Countryside Diary

by Jilly Beswick

 

 

 

Sunday. To London, where I am part of the 400,000-strong demonstration for Liberty and Livelihood. The Government must listen to us! We represent all kinds of people - not just 'fox-hunting toffs' but farmworkers, tea shop owners, Asians, Gays and Blackies, though admittedly not the last three.

Monday. Bull sperm arrives (late!) with usual grumbles from the postman about dogs biting him. Why oh why can't the Government 1) leave us alone to get on with our way of life and 2) open more post offices and subsidised housing in this area?

Wednesday. Still nobody is listening to us even though our message could not be clearer. The Government must intervene now to boost much-needed tourism in the countryside. City dwellers should shut up about matters that don't concern them, yet where are they taking their holidays? Not round here, that's for sure.

Thursday. Blair kills more white farmers than Mugabe, yet where is the international condemnation? This is just one of the many issues we in the countryside are finding it very difficult to get listened to on.

Friday. Quiet morning pottering about, incest in the afternoon. Listen to us!

Saturday. Whatever happened to solidarity? The countryside has offered unwavering support in the past for miners, firemen and other public sector workers. Yet these people are now strangely silent on the need to preserve our rural way of life. We need action now!

Sunday. Harvest Festival Service. A marvellous sense of the community coming together. Afterwards we sell vegetables to each other and ask why a Blairite Jesus isn't listening to us. In an effort to make Christ see sense an ox is sacrificed, cooked and eaten.