly rag.) It wasn’t either of their birthdays but it was Sarah’s birthday bash. She was thirty harrumph – I promised I wouldn’t divulge her true age to anyone.

You see she has promised to take Pixie, Macey and me out for a long walk on Tuesday, so I’m really looking forward to that! We’ll all pile into her little smart car (it’s a two seater sports model, and a bit more racy and up to date than the Zafira I usually ride in!) and then no doubt head off into the country somewhere.

I don’t know if you know, but I went all the way to Manchester on Thursday to see a nice vet who x rayed me to check that I wasn’t suffering from hip dysphasia. When I get the results, if I’m OK I think I’m going to have some puppies!

I love the snow. It’s great to frolic around in, but the only trouble is when I sniff along the ground I finish up with more snow on the end of my nose than the local snow plough!

Just to show you what a strong active dog I am I’ve attached a couple of photos the boss took of me up the field this morning.

Lots of love

Ruby

That's me hiding behind the tree!


Me, enjoying a romp in the snow.

'tSnow Use Complaining........

An important day today - our middle daughters birthday!

View from our back garden looking up the fields

Early morning view towards Northbank Road

Just after the sunrise!

Only one set of footprints in the snow!

Just to prove that we are at the onset of Winter, we have finally got a decent fall of snow. As I said in my blog yesterday, the forecast is for more snow during the coming week, and a heavy fall early on Monday morning (Dec 21st). That should cause fun and games with the commuters!

I've already heard of a traveller stuck for in excess of three hours on the M62 yesterday. Why is it, whenever we get a fall of snow our country seems to grind to a halt? I was reading in the newspaper yesterday that some authorities only have sufficient salt to grit the roads for 6 days. If this is the case I think we have some very inefficient people in charge of our highways. Don't they realise that at this time of year we are likely to get some snowy weather?

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.

Well here it is folks. The first decent snowfall of the year (if my memory serves me correctly.)

I don’t know if you are like me, but when the snowflakes start to fall there’s a sort of hushed expectancy, and the wonderful thing is that once the ground has become covered, all around there is a wonderful quality of quiet in the air.

I took Ruby for her final walk of the evening and she was just a bit puzzled at the cold white stuff on the ground, but it didn’t stop her sniffing her way up and down the road. There was a definite trail where her nose had poked along the ground. It looked as though a miniature snow plough had moved along the causeway. By the time we got back home it was a case of Ruby the white nosed Labrador (now where have I heard similar words to that before?)

I received an e mail from one of my male voice choir members this morning, and learnt that the words of the Christmas Hymn “Christians Awake” were actually written as a poem for a little girl called Dolly Byrom.

Here’s the full story:-


Few of those who join on Christmas Day singing “ Christians, awake, salute the happy morn”, have any idea that the Christian Church owes this magnificent hymn to the pretty fancy of a young girl. Dolly Byrom and her father lived in Manchester, more than two and a half centuries ago, John Byrom (1692—1763) being a teacher of shorthand and also a Jacobite leader.

One day, shortly before Christmas, Byrom asked his daughter what she would like for a Christmas present, and Dolly, knowing that her father sometimes wrote poetry, replied “ Please write me a poem”. When she came down on Christmas morning she found on her plate a piece of paper -- which is still preserved in the library of Cheetham’s Hospital Manchester -- on which was written a hymn, headed “Christmas Day, For Dolly” (what we know as the first two verses)

Soon after, John Wainwright (1723 -- 68 ), the organist of Manchester Parish Church now its cathedral, saw this hymn, and composed the tune “Yorkshire” (originally called Stockport ) which we all know so well. On the following Christmas morning Byrom and his daughter were awakened by the sound of singing below their windows: it was Wainwright with his choir, singing Dolly’s hymn.

Wainwright’s son Robert (1748—82 ) wrote the hymn tune “Manchester”. His other son Richard ( 1758—1825 ) wrote the hymn tune “Liverpool”. Both sons were organists at Manchester Cathedral.

Back to the weather though. As of 18.30 Thursday one or two centimetres of snow have been reported in many areas of the Midlands and the east of England, as well as parts of the south and east Scotland. There have also been reports of several cm of snow, mainly across the Pennines and the North York Moors. Tonight the heaviest snow is likely to be over the E and SE of England.

