An evening with David Suchet

I have long held the belief that I learn something new every day. Now I have no doubt whatsoever that you know what I am about to tell you, but the fact is that I did not. Verily, I say, I knew it not!

I spent last evening at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London to hear David Suchet, the actor (probably best known for his portrayal of Poirot on TV) read the whole of the Gospel of St. Mark. Yes, all sixteen chapters, but - as he explained at the start - as a narrative, as a piece of news might have been read on the BBC or printed in the Daily Mail (had it existed and I pray not!) or THE GUARDIAN (yes, please). As a renowned actor, he made the whole story come alive as if the events unfolding were happening right now. It was an experience that had an authenticity and immediacy that is hard to define. It took two hours - but the time flew by, helped by a few sherbet lemons that I had secreted about my person and shared beforehand with others around me. (As a former choirboy, I always take a sweet to services for the sermon.)

And what did I learn? Well, lots in fact, but in particular that not only were the 5,000 fed but also some 4,000! I knew about the feeding of the 5,000 (St. Mark, Chapter 6, vv 44) with five loaves and two fishes but it came as a shot out of the blue when David Suchet read from Chapter 8, revealing that there were seven loaves and a few fishes and 4,000 at verse 9. Now I have no doubt that you knew this all along and will - in all probability - be smiling with that look of self-satisfaction that makes clear that you knew something that I did not! Alright, clever clogs. So be it!

I was accompanied by my good friend Paul Moynihan, who told me last evening that he joined my staff on SCOUTING Magazine on the 12th of April just 40 years ago next month. He keeps facts like this in his head, which must hurt at times but there it is! (He knew about the 5,000 and the 4,000, but then he would, would he not? Just like you, I suspect!) Paul is now Master of Ceremonies at Westminster Cathedral where, he tells me, he keeps the Cardinal on his toes and the clergy, the choir and lots of other folk tool And when he is not doing this, he is at the Central Hall Westminster keeping the Methodists in order. A gentleman sitting beside me from Chichester engaged Paul in a deep conversation once he realised that Paul was born a Roman Catholic. I was pleased Paul was there for the man would have left me speechless and struggling. His companion spent the entire evening sketching David Suchet. Both liked sherbet lemons.

Having been told by the suppliers of the tickets that we should arrive early as some 2,000 were expected, I left home in very good time, spending an hour or so sitting in the churchyard reading my book. At 4pm I mounted the steps and was told by a kindly lady of St. Paul’s that I could be the first in the queue. I was joined by an American Lady who informed me that she was with an airline and had flown into Heathrow three hours earlier, having often done so over recent years. The Lady might have been a pilot or a stewardess, I did not dare ask which for she was bigger than me. Another lady from St Martins-in-the-Fields then joined us. This is the first time I have ever been first in the queue for anything at St. Paul’s and I was thrilled beyond words at the honour. David Suchet arrived and walked within a few feet. The Dean and a couple of Canons stood chatting to bystanders. It was all very friendly.

Paul joined me just before five when we were told that if we wished to attend Evensong we could do so and if we had tickets for David Suchet - which we did - we could remain in our seats and not have to go to the back of the queue - which was getting longer by the minute! In we went and sat in the front row under the Dome, with a perfect view of the pulpit from which David Suchet would read. Evensong was sung by the choir magnificently and was a great aperitif to what was to come.

At six-thirty Canon Mark Oakley climbed the steps to the pulpit introduce David Suchet. Canon Oakley commented that a rumour was gaining credibility outside in the City of London that the reason why the queue was so long was because Beyonce would be performing live in St. Paul's. He asked those who would be disappointed to discover this was not so to leave quietly! And then the evening began. 

I journeyed home in a sort of trance, but managed to ring Radio Cars from Ilford Station to take me home - for my legs were beginning to get a bit wobbly. An amazing day.

Potholes!

Turned on BBC Breakfast this morning on my iMac - no power elsewhere for TV yet but it is coming any day now as all the power points are in, but we have the new lighting on stream with new ceiling fittings in the hall, dining room and lounge and they are so bright it takes your breath away! 

