In Friday’s mini-budget the Government announced the creation of 38 “investment zones” across England. In effect planning regulations are loosened to allow for potential growth, giving construction companies “carte blanche” for development. As a result wildlife habitats will be destroyed and, according to the RSPB, this represents an unprecedented assault on nature. The environment will be one of the biggest casualties in a very short sighted plan. Without a healthy environment nothing will thrive.
Meanwhile Scott Mann, our local MP, is contradicting the RSPB by “retweeting” Defra:
It is mind-boggling that at a time when climate change is of major concern, the Prime Minister focuses on growth with no concessions to the green agenda. Does the new government live on a different planet from the rest of us? How can we as a country go for growth if wildlife and nature are the casualties? The planet is already suffering and scientists insist we need to reverse CO₂ emissions and live sustainably if there is going to be a future for homo sapiens and other animals here on Earth.
This Government is actively accelerating the demise of life on this planet. Thumbs down.
As reported recently, Tremail based artist Kasia Turajczyk is currently exhibiting some of her paintings at Camelford Gallery. Ms Turajczyk is an extremely versatile artist who draws inspiration from a wide variety of sources, resulting in very different styles of painting as can be seen from the pictures below.
Having heard so much about electric cars, I was excited to get the opportunity to go for a longer journey in the 30 kWh version of the Nissan LEAF (range 120 miles):
Lisa, the V2G EVSE Limited vehicle-to-grid R&D Nissan LEAF
We started the journey in Tremail, heading for IKEA in Exeter. Once we reached the A30, the car was cruising gently all the way to Exeter. The cruise control was activated at 60 miles per hour, leaving us free to chat during a relaxing journey. Once at IKEA, we headed for the electric vehicle charging point, where we met a fellow electric car fan:
Battery state of charge after our trip from Tremail
He was enthusiastic about his Nissan LEAF but also told us that he had recently had a test drive in an electric MG (range 200 miles) which he said was a fantastic experience. He was in the process of charging his car and was kind enough to finish his charging session early to allow us to start charging ours, before we headed for IKEA:
Battery state of charge after charging at Exeter IKEA
The journey home was equally pleasant and I arrived back in Tremail a convert.
Sadly we lose our parish priest, the Rev Deryn Roberts, in February forced into retirement by the rules of the church. She has served the parish since her appointment at St Nonnas in 2014. Though only a handful attend church at this time, she will have touched the lives of some of you in times of gladness and sadness.
As a token of our love and respect a farewell lunch has been arranged by the Moorland Group of Churches at The Wilsey to which you are invited to attend. The carvery main course will be subsidised, you pay for desserts and drinks. The Wilsey needs to know numbers by NOON on FRIDAY 25TH JANUARY.
Please contact either Bill or Ann if you would like to attend. Contact details as follows:
Bill Pearce – Tel 01579 370004 / Mobile 07788 410412 / email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Ann Hayne – Tel 01840 261236 / Mobile 07786 382560 / email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
One thing that’s certain about life, I have found over the years, is that no matter what we do, we have no control over the passage of time. Age will inevitably catch up with us – and it is now catching up with me.
The Church of England, in its wisdom, has decreed that its ministers must retire when they reach 70 years of age. All things being equal, I will reach this milestone at the beginning of February 2019.
So, my friends, following discussions with Archdeacon Audrey Elkington and Bishop Chris, I can now confirm that my last Sunday in the Cornish Moorland Benefice will be 3rd February.
Details of services on that day will follow in due course.
POPPY APPEAL WALK Saturday 17 November 2018 to 43rd Wessex Memorial for a wreath laying ceremony. Members of the public are invited. Meet at Roughtor Car Park at 10 am. Fee of £1 payable on the day to poppy appeal.
Suitable footwear and clothing. Well behaved dogs welcome. Refreshments available. Personal responsibility for accidents.
For many years I have been a chronic insomniac – trouble sleeping at night. In our house the light and the telly are on all night; I spend most of the long hours in my study on my computer – browsing, reading the newspapers or playing Scrabble. Most nights I do sleep for a couple of hours or so on my recliner chair. The night before the Show, when I needed some sleep, it was particularly bad however – I remember seeing 5.00 am and then did drop off only for my alarm to go at 6.30 am. The last thing I wanted to do was to spend a day at the Show, but my mate was on his way to collect me so I had no choice When we arrived at the Showground the wind was blowing, rain seemed imminent, and there weren’t too many visitors around. Mid morning a huge black cloud did lash the Showground for several minutes, but then it cleared up, and we had visitors in number.
This year’s Show Presidents were two sisters, Camelford to the core, Madge and Sally Walkey (Moore). Congratulations to the Show Committee who could not have chosen two more worthy patrons. They toured the ground in a Land Rover Discovery driven by Preston Baker, accompanied by wife Fran. Honoured we were when the vehicle stopped outside our gazebo and I was able to exchange niceties with the two dear ladies and reminisce briefly with Sally who was a 5A class mate at Sir James’ way back in 1950. Keeping it in the family, soon after brother Johnny and his wife stopped by. Me being me I asked her her name and was momentarily confused when she replied Sally Walkey. She was of course the daughter of Bert Collins, the Butcher.
I have to admit my grey matter is in gradual decline and it bothers me when people stop for a chat and though I recognise the face I can’t recall the name. I have to excuse myself and usually make some bland statement about being old but still the right side of the grass’. Throughout the day I reckon a dozen or so stopped to reminisce on my time at Plymouth Argyle or with Cornwall Air Ambulance. It is always a dangerous occupation selecting individuals so I won’t fall into that trap. Having said that I will tell you of one visit which really pleased me. Brothers John and Percy Treleaven came and shook hands. We were at St Teath School back in the 1940’s.
We were busy walking memory lane when sister Marina arrived on the scene and gave me a heart warming hug. Couldn’t resist having a photograph taken with them. And a brief mention for Julian Harman, Branch Chairman Camelford Royal British Legion, and his colleagues who joined me for a photo call but for reasons known only to the camera the damned thing didn’t print.
Readers may be forgiven if they conclude this was a day release for Billy and his carer. There was of course a far more important reason for us being there as we have not one, but two Concerts in the next four months. On 13 October we welcome back the Callington Community Gospel Choir to be followed in December by the greatly anticipated Military Wives Choir and our main ambition was to promote these events. Along the way we sold a few Cornish Passports to help defray the costs of being there. Did we succeed? Unquestionably. How successful only time will tell. We sold tickets for the Military Wives Concert. With four months to go I personally had sold over 40. With less than 200 seats available this event is clearly on course to being an early “Sell Out”. On the day we distributed over 500 flyers and await a response to those. Admission to the Gospel Choir event is free.
Appreciation of fellow Churchwarden Ann Hayne, PCC Treasurer Reg Statton and Verger Edwin Dickinson who popped in to render their support.
A mention in dispatches for Robert. A major frustration of being 80+ is the loss of ability to do manual things and being reliant on others. Have worked with Robert, who lives in Plymouth, since 1988. He is always on call to help and single handed managed our event display. And a thank you to the missus for her support on the day.
Robert – an invaluable help
At 6.30 am the day was a chore, twelve hours later I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. A generous plate of pork in a fruity BBQ sauce with rice at The Wilsey on the way home crowned a day to remember!
