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Helena should be the patron saint of all mothers who help their sons achieve great things. Helena was born at Drepanum in Bithynia about 250. Although only a stable-maid or innkeeper’s daughter, she caught the eye and affections of a Roman general, Constantius Chlorus, while he was stationed in Asia Minor on a military campaign. ...

It was: 500 years ago, on 2nd May 1519 that Leonardo Da Vinci, the Italian artist, scientist and inventor, died. 200 years ago, on 24th May 1819 that Queen Victoria was born.  (She reigned from 1837 to 1901) 175 years ago, on 3rd May 1844 that Richard D’Oyley Carte, British theatrical impresario, was born.  He...

John and Charles Wesley were the founders of Methodism.  Two of 19 children born to Samuel and Susannah Wesley of Epworth Rectory in Lincolnshire in 1703 and 1707, their father was the local rector, while their mother was a spiritual inspiration to her many children. Both John and Charles went to Christ Church, Oxford (1720...

Richard D’Oyly Carte, the theatrical impresario, was born 175 years ago, on 3rd May 1844, in Soho.  He built two theatres in London, managed some of the most important theatrical stars of the era, and founded a touring opera company. He is of course most famous for bringing together dramatist W S Gilbert and composer Arthur...

Events have been taking place this Spring to mark a quarter of a century of women’s ordination to the priesthood in the Church of England. The first group of women were ordained priests on Saturday 12 March 1994, in Bristol Cathedral. Following a recent celebration at Lambeth Palace attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury, services have...

The first person to run a mile in under four minutes was Roger Bannister, who did it 65 years ago, on 6th May 1954, at the Iffley Road track in Oxford. His time was 3:59.4 – the announcement drowned out by wild applause from the crowd after announcer Norris McWhirter said the word “three”. Bannister...

by Canon David Winter Later this month the Church calendar celebrates the lives of John and Charles Wesley.  John’s great gift to the Christian cause was the little matter of founding the world-wide movement known as Methodism. His brother Charles had an equally profound impact through his hymns. He actually wrote over 6,000, most of...

The Monty Python surreal comedy group was formed 50 years ago, on 11th May 1969. They pioneered a type of stream-of consciousness television sketch show, Monty Python’s Flying Circus whose influence on comedy has been compared with the Beatles’ influence on music. 45 episodes were made over four series, and the Python phenomenon developed into...

I was listening to the ‘Today’ programme on the radio and decided on a sudden whim to turn it off the next time someone used the pseudo-adjective ‘challenging’. Within five seconds my finger hit the off button and yet another interminable discussion was replaced by silence. In the last decade words like ‘difficult’, ‘impossible’, ‘awkward’...

Do you know your hymns? Dentist’s Hymn…………Crown Him with Many Crowns Weatherman’s Hymn……… There Shall Be Showers of Blessings Contractor’s Hymn………..The Church’s One Foundation Tailor’s Hymn…………..Holy, Holy, Holy Golfer’s Hymn…………There’s a Green Hill Far Away ** Epitaphs found on headstones In London: Here lies Ann Mann Who lived an old maid But died an old...

This popular annual event is promoted by the Wildlife Trust and is the perfect opportunity for all nature lovers to gather at dawn to enjoy the song of their local birds. Nowadays Dawn Chorus Day is celebrated in more than 80 countries, and even in parts of Antarctica and the Caribbean.  For details of how...

Augustine, a 6th century Italian prior, holds a unique place in British history.  He became the ‘apostle to the English’ – although it was with great reluctance. In 596 Augustine was chosen by Pope Gregory to head a mission of monks whom he wanted to send to evangelise the Anglo-Saxons.  Augustine was not a bold...