Neil "Nello" Baldwin and me On Sunday morning (24th May) I went to St Margaret’s Church in Crick. The reason for my trip was to attend a service delivered in part by the marvellous, and increasingly famous, Neil “Nello” Baldwin. I have written about this chap on my website a few times before (please read this post too – it saves me having to repeat myself) and so when the chance came to meet him, I had to take it.
Indeed the chance came about by chance because the marvellous Mrs Baldwin chanced upon a small space article on page five of the Daventry Express (from May 21st) – image shared below.
The service was due to start at 11:15; I left with plenty of time to get to Crick, which was fortunate because there was an accident on the A5 that had closed the road at the turning I needed to take – the necessary detour meant I got to the church just minutes before worship commenced.
I met Neil at entrance of the church, was able say hello, spend a few moments chatting and get him to sign my copy of the Marvellous DVD.
The service included five hymns of Neil’s choice, including “O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder” which was the background hymn played by all the musicians gathered together at various points in the Marvellous drama.
As part of the proceedings, Neil delivered a sermon from the pulpit and mentioned that he has an upcoming appointment to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury to receive an award for faith broadcasting (or something similar anyway).
That recognition comes hot on the heels of BAFTA success and gaining the freedom of the city of Stoke On Trent. My view, shared by many others, is that a knighthood for Nello ought to be the next agenda item. Sir Neil Baldwin has a nice ring to it.
During the church service there was an elderly lady behind me that had an incredible singing voice, in fact I was impressed enough to mention it to her when proceedings allowed. I said something along the lines of “God didn’t bless me with the ability to sing but you have the voice of an angel”. A bit cheesy in hindsight, but I meant it and I am sure she appreciated the compliment.
In turns out that this lady was a long term choir member who had a stroke and, though recovered, was less mobile than ideal for strolling up and down the aisle; her qualification for the choir – she had been an opera singer. I was not even surprised, she really was that good.
Having struck up a rapport, I subsequently lent her my arm for the trip down the length of the church to take communion.
At the end of the ceremonies, hot food had been laid on by the Reverend Lake for the entire congregation. After Neil had eaten, I had my opportunity to speak to him and sort out the photographs shared in this post.
It was a pleasure to meet Neil Baldwin, he was/is a good sport. Equally it was marvellous to be welcomed into a church despite not being a member of the congregation or the immediate community. I had a nice time and am really pleased that I went.
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Indeed the chance came about by chance because the marvellous Mrs Baldwin chanced upon a small space article on page five of the Daventry Express (from May 21st) – image shared below.
The service was due to start at 11:15; I left with plenty of time to get to Crick, which was fortunate because there was an accident on the A5 that had closed the road at the turning I needed to take – the necessary detour meant I got to the church just minutes before worship commenced.
I met Neil at entrance of the church, was able say hello, spend a few moments chatting and get him to sign my copy of the Marvellous DVD.
The service included five hymns of Neil’s choice, including “O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder” which was the background hymn played by all the musicians gathered together at various points in the Marvellous drama.
As part of the proceedings, Neil delivered a sermon from the pulpit and mentioned that he has an upcoming appointment to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury to receive an award for faith broadcasting (or something similar anyway).
That recognition comes hot on the heels of BAFTA success and gaining the freedom of the city of Stoke On Trent. My view, shared by many others, is that a knighthood for Nello ought to be the next agenda item. Sir Neil Baldwin has a nice ring to it.
During the church service there was an elderly lady behind me that had an incredible singing voice, in fact I was impressed enough to mention it to her when proceedings allowed. I said something along the lines of “God didn’t bless me with the ability to sing but you have the voice of an angel”. A bit cheesy in hindsight, but I meant it and I am sure she appreciated the compliment.
In turns out that this lady was a long term choir member who had a stroke and, though recovered, was less mobile than ideal for strolling up and down the aisle; her qualification for the choir – she had been an opera singer. I was not even surprised, she really was that good.
Having struck up a rapport, I subsequently lent her my arm for the trip down the length of the church to take communion.
At the end of the ceremonies, hot food had been laid on by the Reverend Lake for the entire congregation. After Neil had eaten, I had my opportunity to speak to him and sort out the photographs shared in this post.
It was a pleasure to meet Neil Baldwin, he was/is a good sport. Equally it was marvellous to be welcomed into a church despite not being a member of the congregation or the immediate community. I had a nice time and am really pleased that I went.
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