My new journey begins…….
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These images haunt me daily and I am now devoting the majority of my time to trying to do something about it. I will keep a record of my progress here!
December 31st 2023 – another busy and varied year.
Local Charities & Community Work
Community Money Advice – Renew – delivered 5 Money Courses from January to November.
Money presentation for The Mustard Seed Project at Hull Minster.
Beverley Joint Sixth – Money Matters presentation to year 12 in March and to the new year 12 in the autumn and a presentation to some of Longcroft Sixth Form students.
Interviewed with my colleague Steve Jarvis on Beverley FM each month but the presenter Steve Redgrave is leaving so that will end this year.
Also for CMA I have done Advice Pro training, a level 2 Energy Course in Hull and helped a bit with our office revamp. (Sourced workmen!)
TALKS
‘Food for the Future’ x 2 – WI here in my village and in Walkington.
‘History of the Violin’ in Driffield.
Music
Concerts I have played solo – Sewerby Orangery in January, August and October* (*with accompanist Colin Wright).
Beverley Minster – lunchtime recital
Willerby Wives – Methodist Church
Village Garden Concert – in the pouring rain!
Woodlands Care Home x 2
Southlands Care Home Christmas Music
Probus Driffield – Christmas music – they were very generous with their donation.
Orchestral – Led Hull Choral Union in April, played for East Riding County Choir concert in May and led their Messiah performance in December in Beverley Minster.
I have been lucky enough to see a few concerts this year. ‘Weaver and Wood’ at Beverley Minster inspired me to learn more music based on folk tunes and I went to York to have a lesson on improvising with them which was huge fun – if a bit scary.
Gesualdo VI in York in December entitled ‘Secret Byrd’ was sung and acted with great feeling and the atmosphere created was electric. I could have watched it all again.
Coaching
I have only given a few sessions this year and been a client for a couple myself. I think this is something that will not be a formal part of my work moving forward although I still love using the skills on myself and others. If invited to lead a group session I would jump at the chance.
World Charities (world poverty)
In May the trustees of SEAT (Swanland Education Africa Trust) were visiting the schools in Namibia and they wanted some swimming costumes – they are very expensive there apparently. I found some on Facebook and explained to the seller why I wanted so many. When my husband went to pick them up the seller gave him all 17 costumes for £20! The recipients were very pleased as they were all very colourful and in excellent condition.
Following Speaker training with Tearfund I was invited to give a talk at a church in Scarborough and ended up going for lunch with one of the congregation who had been to the part of the world I was talking about. It was really interesting.
As a result of the recitals and concerts I gave and the talks about food and music (not CMA money talks – they remain free) I was able to donate an extra £1038.62 to SEAT and Water Works. Most of it was to SEAT this year as they have been in greater need.
Churches
I visited the Angels exhibition in St Mary’s Beverley at the start of the year which was beautiful. I completed the Domestic Abuse training in January and went to hear the Archbishop speak when he came to Bridlington.
I volunteered to be Deanery Synod rep and PCC secretary for my home church and
completed a Food Hygiene Course so I can prepare food for events with complete confidence.
I attended the Chrism Eucharist in York Minster and stayed to hear the Minster Choir sing Evensong and the Ebor Singers sing Compline – a wonderful day.
I helped with the ‘C of E’ stall at Driffield Show and recruited a new church member.
I helped reinstate short services in the Care Home in our village once a month.
My title changed from RPA (recognised parish assistant) to ALM (Assistant Lay Minister) and I attended another lovely service in York followed by a celebratory lunch with my hubby and my wonderful mentors. I continue to prepare one talk a month and lead some services. I have even done a few services completely on my own.
I attended a bereavement course in York to find out how to help people in grief.
In the summer I took my husband to Burniston to hear Rev Dr David Perry preach and to meet him. He was so influential to me when I was in my 30’s that I like to keep in touch and see him when I can. He was just the same – so welcoming, enthusiastic and inspirational.
I have read 3 really inspiring books about mission – 2 by Matt Woodcock and 1 by Alex Frost. More inspiring men.
I booked a quiet day in Hessle where I did nothing but think about things! Also one in Wydale which was guided. I attended two ‘TAC’ Talks in Beverley Baptist church – both great. I also attended a Churchyard Conference in the West Riding with a member of our choir to find out about Eco things and get inspiration.
I was put in charge of the children’s nativity this year which takes place on Christmas eve and this was by far the most scary thing I did all year. I decided to base it on a new book called ‘The Grumpy Owl’ and persuaded my husband to be the grumpy owl. It was a lot of work and costumes had to be bought but it went really well and children and adults alike enjoyed themselves. Loads of people helped on the day.
A Discipleship course led by the Bishop of Hull and her husband has been a recurring highlight of the year for me personally.
Fun (this section is here to remind myself that I must not be too serious all the time!)
I have watched a few really good films this year. I spent a day at Manchester TEDX in March- inspiring but tiring listening as everyone is so intense. Walking Alpacas in Clumber Park was a great Christmas gift.
In the summer an invite to a family wedding near Lake Constance in Germany led to a discovery of a really beautiful place. It exceeded all my expectations and hiring mountain bikes for a day and taking them on the small boat across to Austria and cycling back was a day to remember forever. Back home a day watching Yorkshire play cricket at Scarborough was as relaxing as ever. This seems to have become our annual wedding anniversary celebration!
A cycle ride from Durham up the east coast was mainly fun by I fell off my bike and cut my hand badly at the start. I kept going though – not much choice – the alternative of sitting on the path alone was not appealing! We will not be taking our bikes on the train again however – this was NOT fun!
My 60th birthday in November turned out to be great fun as we squeezed in 3 performances in 3 days. My first trip to The Royal Opera House did not disappoint – what a place and Handel’s music was just heavenly. Phantom of the Opera made me cry – again! It has to be the best musical ever. Voces 8 – well perfection as always, and with one of my favourite violinists in tow, and we got to chat to them at the end as they interact with their audience.
