This is the last Ewelme News before the elections, so I wish our successors a really good term representing you, and carrying forward (if they wish) some of the initiatives. With your guidance over the last few years, I think we’ve sorted out many apparently modest matters which will help Ewelme move forward, and set a style for your participation and open governance quite different from other parishes I know.
I won’t remind you of what’s been achieved: think about it. Above all, start to think what must be done over the next 10 years to keep Ewelme the way you want it. That’s what the Village Plan is about.
Of course, you may not bother to get involved: it’s your choice. Apathy is the analgesic of the comfortable - anarchy is the aphrodisiac of the deprived © Ewelme News 2007. We are not very deprived (whatever we may think), so we have to find a middle ground between anarchy and apathy. I don’t think we have good excuses to walk away from trying to make a difference here.
You may think you’ll not be here to enjoy the results. Well, I just recall Bill Edwards at Fords Farm telling me what pleasure he took in planting tree seedlings: even walnuts which don’t show much result for 100 years. That’s the attitude I think Ewelme needs to see it through the next 500 years.
Village Plan
We have submitted our revised application to ORCC for a small grant to do the job and have been asked to explain how we intend to get EVERYONE involved. That’s YOU.
What we need is YOUR list of 10 things that this village must get done to be a great place for your children to enjoy beyond 2010
Hampden Way footpath
Like the Government, we put out a survey form to find out what people think. Unlike the Government, we will put the clear results to SOHA and see if we can reach a commonsense compromise.
The replies did highlight one thing. Respect for others. If you have dogs or children, please make sure they don’t make the lives of others unpleasant. Easy to forget. Not fair on those who have to put up with their mess, noise or innocent damage.
Cricket
We’ve had to look very hard at how we can maintain the cricket ground properly. Thanks to a good turnout at the PC meeting (which does not stand for “politically correct” as you know) we had a good debate and are looking at how to work it out somehow.
Broadband
Forgive me for being obsessed by broadband into our village. It is a hugely important piece of the future rural infrastructure, like electricity and water. Of the 50 new circuits ready, we have already 50% in use. That means more Ewelme children can do their homework projects while the rest of the family can use the phone. It means that rurally-based businesses can operate and that we are part of the 21st century, not with our noses pressed to the window as Dickensian onlookers. It means others can save wasted journeys when shopping for needed items.
Other vital matters
Scribble them on a bit of paper and make sure you add them to the issues we’ll collect soon for the Village Plan. Remember: no issues = no problems= no solutions to worry about. A wonderful quiet life for us all? I doubt it - so I don’t hold my breath!
Neil Blake