I've been enthusiastically marking the first 'Hampshire Day' - established as the 15th July, which is also the feast day of St. Swithun, the patron saint of Winchester Cathedral. The day is meant to celebrate the diverse culture, tradition and history of communities across what is often referred to as 'the first shire'. It means … Continue reading Hampshire Day – and the importance of ‘place’
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The Hows and Whys of the Hampshire heaths
With the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Kingsley, I posted recently about his contribution to a sense of 'place' in this corner of North-East Hampshire where I live, which referred to one of his works ("Prose Idylls, New and Old"), and how it described the 'rough commons' terrain of the area. Since that post, … Continue reading The Hows and Whys of the Hampshire heaths
Kingsley – making it quite a place
I don’t pretend to be a serious historian, but I do take an interest in the identity of my local area. I was born in Farnham, on the Surrey/Hampshire border, and spent the entire 18 years of childhood growing up in Yateley, in Hampshire – the town to which I returned some four years ago … Continue reading Kingsley – making it quite a place
Better connectivity could mean trams and light rail
In the summer of 2018, I got volunteered together with other local residents in helping to create a neighbourhood plan for our local area - Yateley, Darby Green and Frogmore, in Hampshire. My specific area of interest is 'Getting Around', whether that is transport in all its shapes and sizes, or provision for those of … Continue reading Better connectivity could mean trams and light rail
Making connections
A recent independent inquiry - Civil Society Futures - published its report in the middle of November, called "The Story of Our Times: shifting power, bridging divides, transforming society," which said that civil society must up its game, or risk complete irrelevance. I usually abhor acronyms, but it came up with one - PACT - to … Continue reading Making connections
Campaign: Keeping the Sainsbury’s bus
I wanted to document what we have done so far to successfully campaign to maintain an important community resource. Having been a public relations practitioner, I felt it important to reflect on the steps we had taken. Taking a wider view, I was just so thoroughly depressed on what was happening on the Westminster stage … Continue reading Campaign: Keeping the Sainsbury’s bus
Resist!
Over the last few months, I’ve had cause to concentrate my focus on the theory and practice of turning protest into power, to an extent that I probably haven’t done since the mid-90s. The campaigns-related side of public relations, and best ways of developing effective strategies are obviously things which have dominated my time as … Continue reading Resist!
Catch The Bus
A few of us thought it was about time we started shouting about a free resource available to the community of Yateley on Thursday mornings, delivered by Stagecoach. See you on the bus on Thursday morning! Save
Stepping-up
I've just come to the end of 18 months volunteering with Citizens Advice Hart. When I was first retired off from work with my neurological condition, I at least wanted to ensure I was still contributing my recent PR experience (and dare I say it, professional skills) to a community cause. Citizens Advice has always … Continue reading Stepping-up
Fun Palaces come to Yateley
Saturday 1st October 2016 sees the Fun Palaces weekend - 'an ongoing campaign for culture at the heart of community, with an annual weekend of arts and science events created by, for and with local people.' This year, my home village of Yateley's library will be hosting a Fun Palace event - and I will … Continue reading Fun Palaces come to Yateley
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