Sweet song amidst the clamour

We joined the congregation at St Mary's Parish Church in Tenby town centre this morning. The main street outside was cordoned off for the day's running events and crowded with people, spectators and runners for different events. The PA music and continuous commentary stream was obtrusively loud, even in the depths of the beautiful 12 century church filled with morning sunlight. It has many large windows, and thus is susceptible to intrusive street noise. Hardly an issue most Sundays, but today, a ruination of the sacred peace of the Lord's day.

Fr Andrew the Vicar was understandably tensed up by the competitive noise from beyond, doing a sound check before starting wondering if he was going to be heard. The marathon was timed to start as the Eucharist began. His appeals to the Council events management had been ignored over several years. The might of numbers who make sport their religion and are indifferent to ancient tradition, is all that matters these days.

The service began against this backdrop with the gentle sound of the 30 strong robed church choir singing an introit anthem in a choir vestry which opens out into a long chancel. This must be a regular occurrence as it brought a slightly distracted talkative congregation to stillness and quiet attention. And then, the first hymn was sung in procession. A nice touch.

  

I think there were about a hundred of us present. Almost nobody under fifty. The Vicar blessed those running at the end of the service. I thought this was generous. I don't suppose anyone would relay this gesture back to the overamplified commentariat outside on the street, but it was a good example of blessing rather than cursing those who take no thought for the Lord's service on the Lord's Day.

After a snack lunch I walked out along North Beach and on along  the Coast Path to find the secluded Waterwynch Cove, on a spur that descends from the main path to the sea in a narrow valley containing several substantial private properties. The Coast path itself is well marked and surfaced, but has some stiff long gradients. I was pretty tired by the time I got back even though I'd only walked just over five miles. I'm used to walking in the coastal plain of Cardiff these days and not quite as fit as I think I am.