I also met up with my brother and friends for a few small and very civilised celebrations. All seemed to involve food!
I have discovered ‘Street Wisdom’ – on line guided walks with a purpose. I follow them on line and because I contributed to the chat on my fist ‘walk’ (I was actually sitting in my office at home watching everyone else!)* I got sent a free book about walking with purpose – fab! *This is allowed!!
In December a friend in the village invited me to a wreath making session. As I do not have any village skills (crafts, baking, gardening, flower arranging etc.) I was delighted to go and I was pleased enough with the result to take it to the cemetery to put on my parents grave. It was certainly more colourful than the shop ones.
Other activities
Coronation celebrations in our village and Open Gardens Day were all memorable events.
I took part in a Grief Recovery pilot course which was very revealing. A political conference in Liverpool was also really interesting.
Our Ukrainian guests both moved on in March and October to become more self-sufficient but we shall be keeping in touch with them and helping where we can.
Saturday 31st December 2022
Local charities and community work
For CMA I have led two money courses which went well but we learned a lot about how we could do it better. I attended the CMA 25 years celebratory conference in October with my colleague Steve in Shrewsbury. It was a long drive but well worth it and it was great to meet other people doing the same work, and experiencing the same problems. We learned a lot. Steve and I continue to be interviewed on Beverly radio FM every month and Steve Redgrave is a great presenter and we enjoy chatting with him. In the village I am occasionally roped in for helping with drinks and serving at the bar at SRA events (that is the Sports and Recreation Association). In the same way I can often be seen helping out at the village market once a month which takes place in the garage showroom.
Coaching
I have done a little bit of life coaching but in May and June I followed an online counselling course in order to extend my skills. I submitted this in July and passed. I think this is going to be something I do more informally for now, time will tell.
World charities (world poverty)
One of my favourite charities SEAT (Swanland Educational Trust) organised a quiz at which I was privileged to help. It was great fun serving the food and drink as I would have been useless doing the quiz. A church in Hornsea put on a Eco fair and they asked me to do a talk on behalf of Christian Aid. This was a lot of work but I really enjoyed it and the talk was recorded and put out onto the Internet for people to hear. In October I was asked to do a Tearfund talk for a ladies group in Filey and again that was great to go to the seaside and speak to people there.
Churches
In May and June I followed the second part of the RPA course. It was a large group of people with very diverse skills and thoroughly enjoyable. I learned so much and met so many interesting people that it really inspired me to carry on working in this role within my benefices. In July we had a service at one of our churches which was my commissioning service and I was really honoured that so many people came to support me. It really felt like the start of something important. I continue to prepare one talk a month and deliver it in 2-4 churches in one day. Unfortunately in December I was really ill with a bad migraine so my husband went and read that one for me. Fortunately he’d already heard me read it as he is my adjudicator on such matters so he was able to do the task perfectly. I attended a training day at Hull Minster and knowing that they had installed knew underfloor heating I did not wear too many clothes but unfortunately the heating was not on so it was painfully cold. Bishop Eleanor however was absolutely wonderful and so it was worth putting up with the cold to hear what she had to say. I continue to write occasional articles for our village bulletin and to attend fund raising days at St. Crux in York which is always good fun. Safeguarding training is less fun but is a very essential part of our work. I have joined a House Group but unfortunately, because of the evening that it’s on, my attendance is spasmodic.
Music
The rest of this year was very busy musically.
I played in the orchestra for two choir concerts and two Messiahs. I played 4 recitals in the Orangery at Sewerby and one busking session outside which was huge fun if not very lucrative. I also played solo for 11 Community / charity events ranging from a Christmas party in someone’s house to village events in the garage showroom, a garden and a hotel – to a massive Women of Achievement event at which Gloria Huniford was the speaker. This event was not lucrative but I did get a free ticket to a fabulously inspiring event. I played for two weddings and one church event. Altogether my playing and talks raised an extra £1322 for SEAT and Water Works this year.
Wednesday 4th May 2022
Once again, SO much has happened since my last entry that I have had to go through my diary and summarise it all.
Local Charities & Community Work
Steve and I continue to be busy helping people with all sorts of money issues. When we have a spare hour we go to somewhere else in the community that may be interested in our services. Beverley FM Radio is a regular monthly interview slot now and we enjoy talking to Steve Redgrave on his show about all kinds of money related problems and solutions. We did a lot of preparation into the running of a money course and applied for crowd funding through AVIVA. Our application was accepted and we prepared an information and request page. After a slow start, we got the full amount of money donated from AVIVA employees and the public (and a few friends who saw it on my Facebook page!) Thank you if you were one of them. We went to talk to people at RENEW (addiction recovery), and a local food bank and these visits all brought referrals for more money help.
In January we did another interview on Radio Humberside and nearly got locked in at the centre where we work as it went on longer than planned! We have also made contact with the new Baptist Church in Beverley and we are going to be attending some of their coffee mornings to make people aware of CMA and all we do.
I have been successful in getting more money for emergency items from ACTS 435 also.
The next task is to find places and groups who will host the money course now we have the funding for the materials etc.
Coaching
I continue to coach people who ask me for help and this always a very enjoyable experience. I took part in some training on Clean Language which is all about making sure we as coaches / listeners get really clear about what someone is saying to us. It was very useful. The other training I did was on dealing with emotions in coaching sessions as these can sometimes be powerful and it is not always immediately clear how best to respond. Lots of good ideas and advice were shared. Coaching York’s coaching week is coming up in May and I helped find suitable venues for a conference. One of them was chosen so that was time well spent.
I have signed up for a government sponsored counselling course to learn the basics about counselling as so many people are in need of this. I’m not going to be a counsellor but some of the techniques are useful to know when talking to people in difficult situations. I have been interested in the psychology of the human mind for as long as I can remember. Many of my books are about this topic, either directly or indirectly.
World Charities (world poverty)
Once again I have been able to raise some more money for my chosen charities as pandemic restrictions continue to lift and I get out and about playing and speaking.
