Marco Cova and Luca Bridgada Villa
CHARISMATIC singer Freddie Mercury, while holding the attention of countless thousands in the palm of his hand, hammered out the words 'Nothing really matters anymore!' Perhaps if you are, as he was at the time, sitting on a low wall on the edge of eternity that might be true, but the truth is that things matter very much. The fact that they matter means that it simply isn't good enough to sit back and not pay attention. You see we can all make a difference if we pay attention to what is happening around us and engage rather than disengage. Flopping back in a chair and submitting to the soporific impact of endless streaming multi-channel television while leaving reality outside the front door is dangerous.
Of course, these days there is a temptation to ask: "What can I do?" as the movers and shakers trundle unchecked. The truth is that you can make a difference by simply paying attention and speaking out rather than letting the political gatekeepers remain unaccountable. That speaking out need not be in opposition since it is probably as important to make your views known when support is needed. For example, you will I am sure have been aware of the heated exchange of words over the recent Miss and Mr England competition hosted on the English Riviera. MP Adrian Sanders felt the event degrades the image of our tourism dominated community while Torquay hotelier Linda Hill thought the competition added value.
What did you think? Many folk worked very hard to make the event the success that it was and the English Riviera International Conference Centre was packed to the rafters. Personally, having watched them film the promotional video on Paignton beach in the middle of winter and make it look like a hot summer day, I thought that the whole thing was a boost for our beleaguered tourist industry.
While on the topic of beleaguered places, I happened to walk around Oldway Mansion the other day. It was here that I remember watching the film 'Churchill. The Hollywood Years' while hoping to catch a glimpse of the stunningly beautiful Neve Campbell. I don't know whether you have walked around the central stairway area of Oldway Mansion but it truly is breathtaking. It was until recently a popular tourist destination with coaches regularly dropping folk off to enjoy the atmospheric magnificence of the stairway.
Sadly, Oldway Mansion is closed for redevelopment although nothing seems to be happening at the moment. There was a half-hearted attempt to keep the stairway open this summer by providing access via the small tea room door on the side of the building. That attempt, in my opinion, was pathetic. It isn't just the building, sadly.
As the world fixates on the annual Wimbledon tennis championships, Oldway Mansion's tennis courts have been closed. What happened to the vision of an Olympic legacy? For those who were engaged in community change words of protest sounded, but not loudly enough to challenge the closure it would seem. Does it really matter anymore? I think that it does.
For the past five weeks we've been whooping it up with the Italians at my house. Luca and Marco have been staying with us while on work placements arranged by the Training Partnership in Torquay. The influx of foreign students is, in my opinion, a wonderful thing for South Devon. They bring a much-needed cash boost to many host families, a tingle to the community and, of course, make the world a smaller place.
During a conversation with Marco and Luca one evening, we stumbled upon something almost mystical.
There is a number that connects the whole of the English Riviera. That number? It is the number 12. "How do you get to Brixham?" asked Marco? On the Number 12 bus. "How about Newton Abbot?" asked Luca. On the 12 bus. What about a visit to Torquay? Hop on the Number 12. Paignton Zoo and South Devon College? This time you need the 12a.
So now, thanks to these two vibrant Italian young men, we have found a number to connect our community and all we now need to do is translate that into a cohesive strategy. How good would that be as joined up thinking in action? Like the 12 bus route and bus routes in general, we need something which will connect all parts of our sprawling community. Finding that common unity or identity theme is something for us all to seek. The thought immediately lifts my restless spirit.
Keep the smile.
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