As everyone knows, Thursday 8 May 2025 was the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Churches around the land were encouraged to ring their bells for the event, at 6.30 p.m. Since this is just the time we normally come out of Church after our Vespers and silent prayer time, we were more than happy to add our small contribuition to this National celebration.

The recently installed Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Air Commodore Alistair Monkman CBE, wanted to be with us to mark this occasion.

So he came in his magnificent regalia: joined also by former Lord Lieutenant Grenville Johnston and former Vice Lord Lieutenant Jim Royan: all good and long-standing friends of our community!

As it happened, this was the very time news of a new Pope was beginning to leak through. The first person to tell us his name was our guest of honour Al Monkman!

A small crowd of local folks had gathered to witness our little ceremony, which included a speech of welcome from Fr. Prior Simon, then a speech by the Lord Lieutenant, followed by the reading of a May 1945 speech by Winston Churchill. The brethren sang a Chant, Prior Simon sang a concluding Prayer, and the bells were then swung!

And that was followed by a round of applause from all present!