My talk about the History of the Violin went down very well both in Halifax for the Men’s Probus club and in my own village at the WI meeting. The write up in the local paper was very good – it is always nice to get a good review!
My talk about Food for the Future on zoom for a U3A group near York also went down well and I got some questions this time which I like as it shows people really were listening!
Tearfund contacted all their speakers to say that the new campaign for Tearfund speakers is ready and training would be on zoom one evening soon. It is a very interesting campaign focusing on the climate change and the massive adverse effects that has on the poorest countries and people. The idea is that people do the challenges the week before the talk and then they will have a better understanding of the impact it is having.
It is well worth a look:
Churches
As well as co-ordinating the weddings and baptisms across the 6 churches in our benefice, and playing violin in the band, I have done quite a few talks in the sermon slots at various churches. This is part of my RPA training and, while I found it very difficult, I have to say that spending 4-5 hours studying one or two short bible passages really pays off.
I feel like I have learned so much from doing this and have had some encouraging feedback. The talk on Palm Sunday was by far the most challenging but after lots of thinking, reading and talking about it my third attempt felt right.
I volunteered to help organise the annual lent course with our local Methodist church and this turned out to be a truly wonderful experience. I met some lovely people and the collaboration worked really well. About 20 of us met every week to discuss the book ‘Telling his Story’ by Hannah Steele and we all enjoyed the book and the discussions.
Anything at the Methodist church always involves a good hearty sing too!
The World Day of Prayer was another good collaboration and Easter was really meaningful with joint services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, as well as a walk of witness carrying a big wooden cross to the village green. I have to confess to not really wanting to do the walk on Good Friday. Parading around advertising I am a Christian is not really my thing but I needn’t have worried as it was lovely and people in the village were genuinely interested. The cross looked absolutely beautiful on Easter Sunday with lots of people and children bringing spring flowers to cover it completely. I think that this was the most significant Easter I have ever experienced from a Christian perspective.
Music
I travelled to York and back 7 times in two weeks to rehearse and play in St Olave’s Orchestra. Musically it was great but I did not enjoy all the driving back in the dark and the church had the doors open for ventilation was so even colder than normal! The concert was good, especially the violin concerto as the soloist was so good. It was also great to play Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony which I absolutely love but have never played before, such an exciting piece.
In contrast to this I performed at the micro pub in town – basically this was an indoor busking session but I played the entire time on my electric violin and it was really well received. I even got a wedding enquiry!
Back on the classical side I played in a memorial concert in Beverley Minster and in April I played the first of 5 lunchtime concerts in the Orangery at Sewerby Hall. It was a really cold and windy day but all the regulars were there and Jeff and his wife Lesley from Water Works Charity came to support me, all the way from Nottingham. It was the first time we had met in 9 years of me having supported the charity so they came home with us and stayed over so we could have a really good chat. I played a bit of everything – classical, folk, film, musicals and pop and everyone seemed to really like the mix so I think I will stick to that formula next time at least. The money donated went to WaterWorks charity so Jeff took it back with him. He also gave me two WaterWorks mugs – I love them.
Fun
The winter months can be difficult to get out and about but we discovered a great nature reserve on the edge of Scarborough while doing a shopping trip to stock up the bar at our village sports club! The snowdrops at Burton Agnes were another delight as was walking from Sewerby to Flamborough and discovering the walks around Huggate. TV highlights were Granchester and Round the World in 80 Days. We were able to catch up with friends we hadn’t seen since lockdown and some came to visit us at our home for the first time, even though we have lived here over 2 years now. Into April, as the weather warmed up a bit, a bike ride to Hornsea Garden Centre and the sea front was a day to remember. A cappuccino was a real treat having cycled a relatively long way for it and anything tastes good by the sea – even cheese sandwiches!
A friend joined a fitness centre and took me on a guest pass for a swim and a session in the hydropool. It was absolutely wonderful!
Other activities
I have created this heading as this is not fun and does not fit any of my other categories but has taken many hours of my time, and even more of Ian’s, my husband. We decided to sponsor two Ukrainian people and as soon as the government’s scheme opened we applied, having been contacted by two boys who wanted to escape the bombing in Kyiv. I will not go into detail as it is already painful but the system is incomprehensible and unworkable. It is impossible to find anything out and communication from The Home Office is zero. I am sure there will more about this later as things progress (which we hope they do!) Facebook is our only hope for finding anything out at all and many groups have been set up as people try to navigate the inconsistent and impossible bureaucracy that is gov.uk.
End of December 2021
Once again, SO much has happened since my last entry that I have had to go through my diary and summarise it all.
Local Charities & Community Work.
After the launch of our first podcast (The Summed Up Podcast) Steve and I did some more networking to reach out into the communities in which we work. We had meetings with organisations like Citizens Advice as we continued to meet clients with debt and money issues on a one to one. We had a very exciting interview with Amanda from Radio Humberside which was aired live from the car park of The Peninne on a very breezy morning! We recorded two more episodes of the podcast in October and November and then we sponsored a Christmas tree in Beverley Minster’s tree festival and I decorated the whole tree on the theme of money. I had to get help from my Godmother to make the paper baubles (from pretend paper money) as I have no crafting ability. When a friend rang to ask if I had anything to do with ‘The Money Tree’ and to say how great it was, I felt a massive sense of achievement (she’s a friend I can rely on to always tell the truth and not just what I want to hear!)
I mentioned before about the charity Hope Into Action and that I was disappointed not to have been able to find out any more about the progress of this. Well one morning Ed Walker, the founder of the charity, rang me and it just so happened that I was going to a Beverley Against Poverty meeting shortly so I was able to ring him back later and tell him that indeed progress was being made and enough people had volunteered to take the project further.
Finally Bodmin Road Church asked if I would be their new advocate for ACTS 435 – a great charity that helps people with emergency funding for items up to £150. This involved a bit of training but I got to apply for some money for someone just before Christmas and we were given it by generous people donating so that was well worth the effort. We hope to help more people in this way.
