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Say a little prayer

As we look at how the construction industry is preparing for Brexit 鈥� in as logical a way as possible but still with little clarity on what to expect 鈥� the phrase 鈥渙n a wing and a prayer鈥� came to mind.

Looking back 84 years, prayers did not bring all one architect hoped. In a Belfast court case in 1934, the architect claimed that he had agreed to accept prayers instead of money as payment while under 鈥渦ndue influence鈥�.

The plaintiff was claiming for 拢1,150 as balance due for work and labour done in connection with a convent鈥檚 buildings 鈥� around 拢58,000 in today鈥檚 money.

He said he had been 鈥減ersuaded鈥� to write a letter to the convent鈥檚 nuns. It said: 鈥淚 think I would be well paid for anything I did if you could arrange to have daily prayers said for me, my family, my wife and my brother.鈥�

The Rev Mother Canon apparently stood over him while he wrote these words and kindly dictated them to him.

That sounds a little like how some Brexiteers are describing the process of Theresa May鈥檚 exit negotiations with the EU. 

To read an extract from 30 November 1934, click on the pdf below.