September 2016

You may remember from September 2015 that skeletons uncovered at Durham Cathedral were identified as the remains of the Scottish prisoners taken by Cromwell at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. These remains were tipped into a pit without ceremony. After consultation with people in Scotland, it’s been agreed by Durham University that they will be reburied in Durham with dignity and respect. It was also considered important that the Scottish soldiers should be permanently commemorated and a plaque dedicated to the soldiers will be installed as close as possible to the site where the remains were originally discovered. We are in contact with the Cathedral and hope to attend the public service.

Recently while visiting Cromwell’s house in Ely we discovered that some of these prisoners were marched to the Fens to dig the drainage ditches. The people from the Fens refused to do this work as they didn’t agree with what Cromwell had planned (they feared for their livelihoods) and it wasn’t a well paid job. So prisoners were brought in to do the work as slave/cheap labour (Nothing changes!). So our work continues……now we understand the invite to speak in Norwich. We stand amazed how our Lord continues to lead and direct our path. We know without doubt His hand is upon this land, healing and restoring.

2 Chronicles 7 v 14 in The Message Bible reads “my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health”.