Coaching
I continue to coach and be coached and this is a very enjoyable part of my life. I am delighted that I do not have the pressure of trying to make a living doing it so I can just coach people who really want it, when they want it. I have worked with a few clients who really made excellent progress and I got the opportunity to do some DISC personality profiling which was extremely useful and effective. It is just amazing how much it reveals about a person with only a very small investment of time. I worked with a group and some individuals and each time it was just really useful, and fun. I got to go to York and meet the Christian coaches in person which was lovely and then we met again in November on zoom to exchange more ideas and practices. I got a super book about coaching for my birthday and that added to my inspirational experiences.
World Charities (world poverty)
I have been able to raise some more money for my chosen charities as pandemic restrictions start to lift and I get out and about playing and speaking. My talk ‘Are You Rich?’ for the local U3A went down really well – I think I have tweaked this course to really do the job I need it to – which is to inspire people to think a bit more about the poorest people in the world and to make a few lifestyle changes to help. I attended a webinar on zoom run by the UNDP about world statistics and it was brilliant. I was able to incorporate some great facts into my talk. I was able to donate my fee, and those of my violin performances and concerts, to SEAT and Water Works.
Christian Aid rang me as I had signed up for some Advent resources, supposedly free, but because I did not immediately agree to donate more money she would not send me them! I think I am going to stick to Tearfund for my resources re the developing world.
Churches
I continue to worship at my local C of E church, co-ordinate the weddings and baptisms across the 6 churches and play my violin in the band. In addition I enrolled on the RPA (Recognised Parish Assistant) course. This involved attending meetings in person at Sands End, Whitby, and on zoom. It was very interesting and I got to hear again from Angela Bailey who I heard speak a number of times when I lived in Cottingham 30 years ago and I always loved listening to what she had to say. I completed part 1 before Christmas and now I can choose what I want to specialise in for part 2.
When away in South Norfolk we went to Norwich Cathedral again – to an evensong this time and it was wonderful. It was very well attended, including Ed Balls who was there with his dad! We also went to see some other lovely churches in Norwich and Bury St Edmund. Quite a few churches in this area seem to have resident cats – the one in the grounds at Bury took quite a shine to me and we had a lovely cuddle!
In October I did an online retreat run by the Jesuits. It was really good. The theme was Autumn (my favourite season. We were encouraged to look at nature in a more careful way and take inspiration from it. I thought about how when all the plant life dies off we don’t worry about it because we know it will grow again in the spring. I found this thought reassuring and positive. It was also a very calm and relaxing experience.
In November I had a great coffee meeting with the Readers at our church and it was fantastic to get to know them a little – two inspirational ladies.
At the end of November we were invited to sing in a confirmation service at the church where we were married and it was wonderful – especially being involved in the music again. In December I joined in their Advent course online and that too was very reflective and helped me focus on Christmas proper, as it were!
Here in our village an outdoor Nativity was very chilly but great fun and it was lovely to be able to go to lots of Christmas services without any responsibility. I liked just being a participant / observer.
Music
Live music is happening again and oh what a joy it is.
Playing both my acoustic and electric violins at The Barn in Beverley for the Women in Business event was brilliant. The new chargeable speaker worked brilliantly. The acoustics were superb and the mood of the evening was very upbeat. I really enjoyed listening to the talks and the only downer was that I could have taken my husband too but I thought it was women only! Never mind, there were not many men there. On the back of this I got invited to play for a social event at a Vineyard in the Wolds a few weeks later. It was very cold that evening and the doors were open but I enjoyed playing my wide repertoire of styles.
The Hull Choral Union concert in Hull Minster was long and tiring but it went really well and it felt really good to be back playing in a proper orchestra again.
December brought the usual, and for me, essential performance of Messiah – this year in Beverley Minster. Yes it was cold but, with many layers of clothing and fingerless gloves on, it was a wonderful evening. Ian was singing bass, I was playing violin and Ian’s family came to support us. It is always good to look out into the audience and see some friendly faces!
It is a privilege to be able to play in such wonderful concerts and then to be able to donate my fees to charities. The money can do so much good in Africa.
In terms of listening to music the Hull Phil concert was one of few live concerts we attended. Live From London online concerts continue to be a massive highlight with Voces 8 continuing to just amaze us with their perfect performances.
Fun
I have put this section in because it is important for me to remember to do things that are just for fun now and again.
We are lucky to live in a village with so much going on. Never a week passes without something to do. In September however we managed to get all our neighbours round for a little garden party / house warming – only a year late but better late than never. Finally it felt safe to invite everyone and we had a lovely afternoon eating and drinking and getting to know each other. Some of the children enjoyed it so much they snuck back after their parents had taken them home!
Bike rides around the area continue to be a source of great joy and fun. One lovely day in September I set off with a friend to explore a road with a ‘dead end’ sign. We rode for quite a way then saw a little road off to the left that we decided to explore. We found a farm at the end with loads of absolutely beautiful peacocks strutting around!
Halloween was real fun too with so many children coming round we nearly ran out of sweets and chocolate. As we had to put a big pumpkin outside to let people know we were up for a visit we then had to eat pumpkin soup for the whole of the next week!
November is my birthday month so I got some experience treats. Fastlove in York was better than I could have hoped – at first I thought the lead singer was miming to George Michael’s voice he was so good. A lunch out in Driffield and a lovely walk from Grosmont to Beck Hole with a pack up were also great days.
In December I went to the Women In business Christmas party and I think it was the first Christmas Party I have been to in years – I never had time before and teachers don’t have parties as we are all too tired by the end of term! It was a lovely event and such a treat to just have an evening out doing nothing but eat and chat. I’m glad I don’t do it often though as I like to keep such things as real treats rather than the norm.
