Fakenham Parish Church: Community Blog

Recently someone who we know very well was discharged from hospital. It is an incredibly vulnerable time for both them and their relatives. It seems that despite the best intentions in the world, lines of communication about where to obtain  the medical supplies required  are somewhat fuzzy.

Having made enquiries at all the local chemists ( on behalf of our neighbours) we were unable to obtain one medical supply item needed. That is, we could have ordered it at one chemist but at an exorbitant price. Having made a search on the internet we have been able to source both this, and another item,( totally unavailable from local chemists) at a very reasonable price through a website which we had used when my own husband was discharged from hospital ..

I’m not quite sure how this problem  could be addressed. I just feel that there are people in need of help/advice at a time when they are extremely vulnerable and somehow or other they are  ’slipping through the net’ in terms of practical information. It would be helpful if there were some information about where to obtain things at the most affordable price in this time of escalating costs.

Any suggestions anyone? 

 It could be that Age Concern already address this problem but if they do, it is not widely known about.

Could it be possible to have a day a week when someone with a computer was available to make searches for people and try to source their requirements  or would that be ‘treading on the toes ‘of retailers?

Ann Robertson

Recently in the ‘Times’ newspaper there was an article on men’s health stating that in comparison to women, men in this country have poor health. What worried me was the high risk of suicide in men compared to women.

Having been involved in the care of the mentally ill as a chaplain in former days and also created a drop in centre for psychiatric patients when I was Vicar of Herne Bay in Kent I realise that there is a major problem.

Recently wife telephoned a local Vicar to ask about an event we wanted to attend. He was gruff, unhelpful and bordering on being rude. My wife is very easy to get on with but was taken aback by the his attitude.

My experience has been that the Church is often lacking when you are in need and have sympathy for people with certain illnesses but lacks understanding about mental illness. My door is always open to help and if you do need any support or prayer please let me know.

I have had depression myself, so I know what I am talking about. When everything around you looks black you are in a state of depression and you need help.

So please don’t try and sort out all your problems on your own. There is help out there.

The help may not be where you expect it but it is still there.

Having been involved with Christian Aid since the start of my ministry I have seen immense enthusiasm for its work. But sadly, poverty is still with us. I am reminded of the words of Nelson Mandela to the United Nations when he said: “Like slavery, poverty is not natural. It is immoral.” But there have been so many misunderstandings by the great and powerful regarding the solutions to the problems. Bob Geldof in his enthusiasm in Live Aid thought that if the rich countries gave to the poor then all would be well. This is actually only part of the truth. Yes, we need to send aid into Burma and to China when there are disasters, but I believe that the real problems are much more complicated, and much deeper. Money sent to poor countries often just gets into the hands of the rich. Count how many African leaders have Rolls Royce cars! Christian Aid encourages us not to have sloppy thinking - linking poverty in one place with wealth in another. By making Europe poor you will not make Africa rich. Trade is the essential requirement and hopefully fair trade. So when you buy vegetables at the supermarket sent all the way from Kenya by plane, you might be surprised, or when you purchase a cotton shirt which was made in India, you might wonder whether we could produce these ourselves - but in reality trade is a good thing. The most important objective we should have is to break down world trade barriers so that many countries would then be released from poverty. We should buy goods from India, China and Africa as long as they are fairly produced. We may complain about the emergence of India, and China polluting the world, and wanting more steel, oil and food so putting up prices in our country, but the USA is still the most polluting nation in the world, using most of the world’s resources. And we in the United Kingdom are still increasing our rate of pollution in spite of every attempt to change the way we live.

Coming from a horticultural retailing family, I would suggest that we should encourage the wealth creating process of the world by trade. This has been proved by the millions of people who have emerged from poverty in Russia, China and India in the last decade who have embraced global trade. However, we should be interested in how wealth is created and how it is distributed. The answer, as Christian Aid worked out years ago, is not just to hand out money to the poor so much as to create a global economy and open up all borders to fair trade. The USA is one of the worst countries in the world in blocking free trade and in the EEC we are not much better. We have prospered in our history when trade barriers have been taken down. Isaiah prophesied good news:‘He has chosen me and sent me to bring good news to the poor.’ Isaiah 61. 1 The best good news for a poor family living in a Third World country is that what they are producing receives a fair price so that they can lift themselves out of poverty.If this means that we may pay a little more for basic items in our shops, then so be it.Adrian Bell 

Having attended a meeting of the Fakenham Air Training Corps (ATC) last night I came back overjoyed by a group of youngsters who are caring, positive about life and willing  to contribute to the community. Also, I had the joy as the Corps Chaplain of enrolling two  new members Tom and Jeff (his real name is Jefferson - sounds very posh) who took their  vows very seriously. The Corps spent time with tutors learning about the ATC, drilling in the very cold evening air, and then put up with me for 45 minutes for my ‘Padre’s Hour’.  The ATC does a wonderful job and I can guarantee that almost every cadet will soon be in further education and then into work. Did you know that the ATC is one of the UK’s largest youth organisations?

The following is taken from May’s edition of the Fakenham Beacon Magazine and reproduced here for wider access and allow people to pass on their own comments via the Blog.  Written by Mr. Geoffrey Rose.

