How can we improve our community

[SeanMacGabhann]

Stocks on goose green in less than 50 posts steve?

[*Bob*]

Come on Sean - think about it.

Our community would definitely be improved by establishing a local arena for ritual public humiliation. That kind of stuff really builds bridges.

[RosieH]

I thought that's what forum drinks were for.

[????]

A gibbet by 125 posts anyone?

[peterstorm1985]

DJKillaQueen Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> We try to do as much as we can through our TRA for

> all aspects of community cohesion. TRA's can be a

> very good means for doing things and the local

> council supports those that do a good job.

Apologies if this was stated somewhere else in this thread and I missed it, but what is a TRA?

[DJKillaQueen]

Tenants and Residents Association.

[Pugwash]

I have always told my kids that you cannot take from society unless you are prepared to give. Hubby and I have done Voluntary work since the late 1970s - it keeps me sane!. We do it because we enjoy being with people of a similar mind. Over the years I, along with others, have been asked to take someone 'under our wing', - the shy, depressed Asian mother who had a series of miscarriages and who was finding it difficult to marry her westernised ideas with that of her culture.

This lady is now running her own organisation, meets people from all walks of life and has received many awards for her work.

Over the years my kids have become involved in voluntary work - one worked as an unpaid assistant on a stroke unit in her local hospital - a decision which eventually lead to her retraining for a professional qualification.

The other - primarily works with disabled children and teenagers as a voluntary drama and youth worker. Also is part of

a youth project (Worthing Media) - a drama group for teenagers and young people who are coached in film making. This daughter also works in a paid capacity with young people with behavioural and learning disabilities.

I always remember many years ago a work colleague was complaining about the cost of Christmas and that her son wanted a particular computer/computer game costings hundreds. It would seem that in order for their children to have 'equal status' amongst their friends, the family were frequently putting themselves into debt in purchasing expensive presents.

Many young people and also some adults have been caught up in the'gimme,gimme ' trap and equate money/expensive goods with happiness. This I believe is the basis of many of the crimes now committed - 'if I cannot afford to have the latest phone why should he'. Many parents are afraid of setting boundaries for their kids - from simple things like table manners, times of coming home at night, respect for property and other people. There is a word called 'no'.

Teenagers will rant and rave at these so called restriction but the majority will eventually see sense. I had to laugh when my eldest daughter complained about the stroppiness of her near teen daughter, and asked how I put up with her as a teenager as she remembered she was far worse. She complimented me and her Dad by saying you gave me rules, which I hated, but I stuck to them and I fully appreciate now, as a parent, that you were both fair, reasonable and always willing to talk and be there for me. ( I must admit I shed a tear after that). To me the basis of a community must always be mutual respect, to seek the goodness or good points in others, praise effort and determination and to see others as individuals. One of the posts talked about young offenders making things for sale - being praised for doing something selfless and for a good cause.

[Tarot]

It would be nice for the community if people who are fortunate to have front gardens,could cut their hedges and overhanging plants.especialy roses.

They can be an awful hazard for partially sighted people.

Also getting the council to remove all old rubbish from what could be a pleasant place to look at.

Maybe a garden contest.with garden vouchers for a prize.

Old cottage garden look is back.

[Sue]

Tarot Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Maybe a garden contest.with garden vouchers for a

> prize.

xxxxxxxxx

There already is one, Southwark In Bloom.

I'm not sure what the prizes are, but certainly Islington in Bloom has garden vouchers as prizes.