<![CDATA[Porlock Town Crier News]]> https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/ EN Sun, 04 May 2025 20:22:00 +0100 Incomedia WebSite X5 Pro <![CDATA[Phonebox gallery Updated!]]> imblog I'm sorry that you've had to wait for the updated pictorial diary piccies for April 2025, I've been a little busy!

April was generally a lovely sunny month, so here are a selection of lovely piccies to assist your appreciation of this lovely part of the world.

Take care everyone, and enjoy!
]]> Sun, 04 May 2025 19:22:00 GMT https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/?phonebox-gallery-updated--2 https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/rss/00000000A <![CDATA[Porlock Vale Newsletter - Spring 2024 copy ]]> imblog
Oyez.... Oyez.... Oyez!

I would imagine that many people under 25 wouldn't know what it was like before the age of mobile phones, let alone the smartphones so common today. Similarly it's not really that long ago before the digital-age gave rise to the almost instant ability to obtain information about just about anything. Even 24hour news channels on television are only around a generation old. Nowadays the wonders of the internet allow us to do our shopping, work from home, and consume any amount of information about absolutely anything. Of course the benefits of the digital age are also what allows the more sinister side of the digital-revolution. We regularly hear about vile internet trolls who hide very bravely behind their keyboards and touch screens spouting lies, hurtful comments, alternative views, or just omitting facts to present a one-sided view to suit their own ends. The trolls rely on the hope that most readers will accept whatever is said without question. Social Media started out as a means to connect friends and family, but now has massive influence in almost endless ways. It is also a means for sad individuals to spread negativity, lies and diatribes. We see that also with the manipulation of news stories, you only have to flick through the TV news channels to hear the same news item described in any number of different ways, generally to suit one group or anothers desire to score a political point, or promote their own agenda. The insatiable diet of the 24 hour news channels and newspapers to get the story first just exacerbates the frenzy of 'breaking news', and speculation about the subject matter. The term 'spin-doctor' was borne out of the spinning of information to make it suit one viewpoint or another. Of course it can be said that this is a practice that has gone on throughout history, but it is the digital-era that allows anyone to be their own author of such spin and manipulation, most obviously visible on 'Social Media'. It is no longer just the domain of the press or television.

Oh wouldn't it be lovely to go back to simpler times, just to get away from the constant feed of 'news' and information that hits us one way or another almost every waking minute. On the other hand, perhaps not. The useful side of the digital-era far outweighs the bad bits. We've just got to be mindful that there are those who wish to do bad things rather than good from behind the keyboard, and try to recognise that when we read whatever pops-up on the screen - perhaps they are the ones with problems?

At least as a modern day Town Crier I can write my 'cries' to spread the news in the traditional way, especially when they are in support of worthy, charitable or community good causes. Those same good causes also benefit when I am commissioned for appearances for 'commercial' events, in contrast to an inference that was made on a social-media channel recently. I thank those who corrected that attempted smear.

Back on the 12th and 13th of January I was honoured to be part of the commemoration activities for the 125th anniversary of 'The Overland Launch' of the Lynmouth Lifeboat. The two-day event was opened with a 'cry' just before the re-enactment of the telegraph arriving at Lynmouth and setting off the maroons, followed by a most wonderful concert at St Nicholas Church, Lynmouth. Then on Saturday 13th I escorted the Lynmouth Sailing Club Safety Boat and towers (recreating the event of 125 years ago), to Porlock Weir where after a further 'cry', an afternoon and evening of shanties and music was enjoyed by an audience of hundreds. Proceeds of this charitable event went to the RNLI at Minehead (it is their 200th anniversary year), and to Lynmouth Sailing Club for the Safety Boathouse Project.

Porlock Town Crier information , and upcoming events can be found on the Porlock Town Crier website, porlocktowncrier.uk

Until next time, take care everyone,

                                              .....God save the King!

Grant Dennis, Porlock Town Crier
]]> Sun, 25 Feb 2024 15:03:00 GMT https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/?porlock-vale-newsletter---spring-2024-copy- https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/rss/000000009 <![CDATA[HM The Queens Accession 70th Anniversary]]> imblog To mark the 70th Anniversary of HM the Queens Accession to the throne, I will be delivering a commemorative cry on the High Street, Porlock from in front of St. Dubricius Church, at 3.30pm.

