Again, as night draws in I can smell smoke this evening. I wondered who had lit a bonfire yesterday and this morning. Sadly it’s much more serious. Smoke from wildfire the size of 300 football pitches can be smelt 30 miles away www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

What is this? Not seen any of this for a long time. The air is so much fresher.

As a type 1 diabetic I’m very impressed at Alexander Zverev competing in Wimbledon. It shows that with careful management we can overcome significant challenges, but I’m still impressed. And the tech he used is a game changer, even at the altar. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis...

Out on the road this afternoon - first visit to St Augustine’s Rumney for their final Choral Evensong of the choir year. A small group of teenagers singing confidently and giving up a summer afternoon to be there. A pleasure to be with them.

Sermon this morning with a mash up of Rebekahs' blind arranged marriage, Paul's angst and turmoil, and Jesus drawing us closer for rest in our heavy burdens, with the American Declaration of Independence 250th anniversary added in for good measure. deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/07/05/a...

It took me a moment but I don’t think I’ll be able to read Revelation 6 & 8:1 quite the same again. From the back page of today’s Church Times.

First opportunity to mow since it stopped raining and the heat returned to normal summer setting. The slopes haven’t got any easier.

Sermon this afternoon at the civic service. A pleasure to welcome the new mayor, MSs and councillors to the cathedral.

New Statesman podcast on the plotting to overthrow Starmer and how it has been going on since at least last autumn despite all the pretence and involving Cabinet Ministers. Also why the previous MP gave up his seat - youtu.be/Q9XBmQZ8MMg

Today’s heatwave check in - 36°C in the shade.

Just sotted the death announcement for the Eddie Burns who wrote the hymn 'We have a gospel to proclaim'. I wish there was a livelier tune for it, but the words have stood the test of time. www.lep.co.uk/news/tribute...

Temperature outside the front door, in the shade, north facing verses in my study just now (15:40).

I delayed the start of Morning Prayer by a few minutes earlier so we could delight in this sight (and take photos!). It is my favourite effect of light in the Cathedral.

BBC seemed obsessed with the delayed 1055 Avanti West Coast from Manchester to Euston today. I found the draw of my Tax Return more appealing.

A delight to spend time with Samu and Mlamuni this afternoon.

At Abergavenny today for a clergy day. A view of St Mary’s Priory I’ve not seen before from the vicarage garden - probably the best view.

AI, Tower of Babel and Pope Leo's Encyclical. Sermon this morning at Newport Cathedral. deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/06/07/a...

Today’s post.

Just seen an update that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has raised the mileage rate for the first time since 2011 to 55p/m. There's an extra 5p if you have a passenger, but not per passenger. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Pentecost and God's confidence in humanity. Sermon for Pentecost at Newport Cathedral today. deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/05/24/p...

Day at the Hay Festival. Excellent talk by Liam Byrne being interviewed by Anna Foster on populism and how to respond, then Janina Ramirez and Elodie Harper talking to Samira Ahmed on women’s stories in history.

Gala dinner and we have each been given our own bus by CCLA.

Today’s key note address by David Olusoga on the impact and benefit of cathedrals. National Cathedrals Conference at Bristol Cathedral.

Excellent presentation by Chine McDonald yesterday on this report. Reading it last night I found it translates to Wales well and there is much in it that provides useful reflection. I’m sure it will pop up in sermons and addresses! www.churchtimes.co.uk//articles/20....

National Cathedrals Conference underway in Bristol. Here with colleagues and reps from England, Wales and Ireland for the next four days.

Services in the Cathedral for 7th Sunday of Easter (17th May) - including a choral spectacular with three cathedral choirs of Newport, Llandaff & Brecon. 8.00am Holy Eucharist 10.30am Cathedral Eucharist 4.00pm Welsh Three Choirs Festal Evensong with the choirs of Brecon, Newport and Llandaff.

Ascension - more than a firework. Humanity in the heart of God. Sermon for Ascension Day, Newport Cathedral. deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/05/14/a...

Today is a Rogation Day, when we pray for the land. Seemed appropriate to pray for Wales as a new government is formed and for the Westminster Parliament as, well ? I really hope we are not going into the same psychodrama we saw previously. There are serious issues and we need a stable government.

Is there any evidence that Andy Burnham would have won the Gorton & Denton bye election if he’d been able to stand? I don’t like the arrogance that assumes he s a shoe in to re-enter Parliament. Something seems to have shifted in UK politics. I think Starmer is toast and Rachel Reeves with him.

With the choir for Evensong at St Mary’s Abergavenny this afternoon. And they even have a Richard Coles doll!

Senedd election result. With support from Labour Plaid can form a minority government. Pleased that locally Jane Bryant (Labour) and Perudur Owen Griffiths (Plaid) returned. Both decent MSs. I don’t know the others yet.

Democratic duty done.

I didn’t think it was that windy earlier. Centre of Cardiff this afternoon.

My pulpit this morning, St Mary’s Risca. Warm welcome with a small but imaginative Sunday School. Text of my sermon for anyone interested - Stones to build rather than throw, with reference to the new Banksy and the election. deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/05/03/s...

Banksy strikes again with a man carrying a flag which blindfolds him as he walks over the edge. Discuss. The question I have is, was this an empty plinth or did he install the plinth too? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Tribute to Richard Harries on Radio 4 Today. F/fwd to 2:54. An intellectual giant who found faith and hope in a far wider spread of subjects. He’s shaped my thinking over the years. A massive contribution to thoughtful Christianity. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

At Brecon Cathedral this afternoon preaching at the Dean’s farewell on his retirement.

I didn’t realise that there is a Grange House at the Grange Hospital site. Did a bit more exploring this morning while visiting.

Fun around the Deanery over the past few days with gutter clearance and checking the roofs. They didn’t let me play with the toys. The seagulls weren’t impressed.

Living temples of joy, faith and action. Sermon this afternoon at St Paul’s Cathedral, featuring a cat, a mouse and a space ship. deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/04/19/l...

Flying the flag in St Paul’s.

On ambassadorial duties this weekend. Preaching tomorrow afternoon at Choral Evensong in St Paul’s Cathedral in London. If you are nearby call in and say ‘shwmae’. (Incidentally I have been cleared for this ambassadorial role - DBS clearance had to be confirmed.)

Governing Body of the Church in Wales has just voted in favour of the blessing of same sex civil partnerships and marriages. The voting was overwhelmingly in favour - Laity 85%, Clergy 82%, Bishops 100%. (It required 2/3rds majority in each house.)

For the past four years, we have decorated our paschal candle to relate to the year. I used my Easter Evensong sermon to explain this year's candle. deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/04/05/p...

Back from the Maundy Thursday Eucharist and Watch. Beautiful singing by the youth choir and back row of Byrd 4 part mass. Food for the soul and body.

Urban Christ - the city as a thin space. Reflection for Monday in Holy Week at Newport Cathedral this evening. deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/03/30/m...

This morning we give thanks for the life of Martyn Butler OBE, co-founder of the Terence Higgins Trust, as we welcome his family and friends for his funeral in the Cathedral.

A pirate, an ox and some cheese. Gwynllyw, a saint for today's church. Sermon this evening for the patronal festival at Newport Cathedral (transferred from 29th March). deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/03/25/a...

Making good use of a dry few days. First mow of the year putting back the paths up and down the slope - or chorister runs - ready for the choristers Easter Egg hunt on Easter Day.

Living witness to life and peace amidst death and war. Sermon this morning at Newport Cathedral. deanofnewport.wordpress.com/2026/03/22/l...