Page 61 - Phonebox Magazine October 2015

Divisions Ahead
Geoff Bacchus
haunted buildings in the whole town. There have been many paranormal experiences reported by residents of the building, including banging noises from inside the thick walls! Often visitors of the building report feeling a bit overcome and strange when they go inside.
[These stories have been inspired by the Paranormal Echoes of Newport Pagnell Team and Julie Wilson’s book, Haunted Places in Newport Pagnell]
Rites of Passage
There are three stages in a rite of passage: separation, transition and incorporation, so with marriage the couple moves from
their old, single life (separation), through engagement (transition), to their new life in the community as a married couple (incorporation).
Wedding Ceremonies
Marriage is thought to be one of the earliest social institutions and the use of vows helps to strengthen the community through clarifying expected behaviour in the new role.
Traditionally wedding ceremonies are performed in church or a registry office, however there is a trend towards civil
Along with surely every other Conservative I’m laughing at the Labour party’s determination to tear themselves into shreds:
but we should maybe hold our breath awhile for a significant fissure stands to divide our own government away from most of ourselves.
Party Chairman Lord Feldman is seeking opinions and ideas for “The Way Forward” for the party’s operation. The very Question is a meek admission that the leadership have lost their way. The root of the problem lay in the choice of David Cameron as leader in 2005 which surrendered us into the hands of a small oligarchy intent on rearranging the whole command structure, to place all policy commitments within a cabinet circle as opposed to the traditional role of the annual conference; Cameron and co were back to the same control freakery as had been practised by Blair over the Labour party. Dissent was to be stamped out quite ruthlessly which left grass roots members around the constituencies with no voice. When first I paid subscriptions to the Conservatives in 1952 I became one with close to three million people which number scarcely changed through the Macmillan and Thatcher times. Under the oligarchs most members have seen subscribing as frankly pointless, to-day I’m one of little more than sixty thousand so the party can
ceremonies where the couple are able to choose their own vows and include readings, music, symbols and rituals that suit themselves, with much of the content delivered by a civil celebrant. Ancient traditions, such as Hand Fasting are also being reintroduced.
Symbolism exists in modern weddings for example the bridal Veil symbolises purity; each partner symbolically lighting the Unity Candle demonstrates the move from two individuals to one couple; the Rings
no longer live on subscription income and must fiddle funding by dubious means. At last year’s annual conference only 38% of the seats were occupied by constituency members, 62% were occupied by corporate groups and lobbyists purchasing access to senior government persons!
Now every worm must sooner or later turn and snap. The European issue looks likely to be Cameron’s nemesis. He has invested much of his credibility capital on his belief that we may be persuaded to accept whatever crumbs of comfort he may glean from the Brussels crowd. Already he has been attempting to move the goal posts as to managing the promised referendum, and already he has been baulked in parliament. Our long awaited referendum will therefore be fought out on a level playing field. Right now the Conservatives command an overall majority in parliament but clearly Cameron does not command overall control of the party. In the probable event that we escape from the clutches of Brussels the traditionalists built around the 1922 committee will surely form a party distinct from the Europhile group. Future general elections could have us choosing from among two brands of Conservatism, two or more from the Labour remnant and various greens and luddites. Forming a government could become quite problematical. Exciting! GB
Three Stages
represent devotion and are on the 4th finger as this was thought to connect with the heart. There are more ancient customs: Jumping the Broom symbolising sweeping away the old and jumping into the new and Tying the Knot with a special cord that strengthens the coupling and unites the newlyweds until the evening. In medieval times Cakes and Ale were consumed as symbols of fertility - the ale from a Loving Cup - whereas now we have the wedding cake and a shared toast. Interestingly, divorce, although clearly a change in social status, is rarely regarded as a rite of passage, and has no social ceremony. Perhaps this is because divorce is not socially approved of?
For more information contact Naomi Jones, Civil Celebrant 07496 730769 naomi@ heartandsoulscelebrant.co.uk
Phonebox Magazine 61