Most people seem to like Christmas, although I know a couple who dislike it and try to avoid it as much as possible. However, judging by the crowds who always turn up for the High Street Lighting the Lights, most people in Ilfracombe are very much in favour of Christmas!
For many years, the driving force behind the event was Nick Pedlar, and we owe him a vote of thanks for keeping the event going for so many years. Last year, Nick took more of a back seat, and the event was organised by the Combe Christmas Committee, as is this year’s event. The whole committee has worked hard, but Steve Trebble deserves especial thanks, since it was his vision that started the whole Weekend Winter Wonderland.
We also owe many thanks to the many electricians and their helpers who have spent many long, cold and often wet nights installing the Christmas lights as well as the new permanent lights in the High Street.
For the last few years, Stuart Carpenter has taken on the responsibility of maintaining Santa’s sleigh. This year, he thought it might need more maintenance than ever. His foot going through the rotten floor may have been a hint! In fact, he has virtually rebuilt it almost from scratch, in his own time over the last several weeks. So many thanks, Stuart.
For the last few years, Stuart Carpenter has taken on the responsibility of maintaining Santa’s sleigh. This year, he thought it might need more maintenance than ever. His foot going through the rotten floor may have been a hint! In fact, he has virtually rebuilt it almost from scratch, in his own time over the last several weeks. So many thanks, Stuart.
As I have said several times in this blog, we are very lucky in Ilfracombe to have so many people who give up their time to do so much for the town. I think there must be something about the place that brings out the best in most people.
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A few weeks ago, a gentleman approached me and said that he liked what I had said here about North Devon District Council. As he put it, “They have been bleeding us dry.” Judging by other comments I have received over the years, this is a commonly held view. Now clearly, there are many things that are best handled over a wider area, so as, for example, to take advantage of economies of scale. Equally, however, there is much that would be best handled by those on the ground, who have good local knowledge and an incentive to do well. Think, for example, what the Landmark Theatre would be like now were it only to be run by our local theatrical folk. I would guess it would be buzzing every day, instead of dark most of the time.
We also would not need a so-called “ambassador” who, so far as I am aware, has done absolutely nothing for the town, is elected by and so represents what is basically a suburb of Barnstaple and so, like most of his fellow councillors, is naturally going to put his local needs ahead of ours, and seems to have no connection to Ilfracombe.
So how about it? independence for Ilfracombe!
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I know that many of you do not read the Journal, but I am sure some of you do. What do you think of its new look? I like it: it looks cleaner and I find it easier to read. I also like the three opinion columns on one page, although I am not too sure about the pictures of the three old men across the top. Whatever happened to the young fella I used to see in the mirror back in the day, when I used to shave?
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A few weeks ago, a gentleman approached me and said that he liked what I had said here about North Devon District Council. As he put it, “They have been bleeding us dry.” Judging by other comments I have received over the years, this is a commonly held view. Now clearly, there are many things that are best handled over a wider area, so as, for example, to take advantage of economies of scale. Equally, however, there is much that would be best handled by those on the ground, who have good local knowledge and an incentive to do well. Think, for example, what the Landmark Theatre would be like now were it only to be run by our local theatrical folk. I would guess it would be buzzing every day, instead of dark most of the time.
We also would not need a so-called “ambassador” who, so far as I am aware, has done absolutely nothing for the town, is elected by and so represents what is basically a suburb of Barnstaple and so, like most of his fellow councillors, is naturally going to put his local needs ahead of ours, and seems to have no connection to Ilfracombe.
So how about it? independence for Ilfracombe!
*********
I know that many of you do not read the Journal, but I am sure some of you do. What do you think of its new look? I like it: it looks cleaner and I find it easier to read. I also like the three opinion columns on one page, although I am not too sure about the pictures of the three old men across the top. Whatever happened to the young fella I used to see in the mirror back in the day, when I used to shave?
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And finally, back to Christmas. The weather is looking good for Friday and the rest of the weekend, which bodes well. Lighting the Lights begins at 6pm at the War Memorial.
And finally, back to Christmas. The weather is looking good for Friday and the rest of the weekend, which bodes well. Lighting the Lights begins at 6pm at the War Memorial.
Have fun. I am sure you will. However, perhaps you could also spare a few minutes thought of absent friends. One friend who will certainly be absent on Friday is Marcus Hutchins, still held, on what is looking increasingly like a trumped-up charge, in an alien and unfriendly country.
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