CHURCH. Now, whether you are a regular attendee, or one of the many that just use it, as it suits them, or when they feel it’s needed for some particular occasion, the Church does play a part in all our lives from the beginning to the end.

The three columns — births, deaths, and marriages — say it all.

But sad to say, I think we do abuse its hospitality, generosity and good nature.

On Saturday morning the great and the good of Blackburn, plus many others, including Bill and I attended the induction ceremony being held in order to welcome our new ninth Bishop, Julian Tudor Henderson.

As I sat there, I marvelled at the absolute splendid architecture of it and I thought how lucky we are, here in Blackburn, to have such a beautiful building and also in having such dedicated people to cherish and care for it.

Television, let’s face it there is no doubt that it now plays quite a big part in our lives and fills a great deal of our time.

Oh, yes, I know it’s a boon to the lonely, but I often wonder if they would make a lot more effort not to be so lonely if they didn’t have the television set as a constant companion.

I have a friend who lives alone and who limits her social life — why?

Because she says it’s vital that she watches certain programmes.

When I say ‘but why don’t you record them, her answer is ‘Margo. it’s not the same’.

I have to face it, it’s now officially autumn — known to the more poetical as the ‘season of mellow fruitfulness’.

But to me it means that there’s no more hoping for long, hot steamy days; we are now in the days of brown fallen leaves, cardigans, boots, fires and, sadly, it’s farewell to the summer.

I’m saying sadly, but there’s a big part of me that likes winter; it means that the garden is no longer constantly begging me to ‘come out and do something’ and without the guilt I can sit down by the fire — and watch TV!