As the last of the daffodils fade for yet another year, whilst the swallows and cuckoos etc arrive and, having a lazy wind with a pong from the east, one could be led to believe that all is well, provided of course that we choose not to watch and or listen to TV/Wireless or the reading of newspapers. But of course these can be akin to a piece of ferrous metal being drawn to a magnet. Whilst at this period of time in our history many problems are arising seemingly to the majority of us, as in reality money, which to remind ourselves, is but a means to an end, in so much that it’s losing it’s value i.e. Its Purchasing Power.

If ever there was an example of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer then they who may pay 20 pence tax in the pound instead of 10 pence will indeed feel somewhat justified in expressing a grievance, but in all walks of life there are winners and losers. To lose sometimes can be a reminder that there are always they who are far worse off, but in an affluent society we may tend to look up and indeed not down.

It has become after many years prudent to clear out much of the accumulated rubbish from our All Saints Church belfry area, some of which was old props which over the years had been lovingly created by local villagers for the differing generations of children plus Susie our Donkey at times, to act out various stories from the bible of which the Christmas story was and still is probably the most favoured as it depicts feelings of love, tenderness and caring in a world today which often portrays the opposite. One recalls that the church was packed to standing room only on those occasions. So, naturally as the dirt/dust/leaves and even a squirrel’s nest were removed, a walk down memory lane was there for the taking. Whilst glancing at the huge timbers of old and as to how they had been placed in position with no mechanical cranes to hire then just, perhaps, the old saying “They don’t make them like they used to” had its origin.

It can be noted that “Heather and husband Cliff” visiting from over the pond took the rare opportunity to view the old structures which few indeed do.
Not unlike the flesh the mortar weakens and crumbles whilst the flint stones seemingly change not.

What a truly lovely time of the year, as the Norfolk Turkey man would say “Bootiful”. On reflection of past years, like so many when engrossed in ethic of working to live to pay the milkman, not to forget to realise either that to do this one needs and indeed has to have an element of good fortune on one’s side i.e. the afflicted/invalids are never too far away to remind us to be thankful for small blessings.

Mervyn