In December a birthday present booking to visit Castle Howard’s Narnia experience was unfortunately a really rainy day but once inside the exhibition was truly magical. Some days were still nice however and a cycle ride with a steady incline to Huggate and back was a great day.
Christmas was busy with all my in-laws visiting and celebrating not only Christmas but a 90th birthday on Christmas eve. It was lovely to have a buzzy atmosphere for a few days then rest a bit and recover ready for the New Year. Time to plan my 2022 goals!
Tuesday 7th September
SO much has happened since my last entry that I have had to go through my diary and summarise it all.
The biggest single area that has taken up my time has been in that of Local Charities & Community Work.
In April I passed CMA’s test based on the training I had done, then Steve and I set about going through the policies and making them relevant to our Connect centre. In May we met with our area lead and continued to prepare for the opening of the new centre. Steve prepared flyers and in June we delivered them to all his local contacts, and more. Most of these meetings happened outside or in draughty venues but when we went to speak in a Sunday service at Beverley Community Church we were inside – albeit with masks on.
In July we worked with our first clients and in August we recorded a Podcast – The Summed Up Podcast which Steve launched on 1st September.
It is becoming clear that I need a lot more knowledge about benefits so during August I completed some on line training which was extremely useful.
I mentioned before about the charity Hope Into Action and I am disappointed not to have been able to find out any more about the progress of this – I think I will contact them directly.
Coaching
In April I managed to listen to some of the Coaching Academy’s ‘conversations’ with coaches but now I work for CMA (albeit voluntary) on a Tuesday I do not get to hear them. I attended group meetings and continued to work with 3 practice clients and 2 new ones.
The most interesting news on this front is that I joined Coaching York as I want to work with more experienced coaches. Coaching Week followed and I watched quite a few presentations. The most memorable was Richard McCann talking about ‘Speaking With Impact’ – he exudes energy and passion and his story is inspirational!
I made contact with a gentleman within CY who I guessed was a Christian from his profile and asked him if he, or anyone else, did coaching from a Christian perspective. He said that no one had ever asked him that then he kindly started to introduce me to Christians who are coaches. We all had a meeting on zoom and there is going to be a follow up meeting in September – in person! I feel this is a very exciting development.
While working at the CMA ‘office’ I met another local coach who is very keen to coach Christians so we are going to pursue that idea, in conjunction with Coaching York perhaps.
World Charities (world poverty)
I have not made much money for my chosen charities yet (restrictions still meaning that opportunities to play and speak are very much reduced). Water Works however have had a decent sized grant so they are working on more villages in Malawi and I love getting the regular updates of how they are doing – smiley faces of people pulling clean water out of, what to us would be, a very primitive well!
In June I spent a long time updating my talk ‘Food for the Future’ which I delivered online to the employees of The Prince’s Trust (working on The Duke of Edinburgh projects) in July. I think it went really well and no one had any questions – I think they were a bit stunned by some of the content. The fact that eating more vegetarian and vegan food is a really excellent way to save carbon emissions is not what everyone wants to hear! The best bit was I got to donate my fee to SEAT.
I had a request from Tearfund to deliver a talk in Beverley which I really wanted to do but the only date they could host the talk I could not do. That was very disappointing.
I emailed Christian Aid again following my training but I have not had a response. This is disappointing as their online resources are excellent and I would love to deliver some of the lessons in schools.
Churches
When services where on line my husband and I continued to take part in services from Welton and here in our village. In May the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cotterill, led a service on zoom and it was excellent.
I continue to help co-ordinate weddings and christenings in this benefice and now I have developed a system it is not taking quite so long.
In May I was really pleased to be able to source an electronic piano for one of the smaller churches and in June I played my brother’s electric violin at Welton’s Open Gardens Day. The following week we opened our very new garden in our village and got to meet lots of lovely people. Also in June our vicar hosted a zoom meeting for all the parents of the children who are going to be christened – it was lovely to see them all and some of the children too.
In August live services began to resume and we started to attend our local church. It was nice to meet people in person whom we had only seen on a screen. Also in August our new church did a fundraising weekend which consisted of a day at St. Crux in York and an exhibition in the church here so it was a busy weekend, especially as on the Sunday the service was on the village green. Having been invited to play violin in the band, it was an early start – for a Sunday! It was great fun and I got to play the electric violin again – my brother has said I can keep it so I am enjoying making a lot of noise!
In July I was lucky enough to visit the Christian Convention in Keswick again and, as always, it was inspiring and invigorating with excellent worship and teaching. I really like the fact that it is none denominational.
Music
Live music is starting to happen again and I have realised just how much I have missed playing. Not only did I get to play the electric violin in two church events I was invited to play at a charity / fundraising event in our village and it was just wonderful. I was a little apprehensive as the performance was in a garage forecourt with everyone having afternoon tea but the audience were quiet when I played and very appreciative. I was given two free tickets and a big basket of fruit – so much more than expected but very much appreciated. I was buzzing and so wanting to back to playing so, imagine my delight when I got the opportunity to play at the forthcoming Women In Business event at The Barn in Beverley (more about this in the ‘Fun’ section below!) I went online to buy some more music with backing tracks (even though I already have loads!) and, I purchased a cheap second hand keyboard and stand so that I can record my own for pieces I cannot buy. I have had great fun playing through all the new music and choosing the best ones for the event.
In terms of listening to music the Live From London online concerts have been another highlight with Barnaby Smith’s Handel Concert being the highlight for me. He is my COVID hero in more ways than one and oh, what a voice!
Fun
While it is important for me to have purposeful things to do I am supposed to be retired (from teaching at least) so I have to remember to do some fun things too. The area where I now live continues to inspire me with it’s lovely countryside (if not the smells!) and the beautiful coast not too far away.
