Thank you to everyone who entered our competition to win a set of Vicar of Dibley special stamps. We asked you to tell us about your favourite moments from the television series, and to send us your Dibleyesque anecdotes and photos. Those who commented on Facebook or emailed with comments and photos were put into a prize draw and here are our winners selected at random.
- Gillian White
- Abi Speake
- Rebecca Kathryn Latham-Ryder
- Hana Amner
- Les Hutchinson
- Michelle Goodrich
- Sally Coles-Robertson
- Margaret Kitchen
- Norma Robinson
- Jane Turner
We will be making contact to arrange for your prizes to be posted or collected.
Here is a selection of some of your contributions:
For me it’s Letitia Cropley who reminds me of the randomness of the church’s staple “bring-and-share” meals on special occasions. In one episode, Leticia says “As it's Shrove Tuesday, I've made you these Pancakes from all my leftovers.” (setting down 2 plates of pancakes) “Now, these ones are lard and fish paste, and these are the plain ones.” (everyone makes a dive for the plain ones) “....with just a hint of liver!” (Everyone freezes!)
Andrew Knight
When Geraldine was faced with the chocolate fountain, apologised in advance then just went for it! The visitor who appeared immediately afterwards just finished the scene off perfectly. Who’s ever been in that position? A face full of chocolate and an archbishop shows up?? Helen Whitelegg
At our pet blessing service at Shocklach I was blessing a hen and when I said Holy Spirit the hen flew away.
Norma Robinson
Me and Geraldine are actually very similar: we’re both vicars, both highly hilarious (my back up career is comedian), we both love chocolate and often approach mission in a unique way, we have very similar physiques and both like dressing up as angels at Christmas.
Emma Speake
Our local rural Harvest Suppers in Peak Parishes!
Harvest suppers are the best
Our rural villages outdo the rest!
Fruits and vegetables galore
Chutneys, sweets and so much more
The supper is sourced from farm to fork
Local potatoes, veg and pork,
One neighbour shares their bestest beef
Delicious food cooked beautifully
Showing fairness here must be my quest
And Wow, was I put to the test!
The plates were generous....
The courses continuous!
So, what a shame,
I'm not to blame!!!
And Churches x 3!
Of course, meant Harvest Suppers x 3!
ALL WITHIN A WEEK!
(Remembering and greatly inspired by Geraldine on her Christmas Day of 5 meals!
Liz England
Hard to pin down a favourite moment - but probably the fact that it was a celebration of a woman transforming a community through her vocation and ministry… and the jokes at the end.
Jo Tillotson
At one PCC meeting in a small rural church, we were going through the agenda without difficulty. Suddenly some time past the 'Fabric' item a member asked out of the blue:
Member: When are we discussing the shed.
Me: Shouldn't this be under 'Fabric'?
Member: It wasn't important enough for that.
Me: OK. We're back to the 'Fabric' item to discuss the shed.
Churchwarden: It's been painted as part of a D of E project.
Member: Did you empty the shed?
Churchwarden: Yes
Member: What did you do with that sand that's gone to sugar?
Whole PCC: (After a moment if bemusement) Helpless laughter.
Me: (After pulling myself tOgether) Do you wonder why I call this church 'DIBLEY'?
No-one questioned my summary. We never did discover how sand could turn to sugar,
Occasionally that church even play up to the Dibley name. On another occasion when I had an ordinands on placement, at a service where the congregation were closing the hymns, unbeknown to me, the congregation decided every hymn should refer to birds because it was the day of the RSPB Big Bird Watch. By the time we got to a very simple children's sing in an evening service, the ordinands was decidedly bemused & I was despairing. At a similar service, the request was made for 'Morning has broken' at 7.00 pm. What more can be said but DIBLEY? Having said that, all of my churches have had Dibleyesque moments on many occasions over the years.
Anne Lawson
My teenage kids are just discovering the Vicar of Dibley and think it's absolutely hilarious as they have grown up in vicarages and totally get the Dibley references. We love the episode when they're raising money for a new stained glass window and there is loads of discussion about what it will depict. The big reveal during the service is prefaced with ‘oohs’ and ‘aaahs’ and then the camera pans over to a plain glass window with a beautiful sunset. Monies donated to overseas emergency disaster fund appeal. Just a gorgeous piece of writing - beauty of God's creation juxtaposed with blessed are the poor. I cried. Anyone who works with a PCC getting upset about the colour of the new chairs, watch this episode. We really need to remind ourselves of the bigger story.
Becky Matthew
In 2016, I was a student in Chester, doing a placement at Christ Church as part of my theology course. This was my first experience of the Anglican Church. One night, as carefree students do, I let my housemate cut my hair. Well, when I looked in the mirror, I saw Dawn French staring back at me!
It was around Christmas time, and I had a silly idea. We asked the vicar if we could borrow his robes so I could dress up as the Vicar of Dibley and do a photoshoot to turn into Christmas cards for my family, who lived down south. They thought it was hilarious and have called me ‘The Vicar of Dimples’ ever since.
I find it even funnier because, two years later, through a series of unexpected events, I began to sense God calling me to discern ordination in the CofE. Here I am today, a rector in a rural parish, living out my calling – and still very much looking and acting like the Vicar of Dibley!
Hana Amner
When I left my curacy in 2000, I arranged for the choir to sing Psalm 23 (Vicar of Dibley style) as the anthem in my leaving service. The choir and I were the only ones who knew this. My training incumbent had simply been told there would be an anthem. It was wonderful, to watch the faces of the congregation and my incumbent as the anthem began - you could see questions of "they wouldn't", "they can't", "they are"! I was leaving a parish in Eccles ("Coronation Street" style) for Great Barrow (rural Vicar of Dibley style) and many comments were made to which I always replied - I can eat as much chocolate as the Vicar of Dibley, I just hope the PCC won't be quite so challenging!
Jane Turner