‘Highwayman’ blesses snowdrops

ABOUT 100 people visited St Botolph’s Church in Swyncombe to see a display of snowdrops.

The churchyard is filled with flowering bulbs in February and traditionally in the first three weeks of the month visitor teas are held to raise money for maintaining the Norman building.

On Sunday, a crowd gathered to watch Rev Daniel Thompson, the rector of Watlington, bless the flowers.

He was helped by Isabelle McCann-Smith, seven, from Pyrton.

Before the ceremony, Rev Thompson joked: “This is the only job you get to wear a cloak” before adding: “There are other reasons I became I vicar, not just to wear a cloak.”

A young boy from the congregation responded, saying highwaymen wore cloaks to which Rev Thompson said: “Highwaymen and vicars… I bought this off an old highwayman but I am not telling you who it was.”

He then greeted everyone, saying: “It is lovely to see you all here again. It has been a miserable January, one of the worst I can remember.

“But here we are surrounded by the joy of creation, the great sense that whatever is going on in our world, which looks a bit odd at the moment when we follow our news, nature looks after itself.

“There is something rather lovely about the seasons, the changes and the beginning of this journey for the year, starting with these gorgeous snowdrops. They are great symbols that wherever we are in our lives, whatever is going on, the joy of nature just keeps going.

“That is wonderful, something that is inspiring on a gloomy day to celebrate the great joy of creation.”

The congregation sang O Lord My God before Rev Thompson blessed water in a watering can.

He said: “God our Father, your gift of water brings light and refreshes. It washes away sin and brings eternal life. Bless and hallow this water.

“Renew the living spring in your life within us and protect us in spirit and body so that we may be free from sin and serve you in purity of heart. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”

Isabelle then watered some of the flowers and the rector joked that she would have to sprinkle them all. He then said a prayer: “Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the gift of creation, the gift of joy and love and hope that you give us. We pray for our world, for areas of darkness that are seeking out your love.

“We ask blessings on ourselves, on our lives, on our families and our homes on this day. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

The service ended with the congregation singing All Things Bright and Beautiful and Rev Thompson giving a final blessing.

He said: “The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among you this day and always, Amen.” Rev Thompson said the service had not attracted as many people as in other years and blamed the weather.

He said: “It has been a murky old day but all right really. It has been a little bit quieter than before but last year we made £16,000.

“£16,000 in tea and cake is just phenomenal — it is good cake. Last year we had to try to undersell it because we couldn’t cope with the numbers.

“I think the reason it is so successful is that it is one of the first events in the calendar. You’ve spent all winter indoors, so everyone is fed up. This is the first thing where you can go out to get some fresh air, enjoy the countryside and have nice tea and cake.”