Page 20 - br-feb-2021

February 2021 February 2021

move them around so that they provided a bit of variation to our readers. crossing a water meadow and were ankle deep in flood
Although I have always worked with publishing software (the cheap and cheerful water.
Microsoft Publisher, rather than the professional packages favoured by our local
experts - Julien and Bernie Lightfoot) it has been perfectly adequate for My owner deviated to the edge of the field where it was
producing the magazine. So it wasn’t too long before I took the decision to drier but Pip and Alice pressed on and I had to laugh as
change things about a bit, and make the format more flexible. Pip stepped in a drainage ditch and got wet feet. After
staggering across some more muddy fields and gateways
We used to have quite a lot of through the fog we came to the outskirts of Sturminster
‘lineage’ adverts in those days, Newton. There was nothing open and then back down
the railway line to Fiddleford Mill. This would be a great
Could this be you Jenny?
walk, if it was not foggy and shops and places to take
refreshment in the Town were open. The walk is about two
Terry used to mow my lawns
miles on the level and one to do in the summer.
We have had a walk round the
I think Chris is still trying to retire
but Jim is going strong! bogs and pylons at Sugar Hill and
my owner has been to Heavens Gate (she wasn’t let in)
with some friends. Walks for something to do are not
and during the course of my first year, I decided that it would be nice to make
these more eye-catching and turn them into the ‘small-ads’ section. This met with allowed now, only exercise with one other person two
quite a few positive remarks. However, when I made another change - to move metres apart.
the body copy typeface from Times to Century Gothic - I did get quite a bit of We walk down to Court
personal feedback. Justifiably so, in fact, as research has shown the a ‘serif’ Green Farm some
typeface is generally easier to read. But, one of the problems of that era was the afternoons and I try to
print and paper quality made the text rather fuzzy, so that was the reason for chase “Dave” the cat
moving to a sans serif font. but he is clever and sits
I was very fortunate in the early years to have a friendly ‘proof reader’ thanks to under a car and I
my neighbour Barbara Crowe. Being of perfectionist tendencies, I was paranoid cannot get him to move.
about making mistakes. Part of my job had been involved in producing training My owner is watching a
manuals and workbooks, but these were printed at considerable cost with the lot of TV and listens to
intention of being used over many years. I very quickly had to realise that I could the radio. She goes to
not be quite as fussy with a short term, throw away publication, especially one bed with the World Service and wakes up to Farming today and the Today
done on a voluntary basis. I should imagine that Barbara was quite relieved when programme. She doesn’t get out of bed until it is light and then plays on the
the decision was taken to be less diligent. But then, guess what happened? I computer. It takes her forever to get dressed and take me out. I hate cold
used to get regular telephone calls from a lovely gentlemen (who shall remain weather and dark mornings. Humans have to put on so many clothes, hat, scarf,
nameless but I remember him well) who would point out all the mistakes that he boots, coat, glasses, gloves and warm socks. I get so impatient. Then it’s pooh
had observed in that month’s issue!
bags, leads etc. I am bursting.
Nowadays I can’t really claim to be an Editor. I simply don’t have the time to read Now she has bought me a High Viz.
every submission in detail or to correct any typos or grammatical errors. When I Jacket so that has to go on as well. I
typed articles from scratch, it wasn’t so much a problem but now they are copied
and pasted from electronic communications I’m not always as observant as I hate it makes me look like an
assistance dog. The cats can see me
would like to be. Hopefully all of our lovely readers don’t mind this too much.
coming. It was reduced to half price
There will be more reminiscences next month - just wait until I get to the Sports in Healthy Pets in Blandford.
Fortunately she tells me it is only for
Reports!!!!
very wet days or if she takes me out
Alison at night.

20 65