Reflections

Clockwise from top left Technical assistance for the bubble machine; refreshment HQ; Rod and The Tree; Preparing for the children to arrive - the Pathfinders’ name stickers

Day 2 of Lifepath 2024 dawned warm and sunny.

In the Priory churchyard a pair of Meadow Brown butterflies flitted lazily amongst the long grasses of the Environment Group’s no mow area…just feet from the hustle and bustle of Church Street.

Schoolchildren converged on the Priory. Over 130 excited, chattering youngsters, wondering what the day might bring…and it certainly opened eyes and enquiring minds to some fascinating facts.

In Mediaeval Sea and Sky, they discovered that people were convinced that dragons existed, and that they could fly. Dragons were dangerous things. Skin conditions were believed to be caused by dragon wee falling on the unfortunate victim as a dragon flew overhead.

Upstairs, in the scriptorium, children learnt the art of calligraphy, carefully holding their pens, which had a blade, not a point, and producing beautiful illustrated manuscripts. Without scribes copying books, knowledge would have been lost forever.

Brows were furrowed in concentration as tunes were carefully played on the fine set of Priory handbells. Silvery, tinkling sounds floated out of the window. Visitors to the Priory (we’re still open!) stopped to listen, unaware that the melodious music was being played by novices.

In the Priory, the busy refreshment station was adorned with a vibrant bunch of home-grown heavily-scented sweet peas. Rod, the vicar gave detailed instructions to the hapless ‘Mr Pop’ from the Lifepath play, in the hope he could make the magic tree work for tomorrow’s performance of ‘Zaccheus’. Third time lucky, maybe? And the new bubble machine was prepared for its maiden voyage..

If you’re coming to Lifepath tomorrow, we’re really looking forward to welcoming you to Great Malvern Priory. See you soon!