Summer celebrations

When Compass, Bermondsey's newest secondary school, approached us about using the church for their forthcoming summer production, The Lost Voice, and when we heard the play had an intriguing link with the Bermonsey dragon, we gladly agreed.

What talented youngsters they were who sung, acted, and danced their hearts out for two nights at St James, using the nave of the church, the narthex, the front steps, and the crypt for a kind of moving  production in which the audience travelled with the actors.

Excellent.

Meanwhile the dragon itself was the centre of attention for today's open day which also featured a tour of the hidden corners of the church, including the organ gallery, the pauper's gallery, the belfry, and our cavernous crypt.

After that we had the happy celebration of Richard and Samantha's Wedding. Every blessing to them.

Finally, to return to school summer productions, here are a couple of pics of St James's School's year 5 and 6 superb production of Bugsy Malone from Thursday:

Well done to years 5 and 6 and to all the students at Compass (one of whom, as he proudly told me, was ex-St James's boy).