Tuesday 8th September

I didn't know until it was pointed out to me today by an American that tomorrow the Queen becomes the longest reigning monarch, surpassing Queen Victoria's reign.   I remember - 63 years and 218 days ago - when she became Queen, don't we all of my generation remember where we were on that day......I was in my classroom and Mr. Lewis, the headmaster, came round the school and informed us all.  It was such a shock.   George V1 was not in particularly good health, but he wasn't dying either.   Well, obviously he was, but we weren't aware of it.

I  wondered how Mr Lewis knew.  He wasn't in the habit of watching tv, or listening to the radio in his office during his working day. 

I do also remember when she surpassed George IIIs 59 year reign, and everyone wondered if she would beat Queen Victoria's record.

I have been so taken aback today by the news of Bishop Peter Ball, who after all these decades has finally admitted today at the Old Bailey that he did in fact abuse all those young men and boys at his home in Litlington, when he was Bishop of Lewes.

The evidence at the time was pretty damning, but I liked him so much - everyone did - he was so kindly and popular, his sermons were always delivered with warmth and humour, he could hold the attention of any congregation.    At the time I tried to cling to the belief  that the allegations might not be true,  I saw a letter he wrote to a clergy friend of mine saying that he accepted the caution because he didn't want to drag the church through a scandal, but round the edges of my mind I just couldn't understand  why he didn't rigorously try to prove his innocence of an allegation that was so serious.

When he left Lewes he became Bishop of Gloucester, which is one of the most prestigious dioceses in the country, and to some extent that allayed some of my doubts.

I've been looking at everything about it on the Internet today, it has all come back to me like it was yesterday, and I can only say "how COULD you, how COULD you".   What has this done to the Church of England.      If ever there was a wolf in sheeps clothing......................