My own cold was no better today, on the coldest day for some time, and I had to collect Daniel from school as he was also suffering but I joined Diana for a trip to Huntingdon where I met the district Council footpath officer to discuss bridleway opportunities. More care for my ailing Koi carp and more riding clothes for Debbie. An evening Parish Council meeting dominated by Paper Mill development issues but also decisions to welcome back the village football team. German diplomat helps mediate between religious factions in Ulster and the Tories propose new restrictions on local government
I still had a restless night but had managed more sleep than of late, even though my cold was no better this morning. Another cold day today, the coldest for some time. I decided to join Diana on a trip to Huntingdon at short notice this morning and met Mr Abrahams, footpath officer of the District Council, and discussed local bridleways in the area to see what the chances were of increasing and enhancing the network. I got home in time to collect Daniel from Kimbolton School as he had to take the afternoon off and go to bed with his cold. Whilst in Kimbolton, Diana bought Debbie a hacking jacket and a body warmer having already got her a waxed jacket in Huntingdon. After surviving on the minimum of clothing so far, she now needs a variety of clothing for her regular rides. I got home for a couple of hours work on my Focus for Buckden Ward which enabled me to finish the three front covers but not much more. I also had to do a water change on the pond and apply the last treatment of Steryzine to remove the younger generation of parasites.
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The small fish in the antibiotic bath had their eye swellings reduced and the treatment seems to be working well. This evening was a parish council planning and general meeting and the first was witnessed by 20 or so Mill Lane residents who seem keen to see the idea of intensive Paper Mill development and the committee obliged them. Several other matters were also resolved to my satisfaction and that of the village residents present and a larger budget was agreed for next year’s spending plans. We are to see the return of the village football team, and the pitch on the playing field is to be made available to them, now the village hall will supply the changing facilities. I got home at 9pm and made a number of phone calls to constituents about the meetings decisions. I then turned to my Journal and the evening’s news. The spotlight is on Ulster as secret political talks (of four-month standing under the mediation of a German diplomat) looks like bringing the Catholic and Protestant politicians closer to agreement on a new form of cooperative government for the province. The talks aimed at solving the prison dispute have ended in conflict. The government have announced a new Local Government and Housing Bill in which many senior and junior local government workers will be forbidden from political activities and councillors will not be able to sit on boards of selection of staff. This and other petty measures are all aimed at trying to reduce the influence of local government.