A feature on potholes in roads grabbed my attention. One listener said that he "used to drive on the left of the road but now he drives on what is left of the road!" I have noticed that we have many potholes around this area - and whilst they are dangerous and can damage cars, they can be lethal for cyclists. So what is being done about this in Redbridge? The Aldborough Hatch Defence Association has a meeting with Ward Councillors on 4th April to discuss a number of issues - we will raise this one too.

We may have electric light today

Ken the Electrician is here today with Rob. The lighting could go on stream later today - indeed I can feel the drilling under my feet as I sit in my office and a new light fitting is being put in place in the lounge! And the decorating is going ahead in earnest. Soon the place will be back to tidy again - as Yvonne would expect it to be, of course. New light fittings to go up in the hall and dining room. 

I may start to sort out my bedroom - by cleaning the windows on the inside. Dust just gets everywhere when a compete rewiring of the house has to be done. All power points have to be 15 inches above the floor - for flood risk, which I can understand downstairs (although remote) but upstairs! The Thames Barrier has gone up a few times in recent years but the chances of my bedroom being invaded by flood water are about as remote and me climbing Everest

Tulips ablaze!

Hundreds of dwarf tulips are ablaze in St. Peter's Churchyard on the edge of Fairlop Plain in Aldborough Hatch. Planted last autumn by volunteers, the tulips have followed the magnificent display of Tete-a-Tete Narcissus and will soon be succeeded by the pink and white blossom of the flowering cherry trees planted to mark the 150 anniversary of the consecration of the church in March 1862

We shall not be moved!

If you are passing at anytime, please do drop in. I am usually up by just after 6am as Socks get restless and bites me. 

Do not call after 8pm for I may be having a shower or in my jim-jams.

By the way, the qualified electrician doing the rewiring in my house (where I have lived happily since 1962) insists that I have at least three power points in every room and a light on the rear wall overlooking the garden - the latter in case I go out there in the dark and fall over and no-one can find me. When I told him that I never go out there in the dark he was quite dismissive, telling me that I might do so one night. When I asked him how I would alert anyone to the fact that I have fallen over in the garden, he changed the subject. But he is a pleasant fellow and hard working so I must not grumble.

For the past 55 years or so all downstairs lights have been controlled from one panel in the hallway. The electrician tells me that this is not now permitted, which means I will have to re-learn where things are - and that could be a problem in the dark - and in the daytime, too, for that matter for learning things is not easy as you stumble towards 84.

The Electrician tells me that much of the wiring in my house has been illegal and I could have been arrested and given a life sentence had the authorities found out. It was, therefore, a good job that it all blew up early one morning and the Electrician is now sorting me out.

It is all too much. I may have to move. I understand that there are one or two care homes lined up, but I would have to sign an agreement not to mobilise the residents against the management for the least infringement of our human rights. I would find that difficult for I would wish to form a Care Home Defence Association if not on my first day, certainly by the end of the first week. We would parade daily with broom handles held aloft, singing that great song from the 50s 'We shall not be moved', with 'The Streets of London' for an encore. We would insist on cake every day- and two lots on Sundays. Happy Days!

No net curtains!

My front garden from the front bedroom - now that the net curtains have been washed and put away until the rewiring of the house is complete and the dust has gone.

The tulips are in flower!

I cannot get over the beauty in St. Peter's Churchyard now that Spring is here. Not only are the Tete a Tete Narcisus (Daffodil to you and me) in full bloom again this year, but they seem to be better than last year. And we also now have more of them round the rose bed near the porch. And the miniature tulips are coming into flower - mixed colours, although I love this bright red bunch just outside the vestry. I spent time there this afternoon. I was quite alone. Lots of folk walked by - with their iPhones to their ears. Sad. If you get the chance, drive over. Park the car and stand still - even for a few moments.

