The year of ’99 seems to be going very fast as now we are past midsummer and the season of Autumn will soon be with us. As we say farewell to visitors and holidays the Millennium draws near. Both Tom Cann and I were interviewed for the BBC Radio Oral History Project and by my, now retired, producer of Morning Sou'west, Guy Slatter, who is also one of my best friends. What we said about our lives will be on record until the end of time, contained in the Millennium Bank, and for programme broadcast use.
Vets tell me that TB in cattle continues to be a problem on many local farms. Our beef cattle TT test at Trebarwick was clear but I feel for those who still have problems. It is pleasing to see that Churches all over the South West have services about farming and country troubles. Whilst in Pembrokeshire in the Spring we noticed that farm after farm was up for sale and more land was going under concrete. Is it a sign of the times?
Mrs. Ivy Dayman of Fairveiw, Bradworthy. Ivy and James have been farming in the parish for a number of years. James being a member of a very local farming family. Ivy is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hunkin of Manor Cottages. She was once an employee of TDC and now works part-time for a Holsworthy optician as well as being on duty for elections. She is a member of Bradworthy Methodist Church and helps with community events. In fact she is a very kind and caring person who is a joy to meet.
Two men were looking down a hole. One said ‘Is it dark down there?’ The other replied ‘I dunno, pass me a torch’. Why did the human cannonball consider himself a failure? Because he was always being fired. Why does Santa Claus like gardening? Because he can Hoe, Hoe, Hoe.
From April the minimum wage was set at £3.60 per hour. NFU subs are set to rise by an average of £7.84 per year. Council Tax is up from around six to ten per cent in most parts of the country. Agricultural workers wages are to rise by around two point five per cent this year.
The battle for the market by the super food stores. From time to time most of us visit an out of town store for food or other products where often a price war is on between the many stores to get our trade. It is interesting to see that the big four now look to helping to sell farm products and are promoting in some stores British Beef. I note that Kwik Save stores are to become part of Sommerfield and other mergers may take place. As for local shops they continue to battle on and give a good local service. I see that one national store has started a home delivery service.
I am leaving Eastenders - actor, Ross Kemp. I am backing the Pride Of Britain awards - Richard Branson. I am to retire at 60 - John Cleese. One day I will win the Davis Cup - tennis star, Tim Henman. Kosovo is a nightmare - Red Cross worker. Yes, I did mean Lower Brexworthy Farm - TS. Yes, I am 61, but I feel good - Barbara Windsor.
Teachers want a pay rise as they feel this would be a reward for their hard work. There will be a new Director General of the BBC next year. Whilst conducting a wedding a vicar was punched by a drunken thug. Over a million school children live in fear of being bullied as school. The world's population will be around 9.3 billion within the next ten years.
Religious broadcasting. As you know this forms part of my work for BBC Radio Cornwall. Each week I have a slot on the Sunday programmes. Many feel that broadcasters and programme makers have lost faith in producing any religious output. In fact, Songs of praise presenter, Pam Rhodes, said that TV has marginalised religious programming. Also local programmes face cutbacks and many feel they will be replaced. I believe in the value of good and informative church type programmes but they must be of a high standard if we are to relate to the viewer and listener. I hope all within the Church will support this cause. Do please contact me with your views now.
Many of us feel that a number of local roads need to be resurfaced and repaired. TDC tell us that very little funding is to be made in local areas but some work is being done. We need and pay for a good road network as this is very important for local service needs.
The problems of bad parking go on in our towns and villages. We noticed in parts of Pembrokeshire parking took place on yellow lines and on pavements with local police being just up the road. Why enforcement did not take place, I do not know.
I am still grumbling at the cost of food at motorway service stations which seems to increase almost weekly. Yes, I now take my own food tea which I have in the car and just use the toilets, so they have lost at least one customer and many more as well.