Moving service to highlight homelessness.....couldn't stand the zombies though!

Sunday was a peaceful day. Had a good lie in - which took me until about midday! I really needed it.

Spent most of the afternoon catching up with post etc. Late afternoon I suddenly remembered that I hadn't completed my 'Self Assessment Tax Return'.

So I tried to find the form and the relevant paperwork.... could I find it!! Tried everywhere. It took me the best part of two hours to find it. Tried to enter it all on line - and the HM Revenue & Customs site required an activation PIN which would take up to seven days to arrive!

So, had to resort to filling it in by hand. Completed all that - so I'll hand it into the tax office on Tuesday. Whilst looking around at the tax website, I found it very interesting. It's possible to view an awful lot of information. To visit the site, click here.

Anyway, after all that I attended a service in St. Cuthbert's Church for Homelessness Sunday. It was a wonderful service hosted by Mendip YMCA. All of the speakers and readers of the service, which included myself, started off in sleeping bags beside the alter.

My reading was after the second hymn. Had a little snag whilst lying there! I was wearing my suit with the Mayoral Chain....as you do. However, as I was lying down, the chain fell back and almost strangled me!! For some this would have been a cause to celebrate!

I tried to rescue myself without the congregation noticing too much! Think I succeeded.

The service was an emotional one as it highlighted the plight of homeless young people in particular. There were some very moving contributions from those who had been homeless and those who's children had made themselves homeless.

All quite an eye opener. What everyone learnt was: people are homeless for a whole series of reasons. None of which are straight forward!

After the service we had a buffet...... I then went onto friends for dinner.

For some reason, we started half watching a horror film. Neither of us are into these sorts of films. I can't stand them!

The film we were watching (as well as catching up) was 'Dawn of the Dead'. It was an odd film about people (apparently the whole world) being turned into zombies! Yuk!!! Anyway all a bit bizarre and did leave me double checking all of the dark spots at home!!

There is a link with this film to Wells. 'Dawn of the Dead' was a favourite of Simon Pegg who filmed the spoof 'Shaun of the Dead'. Of course, Simon Pegg is one of the writers and stars of the Wells based film 'Hot Fuzz', which is due out shortly!!!! Small world......

Whisky or Whiskey - pass

Have just learnt that there is far more to whisky than meets the eye!

When refering to the scottish stuff, one uses 'whisky'. However, when refering to the irishdrink, one uses 'whiskey'!!!!

I'm starting to learn a fair bit about this drink - it's growing on me! Don't think it'll quite take over the gin.....

Thanks to Roger for educating me in these matters!!!!

I'm after the GTi - should of made it a condition of the release.....

Had a fantastic day in Pickwicks!! We achieved the highest amount of sales since we opened. It was a struggle as we were two people down.

It did mean that most of us had to have only a few minutes break. However, we did achieve a spectacular result...so well done to the whole team.

After an exhausting day - I didn't really get time to arrange an evening out. So stayed in, sorting the house out....well at least I tried! Didn't really get any where....

Had a drama during the day - my mate Rob was staying with me on Friday night because of the 'Burns Night' at Martin & Julie's. Anyway, I left the house early(ish) to go to work. Told Rob to just close the door when he leaves....!! However, I had a dizzy spell when I left the house as I locked it from the outside. So he was stuck.

Rob phoned work and I went to release him! I was so embarrassed! Rob was ok though.

Was quite lucky to let him out, as Rob had a test drive car - VW Golf 3.0 GTi. So had to drive it myself. Wow, what a car! What an engine! What a price £23k!!! Have to sell a few more coffees yet. A wonderful car though.

Haggis was made in Somerset and not Scotland....SHOCK!

Friday just bumbled along... nowt very exciting happening in Pickwicks!

Friday evening was fantastic. The Mayoress, Julie and her husband Martin hosted an excellent evening in their house. The evening was to celebrate 'Burns Night'.

We had a marvellous haggis (brought from a local quality farm shop - made with Somerset meat) and all of the trimmings. For those who were not haggis eaters, Martin grilled some sausages.

The best part of the evening was being able to sample some Scottish Whisky! Am only just starting to get into the drink (am a gin man). However, loved all that he had, especially the 'Islay' whiskey.

That whiskey had a very heavy (sort of tar) taste. However, gave a great kick. In a bizarre twist, we also had some Irish whiskey - which I'm sure is not often presented at a Byrnes evening.

Never mind - was good to taste the difference. So now I'm semi hooked. After all, I did try the 'Hot Whiskey' in Ireland.

Well done to Martin and Julie for putting on a fabulous party.

Mayor's Diary for 25th January 2007 - as published in the Wells Journal

The winter has truly arrived. I don’t really do weather forecasts. However I’ve been told by loads of people (quite why I don’t know) that it’s all going to get much colder. So wrap up and be careful.

Over the past week I’ve attended 5 events, functions and meetings as your Mayor.

On Wednesday I attended an excellent presentation by the British Army. The event was held in Bath to highlight what your Army is doing in the name of our Country.

