Some slight respite today after a very busy six days – until M turned up at lunchtime and wanted a lift home. She’s becoming quite annoying: I was in the middle of writing some articles for Parish Pump. Even more annoyed when some idiot walked out in front of me at some traffic lights on the way back, and then seemed to think it was my fault. Presumably colour-blind.
Last Tuesday I did go to Jurnet’s and read a couple of poems. Quite enjoyable, because Rupert was there and seemed pleased to see me, and the guest poet was Helen Wells, who turned out to be very good.
Wednesday was the Paston Heritage Society’s big day. We were all in costume for a meal at the Maids Head to celebrate the anniversary of the first mention of the hotel/inn in a Paston letter (in 1472). I had written a script including letter excerpts and poems to be read out during the meal – all went down very well, including the food. Jude managed to get there despite her injuries and said she enjoyed it.
It was also of course Dot’s birthday, and she took the birthday cake to heart. I also arranged for her to read the last poem. Altogether a very good evening.
The next day we popped out to see Jessie again before going to the Cote Brasserie on Exchange Street with the Robinsons for Dot’s real birthday meal. All very good. Had a steak.
On Saturday we popped over to the D’Souzas for a drink before walking up to the Cathedral with them and friends (plus Jessica, their daughter) to see and hear the Norwich Community Choir, which was 100-strong on this occasion. The nave was absolutely packed, and the choir were good – particularly good at the Miserere, surprisingly. David Archer and Chris D’Souza were singing.
To the Cathedral again on Sunday, but not until after a Communion service at church led by Liz Cannon. Over 20 present again. I tidied up the noticeboard and we then gave Phil a lift home. Then after lunch we walked up to the Bishop’s Farewell Evensong, which was extremely moving and very well done, as you might expect. The place was crammed: we were in the north transept but had a good view of one of the screens. Dot decided she wanted to shake the Bishop’s hand; so we had to queue up for quite a while – much like a wedding. Ran into John Drake, Nick Miller, Heather Cracknell, Suzi Heybourne and Philip Butcher.
Really glad we went.
Yesterday was the funeral which, as predicted, was too big for the crematorium chapel: so we were standing, although we were some of the first there (we took Des and Chris). Quite moving, but we still haven’t seen a copy of the service sheet. Queued up again afterwards to speak to the family. Then, after we’d been home for a while and had a coffee with D & C and they’d gone home, we were invited round for a wake which we hadn’t known was happening. They were very apologetic that they hadn’t asked us, but of course you can’t think of everything. D & C didn’t come: I think they’d already started on their evening meal.
We stayed for a long time, talking to Sean and Kiera, Bob and Mary from next door, Maureen from No 6, a nurse friend of Mairead’s, an Irish cousin, Maria – a half-Greek who’s the wife of Sean’s friend and really nice – plus Mairead’s friend Rachel and her sisters Teresa and the other one, plus briefly Freddie and Phoebe, both of whom seem to be holding up. Very difficult day for them. Really like Sean and Kiera: it will be nice to see more of them.