This year's official photo. He doesn't look like a trouble maker.

Glorious. . . Not so glorious. . .

There goes the neighbourhood. . .

One of the few perks that ministers get in England is that the manse is quite often located in a 'desirable' part of town. With home prices in Bath some of the most expensive in the entire United Kingdom we live in a house far above our means -very far! The church purchased the house in the late 1800s when it was still reasonably priced for the frugal Congregationalists.

We've been noticing a house down the street going through some major renovations. Renovations in this neighbourhood, because of its historic value, are through the roof themselves; since everything has to be renovated to conservation standards. Remember my stone wall repair (see 20 October 2006 entry.)

Well today I found out that the house has been purchased by Olly Barkley. That name probably doesn't ring a bell with most of you. But he is a world class Rugby player and is one of the stars of Bath Premiership Rugby Team. In American Football terms, he isn't a Peyton Manning but he is at least an Eli Manning. He has also had a run in with the the law after a bar room scuffle earlier this year. Our Neighbourhood Watch will have to keep an eye on him. I attach a photo of a moment of glory and a moment he rued.