Bit about Morston

 Morston, a village of less than 200, and then only really in the Summer.  But everywhere that has been around for a while has a story.

Morton very gradually, over hundreds of years, has become the main port of the North Norfolk coast.  Having said that the 100,000 or so people that leave the land for the sea are mainly visiting the seals at Blakeney Point.  

The first port was Cley-next-to Sea, then Wiveton, then Blakeney and now Morston.  Over time the long shore drift has grown Blakeney Point to the west, silting up the harbours in successive villages, and handing the baton on up the coast.  

This map is by Captain Grenville Collins, 1693, and shows navigable routes into these ports.  It explains why the church in Cley Next to Sea is set so far back in the village.  At one point the church near to the main bridge into Cley, so a far more significant location in the past.  

All Saints Moreston

Moreton - or 'marsh town' (a bit like Morton on the marsh?) - did once have a thriving boat building industry.  The church is famous for experiencing vitiligo. In the eighteenth century the tower was struck by lightning.  Towers and buildings in this neck of the woods seem to be determined to fall down.  It's not a surprise, the main building materials are cobbles and lime mortar.  The community at the time opted for the more reliable and functional 'brick', with the idea that it could be tidied up in the future.  But people got used to the pied tower, though they didn't forget the dangers of electricity.  This is a church without electricity, and instead they have beautiful candelabra. 

St Mary's Binham was once a fine Priory.  Thye building seems to have given up the ghost following the dissolution, and also came tumbling down, leaving some very fine ruins.  The village church is now splendid, occupying the wonderful double height nave of the old Priory church, with a viewing platform running round the interior.  But is remains a very modest church from the outside, with bricked up windows and no tower. 

St Mary's Priory Binham

The predominant church names in the area around Little Walsingham appear be All Saints, St Mary's and St Peters. 

Finally, not far from Binham you can find the Iceni fort at Warham.  What a wonderful fort, subsequently used by the Romans. A small stream has steadily crossed the field to take the stronghold by stealth.

Warham Fort.

What do Carers Say they Need?

 

Sara Challice in her book “Who Cares?” (2024) says:

1) Carers need to first realise that they are carers.

2) Carers may think they are coping, when gradually,

     over time, they are not. Carers need to work out what

     they are doing, and make sure they are not creating

    co-dependence.

3) Carers need to talk and express how they are feeling.

4) Carers need a break.

Familiar themes from research are that carers need

1) To be heard, and receive an emotional and kind response.

2) To be informed (useful, timely, accessible information).

3) To be given practical support. 

Who is a Carer?

 

Young Carers Action Day Credit Creatarts.org.uk

Discussion

      Ø    Are you a carer? 

Ø    Have you been a carer? 

Ø    Might you become a carer?

Ø    Who in your family is a carer?

Ø    What are the care needs of your family?

Ø    How do you feel about this?

Preparing for Family Network Meetings

 Hindi Proverb

“But I have always loved my cow”

Imagine the scene.  A traffic jam; Car horns honking; people leaning out of windows exclaiming!  Worried locals looking frantically for Farmer Ajit. 

“Ajit, Ajit, your cow has sat down in the middle of the  highway and can’t be moved.

 The place has come to a  stand still.”

Calmly, Ajit stops what he is doing and walks purposefully towards the hubbub.  He gets down on his haunches and stretches his arm around his cow.  Gently he takes hold, and starts to lift up the cow. He inches step by step over to the side of the road and places the cow gently down.  The cow blinks its large eyes.  Immediately the roar of the traffic starts up again.  The people stand back in awe.  

“How did you do that Ajit?” they exclaim. 

“Oh, it’s nothing”, retorts Ajit.

“From a little calf, I have always loved my cow.  Everyday I tend to her needs and care for her.  From a young calf, I have  picked her up and carried her where she  needs to go.  

And today is no different.”

Watsan Walk for Water 21st June 2025

 Dear Friends and Family of the Leicester Starrs,

This is my information drop to tell you that I am facilitating a 16 mile walk in the Charnwood Hills of Leicestershire. 

We do this every two years to raise money for a Ugandan based water project called Watsan www.watsanuganda.org  

If you are willing and able. you are invited to join us on Saturday 21st June 9:30 at the Altar Stones in Markfield https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altar_Stones_Nature_Reserve  LE67 9PX.

If you live miles/kms away, think of us on the 21st June.  

And yes, it would be very kind of you to support our fundraising efforts for our partners in Uganda doing the real work. 

https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/Starrs4water

Happy Easter

Christ Pantokrator in the apse of
the Cathedral of Cefalù, Sicily, Italy. 
Credit: Wikipedia

What do I need to do to live?  Eat and drink?  Well that's a good start.  But Jesus said...

"People do not live by eating bread alone, but on every word that comes from the Father."  

Jesus said to the woman at the well, "water can satisfy you for a moment, but I can give you living water that will mean that your needs will be met forever."

When we take Jesus' body and blood, we do not just revere it, sniff it, or genuflect before it.  We eat it and drink it.  It become part of our bodies and blood.  It mixes into to our whole existence and becomes undisguisable from our substance.  

We must do this, as Jesus insisted with Peter when he washed his friends feet, "I must wash your feet - it's essential."  

We understand and accept that we need Jesus to feed us, sustain us, provide all the nutrients we need to grow, and thrive. We are like so many young babies who are solely dependent on their mother's milk.

We do more than accept and obey; we are grateful, and honour our loving creator who has shown us how to live life to the full.

PRAYER: This Easter day I re reaffirm my vow, to honour, love, trust and obey you forever.

Lent 40 - Life giving II

L'amitié by Pablo Picasso
The hermitage, St Petersburg
Credit: en.wikipedia.org

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other." John 15

 One of the special things about the Creator's love for us, is that we can come boldly into their presence.

I am reminded of my friend who I was due to meet me on Friday, but forgot.  It struck me that this is a sign that our friendship is secure, because he was appropriately  not that concerned.  He knew that it will not affect our friendship.  It's the same with God.  I can be late, forgetful or annoying (though not advised), and do not need to fear any consequence, because the Creator makes themselves vulnerable to my imperfection.  They love me warts and all.

If I am late, am I fearful of disapproval?  Or do I genuinely not want to inconvenience my friend out of love?  Same with my Creator.  I am the mouse that runs across the great lion Aslan's paw, without a pause, and without fear. 

PRAYER:  Thank you for your great love that knows no bounds.