In my May blog for last year, I came over all musical and fa la la’d about madrigals and other springlike musical frolics. This year given the recent chilly weather I am more inclined to remind readers that there are now fewer than 240 shopping days left before Christmas and they would be wise not to “cast a clout until May is out”, and even then to keep a close eye on the weather forecast!
For centuries people have kept May Day as one of the happiest carefree days of the year with, in Britain, customs dating back to the Druids and beyond. These customs were added to by the Romans in honour of Flora, the goddess of flowers and one way and another a very good time was had by all – or so we are led to believe, though I’m not sure that everyone was able or inclined to frolic merrily. I reflected as I watched footage from Ukraine recently that what we call ‘spring weather’ is not universal across northern Europe, and as for happy carefree days ……..???
Our church Eco Group is asking us to think about how we respond to ecological issues in our church lives as well as in our work and personal lives and the process should raise questions in our minds. And in the week when Biggleswade’s Preen food bank announced that it had a shortage of baked beans (baked beans, for heaven’s sake!) the questions ought to be serious indeed.
So forgive me if I don’t bandy about my usual merry quips. Doesn’t feel right somehow.
Enjoy May. If you can.
Colin Dixon