andrew + roni blog

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With Brother Miller, my inspirational English teacher from Prior Park days - who introduced me to Sassoon’s Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man and other literary delights - now Dom Gregory Miller of Buckfast.  I left Prior in 1975, and I know they say of teachers that you don’t remember what they teach, but who they are.  Well I remember both, but my abiding impression is of a great and influential man.

At St. Paul’s (yes, another St. Paul’s!) in Newton Abbot with Liz.  We had a lovely weekend stay with Liz and John - who got Andrew wanting to revise his French language skills.

Dartmoor wildflowers on a bridleway leading down to the stream

Here we are with student friends on Christmas Day at the Chaplaincy Dinner!  It was a wonderful occasion organised by Helen, and over 30 international students enjoyed the traditional roast and a visit from Santa!

Wishing you the peace of the Prince of Peace this Christmas!

Dunstable Downs

Aren’t they a lovely couple!  22nd October - our love and good wishes to you both Carol & Paul, and to Carol’s family, Maria-Elena, Mariana and Elias - here we all are celebrating! (Left to right: John, Carol, Paul, Marianna, Peter, Sarah, Maria-Elena, Camilla)

News on the University website - this is me with Zafar Khan, Chair of the Luton Council of Faiths at the Licensing.  I’m really enjoying the work, meeting lovely people and becoming very international - intercultural communication is the thing I think, with the students coming from all over the world…  On a recent trip up to Edinburgh to see Dad I was amused to notice how many students work at the airport - you can travel seamlessly from Airport Bus, to Food Village, Krispy Kreme and Check-In assisted by students - we could bring the Airport down!

Drove down with Paul to Luton yesterday to checkout the decorating & kitchen - tiles and wall colour chosen by Paul and Roni, (I think it’s come out well don’t you?)- then on to Slough for lunch with John and Milla and Frances (Milla’s Mum) -

here they are outside their lux new flat, complete with climbable balcony structure thingy - swopped cars and off on the horrendous M25 to Walsingham House, on Canvey Island with Carol’s (to be Programme Leader) stuff, where Fr Dominic showed me the tame foxes…

deep breath, pause, then on to Cambridge to kip the night with Peter and Sarah and taste of their wonderful hospitality before coming back home to Brum this morning and an educational tour of the Coop Funeral Services with Helen and the lovely team: Pat, Lorraine, Sandra, Lynn, and Cheryl - thank you, you’re special people.  Phew! all in a day’s driving…  Now to get ready for the Big Move!  Blessings, Andrew

Paul talks about how he finds God in the media despite its secular origins, (at ‘Virtual Vigil’).

From 1st September I start as Chaplain at Bedfordshire University, Luton: this is the building which is in a great location opposite the Student Union.  My part-time cover at Aston Uni helped me see it’s really what I want to do; working with young people is strategic for the Kingdom.

The University has students from wherever Easyjet flies, so a very international flavour.  It also has a policy of helping young people to access higher education for which it has taken some stick from other universities.
Roni will continue at Queens so it’ll be hard having to separate for a few days each week while she studies up there, alas - still absence makes the heart grow fonder…

We move around 6th August into this Vicarage:
with four bedrooms at last we’ll be able to offer guests a bedroom and have space for parties!

Today Dad went on a drive around Aberdour in a horse and carriage, organised by Mary.  Horse’s name was Jimmy, 12 years old - Dad gave him a carrot at the start of the journey - typical of his love of animals.  Asked Dad if he had a message: ‘How grateful I am to my family’, he said.  He doesn’t look his age does he?  Found out that Malby’s grandfather George Goodman was a Harness Maker and Saddler and importer of Scottish Seed Potatoes of all things, as well as being Chairman of Malden/Great Wakering Council.  Anyway, in the afternoon we went to Aberdour Boat Club and had afternoon tea with lovely sandwiches and cakes made by Mary and Anne.  Find more photos here: on flickr