TREE PLANTING AT THE DICK TURPIN ORCHARD

A brilliant satisfying day at the Dick Turpin Orchard and Cuckoo Hall here in sunny Aldborough Hatch – and, yes, the sun did shine. Ryan of the Orchard Project led the day as we planted five new apple trees of 300-year-old varieties which have geographical relevance to the Aldborough Hatch area, blackcurrant bushes and a "Russian olive" (actually a sort of berry which provides nutrients to fruit trees). We learned that you have to dig a square hole and planting a tree is a science. The new trees were staked and fenced to protect them from Muntjac deer in the area. I had no idea that we have these chaps roaming about the Hatch but some of the gang present have seen them. Driving in the stakes was hard work but the lads and lasses took turns – whilst I took the photographs! The existing ancient trees next to the Dick Turpin overflow car park were mulched again - Lorna Batey worked hard doing that with Aldborough Ward Councillors Debbie Kaur-Thiara and John Howard amongst others. Finally, the team ring-barked some of the non-fruit trees in Cuckoo Hall and mulching the fruit trees there. The Mayor of Redbridge visited and was impressed. And we had hot soups and bread provided by Dean at the Dick Turpin which was much appreciated

New paving at Community Garden

The new paving has now been laid at the Millennium Memorial Wall in St. Peter's Churchyard - now part of the new community garden being created by a group of volunteers. We were able to pay for the work from the award received under the Tesco Bags of Help Scheme, with money let for planning and more work on the garden. 

This opens up the rear of the Wall for names of more loved ones and provides access to the churchyard from the Vicarage. Shrubs and flowers plants will be planted to make the area one of peace and tranquility in a busy world, looking out over the green belt of Fairlop Plain.

My reading today!

I popped into Foyles at Stratford City Westfield last week. I like Foyles - and one day I will go to the new shop in Tottenham Court Road, although it is hardly new but new to me. I walked past it once - the glass put me off for I remember the old two shops separated by a side road into Soho - and the dust and the grime.

I bought a book -  now there’s a surprise. Two things attracted me to the book. First, the title - The Secret Diary of Hendrick Green - 83 1/4years old. For I am 83 23/24 years old. Secondly, the statement on the back reputed to be by one John Boyne which read: “There are many laughs in this book . . . “

Now I am all for a good laugh, so I bought the book - and I am pleased I did so. It is a unlikely story for laughs for it tells the day by day tale of life in a care home in the Netherlands where Hendrick is to spend his last days. I have no wish to do the same, let me hasten to tell you, but it is a witty and highly funny book - which has had me laughing out loud.

I am also reading a heavy tome - but a fascinating one at that. It is entitled St Paul’s Cathedral - 1400 Years at the heart of London. I decided that as I attend services and other events at St. Paul’s - now that I am a Friend of St Paul’s - I needed to know something of the history of the place. And this large format book of 144 pages, liberally illustrated, is the best way to do so.

I usually laugh at meal times and do the history bit later in the evening - in case you wondered.

Seedlings are going well!

Just in from the greenhouse. Here are the first seedlings potted up. All tomato - from the left they are Minibel, then Tumbling Tom Yellow, in the next tray Moneymakers and then up on the top more Tumbling Tom Yellow. There is one - just one - TT Red! The rest did not germinate so I have ordered more seeds online - shops do not seem to stock them round here anymore. 

The Moneymakers are for the Community Garden and possibly some Minibels too if there is room in the raised beds. The TTs are for hanging baskets. Orders may be placed - now! Cannot promise but will do my best.I have ten hanging baskets to fill with the tumblers!

In the propagator I have Foxglove seedlings - from the plant I bought at Columbia Road Flower Market last summer. I dried the seeds and the seedlings are about a quarter inch high - about 15 have taken!   It is Digitalis Purpurea ‘Sutton’s Apricot’ Foxglove. How about that then!

I think I need a lie down!

Spring in my front and rear gardens

I have taken photographs recently of daffodil in many places - but not in my own front and rear gardens. So I will make up for it today in the bright sunshine. The purple crocus are on the rockery at the back - must have been there for some years, I would guess. They seem to improve year on year. I sometimes watch passersby at the front. Almost invariably they are either on their phones or looking straight ahead - and miss the flowers in the front garden. I guess it is their loss. Sometimes little children will stop and stare - and their parents will then follow!