When the Royal Border Bridge was being built, workmen would tip large stones off the site without any thought for people walking along the riverside.

With such lax safety precautions, it was not surprising that lives were lost on the bridge too. That may have been nearly 200 years ago, but progress has only come slowly.

International Workers’ Memorial Day recently took place and wreaths were laid at County Hall and other places. Northumberland has many of the high-risk activities – farming, fishing, construction and lorry driving, etc.

Abroad, in some cases, sportswashing has led to the need to construct huge stadiums in a limited time, so corners are cut and rules are ignored. This has resulted in the deaths of migrant workers just so a vanity project can be completed.

Phil Rowett and a photograph of a church.

placeholder image — Phil Rowett and a photograph of a church.

So why should we care? Faith requires people to think of others rather than of themselves first.

We know the story of the Good Samaritan. How a man was attacked by robbers. How three people walked past and did nothing until the Samaritan stopped and helped the man.

We are not asked to walk on the other side of the road, but to be like the Good Samaritan. Just as importantly, if we can do something to stop the situation before it develops, then we should act.

We are called upon to stop sitting on our hands and to go out and make a change.

I came to Berwick in 1985 to teach at Longridge Towers. I still live in the town, but only teach occasionally now. I have recently retired as Safety Officer at Berwick Rangers and am concentrating my time on writing in private and speaking in public. I have been a member of Tweedmouth Church for nearly 35 years and have been a Reader for the last 12, which means I lead services, preach and take funerals.