 Yes folks here we are again, and at this juncture, our 60th episode of hearsay. I can't believe it! The months go on quicker than the zeros mount up on the Wembley stadium estimate. Yes it's all happening. Mothering Sunday I can't wait to be mothered, except I don't think it works like that some how. The Winter Olympics have been in full swing on the telly. All those skimpy leggings sliding around on no more than a kitchen carver. Ski's, boards and chaps hurling themselves down an ice tube toboggan run at 100 miles an hour on little more than a tea tray! Don't you just love it? Hopefully mid winter is coming to a close and with spring well and truly on it's way, we're all looking forward to the warmer days of summer. Just so long, as we don't get a rise in temperature of more than 3 degrees. This in when, so they tell us, we like so many other places around the World, will finally disappear under a global rising of sea level. Great me thinks, and I've just finished painting the hall as well. I wouldn't have bothered if I'd have known. Still the hue was quite apt in it being Ocean Marine with a sea Lavender boarder. I guess the fish would feel quite at home. But do not fear hope is at hand. Yes, so we are told, we can all help slow down the process in lots of small, seemingly insignificant trifles. Such as reaching for the remote and turning off our appliances completely instead of letting them drain away energy that could otherwise be put to better use. Like um; let me think oh yes lighting and heating the House of Commons! Or the debating chambers of the N.N.D.C. when locked in near mortal combat over the Tesco debacle. After all it would never do to leave that one out in the cold for too long now would it? Well with all these troubles about to swamp us I thought I'd reflect on the news of how lucky Sheringham has been in narrowly avoiding a rail disaster. And I don't mean the closing of the bittern line. Although that in itself would definitely not be good news either. No I am of course referring to the partial demolition of the back common's railway bridge by means of a clumsy lorry driver. Who thought he'd collect more than his scheduled load for the morning and bit off just a little more than he should have chewed if you get my drift? Luckily no one but his pride was injured but this so called out of Africa moment must bring a shudder of what could have been to the forefront of everyone's minds. In all credit to the engineers the railway was completed up and running within just a few days which is more than can be said for the state of our pavments! WHERE DO I START? Now, now before you all rush to pick up your pens I think it only right and proper to explain that perhaps a little leniency might just go a miss considering the flack these chaps have had from you the so-called gentile citizens of sleepy Sheringham. It was no wonder that the "fellas" cleared "orf" early once or twice for a stiff drink, strong cuppa or a current bun. (Just so long, as it didn't have the seasonal cross on it. As some it seams, these days, could take offence at its symbolism.) Considering the bombardment of winging earache they had to endure from some of you. However, perhaps we did have an ever so slightly, little teeny weenie bit to complain about in the first place. Consider this as a play or to be more accurate a farce. Take your setting; a one-way street put two burly blokes in it one at each end of the road and give them each a stop go board! IN A ONE WAY STREET? Who did they think was coming up the road? Yes all right, fair do's in the summer I admit one or two crazed loons and motorised buggies do try to run the gauntlet but not really is there a need for assisted traffic control in February or at any other time me thinks. But still a cushy job if you can get it! Then we have the matter of this rather conspicuous 6-week dead line for the work to take place. Not so much me thinks 6 weeks than 6 years, or possibly longer if they insist on the 2 flag stones to the hour regime currently in place. Which incidentally, takes three of them to figure out where to put them, how to cut them, and what to do if the tea machine breaks down. Let's hope that eventuality in Roy boys never comes to fruition. Also don't lets forget these other mysterious players that walk down the road from the car park at first light kitted out in fluorescent jackets tools and hard hats in a drove only to miraculously disappear almost immediately never to be seen for the rest of the day. How can this be? There is only one answer! Yes we have a secret time worm black hole Matrix thing-a-me-gig betwixt two worlds where by human workmen enter only to exit the other side, time-warped wary just in time for the down tools hour and journey home. Bearing nought but an eggy lip and an odds on favourite slip for the five thirty at Cheltenham! Oh, And before I go if this season's winter farce isn't enough for you then I can't wait for the summer's. No rep this year emancipating the boards at the theatre. That's right no Frinton and pardon the pun but No Bridge either! Oh please! Still I thought it was funny. Just a final thought though. With all this money being spent on pavements that really only needed, to many people's frame of mind, just a good clean. Would it not have been better to have used the cash for most of Sheringham's true but hidden disgrace; the pavements of the unseen back streets, the over cambered roads and the cobbled guttering of many others including Melbourne road etc. There are literally hundreds of projects that could have done with that cash that are resultant of serious, wilful and prolonged neglect. And I for one think that this fiscal extravagance for pretty town centre aesthetics, rather than dealing with the real core problems the town faces with sea defence, lack of storage and rehearsal rooms for the theatre, not to mention new seats. A good one way system, at least 300 extra car parking spaces and moreover a decent sized grocery store, etc. etc. Would be to my mind more conducive to the "betterance" of this town than any harebrained scheme to make it look glamorous for many third home owning, unappreciative visitors during the summer months. I thank you for reading. Till next time, take care Vic. HORRIFIC BRITISH GAS PRICE RISES Millions of British Gas customers are facing higher bills after the firm raised its gas
and electricity prices by 22%, blaming a sharp jump in wholesale energy costs for the
increase. "This is an appalling increase which will cause real pain to
thousands of people", says Norman Lamb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member for
Trade and Industry. "According to DTI figures, an increase of this size means
that by the end of this year more than 3 million households will be living in fuel
poverty. Action to tackle anti-competitiveness in European energy markets is a
start, but we also need to tackle market abuses which make it difficult for new providers
to enter the UK energy markets."
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