Letters to the Editors
War Memorial Windows
Dear Editors,
It was interesting to be reminded in the June issue of the Crier of the programme about these windows. I am sure most of you know that there are some postcards available depicting some of the scenes from the windows. However, there may be some of you who have not yet purchased any and would like to have some copies. They can be bought from The Red Lion, Elisabeth and Alastair Everitt at Anglesey House or from me at The Oaks, Manor Farm Court and only cost 25p each. Several people use them as compliment slips and others just enjoy sending them to friends.
I look forward to seeing the postcard sales shooting up!
Those Rabbits Again
Dear Editors,
The illustration is from Skye Batiks, Portree, and their advertisement in the
Island's Arts and Crafts leaflet prompted me to call in for a larger
version. Could this conceivably be a committee of Cornish tin miners,
inextricably caught up in a circle dance at a Celtic Ceillidh Convention?
And there's more! See Karole Webster's Chasing Hares in this issue. .Eds
Smokescreens
Dear Editors,
Let's get this smoke thing clear, then. There are two types of people with something to say: those who can be offhand about it - it doesn't matter much, after all, does it? - And those of us who have to put up with it.
But there's more to it than that. It may be the unfortunate combination of trees, position on the hill, usual airflow, and atmospheric pressure, but the bottom of Fairview Grove and the Beeches is sometimes a funnel for bonfire smoke that doesn't go anywhere. From time to time, bonfires from the large gardens towards the centre of the village fill this area with smoke. It's not a bit of smoke: it's a lot of smoke. It lasts for hours. It is extremely unpleasant.
The smogs of London in the 1950s - living memory for many - were caused when atmospheric conditions meant everyday domestic and industrial smoke in a particular large dip, in which London sits, did not clear as usual - it just stayed. People died and Acts of Parliament ensured it did not happen again. Yes, there's a difference of scale here - but just because no-one's dead doesn't mean it's not a problem. Anyone with chest problems or asthma won't be okay while it's going on. It shouldn't take a death to make things change.
Smoke is unpredictable stuff. In theatre, a smoke machine - not smoke at all, but a harmless chemical cloud - depending on air pressure, humidity, temperature and its own bloodymindedness will, at times, not do what it is supposed to. Until you set it going in a rehearsal on the day you can't be sure whether smoke will stay on the stage, drift about above the audience or, on one memorable occasion, roll off the stage and make its way towards the exits at the back, causing the audience to do a mexican cough as it passed in a wave over them. Stage technicians mutter darkly about the audience coughing when this happens.
It doesn't hurt them, they say. No it doesn't - but it's an unpleasant irritant if you don't work with it. Your lungs are sensitive things.
But this is why I asked that those lighting them should stay with their bonfire, and go downwind and see what's happening. Unless there's a strong breeze, or it's dead still and you can see it going straight up, you don't know what your smoke has decided to do when it disappears through your neighbours' bushes and trees. Round here, sometimes it just doesn't rise. If you didn't see where it went, when someone complains later you think it wasn't really a problem. The smoke went away, didn't it? It's just some old moaner again.
The earlier correspondent who suggested lighting fires in the evening might have meant well, Ed, but down here that's often the worst possible time. Summer evenings are when the air is often stillest; (it's when you are most likely to see hot air balloons, which only function when there's little breeze) it's when we are all at home and would like to enjoy our garden; and it's when the smoke is most likely not to go anywhere - other than here, that is.
It happens to us, even if it doesn't happen to you. It usually takes "happening to you" to shift people out of the offhand attitude.
And why is it some, like our illustrious other Ed, feel that because she's got to cut down something in her garden, she has to burn it? I only listen to Gardener's Question Time with half an ear, as they are talking a strange garden language much of the time - but every programme, without fail, they talk compost. If Gardener's Question Time people believe in it then, Swaffham Prior Gardeners, it's virtuous. Those with large gardens should have no problem finding a far corner for composting.
Sharp intakes of breath. Horrors! It's unsightly! Untidy! And it's an extra job in the garden!
60 foot Leylandiii on the compost heap? Some compost heap! Eds
St Cyriac's Project Update
Dear Editors,
It has been a few months now since I first introduced the Churches Conservation Trust's aspirations for St Cyriac's church and I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the progress of this project.
As you are no doubt aware, a questionnaire was circulated around the village in March and I am pleased to say that it received a good response, with 59% of responses being returned.
From analysing these results (which are currently on display in the church) it is clear that St Cyriac's is a much-loved building, with the wide range of events it hosts being strongly supported. Nevertheless, the general feeling appears to be that the church's great potential remains unfulfilled: the building would be used much more by the community if its user facilities were enhanced. Interestingly toilets, disabled access and better heating were highlighted as the most needed improvements.
With this in mind, I would now like to consider how we could go about making these changes happen. In particular, we could think of these improvements in terms of a long-term project, with much- needed financial resources built up over time. Grant applications, made by the community itself and fully supported by the Trust, would play a key part in this.
To this end, I would like to set up a small "Friends" group made up of local people who care about St Cyriac's and would like to see it used more by the village.
A public meeting will take place in the church on September 22nd from 7pm onwards, at which, it is hoped, a group will be formed. If you are interested in coming along or would like to discuss any other issues raised in this letter, please do get in touch.