Saturday 18 July
What an extraordinary game. I laughed out loud when Bellingham scored our sixth goal - his seventh at this World Cup and a new record by an English player. This most dramatic match will help players and fans get over the disappointment of the lost semi-final against Argentina. Thrilling for Saka to make history with a World Cup hatrick.
Sunday 19 July
A quiet morning by the Taw, counting Wetlands birds. My count began auspiciously when two Kingfishers zipped past me as they raced down the River Venn to meet the Taw at Bishop’s Tawton. Lots of plops and sploshes as grey mullet (I assume) rose to flies. I counted most of my usual wetlands birds, plus a Green Woodpecker yelping from Tawstock Woods, a Kestrel hovering above me, and a Reed Warbler calling from the willows that grow along a ditch beside the river.
Monday 20 July
I heard Emeritus Prof. Colin Copus speak at a Local Government Association conference a year or so ago. This is from his latest take on Local Government Reorganisation:
Much is to be gained for Mr Burnham’s devolution agenda from pausing LGR to explore, through an independent inquiry/commission, how local government operates elsewhere. Indeed, Mr Burnham has expressed interest in Germany’s constitution and Basic Law, so we need to know why Germany manages with almost 11,500 units of local government (municipalities and counties) along with 16 federal States; how does France manage with 18 regions, 96 departments, 34,000 municipalities; or Italy with almost 8,000 municipalities, 110 provinces and 20 regions; all tiered systems. Then we need to look at the freedoms, powers and responsibilities and the financial set up of local government across the globe and when we do we will see LGR has no place in strengthening local government. Mr Burnham: stop LGR and make devolution mean devolution.
This interview with Caroline Lucas was a marvellous listen in the evening: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002z5y0
Tuesday 21 July
Surviving Drought: Reclaiming Rain - important data from the HOUSE OF LORDS Environment and Climate Change Committee 3rd Report of Session 2024–26: https://cdn.roxhillmedia.com/production/email/attachment/1820001_1830000/e2ba1d227b1317e875e152d72dbf255ce0c82c30.pdf
Wednesday 22 July
Photo by Brian Garman
Vigil 140: I read from Michael Rosen’s poem ‘The White Man’s Burden’ (about some Jews claiming victimhood as they enable a genocide). I signed this petition:
A report from Cllr Graham Bell, the energetic lead on housing at North Devon Council, gives sobering data on second homes:
North Devon’s housing stock is close to 50,000 homes. However, North Devon’s Housing Strategy says second homes remain 4% of all properties, but in some coastal communities the figure rises to about 50% once holiday lets are included. The Devon Housing Commission records Mortehoe at 47% and Georgeham at 44% second homes or holiday lets, with nine North Devon parishes over 20%. That is not a normal housing market.
This is a dire situation for local people. However,
in its first year North Devon’ second home tax raised £3,427,246 across the division. Local Government Rorganisation is an opportunity to increase the £353,000 retained by NDC to a far larger value. Money that could be invested into even more temporary accommodation for local families, more work in Community Land Trusts and greater funding for derelict home reclamation or self-build support.
At our Full Council meeting in the evening our excellent Chief Executive Ken Miles emphasised the need for our council to ‘finish well’ (after 51 years of existence) and to ‘start well’ as the new Devon Council to commence in April 2028. Our part of Devon will have 23 cllrs in the new council as opposed to 42 now.
Thursday 23 July
The BBC broadcaster Edward Stourton has been much praised and lamented since his death at 65. He had intellectual hinterland as well as a civilised way in interviews. I missed him acutely when I heard an interview by Sarah Montague on The World At One today with a Jewish leader from Manchester who blamed the rise in anti-semitism since October 2023 on Islamist extremism. Montague did not point out the obvious fact that anti-semitism has risen as Israeli violence has risen to genocide in both Gaza and the West Bank. Jewish claims of victimhood as the Jewish nation commits atrocity after atrocity on the innocent are, to quote the man interviewed, ‘a moral stain on our nation’. Edward Stourton would have seen that.
Friday 24 July
One of eleven butterfly-attracting buddleias in our garden
From Green Press Briefing: Wales faces its "Driest July in 200 years" as wildfires and drought continue. Some fires have been blazing for more than a week, with the Welsh government yesterday activating crisis management plans. Perfect time to renew drilling for North Sea oil then, Andy!
Wildlife. A stork has been seen flying over Swimbridge. Swifts are regularly seen above the churchyard. I submitted my first lists to the Big Butterfly Count - which is on from Friday 17th July to Sunday 9th August 2026. This morning’s 15 minute count in full sunshine was: Meadow Brown 4, Red Admiral 6, Large White 3, Small Copper 2, Speckled Wood 4. A new display opens tomorrow at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon - as below. Thank you for reading.
