Very often I find a Hethersett topic on there that prompts memories, thoughts and ideas.
Yesterday it was a posting from Hethersett Herald Associate Editor Hannah Harrison who wrote what I would refer to as a secular eulogy to St Remigius Church. The dictionary definition of the word eulogy is: "A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, especially a tribute to someone who has just died."
The word often has religious connotations. So a secular eulogy is a eulogy with the religious content omitted. Hannah wrote about her love of the church despite not being religious and it certainly struck a chord with me.
I replied with my thoughts on St Remigius and my involvement with the church which amounts to more than I at first thought possible. The church has been at the centre of village life for centuries, although its relevance today is less marked than in the past.
I consider myself very much an outsider looking in. I am in no way religious and have never worked out just how and why I am drawn to the parish church. It probably has something to do with the beauty of the building - standing as an isolated sentinel at the approach to the village but set apart to suggest its importance.
And of course it has been in existence longer than virtually anybody or anything connected with the village - well over 1,000 years in fact.
I think one of the attractions of the church is the variety of what has taken place there over the years and the place it holds in the modern history of our family.
Our youngest son was married there. Our grandchildren were christened there and our first grandchild who was stillborn is buried there.
We have had events of joy (weddings, christenings, Christmas services, talks, concerts, flower shows and art displays and even an Abba tribute evening when we all danced in the aisles). There have been events of great sadness (funerals) and much more as well. There have been events with the sun streaming through the windows and others with the wind whistling and the rain driving making it feel more like something from Wuthering Heights.
Over the years I have got to know many people through the church and events held there.
And a few years ago I created an index of those buried in the churchyard. Many of those buried played an important part and made important contributions to Hethersett.
Recently I wrote a piece for the local Media and the Hethersett Herald about the continual struggle to keep the church open - costing over £1,500 every week.
So without being religiously inclined I am strangely drawn to the church.