Days Before Dibley

the long version

'A deaconess? What's one of those? I thought you were the district nurse!' Imagine doing a job where you're often met with questions like these. Jill Swallow faced ignorance and prejudice every day, but she recounts her experiences as a deaconess in the time before women priests with humour and insight. We read of the characters and events of parish life, both happy and poignant. Who would dare cross the Mothers' Union ladies? Or bring the organist to his knees? Jill met these challenges and won - well, if not won outright, came away with a smile on her face.