Wedding terror.

[gwyn]

Telephone call from P.P. at 12.20 one Saturday back last August.
"Hello there Gwyn. Are you on your way here?”
"On my way? No. Why?"
"You're playing at the wedding."
"Wedding? Oh, right. What time's that then?"
"In ten minutes time" replied the P.P.. "Where are you?"

- - - reader to imagine an anguish-sodden stunned silence - - -

"I'm 20 miles away trying on a pair of trousers in a shop fitting room.”

In 26 years of RC organ-bashing this was my worst nightmare.

As it happened the P.P. put on a C.D. of the bridal march and quickly juggled the order of service around. I drove as quickly as the road-works laden speed-limited excuse for a carriage-way would permit. The P.P. extending his homily to make up for my 30 minute lateness.

Phew!

[asb]

Thing is, Gwyn, had you been told about it before and forgotten - or had PP forgotten to tell you? (I know where my money would be!)

I was on my way to play for a funeral last year at an Anglican church where I (used to!!!) deputise. I had been told it was at 2.30, and even had a letter of confirmation from the undertakersand I was aiming to be there at 2.00. At 1.59 my mobile rang and I pulled over (naturally..!) Undertaker's office: "Err, (won't say his name!) did tell you it's now starting at 2.oo didn't he....? He hadn't! I arrived at church to find coffin on bearers' shoulders and family lined up glaring at me, then had to walk through a packed church to the organ, accompanied by whispers of "The organist's late!! No one quite believed my version of the story and I've never been asked back there!

[contrabordun]

I was saved from exactly this fate last year by a late running hearse...

[presbyter]

"I'm 20 miles away ........ 30 minute lateness

Even allowing for the hyperbolic nature of that statement, 20 miles in 30 minutes is very naughty in a built-up area - this was before the advent of the speed camera?

[gwyn]

Quoted Presbyter,

20 miles in 30 minutes is very naughty in a built-up area

Only a bit built-up, Merthyr Tydfil to Abergavenny. The road dualling work is progressing nicely now. Let the reader understand.

[musicus]

... this was before the advent of the speed camera?

A tenuous link, but appreciated.