A Message from Metheringham’s
Policeman
Your Police Community Beat Officer for Metheringham is PC 148, Richard
Parker, based at Bracebridge Heath Police Station.
To report incidents or leave messages for me, I can be contacted via the
Lincolnshire Police Control room on 01552 882222.
As Spring approaches, the security of garden effects becomes a big issue.
Lawnmowers, hedge trimmers etc are a prime target for the opportunist thief,
so lock them out of sight. These items can, of course, be security marked,
and I can provide crime prevention advice if required. Good inexpensive
alarms are available for your garages and sheds, which will hopefully deter
against theft.
Parking issues in Metheringham rear their head every so often, and may I
take this opportunity to remind drivers to be considerate to others? We now
have ample parking at the rear of the Co-op and behind the Village Hall, so
there is no excuse for causing obstructions at the bus stops. The primary
School also experiences problems, so in the interests of the safety of our
children I would ask drivers to avoid parking on either side of the road
within the limits of the yellow warning marks. (top) |
COMMUNITY SPIRIT – A RESOLUTION
I suppose that you’ve heard that old story ? It goes something like this:
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody
would do it. Anybody could have done it but Nobody did. Everbody thought
that Anybody could do it but Nobody realise that Everybody would not do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody
could have done !
I also image that all people, whether they live in a particular street, in a
village or even in an urban area with well defined boundaries, would accept
that they are a part of a small or larger cohesive community.
Whichever of these sorts of community you live in, its also a fair bet that
you also belong to a group, following a particular sport or hobby, or are a
member of a group or club with its own aim or activities. It is very often
the case that these smaller “communities” do not always see the entire
community group in which they operate, and may also not see the needs of
either the community as a whole, or even of other like minded groups or of
individuals who also are a part of that cohesive community.
There is also the mistaken belief that someone else, usually the local
authority, can do everything on behalf of its community, but their powers
are limited, and so too often are their financial resources. But if the
Local Government Commission has its way, the power of town and parish
councils may increase and they may have a greater say in what goes on within
their own community.
I suspect that many people who have made a choice to live in a rural area do
so for a number of reasons; its more pleasant to bring up a family in a
rural area, its convenient for road and rail networks for commuting, its
handy for town and city amenities, and so on. But often key to many villages
are those people who families have lived and worked in the area for many
years, maybe centuries, who already possess that sense of community and who
have given valuable service to it over generations.
All sides would doubtless agree that certain key elements of rural life
should be retained and preserved; the environment, the shape of the
community, the architectural heritage. But it’s of little use to try to
conserve the best of the past if, for example, juggernauts are shaking the
foundations of the listed buildings “day in and day out.” However some
changes which may be seen as undesirable may in fact be necessary for the
future prosperity of the community in the long term.
Which of these choices one is faced with it is essential that the community
gets together to support the work, say of the local authority, by backing
what they are doing, or trying to do, on their behalf, or even telling them
what is wrong or really needed in the community.
Looking not all that far away to Leadenham it was the joint effort of their
Parish Council and a resident Action Group that put pressure on the road
authorities to build their bypass.
There are few organised opportunities and activities for the young people of
this village. There are some 364 young people aged 13 to 19 years in a
population of around 4,300; but its not just the present generation we
should be thinking about, it’s the future generations too who will require
the facilities which we are planning for, or indeed trying to save, today.
We should feel some concern about these and other problems because today’s
events shape the future for both our children and grandchildren – and their
children too ! We may think that these problems are not ours, we may feel
that we have no power to deal with them, we may feel that we have no time to
give. But is that true ? Can we really sit back and do nothing – that way
leads to nothing ever being done – and in time the decline of the community,
or the group, or the club.
As one who is committed to a Christian way of life I believe that we have a
duty towards each other, and ultimately to the community in which we have
chosen to live. And whether rich or poor, young or old, we all have one or
more talents which we can give to our community – without recognition or
financial gain to ourselves. It often only means a little time and a little
commitment, and support.
The essence of community life is to be aware of the problem, become involved
and take action, but above all not to leave it to the same people to resolve
all the problems all of the time. Fortunately most communities have many
people who give much of their time and effort – in contributing to the good
of all and frequently serving in a variety of roles in a number of differing
organisations. It is they who need your support. There is a place for all
members of a community to serve the whole – each according to their means –
writing a letter, signing a petition, listening to another point of view;
above all standing up and being counted when called upon.
When facilities or amenities are lost for ever it’s hard to say “If only……”
To paraphrase that well known saying of the late President John F. Kennedy:
“Ask not what your community ca do for you, but rather what can you do for
your community.”
So where is your community spirit: will involvement for the good of all be
your resolution for 2004 ?
Alan Waddington
25 Viking Way,
Metheringham
Lincoln
LN4 3DW
01526 323013. (top) |