The episode about the school parents...

...was so absolutely spot on that I swear the writers must have visited the church I go to in north London. It actually didn't go far enough in its realism. On sunday mornings in my church, there is a last minute stampede of parents with children just coming up to primary school age, who come in as late as possible (and leave as soon as they can after getting their stamped certificate of attendance).

They bring coffee cups, twiddle with electronic devices, wander in and out to check on their cars or to have a smoke, allow their children to run riot and chatter through the service. They themselves talk as well, gossipping even during the most sacred part of the Eucharist and during prayers.

I know that they might not be familiar with church ritual, but seriously - I can't imagine them behaving like that in any other public building, let alone a religious public building. It's almost as if they resent being there (which they probably do) and are desperate to show that they don't take any of it seriously.


It's actually annoyed me so much that I now only attend Evensong, which is blissfully quiet and attended by just a few old fogies like myself!