February 1994  - Edition No.28

First I must make my apologies! I am sorry that the December issue was late, thereby missing one or two dates, and that the printed cover did not do justice to the artistic work of the members of the Sunday School.

I'm afraid that my knowledge of the printing world is sadly lacking and unfortunately the budget only allowed for very basic reproduction. Thus the delicate drawings and subtle colours of the pictures was lost. Now I know the requirements, perhaps we'll have better luck next time!

Debbie's pen and ink cover drawings also lose something in the printing and I wish you could share with me the delight of the 'originals' - you feel you could stroke the shiny fur of this month's sleepy little dormouse, and I am sure I speak for everyone when I say thank you, Debbie.

I must also pay tribute to the other regular contributors - Paul Swailes for his illustrations, Tom Bartlett for 'Old Berrynarbor' and other articles, and our intrepid ' local walker' , who had to wait for it to stop raining before doing the practical part, and everyone who lets me know what the various groups are up to. Without your help there would be no newsletter.

So, how about pulling YOUR weight and submitting that recipe, tip, article or favourite poem for the Easter-April issue? Items should be at the Post Office or Chicane by the middle of March.

Dormouse is the name given to a group of small rodents, or gnawing animals, about the size of mice but with fairly bushy tails a little shorter than their bodies. The name means "the mouse that sleeps" and those that live in cooler climes do sleep through the winter, in comfortable nests in hollow trees or underground after fattening up in the autumn.

Dormice are sometimes confused with squirrels but the main difference is that squirrels are day creatures and dormice wake up in the evening and go about at night. They live in trees and, like squirrels, sit up on their hind legs holding their food - nuts, fruits, buds - in their front paws.

Judie - Ed