The temperature seems to be set to stay below freezing for the next four or five days, (-4 on Friday night) with light snow showers on Thursday and Friday and early on Monday it is predicted we will be getting a heavy fall of snow. In fact the forecast for BD16 area is snow almost every day right through to Boxing Day! I just hope we manage to get up to Masham on the 28th!

Still Counting

It’s the final run up to the big day! Only eight days to go!

The Christmas tree has been ordered - one of the non drop variety, - potted and ready to install in the Lounge. Now I need to get the tree decorations down from the loft. Amazingly I know where they all are this year, as we had a clear out of the surplus decorations about a month ago (Memo – must check that the lights are fully working before I put them on the tree.)

Ruby (our chocolate Labrador) is expected home sometime this afternoon/early evening. She’s been to the vets for a hip dysphasia test, as her breeder is hoping to breed from her in the not too distant future.

I’ve just had a run through all the carols for the Sunday morning service, the Lessons & Carols Service, the Nativity Play and the Christingle Service before having a practice with the choir tonight.

Added extras this year include a funeral to play for tomorrow, and two weddings, one on Tuesday 22nd December and one on Monday 28th December.

Oh, that reminds me - a certain blogger hits the official old and doddery stage on the 22nd and can draw his old age pension! It’s about time the state paid me something – I’ve contributed to their funds for more years than I care to remember!

Nearly Down to Single Figures!

Ten days and counting……..

We’re getting there slow but sure!

All my work with the school children is completed, all the talks I have been booked for have been given, and now it’s time to concentrate on the Church events.

All the Carols are now chosen for the Sunday Morning Service on the 20th, the Lessons & Carols on the evening of the 20th, and the Nativity Play and the Christingle Services on the 24th, midnight Eucharist on the 24th and Christmas Day Communion on the 25th.

Words have been cross checked with the Bethlehem Carol Sheets which the congregation sing from over the Christmas period, and matching music has been chosen from arrangements in Carols for Choirs.

Incidental music has been selected for between the scenes for the Nativity Play and now all that remains are final rehearsals for the choir on Thursday evening for the Lessons and Carols, and final rehearsals for the Nativity Play on Sunday morning after the morning service.

As we move forward towards the season of Christmas it is quite surprising to see how many houses are already festooned like Blackpool illuminations. Many of these houses will have their lights and decorations removed by Boxing Day which is a great pity, because if they really knew the Christmas Story they would know that the Christmas seasons continues until Twelfth Night (January 6th) when the Wise Men arrived, bearing their gifts. This is traditionally the time to remove the Christmas Decorations. I wonder how many houses (and shops!) will keep them up until then?

It Never Rains But It Pours

I’ve now commenced the home run! 11 days and counting! I’ve just finished the final rehearsal with the stage two children for their carol concert this afternoon.

Now all I’ve got to look forward to this week is a concert tonight with my male voice choir, a trip to the local market gardens with the Nursery Children tomorrow afternoon, a final practice for the Lessons and Carols on Thursday evening, a funeral to play for on Friday and – hopefully, a free day on Saturday.

Just to relieve the monotony, yesterday I was upstairs sorting out the words and tunes for the Nativity Play and checking that the words in Carols for Choirs and Hymns Old and New agreed with the words in the Bethlehem Carols Sheet (which the congregation will be using at the Lessons and Carols) and I had to go downstairs to retrieve my copy of Hymns Old and New.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs I was met with a familiar sight – water dripping from the ceiling. Luckily it hadn’t been dripping long, but as the washing machine was mid cycle, and the mains on/off tap is behind the washing machine I had to stop the machine and empty it before the water could be turned off! I then phoned our local friendly plumber who arrived ten minutes later. It needed the new bath side removing, and the only way to do this was to prise off some of the individual boards – so they will now need to be replaced. It turned out a washer on the pipe that fastens to the tap had worn and was causing the leak, but the ceiling paper in the hall has been stained and will need to be repainted too.

