Cromer Beach


In some small matters the call for Christians to be Christ-like is easy! Anyone can walk by the seaside! A favourite walk is from Overstrand to Cromer. On a summer’s day, with sunlight dancing on the sea, a breeze blowing your hair everywhere and with the rhythm of the waves on the shore, everything seems alive. A paddle or a swim can intensify a sense of being part of it all and can become an occasion to reflect on baptism. Even on a summer’s day the water can be cold and it’s not all blue skies! Imagine the same beach on a dark and stormy winter’s night. Baptism Service speaks of “the deep waters of death”!

Cromer and Cromer men have a proud history of saving life at sea. Henry Blogg, coxen of Cromer boat from 1909 to 1947 is probably the best known lifeboatman ever! He carried out 350 rescues and saved 800 lives. Now the RNLI have done him proud by building the new Henry Blogg Museum at the bottom of the Gangway (opened Spring 2006). It is well worth a visit, if only to enjoy a thrilling piece of modern architecture and the refreshments in the, first floor, Rocket House Café!

Of course, Henry Blogg and most of the lifeboat men were fishermen and lots of Jesus’ friends were fishermen but when it comes to saviours………… I never go to Cromer without remembering Margaret. By her own telling she was an awkward, unhappy and unloved child. But she found a Saviour when she came to know Jesus through a summer holiday beach mission. The good news of God’s love never left her! Henry Blogg, Margaret, you and I can’t dodge the deep waters of death. But we do have a Saviour! Remembering them all and that breakfast on the shore (John 21) when the resurrection faith was brand new I like to buy a crab and picnic on the beach.

Cromer’s has brilliant public transport connections and the Promenade is great for wheelchair users. Those with disabled parking badges can park on the Promenade. The lift at the Henry Blogg Museum connects the cliff top with the Promenade and the Rocket House Cafe there are toilets for the disabled at the Museum and on the Pier.

© 2006 Richard Woodham

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