Letters to the Editors
Macmillan Coffee Morning Friday, 30th September 2005
Dear Editors
So far we have raised over £4,000 in 11 years at our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning. It would be very good to get it to the £4,500 mark this year.
As usual we shall be having the raffle and, in addition, I would appreciate it if people could contribute to the "Bring and Buy" sale of sweet or savoury goodies. Home-made cakes, buns, biscuits, quiches, cheese scones, to name but a few, always raise lots of money. So please do try to bring something home-made Ðit will be so much tastier than anything shop-bought!
All the money we raise is used by our local branch of Macmillan for the benefit of local people.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing you all - regulars and newcomers, young and old - on Friday, 30th September from 10.30 am at my house.
BLACK BIN BAG PILFERING
Dear Editors,
ANYONE WHO APPRECIATES Flanders and Swann will know about the Brass Bedstead Men who used to tramp through the lanes in the middle of the night placing brass bedsteads in the middle of ponds. That's when brass bedsteads and ponds were two a penny.
Alas this is no longer so. But Black Bin Bags are now two a penny and this has led to a new sport in Swaffham Prior - BLACK BIN BAG PILFERING.
This doesn't take place in the middle of the night. Oh no, there is nothing furtive about this. It occurs shortly after Cleanaway have completed their rounds and delivered new bin bags to everyone. Out the pilferers emerge, a big canvas bag over the shoulder and into it they thrust all the black bin bags they can find. They enter driveways for them, they pick them out of gardens, they remove them from letter boxes. They appear to have an insatiable appetite for bin bags.
Some people are furious; others say it is a harmless pleasure; and some at present are unaware. If you are curious and wish to make enquiries pay a visit to the middle of Greenhead Road. Just knock on almost any door and you will be told. There are now two sports on Thursday Ðfirst the search for bin bags, and second the search for the searchers.
BUT anyone making off with the "CLEAN-AWAY" black bags that habitually festoon the Editors' lavender, drive-way, chimneys etc is most welcome to them!
Children's Recreation Area (Prior)
Dear Editors,
Exploring some highlights of the village with a friend's two boys (seven
and twelve) they led me to the playground for the first time and declared it a
Children's' Rest Area, Prior. (At least, I think that's what their
four letter word meant).
A hole in the back fence explains how the hippos get in at night, and there was bird poo on every swing seat. (Fortunately, hippos can't climb). A sensitively designed notice provided some light entertainment - beneath "THE ENCLOSED PLAY EQUIPMENT ARE TO BE USED BY CHILDREN UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE ONLY" information about the location of the nearest the public telephone is shown in small print for those with poor eyesight.
PS I am prepared to trade a solution to the swing seat poo problem for a glass of fine ale at the Pink Panther.
The Joys of June and July
Dear Editors,
What did I enjoy most - locally?
- The Broad Beans from Snake Hall Farm.
- The wonderfully aromatic bonfires around the High Street.
Both were very special.
MISSING: MUCH LOVED BUT GREEDY CAT
£25 reward for information of his whereabouts
LARGE TABBY CAT (12 years old) answers to the name of Max or will answer to anything if there is food available. For people with some interest he may have some pedigree in him along the lines of the American short ear cat which has a muscular body with short legs and round head. He has the same markings as well.
Last time he went missing last year was for 6 weeks. This time two months have gone so far (16-7-05). Lap cat and has unusual habit of laying flat out on you in spread-eagle fashion and sleeps like that. You would know if you have him with that information. Are you feeding him? Has he moved in with you? Or worse, have you run him over?