Ruby’s bed is directly under the leak and was soaked, so that had to be thrown out. She returned from a walk, wet and muddy, so she had to be washed – but that couldn’t be done until the leak had been repaired and the water turned back on! She had to be dried, and then new bedding had to be found for her.

It never rains but it pours!

An Ofsted Rule Busting Dog

I really have to share an absolute gem with you today. If you are involved in education in any way, you will probably recognise the wonderful logic behind this story, but I really fail to see why Ofsted should be busy bodying about a small friendly and harmless dog.

It might shock them to know that I have taken my pet Labrador into a local school to meet the Nursery children, and that the children from another local school have petted her when they were on a walk around the village. (The meeting was pre arranged so that the children could meet her on their walk!)

Maybe I should give myself up to the Ofsted Inquisitors now!

Oh! I’ve just realised I’m OK. I did a risk assessment first! I tried to get her to bite me by pulling her tail, and all I got was a sloppy wet kiss. [There must be a health risk in there somewhere]

Read on to discover more…..





A risk assessment task for Ruby

A West Highland Terrier found itself in the dog house with schools inspectors after being taken in by a head teacher.
Rosie, an 11-year-old rescue dog, was in danger of being banned from The New School in Exminster, Devon.
Ofsted inspectors were concerned that pupils were petting the dog and that she was allowed to roam the corridors and gardens of the school.
They asked for a risk assessment and eventually she was allowed to stay, the Times Educational Supplement reports.

'Unbelievable'

Head teacher Michelle Taylor took the dog from a rescue home 18 months ago and brought her in to school after checking she was safe.
She says Rosie is "the most docile animal you've ever seen in your life" and that the children love her and "give her a hug if they're upset".
She told the Times Educational Supplement (TES) she was confused about why the inspector was so concerned about the dog.
"I couldn't believe it to be honest.
"Occasionally she will go to the toilet, but the children tell us and we clean it up."


Concerns were raised about the dog and the safety of the building during a spot check in February.
There was a follow-up visit from England's schools inspectors Ofsted a month ago. This time, the dog received a good report.

The inspector wrote: "Following the unannounced visit, the school was required to conduct risk assessments relating to the safety of the premises and the presence of a pet dog".
He added: "This elderly small dog appears well socialised and pupils respond to it readily when it ventures away from the head teacher's office.
"A risk assessment has been undertaken and pupils have been instructed to wash their hands after handling or stroking the dog.

Some pupils were noted doing this.
"No concerns have been expressed by parents."

If the children were washing their hands (as instructed) and no parents had expressed concerns about the dog why on earth were these busy body inspectors wasting their and the schools time with such comments as ….

"Following the unannounced visit, the school was required to conduct risk assessments relating to the safety of the premises and the presence of a pet dog".


"This elderly small dog appears well socialised and pupils respond to it readily when it ventures away from the head teacher's office.

Have they got nothing better to do than suggest a school does a risk assessment on a small dog? Do they really think that a head teacher would bring a drooling and slavering Rottweiler or Pit Bull Mastiff into school?



A spokeswoman for Ofsted said: "As an independent school, Ofsted inspects it at the request of the Department for Children, Schools and Families to check that it has met the appropriate regulations.

[Where the hell in their rules and regulations have they got statements about health and safety when a dog is in school?]

"Between the inspection and the progress monitoring visit, Ofsted made a further visit, at the request of the DCSF, to follow up a complaint concerning health and safety of the children owing to poor repair of the building and the presence of a dog."


The school was given an "outstanding" rating for the education it provides when it was fully-inspected in 2007.

Are we really having to pay our taxes so that highly paid Ofsted Inspectors can comment on the safety or otherwise of a dog in school? It seems a great shame that they have nothing better to do with their time. I suppose I could say "Is the country going to the dogs"???
.

Four Down and One to Go

I’m getting there slow but sure! Only another fifteen days to Christmas Day! That means that I still have two concerts with my Male Voice Choir, three weddings to play for, a Nativity Play and a Christingle Service at church, A Service of Lessons and Carols, and the usual Midnight Communion and Christmas Day Service plus rehearsals for all of them!

