Of all Sundays, we decided to skip church on Pentecost, though we believe led by God’s Spirit, when we discovered “With banners held high!” would happen as a Whit march through Wakefield for the first time in 30 years. Following a service in the Cathedral and a blessing from the Bishop of Huddersfield, banners representing Trade Unions, communities, interest groups, and former collieries, would be carried through the streets culminating in speeches and musical performances. As Lynne and I are both children of Durham miners, we were drawn to the event to watch the banners pass by. What we didn’t expect was a placard being thrust into my hand, and so us joining the procession – me proudly carrying the message, “In the midst of plenty, we will not suffer want!” (words from the 1933 National Unemployment Demonstration). I didn’t share political views with many on the march, and many did not share my religious views. But here we were joining people who wanted to see the world a better place, and prepared to protest and work together for justice and peace, equality and diversity? We were wedged between NHS workers passionately protesting against the threatened closure of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and a group of artists proclaiming free speech and expression, each with colours of hair we wouldn’t see in church! But here is my cry – where were the dissenters we call URC?

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