Community

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008

It happens only every 4 years, but it’s amazing what a bit of competitiveness and good sportsmanship can do for global solidarity. Was that really France, Germany and GB hugging each other on the podium last week? The Australians may be a bit put out that GB are ahead of them in the medals tables, […]

It’s summer, let’s have a street party

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

I went back to the area I grew up in last weekend, and enjoyed one of the annual highlights, the local summer fair. Held in and around a square, it hasn’t changed in the 25 years that I can reach back in my memory. The little stage where the local kids perform various dances and […]

Looking after our local children…

Monday, May 26th, 2008

Last September I wrote a post entitled “A child is a whole village’s responsibility”. This has come to light even more in recent weeks with the tragic death of Khyra Ishaq, the seven year old girl who died, possibly of starvation and neglect, a few weeks ago in Birmingham. It’s thought her brother and sisters […]

My Neighbourhoods interview on BBC Three Counties Radio

Friday, May 23rd, 2008

Yesterday I was asked to take part in an interview on the Drivetime show of BBC Three Counties Radio around the subject of the decline of community in the UK. The interview touched on a range of subjects and it was extremely interesting to take part, particularly in relation to recent news events that have […]

Neighbourhood days

Friday, April 25th, 2008

In a large city like London, it’s hard to build a proper local community spirit. So it was good to see a “Neighbourhood day” happening in my local area. With all the delights usually found at a village fate (cake stalls, toys and books, bric a brac, all type of home-made stuff) I’m looking forward […]

Local politics

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

Recently, and for the first time in my life, I’ve got involved with local politics. Well, only so far as objecting to a very noisy and unpleasant bar/club across the street from us, extending their license to 2am weekdays and 4am weekends. We’ve been suffering with noise from this bar since it opened last Easter, […]

My Neighbourhoods has Style

Monday, September 3rd, 2007

My Neighbourhoods recently appeared in an article in The Sunday Times Style magazine about neighbourliness and how it’s coming back into fashion. People want closer communities, they would like to get to know people living in their area, are tired of the anonymous, every man for himself lifestyle. It’s time to offer help with shopping, […]

“A child is a whole village’s responsibility”

Monday, September 3rd, 2007

I can’t remember who said it, but there used to be a belief that a child was the whole community’s reponsibility.
Unfortunately today, with children/teenagers running riot, with little respect for olders, most people are too scared to step in when they’re not their own, in case they themselves get into trouble.
I get nervous stepping outside […]

There is no such thing as society

Monday, February 26th, 2007

This is an excerpt from an article on the BBC web site:
“There is no such thing as society,” said Margaret Thatcher, which has since been interpreted by critics as the zenith of the every man for himself attitude.
But the then prime minister also went on to say: “There are individual men and women, and there […]