My Home City - Reflections on my early years in Plymouth 12

 Old Town Street - Plymouth by Rev’d Paul Collings 

With the ever expanding three cities, planners in the 1700s named one part of the town as Old Town to differentiate it from the new build; eventually this thoroughfare became known as Old Town Street with it’s market centre, Renowned architect Sir Patrick Abercrombie published his Plan for Plymouth in 1943, which cleared the city of buildings that survived the World War Two blitz. The vision was for a radically different, modern city with boulevard-style central roads running east to west, linked by a striking north to south avenue, Armada Way, connecting North Road railway station and the Hoe.

All that now remains of the original street is it’s name.

Isaiah 58:12 You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You'll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community liveable again.

I still recall the crashing walls

As there swung harsh, the wrecking ball

That tore the fabric of that street

Into an mound, a rubbled heap.

Whilst damage done by falling bombs

Had given way to peaceful balm,

Rebuilding hope was now the scheme

Yet banished sight of former dreams.

Today, as folk walk ‘long that way,

I wonder if their mind would stay

A moment pause and there to feel

The former life, histry’s reveal.

Progressions tireless rush to find

The new, the novel leaves behind

The memory of the why and how,

The past has made today, the now.

Lord, in my lifetime have I thought

Of those who travelled, those who sought

To build on ground for future days

That I might too new living raise.

Or do I cast such thoughts aside

And elders efforts shun, deride.

Help me to value former times

And with my own to build entwine.

Help me to realise in your hands

All human effort fuse and stands,

Connected by a living chain

That no one’s living is in vain.

“Sometimes we can’t be present to the possibilities of our future until we navigate a peaceful path through the aftermath of our past.” 

― Curtis Tyrone Jones

My Home City - Reflections on my early years in Plymouth 11

 Prudential Building - Plymouth by Rev’d Paul Collings

One of pre-War Plymouth's most prominent and significant landmarks was the Prudential Building that stood on the corner of George Street and Frankfort Street.  It dominated the view westwards along Bedford Street.

Whilst it was badly damaged during the Second World War, it could have been saved but in the new City Centre of straight roads it would have stuck out into Armada Way so it had to be demolished in 1951.  The site is marked by a blue plaque

Deuteronomy 4:9 & 23 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them....Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden.

I often wonder, if today

We’d pull down buildings in the way

Of progress march, of planner’s whim,

As history’s shadow there grows dims.

Would we too throw, cast to the ground

Such former grandeur, just a mound

Of brick and mortar’s gutted dross

Without a thought of lasting cost.

But do we in our live’s right now

Demolish structures, care not how

We smash and crumble precious things,

Ignore their value, history’s string.

The cord that stretches to the past

Ignored, forgotten, now recast

To form our own progressive scene

Without a thought there once foreseen.

There is of course a danger here

To make an idol unaware

Of glory’s past, and bar the way

That leads to our redemption day.

And long that narrow fine-lined track

Forget the covenant, fallback

Into unhelpful former ways

Instead of taking new morn’s rays.

Lord help me  build upon the old

A vision of that lasting gold

That melds new life and there adorn

Your living beauty’s holy form.

“If you live in fear of the future because of what happened in your past, you’ll end up loosing what you have in the present.” Anon

My Home City - Reflections on my early years in Plymouth 10

 Fore Street Devonport by Rev’d Paul Collings

Fore Street Devonport was once one of the most prestigious shopping thoroughfares of the three towns that constituted the City of Plymouth.  Due to the proximity to the Royal Naval Dockyard, the majority of the shops and business premises were destroyed by enemy bombs during the 2nd World War.  During the post war years, whilst some effort was made to once more reestablish a shopping street in temporary buildings, the needs of the Naval base required additional land and the street disappeared to public view behind a boundary wall.  Today, Fore Street is once more part of the developing Devonport community.

1 Kings 19:12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

There shadows cast upon the road

Of former times where stories told

Of grandeur of a bygone year

As memories unfold with tears.

The very soul of this broad street,

That catered for incoming fleet,

Had all but gone as wartime fell

Beneath each bomb and falling shell.

I do recall the post war scene,

How Nissan Huts became the scheme

Where shoppers with their ration cards

Bought what they could while times where hard.

As the long years of Cold War spanned

The need for land, the base expand,

Were ships of war where built to sail

Enclosed the road, obscured the trail.

Now times have changed, no more the wall 

As once again the road restored

Where people of this day and age

Can live, enjoy, and there engage.

This cycle of such passing times

From bible times has held a line

Of rise and fall, of triumph, shame,

Of bounty’s prize or fall in flames.

Yet, through this passage of the years

You, Lord, have banished hidden fears,

As fortunes come or riches go,

Your constant presence we can know.

Lord, through each tempest and each storm

Help me to recognise the form,

Your comfort and your goodness trace

That you’re alive in everyplace.

"Our God is a master at turning devastation into restoration." - Chuck Swindoll

My Home City - Reflections on my early years in Plymouth 9

 The Palace Theatre - Plymouth  by Rev’d Paul Collings

The theatre was built in the Flemish Renaissance style in 1898, with the interior in an Art Nouveau style, with nautical features. It is now deteriorating while an agreement is reached about its future and it is listed as an "at risk" building. It is a grade II* listed building.

