Iden

There have been a few weddings in Iden recently, a source of much joy . It’s always nice to see couples marry, and to be involved in any part of their celebrations, as they embark on a life together. Those of us who have forged many decades of marriage, know that much of the romance involves pacing the floor at all hours with a measuring spoon and a bottle of ‘Calpol’, worrying about money [the lack of it, or what best to do with it if we have it] and deciding things like when to unblock the guttering, get the chimney swept, worm the dog and mop over the kitchen floor. It’s a roller coaster ride, but still it’s nice to have someone sitting beside you on a roller coaster, and even though it can be a bumpy ride, most of us would pay to go on it again . We wish them every happiness.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jun 2014, 00:00 BST

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my cousin in Canada reading the village voice, and this week he sent me an article about a growing wild boar infestation in Saskatchewan, having just read about wild boar around Iden. [Oceans may divide us, but in many parts of the world it seems we are all singing from the same hymn sheet]. The article by University of Saskatchewan researcher, Ryan Brook, claimed that wild boar have one of the highest reproductive rates of any large animal, and that they have two litters of around six or more yearly. He claimed that wild boar in the USA, have caused billions of dollars worth of problems, including crop damage, disease, livestock embarrassment, impact on local ECO systems, species at risk and attacks on humans.[gosh!] Our wild boar infestation seems minimal in comparison, but I suppose it’s a question of ‘watch this space’.

So, what is happening in Iden? Tomorrow, 28th June, the ‘Iden and Playden Garden Society’are having their ‘Summer Flower and Produce Exhibition’ in the village hall at 2.30 pm. It will be well worth a visit, because there are some clever, green fingered people in our midst, and the flowers and produce are always ‘something to behold. There will be a service of Holy Communion at Iden Parish Church on Sunday 29th June, at 9.30am.

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Debbie Hammond tells us that there will be an open fete meeting on 3rd July at 7pm in the village hall. My mother in law used to say that ‘a little help is worth all the pity’, and anyone who can help in any way with the fete will I’m sure be welcomed with open arms. Anyone willing to help with the setting up and dismantling of the fete, and car parking duties will be very much appreciated, plus the myriad of other jobs required. Apparently car parking this year is to be on a rota system, so that people kind enough to help won’t be there for hours. I love our fete, I’m proud of it, everyone trooping around with marrows and ice cream cones and burgers, and little ones with their faces painted like tigers. It’s what summer is all about. I’m going to the meeting, though I only contribute my rock cakes [they could very well be used though to prop up a stall!]

There is hay making going on near us, a lovely sight isn’t it? I am always intrigued to see hay baled up with it’s plastic overcoat on. It always looks so clever and neat, but there’s still a touch of the ‘Little Boy Blue come blow your horn’ about it all. Looking over our fields, it’s not difficult to picture our predecessors tilling the fields wearing a smock and sucking on a clay pipe. The past is very much felt here isn’t it?

Next and importantly, there are two sessions coming up in the village hall, where ‘basic life support’ will be demonstrated, on the 22nd July, and the 31st July, at 7.30 pm. This will be valuable for all of us, and most particularly in view of our impending ‘Iden defibrillator.’ If even one life is saved, it’s worth having that knowledge. I watched with my grandson , recently ‘An Hour To Save A Life’, on TV, and my goodness, I was astounded by what they can do now just at the roadside to stabilize people. Years ago I nursed on ‘A and E’, but looking back it was reasonably primitive compared with what is expected now. I take my hat of to those first on the scene.

Tonight we had pizza [an unbelievable amount of calories consumed] , but it doesn’t hurt on occasions to have something flat, fabulous and full of cheese .Like everything else though, I feel I need a degree in ‘pizza purchase’ , because there are so many to choose from. We open the door of the pizza section, getting chillier by the minute, confronted by stacks of cardboard boxes, and then the fun begins, what on earth to choose[actually there is something almost homely , albeit cold about being temporarily housed in a refrigerated compartment!] . It’s not just whether to have ham and pineapple , pepperoni , cheese and tomato, four cheese, mozzarella, chilli chicken , etc., but whether to have thin and crispy, deep pan, stuffed crust, family sized, individual , French bread pizza, or pizza fingers Now comes the issue of ‘ three for the price of two’ requiring a tot up on the fingers .I usually emerge, having just escaped frost bite, with something to hopefully please everyone, but having done that, I move on to cat food. Now there’s another area where a masters degree is required, because here we need to decide whether to have, kitten, junior or senior, in jelly or gravy, dried, in pouches, tins or boxes, gourmet, ‘value’, or a crunchy and tender combination. Now we come on to flavours, because there’s rabbit, turkey, liver, beef, ocean mix, tuna, chicken. etc. etc .I worry myself into an early grave wondering how to please the cat. It’s all too ridiculous Iden dwellers. If only I could give the cat five pounds to buy it’s own!

If any of you wish to contribute to the village voice, please ring Gill Griffin [telephone 01797-280-311] I would love to hear from you.

Gill Griffin

Bellfield, Main Street

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