The presentation proved once again, that we have the most gallant, courageous and professional fighting force in the world.

Some of you may disagree with a few of their deployments (a decision for which at the end of the day is made by the Government and not the Army), however they display firm commitment and professionalism in every job they do.

The Army were very open in their presentation and allowed questions from the floor. The Generals answering were not afraid about being open and honest in reply.

On Friday I flew to Dublin to visit a mate of mine who will shortly be flying to Bermuda to work for a couple of years. Had a great time over there – and did some PR work for the City. Many people who I met (my mate has a few friends in the city) couldn’t believe that a town with a population of about 11,000 could be a City? Sorted them all out with a brief history of Wells. More on my visit please visit my blog: www.mow633.blogspot.com.

When I returned from Ireland on Sunday (within one hour of me getting home), I was suited and booted and in the Mayor’s Parlour to host a lunchtime meal for the South Horrington Leaseholders Association. Was a fantastic meal, which finished off a hectic weekend.

Crashed out into bed quite early that evening…first time I’ve done that for a while.

Over the next week my diary includes Council meetings including a full City Council meeting to decide the precept, meetings with YMCA, a LAT’s meeting in St. Thomas’ Hall and a sleep out in Wells. I’ll also try and keep my blog upto date with developments.

Intorducing Cosmo, my house rabbit

Had some wonderful entertainment this morning when I watched a woman driving this huge people carrier. She was trying to park it in the parking bay, which is against the pavement.

There was definitely far too many steering wheel turns and far too much use of the clutch! It took several minutes and loads of over and under steer to finally abandon...sorry park the car. I would use this opportunity to raise the issue of women drivers.....however, this blog isn't that brave!!!

During to day I had to by some litter and food for my house rabbit Cosmo! Cosmo is a lovely, cute, huggable and good looking house rabbit..... basically like his adopted Dad!!

To cut a long story short - he is adopted from the Mayoress and her Husband. Neither Cosmo or they got on! So, when they both went on holiday two years a go, I agreed to look after him in my house. He immediately loved it...the extra freedom. So he sort of stayed.

However, in his time, he has gone through:

• two telephone wires (requiring the replacement of)
• all of my SCART leads
• my coaxial cable
• the power cables to my TV and various lights
• the back of my sofa
• two yellow pages
• some twig things from IKEA
• all my next catalogues
• parts of the skirting board

He is very house trained......!!! At least I now have new feed for him.

This evening I chaired (as Mayor) a full City Council meeting. Now I know what you are all thinking - it wasn't six weeks from the last meeting. However, this meeting was to do with setting the precept (City Council tax). We started at 1900hrs and finished at 1915hrs.

Had a couple of instantly forgettable rants - however, not much else was said. I proposed that the budget be adopted and we had a recorded vote. The 'FOR's) carried the motion be a long way. Budget thus set!

After the meeting we had a presentation by Centros Millar in regards to the potential Princes Road development. In general, there could be a huge retail development to compliment the existing city centre.

The developer however, are required to consult. This is just the start. You can join in the consultation by clicking onto here. I've set a permanent link in my 'Wells Links'.

Was a very interesting proposal, with much to consider. If you are interesting in the project, please do participate.

After all that, six of us went of for an excellent curry at Cafe Romna. Always a pleasure, with the best curry for quite a few miles....

How many men does it take to change a bulb on a VW Polo????

Wednesday wasn't all it was cracked up to be! Trading was ok - but thought it would be busier. I suppose the cold weather kept people away.

Have got a funny story regarding my car: Noticed this morning that one of my main head lamp bulbs had blown. So during the morning, I went out to replace it. First, I thought I had a spare in my car.

So, not thinking straight, I tried to remove the light from it's casing. Being a typical man - I thought...no need for instruction.

Anyway, although I got the water proof rubber cover off, I couldn't figure out a way to remove the bulb.

So after a while, I got bored! So I took my car manual from the glove box and found the section for replacing lights.

It said about removing lights by lifting a safety catch. Well I couldn't see one in there...although it wasn't easy to look directly at it! I tried feeling for it...again nothing except the wiring for the bulb. I double checked the diagram and thought VW had given me the wrong print. I even had the help of a local Policeman, who was shocked to see the Mayor in the bonnet of a car!

He looked at the manual too. Couldn't find the safety catch!!! Then I heard him say "aaahhhh, we've been looking at the diagram for the rear set of lights"!!!!! When we looked at the correct diagram, the bulb came out.

It didn't stop there. I then realised I had no replacement. So, I drove to the nearest car shop and brought a new one. Took ages to fix it back in (the manual only showed me how to remove it). All is now working fine. I think I'll leave such techie stuff to professionals in the future.

Later this evening I attended a public meeting to discuss setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in part of the ward I represent. Was a interesting meeting with support from the Police, Local Action Teams, County Councillor and City Councillors.

Tomorrow (Thursday 25th Jan) looks to be interesting as we have a full City Council meeting to discuss our precept (City Council's tax). Trouble is, with an election around the corner, who knows what may happen!

Watch this space for updates......