Dear Mr Editor,

Positive thinking persists [another New Year’s resolution that has lasted!] despite the prevailing headwinds. Another new edition of Chain Mail brings to that oasis on the Common, the Down Gate Inn, an addition to the clan. James and Stef have introduced Penelope, frequently to be found there. Also, the Pub’s additional opening on Mondays now provides more opportunities for you to admire her. Congratulations all round!

Sometimes, positive thinking doesn’t work. 50 years ago my adventuring ambitions included a plan to drive around the entire Mediterranean coastline. I accomplished over half in the ensuing 15 years but sadly have subsequently run into a brick wall in trying to complete the project. While adding another two or three countries such as Syria, Libya and Morocco, the North African coastline still contains several borders across which one cannot drive. I find this peculiar for an inland sea which linked centres of civilisation for the greater part of two millennia. Maybe the young should campaign on such wider issues.

Positively, Chain Mail goes from strength to strength. After initiating the crusade against low-flying helicopters, which attracted repetition by provincial then national Media, perhaps it was Chain Mail’s moan about the lack of Hungerford representation amongst WBC candidates that prompted an evident rethink by one party who then reshuffled their pack to include a local substitute for the departing incumbent councillors of the Borough.

Returning to the animal theme, consistent with the welcome return of the cattle to the Commons for their summer grazing, I must first touch [?] upon Dog Poo bags. A friend of mine, with whom I regularly discuss such matters and who often has a welcome topic to air, was recently walking down the Tow Path when he stumbled over a large re-usable Boots white plastic bag which, upon closer examination, proved to contain the offensive item someone had helpfully collected but then had failed to post in the appropriate bin..how do we re-educate the offenders now we seem to have discouraged them from the irritating habit of simply hanging the bags on branches at head-height?

On the same topic of offensive waste, when clearing up the roadside verges before the cattle arrive, I have collected significant quantities of plastic bottles after they, with fag packets and sundry other items, have been jettisoned by drivers and their passengers as they reach the Common from Kintbury or Hungerford. So many bottles thus collected are three parts [or more] full; why do people buy them for a slurp then throw them away; do they dislike the taste of the contents or have they simply more money than sense?

Finally, on the animal theme, ….watch this space! Well, currently you must look attentively and admire any space before a pigeon may land [or perform] thereon and we have a space no more. There is a strong possibility that in Hungerford, despite a decade or longer of ChainMail pleading for action to remove the feathered infestation of our streets and buildings, we may soon have a deterrent. Again, look attentively as they can travel at over 200 miles per hour [no, it isn’t a drone nor the aircraft practising for the fly-over at Hungerford’s 2019 Remembrance Day parade].

Pip Pip! GRUMPY