I have known Basil for almost 30 years.  I am the assistant priest at St. Michael’s Church, Barnes.

It was not an auspicious beginning. 

I was still a deacon (women did not become priests in England up to 1994) and Basil was not sure where he stood on women priests generally and probably, me, specifically!!  But as the years went on our friendship and mutual respect developed – it may well have helped that my husband shares Basil’s love and knowledge of music – so by extension I became more acceptable.  But also, parish life moved on and I covered three interregnums and good things happened.  It also may have helped that my main job for the diocese for 16 years was as the vice principal of a scheme which trained ordinands and then I became (and still am) a chaplain at Kingston Hospital. 

So, it was one of those quiet friendships, which just grew.  And as Basil became less robust he seemed pleased I was around.  So, God works in mysterious ways – and from a shaky start we developed very strong  and vibrant roots recognising we shared so much in common regarding issues of faith, Christian values and worship.  We walked together.

 

Judith Roberts (Rev)