Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Britain's most senior religious leader and the 102nd Archbishop of Canterbury.
On the island
Eight records
It reminds me that I was brought up beside the sea at Liverpool. I have it in my blood, and people sometimes are, I think, divided between mountain people or seaside people. I'm definitely the latter.
I'd like something which set me humming those good tunes, the jazz and the dance band tunes, of the thirties.
The Pipers of the Scots Guards
reminds me of my Scottish father, who loved the pipes, but more of my army days with the Scots Guards.
Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
brings back memories of those marvellous days in that village community.
Christmas for me is very precious
we had this at our wedding in nineteen fifty seven in Cambridge
Sanctus from Mass in B minorFavourite
Academy and Chorus of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
wonderful, faith affirming music.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:25Do you like being alone?
Yes, I like some periods alone, and it's good for me to be alone. But I have to say that I doubt whether I would survive easily without company, because I suspect that I am by nature an extrovert and a gregarious character.
Presenter asks
2:26How important is music in your life? Is it a source of great solace?
Yes, now I have to answer that carefully because I'm married to a professional musician, therefore, I have an inferiority complex on the subject. But we've come to an agreement about what irritates her and what irritates me. I've lived against the background of scales very often because she's a great practicer. I have dutifully at the beginning gone to my wife's piano performances, and I must say that I have grown to love piano music, particularly the pieces she plays which I can hum. I like a tune.
Presenter asks
9:43What do you think your mother and father would have thought if they'd been told that their son would one day become Archbishop of Canterbury?
Well, they would have been astonished, but they would have been proud, because they would have thought I did what I wanted to do and I'd achieved something. And my father, although he was a little anxious about my religiosity, didn't attempt for one moment to prevent it. And it was a home of love and freedom and great expectations, but no forcing. And that's why I think I've had one of the greatest of gifts, which is a happy, secure childhood.
The keepsakes
The book
Homer
I like it in Greek because I used to be able to read Greek, and I hope I might recover that.
The luxury
It is in the corner of my room at Lambeth, and I wouldn't like to go anywhere without it.
Presenter asks
14:28Would you care to describe what you did to win the Military Cross?
Well not much, but it was a case of one of the four in my particular tank having got stuck in when we were all getting out 'cause the tank was getting on fire. And it's a sort of instinctive thing to turn back and try and get him out. And that wasn't, as it turned out, too difficult. And then the other part of it was that we were held up because there was a German tank very carefully camouflaged in position, which was knocking out ours. And I took my tank out into the open. I didn't realise how exposed it was, and we happened with a very good shot to knock out this tank which had been holding up the whole British advance. I think that what I remember most about the day, because I hadn't imagined that it was an act that would win any decoration, was walking over to that tank which we'd knocked out about two or three hours later and seeing the four dead Germans inside. And that did turn my tummy over and made me think, 'Well, what's it all about? They look just the same as we were.'
Presenter asks
23:18Why are people not going to church so much any more?
Obviously I would like more followers, but I think that there is often uncertainty on moral issues because what it is possible for people to choose to do is greatly multiplied, and a whole series of issues has made the church tend to look rather quarrelsome rather than creating spiritual energy in the life of the country.
Presenter asks
29:17Have you ever regretted accepting the job of Archbishop of Canterbury?
Well, yes, I think that there have been times, but they've been overcome. Life is quite hectic for an Archbishop of Nome. But those who know me best sometimes say, but you really enjoy it, don't you? And you do. I suspect they may be more right than I admit.
“I doubt whether I would survive easily without company, because I suspect that I am by nature an extrovert and a gregarious character.”
“I quickly whip off the straw hat and the dark glasses and make for the sea, and he's waiting with the towel when I come out.”
“I see my wife's hands, which appear to be covering her face in prayer, immediately assume that tense indication that their face is being covered in horror.”
“And that did turn my tummy over and made me think, 'Well, what's it all about? They look just the same as we were.'”
“And don't worry, sir, if any one ever says a word about that hogmany we spent in Cologne, I'll break every bone in the body.”