Thursday 6th March 2008

Good morning to you all,

This week’s update is of Curry Rivel. We visited the village last Saturday and also ventured on to Curry Mallet and Isle Abbotts.

I’ve lived in a quiet market town for most of my life, and since late 1996 in a cottage out in the country. One thing I enjoy about the country life is the friendliness people show for one another and also the trust they can give to total strangers. This was highlighted very clearly on Saturday whilst in Curry Rivel. We hadn’t been out of the car long and only just started taking photos when a voice called out to us. Initially I thought it was the owner of the cottage I was taking a photo of, unhappy that some non-villager was outside her house taking pictures. But no, all the lady wanted was some help in putting up some curtains. Of course we obliged, and the Lady, or Mrs B to give her some of her name, was more than happy to show us her fabulous house and wonderful gardens. It didn’t stop there. After wishing her well, and handing Mrs B a pair of 3d glasses, we went off to the nearby church and, after being greeted by the church cat, were made to feel very welcome by the church cleaner, ensuring we saw all the ancient artefacts on show around the building.

In some places in Somerset, and indeed in most counties, the villages are gradually being destroyed by a lack of support from the councils and the Government. At the moment there are a number of village Post Offices being threatened with closure and village pubs are closing down far too frequently. One day, I fear, the villages will be nothing more than commuter sanctuaries, where on week-days the streets are empty and at weekends everyone is busy mowing their lawns and cleaning their cars in readiness for next weeks work schedule. I hope I’m proved wrong.

My message to you is to go out there, visit these villages, support your community, and see proper village life before it’s too late.

In case you didn't spot it this week sees the start of a new feature on the Somerset3d website called ‘Speakin Zummerzet’. Basically it's a chance to understand the Somerset language so if you visit us you can make some sense of what we are saying. If you watched Hot Fuzz and had to use the subtitles then you know what I mean.

Thought for the day.

"A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory" - Steven Wright.

That's all for now. More next week. Have a good one.