At our Christmas Day service 29 of us gathered together. A modest number really, but larger than we can remember. We were pleased to be joined by friends from St John's Godley.
In the days before New Year we stayed with our son John in Stepney. My devotion to real ale was assisted in 1971 when Richard Boston wrote a weekly column in The Guardian entitled 'Boston On Beer'. His recommendation, when in London, was Young's Bitter from their brewery, then in Wandsworth. Quite close to John is the Queen's Head, a Young's house near Limehouse station, an excellent backstreet local, although under threat from the gentrification taking place in the East End.
Ann has always enjoyed the fireworks on New Year's Eve as Big Ben strikes midnight. We took the opportunity to apply for tickets, and the three of us had to arrive at 9:00pm and then stand waiting for three hours. Despite the discomfort Ann was excited throughout, John and I less so. However, the firework display was wonderful and Ann is pleased to say she has experienced it. For my part the last twenty minutes were tremendous, but the waiting period was really hard, although a meal at the Lahore on Commercial Road was an excellent preparation.
For the Festal Mass of 25th December 2015 perhaps we might achieve 30. Hopes and expectations at St Thomas' are always understated.
In the days before New Year we stayed with our son John in Stepney. My devotion to real ale was assisted in 1971 when Richard Boston wrote a weekly column in The Guardian entitled 'Boston On Beer'. His recommendation, when in London, was Young's Bitter from their brewery, then in Wandsworth. Quite close to John is the Queen's Head, a Young's house near Limehouse station, an excellent backstreet local, although under threat from the gentrification taking place in the East End.
Ann has always enjoyed the fireworks on New Year's Eve as Big Ben strikes midnight. We took the opportunity to apply for tickets, and the three of us had to arrive at 9:00pm and then stand waiting for three hours. Despite the discomfort Ann was excited throughout, John and I less so. However, the firework display was wonderful and Ann is pleased to say she has experienced it. For my part the last twenty minutes were tremendous, but the waiting period was really hard, although a meal at the Lahore on Commercial Road was an excellent preparation.
For the Festal Mass of 25th December 2015 perhaps we might achieve 30. Hopes and expectations at St Thomas' are always understated.