I must apologise for the duplication of some parts of the beginning of my blog last week. Although I obviously think that my words of wisdom are worth repeating, even I would not go as far as to suggest that they are worth repeating verbatim in the same paragraph. I will try to do better in future.
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So, the Habit, the hotel on Fore Street, previously The Crescent Hotel, was not so habit-forming, after all. It has now become The Tree House. I am sorry to see the previous owners depart. They obviously came in with high aspirations, and devoted considerable money, thought and design flair to the hotel. However, I understand that the new owners are the force behind The Joshua Tree, and, even had I the choice, I could not have chosen a better, more community-minded owner. I look forward to visiting The Tree House in its new incarnation.
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I am pleased to say that, following the Victorians AGM last week, 7 new and enthusiastic members were elected to the committee. This is more than I could have hoped for and, with luck, should guarantee the continuance of the event for the foreseeable future. As I have said before, the many events that are put on in our town are only here thanks to the efforts of volunteers who give up their time, and often money, and, as we have seen in other towns, without a constant supply of volunteers, eventually all such events die off.
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If you have paid any attention to the news over the last few years, you will have noticed that independence movements are springing up all over the place: Britain (or a small majority of us) want independence from the EU; Scotland (or a large minority) want independence from the UK; Catalonia wants independence from Spain; the Kurds want independence from everyone, and Canvey Island wants independence from Castle Point District Council. So what is the relevance to Ilfracombe? Well, I think Ilfracombe should get independence from Barnstaple!
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I am pleased to say that, following the Victorians AGM last week, 7 new and enthusiastic members were elected to the committee. This is more than I could have hoped for and, with luck, should guarantee the continuance of the event for the foreseeable future. As I have said before, the many events that are put on in our town are only here thanks to the efforts of volunteers who give up their time, and often money, and, as we have seen in other towns, without a constant supply of volunteers, eventually all such events die off.
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If you have paid any attention to the news over the last few years, you will have noticed that independence movements are springing up all over the place: Britain (or a small majority of us) want independence from the EU; Scotland (or a large minority) want independence from the UK; Catalonia wants independence from Spain; the Kurds want independence from everyone, and Canvey Island wants independence from Castle Point District Council. So what is the relevance to Ilfracombe? Well, I think Ilfracombe should get independence from Barnstaple!
Until 1974, Ilfracombe’s destiny was in the hands of the Ilfracombe Urban District Council. In that year, we were subsumed into North Devon District Council (NDDC). NDDC has 43 councillors, of which 5 are from Ilfracombe. By my count, 19 come from Barnstaple and its immediate suburbs. Inevitably our interests come a very poor second to those of Barnstaple.
In fact, even if we came second to Barnstaple, we might not have cause for complaint, but the impression that I, and many other residents of Ilfracombe, have is that NDDC is actually biased against Ilfracombe. For example, recently, while NDDC were throwing 6 figure sums at Barnstaple Museum, they were fighting Ilfracombe Museum over an electricity bill.
When Damien Hirst offered Verity to us 5 years ago, we had to await permission from NDDC before we could accept. Is that not ridiculous?
Incorporation of Ilfracombe into NDDC may have made sense in 1974. It no longer makes sense and should be reversed.
Canvey Island is in much the same position as us, in that it had its own Urban District Council until 1974. Like us, it also has more national and possibly international name recognition than the larger population centres which dominate it. perhaps we should get together to canvas for independence.
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I recently read a report that traditional British food is dying out in Britain. Apparently around a third of us have never had a Lancashire Hotpot,
In fact, even if we came second to Barnstaple, we might not have cause for complaint, but the impression that I, and many other residents of Ilfracombe, have is that NDDC is actually biased against Ilfracombe. For example, recently, while NDDC were throwing 6 figure sums at Barnstaple Museum, they were fighting Ilfracombe Museum over an electricity bill.
When Damien Hirst offered Verity to us 5 years ago, we had to await permission from NDDC before we could accept. Is that not ridiculous?
Incorporation of Ilfracombe into NDDC may have made sense in 1974. It no longer makes sense and should be reversed.
Canvey Island is in much the same position as us, in that it had its own Urban District Council until 1974. Like us, it also has more national and possibly international name recognition than the larger population centres which dominate it. perhaps we should get together to canvas for independence.
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I recently read a report that traditional British food is dying out in Britain. Apparently around a third of us have never had a Lancashire Hotpot,
while over half have never enjoyed a faggot.
That reminded me of the last time, several years ago, when I tried to write a review for TripAdvisor. Their system refused to accept my review. Eventually, I worked out that it objected to my mentioning 71’s delicious faggots! In America, the word “faggot” is used in a derogatory sense to mean a gay man, and, of course, it could not accept that it has a different, and far older, meaning elsewhere in the world. I suppose that, if there had been any intelligence in TripAdvisor’s system, it might have concluded that I was being complimentary about the waiters, although I have to say that I have no reason to believe that any of them are American faggots.
Anyway, I have not used TripAdvisor for many years, so I don’t know if it has learnt anything in the interim. If anyone would like to try and post a review there admiring the faggots they have enjoyed, please let me know if TripAdvisor takes it as a culinary compliment or sexual boasting!
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And finally, Christmas is on its way. Combe Christmas Winter Wonderland begins with the High Street Lighting the Lights on Friday 24th November, and continues the following Saturday and Sunday in the Ropery Road car park.
Anyway, I have not used TripAdvisor for many years, so I don’t know if it has learnt anything in the interim. If anyone would like to try and post a review there admiring the faggots they have enjoyed, please let me know if TripAdvisor takes it as a culinary compliment or sexual boasting!
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And finally, Christmas is on its way. Combe Christmas Winter Wonderland begins with the High Street Lighting the Lights on Friday 24th November, and continues the following Saturday and Sunday in the Ropery Road car park.
You probably know that, thanks to the Combe Christmas Committee, and especially Charmain Lovett, we have a lot of new Christmas lights this year.
You probably also know that a lot of the town’s independent electricians got together and gave their time and expertise for free to erect new strings of permanent lights and the new Christmas lights. However, the Winter Wonderland event costs a lot to put on and so Combe Christmas are trying to raise some part of that money by crowdfunding. So far, the attempt is not going too well, which may have an impact on what can be done. So, if you can help, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cc2017 and give what you can.
Remember, every little helps!
Remember, every little helps!
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