I was born in Quaker Lane Fakenham and attended Queen Road School. By School leaving age, the Second World war had started. In such uncertain times, further education was out of the question. After a period of working, at the age of 18, I received my call up papers to serve ‘King and Country’. I had my heart set on the Royal Navy. I passed medical fitness and aptitude tests and was sent home to await developments. Imagine my disappointment to receive instructions to report to a colliery in Yorkshire. I said good bye to the open Norfolk skies and reported as instructed, to the Guildhall in Doncaster and on to lodgings. What a culture shock for a young Norfolk lad.  I could not appeal on health grounds because I had passed fit for the Navy. If I had refused to go down the mine the alternative was prison. My call up number ended with the dreaded number pulled out of Ernest Bevin’s hat.

The wages were £2.12 shillings per week out of which I paid  £1.10 shillings for lodgings, bus fares to work, union dues and sick benefit all had to be paid. We were not supplied with working clothes and there were no charity shops in those days.My station was 3,150 feet down, then a walk of just over half a mile where I spent the shift alone, my only company was my Davey lamp and the mice. On the first training day, after the initial drop, we descended by ladders a further 350 feet to the ‘mad house’ - a shallow seam no more that 18 inches high.  It was a relief not to be stationed there. In 1947 I was demobbed Army Class 60 and given a one way ticket to travel home with no gratuity, set of clothes etc. We were really written off with no acknowledgement from the Government or the public. Because we had no uniform, we were called skivers, conscientious objectors etc., Even the NAAFI refused us cups of tea.

An email received from Gail Allcock a member of Church

Hi, Adrian, did you hear that the Fakenham children’s daycare centre had been a victim of arson yet again? Last Monday they had their outside shed destroyed by fire and many of the children’s outside toys have been ruined beyond repair. The last fire they had, local businesses were very kind and offered equipment and cash to help replace lost equipment but they don’t feel able to ask for help yet again. Two things, could we give them some publicity in the Beacon? they just want the vandals and arsonists to leave them alone. also would we be able to offer them a stall at one of the craft fairs again to help them raise money to replace toys etc. ? Gail

Of course we can help. We are planning to give the complete takings from the Thursday Church Market Stall and Coffee this week to the Centre. This shouldbe be over £300.  Adrian

Did you know that Fakenham’s Charity Shops, yes all of them, there are 7 that I can think of, are Staffed by really kind, helpful and happy people who freely give up their time to do this work. As I am not one of them I feel I can ‘blow the trumpet’ on their behalf without any bias.!

Not only do they all have lovely Staff, they also have amazing bargains of every type, sort and description.

Being of a certain age and size I cannot find any clothes I like in the shops which trade in new clothes, but I have found things which I really do like AND can afford, in this Goldmine which is at our disposal.

Now that we cook only for two, I have also found pyrex or other casserole dishes which are exactly right for us. Oh and I found a superb complete set of fascinating history books ( I think it was called Horrid History) aimed at young people which made a good present for a 7 year old grand child.

These shops are a treasure on our doorstep and they are all helping various charities.”

Regards

Ann

Totally agree. Rector

Last evening the Church was full of people for a concert by the West Norfolk Jubilee Youth Orchestra and Concert Band. It was great ! Young people enjoying music and willing to try some exciting pieces of music from every generation including Sting ! I have asked the Orchestra back next year. If you missed it, you missed a real treat. The Church received £100 donation from the event which we will be giving to Steven Newing House in Fakenham helping young people who are in difficulty and need some support.

A lady this week told me off through a member of  my staff for always asking people for money for the Church. Well actually as a Church we probably give away more than any Church in our Deanery and one of the highest in the Diocese. Last year over £30,000 was raised for charities other than the Church which included £21,000 from the 7th Christmas Tree Festival.

I hope that she is in a minority because we really do try to help and next Thursday we are donating all the proceeds from Thursday Market Day stalls and refreshments Fakenham Children’s Day Care Centre which has again been hit by vandalism even though we need £10,000 for urgent repairs to the Church.

May be I am a little touchy about this point. But we just try to help where we can and like HM  The Queen, often our generosity is not noticed because we want to give quietly.

Any advice would be helpful?

Adrian Bell

Just had to put pen to paper and thank the Parish Church for the wonderful welcome surprise that happened to me yesterday.

After spending long hours on Monday night/Tuesday morning at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital when Mother was taken in by ambulance with a possible stroke, following numerous visits, by yesterday afternoon I was both tired and emotionally drained - when suddenly there was a knock on the door to tell me that I had won £50 in the Church monthly 200 Club draw.

God certainly does move in mysterious ways. What a much needed boost that was! Thank you again.

Olga Lowne.

Having just received an invitation to a family wedding in Cumbria in the summer I was delighted to receive the wedding gift list. Normally it means a trip to John Lewis or House of Fraser and looking down a list of saucepans and china, but this invitation was different.

My nephew, as a keen  carer for the world, has asked all guests to donate to OXFAM. The donation will not be  in money, but  we will be able to purchase  an item or even an animal to help the Third World. What a wonderful idea. In age when we all have far too much this is one way we can share.

What do you think ?