019 Community

"Community"

It doesn't seem that long ago because it wasn't. It was just a few weeks ago. My wife and I were sitting outside in the sun. To our left were people we have lived beside for years out too socially distancing but still able to talk and have a laugh- something we had not actually done for years. To our right the next block who we have only come to know in the past couple of years. A good feeling being outside in the sun with music playing and the sound of voices and laughter as well as drinks and foods exchanged and had. It felt like it was our reward for abiding by the lockdown rules for so long. All good.

My wife said it would all change when the school holidays officially started and she was right. The first day in fact it rained and since we have not sat outside once because the weather has been so poor. That sense of community did not last long. Since that glorious day antisocial behaviour has been on the rise. A local counselled has been trying to start a campaign against the reported increase of knife carrying amongst teenagers in the area. Already at the shops I have witnessed 2 incidents of violent drunk terrorising staff. That brief moment of community seems to have been brief and unlikely to return.

"People just don't care" is, according to my wife, my favourite response to most things locally. Whether it's something finishing a bottle of juice and just throwing the bottle on the ground or someone taking up 2 parking spaces my reply is the same. People taking a trolly of shopping as far as it will go then abandoning it where it is or buy the side of their car. Single guys parking in parent and child bays. I really could go on. People don't care and on the whole take no pride in their surroundings. Whether it's a local group who target areas to clean up or council workers doing the same within days it's a pig sty again. If the council paint a building there will be graffiti all over it within days. When I walk as well as empty bottles and food packaging I find clothes, scooters, bikes and all sorts just abandoned. They don't care unfortunately. Yet again the good fair minded few are outshouted.