Ed, I am getting a little tired of people bagging Ulmarra. Who said there is nothing in Ulmarra? Whoever said that needs to come and take a closer look at our small village. Firstly we aren’t a big city shopping precinct, nor a tourist attraction, so don’t bag Ulmarra businesses we’re not open 24×7. We chose to live here, we love it here, yes it is quiet because we are a lifestyle village, so don’t come here and expect us to open our shops at 9am. Lifestyle choices mean flexible opening and closing times 10am to 4pm. Who said there is nothing in Ulmarra? We have the best award winning pub bistro in the Clarence Valley; you can’t deny it, right on the river and is booming most weekends. Open every day for breakfast and lunch and for dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Plus family Friday night, meat raffles, and the treasure chest is up to $2400 and rising. Walk down the main street to J’s Garden Café open 7 days. James, Jess and Chris prepare healthy fresh meals at reasonable prices. Sit in the courtyard and relax in the garden surrounds. Next door is the best Retro Op shop I’ve ever been to and I’m not biased, open Thursday and Friday all day run by volunteers from Rathgar aged care. On the other side of J’s Garden Café are two bric-a-brac and collectable shops where everything old is new again. Fibre Delights down the highway end of Coldstream Street sell unique handmade gifts from handcrafted silverwork to reclaimed timber craft. Jacadandy and Lilly’s Lair sell fabulous Mexican, South American and other gifts from around the world. While the Ulmarra book shop surely has a million books to browse through. Stay at 4 star accommodation, swim in our summer community pool. Take the kids to Bailey park playground; have a picnic using the free gas BBQ. Spend some time watching the river life sail by at the wharf or jetty, throw a line in and fish off our boat ramp or launch your own boat or canoe and go for a paddle. There are also three great antique shops on the highway. And The Wood Shop specialises in natural organic crafted timber furniture and special orders. Or just chill out and walk around the village and admire the architecture and historic buildings. Honestly if I had a dollar every time someone stopped their car in the middle of the main street and jumped out to take a photo of the ornate fretwork on our buildings and the pub, I would be a millionaire by now. Other events in Ulmarra – October 31st Country music festival is getting bigger each year; weekend cricket, dog trails and camp drafts are held regularly in Small Park. We even have a local tennis club. The streets are clean, the people are friendly and laid back and the buses run regularly dropping off and picking up in the main street to Grafton and to Yamba. I reckon Ulmarra has more going for it than Grafton. Why not come take a closer look at our idyllic village, sure we are small but as they say good things come in small packages. Sandra Grogan, Ulmarra