In the May 2000 Issue
|
I have got to say something about it, for it’s of real concern to me. What is it? The proposed closure of Barclays’ Bank. It has been on the television that in various places in East Anglia, Barclays’ is to close down branches which it deems to be unprofitable, and this includes its branch in Gamlingay. The excuse they seem to be using for taking this step is the increase in ‘On-line Banking’. Well that’s all right if you are ‘on-line’, have an Internet connection and know how to use the Internet. Even if you know your way around ‘www.com’ you still won’t be able to ‘put in ‘or ‘get out’ cash from you PC. Someone once said, ‘small is beautiful,’ I don’t think Barclays’ agrees with this. When you think of the millions of pounds they make in profit, one wonders what they are thinking about, what is motivating them to take such a drastic step. For me village life is under threat. Farmers are struggling to make ends meet, some have lost hope and given up. Sadly, amongst the farming fraternity, there are a number of suicides. Now, let me digress, though it isn’t really a digression. I have a PC which when left on its own ‘goes to sleep.’ Only when I press a certain button does it ‘awaken.’ I wonder if Gamlingay has ‘gone to sleep’ as to what is happening, or, maybe I should say, is not happening in rural areas. I wonder what ‘button’ should be pressed in order to ‘awaken’ the inhabitants of the village both to the spiritual needs and physical needs of our village. Please forgive me if I have been a bit political in this letter. The plain fact is that, in the Old Testament, the prophets did not shrink away from getting ‘politically involved’ in the life of Israel, through pointing out the injustice and moral corruption. The Church today still has the same responsibility to speak out concerning that which it believes to be plainly wrong. It also has the responsibility of telling the good news of Jesus Christ, which has the answer to Mankind’s basic problem.
Tom Elsby
Sunday Services
Regular Church Activities
Contacts |