It has been interesting reading the North Devon Journal over the Summer. It seems to keep getting scoops about Bradworthy that the best scentos on the Bradworthy News staff (that’s Eric) never get a sniff of. First there was the “Last Bradworthy Carnival” item from Ray Furse and Richard “I never said that” Boughton. This was quickly followed by the revelation that Ms. Sustainability herself - fair Jayne of the Fayre – is to step down due to her commitments. Then there was the “famous father” story – especially interesting as the father is almost as well known as Father Ted!! Well not to be outdone the Bradworthy News has its own scoop which the North Devon Journal didn’t know a thing about. Next moth the price will be rising to 50p (it last in October 1996). Sorry, but increases in fuel duties, etc. over the last 4 years has finally caught up with us. We shall, of course, continue to provide the same top-quality, human-interest stories, written by our motivated team of original and imaginative reporters and well, all the rubbish you are by now so used to!
On the “famous father” story, a bit of a “whodunnit” is going the rounds. Was it a) Cecil Collacott, b) Sue Downing, c) Tom Cann, d) The Rector, e) Sarah Payne, f) Eric “I know the Journal’s number” Mitchell, g) Trevor Sillifant, h) Paul Clarke, i) Father Ted what leaked the story? Someone up there wants to know.
To commemorate the Visit it has been suggested that something permanent is needed. The first suggestion was that the Inn should be renamed The Bishop’s Tavern, but as events unfolded we preferred the idea that it should be renamed The Vicar’s Head.
Finally, before moving quickly on, an idea for next summer. Why not replace the Carnival procession/Treasure Hunt with a new tourist walk – the Father Ted trail – it starts at Martins, takes in a spot of window cleaning in Lower Village and ends up with a demonstration and sing-song outside the home of whoever most people reckon leaked the story. Shorts optional of course!
Hurricane Gordon hit Florida last week with what were described as “80mph winds and drenching rain.” Presumably this was to differentiate it from rain of the non-drenching type.
I received some interesting advertising for conferences and seminars over the summer. The first which I couldn’t be bothered to read was advertising a conference titled “Tackling apathy in the workplace”. The second, which Mary refused to let me attend, was on “Female Assertiveness”.
I thought we might have had an interesting “Farming Matters” column from Richard this month explaining why farmers think it appropriate to bring the country to a grinding halt by blockading fuel supplies – but he’s obviously didn’t get back from picket duty on time.
Still, at least Bradworthy was wonderfully peaceful and quiet for a few days, no parcel vans, delivery vans, cars, almost no lorries. In fact the only vehicles that seemed to have enough diesel to drive through the village were well tractors. S’funny that.
Anyway, the next issue promises to be out at the start of November, so if you’ve got any stories, events, photos, cover drawings, etc get them to me by the 20th October. That’s Phil Mayhall, Lower Village, 241748 as usual. Many thanks to Eric Mitchell our undervalued, underrated, unsung, unthanked, photographer for all the photos of both the Fair and the Dog Show. I had to write that as I forgot to credit him with all the Carnival photos!
Disclaimer: The Bradworthy News and its employees deny leaking any stories to the press. We don’t need to as we make most of them up anyway. You are advised to steer well clear of Lower Village this month just in case I get struck down by a bolt of lightning, or similar.