Celebrating what we have rather than chasing elusive images

Photo: Jon Stannett - sunrise over Stover

My column in this week's (6th February 2014) Herald Express......

As you have probably guessed, my mind is a curious place at the best of times. This morning, for example, I watched the sun rise over the ocean whilst listening to Patrick Cassidy’s beautiful song Vidi Cor Meum. You may remember that piece of music from the films Hannibal and Kingdom of Heaven. The combination of the atmospheric music and the stunning rosy red sunrise seemed to lift my spirit and sent me drifting, metaphorically, on the high thermals. I don’t know whether you have watched the sun come up over the water, but it really is worth the effort. These are hard times for many and anything that for the moment can lift the worry is to be much sought after.

It is very easy in these days of 24/7 television and endless hours of drifting through social media surfing around the world pausing only for a micro-second before travelling on. Therefore to take the time to appreciate the reality of our beautiful coastline and wooded hills is, in my opinion, essential. Celebrating what we have rather than chasing elusive images spinning in cyberspace is to be encouraged!

Of course to make the most of what we have requires a mind-set that looks for what we can build rather than constantly looking for ways of reducing, cutting and closing. We can all contribute that mind-set in quite simple ways. For example picking up the fast-food carton that has been casually discarded and placing it in a bin! That basic action helps to build a positive community because it also sets an example to others.

Curiously it is the very administrators of Torbay that unwittingly, I hope, reduce the ambiance. Those who read my words will know that one of the many things that trouble me is the proliferation of signage. Paignton Harbour has been my stomping ground for many years and I have watched the growth of signs telling folk mostly what not to do! In a recent conversation with an officer I had been told that the intention was to reduce the signage around the harbour estate. It came as no surprise the other day when I found a whole cohort of parking warning signs around the harbour. Keep in mind that the harbour is part of the structure of Torbay it did annoy me when the wording said that this (the harbour) is private property. What? You can see why I need the stunning sunrise!

The thing is what are we attempting to do in Torbay? We spend hundreds of thousands of pounds encouraging folk to visit and to set up business here and then give them a hard time with draconian parking charges. The new signs on Paignton Harbour say that you agree to pay £100 if you park in the wrong place! In the past the harbour attendant would wander along and ask you to move if you were causing a problem.  Keep telling folk that they are not welcome will eventually have the desired administrative outcome when they stop visiting. The other day two major retailers closed their shops in Torquay and whilst that may not be down to relentless parking charges they are without doubt a contributory factor.

I’ve also been reflecting upon Gordon Oliver’s desire for Bay-wide BID status. At the moment Business Improvement Districts have been limited to Paignton and Torquay. Gordon’s idea, which was rejected by the Business Forum, was to have the whole of Torbay included. As a business inside a BID area means that you have to pay an additional amount over and above your business rates. Can you imagine the additional income available if every business in Torbay had to cough up? Great way of adding more income but you can imagine the squeal from already beleaguered businesses hidden away! I gather that a few folk inside the existing BID area have challenged the payment. The BID after all is for additional facilities rather than paying for things that a council should cover. Their question, I gather, is about how the money is spent rather than the revenue request itself.

I started this column talking about things that lift the spirit and that is certainly a theme in life that I will always seek. Part of that journey is making sense of what is being said and that isn’t quite as simple as it may sound. Listen to what is said and check the validity especially when it comes to revenue spend. What are the implications of proposed developments? As assets come up for sale can we be sure that things are as they seem at first glance? We must all pay attention and make our views known to the decision makers. Although we keep being told that we are all in this together it is increasingly clear to me the gap between those that have and those that have not is getting wider by the day. Political groups are already gearing up for the elections next year and therefore you have an excellent chance to catch the attention of MPs and Councillors. Make your voice heard and your vote count!

Keep the smile.