English muffins wonderful (From Gazette & Herald)

English muffins wonderful

IN my continuing search for things which I have liked and enjoyed over the years there was included muffins. Not the odd variety which appear on the shelves today, but the traditional English muffin, which all but disappeared. One or two national manufacturers produced them, but not awfully successfully. Never would they ever reach the standard of Norton confectioners, Browns of Commercial Street. However, that is but a dream now, nevertheless, it has been the standard by which I have judged them over the years, and Warburtons of Bolton came as near as any to reaching their standard. That was until they too disappeared last year. I've heard from them this week telling me that they weren't selling very well, and so they have been discontinued. So that's the end of another era. What next I wonder?

My attention was drawn today to the town hall clock, which is showing some time, other than that which it should. Our town clerk tells me that it is the responsibility of Ryedale District Council, although we are not sure as to whether or not this is, in turn, delegated to the actual occupiers, Malton Museum. However, enquiries today came up with the answer that it is in fact, broken, and so, would-be time seekers will have to look elsewhere in the meantime (no pun intended). I do hope that repair work will be put in hand without delay, as it's been out of action for a month or so already, and there's nothing worse for any town, than to have it's town centre clock, either wrong, or stopped.

Someone is messing about with Malton Hospital again - or at least - the headlines tell of the fear of closing the maternity ward. The NHS Trust appears to have a reputation for closing things down, whilst voluntary bodies do their utmost to raise money and provide equipment to give to the hospital to help keep it up to date. I believe I'm right when I say that the casualty department was removed, and the operating theatre closed, and now we have talks of the maternity unit going. When is it going to stop? Malton has always been proud to have its own hospital, it has always been an integrated part of our local society and we don't want any outside group interfering with what has been built up locally. This happens in all too many ways these days, and it's all to do with the mistaken idea that 'big is beautiful' which ain't necessarily so! Maltonians have never been happy with control of their hospital being vested in the Scarborough area umbrella. York has always been our nearest neighbour, with easy access, and a closer relationship than going to the coast. No use expecting a reversal, but then one never knows these days, some bright spark wondering what to do next might just decide the whole area needs a re-shuffle, and where we might end up next time, no one knows. To do something sensible, like bringing back matrons, would be a step in the right direction. Hospitals have never been the same since these wonderful disciplinarians were dispensed with, have they, and anyway, who can run a ship without a captain? Time for a re-think. Quick!

After seeing a newly-boarded-up shop window for three successive Saturdays, I didn't spot one this morning on my weekly market visit. Does this mean that the phantom window-breaker has been rumbled and is now in jail? Does it mean that the CCTV screens are being watched more closely, and acted upon? Or does it mean that there have been active foot patrols out at the crucial 'tanked-up' time to put a stop to this needless anti-social behaviour? Whatever, this week there's been a respite, and the traders of Malton will no doubt be relieved. Let us hope the new 'era' becomes a permanent one, and talk of vigilante groups doesn't raise its head, for the annoyance factor in these cases is exceptionally high, and both traders and insurers suffer unless swift action, with stiff sentencing gets the message across. Does every town suffer from this problem?

I had to wait the other day whilst in a filling station, as a huge artic tanker reversed into position to unload, and I watched the skill of the driver as he coaxed his truck into the restricted space, without the least bit of hassle. The new-age HGV driver is a different sort of chap to his not-so-long-ago predecessor, who, without power steering, needed all the human strength possible to change direction whilst slow-moving, despite the largest of steering wheels to give extra leverage. That large diameter steering wheel caused a bit of a problem for the brawny driver, especially if he had a bit of size about him, and I've seen many a leather waistcoat worn, in order to save wear and tear of shirt and trousers. Unless on bulker work, where there may be a need for protective clothing, today's drivers can normally dress as for many other jobs, even down to collar and tie, as he pilots his majestic, high powered merchantman, with its automatic gearbox, power steering, hi-fi, telephone and bunk behind him, on its hurried way, with turbo humming, all systems 'go'. Today he (and she) are really Kings of the Road!

Quote from actual performance evaluation: "This employee should go far - and the sooner he starts, the better."

Updated: 11:34 Wednesday, January 22, 2003