Ammunition for councillors (From Gazette & Herald)

Ammunition for councillors

I SEE the A64 is still providing ammunition for councillors, politicians and journalists over its possible dualling. Now we have got the consultants in, which means that we shall get just another opinion, but this time one which will cost a bomb. However, who is to contest the figures of a drop of 22pc in deaths and 57pc in casualties, for really no one can forecast such accurate prophesies with any certainty. I see it as one of the tools of looking like experts. As for 'cutting deaths by a fifth' by dualling, it could just as easily do the exact opposity, for providing the means to travel faster means that the weekend driver can't cope with such conditions and 60mph crashes become 80mph crashes. 'Faster' roads are not the answer to safety. They may well please those seeking the popular vote, as well as provide employment and a lucrative future for business in the road industry, but only strict speed control will cut down the crashes and the deaths, and we have neither the willingness or the ability to do that it seems.

The wild birds visiting our gardens take a bit of understanding. There are times when they just disappear for a week or so, and in fact mine seem to have done an almost permanent disappearing trick. The cat population seems to have taken a liking to my garden, and there has been evidence of murder, which makes me wonder if that is the reason, although other folks have sometimes commented that 'the birds have disappeared'. Watching the antics of the birds is fascinating, and one gets to recognise individual ones, so that if they suddenly go AWOL then one gets concerned.

Extremes in the price of things really amaze me at times. With the advent of the ball pen, writing was forecast as being so cheap that exhausted pens were to be thrown away. Some shops will offer ball pen refills at a few coppers for a pack of four or five, or even a pack of pens themselves for a few pence, yet recently I had to pay no less than £2.75 for one refill for a ball pen. I fail to understand how and why this happens, however, I've learned my lesson on that particular one and won't get caught again. On the whole, there has been a reduction in the price of many commodities recently, especially in hand and electric tools, mostly 'Made in China.'.

Late in life, I find I can now afford tools which a few years ago were but a dream. When I was a boy, the market used to offer lots of tools and toys bearing the legend 'DRGM' indicating their German origins. It used to be said that many tin toys, such as little cars etc, were made from tin plate salvaged from empty treacle and other food tins, and I often wondered if such was the case. There was always the boy who had looked inside a little tin car and seen the words 'Tate and Lyle' or the picture of the lion with the words 'Out of the strong came forth sweetness' which helped to keep that story going - but how true it was I'll never know now.

Today, 'Made in China' seems to be seen everywhere, and whether this now includes Hong Kong I'm not sure, as the markets seem to fluctuate such a lot. The quality of stuff made in China now seems very good, and their prices are just unbelievable at times - how our own manufacturers compete I don't know.

What has happened to chocolate in recent years? You could buy it so that it broke into reasonably-sized pieces, now one has to make do with the 'so-called' new size, chunky! Far too large for most folks and often difficult to break off. While I can accept that the 'regular' size is popular with most folk, especially the ladies, I can't see the latter eating one of the huge chunkies while out in the town. They certainly cause a reduction in conversation for a while. The same goes for a certain delightful toffee, which is sold ready-bagged. Chunks so huge they have to be brought home and cut in half, when really one was looking forward to a 'chew' as one walked round the town. Something to do with 'marketing', I expect.

An e-mail via the Gazette office for me, from Ann Hagger, on the subject of insect bites by invisible predators. As she says, they get 'everywhere', and like most of you, no doubt, you'll have made purchases of insect repellent creams and those which take the itch out of bites already received, only to find that none appear to be much use. Don Smith, of Kirby, told that iodine was of use in certain cases, and I've tried this and find it to be of good general use. I thought this product was something which had 'disappeared' from the chemist's shelves, but find it still available. While on the subject of insects, our front-office receptionist, Linda, was delighted to tell me that she'd watched a Hummingbird Hawkmoth feeding in her garden this last week. Fascinating to watch if you should be lucky enough.

From Church bulletin: "Prayer meeting Friday afternoon. Remember in prayer those who are sick of our community."

Updated: 12:05 Wednesday, October 08, 2003