I’m reading about the history of fishing in Lowestoft…
Two hundred years ago men in a local community would form ‘companies’. Company boats would go out to shipwrecks off the coast, risking the lives of crew members, often competing with other companies to get to the wreck first. The money to be made in salvage was a vital source of income for poor fishermen and their families.
These boats were also the early lifeboats, before the Royal National Lifeboat Institution drew such companies together.
Vernil Tuck joined one such company a hundred years ago: ‘With lifeboat work, lives always came first… The beach companies were there for salvage work I know, but… The priority was to save life if you could.’
Last night, the local news reflected on the effect of Storm Babet, one month after it had flooded the town of Framlingham, thirty miles from us here.
There were pictures of piles of ruined household goods, reports from homes and businesses on insurance claims; business owners and residents are still repairing the damage, dealing with the aftermath, wondering if Framlingham will flood again.
There were stories of generosity, courage, determination. I thought of the fishermen – balancing values and priorities… money, life, families, community…
There was the usual range of sport last weekend – the cricket world cup final… Las Vegas Grand Prix… European Cup football qualifying matches… tennis from Turin…
Balancing values and priorities in sport I find challenging… the vital influence of money, the demands of spectators, the emphasis on winning, the welfare of young sportsmen and sportswomen, the mismanagement of wealth, the promotion of heroes and stars, how we view mistakes and losers…
This morning I read Paul’s words: ‘The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.’ He balances that with his priorities: ‘…pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith…’
…I’m musing on balancing my priorities and values, with help from fishermen, Framlingham, footballers, faith… and fighting!
malcolmsmusings.org 