Four down and one to go. I’m referring to Nativity Plays. So far this week I’ve played for four Nativity Plays at one of our local primary schools, and all the plays had a capacity attendance. Is it just sentiment that parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles attend in such high numbers or is there some comforting message in the retelling of the Christmas Story?

Tonight I’m out giving a talk illustrated with musical examples on Christmas Customs and Traditions. In it I feature such pieces as The Sans Day Carol (Now the Holly Bears a Berry), The Holly and the Ivy, Mistletoe and Wine, Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly, (I wonder how many of you remember this piece being used on a television advert some years ago, for Timex Watches? - “…tic a tic a Timex Fa La La”) Oh Christmas Tree, The Candle Light Carol – one of John Rutter’s compositions, Santa Claustrophobia – (a wonderful brass band arrangement featuring many pieces which have Santa in their titles – such as Santa Claus is Coming to Town, When Santa Got Stuck up the Chimney and I saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus), Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Then tomorrow its back to the primary school to accompany more traditional Christmas carols sung by years 3/4 and years 5/6, followed an hour later by a rehearsal with a local choir who will be singing at a wedding I am playing for an hour after that!

It's at Times Like This That the Christmas Spirit Disappears

Today was a bit of a change from the pre Christmas celebrations. I spent the day doing my voluntary work at the Tourist Information Centre.

During the course of the morning a couple came in to the shop to ask if we could help them. They had inserted the correct amount of money into the parking ticket machine to obtain four hours parking, but the machine was not feeling in the least in the Christmas spirit and issued them with a ticket for just under two hours. They were concerned that the warden would ticket them.

I explained to them that we could circumvent the problem, and phoned the nice gentleman in the town hall who deals with problem parking meters, and explained to him what had happened. “Don’t worry!” he said, “just give me the make and registration number of the car and I will inform the warden not to ticket them”. I duly supplied him with this information and after coming off the phone assured the couple that they could enjoy their stay and be free from any worries about receiving a parking ticket.

Some four hours later the gentleman appeared in the Tourist Information Centre with a parking ticket in his hand! His main concern was that he had never broken the law or ever received any tickets during his years of motoring. I once again phoned the man at the Town Hall and told him what had happened. Once again he asked me for the details of the car, and assured me that he had informed the car park attendant not to ticket the car. He asked me to tell the driver concerned not to worry as he would deal with the problem.

I once again reassured the driver that the nice man in the Town Hall would deal with the problem, but suggested he kept the parking ticket and note (should any further problems arise), and away he went.

All this makes me wonder why I needed to supply the car make and registration again to the nice man in the Town Hall, as I had already supplied him with the details four hours previously. Had he actually notified the parking warden, or was it that the parking warden a) had no memory, or b) could not read the registration plate of the car or c) was it that he wouldn’t get his Christmas bonus unless he issued a certain number of tickets?

Nativity Plays - More Red Tape

Two Nativity Plays down and two to go! How the times have changed. The Nursery and Reception classes were in no way phased by a hall full of people (Mums, Dad’s, Grandads & Grandmas etc.) Before the performances commenced there was a battery of flashes going off, and I now know what it must feel like to be pursued by the paparazzi! Lined up along the rear of the hall was another battery of video cameras! So much the price of fame!

Before the play commenced, the head teacher made the usual announcements – don’t forget to switch your mobile phones off. If there is a fire alarm please leave by the doors at the rear of the hall. No photography during the performance.

Then came one or two notices I hadn’t heard before.

Please ensure that you have signed the photography register if you take any photographs.

There will be time at the end of the performance to take photographs of the children, but please wait until we remove those children whose parents do not wish them to be photographed.

If you want to publish your photographs on the web, please make sure that they are only of your own children.

It’s rather sad that these last three announcements have to be made, but I suppose it covers the school in these litigious times, if anyone wants to try to sue them because their child’s photograph has been taken without their consent.

'Tis The Season to be Jolly (Unless You Have to Follow Government Guidelines!)

Well the Christmas Season is upon us! Playing the piano for one of the local primary schools means we are into the nativity play season. Two today and a further two on Thursday, which means by my reckoning that Mary will have had no less than four immaculate conceptions! Is this a record?

