At the beginning of January we all went around wishing each other a 'Happy New Year' and I suspect that, given the current climate, there was considerable feeling behind each greeting. The Credit Crunch is has now become a financial crisis and this country, as well as many others in the world are moving into a recession which is set to last for some time. It is a difficult time for all of us. Those who are employed are worried about the security of their jobs. Others have lost their jobs and face an uncertain future. Those who are retired are finding their income restricted as savings or investments show poor returns.
The Blackdown Hills were alive to the sound of pounding feet on Sunday as 193 runners tackled the 24th Wellington Monument Bert King Memorial Road Race.
In mild weather conditions the Taunton-based club Running Forever took the John Cooksley team shield. Taunton AC, who had held the shield since 2003, were beaten into second place.
Late on the afternoon of Sunday 7th December the Church was almost full as people of all ages joined together to sing carols at the village Christingle service conducted by Rev David Sherwood. The history of the Christingle was dramatised by youth members from Hi-zone and the Tower Room Club, carols were sung by Hemyock Primary School choir accompanied on guitar by head teacher Mrs Gill Peters and Christingles were distributed amongst the congregation before being lit, as church lights were extinguished and Away in a Manger sung.
The Christmas Fayre was opened by David Bawler, recently retired Churchwarden, who was presented with a buttonhole by Isabelle Cole. The fayre, in conjunction with Culm Davy Chapel, was held at Hemyock parish hall, and raised over £1309.
A delightful concert of Songs and Supper was presented over two evenings by Hemyock Singers at the parish hall giving the audiences a programme of songs from musicals mixed with well known folk songs which was followed by a 2 course hot supper provided by Karen Pinder and team. A brief introduction to the history of each section of songs was well presented by Sandy Hannaford, a member of the group.
Every home in the Parish of Hemyock has received a 36 page, 98 question Parish Appraisal asking residents to respond to questions and to comment on a wide and varied range of topics from Housing to Employment, Medical Services to Transport Needs and Education to Social Welfare. The document was created by a team of local residents under the auspices of the Parish Council.
Many thanks to all those who donated a shoebox of presents which will bring great happiness to a child somewhere in the world this Christmas. 100 were eventually sent from here. Thanks also to those people who over the year have been busy knitting mittens, hats and scarves for the charity as apart from helping keep children warm the mittens - all with faces - may well provide a 'friend' for a child in need.
Christmas will be only a few weeks away by the time you read this. For most it will be a time a great joy and family celebrations but a number of people will be alone and for some people within our community it will be their first without a loved one. Our thoughts are with them all.
Very many thanks to all who responded to my call for empty drinks cans to be sold for recycling to help finance our grandaughter's venture next year. She plans to go with her college to give sports training to youngsters in South African Townships.
There is a meeting of the Blackdown Hills AONB management group at the Half Moon Inn at Clayhidon on Thursday 11 December at 10am. Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe.
A dry and bright day with plenty of sunshine, though rather breezy too. Brisk easterly winds persist for many, becoming windy along southern coasts and across parts of Devon and Cornwall. Feeling warm in sheltered, sunny spots. Maximum temperature 15 °C.
Tonight:
Dry and settled at first, but becoming rather cloudy overnight with a few spots of rain in the far southwest. Remaining breezy, especially along the coast. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
Thursday:
Increasingly cloudy, with scattered showers spreading in from the south coast, most frequent in the southwest. Still rather breezy, especially along the coast, but warm in the sunshine. Maximum temperature 14 °C.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Warm and sunny conditions return for the weekend. Still rather breezy at times, especially along the south coast, but winds gradually easing. Slightly cooler on Saturday and Sunday.
At the beginning of January we all went around wishing each other a 'Happy New Year' and I suspect that, given the current climate, there was considerable feeling behind each greeting. The Credit Crunch is has now become a financial crisis and this country, as well as many others in the world are moving into a recession which is set to last for some time. It is a difficult time for all of us. Those who are employed are worried about the security of their jobs. Others have lost their jobs and face an uncertain future. Those who are retired are finding their income restricted as savings or investments show poor returns.