This is me too!

Many of you will only know the hopefully cheerful Sunday morning face as I and others offer you a warm welcome and a hug, if you want it! I’m probably one of the oldest members (in both senses) of WBCh — 48 years at the last count and still going strong. However, there’s more to me than maybe the face you see first on a Sunday.

Many years ago I was introduced to hill walking by one of my cousins and it was a revelation. The Malvern Hills were my walking baptism and, following on from them, I have climbed many mountains, fallen off one, and completed approximately 34 long-distance trails from 30 miles to about 200. It’s been one of my passions. Yet there is more!

I may be the oldest swinger in town, having discovered in 2000 a band called Steeleye Span — and thus began my passion for the band and the most amazing spin-off, Gigspanner with Peter Knight. I have travelled far and wide, generally on my own, and am always blown away by the experience. I find it difficult to put into words. At the last count it was well over 100 gigs and goodness knows how many miles — at least 700 in July! It has also seen my son Ant getting the bug, though unfortunately he has to work! I should add I have an amazingly accommodating husband — another of my passions! Yes, I do have a husband — not all of you will know that either!

Yet still there is more: it’s a passion for all things WBC, and it has seen my view of and relationship to God radically change. I no longer believe in an angry God, so liberating. Nor do I believe in a God who is love, yet dictates who and how we are permitted to love ourselves and each other.

So there we are — just a few faces of that Sunday person you may know as Hilary, Hil, Hils, or even Hilly.