Gala day in North Devon

It transpires that due to lack of sponsorship we may not be having the Carnival this year but who really cares about that. I do but not many others it would seem. The fact of the matter is to go by the perceptible thrum of eager expectation the folk of Barum would rather  celebrate the opening of the new Tesco's. Not being one to let such things pass I thought I'd drum up a pretence to go along and take a look. The pretence came along in the shape of a mini-bus load of ladies from the depths of the Taw Valley who always need someone to cart about their shopping when they hit the streets of town every second Thursday of the month. True enough, as soon as you walk in the door it does make you feel as if you are not in North Devon which to my mind for half the shoppers isn't a problem as the brummie accent seems to be rather prevalent. I know I have complained about it before but I do say now it does tend to give Barum a bit more of a livelier and brighter aspect, especially when you come in on the train. The area was beginning to look a bit sore on the old eyes. Of course I have a family connection with what was once the old coal yard sidings so much so that I said to a few of the old dears as we were passing along the fresh produce aisle that it was funny to think that a part of the store was actually built over what was my Great Granfers bean rows. Having been there today I do think that Barnstaple Town centre will survive as for one thing John Patt's onions and peppers are cheaper as is Mr Withycombe's beef.
Let Tesco's sponsor the Carnival! All in all I'd be happy with that.

Slightly dodgy for the slightly unaware folk

However, I do feel obliged to add one slight note of caution. The travelator. To my mind Barum is not quite ready for this particular mode of conveyance as we have only just got used to the conventional escalators in BHS and Marks. My Auntie Gertie, who'd come along from the ladies from the Lapford Lunch Club got whisked up the top where she got all in a tizz and she couldn't face going back down again. So, Trevor Tucker the van driver had to find Mr Pugh the shop manager to see what could be done. Mr Pugh explained to him him that this was not a one off situation and dear old Gertie was not alone, as  since the store has been opened, three days now I think that is, there have been so many minor injuries and subsequently because of concurrent insurance claims Tescos actually is having to consider the economic viability of keeping the store open in it's present form. Mr Pugh was happy enough to take Gertie down in the goods lift and he assured us all that for the time being, at the very least, they are going to make a hazard warning announcement advising that all heavily laden, slightly dodgy on their feet persons over 25 should make a risk assessment  before embarking on the slide up to the cafeteria and on to the flat screen telly area. Mr Pugh did say that should you ring the bell by the fag counter he or a member of his staff would happily take you to the next level. He also gave us a couple of complimentary Mile's new blend teabags in mini tea caddies to be going on with by way of recompense and we were all very happy with that. Lovely bloke.