2022 marks 70 years since the night in 1952 when Lynmouth was devastated by water and rocks cascading down off the moor following torrential rain. 34 residents lost their lives and buildings were either washed away or left uninhabitable. This year, residents of Lynmouth have been remembering those lost, some of whom had been members of their family. A service of Remembrance was held in St John the Baptist church. On the following day, over 100 residents made a memorial walk along beside the river, unveiling a memorial plaque and finally gathering on the Manor Green where names of the lost were read out and a bell was tolled for each person lost. It was followed by local folk music, which celebrated the life of the community, both past and present. .“Walking the river together was a profound act of holding together the pain of the past and the beauty and hope of this place and our communities now." said Rev'd Samantha Stayte. Reverend Samantha was interviewed about the events on BBC Radio Devon. You can listen to the interview at this link. Move the slider to 1.36 to hear the interview from the start.
Dear Friends,Thank you to everyone who was able to join in with the 70th anniversary commemoration of the 1952 Flood. It was very special to meet those who had returned to and to share the evening with those who had lived through those times. West Country ITV interviewed a number of participants and I was deeply moved by all that they shared and grateful for the chance to listen. Media interest continues and I will be talking to the presenter of BBC Radio Devon's Sunday breakfast programme at about 7.30 am tomorrow morning about the privilege of sharing in the commemoration amongst those who have rebuilt and restored community life here too.The 18th August saw the welcome return of Kate Robey and Thomas Cameron to St Mary's Lynton for a concert on the tour that is taking them to Edinburgh this week. It was good to be able to gather again simply to enjoy an afternoon of music after the postponement of the last couple of years. Many people commented that they have a new appreciation of much we took for granted before the pandemic.Looking into the coming week, August 24th is the day Ukrainians keep as Independence Day. I think it is a good time for us renew our prayers for peace in that region and to pray for all those who, this year will be praying for their homeland from afar. In this week's gospel Jesus reveals God's liberating power in the life of a woman who has been bent low. Some react with criticism, others rejoice with her and for her. Life is challenging for so many at the moment. May we be open to God's liberating grace in our own lives, be willing to walk with others sympathetically, and be amongst those who rejoice at others' joy too. God blessSamanthaIn my sermon I refer to this being a passage which is good as a starting point to explore imaginative contemplation. A good guided imaginative contemplation with this passage by Stephen Hoyland ,an experienced Ignatian retreat director, can be found here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTyoBg6aO9I
Dear Friends,I hope that in these high temperatures you have been able to stay comfortable and to look out for those around you who might be struggling with the heat. I am really conscious of how difficult these drought conditions are for our farmers and encourage us all to keep them in our prayers and in our minds as we take care with our own water usage. The gospel reading for this weekend includes weather forecasting imagery (and Jesus' metaphor of bringing fire to the earth which I've grappled with a bit in my sermon) which is poignant when we are holding together the experience of extreme heat and parched land with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the flooding here in 1952. The details of the service at Lynmouth Church on Sunday and the memorial events on Monday are below. I am really grateful to Sheila Voisey and David and Bet Wilde for their skill in planning the Monday walk and service which we hope will help draw together the precious and raw memories of those who experienced the flood and its loss, thankfulness to those who responded then to rebuild and restore community life and gratitude for all that those of us who live here now are able to enjoy. God blessSamantha6.30pm Sunday 14th AugustAn evening service of Remembrance in St John’s Church, Lynmouth.Monday 15th AugustA heritage walk starting from Middleham Gardens at 6.00pm.This level walk of approx. 1 mile on mainly tarmac surfaces will proceed over Woodside Bridge, along Tors Road, over Tors Bridge, along Riverside Path. Crossing Countisbury Road where a wreath will be laid on the Flood Cross.The walk continues along Lynmouth Street to the Flood Memorial Hall Garden where a plaque to remember the 34 flood victims will be unveiled followed by a 1 minute silence.It will then proceed over May Bridge to the Manor GreenHere there will be a short remembrance service where relatives/friends of the 34 victims will ring a bell in their memory.Along the walk will be pre and post flood photos.People are welcome to join the walk at any point along its route or wait at the Memorial Hall or on the Manor GreenFor further information please contact Sheila Voisey 01598 752436 sheilavoisey54@gmail.com
Dear FriendsThank you to our hosts at Martinhoe and to all who joined in with the Lammas celebration last Sunday: cream teas are certainly a good way to experience the joy and gratitude for the beginning of the harvests that were the focus of our prayers. Let's continue to keep our own farming community in our prayers through this dry summer, and to pray for the peace in Eastern Europe that will also free farmers in that region to tend their land and export their produce in a needy world.Next Sunday and Monday there will be events in Lynmouth to mark the 70th anniversary of the extreme flooding across this region of Exmoor which culminated in Lynmouth - details of services are at the end of this letter. There will also be a talk at the Pavilion on 11th August at 6.30pm. Please hold in your prayers families for whom memories of the events of that time are still raw and all who, around the world suffer from natural disasters . It is a time too, for giving thanks for the community life we continue to share, and the resilience of our region through many challenges, old and new.Perhaps the words that open this Sunday's gospel are timely. "Do not be afraid" Jesus says (which is one of the most repeated phrases in the Bible) as he encourages his followers to trust in God's love for us and to find ways to share God's provision with others. As we weave our thanksgiving for those who provide us with food and care for our land, with our concern for those suffering war across our world and our remembering of the grief and resilience of our immediate past here, may our prayers help us to trust God's presence with us through all things and the love that prevails eternally.God bless,SamanthaLynmouth’s 70th Flood Anniversary CommemorationTo mark this important event the following are taking place.6.30pm Sunday 14th AugustAn evening service of Remembrance in St John’s Church, Lynmouth.Monday 15th AugustA heritage walk starting from Middleham Gardens at 6.00pm.This level walk of approx. 1 mile on mainly tarmac surfaces will proceed over Woodside Bridge, along Tors Road, over Tors Bridge, along Riverside Path. Crossing Countisbury Road where a wreath will be laid on the Flood Cross.The walk continues along Lynmouth Street to the Flood Memorial Hall Garden where a plaque to remember the 34 flood victims will be unveiled followed by a 1 minute silence.It will then proceed over May Bridge to the Manor GreenHere there will be a short remembrance service where relatives/friends of the 34 victims will ring a bell in their memory.Along the walk will be pre and post flood photos.People are welcome to join the walk at any point along its route or wait at the Memorial Hall or on the Manor GreenFor further information please contact Sheila Voisey 01598 752436 sheilavoisey54@gmail.com or David Wilde 01598 752296 partstreet1@btinternet.com
