©Kirton News 2011

The Editors Letter

Well; the end of the year and, traditionally a time of reflection and remembrance. On a personal note, I‘ve lost some good friends during the last twelve months and think of them, particularly, as the nights shorten and nature seems to (temporarily) shut down.

The ‘remembrance’ reference prompts me to relate some comments from several villagers concerning this year’s Remembrance Service at the war memorial on Sunday 13th. Apparently there was a constant flow of traffic passing the triangle up until the Eleventh Hour. Traditionally the centre of the village has been closed to vehicles for a while before, and some minutes after, the vigil. Why not this year? One person particularly remarked on the fact that traffic was only halted at 11.00 am, and then only for the two minutes silence which was desecrated by at least one (Peugeot diesel) driver who kept their engine running throughout the period. I say, for shame!!
I don’t know which body/authority would be responsible for the road closure. Is it the Parish Council, Borough or Police we should be turning to for an explanation? If any of the members of the relevant organization reads this perhaps they could mail/e-mail me with an answer which we can publish in our February (2012) edition.

This sort-of prompts me to another thought. How about if we include a letters page in forthcoming editions of ‘The News’?
Obviously space is limited (and inclusion would have to be at the Editor’s discretion[!]) but if any of you out there have a gripe, a query or, even better, some good news to impart, how about writing in?
We can have a regular “Letters to the Editor” page and possibly answer any questions in the next month’s publication. Let’s keep the interaction going, eh?

Do you know of a young person who just does an elderly neighbours shopping regularly? Someone who’s looked after your cat or garden while you’ve been away? Just the simple sort of things that people put themselves out for that make others lives more comfortable, without any thought of reward or recompense. The real ‘Heroes’ of Kirton. We might even be able to instigate an annual award.

Next year will bring some more interesting features for your delight and delectation. We’ve got more photographic memories of the village and, hopefully, a regular short story contribution. But we always want more.

I’d love to make, what I like to think of as simply “The News”, what you want it to be. We need more involvement from the youth of Kirton (Scouts, Cubs, Kid’s Club, etc. please take note) to make it something that everyone looks forward to when it arrives on their door step. I want it to be a living news organ for the people of Kirton to enjoy.
Rant over for this month! (by the way, I never did hear back from my mystery caller)

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee at Kirton News who have provided the support needed to keep the publication going - and growing - over the past twelve months. And, to our advertisers who make this thing possible; keep the faith and don’t forget to book your slot for next year as soon as.... You know where to book in but remember, ad slots are of finite numbers and it’s first-come, first served. Can we also thank our small and dedicated army of distributors, as without them, the magazine wouldn't happen!

Greetings of the Season to all and let’s hope for a more prosperous New Year. Keep safe and stay happy until I get the chance to ‘speak’ to you again in February 2012.

Sam Chapman

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