Seeker

The Beaker Folk of Husborne Crawley is a blog that makes me laugh most times I visit. (Yes, it's meant to be funny.) They were very excited about their 'Flag and Maracas Service' this morning. 'Archdruid Eileen' announced that they'd "never had two such dangerous worship aids in one service before - or, at least, not since Marston's "Gunpowder and Itching Powder" service, and in retrospect that was just plain stupid."  This got me thinking about 'dangerous worship aids' I've experienced. MARACAS.  I'm thinking home-made variety. Who would buy a maraca when you can make one with a recycled washing up liquid bottle, some things to put inside to shake and strong tape to seal the somethings in? This is dangerous if you have children who worship with all their minds and strength. Unlike adults who struggle with child-proof containers, a child will easily break the maraca's seal. If this is done by over vigorous ...

Josephine Butler (1828 - 1906) was one of the great reformers in 19th century England and one of the women I most admire. She was an active feminist, campaigning for higher education for women. She is perhaps best known for her concern for the welfare of prostitutes, recognising them as victims of male oppression. She was highly critical of the double standards of Victorian sexual morality. She led the campaign for the repeal of the notorious Contagious Diseases Acts. She was also active in the campaign against child prostitution which led to the raising of the age of consent in the United Kingdom from 13 to 16 years. She was a Christian, married to a clergyman. She once said that  'God and one woman make a majority'. Perhaps that was the secret of her determination to work tirelessly for reform. There's a brief biography of Josephine Butler here . Today is her commemoration day in the Church of England. God of compassion and love, by whose grace your serv...

Do you notice curious signs? I do. It's one of the delights of travel and days out exploring. I spotted this sign on a cold February day last year, while looking for lunch in an unfamiliar place. It was outside a pub near the quay in Orford, Suffolk, England.  We had no appointment or reservation and didn't think we qualified as children, dogs, parrots or horses. So after reading the sign my husband and I were pleasantly surprised to be given an excellent meal here. The most disturbing thing about this sign is that while the pub welcomes children, it seems they don't consider children to be human. It turned out to be a welcoming place though and the views near by were superb, even on a dull winter day. A happy memory on this dull and drizzly Bank Holiday Monday. Photos: my own