It is quite undulating and cycling can be a challenge, especially when it is windy so I had been thinking about getting an electric bike. I hesitantly went to look at some in Beverley and my husband, who finds my slow pace up hills a little frustrating, talked me into getting one before they sold out (lockdown had created an increase in sales and a decrease in availability). Later that week I went to pick it up and, despite the cold and drizzly weather, I had a fabulous ride back home on all the back country lanes – hardly seeing a car and putting the battery on every time I went uphill! Later that week we both went on a ride and I put the battery on full power so the next week my husband had to buy one too!! It is by far the best investment I have made in a long time. Journeys are longer, easier and more fun. For our anniversary celebration we cycled the 53 miles to Whitby and then two days later cycled back. On the ‘rest day’ in between we managed to clock up nearly 27k steps so a fantastic 3 days – apart from getting soaked in Scarborough on the way home! We have been on some long day rides including to Bridlington and back along the old Roman Road on which I had never travelled. I reckoned I had used up enough calories to have chips and peas on the sea front!
As I was told, having done some long journeys, the gears were ready for adjusting so I took the opportunity to visit The Barn in Beverley after the bike’s service. What a fantastic venue it is. I had a lovely hour looking round, having a delicious coffee (free on a Monday!) and a good chat to the owner. We agreed where I would play my violin for the forthcoming event and then I set off on the longish journey home.
Friends are now starting to visit us and have meals and drinks as we had planned last year but it has been all the more enjoyable for the wait. Some are even being persuaded to have a go on the bikes!
Tuesday 6th April
On reviewing my diary I really have done a lot more than I realised since my last entry. Most of this is still online of course. I feel as though I will have square eyes soon!
Coaching – Firstly I have been accepted to be part of Women In Business Hull and have attended a training event and a networking lunch meeting. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone in person. I was introduced to a couple of ladies who do coaching and I have had a lovely chat with one of them already.
I have continued to watch Coaching Academy webinars, coaching conversations, peer to peer meetings and have joined a coaching group. I also had a useful mentoring session with a CA coach. I have continued to coach a few select people; one is reciprocal, which I really enjoy but I am still struggling to conduct sessions of only 30 minutes, which I need to do to complete the diploma. I did set up a Facebook Business page for Life Coaching and made a short video about coaching to put on it.
Developing World Charities – I have attended a Christian Aid webinar and training session but they have not been in touch with any work for me despite a follow up email. Tearfund continue to ask me to make videos for church services and organise ‘Soap Box’ training evenings for their speakers. These have been really informative. I also did three talks on Mothers’ Day about Tearfund for my local church – one was live which was very exciting, as I got to see a tiny church in the next village which I had only seen from the outside.
UK Charities – Hope Into Action did a 3-week Book Club and it was really good. They had an ex-tenant speaking one week and she was brilliant. This is such a good model. I am so looking forward to being able to help when a church near us get a house.
I attended a CAP course as a pretend client to see how that worked online and it was very straightforward. I am confident that I could lead one of these courses now – I just need to get a church to want me to do it online.
In trying to find out about local CAP courses I spoke to a gentleman who wants to set up a Connect Debt Centre in Beverley. He wants someone else to train with him and to help in the centre. To cut a long story short this resulted in me doing a day of CMA training (which is similar to CAP but goes much further than just budgeting). I really can see myself doing this and helping people in the local area get debt free – I think that as a result of the pandemic even more people will need, and benefit from, this help.
Churches – I have taken part in two Lent courses and read four lent books, three of which were daily readings. The new Lent book commissioned by The Archbishop of Canterbury and written by Hannah Steele was excellent. I love books that talk about behaviour change and action.
I have also offered to help in my local church and I am going to be co-ordinating weddings and christenings in 4 of the 6 churches in our benefice. I am really looking forward to this as it is not just an admin role but I will get to talk to people too, and about happy occasions! This has already resulted in me seeing inside three more churches in our area, meeting people who work there, and offering to deliver violin concerts when allowed. The acoustics in churches are always so good for violin solos.
As I am going to need a separate phone number I have ordered a new mobile phone for myself (so I can use mine then as a church one) and was delighted to find a Fairphone that is really ethical, although it was expensive. I just hope that I can successfully transfer all my contacts etc. when it arrives.
Music and Fun – I have recorded a few virtual singing parts both for the church and for Hull Choral Union as there were not any instrumental parts this time.
I tried a Broadway dancing class, but it was not for me. I could not remember the steps and the music really got on my nerves when hearing the same bit for about the tenth time. I think I would be better suited to that sort of stately dancing that Elizabeth Bennett does with Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice! If anyone hears of any classes for that please let me know!
We went to the local wood to do a bit of snowdrop replanting and it was good to see that both paths are now nearly entirely lined with snowdrops. We will see the full benefit next year of course.
On Easter Sunday we were in the field just beyond our house and were watching the lambs being born. What a joy, and a privilege to live here.
A friend recommended a book called The Beekeeper of Aleppo and, despite not normally getting to the end of any novel, I completed it in about ten days and really liked it. I learned at the end that it was largely based on fact (that is probably why I liked it) and I learned a lot about refugees and their plight.
I was hoping to have done more cycling than I have but it has been so windy and / or cold that I have not managed it. I have continued to enjoy walking in the local area and am looking forward to the swimming pool opening again.
Finally the Live From London Spring Concert series has been an absolute joy. The one on Good Friday was just perfection and, as well as Faure’s Requiem, there were some short items exquisitely played and sung.
Friday 5th February
I cannot believe that it is nearly two months since my last blog entry and I do not feel as though I have done a lot towards my goals but on close inspection (scouring my diary) I have done some really important things.
Firstly I am now coaching 3 people regularly. One of these is reciprocal coaching with another diploma candidate (in Portugal!) and it is really good to help each other and to see just how well the process works. It is particularly exciting to be able to work with people across the globe – no expensive, time consuming travelling required! I have submitted my first practical assessment for the diploma and am awaiting feedback.
Yesterday I made a video about DISC profiling for the business consultancy who have taken me on to work in this area. I am hoping that this will bring some great opportunities after lockdown ends. I think I will adapt it and put it on this website.