The infants performed a wonderful little Nativity Play called the Nursery Rhyme Nativity – where all the songs words are written to fit Nursery Rhymes. However it was felt that we must also have one or two of the more traditional, and expected Christmas Songs and carols, so woven into the musical plot we also have “Away in a Manger”, “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”






This is fine as long as we don’t take too much notice of the Guidelines I received via e mail from a friend the other day.


Jingle Bells:

Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way

A risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of larger proportions.

Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

To quote the words of another Christmas Song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!""Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!"

Christmas Turkey

A couple of blogs back I mentioned Christmas Food, and in particular the peacock becoming less popular due to the sailor William Strickland’s introduction into England of the turkey.

Below you will find an amusing little ditty I came across a few years ago, which just shows how economical (and inventive) you can be if you really put your mind to it when it comes to using up the left over turkey.


THE TWELVE DAYS OF TURKEY

On the first day of Christmas
My true love said to me
I’m glad we bought a fresh turkey
And a proper Christmas Tree

On the second day of Christmas
Much laughter could be heard
As we tucked into our turkey
- A most delicious bird

On the third day we entertained
The people from next door
The turkey tasted just as good
As it had the day before

On the fourth day relations came
Poor Gran is looking old
We finished off the Christmas Pud
And ate the turkey cold

On the fifth day of Christmas
Outside the snowflakes flurried
But we were nice and warm inside
We ate the turkey curried!



Turkey Curry



On the sixth day I must admit
The Christmas spirit died
The children fought and squabbled
And we had turkey rissoles fried

On the seventh day of Christmas
My true love she did wince
As we sat down at the table
To a plate of turkey mince

Turkey Mince

On the eighth day our nerves were frayed
The dog had run for shelter
I served up turkey pancakes
And a glass of Alka Seltzer

Turkey Pancakes

On the ninth day the cat left home
By lunch time Dad was blotto
He said he had to have a drink
To face turkey risotto

Turkey Risotto

On the tenth day the booze was done
Except our home made brew
And if that wasn’t bad enough
We suffered turkey stew

Turkey Stew


On the eleventh day of Christmas
The Christmas Tree was moulting
The mince pies were as hard as rock
And the turkey was revolting

On the twelfth day my true love
Had a smile upon her lips
The guests were gone – the turkey too
We dined on Fish and chips!

Fish and Chips



Do enjoy your Christmas Dinner, and the meals which follow!!

The Perils of Nativity Plays......

I don't know if you have heard Mike Harding's tale about school Nativity Plays, or seen Gervaise Phinn on the Alan Titchmarsh show this week, when he too was talking about Infant Nativity Plays, but both were hilariously funny and accurately observed pieces. If you get the chance, try to hear Mike Hardings version, which is called Quasimodo meets the Virgin Mary, or get hold of the DVD of Gervaise Phinn telling of his experiences of infants and Nativity Plays. I promise you that you will never watch a Nativity Play and view it in the same light again!

This being the time when we are rapidly approaching the Season of peace on earth, goodwill to all men, I have tried in vain to resist the urge to poke fun at the politically correct brigade, but when the following arrived via e mail I had to share it with you all!

We are just about at the time when Nativity Plays get into gear, I thought you might be interested in the following guidelines for those about to put on a Nativity Play……….


Nativity Performances: Please follow guidelines for inclusion of any of the songs below

The Rocking Carol:

Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir;

We will rock you, rock you, rock you,

We will rock you, rock you, rock you:

Fur is no longer appropriate wear for small infants, both due to risk of allergy to animal fur, and for ethical reasons. Therefore faux fur, a nice cellular blanket or perhaps micro-fleece material should be considered a suitable alternative.

Please note, only persons who have been subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check and have enhanced clearance will be permitted to rock baby Jesus. Persons must carry their CRB disclosure with them at all times and be prepared to provide three forms of identification before rocking commences.

Jingle Bells:

Dashing through the snow

In a one horse open sleigh

O'er the fields we go

Laughing all the way

A risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of larger proportions.

Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

While Shepherds Watched:

While shepherds watched their flocks by night

All seated on the ground

The angel of the Lord came down

And glory shone around

The union of Shepherd's has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts.

Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his / her glory all around she / he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory.

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer:

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer

Had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw him,

You would even say it glows.

You are advised that under the Equal Opportunities for All policy, it is inappropriate for persons to make comment with regard to the ruddiness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr R Reindeer from the Reindeer Games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence. A full investigation will be implemented and sanctions - including suspension on full pay - will be considered whilst this investigation takes place.

Little Donkey:

Little donkey, little donkey

On the dusty road

Got to keep on plodding onwards

With your precious load

The RSPCA have issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry, also included in the guidelines is guidance regarding how often to feed the donkey and how many rest breaks are required over a four hour plodding period.

Please note that due to the increased risk of pollution from the dusty road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear face masks to prevent inhalation of any airborne particles. The donkey has expressed his discomfort at being labelled 'little' and would prefer just to be simply referred to as Mr. Donkey. To comment upon his height or lack thereof may be considered an infringement of his equine rights.

We Three Kings:

We three kings of Orient are

Bearing gifts we traverse afar

Field and fountain, moor and mountain

Following yonder star

Whilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'cash for gold' etc, gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipients name or perhaps give a gift voucher.

We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC routefinder or satellite navigation, which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please note as per the guidelines from the RSPCA for Mr Donkey, the camels carrying the three kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Facemasks for the three kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels hooves.

Away in a Manger No Crib for a bed - Inform Social services immediately.

And you thought putting on a Nativity Play was easy!

By the way! I see there is a film doing the rounds at the moment called "Nativity" which tells the story of a teacher who has (very reluctantly) got the job of producing the school Nativity Play. It has been recommended by the T & A Film Critic (amongst others) as good all round family entertainment. I haven't seen it yet, but plan to do so if the opportunity arises!

Christmas Customs & Traditions - Food Glorious Food

CHRISTMAS FOOD

I wonder if you have ever stopped to think why it has become traditional to eat certain foods over the Christmas period.

Every country that celebrates Christmas has its own special food, but probably none more so than the English! Preparation for the Christmas pudding usually starts on Rogation Sunday (often called Stir Up Sunday), when the collect begins with the words Stir Up O Lord - but it is referring to the wills of the people not the Christmas pudding! The Italians have a lovely saying to describe a person who is busy. They say, “He has more to do than the ovens of England at Christmas!”

We certainly seem to get through a vast variety of food over the Christmas period, but nothing like the quantity which was consumed during the middle Ages! Enormous feasts were prepared, and they usually commenced with a boars head, richly decorated, its mouth usually stuffed with an apple, and carried with great ceremony to the high table of the Lord of the manor.

There is even a Boars Head carol!
The boars head in hand bring I, Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary. I pray you, my masters, be merry Quot estis in convivio.

There was a huge change demanded by the Puritans when they ruled our country, and the order of Christmas Day was fasting – not feasting! You can imagine how unpopular this was, and when the King was restored there were great celebrations and much feasting yet again.

In many households pork was the main meat eaten at Christmas. This was due to the fact that the pigs had grown fat on the acorns and nuts they had foraged for during the autumn months. This was often followed by roast peacock.

It wasn’t until the first half of the sixteenth century that turkey was available in England. Turkeys first came from America, and it was a sailor, William Strickland, who first brought the birds into this country. By the end of the sixteenth century turkeys were being served at table. By the early seventeenth century they had replaced the peacock as the meat to eat at Christmas dinner.

Plum pudding is so called because long ago it contained prunes (which are dried plums). Today the prunes have been replaced with currants, raisins and sultanas, but the other ingredients (Suet, eggs, breadcrumbs and spices are still used.)

Mince pies used to be called mutton pies because they contained finely chopped or minced mutton as one of their main ingredients! We no longer use mutton, but shredded suet and other ingredients remain unchanged.

Traditionally mince pies were an oval shape which was to remind people of the manger in which Jesus was laid. An old book states that mince pies were eaten quietly as people were to think about the Baby Jesus! This is probably why people today make a silent wish when they take the first bite, and why others consider it unlucky to cut a mince pie!