October 2009  - Edition No.122

Twelve days without rain - and still counting - must be a record for what can only be described as a dismal summer! It would appear that we have suffered more than most and certainly the eastern side of the country appears to have fared better.

Never mind! A few sunny days have cheered us slightly as the evenings begin to draw in and unbelievably there are already signs of Christmas!

In spite of the inclement weather, all the village events have been very successful - for fun and finance. Our next big event - and there are others to follow - is the TONGUES OF FIRE. This whole village event, in conjunction with Beaford Arts, is taking place on Saturday, 3rd October. It promises to be fascinating and full of fun, from music to crafts to feasting. So, if you don't want to miss out on the fun, be there!

A good response to my plea for crossword puzzlers - thank you all. I was delighted to hear from Stanley Barnes who has had the ingenious idea of using Brian's grids [saves me a lot of time] with new words and clues. His crossword in this issue is based on that of June 2009. I now have a selection of puzzles-in-waiting.

Stanley, who is a long-distance reader from York and whose grandfather was our village blacksmith, Sam Harding, joins my wonderful band of nonagenarian contributors, having celebrated his 94th birthday earlier this year.

As Editor I am privileged to hear from and talk to readers - both near and far. And having been given a copy of the June Newsletter by neighbours who had stayed in the village, Eric Leworthy was fascinated to find the article about the Leworthy family. Now on the mailing list, Eric moved from Hagginton Hill in 1979 and is currently living in Exmouth.

Coincidence? Eric's father, Alfie, features in the first of Marlene's 'Local Characters' articles and Eric has kindly supplied photos of his parents.

Then there is the coincidence of Heather Fogg and the card that Marlene discovered at Abergavenny Market [April 2008/August 2009]. Marlene has just told me that it was sent by Heather to a Mrs. C. Evans of Llangollen - and here another coincidence as Ken and I had visited there only a week earlier!

Mention of the field where donkeys were buried stirred memories for Alvina Irwin [nee Richards] of when she was a little girl and living with her grandparents at Hammonds Farm. When walking up from school, the children would drink from the stream that ran down the side of the road. Hearing of this, her Aunt Audrey warned them not to do this, as the stream came from the field where horses and donkeys were buried! Alvina remembers that in the spring wild daffodils would flower there and wonders if they still do.

And is it really true that donkeys and horses were buried there?

Christmas greetings for friends and neighbours? Yes, these may again be sent via the Newsletter. If you would like to do this, please let me have your message, together with a donation [donations will be shared between the Newsletter and the Manor Hall] AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. They may be left at the Shop or Chicane but by Monday, 16th November at the latest please.

That is also the deadline date for items for the December and Christmas issue, which should be out on the 3rd.

And finally, after this long editorial, I must express my appreciation to everyone who has contributed to this issue, but especially those who contribute regularly, most of whom have done so for many years. Thank you all.

Judie - Ed