Congratulations to my nephew Garry and his wife Penny Goodman on their ordination at Norwich Cathedral on 3 October by the Lord Bishop of Norwich, assisted by the Bishop of Lynn. Gerry is the son of the late Joe and Sally Goodman of Commonwood and Penny is the daughter of Joan and the late Reverend Jack Tomlinson of Sarratt.

We were welcomed by the Dean of Norwich and the procession then moved along the nave to greet the Bishop and his company at the Great West Door. The Archdeacon of Norwich read the names of those being ordained, after which each was vested with a stole. Garry’s stole was embroidered with a cockerel, sheep and farm animals; Penny’s stole was embroidered with butterflies, dragonflies and wild flowers. The cathedral was full and the singing really did raise the roof. I was told 200 people came from their village, it was a wonderful experience to witness two members of our family being ordained. May they have the grace and power to fulfil their ministry serving the people in word and deed in Buxton and the Bure Valley in Norfolk. Peggy Harpley