Steve McCarthy
Various articles that don't form part of a specific series.
PROPOSAL IN THE SAND
Dean
[Hawker] and Steve [McCarthy]
You might like to know that
Steve proposed to me at Combe Martin bay where we have both spent many happy
hours together, also with parents, friends and family.
As you can see from the photo, it was
done in the sand and I had no idea. Of
course the answer was 'Yes' - after 26 years together - we won't forget this
leap year!
Congratulations
and best wishes to you both.
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I'M
STILL STANDING
The
North Devon Group of Epilepsy Action is putting on a charity concert, called
"I'm Still Standing", at the Ilfracombe Pavilion Theatre on Friday,
24th October, doors open
At
the event, Guy Stoker, a successful songwriter who has epilepsy and attends the
Guy
has previously recorded a charity CD with renowned opera singer, Suzannah
Clarke and has organised concerts in the past but this one is very relevant to
him because of the charity for which it is raising money. The name of the concert sums up his story
perfectly. Although having suffered
setbacks in the past, he is still standing and able to do something as big as
putting on a concert. Guy is keen to
show to others who suffer from epilepsy that despite having the condition you
can still shine.
Guy
has had epilepsy since he was twelve years old. He wasn't aware of Epilepsy Action or its
services until he attended a conference in
The
group provides support through monthly meetings in Barnstaple Library, where
people with epilepsy and their carers can come together to discuss and share
their experiences. Our members also
attend excursions and meals, in turn providing a social outlet for those who,
due to the severity of their condition, might not otherwise participate in such
activities. Both the outings and the
hire of the room for group meetings are paid for out of branch funds.
The
funds are also used to assist members in attending seminars and conferences on
epilepsy. Our own regional seminar is
taking place on Saturday, 1st November and hopes to increase awareness of
epilepsy in the
Guy's
aim is to raise in excess of £1,000, monies which will go towards the cost of
our seminar, the North Devon Epilepsy Action branch funds and the Southwest
Epilepsy Action Regional Forum, a recently formed group of which we have become
an active member. Bringing together all
the Epilepsy Action branches in the Southwest, it is hoped that as a larger
body we can improve services for people with epilepsy in our region.
Some
of the money raised will also help fund the vital advice and information
services provided by Epilepsy Action.
Last year the charity directly helped over 660,000 people through a
range of services including its
Helpline, Advice and Information Centre, Branch Network and Accredited
Volunteering Scheme.
Tickets
for the 'I'm Still Standing' concert cost £10 and can be obtained by
telephoning the Landmark Box Office on 01271 324242.
For
more information about the concert or the North Devon Group of Epilepsy Action,
please contact me, the secretary, on [01271] 863087.
Steve McCarthy
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A NOTE FROM YOUR 'RURAL REFLECTOR'
Apologies for not contributing an article this time but I have been rather busy recently writing something a little longer. Some of you may have read in the Journal or Gazette of my request for information on the Cairn for the book I am writing entitled 'Discoveries On My Doorstep'.
Since then I have been inundated with responses - including one from a man in Australia who read the Journal on-line in his local library! In an attempt to keep up with all this information, the deadline for this edition's Rural Reflections crept up and took me completely by surprise! So, for now, may I take this opportunity to wish all of you the merriest of Christmases, a healthy [and in my case hopefully a wealthy!] New Year.
And, of course, if You have any information,or stories about the Cairn, please dont hesitate to ring me on [01271] 863087.
Steve McCarthy
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THE FATE OF RED SALLY
[may be sung to the tune of 'Oranges and Lemons']
'I am stuck in the Valley'.
'How did she get stuck?'
Asked a Combe Martin Bay duck.
'By growing too big',
Said an Ilfracombe pig.
'What was her fill?'
Asked the Hagginton Hill.
'All of my cream teas',
Said a cottage in The Lees.
'What will be her doom?'
Asked the waves of Woolacombe.
'Let's starve her 'til Sunday',
Said the Island of Lundy.
'She might get too thin',
Said the old Hunters Inn.
We have a good plan',
Said Little and Big Hangman.
'What might that be?'
Asked the fuchsias of Lee.
Said a Watermouth fish.
'Free me from the Valley
Is my wish', cried Red Sally.
'But a promise you must say',
Said the trees of Woody Bay.
'To look after these lands',
Said the bright Saunton Sands.
'From the streams to the harbour',
Said the hills of Berrynarbor.
'I'll care for you all',
Red Sally cried out her call.
Now you'll live for ever',
Said the Exmoor root heather.
'How do you know?'
Asked the church at Mortehoe.
'Look at us!' the fields said
'We have all turned deep red.'
For Red Sally had a rebirth
And is now Mother Earth!
Stephen McCarthy
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HEAVEN VALLEY
When we first came down this way,
To a bright and cheerful guest house
Nestled in Combe Martin Bay.
Soon we had a motor caravan,
And then set ourselves a goal
To find the perfect site to stay on -
That's how we met 'Mr. Mole'!
Through the seasons we'd keep coming
For a total hard to tally,
But each time just fell more in love
With the village tucked in Sterridge Valley.
Work colleagues thought we were quite odd
Whenever we took holiday.
"What a surprise, they've gone off again
To that village in Devon," they'd say.
Yet who can resist such scenery,
With its air of tranquillity?
For us, it's our own little sanctuary
Hidden from all the stress of the city.
Its people are so warm and friendly
Whenever through the village we'd roam,
So we soon bought a neat static van,
And Berrynarbor became our second home.
But the stresses and strains of the city
Made our holidays become even worse:
Each arrival here was such a blessing,
Each return home became a real curse.
But now we've made our dreams come true,
As we begin our new life here in Devon,
At first in our van on the Park,
Up the Valley that we call our heaven!
Stephen McCarthy
Berrynarbor Park
This poem is self explanatory. Stephen and Dean Hawker, after nine years holidaying here, have now moved down from Brighton and are buying a home in Ilfracombe. They are both involved in 'Care' work. Welcome and good luck!
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