Need to recreate a village ethos

The small general store is a common feature in rural communities. It was striking recently travelling along the south coast to visit villages that have been reduced to one such facility and maybe a pub etc. The store often includes a post office. Many other local facilities have disappeared. Pubs seem particularly under threat, at the moment, with the cost of living crisis cutting trade. This effective gutting of the smaller community based enterprises, though, is not limited to rural areas. It was striking recently talking to a friend who lived in Aldersbrook in the 1960s and 70s. He recalled how in those days, they got virtually all their shopping from the parade of shops, opposite the pond at the top of Wanstead Park Avenue. There was a bakers, butchers, greengrocers and various other outlets. Over the years, though, these shops all disappeared, no doubt through lack of use by the local population. People went to the supermarkets, instead, to get their food. There was a period when supermarkets built the big superstores out of town. In those days, there was less concern about creating unnecessary journeys. More recently, the supermarkets seem to have moved toward the smaller express type stores, often right in towns. Indeed, some of the general stores mentioned earlier are supermarket chains. The shopping experience to some degree was skewed toward the car and supermarket. Life in many of the more isolated rural communities must be very difficult for those, particularly the elderly, who do not have a car. Getting the shopping must be a weekly challenge, using, often sporadic rural public transport networks. Though, deliveries from supermarkets have grown incredibly, especially post COVID. None of this is to criticise supermarkets or cars but to wonder whether there shouldn't be more of a move to increase locally based services, rebuilding the community. Supermarkets have a place but so too do the local independent shops. Maybe, rather than letting everything be run on the basis of let the market decide, there should be some support for the smaller independent operators, who are in many cases providing a genuine social service. The cost of living crisis is not helping the plight of those small operators struggling to survive. But there are social and environmental pluses to be had from rebuilding the village ethos across the country. There have been positive moves over recent years, with people looking increasingly to buy local.The development of farmers markets is another plus. But this move toward resilient local community needs support, particularly at the moment, with the pressures of orbiting energy prices and inflation. The re-establishment of the village ethos offers a view for a more cohesive society for the future. Maybe a bit back to the future but a positive view all the same

The bubbles continue to rise as West Ham's season approaches its climax

The final verdict on West Ham’s season will be dependent to a large extent on what happens in the final of the European Conference League against Fiorentina on 7 June. The demands of the European campaign took its toll on West Ham in the Premier League. There will have been no less than 15 games in the Europa Conference, 14 up to the final. Their form in Europe has been impressive winning 13 games and drawing the other. The relentless European fixtures, though, had an impact on domestic form. The season started with much optimism. The club had spent more than £160 million bringing in seven new players. They all looked good quality. However, things took time to settle. Unlike, in previous seasons, when all the business was done early, this time the signings came in pretty late in the transfer window. Moyes declared he was building a new team. One wonders how well this declaration went down in the dressing room, with those who had laboured hard for the past three seasons to stay up, then gain successive 6th and 7th finishes in the Premier League and a Europa League semi-final last year. Early results did not go well, losing the first three games (two at home) before scraping a win at Aston Villa. The club were also dogged with some pretty diabolical VAR decisions, particularly to disallow a good Maxwel Cornet goal against Chelsea in September. This cost West Ham a point. Things though seemed to pick up through October with some good home wins. However, all seemed undone in the week before the break for the World Cup. Three home games that Moyes must have expected to win, against Crystal Palace and Leicester in the Premier League and Blackburn in the Caraboa Cup, resulted in three defeats. This bad run was then compounded, when the season resumed post World Cup, with difficult (and losing) games against Arsenal, Brentford and Wolves. It was at this time that the calls for the sacking of Moyes became loudest. To the credit of the West Ham board they stuck by their man – a decision that was vindicated in the end. The new signings were something of a mixed bag. Pick of the bunch was Brazilian Luis Paqueta, who after taking some time to settle, produced some fantastic displays, particularly in the run in. The tricks and flicks combined with a real work ethic, excited the home faithful, bringing back memories of the diminutive Dimitri Payet. Moroccan, Nayef Aguerd, also showed what a good player he is, when finally getting into the team, following an injury plagued start. Among the others German Thilo Kehrer proved reliable as a utility player operating across the back four. Brazilian Emerson Palmieri showed flashes of attacking dash but lacked consistency. Midfielder, Flynn Downes, had limited opportunities and remains a work in progress. The most disappointing signing was Gianluca Scamacca, who showed flashes of brilliance but seemed a bit lacking on the work ethic side. His heart often did not seem to be at the London Stadium. Scamacca is expected to move on in the summer. Ageing and slowing Danny Ings was bought in January to address the striking problems but did not set the pulses raising. Indeed, his most positive contribution may have been in getting Michail Antonio’s pulse going a bit quicker resulting in the big striker coming back strongly at the end of the season, after some indifferent form earlier on. Not enough was seen of Maxwell Cornet due to an injury prone season. So the new signings were variables. What will concern West Ham fans is that the fundamental weaknesses at full back and up front remain unresolved. Nor has the dependable centre back Craig Dawson been replaced. Moyes will be looking to address these areas in the summer. Though, he may look more to the excellent youth team that won the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 1999. Not so long ago, a FA Youth Cup winning side could be expected to provide three or four first team players. Competition, though, now is stiffer but the excellent Divin Mubama and Ollie Scarles have already made impressive appearances for the seniors. Mubama could well be the answer to the striking problems in the long term. Moyes must have earnt himself at least another season at the helm. His record is among the best. Some are not enamoured with his style of play, which does tend to be rather formulaic and direct. Players have to fit to the system, rather than the system being tweaked to accommodate a new player. Said Benrahma is one who could testify to the problems this can cause. Benrahma has come good this season, putting in several match winning performances but he took a lot of stick from Moyes before really making the breakthrough. The biggest question for Hammers fans ofcourse is will Declan Rice be leaving the club in the summer? The captain has once again been the outstanding player of the season, with some fantastic performances,. He has also led the club well. It is widely reported that Rice is set to go to a bigger club that competes regularly in the Champions League and wins things. Only, Manchester City though really match that ambition. So, if City don’t come calling and West Ham win the Europa Conference League, can the talismanic Rice be persuaded to play another season claret and blue – watch this space? If he goes, how can Rice be replaced – Flynn Downes, James Ward Prowse or Kalvin Phillips? A lot rests on that night in Prague against Fiorentina, with West Ham fans holding their collective breaths. Come on you Irons. published - morning star - 28/5/2023

