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HEAR'SAY
.So issue No. 6 is in print. Who'd have thought it? And No, I haven't run out of
commentary, not yet any way. There's just so much to go on about.
Firstly it's panto season again, Everywhere we look throughout the county and beyond, |
countless overweight male
thespians are getting ready to don ostentatious costumes in the name of traditional
fun. Hurrah for them. For January and February would be jolly dull without them. But where
are our local thespians that generally perform before our eyes at the Little Theatre this
year? What's this? Professional folk being given all the main parts? Barely a local name
in sight. Oops have I spoilt the secret. It may be very nice to have telly personalities
treading OUR boards here in Sheringham, but it's not for me. I personally like to go to
see my family and local friends performing instead of the Mr. Barretts of this world. Keep
to Norwich Sir! Where your repetitive performances would be more appreciated. That said, I
guess the profits raised will be going to a worthy cause. However, and correct me if I'm
wrong why should the proposed high school site for the theatre store need funding from
this source? I assumed this had already been met with proper grant aid and arrangements
met from the councils concerned. Sorry, I'm digressing. Getting back to the subject of
live stage entertainment. It has to be better than the scheduled T.V. programming over the
holidays. Unless like me you had to endure the entertaining 'leaving the pub drunk'
ritual. Yes, several young men on Xmas eve drunk as skunks, trying; I use the word
loosely, to hit each other. Isn't it amusing that the only thing that is in any way
co-ordinated with very drunken folk is their vocal chords. These were loudly expressed
towards the LONE police officer in his RIOT VAN that was positioned between Starlings and
Woolwort's. What was ONE officer doing on his own in a riot van?
Yet even this was better than having to endure the ever so happy world of soap land over
Christmas. I mean we can't have been inspired and cheered much by some of the Xmas drama
on offer before, during and after Xmas. Especially in the soaps. I mean just who gives the
order to transmit so much deplorable, depressing suicidal misery and tragic misdemeanour.
Jamie's death in Eastenders on Xmas day just took the biscuit. I assume those responsible
in the broadcasting world did not wish to evoke blissful happiness and goodwill to all. I
think it's their way of getting back at us all for having to work over the holidays. If
they're to have a horrid time then everyone else is going to join them! If this were
during the last war they would have been arrested for breaking the country's morale.
Perhaps they're part of an Iraqi propaganda campaign to bring down the country's spirits.
Who knows? After all, struggling through Xmas lunch with a bunch of people you'd rather
not have there is hard and depressing enough, without the added stresses of "misery
television" and this year's barrel of laughs was beyond the pale! Yes I know
"TURN IT OFF THEN" I hear you cry and play a game. After everything we put away
at lunchtime, I don't think so. I can barely move let alone doing my back in over twister
and a cerebrally numbing game of charades.
Well here we are well into the New Year, the days are beginning to draw out and spring is
on the horizon. The January Sales are in full swing so now we're all looking forward to
society's next big commercial sales pitch madness. ie. Valentine's Day. Oh and while I'm
about it who's spotted the Easter eggs on sale already in Cromer's Rainbow? Good Lord I've
barely had time to digest my selection boxes from Santa, let alone prepare my stomach for
a gorging of another load of endorphin stimulating cocoa bean delights! In fact, the very
thought of chocolate and/or turkey before next December is about as welcome as the Sally
Annes' marching band's rendition of Christians Awake at 7 a.m. on Xmas morning! Please
let's have a little compassion. Some us have only just got in from the Xmas Eve's pub lock
in! |
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I mean, even the emergency
services reserve the right to mute their sirens before eight in the morning. I understand,
I really do, that to some of you, the exclamation of your faith is very important and I
agree unreservedly. But please, for those that have no interest in the said faith this
kind of thing is really annoying. Or if you really have to go on the "Mission"
do it later for your own sakes. At least give the drink drivers a chance to get home
before you start.
Who's been to the sales then? Come on admit it. Found any REAL bargains out there? At buy
one get one free! Isn't that another way of saying half price? Or buy two get one free
likewise is a third off, or am I going mad?
We're all obsessed with sales. Half year sales, end of season sales, pre Xmas sales,
January sales, summer sales, spring sales. Sales of clothes, crockery, shoes, jewellery,
radios, tellys, dvd's, tapes, books, carpets and computers in fact every ruddy thing bar
the thing you actually want! All those huge red and white signs everywhere stating massive
discount clearances. No wonder there's a world shortage of trees! What I can't make out is
why have sales at all when clearly these products are on sale all year round anyway. Why
not sell these things at a better-reduced rate all the time benefiting us all. After all
we're supposed to be the most expensive country in the world now. You know if someone can
knock 50% off the price ticket it was too high in the first place, and not only that, what
about the poor soul who'd just bought the same item a few days before for grandma's Xmas
present, they must be feeling gutted! If indeed it was a genuine sale that is? So
shopkeepers out there perhaps you ought to start to be more realistic with your pricing
structure in future, not every one of your customers is a mug with money to burn.
I was glad to see in issue No. 4. Of @ Sheringham a piece about good deeds that
shopkeepers of the town do for people and that we might write in and praise not only
business people but others in the public eye. This got me thinking. Perhaps it's time that
we had a star rating system for businesses and public services In Sheringham. Like for
example the star ratings the A.A and the R.A.C adopt for hotels and guesthouses. This
system could surely be extended to Bakers, Hairdressers, Bookshops, Food outlets etc. It
would be interesting to see a table of excellence drawn up and the people of the town
could allocate points for certain characteristics about service, politeness, friendliness,
PUNCTUALITY (lookout all you small building repair men, gas and maintenance firms out
there) value and quality of product etc. Wouldn't it be great? The results could be
collated by the tourism board (also included in the list) and published each year in time
for the influx of marauding visitors from Easter onwards. It would be an insight to where
the "in place to shop and be seen" was. The ratings could run from nil to ten
star excellence. With a gold medallion award for any establishment holding a ten star
rating for more than five years on the trot. How many places in Sheringham at the moment
could see themselves getting top marks for the smile of the week award for example, or
would you be granted the grumpy face of the day accolade? Think on, I think we could get
this going here, don't you? Quite a few names spring to mind as I type, so beware! Take
care now, and keep smiling, Vic is watching.
Vic
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| Senior
Citizens Xmas Day Lunch and Tea |
A big thank you to all the ladies and gentlemen who organised the annual Christmas lunch
and tea at the Methodist Church, and a big thank you to all our local shopkeepers who
donated such lovely food etc., the turkey was delicious!
Mrs Castle Sweeting
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