We moved here to Pakefield in 1986. Our children were brought up here. We’re very happy here…
We’ve seen changes… in buildings, people, the coastline… This week Pakefield Coastwatch reports on recent Pakefield cliff erosion: The last spring tides, with that northerly breeze has done more cliff erosion than the rest of the winter put together. In places 2…..3 metres washed away… Lots of brambles and hawthorn on the beach… Lengths of fencing posts complete with chain link fencing also now on the beach…
This week we’re in the national news:‘A murder investigation was launched after Joy Middleditch died after being knocked to the floor during a robbery at her bungalow on Grayson Avenue in Pakefield, Lowestoft.’
The school shooting in Nashville or a stabbing in London is shocking but distant… But here in Pakefield!? It’s hard to comprehend – an 82 year old who lives just down the road from us. Murdered… leading to a local erosion of feelings of safety and security?
Our local press reports: ‘Rector of Pakefield Parish Church – situated on the cliff top – Rev Sharon Lord led the service and lit a candle in memory of Mrs Middleditch.’
“As we always do in a Wednesday morning service we always pray for those in our community who have lost loved ones… especially today we will be praying for the family of Joy.”
Outside the church, is the war memorial. On Remembrance Sunday famous words are repeated:‘…At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.’
Preventing memory erosion is vital…
Rachel and I were chatting this morning about our personal physical and mental erosion… The old hymn ‘Abide with me’:
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me
In a world where erosion is inevitable I turn to the God whose erosion is impossible.
malcolmsmusings.org 