THE government tells us that we should eat five lots of fruit and veg and take 10,000 steps every day. A lady contacted me the other day complaining that it was now difficult for her to do both of these. She used to take her dog on the track that once le

THE government tells us that we should eat five lots of fruit and veg and take 10,000 steps every day.

A lady contacted me the other day complaining that it was now difficult for her to do both of these. She used to take her dog on the track that once led to the station and gather the blackberries that grow down there. Exercise and fruit, just what they want us to do.

But not what all of them want us to do, apparently. Behind Fairhaven the railway people, quite sensibly, have erected gates. It was still possible to get your steps and your fruit by using the pedestrian-sized gap beside the gatepost, but now it has been blocked with wire and a dire warning of prosecution attached to it.

It's nice to know that the railway authorities are doing something for Soham, though. They can't be bothered to provide us with a rail service, but they are quite prepared to take us to court. If we've got to buy our blackberries we won't be able to afford their fares anyway! It is easier to get some fruit and veg from Budgens these days, though. The path from the High Street is in use again. But, be careful, the surface isn't exactly smooth.