Well this year, I have had probably one of the busiest but enjoyable Holy Weeks.

It started on Passion Sunday (14th April) singing the Bass Solo in Stainer’s Crucifixion in St Mary’s Ashford. I had not sung this particular solo part for nearly 25 years. I first sung it when I was at school for my music master John Hall (a gent who I would not be where I am in music today if it was not for him.) Now the only issue was I was stil recovering from flu and I really should have not sung. However, being the stubborn whatsit, I am (and no understudy), I was determined.

Thankfully, I am happy to report, I got through it with voice intact and the performance was amazing. The extended choir that came together as well as Tenor solo from Jerry Fox was outstanding.

So, now to Tuesday. Each year, I am asked by an organist friend of mine, to sing as the “Cantor” at the Bishop of Richborough’s Chrism Mass. This service always takes place in the crypt of the Canterbury Cathedral in the presence of Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. It is a lovely service, with a lot of incense, which is not good for a singer, particularly with the state of my voice on that day. All went well, but I was rendered “practically” silent for the rest of the week.

For those not in the “know” the Thursday of Holy Week is called “Maundy Thursday” and every church has an evening service of communion and stripping of the church to symbolise the preperation for Good Friday when Jesus was crucified. This year I played the organ and lead the choir at St Mary’s Kennington. It was a lovely moving service and I always leave this service feeling moved when you see the sanctuary stripped bare.

Now, while Good Friday, is the most solemn day of Holy Week, for me it was ironically the most enjoyable as a christian. It started with three hours at Willesborough and Sevington churches. In between the services at each church, the congregation carried a cross around Willesborough and stopping at various points to pray. We were blessed with glorious weather (condiering this was a British Bank Holiday weekend). The carrying of the cross was something I have never taken part in, and it was a very moving and spiritual experience.

Several weeks ago, I was contacted at work by a gentleman who was planning a pilgrimage from Southwark Cathedral, London to Cantebury Cathedral to raise money for Leukemia. He would be looking to stay at several places and wanted to know if he could stay in any one of our churches on the night that he was in Ashford. Dan Smith arrived on Good Friday evening and stayed at Sevington Church. He was a really nice guy and had been amazed by the hospitality he had received in the places he had visited.

He explained that he had found the pilgrimage on line and the route took him from Southwark, via Dartford, Aylesford, Ashford and finally to Canterbury Cathedral. His reason for doing a pilgrimage was a relative had suffered with the disease and he wanted to help. In his own words “Now I don’t bake cakes and I don’t run marathons” so the pilgrimage was the next alternative as a christian. Ashford to Canterbury was the final stage and he departed early Saturday morning and texted me to say that he had arrived safely in Canterbury at the Cathedral around 2pm. A great guy and an example to many. I hope we stay in touch.

So a busy and different Holy Week in 2019……I wonder what will happen in 2020.

Thanks for reading.