By now there are signs of spring in the countryside and British Summer time will start at the end of this month. Maybe we shall have a few March winds with the hope that most of the winter has now passed. As most years towards the end of the month Jennifer and I hope to return to Pembrokeshire for just a few days. I remember, many years ago, at this time of the year we would be dropping potatoes by hand in long field drills and our backs would be breaking. Now all has changed, but I will be still planting a few drills of potatoes in the garden just to keep my hand in.
Last October saw the last service to be held at Edistone Methodist Church, near Hartland, which has been closed mainly due to the state of the building. There were over 100 people there for the last service which was in the form of a thanksgiving. People had been worshipping there for over 150 years and I felt sad that the end had come. But, as the Rev. S. Tonkin said, the Church moves on, the people are the Church.
Mrs. Mavis Lewis of Putford. Mrs. Lewis is a very active person always ready to help people in her area. She spent many years as the secretary of Putford School. She takes a very active role in local events and the Methodist Church as well as giving service as a member of the Parish Council. Having known her over the years I have found her to be kind and helpful and very much appreciate all the work she does, long may she continue.
Porsche 1997 automatic, beautifully kept lady owner. Overstrong upright piano £500.
Why does Clinton have a clean conscience? Because it’s never been used. What is Clinton’s dream date? Buddhist nuns, they have taken a vow of silence.
The voluntary and community sector in Devon and Cornwall em-ploys as many as 38,000 people and has 115,000 regular volunteers. The turnover generated by the voluntary sector in Devon and Cornwall is £550 million per year which is equivalent of 4.7% of the westcountry GDP.
Tony Fennsmith, Agricultural Supplies of Kilkhampton, have now merged with the Bridgeman Company of Newton St. Petrock. It was reported back in October last year that a farmer bought 200 sheep for £40. I also met a farmer who received just 18p for a calf after market charges. Dartmoor ponies were selling for around £3 at the autumn sales. More local farms continue to come up for sale with large numbers of farmers giving up after a lifetime working on the land.
Re-vamp of TV news programmes. Some time ago the BBC TV news format programmes changed to be more relaxed and with overseas inputs making up the new type format. Also money was spent on new sets and backdrops as well as on the younger lady presenters. I have mixed feeling about the changes and the cost to us, the licence payer, as the local, national and world news is as before. Sky have a 24 hour news that is up to the minute and interesting. One of the best produced news programmes to me is Channel 4’s news at 7pm. Also ITV give a good service as well. I still prefer the BBC Radio 4 news as well as local radio news and tune in many times a day.
Our new baby makes me feel young - Noel Edmonds. I will see off my demons - Paul Gascoigne. We’ll drive the criminals out - Alun Michael MP. I never want to visit Bejing again - Prime Minister, Tony Blair MP. I have done nothing wrong - Bill Clinton. The Tory Party will win the next election - ex-PM, Lady Thatcher.
Malcolm Woodward is to retire this Easter after being Principal at Holsworthy Community College for the past twenty years. An extension is being planned for Holsworthy’s Hats Theatre. A new vehicle crime unit is to be set up by the police for the north Devon area. Churches in the Bude area have issued a challenge to supermarkets selling third world goods that those who produce them are paid fairly and treated properly.
Some years ago in The Archers on BBC Radio 4 farmers, Tony and Pat Archer, started organic farming on their farm which caused much interest. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Davis of Brexworthy Farm have decided to do the same making their farm completely organic. It will be interesting to see if any other farmers will do the same.