From the Rectory August 2023

I wonder which has done more to shape our Parish: fishing or tourism? Without question the fishing industry got there first, long before a day out at the seaside became a feasible opportunity for the average British family. The wealth of the herring trade is a huge factor in the prosperity of this town and partially why we are blessed with such a vast Minster church
 
Tourism has certainly had a large impact as well. With the arrival of the railways thousands of leisure seekers dispersed from the trains and flocked to the beaches until gradually more opportunities to stay at the seaside were offered as houses took in guests and then hotels began to emerge and places to camp and stay in a caravan. If the question about which was the biggest influence was asked today then tourism would win without question as now barely a fish lands in the mouth of the Yare. Meanwhile the caravan parks seem to do a brisk business and the jingle jangle of the Golden Mile does not diminish
 
“Holiday time” as we know it is a relatively modern invention. Centuries ago a “holy day” was nearly the only cause to have rest from the perpetuity of work. People were more mindful of keeping a quiet, restful Sabbath day. It still strikes me when I travel in countries like fiercely secular France there is a splendid hush in many towns and cities on a Sunday as people take time away from work, frequently spending leisurely afternoons in the company of family. Time out is important. The universal nature and our need of holiday and rest is as much a matter of common sense as it is a belief in God’s ordering of humankind
 
Many biblical notions of work and rest are rooted in ancient structures built around the agricultural year and the average working day on the land. Life has changed. Work for many people is far more invasive because of technology and increasingly in recent years people work from home. Technology has made it possible to do the office-based job of five years’ ago from your kitchen table. It’s wonderful in some respects but does mean that work with all its emotions and connections is dragged to the kitchen table whereas once it would’ve been left at the desk in town. Remember the needs of those who work to take a break and spend time with loved ones
 
Let us be thankful for these times of holiday and the bustle and busyness we shall see in Great Yarmouth in the coming weeks. We pray for fun and safety for all who travel and enjoy themselves. And make sure you find some time for rest and recreation yourself

Father Simon

Rev Canon Simon Ward
Team Rector, Great Yarmouth Parish

this article courtesy of Parish Life

The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Yarmouth, and are intended to stimulate constructive and good-natured debate between website users

Click here to read our forum and comment posting guidelines