ARTICLE - The Parish Magazine Arrives

I only know her as the lady with stick legs. Not a kind term I know, but an accurate description. She is small, with legs so spindly there can hardly be room left for muscle any more. I am used to seeing her brisk but hobbling walk, proceeding at a steady pace the mile down the road into town.  With colourful leggings, big dark sunglasses, the sort Anna Wintour would wear, a large canvas bag  rammed securely in her armpit, the handles resting floppy and helplessly on her shoulder, pink wool hat swamping her head, her appearance is, as always, presentable, neat.

For someone who appears so physically frail, her evidently spirited defiance, her determination to keep going, doing what she's doing, rings out loud and clear. This has always seemed so admirable and something for me to try to emulate. So prone to internal complaint as I am. Just keep on walking till you can no more. During the last week I've encountered her a couple of times on the narrow path venturing out of the village. As ever on her way into town, as I am on my way back. The path at points barely wide enough for two to pass easily, so one of us will have to step into the road. 

The Highway Code has it, that in such situations it is the person facing the direction of traffic that should walk in the road. But not many folk younger than I, appear to know or care to follow this anymore. And so it frequently becomes a game of chicken, of who will crack first. If it is myself, then I may get a 'thank you' or at least a 'good mornin' in acknowledgement. 

For some, however, the sense of embarrassed indebtedness to a stranger appears to freeze their basic politeness or humanity.  Not knowing how to respond to such considerateness, they appear to try pretending I'm not there and walk on by, briskly,. Face turned down or looking askance as if meaningfully distracted by the beauty of a yew hedge. Mostly these sorts of pedestrians are tourists. Either doing the circular walk back to town or returning from seeing the National Trust, Sheringham Park estate. 

My lady with the stick legs, she knows the form. But it doesn't feeI right for her to walk in the road, even though it is the done thing. In the end we simultaneously step into the road, and it then becomes a question of who will step back onto the path. It is I. She stays walking on the road up the hill. Remarking, 'I think it should be me' as she passes by. She wants no favours in deference to her age or relative infirmity.

I don't think I've seen her delivering the Parish Magazine before today. But then, we don't usually. Its quite often posted through our letter box when we are out. Link Up - The Weybourne Group of Parishes. February & March 2022. Its a well put together pamphlet. Pretty much your standard local village church magazine, full of adverts for chimney sweeps and funeral directors, church or village hall events, the days the mobile library is at the village well, jumble sales or car boots, an introductory page 'From Reverand Ian' the peripatetic vicar, as its opening frontispiece, a list of the services, where and when they are to be held printed inside the back cover. 

Because I saw it was her delivering it, I gave it more attention than I would normally. The front cover a stylised heart shaped tree made with words. What I was struck by, were those words among the branches. All those good qualities and virtuous natures to encourage in oneself. Peace - Joy - Cheerfulness - Hope - Humility - Kindness - Tolerance - Forgiveness - Wisdom - Love - Mercy - Patience - Faithfulness - Gentleness - Goodness - Self-control - Grace.  Active principles the 'stick legged lady' is no doubt still trying to put into regular daily practice. As she walks purposefully in and out of town. 

Its very common these days to sweepingly dismiss Christianity and established religious institutions to one side, as an irrelevant anachronism at best. To place too much weight on faults or failings in practice, rather than the ideals of the founding guiding principles. Yet so much happens in North Norfolk as a result of Christian practice. Local church goers provide a great deal of much needed practical help and support. The fabric of communities held together by the glue of those qualities and values displayed on the front of The Parish Magazine. Actively practiced and socially engaged.