It's fascinating how a practical issue - a broken bench - helps you sort out a bit of philosophising that has been going on in your head.
The actions of Lawrence Conway initially made me furious with his petty action of removing the children's pottery. Now that things have calmed down and one can stand back reflect and think:
Who cares a toss?
Nothing has actually changed here in the Ulverston. The park continues to function smoothly doing what good parks do. Lots of people come together in a very friendly atmosphere to enjoy the surroundings. The adults sit and chat whilst the kids run around chasing each other immediately accepting anyone new. They devise activities for themselves and are having a great time. The adults sit, watch and chat. They like the park because it's a lovely place where they can easily see that the children are having fun. Just occasionally a child falls over and hurts itself. A nearby adult - not necessarily a parent - comes to the rescue and provides a cuddle and 'Kisses it better'. The kid quickly recovers and is off playing immediately - all forgotten.
This is after all what Mill Dam Park is all about. A lot goes on behind the scenes without the rest being aware. - Jan has been in at 7.30am on her way to another garden and done a bit of weeding, or planted a new perennial, Geoff was here last night picking sweet peas and taking them to an oldie at the sheltered housing next door. Bernard spots a bench has broken and reports it. Alwyn says to himself "Thanks a mess. It happened by accident. Can't be bothered trying to get SLDC to repair it (last time it took them two years), I'll do it myself tomorrow".
Amy and Sarah say to anyone that is listening "Hey Folks how about getting Geoff and Simon to come and run a pottery making workshop so we can also enjoy ourselves another time: kids getting their hands 'muddy', Christine making tea, Clare will round up all her friends, making scones and the oldies like sprightly 92 year old Joyce, and Hilary who live nearby, joining grandma Annette for a natter and a cuppa. We'll have some pots, then, and I'm sure we'll find somewhere to put them up (somewhere polite) - John, Deborah, Chris, Derrick and Tom will help."
OK that's it, everyone agrees. Oh BTW someone has just bought a flash stereo microscope so that some of the kids might enjoy seeing what a Ladybird looks like real up close and personal. How about Kevin bringing his guitar and we'll get Jack to sing some Tom Paxton songs.
Meanwhile a sad little man sits in his plush office in Kendal being very important - to no one in particular - his staff are nowhere to be seen because they are so ashamed of his actions and the drubbing he's received at the hands of the editor of the local press. The main thing is that he in his strange way is happy too.
In fact we're all happy. Life returns to normal after a minor hiccup. - Water off a duck's back.
Sweet Peas anyone?
4 comments:
How dare you!
This is a man who was introduced to Her Majesty as our custodian of ALL affairs in SLDC, who when he is not kissing the mirror (glass not newspaper)soils his hands building community spirit's.
He is very important just ask him, he can make decision's without establishing the facts, not many can do that!
Please give credit.
Now when his servants sorry I mean colleagues smile at him he may well wonder what they really think!
Copies of this blog could be posted on internal notice boards all proceeds to Mill Dam Park Ulverston
POTTY TRAINED.
SLDC acute failings are due to causal relationship's postulated by the council leadership which assumed that with concentration of authority within an organization, the variety of roles decreases and therefore the interpersonal interaction and motivated innovation and flexibility decreases. The factors are interconnected and influence each other. As a result, bureaucracies reduce innovation.
"Education is wasted on some"
Thanks you both for your 'perceptive' comments. It's great to have your reaction.
Anyone else?
Come on Helen.
Use the powers vested in you.
Get this lot sorted for Ulverston.
A VOTER
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