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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!
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,
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.
Remember, every little helps!