May is the time when we hope that Spring is bursting out all over with the start of Summer days on the way. As tourism and leisure services continue to play a very important part in the economic life of the south west we hope for good weather with lots of happy visitors. Time goes very fast, in fact the Labour Party have now been in power for two years with Tony Blair as Prime Minister. I wonder if much has changed as we seem to have problems much as before. Anyway, Jennifer and I will be off to Guernsey at the end of the month where, as always, I have a full programme but our hope is this year to try and visit the islands of Alderney and Sark - that’s if we have the time.
Instead of People who do not often make the news this month I write a small personal tribute to the late Gus Hockridge.
I have known Gus all of my life as he came from a local farming family.
He spent a lifetime in farming and was very active as a steward in the horse classes at local shows, in fact he had a love of horses and rode for many years on the hunting field. Country life, bowling and community involvement made for him a very full life of service and help to others. His contribution as a member of Bradworthy parish Council as Chairman and member for over 30 years was of a very high order he always had concerns for the people of the parish in many ways.
He had the very best qualities to be found in a person’s life and we will all greatly miss him. Jennifer and I offer our deepest sympathy to his loving wife, Carrie, and to his family. It is with a heavy heart that, in closing, I must say Gus Hockridge was one of life’s real and true gentlemen.
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Anything good in life is either illegal, immoral or fattening. Beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes to the bone. Never argue with a fool, people might not know the difference.
Last December we had the sad news of the death of 95 year old Lord Soper, a Minister of the Methodist Church and a soapbox crusader who had outspoken views on war, drink and gambling, capitalism and poverty. Tony Blair said of him ‘He spoke with conviction and passion and won much respect.’ I first met him over 35 years ago when he used to visit Welcome, and interviewed him for Radio at the Methodist Conference held at Bristol in 1974. He will be much missed both in the Church and the world outside.
TV The Bill star Bill Murray gives a drugs warning to every parent in Britain. Coronation Street is the top TV soap with Eastenders second and Heartbeat in third place. Cookery expert Delia Smith is one of the country’s richest people. Sir Bernard Ingham had a problem over a neighbour’s Wendy House and found himself being arrested.
Vehicle crime is far below other parts of the south west in our area. Retail crime is a real problem in Bideford. Burglary has declined in the Torridge area in the last three years. There is also a low rate of drugs and violent crime.
Last year MAFF told us the income of hill farmers dropped by 67%. Good news that McDonalds restaurants are proud to serve British farm products. And yet more good news for local farmers, the NFU are giving us a great new deal for long term loyalty of policy holders and more benefits to members of the NFU.
From time to time Jennifer and I enjoy a meal at local restaurants where the meal and service are first class at a reasonable cost. We both have a soft drink but this cost can be up to one pound a glass where the profits must be around 90%. We often get the feeling we are being got at because we are teetotal, but we still enjoy the meals.
Last year we were delighted that the village won the Douet Bowl for the most points in Torridge for the Best Kept Village competition. So this year let’s all make a real effort to win the crown as we did in 1983 as the Best kept Village in Devon.