One of David Cameron’s big ideas for Government is that it should
champion the ‘Big Society’. This means that instead of Government, be
it local or national, getting in the way of individuals and
communities taking a more active role in their areas, it should
support and encourage them. People often ask where you can see the Big
Society in action, and the answer is look around you.
From the organisation of major local events like the Hythe Festival,
the fundraising by the friends of St Stephen’s in Lympne to support
their church, or the a record breaking Poppy Appeal this year, you can
see people working together and making a difference to their community
and the lives of others. One of the most frequent comments I receive
from organisers of community events is not how do we go about applying
for lottery money, or funding from Government, although people do ask
this; it is can’t you do something about all of the red tape we have
to work through? Regulation, and particularly health and safety
legislation, has put a heavy burden of the organisation of local
events; be it getting permission to put up signs to promote an event,
securing public liability insurance to put it on, or a special license
to play music; the costs and complexities have grown out of all
proportion. I believe we have to sort this out, or risk that in the
future fewer people will have the time, patience or resources to
continue all of the good work they do. The new Government has
undertaken a major review of health and safety regulations and I look
forward to hearing more about the positive steps they will be taking
to address this problem.
On Sunday, however, along with my family, I was delighted to join the
organisers of ‘Play for Elham’ Briony Williamson, Helen Sharp and Kate
Baker, for the opening of the newly refurnished recreation ground in
the village. ‘Play for Elham’ has been an example of the Big Society
at its best and the result of many thousands of hours of fundraising,
meetings and events has resulted in a £100,000 investment in the play
facilities in Elham. ‘Play for Elham’ was set up in 2008 by Briony,
Helen and Kate, because they felt, as mothers of young children, that
the village needed much better facilities. With support from local
councils and a grant from the Lottery Fund, this has now been
realised, but it would not have happened but for the commitment of
everyone involved in ‘Play for Elham’. You can find our more about
their work and the new recreation ground at their website
www.playforelham.co.uk . Certainly the enthusiasm shown by all of the
young children at the opening on Sunday, including my own, inspires
confidence that this is going to be a big hit.
Finally I wanted to mention that the website for the First World War
Folkestone heritage project, ‘Step Short’ is now up and running and
you can find out more about their work and the town’s story at
www.stepshort.co.uk