Heart 4 Harlow

There are many ways of describing Harlow 'See something different' being one, and 'birthplace of fibre-optic communications' being another.

My own favourite is Heart 4 Harlow, an idea thought up by our Industrial Chaplain Rev. Robert Findlay.

Heart 4 Harlow sums up everything that is good about our town.  Moreover, it encapsulates what Harlow should always aspire to be:  A place of aspiration, inspiration and community.

I hope very much that these three words become second nature, when people think of Harlow.

P.S.  The picture shows me visiting the Heart 4 Harlow Shop, in the Harvey Centre. This has been established by Rev. Findlay and volunteers to offer support, counselling, advice and faith during this Christmas season.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Sad events at Sheering

I was very sad to be at Sheering Church this evening, watching brave Harlow Fire Officers do their best to put out flames that threatened havoc on this ancient Medieval building.

The Tower of Sheering Church was built in 1160 and its majesty is something special. It holds a clock - a memorial clock, put in at a much later date. As I understand it, the rest of the Church was built in the 14th Century, with the North wing be added in the nineteenth.
I remember going to the Church, with former Conservative Leader Michael Howard, so it was a bit of a shock seeing smoke from the rooftops.

The Fire Officers fortunately saved the Church from further damage and managed to preserve ancient medieval artefacts from ruin. Going inside the Church with a Fire Officer, it was tragic to see that a section had been gutted by the fire.

I felt deeply for the acting Church Vicar, church wardens and local residents, watching and waiting to see how much damage their would be to this special place of worship.

From what I was told, it was luck, that a lady walking her dog by the church, saw the fire and called emergency services. Had she not been there at that time, the whole church could have been destroyed.

As always, we have to give our thanks the emergency services - the Fire Officers - who did all they could to keep the Church from the flames.

A sad time for Sheering villagers nevertheless.

You can see more pictures of the fire at Everything Epping Forest.com
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A spectacular sunset in Rutland

With all the nasty goings on at Westminster today - and the resignation of Gordon Brown's senior Advisor for a smear campaign - I felt so glad to be away from politics for Easter. We are in Rutland today, and were privileged to see another beautiful sunset (the second in one week- see my previous posting).

The picture shows the sun setting over Rutland Water and some trees basking in the light, looking forward to Spring. The wonders of nature a joy to behold.

Tomorrow we will be on a boat to take us around the Lake here, so I will no doubt have some more spectacular pictures to post.

P.S. We are staying in an old Public House in Uppingham, next to a very old Church. As I write at eleven pm, I can hear the Church bells chime. Its like hearing Big Ben. Perfect.

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