'God Save The Queen'
]]> Sat, 05 Feb 2022 21:36:00 GMT https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/?hm-the-queens-accession-70th-anniversary https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/rss/000000008 <![CDATA[Phonebox Gallery Updated]]> imblog
Updated with this months images - taken in January 2022
]]> Sat, 05 Feb 2022 13:25:00 GMT https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/?phonebox-gallery-updated https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/rss/000000007 <![CDATA[Happy New Year!!]]> imblog I wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2022.

Covid is still affecting all our lives, so please take very great care, and do all you can to prevent the spread of this menace.
]]> Fri, 31 Dec 2021 23:17:00 GMT https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/?happy-new-year-- https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/rss/000000006 <![CDATA[Naming Ceremony - Porlock Weir Gig Club]]> imblog Porlock Town Crier will be at Porlock Weir Harbour from around 1700hours on Sunday 11th July, in order to announce the naming of Porlock Weir Gig Club's newly built Gig 'GOOSE'

Named as such in lasting memory of a a young man taken much too early to cancer, Robert Southey who died in 2008. He had a nickname of 'Scuddy', but was somewhat more well know for his rather risque song 'The Goose' which was sung frequently by him and his peers after some lubrication of the vocal chords in local hostelries!!!! So he had a second nickname... 'Goose'

Gathering and celebrations start at around 1700hours, and the Cry will be made sometime around 1800 to 1830 hours, with the ceremony all done in time for the start of the Euros Football final at 2000hrs.

Hoping to see as many of you as possible at The Weir - please do all take sensible COVID precautions - it is not over yet!

]]> Thu, 08 Jul 2021 18:59:00 GMT https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/?naming-ceremony---porlock-gig-club https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/rss/000000005 <![CDATA[Phonebox Gallery updated!]]> imblog A quick line to let everyone know that the Phonebox Gallery has been updated withe the latest images - taken during March 2021.

Hoping you take a look and enjoy.

You can go straight to the page here... Phonebox Gallery
]]> Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:37:00 GMT https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/?phonebox-gallery-updated--1 https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/rss/000000004 <![CDATA[Phonebox Gallery Updated!]]> imblog

The 'virtual' Phonebox Gallery has been updated with a new selection of images taken in January 2021.

We are not professionals seeking perfect pictures, just amateurs hoping to at least capture some of the moments and interesting things in and around Porlock.

We hope that you will enjoy nonetheless!!!

Next update will be for the start of March, with images taken this month (February).

Sadly the ongoing  COVID-19 restrictions mean that we are still not able to put the 'real' photo's up in the 'real' Phonebox Gallery. We will resume that only when it is safe to do so, and not before restrictions have been relaxed sufficiently to allow that sort of thing.

Please follow the rules and guidance so that we can get back to something like normality sooner. Stay at home, save lives and remember.... Hands, Face, Space!!!

Take care... Grant, Cathy & Bryher            Go to the virtual Phonebox Gallery
]]> Mon, 01 Feb 2021 12:15:00 GMT https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/?phonebox-gallery-updated- https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/rss/000000002 <![CDATA[Happy New Year!]]> imblog
Good-bye to 2020, and welcome to 2021!

I really do hope that 2021 will see the battle with COVID-19 is won. The roll-out of the vaccines is well under way, and if EVERYONE OF US follow the rules... there should be the prospect of returning to a semblance of normality by late summer/autumn, by all accounts.

I really do urge everyone in the Porlock community to take all precautions to ensure they stay safe, and that those elsewhere will delay any visits to our part of the world until the risk of bringing the virus here is negligible. Of course, we are really looking forward to welcoming all visitors back to this wonderful area of England called Exmoor. However, we cannot condone any visits to the area that are outside of the rules. That may evoke emotionally charged responses on both sides of any argument - but I will point out, perhaps unnecessarily, that COVID-19 does not care about any arguments. It only needs human to human contact to prevail.

No human to human contact, means no transmission.... it really is as simple as that.

Please be patient, please follow the guidance. This is an unknown journey for mankind. There is no way of forecasting the end result... a bit like there is no way of knowing the winning lottery numbers.

Take care, stay safe. Remember.... Hands, Face, Space

Grant Dennis       Porlock Town Crier
]]> Mon, 04 Jan 2021 18:29:00 GMT https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/?happy-new-year- https://porlocktowncrier.uk/blog/rss/000000000