Last updated 15:39, Friday, 18 July 2008

A SPLENDID day for the farmers’ market – again! We are very lucky with the weather! IT IS important that everyone who sends in a reaction to the post office closures also sends a copy to “Postwatch, Freepost” – that’s all you need on the envelope.

There was an even more delicious spread than usual and the market was visited by people from all over the country.

However, the market is like everything else, vulnerable to economic pressures.

At a time when we are all “feeling the pinch”, people tend to economise on the essentials instead of on luxuries, so if we don’t use the market regularly we shall lose it, and be left with pallid fare indeed.

At a time when our local post offices are being savaged in order to keep GB Inc in the black, the danger is all too apparent.

MEANWHILE, almost every one of the visitors to the market shared our concerns about the threat to the postal services and willingly signed the Hexham Courant petition to show their support.  They also wished our campaigns well, expressing their anger at the way the rural areas are being treated.

And they bought duck race tickets!

This is an independent body that, unlike Post Office Ltd, will listen to our views and possibly act on them.

Its remit is to keep an eye on the way Post Office Ltd works and treats its customers – and I have yet to find anyone who believes the current proposals have any validity or sense at all!

WE ALL thoroughly enjoyed the film on Friday night that concluded the South Tyne Cinema Circuit’s latest season and may well try other unusual venues next summer. THE July whist drive in aid of the church was a very pleasant evening – the only result I have, however, is that Bob Dixon took the booby gents’ prize and Elsie the ladies’.EXCITEMENT mounts for Duck Day, with attention split between watching the water levels in the river and making sure as many duck tickets as possible are purchased – make sure of yours from your nearest committee member!  The next season is nearly confirmed and will kick-off during the Sights and Sounds Festival in early September.

The date, of course, is Sunday, July 27.

This year, as an extra treat, the church has arranged for the Brampton Silver Band to round off the day with an outdoor Songs of Praise starting at 4pm.

ANOTHER important date is July 21, when entries for all but the children’s classes close for Gilsland Show – schedules are available at the village hall and the Old Forge Café.  That evening, Greenhead Parish Council meets in the village hall at 7pm.