DOWN YOUR WAY

By Rev Philip Ringer

I AM pleased to report the gas leak was very quickly sorted out last Monday. Within two hours, the precise location had been found and the leak repaired. So there are some very satisfied customers on the West Cliff estate.

The district council has completed repair work at the West Bay Road car park in the area where the large puddle forms every time we have a significant rainfall. However, as this is all reclaimed land, which my informant tells me is up to four feet deep in places, it is hardly surprising.

On a really bright Sunday morning the Bay was busy with activities. One resident of Quayside commented on the joy of seeing several of the Gig Club’s boats out enjoying the sunshine and near perfect conditions for rowing. They made a colourful sight. Parked outside the church was a 1978 MG GT in good condition. Its owner acquired the car about 18 months ago and said it was a delight to own and drive. Meanwhile, coastguard Jake Lanning was busy making a documentary with his colleagues. More of this venture in due course.

A skein of swans appeared over my rooftop on Sunday morning and reminded me of the forthcoming RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. In its 40th year, it is the world’s largest wildlife survey and has recorded 130m birds since it began. It takes place between January 26-28 so there is still time to collect your birdwatching pack by going online to rsbp.co.uk. On Friday 25, as well as Burns Night, it is also the conversion of St Paul and the end of this year’s week of prayer for Christian Unity. There will be a ‘service of the word’ in St John’s Church beginning at 7.30pm. This year’s service is themed ‘Only Justice’ and is the work of Christians in Indonesia - all welcome. Then hunt the haggis. Catch one if you can and bag it to claim the ‘seasonal prize’.