Tamworth Hustings: THREE days to go and we have a signer!

That's right - a signer (not a singer like the predictive text wants me to book apparently)!

One of the important things in life is to be inclusive and this means that as we come to This Thursday's Hustings we are not only wheelchair accessible (or 'easy access/access-friendly' as a sign I saw recently had it) but we are going to be catering for those who are deaf too!

But first, how's the polls looking? Let's take a look see:

Conservatives 34%

Labour             34%

UKIP                14%

Lib Dems          8%

Green Party      5%

Seems like the UKIP have upped their share by 1% to the detriment of the Lib Dems and the top two are neck and neck for the photo finish.

The questions for the first half of the evening are in and we are now looking for cautions for the second session (which you can bring with you on the night and ask for yourself if you wish).

The evening will be broadcast and it's looking like a great evening in prospect - so get their early!

There will be tea, coffee and biscuits (all fairly traded good) and the bookshop will also be open - so there's loads to encourage you to come (as if the political aspects weren't enough.

See you there I hope!

Dear Santa - this year I'd like (3)

The ORGAN.

No, not the seminal work by Sumner (although every cleric and congregation member should have one on their shelf alongside their copy of the Bible+). But at last, the cries of the church organist has reached the ears of the nephew of the cousin of the great great grandson of Father Willis and so Garry's Organ Works* are offering for the discerning organist the modifications shown below. No more will those engaged in the fine tradition of organists bemoaning the end of the English Parochial Music Tradition (EPMT) find their Sunday experience marred as they can join the 'Worship Band' and add all the 'bells, whistles and handclaps' the so often shake their heads at!

Problems with long sermon?
For as long as we have had sermons, organists have had to suffer but at last help is on the horizon: Notes are dropped, mobile phone in the preacher pocket rings (regardless of network supplier) and (Coming in 2015) abrupt ends as the preacher amazingly forgets what they were saying and, 'Amen' mumbled', returns to their seat!

Running out of Time?
Not any more for not only can you cut the sermon short but there's a stop to lose verses from the Anthem (the congregation never listen anyway!) and yet, at the end of the piece, the church is filled with applause!

For those who find themselves in churches where, after the token involvement of the choir, the 'Worship Band' take over with such musical doggerel that the organist can only reach for their copy of Private Eye and wait it out, there is also a 'Green Button Section' whereby tea, coffee and biscuits are on offer.

Discounts are available for RSCM and RCO members (contact Garry direct).

+  It is assumed that all church members, lay ministers and clergy do actually have a copy of the Bible (no George, KJV does not count!)

*Something Mrs Garry is happy to acknowledge and confirm this!

St Francis' - Autumn Fair

One of the great things about being Church is the fun we get to have putting on fairs, socials and other things that bring us together. One of those happens tomorrow as St Francis' has it's Autumn Fair.

This is 'the' place to get Minions and many other amazingly created things - and the cake is always fantastic too (made me twice the man I should be!