At the chancel door: read the words! - NOT amateur radio

This gravestone is at the door of St Edmunds church in Kingsbridge, Devon. 

It is important to read the words, not just glance at the photo.

In death wealth does not matter.

Where I lived as a teenager - NOT amateur radio

This very old engraving shows Kingsbridge, Devon as it was over 200 years ago. 

Although it has changed quite a bit, the main town is still very recognisable. I lived there from 1959-1970. It is at the head of the Kingsbridge Estuary, that is actually a ria or drowned river valley. 

It is still a very beautiful area today.

Kingsbridge Estuary - NOT amateur radio

This photo of where I come from in Devon was on social media a little while ago. This not actually an estuary. It is actually a ria, a drowned river valley. One of my favourite walks was between Salcombe (bottom left) and Kingsbridge (top). It took me about 90 minutes then. It would take me hours now, if at all!

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ria .

Over a century ago - NOT amateur radio

In my teenage years I lived in Kingsbridge, Devon. This photo was taken well over 100 years ago. There are no cars visible! 

Kingsbridge - NOT amateur radio

Kingsbridge, Devon is where I lived in my teenage years. 

Kingsbridge is at the top of the estuary and Salcombe at the other end. 

Kingsbridge Estuary in Devon - NOT amateur radio

These photos were taken earlier by my brother.  Normally I go back to where I was brought up every year. This year I have to rely on photos. Maybe in 2021?

Kingsbridge Devon 1880 - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows where I lived as a teenager some 80 years before I lived there. What surprises me is how similar it looks. I think this was once a postcard.

And before you (cheekily) ask, I did not take this photo! I may be getting older, but I am not that old. It is even nearly 40 years before my dad was born.

Where I lived long ago (but not this long ago!) - NOT amateur radio

Between 1959 and 1967, I lived in Kingsbridge, Devon. This very old, hand-tinted, postcard surfaced yesterday. I guess it dates from the late 1800s? It is before Fore Street, the main road, was tarmacked - a different age.

Kingsbridge, Devon - NOT amateur radio

In my youth we moved from Salcombe to Kingsbridge, Devon. At the time it seemed we'd moved miles. This is a photo of Kingsbridge from the air recently. It is a nice place and they have great flowers on display in the town.

If you know the area you will know Kingsbridge is the "capital" of the South Hams and about 5 miles north of Salcombe, these days an expensive yachting centre for those with lots of money and small brains.

The South Hams is a beautiful, largely unspoilt, area of Devon.

The South Hams - NOT amateur radio

I originate from the South Hams in Devon, a most beautiful part of England. The town in the centre is Kingsbridge (shown in the photo). It is a small market town at the head of an estuary.

South Hams trains again - NOT amateur radio

Once again, after many years, Kingsbridge in Devon has trains again. The light railway is again running along the side of the water delighting children and adults alike. I wish them all the best.

See https://www.facebook.com/kdlr.co.uk/ .

Kingsbridge, Devon passageways - NOT amateur radio

I spent about 10 years living in Kingsbridge, Devon. It has some famous "backways".  I see this paper, of interest to those who know this Devon town, was written by the local U3A (University of the Third Age) group.

See http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3ArQmow_WwQ5wJ%3Au3asites.org.uk%2Ffiles%2Fk%2Fkingsbridgeestuary%2Fdocs%2Fkingsbridgepassageways.pdf+&cd=25&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

Widegates, Kingsbridge Estuary, South Devon, UK

I'm sorry for putting this on my amateur radio blog but this is a matter dear to my heart. I come from this area and love it dearly.  Because of  my poor health, I have been unable to get to Devon at all this year.  

There is a proposal to allow water skiing in part of the Widegates area of the Kingsbridge Estuary.  This is an area of special scientific interest and at low tide a place where waders congregate. It is an area that is peaceful and quiet and of international importance.

If you know the area and want to comment, write to the Salcombe Harbour Master adam.parnell@southhams.gov.uk.

Personally, I am against the proposal. I fear the area will be adversely changed for ever. 

Water-skiers are pulled by fast boats which create lots of wake and lots of noise. I may be wrong, but I fear the area will never be quite the same again if the plans are approved. The "for it" campaign people have got lots of  publicity on the TV and in the press. There is a need to counter this. For democracy to work, the voices of both sides need to be heard.