I successfully delivered a talk (about The History of the Violin) to the local U3A and thanks to my husband (for his technical assistance), lots of preparation (recording pieces I would normally play live) and the good behaviour of the internet that day, it went very well. I got a lovely little write up in the local newspaper as well as lots of applause (silent of course) on the day!
I bought and read The Prison Doctor and found it fascinating. I’m not sure what I expected but it did seem that all the inmates are in prison as a result of difficult life events rather than any intention to be bad. This makes me even more determined to help with the charity Hope Into Action as soon as I can. (Beverley will hopefully purchase a house in the not too distant future).
I am continuing to meet with people on zoom – two or three church services a week and the Chicago coaching group every Monday, in addition to seeing friends of course.
I have watched / participated in 2 master classes and 1 webinar (Business), 2 Coaching Academy conversations and a fitness webinar. I am conducting an experiment to see how fit I can get without spending anything! My experience so far could make content for a whole new blog – if this lockdown goes on much longer, it may well just happen!!
Friday December 11th 2020
Since my last blog entry I have been busy but not all related to this website. As winter was approaching fast, and with another lockdown significantly limiting my movements, I have been outside in the garden a fair bit.
I attended a series of courses about running a business as it has been suggested to me that I may want to set up a not for profit organisation in the future. They were more informative and useful than I had anticipated so it was four hours well spent.
I have attended about ten webinars and ‘coaching conversations’ with The Coaching Academy and they are always useful and interesting. I am really keen to set up my own free coaching group similar to the one I have been joining in with in Chicago so I placed an advert / article in the village bulletin which has now been delivered, so I am hopeful that I will get a few people and then it will grow from there. I have added a Life Coaching page to my website now.
I gave a talk on zoom to a church congregation on the Isle of Man and then quite unexpectedly got questions for half an hour. Two of them required detailed answers so I was able to do some research and get back to them quickly, learning a lot in the process.
Musically I am not able to do anything live this Christmas due to the restrictions, so I have made two recordings for church services and put pictures with my playing so it is a bit like a little film. That was a steep learning curve and many thanks to my husband for his patient help – and loan of his computer.
I have contacted some local schools with a view to doing some group and individual coaching next term and two at least seem keen. Not being able to get a flexible / roaming enhanced DBS is a bit of an obstacle and rather irritating, as I have two for specific organisations but they are not transferable.
The YSOM course has finished and I am proud to say that I know a lot more about the New Testament than I did. I am very interested in learning more, so a church leader I know has given me six books to keep me going. I am very grateful for them and looking forward to reading them.
I have done my end of year review and am making my plans / goals for 2021 as I write. It is certainly the oddest review I have ever done, but it is good that it is very different as to some degree the last 33 years have been similar – work, concerts, work concerts … !
Obviously my main goal for next year is to do as much coaching, playing and speaking as I can and raise money for the charities I am supporting and awareness of the world poverty problem wherever it is appropriate.
Thursday 5th November 2020
I gave the Tearfund talk at Thwing church and it was Harvest Festival so the church looked wonderful. It was not really possible to speak to people at the end as nearly everyone left straight after the service so that was a shame.
I also recorded another talk for a church in Warrington and I hope that that all went well with that mp4 on the day – they live stream their services.
We are still joining in two zoom services back to back – one at St. Helen’s, where we were and one with our new village. I like hearing two sermons on the same readings – sometimes three if the Radio 4 service at 8am has been C of E! Unfortunately evensong at Beverley Minster is off again, as is the meeting about Hope Into Action, but there are still plenty of things on line and CD’s to listen to.
There was quite a lot of preparation and follow work for the CAP Money course but it was really good. The resources are excellent and I can’t wait to get out and deliver it. I really think it would be difficult to do online, especially for the first time. Three churches are interested in hosting it next year. 🙂
I have played my violin in an ensemble twice, once with piano (great fun) and once as a quintet recording Christmas music for the Hull Choral Union’s virtual concert. It was really nice to play in a group again but the distance between us was odd and Christmas music in October felt premature but I felt grateful to have the opportunity to play at all.
I am still meeting the group of women from Chicago every week and often doing follow up ‘work’ regarding coaching techniques and ideas. They are a great group – very positive. Also on coaching lines a webinar by Paul McKenna was a real highlight. Another highlight was a talk about presenting live and on line by someone who wrote speeches for Barack and Michelle Obama – fascinating insights.
The YSOM course continues to take up quite a lot of time but is very enjoyable and highly informative. It is so good that it has sparked my interest in the Old Testament and I realise that I need to read the whole bible – with contextual notes. 2021 goal I think.
I completed the second round of DISC training and passed the test with no problems. I am now accredited to administer profiling and interpret results – another thing I can’t wait to do live! The Consultancy Agency I mentioned before have invited me to join their team and I am looking forward to working with them wherever I can.
In the community we helped with a village Treasure Hunt. Unfortunately my job was dishing out bacon sandwiches which, as a vegetarian, was not the most suitable job but it was just wonderful to see so many families having a great time and to be actually doing something with people – albeit at a distance.
All these activities I am doing online are me trying to have more things ready for when life returns to some kind of normality, and then I can get out and make some money for my chosen charities. As it is impossible to spend the entire time on the laptop I have taken the opportunity to do some fun things – outdoors – and we have discovered some lovely walks, nature reserves and garden centres. I even potted a load of plants, indoors and outdoors, and Brit Box is proving useful for a relaxing hour of TV before bedtime.
As I write this I am looking out of my window watching a huge bonfire burn in the field opposite but the big firework display planned at the race course is of course cancelled. I’m preparing for a night of loud bangs as people do their own thing at home – poor pets. 😦
Saturday 3rd October 2020
It seems a very long time since my last blog entry but I have done quite a lot considering I went on holiday for 9 days – my first holiday ever in September and it was fabulous, perfect weather and quiet. Shropshire in September is to be recommended. I didn’t expect my holiday to be any use in terms of my project but having visited a number of Roman ruins and Priories it is tying in with the YSOM course on the New Testament, giving me a visual image of what I am reading about. I have completed the first two lessons and I am really enjoying the preparatory work in particular. The set book is also very good.
