Until yesterday I thought that new boilers were installed and newspapers were collated, but last night both of these verbs happened to my father when he formally became the Archdeacon of Malmesbury in Bristol Cathedral. And what a wonderful occasion it was! Joined by family, friends, and supporters as well as a long procession of robed church leaders, we enjoyed sublime music from the choir and a sermon from Bishop Lee.

Standing at the lectern, very little of my Susannah could be seen behind the bronze eagle, but her command of the space and every word she read could be heard clearly at the back. So yesterday was my chance to sit and be proud of both my father and my sister.