General Chat

A certain person's birthday I believe, may be why she's not on here :-)

I was just about to post the same Emma. I hope Cynthia’s absence is just because she is very busy or maybe she has internet problems. She is much missed when she doesn’t post and I am sure we all appreciate her efforts at keeping the thread going.

Hoping all is well with Cynthia and her OH <3 <3

Yes Vera.

Those young men were also fighting for their homeland and following orders from their senior officers.
Fathers, brothers and sons.
Any life lost in warfare is a sadness.

Thinking particularly today of a man distantly related to my family who was in the Falklands War. His experiences left him struggling to cope on his return to civilian life and, sadly, he eventually took his own life.

I feel our thoughts should also be with the brave servicemen of our “enemies” as well as our allies.

We will remember them.

A beautiful, dry and sunny morning for the local service of Remembrance at the town's war memorial.
Representatives from our twin towns in France and Belgium were also there. We are so near to the Channel Tunnel, so it is easy to travel between the towns for shared events.
A large number of youngsters took part in the parade afterwards. It's always good to see that the next generation are taught to be respectful and thankful for all that was done in the past, so that we can have freedom today.
During the laying of the many wreaths, local primary school children read out the names of people who lost their lives in past hostilities.
Sadly the 2nd World War was not the end of conflict and I found myself reflecting on the many still lost in troubles today.
One young soldier who died in Afghanistan is buried in Shorncliffe Military Cemetery near Folkestone. His grave is carefully tended by his local family, who so miss their brave son and brother, who died at 19 years old.

We will remember them.

Hello all

A dry bright morning for the village parade and service in a packed church, then the reading names of locals who had sadly lost their lives in both World Wars before the laying of the poppy wreaths at the Lych Gate War Memorial today. Good to see the youngsters taking part in this special and poignant event this year.

We will remember them.

We will remember them.

The Inquisitive Child

Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?
Selling poppies in town today.
The poppies, child, are flowers of love.
For the men who marched away.

But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy?
Why not a beautiful rose?
Because my child, men fought and died
in the fields where the poppies grow.

But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?
Why are the poppies so red?
Red is the colour of blood, my child.
The blood that our soldiers shed.

The heart of the poppy is black,
Mummy. Why does it have to be black?
Black, my child, is the symbol of grief.
For the men who never came back.

But why, Mummy are you crying so?
Your tears are giving you pain.
My tears are my fears for you my child.
For the world is forgetting again.

Author unknown


We will remember them.


Cx :-)

Hello all

It wasn't easy attending the two funeral services but I needed to pay my last respects and also to help support both families through a sad day. Been there, done that myself
God is good and provides the strength we need at times like this.

Awww, loving the hugs from Emma and Vera. You're both very kind. Thank you both.

Thoughts and prayers for all the people who have been flooded out of their homes. xx.

Good morning :-)

A difficult week indeed kandj…..hope you are keeping your chin up! <3


Another aspect of civilian life during wartime...….rationing

Before the Second World War started Britain imported about 55 million tons of food a year from other countries. After war was declared in September 1939, the British government had to cut down on the amount of food it brought in from abroad as German submarines started attacking British supply ships. There was a worry that this would lead to shortages of food supplies in the shops so the British government decided to introduce a system of rationing.

Rationing made sure that people got an equal amount of food every week. The government was worried that as food became scarcer, prices would rise and poorer people might not be able to afford to eat. There was also a danger that some people might hoard food, leaving none for others.

How did food rationing work? Every person in Britain was given a ration book. They had to register and buy their food from their chosen shops. There were no supermarkets, so people had to visit several different shops to buy meat, vegetables, bread and other goods. When people wanted to buy some food, the items they bought were crossed off in their ration book by the shopkeeper.

People were encouraged to provide their own food at home. The 'Dig for Victory' campaign started in October 1939 and called for every man and woman to keep an allotment. Lawns and flower-beds were turned into vegetable gardens. Chickens, rabbits, goats and pigs were reared in town parks and gardens.

De-Rationing Rationing of food lasted for 14 years and ended on July 4, 1954.

Father God, we thank you that there really is enough food for everyone in this world - when it is properly shared. Help us to share with those who are less fortunate than us, to support those who are hungry or thirsty.

