What is in Kelvin's Head?

100 Years at Bridge of Weir

Last Saturday evening I found myself in Bridge of Weir. The choir from St Mary’s Cathedral (well, as many of the choir as could fit) went down to Bridge of Weir Episcopal Church to sing Evensong as part of their centenary celebrations. I went principally because someone was needed to sing the versicles for them to make their responses to. Rose responses, Noble in B Minor, Batten’s O Sing Joyfully, an upbeat sermon from the Dean and hearty hymn singing helped usher a second 100 years in for this congregation.

People often presume that I only like the splendor and the pomp of a big cathedral occasion but then people presume quite a lot of things about me that turn out not to be quite the way things really are. That Evensong was a brilliant way to spend a Saturday evensong, as much for the stories from people over the bunfight as for the worship. Congratulations to the whole congregation at St Mary’s Bridge of Weir and to Colum McGranaghan their priest as they reach this milestone and look forward into the future.

Comments

21 responses to “100 Years at Bridge of Weir”

  1. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Okay, I can’t resist this opportunity to clear up yet another expat confusion (there are so many). What, pray tell, is a bunfight? I have heard of them, and possibly participated in them, but am uncertain as to what they really are!

    Reply
  2. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    Bunfight
    – noun
    1. The feeding of groups of people with buns, sandwiches and esp sausage rolls.
    2. The liturgical throwing of buns in the liturgy of the Western Church. Takes place after the great Amen at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer. See also liturgical bun recipes.
    3. Fuddle (informal)

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  3. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    See, I *knew* I’d participated in such things. Yet another confusion resolved!

    Reply
  4. Kennedy Avatar
    Kennedy

    In the Presbyterian tradition the elements offered for the bunfight are known as the ‘purvey’, as in ‘The John Knox Free Church does a lovely purvey’.

    Reply
  5. Kelvin Avatar
    Kelvin

    Thanks Kennedy.

    Now you mention it, I have heard that word before. It is one of those words (like, “intimations”) which one just wants to steal.

    “Purvey” and “intimations” are both words which might or might not be camp, and are all the more delicious for so being.

    Is there a dictionary of camp ecclesiastical English useage anywhere online? If not, there should be.

    Reply
  6. Lay Clerk Avatar
    Lay Clerk

    I understand that a few years ago the film Four Weddings and a Funeral was known in some quarters as Five Co-Op Purveys!

    Reply
  7. Kimberly Avatar
    Kimberly

    I have no desire to steal either purvey or intimations. Both horrid pretentious words. But I suppose my set of words would seem equally wrong to the British ear (pot-luck, coffee, reception…)

    Reply
  8. Fiona Avatar
    Fiona

    Ah I remember the purvey from Sunday School picnics when I was little! A white cardboard box containing a sausage roll, a sandwich, a cake and a biscuit! Happy memories – now vegetarian;-)

    Reply
  9. revruth Avatar
    revruth

    Now I thought purvey was only after funerals and bunfight for the happier occasions.

    Intimations doesn’t do it for me. It just sounds too…. what?… intimate?

    Reply
  10. Kelvin Avatar
    Kelvin

    Mother Ruth, can I suggest that you try different ways of pronouncing “intimations”. I’m sure you will see the benefit.

    Layclerk – “5 Co-op Purveys” – excellent.

    Kimberly – “pot-luck” sounds rather more exciting than a purvey. Am I right in suspecting that sausage rolls are not involved in a pot-luck? If that is the case, they are obviously different things.

    Bridge of Weir were serving rather excellent looking sausages along with their other fare. I’m sausage-free at the moment, but looked on with jealous eyes.

    Reply

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