We start to find a way back

LAST week we re-opened our parks, including Pembrey Country Park, Parc Howard, Llyn Llech Owain and Mynydd Mawr.

This was another big step in our recovery from the pandemic and as we start to find a way back to some kind of normality. I know that this was a decision many people were waiting for, and we saw lots of visitors over the weekend. I’m pleased to say though that people acted sensibly and we thank everyone for that.

We have also made more appointments available at our recycling centres, and opened up Wernddu in Ammanford for seven days a week. Again, I thank residents for acting responsibly and using our facilities with care. I’ve been so pleased to see the positive feedback we’ve received about the systems we have in place at our recycling centres.

As I mentioned last week, we continue to make great progress in our preparations for the return of pupils and staff to our schools from June 29.

And, as I said in my leader’s report at our first online annual general meeting last week, our focus also remains on supporting our local economy. Whilst we await further details and announcements from Welsh Government, we have been working hard to prepare for the return of more businesses and for the re-opening of more shops. A huge amount of support continues to be offered to businesses and town and community councils to ensure that we are ready to go whenever restrictions are lifted. I look forward to sharing more details with you in coming weeks.

THE more curious amongst us will always be asking questions, not all of which can be easily answered. Like…

What is an occasional table the rest of the time?

If they can manufacture disinfectants that kill 99% of all known germs, why haven’t they tracked down that elusive one percent?

A current question that’s worth asking is, why are so many police officers putting on weight?

Before I elaborate (they can’t touch you for it provided there’s an ‘R’ in the month and you keep away from the window while you do it) I should say that I do have a family connection with the police.

I’m not sure what his rank is, but Maldwyn, my third cousin on his brother’s mother’s milkman’s side, is always helping them with their enquiries.

While I haven’t noticed many big-boned bobbies around my way, Chief Superintendent Lucy Hutson of Hampshire Constabulary has admitted that an astonishing 70% of her force of 2,700 is overweight . . . and in some cases can even be described as obese.

To be honest I wouldn’t fancy walking up to a burly PC and telling him that to his face – although it’s unlikely he’d be able to catch me when I immediately ran away.

It’s not just in Hampshire that the cops are chubbing-up.

Recently the Metropolitan Police had to order nine supersized uniforms with 61-inch waists!

Can you imagine a pair of trousers with a 61-inch waist?

You could stand Kylie Minogue and Debbie McGee in each leg – depending on their joint availability at the time – and if they’d agree to stand in the leg of a fat policeman’s trousers.

Were the uniforms ordered for nine overweight officers or just one who is so clumsy he regularly spills curry sauce down his front so needs several spares on hand?

Eventually, this trend for the boys in blue to keep expanding is bound to spill over into the world of TV crime shows.

So maybe we can look ward to . . .

Ice Cream Van Der Valk. Milk Chocolate Magnum PI. The (Restaurant) Bill. Father Brown Sauce. and CSI: Greggs.

Not so much ‘Who-Dun-Its?’ more ‘Who-Ate-Its?’… for

You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales or visit www.philevans.co.uk

EACH and every day, I make time to write, and have to admit that this can be a challenging experience.

If I’m not writing jokes, editing a script or tuning ideas for this newspaper column, I’m adding to my list of corporate and conference talks.

Doing this exercise on a daily basis is good practice, to ensure my writing skills don’t get rusty.

When researching subjects, I often turn to the news pages online, which is a great source of material.

Unfortunately, most of the time, well, nearly all of the time the news is full of negative and shocking stories from home and abroad.

Rarely do we see a happy, uplifting headlines.

That wouldn’t sell, would it?

I’m all for freedom of speech and the free exchange of information, but the level of shock news reporting we are exposed to is bound to have a detrimental effect on our moods and outlook on life.

Children are also exposed to this negativity at such a young age, which can’t help to create a healthy and positive lifestyle.

I would welcome more good news or even a ‘Good News Channel’.

Is it any wonder that we now live in a society where mental illness and depression is at an uncontrollable level?