Thought For The Day – Tuesday 23^rd June 2026

Pictured above: “Bishop’s Stortford, 2025”, by photographer Joshua Tingley, a Year 12 student at The Bishop’s Stortford High School.

Please stay safe in the very warm weather.

Please look out for others, particularly, the vulnerable.

Offer them: a seat; some water; a helping hand;  a kind thought.

Stay safe yourself.

Today is International Public Service Day.

Public service involves people helping, and supporting, other people.

It involves we, we, we.  

Not me, me, me.

Sustainability is key to this.

This morning, the United Nations state:

“Public servants are the backbone of communities – providing health care, educating young people, building vital infrastructure, ensuring safety and much more. On Tuesday’s United Nations’  “Public Service Day”, we thank all those who dedicate their lives to serving others.”

Public Service was very movingly seen on Friday evening, as the emergency services helped those suffering, owing to a severe train collision close to the Elstow Interchange, near Bedford.

The air and road ambulance, fire, hospital, and police services, once again, were inspirational.

Construction workers are building a road near the track to allow for safe removal of the trains.

Further support was given to passengers, on other services, where their journey was terminated, owing to the collision.

Furthermore, on Friday evening,  though injured himself in the collision, a train manager checked in on passengers, and also showed immense courage in:  venturing out on the line, and checking other lines were not blocked; then putting circuit clips down, which puts all the signals back to ‘danger’;  contacting the signaller to stop all other trains.

As always, we keep in our hearts and prayers: all those affected, especially those critically ill;   those suffering trauma in body and in mind;  and those who so wonderfully care for all.

As we do Shaun Burton, 60 years of age, a train driver, who passed away from this life in the collision.

In reflecting a loss beyond words, Mr. Burton’s grieving family, who are being supported,  said: ‘We are devastated by his loss.”

The family selflessly continued: “Our thoughts are also with those affected by this incident.’

Mr. Burton’s employers,  in a rail industry highly regarded around the world for safety,  praised Mr. Burton’s dedication, goodness, and lifetime in public service driving busses, coaches, and trains.  Mr. Burton’s inspirational citizenship, public service work, with his local Parish Council, was greatly praised. Stukeley Parish Council paid tribute to Mr. Burton as a dedicated public servant of generosity, kindness, and wisdom, who gave countless hours and unwavering service to the community.