Letters to the Editors
Exposed in the Crier, damn it!
Dear Editors,
- Yes. I did build us a new home in 1972, and a second (here) in 2001.
- Yes. I did try to find a building plot for a newly married daughter, so
- Yes. I did offer planning advice on an obscure self-build website, my only such "advert" of its sort anywhere.
- Yes. I have recently advised several people on planning matters (without reward).
Some developer!
Incidentally, the same rigorous investigative techniques reveal that James Matheson was an opium smuggler in China.
PS Our 2nd daughter plans to marry in 2007, so now I need two plots. If your large garden is proving a bit too much to handle, let's talk.
Eds note: Frank separately asked why he was not given the opportunity to reply last month. The Crier's policy is that we don't pass around letters or articles for comment prior to publication unless significant facts appear likely to be in question or the content might be likely to cause distress (or occasionally if we want to hurry things along); we could otherwise end up with a long series of letters in a single issue! Remember the great Shakespeare debate?
On the Buses
Dear Editors
Gordon Brown's bizarre initiative to subsidise travel for the aged has given us all a good source of conversation and correspondence. My experiences have been less cunning than Joan Rest's, but perhaps as weird.
The first time I took the after 9.30am option of a £1.80 return journey to Cambridge we only got as far as Bottisham before running out of diesel. (I suppose they can't afford it now.) We had to await a relief vehicle before proceeding and I was nearly late for an appointment for which I had allowed one and a quarter hours journey time. More exhilarating (and economical) was a recent trip to St Neot's. The young driver took one look at me, asked if I had a senior travel card, ignored my remonstration that it was only for East Cambs - and charged me £1.00.
Macmillan Cancer Relief Coffee Morning
Dear Editors,
Our village's contribution to the World's Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief is going to be held on Friday 29th September at my house, The Oaks, Manor Farm Court, Swaffham Prior from 10.30 am to 12 noon. There will be Home Made Cakes and Savouries, which I am hoping many of you will be happy to provide - or purchase if you are happier to buy than to cook! We will also have a Raffle with, I hope, some tempting prizes!
Last year the grand total raised nationwide was an amazing £6.3 million - the most successful year so far. Our final total was £472 which was excellent. All the money we raise goes directly to the local branch of Macmillan Cancer Relief.
If you haven't been before you are very welcome to come along on Friday 29th September. It's a great way to meet some new people. If you have been before I look forward to welcoming you once again and hoping that you will all be able to contribute to a record breaking year!
FOSPS Summer Fair
Dear Editors,
Many thanks to all of the villagers who attended the Friends of Swaffham Prior School Summer Fair on July 1st. We had a wonderful, though very hot, afternoon and raised £965. This is a fantastic amount which will go towards our next project for the children to enjoy: a low level traverse climbing wall.