IT is interesting that the lines "Never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee" by the 17th century Church of England priest John Donne are often quoted as one of the most well-known lines
of poetry in the English language.
In fact, though, they are from a work of prose, Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, and severall steps in my Sickness, published in 1624.
In this solemn season preceding Advent and Christmas, there are a number of occasions which mark remembrance, all within a short space of time:
All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day and Remembrance Sunday all usually occurring within 10 days of each other. For this reason, some in the church refer to it by the term Remembrancetide, which also encompasses the 5th of November.
For many, the origins of Bonfire Night might be shrouded in history, but it started as an occasion of thanksgiving for the failure of the plot to blow up the Palace of Westminster in 1605.
These days, it is marked by fireworks and community bonfires all across southern Oxfordshire and throughout the country.
One of the longest-running events locally takes place at South Park in Oxford, to where two
people who had randomly turned up at the Abingdon taxi rank asked to be taken, early on Saturday evening, for a night of festivities.
When we got there, the sound of the firework explosions that night once again reminded me of the time two years ago in Jerusalem, when my friend
presided at Holy Communion in the open air, to the sound of explosions and gunfire over the Old City.
So, I went home early, because I no longer tolerate all that well the sound of the random explosions which accompany a night shift, on the Saturday closest to the 5th of November.
Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday once again approach, when communities across Oxfordshire enact familiar civic and military
rituals, invariably accompanied by aural symbols.
For some years, there has been a large full-size model Spitfire on the top of Lodge Hill.
It seems incongruous at motor trade premises, but Abingdon is a place which loves its civic traditions.
This Remembrancetide, an electronic notification arrived from the county council, that there is to be a repatriation of a fallen serviceman in Oxfordshire this week – a poignant reminder that people are
still dying whilst in service. Never send to know for whom the bell tolls – or for whom the phone beeps.
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