Isn't it strange how the only time most people turn out from the comfort of their homes in the evening is when there is something controversial in the village to discuss or when they want to have a whinge?
I don't mean that unkindly because it is important when there are things to sort out that people turn up to relevant meetings to voice an opinion. But it would be good to see more people supporting other meetings as well.
Last night was the annual Hethersett parish meeting which gives the opportunity for residents to raise any matters of concern. The evening features a number of reports from organisations and groups. Last night there were just under 50 people present. Take away the parish council members, other councillors and those giving reports and the number of "unattached" villagers turning up was well under 20 which must be a disappointment to all the people who put in so much effort to make our village what it is.
When it came to finding four volunteers for one particular group, nobody came forward. You couldn't blame those present because most of them are involved in numerous village groups already. As one prominent resident remarked "it's very disappointing that in a village of 6,000 people we can't get four volunteers."
Of course it doesn't mean those volunteers won't be found at a later date but it does underline my belief that residents are not as committed as they were in the past to helping the village develop. As I have already said when there is a controversial subject they turn up in their droves, but when there is work to be done to enhance and improve the village they are strangely silent and absent.
Thankfully, as I have said in previous blogs, we have an army of volunteers that keep our village going and on this front we are as good and probably better than anywhere else in the country. But it is the same people that get involved all the time. It should be nice to see some new blood.
It is difficult to say why 20 years ago there seemed to be more people volunteering. There are a number of reasons I can put forward for this including the following
I don't necessarily believe all of the above, but it does act as a point of discussion. It would have been nice to see more support last night for the parish council, the schools and all the other organisations giving reports.
* * *
Today I'm off to undertake some training at the High School to help youngsters with learning difficulties in their coming exams. This will consist of sitting with them whilst they do the exam and either reading out the questions or writing their answers for them. I'm looking forward to helping in some small way.
Then this evening I will try to do the running club hour if my present cough will allow me and then we have a football club meeting to discuss the future of our Ladies section which we may be re-structuring. I believe we have a very bright future in ladies and girls football. Will let you know how it went tomorrow.
I don't mean that unkindly because it is important when there are things to sort out that people turn up to relevant meetings to voice an opinion. But it would be good to see more people supporting other meetings as well.
Last night was the annual Hethersett parish meeting which gives the opportunity for residents to raise any matters of concern. The evening features a number of reports from organisations and groups. Last night there were just under 50 people present. Take away the parish council members, other councillors and those giving reports and the number of "unattached" villagers turning up was well under 20 which must be a disappointment to all the people who put in so much effort to make our village what it is.
When it came to finding four volunteers for one particular group, nobody came forward. You couldn't blame those present because most of them are involved in numerous village groups already. As one prominent resident remarked "it's very disappointing that in a village of 6,000 people we can't get four volunteers."
Of course it doesn't mean those volunteers won't be found at a later date but it does underline my belief that residents are not as committed as they were in the past to helping the village develop. As I have already said when there is a controversial subject they turn up in their droves, but when there is work to be done to enhance and improve the village they are strangely silent and absent.
Thankfully, as I have said in previous blogs, we have an army of volunteers that keep our village going and on this front we are as good and probably better than anywhere else in the country. But it is the same people that get involved all the time. It should be nice to see some new blood.
It is difficult to say why 20 years ago there seemed to be more people volunteering. There are a number of reasons I can put forward for this including the following
- Twenty years ago the pace of life was slower
- Twenty years ago people seemed to have more time for voluntary work
- Twenty years ago the stresses and strains of working life seemed to be less
- Twenty years ago perhaps there was a real community spirit within more people than today
- Twenty years ago people were more interested in being integrated into the village than today.
I don't necessarily believe all of the above, but it does act as a point of discussion. It would have been nice to see more support last night for the parish council, the schools and all the other organisations giving reports.
* * *
Today I'm off to undertake some training at the High School to help youngsters with learning difficulties in their coming exams. This will consist of sitting with them whilst they do the exam and either reading out the questions or writing their answers for them. I'm looking forward to helping in some small way.
Then this evening I will try to do the running club hour if my present cough will allow me and then we have a football club meeting to discuss the future of our Ladies section which we may be re-structuring. I believe we have a very bright future in ladies and girls football. Will let you know how it went tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment