Single tragic event has power to affect an entire community

THERE are times when a single tragic event can hit close to home. On one of the last days in August, the town’s residents, together with members of the Male Voice Choir, received the sad news that Brixham lady Frances Silman, recently home from Torbay Hospital, passed peacefully into the ‘deepest sleep.’

I’m sure most of us, when that final moment arrives, when it becomes time to say goodbye, would welcome being at home with our loved ones.

Like most Brixham folk, I remember Mrs Silman’s smiling face and warm personality, long after she and husband Roy and had given up their business in town.

When the deep shock of losing his lady slowly begins to ease, husband Roy will surely look back and be comforted by the warm memories of their life together.

Believe me Roy, the whole community shares your pain and reaches out to comfort you

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Unfortunately, there are occasions when sections of the community don’t appreciate the endeavours of certain elected councillors.

For instance, 10 times a day the number 13 bus service provides public transport from Brixham to Torbay Hospital.

It must surely assist those without personal transport and is vastly cheaper than taking a taxi each way.

However, while local councillor David Giles strongly voiced the council’s request to Stagecoach Bus Company to maintain this service, it appears the general public doesn’t seem to be supporting the link and it’s reported that many of the bus journeys are running almost empty.

The reason might be that the public aren’t fully aware of the improved service, so let’s hope a few press reports can increase the number of folks taking advantage of the service.

Anyway, congratulations Councillor Giles for yours, and other elected members’ gallant efforts to assist local residents who voted you onto the council.

Keep up the struggle!

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One of life’s hardest occupations is the fishing industry.

Together with the wild British weather, the cost of a decent craft and the strict regulations imposed by the

Fish ready to be snapped up for the pot at Fishstock industry, make attempts to earn a decent living way up there on the difficult list. Nevertheless, to have their long working day suddenly hindered, and to be openly attacked at sea by others in the same trade, even though they’re from a different country, must be deeply frustrating.

Successful deep-sea fishing is dependent on co-operation between European countries and if our fishermen hope to survive the many financial problems involved, having access to different European markets is a must-have. The answer to the skirmish that happened off the coast of Normandy recently can surely be helped by a meeting of minds and joint agreement about when and where to fish.

If we are to become a successful part of Europe and work with them, trades such as fishing should have similar regulations, observed by everyone afloat.

At the moment it seems UK fishing authorities are not on the same wavelength as the French, so it stands to reason that when Frenchmen, within sight of their own coast, are not permitted to fish for scallops, during the same months as the British fleet, it can only cause saltwater conflict.

Our fishermen are lucky that people like SWFPO’s Captain Jim Portus are in their corner and will hopefully get together with the French authorities to come to some common sense working agreement. Reading about the recent Normandy conflict caused me to remember way back to my youth. During a summer school holiday, I spent 10 days at sea on Torbay Trawler’s, Iago, where my dad was bosun.

On a warm calm afternoon, while the vessel was trawling in mid-Channel, a French crabber came alongside, in the hope of purchasing some bait for their pots.

The French crew joined the Brixham men in the mess room to enjoy a friendly chat, and share a cup of tea. It ended with the French crew taking some of the cast-off fish the Brixham vessel couldn’t land, in exchange for a couple of cases of French wine. It was my first real taste of maritime companionship.

Still on the subject of fishing, Brixham folk welcomed the Fishstock celebration last Saturday and a great time was had by residents and visitors who gathered on the quayside to enjoy a wonderful display of different fish and cooking skills displayed by excellent chefs such as Mitch Tonks, Andy Sewell and Canon Vaz.

The plus sign was the exciting music filling the harbour side during the evening. More please!