As the Christmas Octave continues, Simon May takes an affectionate ecumenical look at Plum Wodehouse's treatment of the numerous Anglican clergymen with which Bertie Wooster's world seemed to be filled. In light of the recent Census it gives pause for thought, as the Church of England's retreat from its parishes continues.
A charming 1930 short story by PG Wodehouse, “Jeeves and the Yuletide Spirit”, contains much traditional English Christmas atmosphere. “It being Christmas Eve,” says Bertie Wooster, “there was, as I had foreseen, a good deal of revelry and what not: first the village choir surged round and sang carols outside the front door, and then somebody suggested a dance.” There is the usual Wodehouse imbroglio and Jeeves ends up getting his trip to Monte Carlo – but nobody goes to church.
