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Dog thefts across the UK soared last year. The problem is now so serious that the government is to set up a pet theft taskforce to fight the organised crime gangs involved. The taskforce will include officials from the Environment Department (Defra), the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the police. There will also...

I have found hope and peace in knowing that as Christians we hold fast to the promise that God will bring forth good out of this season, and that God is with our patients all the more, especially if we cannot be. As a society and as a church, we are often poorly equipped to...

Have you ever suffered from gossip? Ever discovered that people are saying some really wild things about you?  If so, Joseph of Arimathea would understand – and sympathise with you.  This decent, godly man of the gospels seems to have fired the imaginations of all sorts of odd people down the centuries. Joseph was a...

Editor: This month includes the following special days.  As saints’ days do not change from year to year, these have appeared on this site before.  The one with the asterisk is new to the site this year. 1          Justin Martyr – first ever Christian philosopher 2          Erasmus – a good saint for when you’re...

…. the first ever Christian philosopher Justin Martyr (c. 100 – 165), is regarded as the first ever Christian philosopher. He was born at Nablus, Samaria, to parents of Greek origin, and was well educated in rhetoric, poetry and history before he turned to philosophy. He studied at Ephesus and Alexandria and tried the schools...

… a good saint when you’re all at sea Do you like messing about in boats? If so, then you’ll have heard of St Elmo’s Fire. It is the light that is sometimes seen on mastheads of boats after storms at sea. St Elmo is another name for St Erasmus, a fourth century Syrian bishop...

… defying the Kabaka The Ugandan Church had dozens of martyrs within just ten years of Christianity arriving there. At first, it had gone so well:  the first Anglican missionaries arriving in Uganda in 1877 were welcomed by the Kabaka (king) of Buganda, Mutesa. Mutesa also welcomed the Roman Catholics and Muslim Arabs, and, being...

… the founder of Padstow If you would like to be in Cornwall this summer in search of peace and quiet, Petroc is the saint for you. Especially if you used to find Padstow a bit too crowded for your liking! He would have sympathised. This 6th century abbot is Cornwall’s most famous saint. Petroc...

… the first Christian in Brittany? If you would love to be in Brittany for your holiday this summer, then spare a thought for Gudwal, because this obscure 6th century Celtic abbot got there before you did.  Indeed, Gudwal seems to have liked Brittany so much that he decided to stay on. When you visit...

All in the month of JUNE The man who invented the saxophone The beginnings of Boots the Chemist The 100th Birthday of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Remembering Carl Jung What do you think will happen after Covid? Where are our birds? “It is like driving on the moon” ** Editor:  We continue our column...

A victim of injustice Have you ever been the victim of someone else’s malice and ambition? Then William of York (d 1154) is the saint for you. William Fitzherbert was born into a noble family, with royal connections. He was also smart – appointed treasurer of York at a young age, and also as a...

Making changes Gardening really is good for you Beware Japanese knotweed this summer What does your lawn say about you? Home alone, wanting a gnome Those who cry over spoilt milk Don’t make decisions on an empty stomach. Trouble sleeping? Give a compliment ** Editor:  by David Pickup, a solicitor. Making changes They also failed...