We have periodically rode on the Steam Trains of the “South Devon Railway” since around 2002 – when my parents and extended family moved into the Torquay area. However, we may have visited this wonderful place prior to this date – with the odd visit to the area. As myself and Gee (plus the children) live in Sutton (South London) – we regularly visit Torbay to see my parents and extebded family – giving us a chance to seek-out the Steam Railway! This is a good experience for the ongoing education of our two daughters – Mei-An and Kai-Lin! During the 1990s, my mother (Diane Wyles) administered the “Days Out” Project – which arranged for People with Disabilities that lived in the Tiverton and East Devon area – to visit well-known tourist spots in special buses! Usually, these outings relied upon “Volunteer” drivers and happened on weekends. It was during these outings during the 1990s that I think I first visited the South Devon Railway! I would help look after my younger (disabled) sister – Charlotte – and assist in any other way needed. Wheelchairs needed lifting on and off the bus (the best driver was Anne Prouse RIP) – as the age of the participants varied from the quite young to the very old. Pushing Wheelchairs around the attractions was another important and worthwhile task.
We initially drove to visit (once again) the Benedictine monastery at Buxkfast. The monks insist that entry into the monastery should be eternally “free” – as the monks dismiss the ownership of private property and the making of profit (according to the Rule of St Benedict) – but the Catholic Church (the priests of the Church are very different to the monks of the monastic institution) had different ideas. A Summer Fayre is currently being held within the grounds of Buckfast Abbey – administered by the Church. The priests of the Catholic Church have worked-out a way to introduce a pay-wall which benefits their greed whilst seemingly acting in accordance with the wishes of the monks. Yes – the Catholic Church only cares for greed, political dominance and temporal power. and this is why the Catholic Church has started charging for parking, an initiative enforced by specially hired night-club Bouncers who stand menacingly at the gates – demanding to “see” the tickets – proving the £6 parking fee had been paid! This dichotomy exemplifies the difference which exists between the Christian Church and Christian monastic establishment. The priests want money (as do the lay-people who set-up their stalls) – the monks (who could not be seen anywhere) – want inner tranquillity and outer peace!
After purchasing a sandwich at Buckfast Abbey (the kitchen was not functionally properly due to the Summer Fayre) we headed to a round trip on the Buckfast to Totnes (Return) South Devon Railway. We chose the steam train (leaving at 12:10 pm) even though there is now a diesel train which performs the same function. The point of today’s outing was to remind our children exactly what it is like to ride a steam train – and to condition the dogs so that they know and understand what it is like to ride on a train. All objectives were achieved – despite the disappointment of Buckfast Abbey. The discipline surrounding monasticism is far greater than the destructive effect of geed in the mind, body and environment!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 