Strike A Light

Whilst looking for something in a cupboard the other day I came
across a pot mug which immediately brought back the memory of a great
family holiday we had in Somerset staying near to Taunton. Our children
loved to go shopping in the town and, in particular, enjoyed swimming
in the leisure centre pool. Our little boy was eight at the time.

It was he who bought the mug with some of his holiday savings and I
recall that he acted very furtively when he acquired it as the legend
on it says, 'Drink up ye cider to make ye smile grow wider.' Both my
wife and I were most amused by his antics because, as far as we were
aware, he had never actually tasted cider. Nevertheless he was very
proud of his acquisition and we bought some cider for him to try in it.
This gave us the opportunity to talk to him about drinking responsibly
and all that boring old rot!

Anyway it is now twenty years later and that 'little boy' is now
enjoying the delights of Taunton once more. As a member of one of the
fire and rescue teams of Operation Fresco he is based at Taunton
awaiting the call no one really wants to hear.

I just wanted all the citizens fo Taunton and District to know that you
are so lucky to have him there. He is one of the best, will never let
you down and still has that great big disarming smile, with or without
the cider. So will you all please be very careful during the current
dispute then you won't put him at risk by doing any harm to yourselves.
Let us all hope that the matter will soon be resolved so the
fire-fighters can get back to their job and our armed forces returned
to providing the security our country so desperately needs, against
terrorism. Thanks.