Is the UK becoming a police state?

The recent police crackdown on protesters at the time of the Coronation called into question the future of free speech in this country. There has been a wholly disproportionate response from government to environmental and other protesters, bringing in ever more draconian policing powers, the latest being the Public Order Act. Protesters are being routinely arrested for doing very little. A number were arrested at the Coronation event for wearing Just Stop Oil T-shirts. The extinguishing of these basic civil rights has been a process underway for many years. But it now seems to have reached a point where dissent is being extinguished altogether. The problem for a government that tries to wipe out dissent is that it simply takes another form. Traditional forms of protest have been treated with contempt, so led onto direct action. If this is then trampled, some other form of dissent will materialize - often violent. The answer in a mature confident democracy is to deal with people's concerns as they are raised. The concerns of the environmental protesters that we are destroying the very planet that all are dependent upon is surely not an unreasonable request. The government response is pretty much head in the sand, keep calm and carry on as usual. Outlaw those raising the concerns. The media are only interested when protesters take direct action, the many peaceful marches that take place around the UK every week hardly get a mention. Both media and the political class have to take some responsibility for the situation that now exists. Moving forward, our basic human rights need restating, the recent restrictions must be repealed. Confident democracies become more open and accountable when challenged, they do not, close down and target those expressing dissent - that is not a democracy but a police state.

What is going on in Wanstead Park?

What is going on in Wanstead Park? Not a lot some may think. Certainly former chair of the Friends of Wanstead Park, John Meehan, is a critic. He highlights the continuing disintegration of the lakes system."Say goodbye to the Ornamental lakes. With no plan from the Corporation to dredge, seal or fill with water they have been left to dry out and become a marsh,"says John. And few would disagree. The waterways in the park have been on the English Heritage at risk register for well over a decade but little seems to be being done to address the situation. Talk of different solutions but no action. People continue to come to the park in ever greater numbers, as evidenced recently in Chalet Wood, where there has been another fantastic display of bluebells. It has been great to see the park opened up to cyclists, with cycle loops strategically placed around the park for those who want to use them. Everyone wants to see the park prosper. There was a park plan put together a few years ago, which is slowly being implemented. Former head of operations at Epping Forest, Geoff Sinclair, did his best to push forward on this agenda. However, Geoff left at the end of last year. All seems to have gone quiet, with a reorganisation going on. Everything is now on hold awaiting new people and structures from the Corporation of London. Liaison bodies seem to be suspended. But how much longer will the wait go on? The park needs action now. There needs to be a commitment made in terms of money and resourcing. It has been underfunded and allowed to run down for too long. A culture of inertia seems to have taken hold. The Corporation of London need to be honest with the public regarding their commitment to the park. Wanstead Park is a precious oasis of biodiversity - it needs ongoing care and attention. So what are the plans going forward to restore this great park?

Positive moves to confront Climate & Biodiversity crises but all needs to happen more quickly

There are many positive things going on to counter the climate and biodiversity crises. But is it happening quickly enough? Churches and places of worship are one section of society that really does seem to have embraced change. Graveyards and Church grounds have become havens of biodiversity. No mow zones, wildflower meadows and insect homes abound. St Mary's Church in Overton Drive is a very good example of this type of approach. Schools also are changing the way they operate to tread more lightly on the earth , often led by enlightened pupils. Local authorities are trying, often under financial constraint, to make the changes needed. The efforts to rewild areas are encouraging but why can this not be the norm, rather than the exception? How many are following the no mow May mantra? The results of just not mowing are fantastic, with an incredible variety of wild flowers coming through. Yet, so many seem to see spring as a time to get out the mowers and cut everything down to within an inch of its life. The efforts of the Wanstead Community Gardeners, Redbridge Council and Wild Wanstead has done much to improve biodiversity in Wanstead. The efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle all sorts of goods is another important way that life is changing. Redbridge Council''s initiative at recycling and reusing clothing in partnership with the charity Traid is an excellent example. A collection of unwanted clothes can be booked. So, a lot of good things are happening but there needs to be an acceleration. Everyone needs to try to do something to tread more lightly on the earth. The resourcing from government at all levels needs to be found. These issues cannot be put on the back burner but must be prioritised. A new sustainable way of living has to become the norm for us all, not a tokenistic gesture in the hope that somehow things will come right in the end. We need a real step change in approach at all levels.