Daily, the news notifies us of all the wickedness abounding in our world today.. If our peace of mind relied on their messages we would be decidedly depressed forever and ever.

How to counter balance this powerful presence? Easy ! Just think of one neat person in the world, or in New Plymouth, or in our parish. They are there.

The NP Volunteer Centre has just recognised some of their many volunteers for 2007. The list was long, the print small. I needed a magnifying glass to read them. There was Sister Cornelius from Waitara, one who has brought many a smile to many a face with her gift of music.

When I was promoted to being a scooter- ite I found I regularly was given a smile, a nod or a greeting. Barry Fabish tells me it the best invention since sliced bread and Paddy O’Donnell refers to it as my speeding machine. They’re all happy for me.

There really are lots of neat, wonderful people in our marvellous world.

Moral of the story: Take a pinch of salt when you watch the news.

Molly Hammersley