Hidden agenda for 'tarnished' jewel in crown?

TAKEN FROM THE GAZETTE AND ADDED AS IT DOES MAKE SOME GOOD POINTS

The Government is part way through its programme to spend £750 million p.a. up until 2011 to renew and modernise further education colleges.

As with the Health Service, money is being thrown at a perceived problem unrestrained by worries about affordability. Colleges, including North Devon College, are climbing on the band wagon while the money is still available.

In the meantime, ambitious plans are in hand to make Barnstaple the regional capital of Northern Devon.

The town is being "regenerated" although the diagnosis that the town is dead and needs regeneration is somewhat exaggerated.

What a splendid wheeze to combine the two grand designs. build a new college on sub-prime riverside council land and pick up millions from the sale to pump prime "regeneration".

The college's Beacon status indicates that it is still fit for purpose on its current site which at least has potential for serious expansion.

No matter; Government money must be grabbed while it's available and the college purchase of the Seven Brethren site is vital to the district council's regeneration programme.

Observations that the site is too small, is unsuitable, has problems of access for staff and students and has no room for expansion are brushed aside. Staff and students can do without parking and expansion space can be secured by appropriating the leisure centre.

Life, however, is cruel and unpredictable. The developing recession is severely blighting hopes of attracting investors and buyers in the development sites at the old college, Anchor Wood and Queen St/Bear St.

Two recent Government decisions will also probably be fatal to the Grand Design. The Government has done a deal with the insurance industry whereby insurance will still be available for properties at risk of flooding on the understanding that the Government will invest in flood defences and tighten up on planning approval for building on flood plains.

This should scupper plans for Anchor Wood and Seven Brethren. The Boundary Committee has also decided that it does not favour a North Devon Unitary authority so there is no need for a grand regional capital either.

I do not view this as a tragedy. The improvements in hand and being planned could have done lasting damage to Barnstaple as a local centre attractive and accessible to residents and visitors alike.

Tony Martin, South Molton.

Once again people have died in a fire (Newquay) Once again the question would more fire appliances, quicker, have saved those lives. Retained fireman do a heroic job but there should be full time stations in every town. It would be expensive, so what. Which is more important the money or the lives. How about the insurance companies putting some of there collossal profits into it. It would save them money in the long run

For years government and councils have put money before lives not just in the the case of the fire service but in almost every case, fire, ambulance,police, doctors, nurses , the list is endless. Even down to basic care for those in need of help at home. All the time we are told the cost has to be cut and in the next breath Oh by the way we're going to spend x million pounds on some scheme to help someone in another country.

Am I wrong or is it time that what money we have to spend in this country should be spent on things needed by our people first. What is left over can be spent to help others in other countries.

I think our politicians are still trying to give the world the impression that this country is still the big empire it once was. I have news for them - It isn't. For Britain to be "great" again we need to look after our own so that the people think of it as great. I don't care where the people that live here come from. We have always welcomed everyone from foreign lands and I hope we always will. Lets look after the ones that live here, whether born here or moved here. Put the public money into the structure of the country and let us be proud of what we do for our citizens. Once we do that, then and only then can we start to aid other countries. If we dont then I can see a time when those other countries will have to aid us.

This is only my opinion - what is yours?

Name and address supplied.

Wind farms probably have their place as do wave generators and other "green" forms of energy but I'm not so sure I believe all this hype about global warming.

I'm getting on in years and remember the weather being the same in the past as it is now.

This country is not the worst polluter in the world by a long way and yet we seem to be taking the responsibility more than a lot of other countries.

When I was a kid all the houses had coal fires and most factories relied on fossil fuels to run. The mills in the north used massive amounts and now all that is gone. In it's place is central heating and other fuels.

Are we being told the truth about our climate or is it just another excuse to increase prices and costs to everyone with the rich being able to get even richer at our expense.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED.

I am wondering of you may be able to help me. There is a gravestone in Brixham St Mary's cemetery - Brixham Heritage Museum tell us that the inscription reads "John Reeves d23/8/1828, father John Reeves drowned off Lundy 28/7/1843 & two of his infant children & his wife Johanna d24/7/1868 Also Thomas Taylor d21/11/1840". As you will see this is a multiple grave. I am interested in the John Reeves who was drowned off Lundy as he is a distant relative of mine. I am wondering whether John Reeves (who was 63 when he drowned) might have been on a trawler, fell overboard, drowned was then picked up by the crew and brought home in the fish hold for burial - is this plausible? Is there any way you could help unravel this mystery? Look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes, David Wotton

subject: cliff hydro tunnel

message: Hello I am an Ilfracombe native now living in the US. To give you a little background on myself, my parents were the late Bill and Vania Gordon (ne Bengey) who were quay residents for nearly 50 years,mum was actually born in 'combe, unfortunately we lost her earlier this year, she would have been 90 in July.I recently heard of a tunnel being discovered during the clearing of the old Cliff Hydro site. This reminded me of a tunnel that us kids use to frequent many years ago although I can never find a mention of it anywhere. I was at the top of the cliffs overlooking the Tunnels beaches, close to the top of Southern Slopes. An obviously man-made tunnel shaped like a gothic arch that local legend had it ran to the Parish Church. Do you have any knowledge of this, and do you know if it still exists. Love the website by the way. Kevin Gordon Camarillo USA 805-482-2689

email: kevincgordon@hotmail.com