ST Andrew-by-the-wardrobe...

...is a fine Wren church that stands facing the river, not far from Blackfriars. An excellent venue for the special Evensong last week to mark the 45th anniversary of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some lovely singing from the St-Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe girls' choir, who looked extremely charming in their red-checked school dresses (Sir John Cass Foundation School)and were so delightful aftewards, helping to hand round the drinks and snacks... Dr Richard Chartres, the (Anglican) Bishop of London, preached extremely well, placing the evening in the great perspective of 2,000 years of Christian life and worship. I am so glad I attended this very special event: may the EBVM grow and flourish. London is looking beautiful in its Diamond Jubilee flags - and the weather is just right. This isn't a hot-weather city, and on scorching days it feels bleak, with dust and insufficient shade, and few fountains and too much traffic, and plump people exposing too much scorched pink flesh and dropping their drink-cans and expanded-polystyrene cups and ice-cream wrappers everywhere...Today, in cold winds and grey might-it-rain mode, the bright shops and red buses and chattering people exude a welcome. I am off to Westminster Cathedral for the Diamond Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass, wearing a new dress and matching hat...