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Ring out the
Old and Ring in the New - The Toorington Bells – The story of
every day life in the village of Toorington - Raechel Hall
There are
two very important institutions in all English villages, the Church
and the pub. Sadly, in many English villages the Church has lost much
of its influence and pubs, too, are on the decline. But, time has
stood still down in Toorington. The Church and the pub are still the
centre of life. And, they have three things in common. They open
on Sundays, they both have popular leaders, and the pub and the
Church are both spiritual places. The Church in the meaning of the
Holy Spirit, and the pub in the meaning of the spirits that flow.
And, Raechel Hall (or Ray as she is lovingly known) is a very
spiritual person. Ray is the owner of Toorington's pub, The
Toorington Arms.
And, Ray,
who left beauty behind a long time ago, is now very distinguished.
She is a classical lady. Her dress is not only conservative English,
but colourfully welcoming, too. And, with her 73 years, she still
has a long way to go. And, everyone loves her. Ray is a lady of
standing. But, fine dresses and fine hair styles are not things that
make people popular. Ray understands people. Ray is a very good
listener and people feel well in her company. Ray knows everyone's
secrets, but no one knows Ray's. But, Ray with her humour is very
good fun. Going to the Toorington Arms is like going to a party.
And, every
evening is fun. And, the fun can be measured by the price of the
drinks. Until about half past nine every evening, the drinks still
cost as they should, but, then, and depending on how much drink Ray
has taken and how many cigarettes she has smoked, the price of the
drinks starts going up and down. And, of course, the jokes start
flowing, and, the more people drink - the funnier the jokes. And, so
the evenings continue until it is time for the bell! And, the bell
being rung means it is time to go home. Closing
time. But, closing time is different in the village of
Toorington. Toorington, being far far away and in the depths
of the country, has its very own laws!
At half past
ten, Ray closes the curtains and locks the front door
and the fun carries on. And, this is the best part of the evening.
But, of course, sooner or later the last guests have gone and Ray can
lock up. Another day gone in the Toorington Arms.
But, Ray
will be up early next day. She has a meeting to go to. Ray is on
the Church council. Ray is a spiritual lady. And, the
Vicar? He, too is one of Ray's guests and sometimes one of the last
to go home. The Vicar, too, is a spiritual man.
The Church
and the pub. The life of the village. And, Ray, as she is lovingly
known, keeps peace at the Toorington Arms. A wonderful pub that
people enjoy. And, by the way, the meals are great!
Raechel Hall
– The publican of Toorington - She is a very fine
lady.
Vocabulary
Church
council – Kirchenrat
closing
time – Sperrstunde
curtains
– Vorhänge
depths
of the country – im tiefsten Land
publican
– Wirt/in
rung
– (ring/rang/rung)
– geläutet
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