T HE soothsayer said: "Beware the Ides of March." And she wasn't far wrong because the 15th didn't do a lot for Julius Caesar. Mind you I'm not sure if he was stabbed in the back by his assassins — unlike Ilfracombe.

It would seem we spend most of our lives being assassinated.

There is character assassination, from people who have no idea how the vast majority of us live our lives and how much we care about the town. Of course, these are people with their minds set and their eyes closed, who cannot for one moment perceive the beauty that surrounds us or have any concept of how hard we are trying to bring ourselves out of the doldrums.

I think narrow-minded bigots is the accepted phrase.

There is also financial assassination to consider, by those such as The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and others of its ilk who, by the very fact of channelling funds to other areas or projects rob us of the chance to better our position.

I think arrogant, short-sighted fools is the accepted phrase.

Then there is assassination simply by procrastination and wholesale neglect. Will Wetherspoons ever do anything with the Collingwood Hotel? Will the Cliffe Hydro ever display the magnificent grandeur of those retirement flats we were promised? Will the old arcade site ever come to any sort of fruition?

I think being too concerned with profit is the accepted phrase.

Finally there is assassination by short-sightedness from those in a position of power who should know so much better. In this category we must, of course, include North Devon Council for its continued attempts to deny us our rightful architectural heritage at the bus station site by suggesting we should encompass an extremely modern complex without an ounce of Ilfracombe's ethos within its structure.

Hello? We're back to arrogant, short-sighted fools again. Still, I told you last week that what goes around comes around!

With all this to contemplate and bearing in mind the soothsayer I mentioned earlier, it seemed to me a good idea to consult the Runes concerning the matter. Well, it just so happens I have an acquaintance called Gwynedd who is quite an accomplished thrower of the old Druid bones and she came up with something quite extraordinary.

"I feel this is not about you but something you hold dear to your heart," she murmured, as she poked at the bones with a long scarlet fingernail. "I see a community involved to which you are quite committed. I sense your anger and resentment on their behalf."

Well, I kept a poker face and said nothing. After all, why should I make it easy for her? Suddenly Gwynedd scooped up the Runes and threw them onto the table again with a look of intense concentration on her face.

"Your success will come from across the sea," she ruminated finally. "From this success the seeds of a forest will be deeply rooted and giant Oaks will grow."

There you have it then, what can't speak can't lie. It is obvious by these learned words that the ferry from South Wales, the only project coming to any sort of fruition on our current agenda, is going to turn things around for us at best possible speed. An influx of visitors who will not only see the beauty of our little town but also latch on to some serious investment opportunities. Perhaps that's all it will take, just a few people who aren't from Barnstaple, acknowledging our potential.

Am I away with the Faeries? Probably; but just supposing Gwynedd is right!

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YOU HAVE to admit some people are absolutely tireless. Personally I do the absolute minimum and look forward to the time when I can get back to bed again. I think it's called laziness.

Not so those who man our lifeboats and the volunteers who raise funds for this much needed service. Not only do they hold down full-time jobs but the crews are quite prepared to be called out at a moment's notice.

Can you imagine being brave enough to face the enemy of the sea in an attempt at rescuing someone in distress, especially after a hard days work? But no! This isn't enough for these stalwart heroes or their supporters.

As Christmas approaches, this precious few, this band of brothers and their fund-raising associates still find the time to lay on something special at the Landmark for the kids of Ilfracombe.

With Stormy Stan and Father Christmas it is going to be an event not many of the children will forget in a hurry. I also have no doubt, despite his busy schedule, Santa will still manage to spread some of his largesse amongst the youngsters to their huge delight.

And that's not all by any manner of means.

Crikey, even Deborah Brown II the inshore lifeboat is going to make an appearance it would seem. Deborah's family work tirelessly in raising funds for these semi-rigid inflatables and the lives they save are a fitting tribute to the family member they are named after.

Once again it defeats me how people with busy lives to lead find the time to organise events and raise so much money for our local lifeboat. It displays an altruism way beyond the normal call of duty.

You cannot help but applaud the efforts of the RNLI and through their concerted effort the lives they must have saved and will continue to do so.

I feel it only my civic duty to suggest that if you don't put a couple of coppers in their hat this Christmas then you are not half the people I thought you were!