Message from a ‘Cub’ Editor … or what you get for a fiver
By Gilbert Nockles
Unlike Viv ‘Five Years before the Mast’, I didn’t get mugged by ‘Mad’ Mike Senior and Andy ‘Pandy’ Burnett. When they got to me, far subtler techniques were being employed. What better than slipping the opportunity to edit the Newsletter into the Silent Auction in the hope some mug would see it as a short cut to becoming a media magnate and snap up the opportunity. Regarding myself as a smart sort of fella, I jumped right in and promptly entered someone else’s name for the item at a bid of five pounds. I was relaxed at the time fully expecting someone with more money and lesssense to place a higher bid. As the evening wore on, and no further punters emerged, I started to feel hot under the collar. How an earth could folks get excited about outbidding one another for a top hat and not grab the opportunity of the editor’s chair – large cigar, big office, mucky fingers from the John Bull print set etc.
In the cold light of day the reality dawned – I had signed myself up for the task. Playing for time, nearly 15 months, I used every possible excuse to be unavailable. Finally, in December I had ‘my road to Damascus moment’ whilst walking the dog on a mild winter’s day. Sun shining, gentle breeze, birds chirping away in the hedgerow, no intrusive sounds of traffic… one of those rare ‘isn’t it great to be here’ moments. I recalled recent events… the roving supper, the Newsletter dinner, the carol concert. For a small village (one pub, no shop, usual quota of grumpy old men) there is an awful lot going on not just in the winter but throughout the year… the flower show, church fête, wine tasting, barbecues, fireworks… events people anticipate, enjoy and talk about for weeks afterwards. They don’t happen by magic, but are the product of hard work, energy and enthusiasm by a lot of people. Life is not a rehearsal so it was time to get involved… and get a return on my fiver.
The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster. At the editorial meeting it seemed a breeze. There was more than enough material, actual or promised, for two editions – euphoria. This was followed by late night calls and horror – “we are short of material”! Someone insists they have sent an article by email that we must use, it transpires said article is surrounded by security and passwords that would be the envy of NASA or the Kremlin. I receive an obscure message “Have you got the photos?” – chance would be a fine thing and then the thunderbolt – “we always do it this way”. But all in all thanks entirely to the Herculean efforts of others who overcame my inadequacies and incompetence we have got the edition into print… yippee!
So, for now, Damascus is going to have to wait… there is too much to do… who knows we may be seeking volunteers soon for a musical production! Maybe it will cost less than a fiver!