THE Marches and Welsh borders among which we live, are rich in history.

Some of it is turbulent and some rich and colourful.

Perhaps not surprisingly the author Edith Pargeter chose this area for her 12th century hero Brother Cadfael, placing him in the Abbey of St Peter and St Paul in Shrewsbury. So popular were her books that, a number of years ago, they formed a very successful television series.

Cadfael is a monk in a Benedictine order. He is also an intriguing combination of early scientist and pharmacist. His forensic and analytic skills enable him to become an effective sleuth against a backcloth of fear and superstition.

There is in Cadfael and wonderful combination of both a deep respect for the created order and a hunger for discovery.

The speed of change over the last century and the rapid progress in scientific study and medicine has to some extent shifted the balance.

Many of us have lived in a period of the technological exploitation of resources, with less emphasis on respect for the natural order. We are, at last, becoming more aware of the dangers of exploitation and the importance of respecting the natural order to which we are a connected and dependant.

Most of us would find it hard now to imagine a world without antibiotics. When Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 it was a major breakthrough. Again it was his careful and inquisitive mind that enabled him to notice that a mould in a culture dish had killed some bacteria. He wanted to know why.

Since that discovery antibiotics have been in constant use and now there are real concerns as resistance increases. Over use and exploitation has contributed to trouble.

One of the great wonders of our world is that there is always new things to discover.

We benefit when we treat the created order with awe and respect. Very recently the Telegraph reported that some scientists have found a new technique to extract and isolate many more soil bacteria. In the wake of that they have discovered new agents that may again prove helpful in the fight against disease.

Even closer to home, the University of Cardiff are also working on discovering antibacterial agents. A bit like Brother Cadfael, they have been working with Welsh honey and local hops and even tea. What is amazing is that in these very familiar and everyday substances they have found new healing and life saving properties.

Cadfael epitomises and old wisdom that emphasised being a good stewards of the created order. That wisdom still makes sense.