WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Tardis]

The trail of blood on the top path from Valley gardens yesterday whilst out walking the dogs

[Tardis]

How grumpy Merlin got when confronted with another interloper in the house.

Lily (13 weeks):

[Tardis]

A fabulous day in Morecambe on Easter Sunday with company:

[Stanley]

Latest thinking on the cause of the Korean ferry capsizing is nothing to do with striking a reef. It begins to look as though a violent change of course heeled the ship and the cargo shifted, taking her beyond her centre of gravity which may have been to high due to modifications. It looks as though they will discontinue the dangerous diving and body retrieval and concentrate on lifting the ship starting later in the week.

[David Whipp]

We were informed yesterday that our application for a road closure for Saturday's St George's Day event was being drawn up. Both police and LCC had emailed to say they weren't objecting to it. Hopefully, this is the last time we're confronted with OTT requirements which would cost thousands.

[Stanley]

I read the report in the BET and one can't help thinking we need a 'common sense over-ride' on these matters! Anyone would think you were organising a demonstration outside Downing Street!

[plaques]

Barlick is probably one of the only towns in Pendle where there are still several ways of getting from A to B in spite of which roads you close. Whatever you do don't let the traffic management planners loose in Barlick.

[Marilyn]

What attracted my attention today?
Three separate news stories...
Firstly...older persons are apparently a drain on our health system. They are suggesting that over 65year olds cost more to care for in intensive care etc than younger persons...therefore perhaps over 65 year olds should be denied certain surgery and treatment
( my response was one of shock. 65 is NOT old! How dare they deny people treatment when they have been paying into private health funds -which is compulsory I may add...for years!)

Secondly...Australia has pledged 2 billion dollars toward a squad of 58 fighter jets.
( oh...lovely...)

Thirdly...people who support Euthanasia are being unfairly targeted by police, who are searching their homes for drugs and apparatus that may suggest they are planning to pass away peacefully whenever they choose.

I am thinking...that as we get too old to have surgery or life saving treatment, they may want to aim those ( bloody) fighter jets at those of us that can no longer have the choice to die with dignity!

[Stanley]

Hear hear Maz! Women should be running the world!

[Cathy]

Ooooo... Don't get me started Stanley, but seriously I think the world would be a much better place if man hadn't taken over religion, if the village mentality from a man's point of view was let go, if top company boards were made up of 1/2 men, 1/2 women. Women aren't here to just take care of things behind the scenes. We have come forward, not only because we can, but because we have a lot of cleaning-up to do. Making decisions for others is about compassion a lot of the time. We each have our place and strengths. Oh dare i post this, yes I dare!!

[Thomo]

I have always believed that the two main sexes should have an equal role in life, and be paid accordingly. There is just one thing that I am not comfortable with, Women however keen they are in combat situations, and in particular at sea. This is not chauvinism it is about practicalities, it is bad enough if your best friend is injured or killed, if it were to be that she was also your girlfriend or wife, this could affect your ability to focus on the task in hand and by doing so could add to the problems being faced.

[David Whipp]

The glorious colours of the blooms in the Fernlea flower beds today.

[Big Kev]

I read the report in the BET and one can't help thinking we need a 'common sense over-ride' on these matters! Anyone would think you were organising a demonstration outside Downing Street!

It's all a money making exercise, I had to pay £600 to have the back street closed for 2 hours work...

[Stanley]

I think you might be right Kev. Manufacturing work for bureaucrats.
Cathy, you get started whenever you want. I agree with you entirely.
Sherpas threatening to strike on Everest after 16 of them were killed preparing for the new season. Sherpa Tensing's son said that they are underpaid and overworked and in his opinion Everest would benefit if it was closed to climbers for a year.
The Cornish people win the right to be treated as an ethnic minority. Grockles and Emmets beware! Perhaps Barlickers ought to apply for the same status.....

[Stanley]

Good news Bruff! Il Casolare unfiltered oil is back in the Cathedral of Choice. Tell your local Co-op that if Barlick can enjoy it so should you. They must have stocks at the warehouse! (I got two bottles....)

[Tizer]

I saw large bottles of Il Casolare on `special offer' in Sainsbury's recently and it seemed very cheap, they must have got a job lot in!

[Stanley]

Not cheap here! Good olive oil Tiz and it keeps well in the dark, fill your boots!
Martha sent me a copy of Joseph Stigliz's book 'The price of Inequality'. I like him and will start it today!

[Tripps]

I note that it's exactly a year today, since I went on pilgrimage to Barlick, and the St George thing is on again in the square tomorrow. Highly recommended. Did you try the whiskey yet Stanley? I've been waiting for a report before opening the bottle that I have. Is it safe?

[Stanley]

Sorry about that David. Yes it is now a dead man, superb bourbon and perfectly safe to drink! I was so impressed I bought another bottle and gave it to my GP! (Insurance policy....)

[Stanley]

I tripped over this image which is pertinent in the centenary year of the Great War. Australian volunteers boarding the troopship Beltana at Brisbane in 1917.

[Tizer]

Yes, he was a real man, that we saw in Truro, Cornwall, while on holiday. He walked across the main street, a green man in a green uniform carrying a green gun, and sat down to have his sandwiches (didn't see if they were green!).

[Tizer]

The Operation Chariot memorial on the pier at Falmouth. Photo taken March 2014. Click the pic for greater detail.

[David Whipp]

The Barnoldswick in Bloom stand at the St George's Day event raised over £150 from plant sales and donations.

This is the plant sale end of the stall.



And here's the planting end of the operation.



Around 300 sunflowers were planted by children who took the parts home to grow. The proportion of families from out of town was very high.

There were lots of people at the event and, as forecast, the rain stopped promptly at 10am and only started again when we were packing up.

[Stanley]

Wonderful stuff and more evidence that Barlick has a thriving community spirit. Well done David and all the volunteers.

[David Whipp]

The whole St George's Day event was very enjoyable (well worth overcoming all the road closure and health and safety hurdles!).

We had a new young man help with the set up etc, as well as the usual crew, there were lots of local organisations taking part (either performing or running a stand) and the emergency services strongly supported the event.

The income from the day is going to the Town Council's Chairman's Charities (RNLI, Fell Rescue and Hospital Minibus). There's a raffle on Chubby's Chippy's counter if folk want to make a donation and have a flutter.

We did have a complaint from a Skipton couple, visiting Barnoldswick for the first time, that they couldn't find anywhere to park - which is an indication of how many visitors there were. (They liked Barlick so much, they're coming back next weekend.)