We pray for those who live in countries where food is hard to grow or where the government is corrupt. We pray for the countries who are at war and where food is rationed still. We thank you that there are agencies who are working to alleviate these problems and to bring hope to the people. Amen.


Cx :-)

Kandj, it must have been a difficult week for you but I am sure your presence will have been of comfort to those involved. I am following Emma and also sending you a (((((hug))))) <3

kandj must have been very hard for you to do
and I send (((hugs))) to you for finding the strength. x

Hello all

Not been the best of weeks as I have been to two funeral services this week. Losing my lovely husband and also my big sister last year,this was very hard for me to do.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you that You hold my hand and that you are my rock, when I falter.
Today, I am feeling so blessed, just knowing that You would never leave me.
Amen

Sending ((hugs)) to all in need of support for whatever reason today xxxx

Amen for your prayer today Cynthia.

My thoughts and prayers for those who are flooded
in Yorkshire and other places that they stay safe.x

Good morning :-)

Thank you for those words Sylvia, they are much appreciated. <3


As we approach this very special weekend, we take a look at the effect warfare had on the people who were left at home.

Evacuation
With the start of the Second World War came Operation Pied Piper. It wasn’t only children who were evacuated, the disabled people, pregnant women, and teachers were also evacuated to safety from the air raids.

Children living in big cities were transferred to the country areas such as Devon, Cornwall and Wales where they stayed with host families. Some were sent to the US, Australia and Canada.

The main transportation used by thousands of children to go to the host families were the special trains. All of them were sad when they had to leave home and family but, since most of them were very young, they thought that they were having a holiday.

The children were given a giant gas mask in case of air raids and were given enough food for the journey. Each one had a label pin on their clothes which stated their name, school, home address and destination. To keep in touch with the parents, the evacuated children were encouraged to send letters

Many evacuees had returned home long before March 1946. In April 1945, the Government began to make travel arrangements to return the evacuees to their homes when the war was over.

Lord
Help us to be grateful for our safety today. Help us not to forget that there is still warfare in this world and that people are still fleeing from their homes to places of safety. Give strength and hope to those who are less fortunate than ourselves, that they may be able to cope with the difficult times ahead of them. Amen.


I googled pictures of the evacuees - and some are just so poignant.....I can't imagine what it must have been like to wave your little one off on their own. :-(


Cx :-)

Thank you, kandji

I was afraid that you all might think I had come across a bit strong for this thread, but I felt it had to be said.


I do read your postings almost every day, though I don't often post.

Thank you so much, Cynthia and everyone, for keeping it going.



even this non-churchgoer gets a lot of satisfaction from reading what is posted. xxx

Good morning :-)


Thank you for that Emma <3

:.To end our time of analogies between fireworks and Christians...…....a damp squib

A squib is a small firework. A damp squib would not go off properly, and so it would be a disappointment, a let down.

It's so disappointing when churches (all denominations) spend time and effort in encouraging people in the faith - leading to baptism/confirmation/membership, and then never see them again. What was the point? What more can we do? We pray they will return ??

In last Sunday's sermon, our latest confirmees not to be damp squibs, but to be shining lights for Jesus.

Lord, whether we are Catherine Wheels, Sparklers or Fountains, may we always be prepared to serve you to the best of our ability. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Sylvia we are in agreement with advice for David. I hope he heeds us all.

Vera, I am also blessed with good family support. Just wished they lived nearer.

Cynthia...... I have come across many Church folk who are like fountains and been blessed to have them inspire me over the years.

Emma, I haven't read this HSR poem before, how true her words are. Thank you.

Morning all :-)

Never Borrow Sorry from Tomorrow

Deal only with the present ---
never step into tomorrow,
For God asks us just to trust Him
and to never borrow sorrow.
For the future is not ours to know,
and it may never be,
So let us live and give our best
and give it lavishly...
For to meet tomorrow's troubles
before they are even ours
Is to anticipate the Saviour
and to doubt His all wise powers,
So let us be content to solve
our problems one by one,
Asking nothing of tomorrow
except " Thy will be done."

HSR