I guess one of the big things that does worry me, despite the new Conservative government's best attempt, is the gradual erosion of community. You have only to pass homes in the early evening to see that folk now face away from the window and toward the television or computer screen.
But that is not what I want to talk about. Take a good look at the picture above. Torbay Council have planted this prohibition notice on the edge of this lovely little garden on the western edge of Paignton Harbour. No planning permission is required by Torbay Council for notices and if you take the trouble you will notice loads of similar signs polluting the most beautiful places.
The story behind the anchor is that it was fished up some years ago by Tug Boat Captain Andy Ricks and brought back to the harbour. The anchor was dropped by a 19th Century sailing ship and therefore has considerable history. The anchor has become something of a memorial to all the past fisher folk of Paignton who will, like the rest of this community, be saddened to see this ugly notice now polluting this little garden. I did get the Herald Express to take a little picture and said what I have been written above, but sadly story didn't run. It seems that they had spoken to the local harbour superintendent who said that it was not an official monument. Oh dear oh dear.
Sadly, for me, this is another example of the systematic erosion of community life and the careless attitude to things that local people cherish.
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