wfn.org | Methodist urges Christians to visit Britain

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

April 9, 2001 News media contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
10-21-71B{170}

NOTE:  This may be used as a sidebar to UMNS story #169.

By Kathleen LaCamera*

CUMBRIA, England (UMNS) - Almost every day on television screens here you
will see some foreign tourist, quite often an American, confessing his or
her fears about catching foot and mouth disease from consuming British milk
or meat.

Such reports are often followed by scenes of burning animals and statistics
about the dramatic drop in the number of visitors to some of Britain's most
beautiful places. Adding insult to injury recently, a major U.S. airline
announced it would give no-penalty refunds to travelers who want to cancel
their flights because of foot and mouth. 

For the Rev. Richard Hall, these reports underscore the power of
misinformation and fear to bring about real damage in the livelihoods of
those involved in Britain's tourist industry. Hall is the Cumbria Methodist
District tourism officer as well as a pastor based in the Lake District.  

The truth is that humans will not get sick from the virus that causes foot
and mouth disease and that while farmland is off limits to the public, much
of the rest of the Britain is open for business.  

"The message has gone out that the countryside is closed," Hall said "There
is a real crisis in the farming industry at present and our hearts go out to
the farmers who are constantly in our prayers. But if we're not careful we
may be killing off the tourist industry along with the sheep and cattle."

He challenged British Christians and others who want to practice a little
"practical Christianity" to book a vacation in Britain this year. 

According to Hall, the Lake District, which borders one of the areas worst
hit by foot and mouth, still has many options for tourists  - and this year
visitors will be able to do it all with less of a crowd around. 

"Go on a boat on the lake, indulge in a little retail therapy or partake of
the wonderful cuisine of the many restaurants in this tourist haven,"
recommended Hall. "That phone call, with good positive news [of a
reservation], may mean the difference between despair and hope for [those in
the tourist industry]." 

Such a booking, especially this fall, would be welcomed by Methodist lay
preacher, farmer and B&B owner Melville Harris near Penrith. Harris
confessed that for now he and his wife are in limbo because their B&B is
right in the middle of their farm, which has been spared, so far, from foot
and mouth. Harris predicted that the Whitbarrow Farm B&B could be open for
business again by the end of June, but also pointed out hotels in nearby
Penrith are very much open for business now. 

He admitted it has been a difficult spring and that he wakes up every
morning wondering if today is the day he will find foot and mouth in his
herd of 450 cattle. But he also had this message for people who are
wondering whether to vacation here in the next few months. "The scenery is
just the same. In the towns everything is as normal. The only restrictions
are not to walk where there is livestock."

Tourism officer Hall said there were times in the past when he cursed the
August traffic jams and complained about tourists in Cumbria with the best
of them. "But how true it is that 'you don't know what you've got until it's
gone,'" he added

Hall said he looked forward to welcoming visitors into Methodist chapels in
the area and encourages all who make reservations as an act of faith to let
people know it. "Let them know you are doing it because you are a Christian
and wish to show your support. What brilliant way to witness to the
relevance of the gospel today." 

For additional information: 
Cumbria Tourist Board telephone helpline: 011 44 15394 404040; or
www.golakes.co.uk <http://www.golakes.co.uk>
Melville Harris' Whitbarrow Farm Bed and Breakfast: telephone 011 44 1768
483 366 or gmharris@farmersweekly.net <mailto:gmharris@farmersweekly.net>
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*LaCamera is a UMNS correspondent based in England

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