As one of the organisers, I'm in a slightly awkward position because, if I say I think it was a great Summer School, it sounds too much like I'm blowing my own trumpet. I do have to say, though, that it was good!
I think its success had little to do with me or the rest of the organising team and a great deal to do with the people who came. It was lovely to meet old friends and wonderful to make lots of new friends, for there were more new faces than I remember in my few years of Summer School attendance. It was especially good to have so many young people with us. Youngsters from 11 to 17 took part in the youth workshop, led by Bill Tamblyn (with a little help from his friend, Miko). Bill engaged the young people in a way that only he can. What they did in their workshop fed into the liturgies and the young people made a visible and valuable contribution. If pressed, I think they'd probably say that the afternoon they spent on the beach was the most enjoyable. They came back wet and sandy and with their lips sealed about ice cream! As well as those who took part in the youth workshop, we were fortunate to have a number of other very talented young adults, who participated fully throughout the week.
As I had a fair bit of running about to do this year, I chose not to take part in the choral society and so it was a real treat to watch Nick Baty's group perform at the concert on Thursday. 'I Will Follow Him' from Sister Act was one of the most entertaining 'turns' I've seen. But then the concert revealed a wealth of talent with one of the younger participants, Ben, performing an entire Jasper Carrot sketch from memory. Miko and friends had us all guessing by chanting Beatles' songs in Latin, which the audience then had to identify. The highlight had to be a performance of something in four parts (I'm afraid I was laughing too much to take it in) on the kazoo. And the absolute best bit was when the kazoo-ists fell about laughing themselves and had to regroup, and retune, before they could continue.
Aside from the fun element, I enjoyed the liturgies and the lectures, especially the personal testament by Bishop Crispian Hollis. I found the reflection on the liturgies, led by Aidan Rossier, particularly interesting. We looked at what had worked, what hadn't and why. These sessions provoked a good deal of very useful discussion.
I thought Sneaton Castle was a lovely venue (it helped that we had sunshine all week) and the staff and the community there couldn't have been more welcoming.
I must make special mention of the workshop leaders who all did a wonderful job and joined in fully with everything that went on during the week.
So, I think I can safely say I enjoyed the week and I'd venture to suggest that the summer school was a success, made so by the people who took part.
