Category Archives: Other matters

The mental health of our kids and school.

Posted on March 5, 2016 by neilrobbie

The BBC has reported a significant rise in mental health issues for Britain’s school children. The problem has reached such endemic proportions that heads of schools are urging the government to improve CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and the … Continue reading →

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Rend Collective – Lighthouse

Posted on February 27, 2016 by neilrobbie

I am most probably a bit behind the curve, but I have just discovered the Rend Collective, and I particularly enjoy this visually stunning rendition of “My Lighthouse.” There’s a great testimony, about identity, rugby and how injury led, I … Continue reading →

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O come, o come Emmanuel.

Posted on December 18, 2015 by neilrobbie

We used this Youtube version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel at our school end of term service to capture the lament of the people of Israel before the birth of Christ.  Beautiful.  Thank you AGC Church.

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Broken (an advent lament)

Posted on December 15, 2015 by neilrobbie

Our A&E groans like a gangrenous laugh, satisfaction now far from both patients and staff. An NHS ward makes up the next bed, as suffering souls become targets instead. Consultants are drawn by satisfaction and pay, and the mind stretching … Continue reading →

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A journalist asked me…Is Britain still a Christian nation?

Posted on December 7, 2015 by neilrobbie

I was called today to comment on the Woolf Institute report which, it has been claimed, concludes than Britain is no longer a Christian nation. This is what I said: We can’t understand our culture, society, literature and many of … Continue reading →

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Cameron needs to unite the country to pay down the debt

Posted on May 8, 2015 by neilrobbie

It was once thought that living standards in the UK would always go on rising. It was also claimed, by Gordon Brown, that there would be no more return to boom and bust. Then, in 2008, the UK suffered bust … Continue reading →

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The end of the end of austerity.

Posted on May 5, 2015 by neilrobbie

Some politicians are calling for “the end of austerity.”  It is a magical political phrase.  To the general public it conveys generosity as opposed to austere, miserly scroogishness. To public servants it sounds hopeful; “Ooo, a possible pay rise or … Continue reading →

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Why Britain needs a new heart. Food banks and £1.56 trillion public debt: the problem is not political but pastoral

Posted on April 24, 2015 by neilrobbie

BBC Question Time last night left me deeply depressed by petty squabbling over the economy and the lack any real solution to our national problems of unplayable and burgeoning debt, £1,560,000,000,000 which increases by £107,000,000,000 per annum with only £513,000,000,000 … Continue reading →

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5th Anniversary of being a Vicar

Posted on March 10, 2014 by neilrobbie

Today is the 5th anniversary of my induction as vicar of Holy Trinity West Bromwich.  It seems like no time at all since I rang the bell of the church 13 or 14 times, indicating that we hoped to stay … Continue reading →

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Spot the differnce? Vicarage changes

Posted on February 28, 2014 by neilrobbie

Just a bit of Friday fun.  Can you spot the difference between these two photos of the vicarage.  The first was taken in November 2008 and the second yesterday (27th Feb 2014).  The first correct answer, without prior knowledge of … Continue reading →

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