As well as attending a number of church services on line we have been to 2 Evensong services in Beverley Minster – just lovely to be back in a church building with real, beautiful singing and music (although we cannot sing yet). Virtual services are however really good in many ways – including actually speaking to people as that is more or less forbidden in the minster!
I will be in another local church on Sunday speaking on behalf of Tearfund so I am really looking forward to that. I was meant to be playing my violin for a church wedding today but when the government reduced the numbers allowed to attend to 15 it was not viable
I have had a meeting with a vicar I know at a church in Hull with a view to doing some voluntary work there when Covid restrictions are lifted. One thing we discussed was the CAP Money course. I have just completed all the preparatory work for my training to be a CAP Money Coach next week – on line – again!
In terms of Life Coaching I have attended 3 more on line sessions with the Coaching Academy and joined a webinar form Texas which is usually an online coaching coffee and chat, their morning, my afternoon. Just amazing – I would never normally get to talk to a life coach in Texas! I am really ready to work with people now – any volunteers?! I also attended an online meeting with the PSA and it was excellent. They had two speakers explaining how to do an on line workshop and guess what, what they described was just like a lesson!
Finally I have had an email from the local consultancy company I contacted and I may just have the opportunity to do some work with them next month – very exciting. 🙂
The MOOCS are on hold but I have been busy with things that happen in real time and, on Monday, I am going to play my violin with a local organist, just for fun but who knows, when concerts start up again….
Wednesday 9th September 2020
The last two weeks have whizzed by and I have taken some time to see friends before they get back on the treadmill of work. Since my last entry I have attended 2 Coaching Academy webinars and done some more work on the World Poverty MOOC. I learned about the psychological problems of people in poverty traps.
I said my piece about my proposed work at the networking meeting and I was advised to consider setting up a ‘not for profit organisation.’ I am looking into this further.
I have been researching ethical tracksuits (for my new ‘work from home’ more lifestyle) and it has taken me ages to find some! In the end I found two that had some ethical credentials. A BENCH one that is made with responsibly sourced cotton from Africa (no information about the making of it however) and a Regatta one – they are members of the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) so that is a very good thing. I emailed ‘Good On You’ about their rating of Regatta which was not good and it turns out that it is an Australian company they have rated, not the UK Regatta so I have emailed Regatta UK also to tell them. I hope the two get together and sort it out as the bad rating nearly put me off buying from Regatta.
Also on the ethical consumer lines I was recommended a company called ‘Who Gives A Crap’ who sell toilet roll and tissues on line and give half of their profits to charities that build toilets in the developing world. They have the most amazing and wacky website but we have ordered half a year’s supply and the box came quickly and it was not expensive (per roll!) Wish we had known about it in lock down! They have given millions of pounds away since starting in 2012.
Having found these items, and the Hope Into Action last month, I am going to add an ‘Ethical Living’ section to this website because it is a very difficult area that takes a lot of research but that would interest many people I am sure (my husband’s idea – I do go on about it a lot!)
Finally I have spoken to the director of a local consultancy company that may need a new DISC presenter / trainer. I can’t wait to get that training completed.
Wednesday 26th August 2020
Last Wednesday afternoon I received the book Hope Into Action – A House Built on Love, which I had ordered from the charity of that name after reading about it in Jonathan Baker’s Beverley Minster blog. It was very inspiring and by Thursday evening I had finished it, scoured the website and taken some action in the form of sending some emails. If a local project happens I would like to be involved in some way. The charity does not ask for monetary donations but financial investment, and help in times of time/expertise – genius!
I have successfully signed up to do the CAP Money course in October which I will then be able to use to deliver training to people in local churches who need help budgeting.
In the coaching department I have completed another webinar and attended an online meeting about Coaching in Education which was excellent. My questions were answered and I can see some possible opportunities for work in this area in the future.
The two Tearfund talks on Sunday morning both went without hitch thanks to some IT support at home and from the church.
I am re-reading the book ‘How much is enough?’ by the Skidelskys. It is explaining why the prediction that we would all be working 15 hours a week by now with the advancement of technology has not happened and, why at the same time, the wealth difference between the rich and the poor has widened so much. Basically we are a very competitive race.
I have done some more work on the World Poverty MOOC. The implications of the S and inverted L shaped graphs are very interesting.
It’s really nice meeting lots of people on line and on Friday I was invited to attend a networking meeting. It was nice to see lots of new faces, as well as one or two familiar ones albeit virtual. This week I will try to tell them what I am planning to do in 30 seconds!
Wednesday 19th August 2020
Since last week I have completed the three DISC coaching sessions and found it interesting and fun. My own personal profile was very accurate! I can see me using and delivering this information / technique so I may go on to do the optional more advanced training.
I launched the website on Saturday morning and have had over 40 likes and lots of nice comments on Facebook so that is a very encouraging start.
I have started two MOOCS – one is on world poverty and one on rhetoric. They look straightforward so far but it is early days.
On Sunday I am delivering two Tearfund talks live on line – is that live? Or do I say ‘virtually live’ or ‘I am zooming two talks’? I like the word ‘zooming’ as it sounds very energetic yet involves sitting in a chair!
Wednesday 12th August 2020
Hoping to launch my website today – this is it – I’m off on my new journey! I have been busy during lock down doing a lot of research on world poverty, life coaching and making contacts with charities such as Christian Aid. I have even done an online course on Social Media! On Monday I had a very positive session with a life coach who gave me the final push I needed to get out there and to commit to formally finishing the Life Coaching diploma. Every Life Coach has to have their own Life Coach. The Coaching Academy insists on it!
Today I have recorded a talk for Tearfund, launched this website. Later I am doing the first part of the DISC training towards completion of my life Coaching diploma.
Louise Ann Sanderson - Violinist, Speaker and Life Coach 