By the time June’s Bradworthy News is published Jennifer and I will be on our now annual visit to the island of Guernsey. My hope this time is to visit both the neighbouring islands of Alderney and maybe Sark. After a somewhat wet Winter now is the time of the hot Summer days to arrive and the harvesting season to be in full swing. Recently the cost of potatoes has risen so we hope for better cropping conditions this year.
John Balsdon (Shopkeeper). John continues the family grocers trade that was established in 1845. As well as the selling of newspapers, patent medicines, frozen foods, cakes, bread and a host of much needed grocery goods, he and his wife Maureen have a daily milk round. John always offers service with a smile and is always ready to help those who are in need. He also plays a part in Neighbourhood Watch. Long may he continue to be a real part of Bradworthy.
This year’s chairman of the Devon NFU is Richard Haddock who came to fame as a farming spokesman at national and local level over the problems facing local farmers. Bradworthy farmer, Richard Boughton of Worden Farm, is vice chairman of the Holsworthy branch of the NFU who will, I hope, put forward local views on farming topics. I see that negotiations are underway about CAP reform so let’s hope it means a better deal for farmers this year. At last some supermarket stores are plugging British meat and farm produce. Organic farmers are set to receive up to £450 per hectare.
Fact file from the Methodist Church. Methodist members in the world are 15,000,000. Around four new Methodist Churches worldwide are reopened every week. Gifts to overseas missionary work came to a total of £5,120,000 last year and according to The World Churches handbook the rate of new Church growth is greater than the rate of population growth worldwide.
From a press advert – Nickleby’s Menswear require full time dynamite sales people. What do you call a girl who keeps climbing up walls? Ivy. What do you call the boy who keeps lying in the front door? Mat. What’s the name of the boy who works in a rice field? Paddy.
The Bradworthy Video, Bradworthy Past, Present and Future. This video was produced by Jane Addy who set out to present us a portrait of out north Devon village. Many of us locals had a story to tell and often views of how Bradworthy will move on in the next century and how the environment might evolve over the next few years. Much of the video was of interest and had a local feel about what was said and areas visited. Very few of you have commented about this local production so I would be interested to have your views if you think it was worthwhile or not as the case may be.
I will give up the post of LibDem leader in the Summer – Paddy Ashdown MP. Leave my kids alone – Tony Blair PM/MP. Nurses will have more pay – Frank Dobson MP. I want my show to continue on TV – Des O’Conner. I will keep my Radio programme – 74 year old Radio 2 presenter, Jimmy Young. I have lost over £140,000 because of TB – Alan Pommeroy. More people tune in to my programme each week – presenter Raymond Shaddick of BBC Radio Cornwall. (On air Sundays between 12 noon and 3pm).
Prince Michael of Kent owes over £2.5 million. Government says that poor people will have an income of up to £10,000 a year. Carol Vorderman is the highest paid TV presenter. 79% think that journalists tell porkies. Two total strangers got wed by way of a radio competition. £3000 a week is needed to have a national Lottery outlet. Drugs tests continue to be taken on athletes. Bideford flood scheme put back for maybe five years.
Some time ago I had a visit from a MAFF field officer who inspected my few beef cattle and checked that my movement book and cattle passports were in order, thankfully they were. All farmers now must keep up to date records or face going to court. Many local people have transport needs so there is hope of funding for some much needed services. If you have a transport problem contact the Transport Development worker direct through TDC, DCC or the Parish Council Clerk. I notice as I drive on local roads that most need resurfacing, but I am told there are no funds for much of this type of work. On wonders what we get for paying our taxes!
Jill Dando’s roots were in the Westcountry, being born 37 years ago in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset.
She first worked on a local paper then BBC Radio Devon, TSW and Spotlight on BBC TV. She became the Golden Girl of BBC TV and millions watched her read the news, went with her on the Holiday programme and admired her work on Crimewatch UK. She at last found happiness in her private life with her forthcoming marriage this year.
She had great beauty, was not vain and was one of the best broadcasters on TV. I did not know her in person but had the feeling she was just like the girl next door. Her senseless murder was a shock, along with the death of Diana Princess of Wales, that makes her a loss to everyone.
As the leader in the Mirror said ‘We mourn the loss of an extraordinary woman. Someone who we all in our own way grew to love.’
For myself I am reminded of the saying, ‘The good die young.’ She will be missed.