Many many years ago I started a journey with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and that ‘pilgrimage’ continues today.

What sort of community do you want? I have to ask because to be quite honest I am getting increasingly confused. I thought I understood once, but now I am not so sure. Listening to the shards of radio news, television bulletins, occasional glances of newsprint and of course the ubiquitous social media postings should give me a feeling of what ‘community’ might be. But is doesn’t and that, for me, is a worry. 

A little while ago Tesco cancelled their plan to open a large store in the middle of picturesque Brixham. Whether you were for the Tesco development or against it now doesn’t really matter because the plan has slipped into history. What does matter however is what you thought about community impact of that development and whether the views of all the local population were reflected in the decision making process.

In the post-Tesco decision period I noticed a comment made by local councillor Mike Morey about the lack of young people at a public meeting. My suggestion is that we, in the wider community, need to take these meetings TO the young people. In truth what we are talking about is their future without adequate consultation. But quite how you find the view of the wider young community is a problem since too often that opinion is hijacked by those with a political agenda or aspiration.

So what sort of community do we want and how do we achieve that desire without the constant battering from those preaching a divisive doctrine? With that in mind a recent worry for me was the rise of social stereotyping during the recent European elections. Mankind has always been a little prone to scapegoating; seeking those to blame when things don’t seem to be going in a direction that suits our mood. That philosophical distortion has far too many devastating consequences which can be evidenced throughout history and indeed today! Whether mankind has the ability or the desire to rise above that is a matter of debate but listening to the hurtful rhetoric during the European elections did send a shiver through my spirit.

It seems to me that to build a vibrant community with a future we really do have to engage our young in many more of the strategic planning decisions. 

Some years ago at a Paignton Town Community Partnership meeting a local policeman questioned how we might engage more positively with young people. The meeting had gathered in a cinema and it occurred to me that actually walking into that area would have been very intimidating for many people.  I’m not just talking about the very young of course but all perhaps that have more future that past! Too often those with the time to spare have strong opinions about what the young need/want and the outcome can be a distortion destined for failure.

Of course it occurs to me that  in writing this I have never really grown up and certainly as time passes I am increasingly aware how little I know! But one thing that I do know is that it is essential we all work together for the good of the local and wider community. Many many years ago I started a journey with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and that ‘pilgrimage’ continues today. There is a lesson for us all from the theme running through the DofE. That theme is about helping others, working as a team, being able to work alone and having the ability to see the task though. I had hoped that when the new Parkfield Centre opened in Paignton that it might become a catalyst for that ‘dream’ by embedding the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award there. Sadly the Parkfield landscape became a bit of a shaggy dog story, but I live in hope having met recently with two people who have fire in their eyes. 

The truth is of course is that we can all make a difference if we really really want to. The question is I suspect is whether we really want to! With the whirl and buzz of sound bite media it is all too easy to be beaten down by the constant hammering from 24/7 news. Attempting to balance what matters and what doesn’t is complicated. 

Take care with the way in which words are used especially when it comes to the casual stereotyping and labelling of others. Once the words have been used it is so very difficult to call them back! Of course that can be hard to do when you feel aggrieved by the selfish antics of others especially when you can clearly see that the action taken has had a financial gain for the few at the expense of the many. Hmm.

Keep the smile.