Welcome to this new year and the start of a new century and who knows what life has in store for us as we go into a new year. Some of us lived in the last century where life underwent many changes, some for our good, others we would wish to forget. My hope for the coming years is that mankind will cease to have wars, and that we might have a more caring society where people's needs are more important than our greed or exploiting of others, however I seem to be asking for a perfect world.
Mrs. Ada Wickett. She is very often seen in the village shops and driving her jeep. With her late husband, Tom, they spent a lifetime in farming and supporting the Methodist Church. Mrs. Wickett spent some years on the Parish Council and with the Red Cross Centre. She is always interested in people and village life and is a real part of Bradworthy.
The Rev. Richard Dorrington has been with us now for over a year and, with his wife, has made his mark on both Church and community life. We are delighted to have them both. From this September the Rev. John Kendall from Hartland will be the Minister in Charge of our Bradworthy Methodist Church.
More farmers in the Westcountry are getting out of farming because of the problems of production and prices. The Farmer's markets have taken off in a big way all over the country. Along with many small beef producers, I made a loss with my few beef cattle last year, however on the bright side it was a very good year for growing grass.
The local CAB centre in Holsworthy last year had 39 enquiries from Bradworthy. For the Best Kept Village Bradworthy had a mark of 87 last year - let's make it 100 this year. Credit Unions in the UK have assets of £100 million. The new local plan will be in force until 2011.
We enjoy a good sex life - TV presenters Richard and Judy. Life is so tragic without Jill - Jill Dando's brother. We were in Bradworthy over forty years ago - Rev. and Mrs. B. J. Gameson. What we need in our area is sustainability - Jane Addy. We both get a buzz from broadcasting - Ron Bendle to TS. I cannot face up to being sixty - Dorset farmer's wife.
Tarka the Otter's author Henry Williamson's cottage in Georgeham was sold for £98.000. The debate on the Torrington smell continues. Bradworthy Battle of Britain pilot, Group Capt. Alan Wright, has been reunited with his Spitfire aircraft. Local girl Amanda Brown is our community constable.
Two girls are talking. First girl 'Why are you crying?' Second girl 'My new shoes are hurting me.' First girl 'That's because you've got them on the wrong feet.' Second girl 'But they're the only feet I've got.' Farmer 'I keep my prize pig in my front room.' Lady 'Isn't that unhealthy?' Farmer 'My pig hasn't had a day's illness in it's life.'
Charity shops. In most towns and cities these shops are doing a good trade. Yes, Jennifer and I do support them as you might see by the way we dress. Whilst in Exmouth recently we saw nine such shops but only found bargains in two. Supporting charity shops is one way of funding organisations and people in need and it is surprising what you can find for just a few pence.
Jennifer and I would like to complement both Christopher Balsdon and Shaun Heard who are first class tradesmen and good willing workers who did work for us of a very high order. Over recent weeks we have had some problems with rats in our buildings who seem to like cow cake, potatoes and poultry food, in fact they used to watch me coming out with the feed, but some of them are no more as they have gone, with my help, to the last roundup!