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honours him. - Proverbs 14:31 

There stands the Palace Theatre,

A shadow of it’s past. 

A place of laughter and of mirth

Whilst memories still last,

Of pantomimes that thrilled young minds

Performed by willing casts.

Here too, at annual Scout Gang Show,

I sang and there performed

A cornet medley  on the stage

“The Lost Chord’s” notes that framed

Monastic scene where two young boys

Brought comfort as monks prayed.

Yet as I view that place today

And see it’s sad decay,

It’s former glory, now long past,

A facade of dismay;

I bring to mind another stage

Where broken lives display.

Such promise in their days of youth

Of hope, now long since crushed

As moth and rust’s corruption takes

It’s deadly toll, now dashed

Upon the passing rocks of time

Where shattered lives are smashed.

Lord help me see in broken lives

Your drama there unfold,

As on the stage of life you show

A buried treasure, gold 

And as I take a lower part

Help them regain, stand bold.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

 – Mahatma Gandhi

Faith in times of Crisis 21- by Dr J P Hunter

St Nun’s Church Pelynt East Cornwall  by Rev’d Paul Collings 

(also opening for worship in September)

Meditation by Dr J P Hunter

Psalm 145: 1-3, 8-10, 14, 18-21. New International Version

A psalm of praise. Of David.

1 I will exalt you, my God the King;

    I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you

    and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    his greatness no one can fathom.

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

    slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The Lord is good to all;

    he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All your works praise you, Lord;

    your faithful people extol you.

14 The Lord upholds all who fall

    and lifts up all who are bowed down.

18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,

    to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfils the desires of those who fear him;

    he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The Lord watches over all who love him,

    but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.

    Let every creature praise his holy name

    for ever and ever.

Meditation

As this coming Sunday we are rejoicing that our church building will re-open, we are also aware that people may have sorrows and burdens in their lives. This is a Psalm of praise by David recognising God’s greatness and goodness, while at the same time pointing to God as the great burden-bearer. God is able to lift us up because: his greatness is unfathomable 145:3, he is righteous 145:7, he is gracious, compassionate, patient and loving 145:8-9, he remains near to those who call on him 145:18, he hears our cries and saves us 145:19-20. In both circumstances, if there are reasons for joy and praise, or burdened by sorrows, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that we are able to re-open our church building this Sunday. Thank you that we will be able to come together again to seek your Presence, worship you and find courage in fellowship with each other. We also bring to you those who have sorrows or burdens in their lives, those who are lonely, those who are anxious, those who are uncertain and those worried about their safety and health. We bring all our concerns to you because you are near to those who seek you. Amen.

Hymn – StF 88, verse 1,2

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!

Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,

join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;

surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,

if with his love he befriends you.

My Home City - Reflections on my early years in Plymouth 8

 

Devonport Guildhall by Rev’d Paul Collings

Before the establishment of Plymouth as a City in 1914 it consisted of three towns Plymouth (previously known as Sutton) Stonehouse and Devonport. In fact Devonport grew to be the largest of the three and a bustling naval port. It’s proud motto is : ‘Prorsum semper honeste' meaning 'Ever forward in uprightness'.

Isaiah 54:17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

Three towns, so proud, stood side by side

‘Tween river mouths’ so wide,

Each with it’s own unique hist’ry,

Folklore and mystery.

And there on Tamar’s long shoreline

The naval docks designed,

Ships of the realm, with oakened hearts

To foreign lands depart.

Yet here, this poor old Devonport town

Paid price as it burned down,

Where building after building fell

Beneath Blitzkrieg’s bombshell.

Though grandeur wrecked by bomb sites stain

It’s Guildhall still remains,

A testament to former days;

It’s founding title phrase.

Where forward movement, uprightness,

The principle was pressed

And there today, once more we find

Renewing work aligned.

I pray for those who hold no blame

Yet find their paths in flames,

Where danger, damage on them rains 

Their innocence to strain.

Lord, in yourself you took the pain

And over evil reigned 

That through your mercy’s gracious gift

Each down cast life to lift.

You call me follow in your way,

To spread your truth today

And share the mercy I’ve received

Downtrod lives to relieve.

 “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” 

― Charles Dickens

My Home City - Reflections on my early years in Plymouth 7

 

Plymouth Hoe by Rev’d Paul Collings 

These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by each family in every province and town. These days of Purim should not be neglected by the Jewish people, and that they should not be forgotten by their descendants. Ester 9:28

On Plymouth hoe, across the sound

A vista of the sea is found,

Where countless vessels through the years 

Have journeyed to and from to cheers.

As crowds with joy or sadness, tears

Have watched with longing, even fears

Their loved ones journey cross the seas

Where dangers, battles, oft did seize.

This place where history’s pages name

The loss of life, white stone proclaim

Such selfless duty, those who gave 

That lasting peace our lives to save.

Hard now it seems as there I see 

That peaceful scene, the balmy sea,

The hurt, the harm, the anarchy,

That cross these water’s once decreed.

Lord, may I ever keep in mind 

Such sacrifice, nor leave behind,

The memory of passing years

The hurt, the harm, the undried tears.

Help me the peace of tranquil sea

Absorb within my life and be

A beacon of your lasting peace,

That war and hatred truly cease  

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal” From an Irish headstone