Wishing you a

Happy Christmas 2025

and a peaceful and joyous New Year

The picture above catches us in India in early March, the Taj Mahal being the highlight of a wonderful and luxurious trip including Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur's famous Lake Palace Hotel. More family news after the musical Christmas card bit.

5th December 2025 saw a World Premiere! Our friend Chris Gill conducted "In Harmony" (the Year 9 choir of Downe House School, where he works) in the first performance of a new carol Bernard wrote for him and them. They more than did it justice. So we hope you'll click on the link and enjoy it:

Grandparenting seems to involve a lot of walking while swinging small people between us! In the past year we've done that in Croydon, Oxford, the Alps (above) and Shieldaig on the shore of Loch Torridon (below, with Ben's Mum, Hildy). It was good to watch the odd otter or porpoise from the comfort of an armchair!

Meanwhile, the grandchildren grow and develop at a great rate, both of them providing many cuddles and even more moments of hilarity. Rowen is now at school, and apparently very happy (this rainbow-hair creation by her father was impressive on a school day!):

Meanwhile, Bonnie seems to love having Daddy to herself for most of the week!

In the summer, we had the remarkable experience of watching Eleanor playing hockey for the England Over-40 team who won every match in the European Masters Championships in Valencia (in 36-degree heat). They also achieved a grand slam in the home nations tournament a few weeks later in Glasgow, though we didn't get to that, being in the Alps.

Back home, we both keep busy musically. Bernard had fun playing at the wedding of trombonist Nigel's stepdaughter Rachael in June,

while Katherine continues to play violin with the Oxford Sinfonia. And we still manage about a week every month in our beloved Northumberland. 

With our love and best wishes for Christmas, the New Year and always,

Bernard and Katherine