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Cockermouth Is Coming Alive! |
In November 2009 most people
in the UK and the around the world would have been moved by
the plight of the people of Cumbria as they came to terms
with the devastation following the major floods. At one time
nearly every TV channel in the world was in Cumbria.
On a recent holiday in
Cumbria we stayed just outside of Cockermouth with my son
who lives there, and saw for ourselves the devastation. Over
100 shops and numerous homes were totally ruined, walls and
bridges collapsed and sadly one very brave police officer
died trying to rescue others. Although the High Street is
open, very few shops have re-opened and many have
transferred to other sites waiting for major restoration
work to be completed.
Cockermouth was not alone in
being affected. The coastal towns of Workington, and
Whitehaven and tourist centre of Keswick were also hit, and
many smaller areas in between. Two major rivers collided in
Cockermouth following the unprecedented rain fall in October
and November. Nothing could stop the millions of gallons of
water and people just looked on in horror as homes and
businesses were ruined.
However, as I spoke to
builders, and my wife photographed them working(!), the
local people there seem to have a great determination to
restore Cockermouth and return it to its former glory. Shops
and banks that have opened have been beautifully restored,
and I have no doubt that by the autumn the town will be in
business as usual.
Walking the Cumbrian hills
it gave me time to reflect on Easter in Fakenham and also
life itself. The courage of the people of Cockermouth and
the determination to work together gave me renewed
enthusiasm for my ministry in Norfolk. A church grows when
it is a fellowship and people work together, but it also
grows when it knows that it is working for the good of
others and not just itself. The sign outside Cockermouth
Anglican Church which read, ‘ Flood Relief Centre’ said it
all. The church there and in Fakenham is at the centre of
the community doing good, helping where it can, and simply
being available.
We have moved on from a
church being shut for most of the year, to a church here in
Fakenham which is accessible 365 days a year and that the
Ministry Team and people see their priority not in keeping a
building alive but a church community which is growing.
This week we welcome the
Bishop of Lynn for a confirmation and we have 4 adults being
confirmed. Most have come to faith in recent days and all
feel encouraged by the fellowship of the Church.
Easter is about new and if
you open your eyes you can see this new life in Cockermouth
and in Fakenham and in many parts of the world.
Adrian
Bell
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