I wasn’t at home for Halloween as Alison and I  were on holiday in Spain visiting an old friend.  On our return it bought a smile to my face when I saw this small carved pumpkin that somebody had very kindly put on top of our gatepost.

For the curious, yes they do celebrate Halloween in Spain – or least some of the youngsters do. But it feels somewhat different when you can sit outside in shirtsleeves eating delicious tapas and drinking una copa vino tinto,

The Youth Resource Centre will definitely close on 7 November as Devon County Council has virtually stopped providing youth services.  The only youth centre in North Devon funded by the county council will be in Barnstaple.

Ownership of the youth centre will transfer to the town as they own the land on which it was built. If agreement can be reached the YMCA will probably take over the running of the youth centre as a resource for the whole community – not just young people.

Running costs of the centre, even if it doesn’t open its doors, are in the order of £10,000 a year. A cost to the town, or rather a cost to the town’s rate payers!  Well done Devon County Council, well done central government!

If you’re reading this you’ll know that I’ve revamped the design of my website, along with some of its content. It should be much easier to read on mobile devices now and hopefully the menu bar has become less cluttered. The old Out and About is still here, but has been revamped as a ‘blog’.

Bizarre how the SMTC planning committee members knew so little about Abbeyfield. Surely they should have known that Abbeyfield is a charity and the reasons that they need to develop and sell Bidders Court? Abbeyfield can’t find people to go to Bidders Court anymore because there are no en-suite facilities. The money from the sale of Bidders Court would help modernise the facilities at Duffield House.

Had a great time at the Mayor’s Charity Ball last night. Good conversation, the wine flowed, and the food by the Garfield Girls was fabulous. I must be getting old, because although I thought the music was good, it was far too loud. and I’ve never been ‘into’ dancing.

The guest of honour, Sir Nick Harvey, made not a single political point in his speech, and apart from mentioning the Tesco fiasco, told only jokes – none of which I can remember!

We’ve had an abundance of pigeons and crows in our garden recently and have found several dismembered pigeons. We blamed our local cats, but this morning I saw a bird of prey flying low over the garden clutching a pigeon in its claws. It’s a shame that  they can’t ‘take out’ the crows as well.

I’ve been busy trying to create a new, revamped website and therefore haven’t been adding posts for a while. Hopefully I’ll start again shortly.

I’m using a new website creation tool and at the moment I’m struggling a bit to get to grips with it. I’m sure I’ll get there in the end.

A visit to the Civic Centre to deliver my filled-in election expenses to the returning officer (and no, we don’t get them reimbursed as some people seem to think). Then on to a meeting at the Barnstaple Hotel to learn about, and discuss, mooted changes to the way health care is delivered in North Devon – more about this on myCommunity Hospital page later. Whilst walking from the Civic Centre to the Barnstaple Hotel I decided to go to the top of Barnstaple Castle, something I’d never done before. Two thirds of the way up I encountered barrier tape strung across the path. It would appear that people on mountain bikes have been using the old castle as a course and have caused extensive damage. I presume that’s why the tape was there.  However, why not put a notice at the bottom if the path is closed?

I’m heartened by the very many messages of support I’ve had from various people following the by-election. The majority of whom told me that they were surprised that I didn’t get in – and hoped that I would stand again in the May elections next year.

It was exciting for me to obtain only 37 votes less than the leaders. All of this as a one man band: I created, ran and managed the whole of my campaign myself. I now know every nook and cranny of South Molton as I delivered my leaflets (printed at home) to each household in the parish!

This is in contrast to Tracey Lewis, who had the help of various councillors, as well as her partner, and all the resources of Printworkx. Jean Foster was supported by an enthusiastic and large team of Lib Dems, and had the advantage that the local MP, Nick Harvey, canvassed on her behalf in the centre of town two weeks in a row.

Harvest festival in the ParishChurch, a civic service, with the town clerk and town mayor in full regalia, accompanied by the Mayor’s Cadet (Francis Huntingford) and many councillors, as well as the Carnival Queen and her attendants. Other dignitaries, including the mayor of Livarot, were in attendance. The South Molton Town Band led the large congregation in the first and last hymns. The Rev Dr Michael Grandey officiated, assisted by the newly ordained Rev Lynn Flatt. He preached an inspiring, humorous and interactive sermon. The church looked beautiful, decorated with flowers and assorted produce – congratulations to those responsible.