Dr Bach's Blue Plaque, Cromer
Unveiled by Jane Stevenson and Jo Turner
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UNVEILING SPEECH TRANSCRIPT
Dr Edward Bach (or ‘Bark’, as some pronounce his name) lived here in Cromer from 1930 - 1934. He lived in two Cromer residences: one in St Mary’s Road, the other here in this house. This was his favourite because it overlooked the sea. He was born of Welsh parentage in the Midlands in 1886. We understand that he must have visited Cromer in his earlier years as we know that he had a very great affection for this seaside town. Dr Bach was a respected medical Doctor, Homeopath and surgeon who became disheartened with some of the poor results of medicine at the time. After much observation and research he concluded that a patient’s mental state was very important to their ultimate recovery. Therefore, he set himself the challenge of finding a natural method to help make people calm and happy as, in this way, he believed it would aid a faster and more sustained recovery. Looking to his great love of nature and the outdoors he found a number of wild flowers that he felt could be used for emotional healing. Thus he developed a new method to utilize the healing properties of these flowers and created 38 gentle healing preparations - The Bach Flower Remedies. Dr Bach is famed internationally for his Flower Remedies. Many people have heard of Rescue Remedy™ – one of Dr Bach’s most popular and famous Remedies – used for helping to calm stress and anxiety. In many countries around the world the Bach Flower Remedies are now the natural medicine of choice, for treating emotional issues in people and animals, as they are gentle, effective and affordable. Dr Bach did much of his groundbreaking work during those 4 years that he lived here in Cromer. It’s understood at least nine, of the 38 Bach Flower Remedies, were made in the surrounding countryside, some of which he made from wild flowers growing on what is now the golf course in West Runton. From this house, where he lived, he had a good vantage point overlooking the sea and the lifeboat station. He greatly admired the bravery of the lifeboat men as they tackled the rough seas – risking their lives, saving others. On one famous occasion, in December 1933, Dr Bach witnessed the heroic rescue by the legendary Henry Blogg, and his crew, of two men who - for 2 hours - had been clinging to the wreckage of the Sepoy. Apparently Dr Bach went to his kitchen, here, and quickly blended a mixture of his Remedies. Then, as the first sailor was brought ashore, he rushed down the gangway and gave the half-drowned man some of his newly created remedy. It is said that, after taking this, the sailor made a quick recovery. I have always wondered if that’s why Dr Bach called his mixture “RESCUE” Remedy – as it was used in that sea rescue! In 2006 – on what would have been his 100th birthday - the Bach International Conference was held here in Cromer, at the pavilion theatre. It was attended by speakers and delegates from 32 different countries around the world. Dr Edward Bach is clearly an important figure in the history of Cromer and we are pleased to report that 87 years on, from his time in this town, his Flower Remedies remain as popular as ever. Jo and I have been working in this field for many years so it is a privilege to be asked here today to have this wonderful opportunity to honour his life and work. We unveil this plaque and, in so doing, remember his legacy – the vast number of people and animals that have been gratefully helped worldwide … and the many who will continue to be helped in years to come… Written by Vivien Williamson and Alice Digby © 25th February 2017 |
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