The Daily Drivel

Well it's all happening. Got a call from the scout group treasurer saying they'd like to use the hall until they can find somewhere to put the portacabin they've been given (lucky so and sos). I wonder if there's a chance of sharing it in the future - I told her Tania Horrocks is looking into us using Fosters Field to site a cabin for the youth club. Found out the course I'm supposed to be doing is booked up, but they may be able to squeeze me in. Otherwise, no news so far. Don't know what documents Brian's got from the solicitor.

So actually nothing much to write about today, other than about the horrendous storm that's been blowing all night. Seems to have calmed down a bit, which is a relief as I've got to drive to work.

Later. Have discovered a flaw in my technique: when I highlight text to copy to Notebook it stays highlighted in the post, leaving it marred with yellow. Must see if I can do it some other way.

This is nothing to do with the Hall, except that it's probably to do with everything. Today was the day the banks all but crashed, with the government finally agreeing to bail them out with the 'taxpayers' money. In fact, since none of this money actually exists until someone draws up a loan, we have to just wait and see whose agenda will play out. The astronomically rich will doubtless be buying up entire countries before long - the ones they don't already own, that is. So what are the chances of getting hold of funding for the hall? We'll be forced assess how to achieve the maximum benefit for the community for the least money and we will need to demonstrate convincingly that whatever we plan will involve the lowest running costs and the smallest carbon footprint. Indeed the entire project can be most convincingly argued on the understanding that it will bring activities and jobs to the village so that people will be less dependent on travelling to nearby towns and the city. Initially we should apply for funding for a feasibility study, as well as assistance with short-term running costs. But I'm realistic enough to know that if refurbishment of the hall proves to be unfundable, there remains the option of selling the building (though who would want it?) and using the proceeds to build a new community centre elsewhere, such as at Fosters Field. Still, what I dream of is the hall run on combined heat and power, with a glazed south-facing roof casting light through to the ground floor.

Burble, burble ...

Plainly that didn't work again. The post remains a lurid yellow. Most unpleasant. Back to the drawing board! Perhaps I'd better just write in a word document...

The Daily Drivel

Having decided to keep a regular verbal flow going in here I'm now writing without the least idea of what I want to say. But I guess that's better than yesterday when I knew what I wanted to say but lost it!

Had intended to go to the end of season party at the Monkey Sanctuary, but the weather was so awful us girls couldn't face it so Nick went and Jude and I stayed at Catherine's watching The Wrong Door. It rained steadily all day and is still raining today. Back to default weather after a couple of dry, sunny weeks. Might just as well have been working, but I didn't feel like it and had a busy week. Now at least I've got the hang of using this blog site and have resolved to write my ideas in here regularly. It's been so long since I kept a regular journal - and to be honest, once I started working instead of actively campaigning and working on projects there was little to write home about. Though I remember a time when I regularly wrote about work as well. Just lost the inspiration to write somewhere along the way. At the very least this is improving my typing, since I'm endeavouring to touch type properly, using the correct fingering. I've never really got the hang of typing on this lap-top though it's definitely easier than my last one.

My stated aim for writing yesterday was to be clear to myself what I'm doing here in Gunnislake. The goal is Sustainable Development in Calstock Parish - ecological and financial. My main concern as we've been meeting with the goal of restoring our hall is the thought that maybe the people of the village won't use it. For a start, no doubt there are a good many people who don't know anything about it, who don't use the village facilities at all because it's difficult to park or because the facilities aren't what they need. Let's face it, the shop isn't exactly well stocked, though for emergency supplies it's ok. Pierce's, on the other hand, is good enough for most purposes. And we have a fish and chip shop there now, as well - selling really nice fish and chips. The advantage of there is the parking space and the ease of catching all the passing trade.

Anyway, the answer to this is to try and ensure that the hall supplies some of the things people have to leave the village for at the moment and to attract people from elsewhere in the parish and surrounding area. Recreation, education and entertainment are all needed, apart from the pubs. It occured to me yesterday that the W.E.A. might be interested in using it as a venue, for this would be so closely in keeping with the original (we think) bequest of the hall. If further education were at the core of our refurbishment programme, we might stand a chance of making a cafe pay its way, especially if augmented by use from visitors. Every weekend groups of hikers come in on the train from Plymouth, but there is no-where for them to enjoy a healthy snack with stunning views of the lovely valley they've come to explore.

Perhaps if I break possible usage down by key words with examples:

• Health - indoor sports, excercise classes, complementary therapies, healthy eating, Weightwatchers, martial arts


• Arts and crafts - photography, ceramics, art therapy, music, drama, films


• IT and Literacy - Transfer educational functions of Oasis to the Hall in IT suite


• Youth - GYP, homework club, over-elevens participation in classes and sports


• Commercial - farmers' market, Fair Trade shop, charity sales, community cafe, private functions

Most of the ideas I've laid out above pre-suppose a major refurbishment of the building, including the addition of an upper floor with cafe, IT suite and 'messy' craft room. For now we're assuming that the Social Club will remain in the basement and take on a lease for exclusive use. We don't know yet whether they will be able to afford such a lease, since this will depend on an independent valuation. Should that prove prohibitive, would they be prepared to share the space?

If parking is a real issue, could the community bus be brought into use as a shuttle service? Car-sharing is a sensible alternative, with pick-ups arranged according to need. I assume this is what most people do anyway for friends and family. A good notice board is probably the easiest way of solving such problems. And, not wanting to sound harsh, most people would benefit from the walk up and down the hill - if we're healthy, have good mobility and live within half a mile of the hall why bring a car at all? Say no to obesity! Get that heart pumping! On the other hand, a shuttle bus and car-sharing would make travel from other villages in the parish a possibility for those currently unable to attend evening events because of lack of transport.

Here endeth today's lesson.

The Daily Drivel

Hello what have I done wrong. Just composed 2,200 words of well-reasoned writing and I've lost the f*****g lot.

Have to do it all again with a view to producing a discussion document by Wednesday. Have to put my brain in the same place as this morning. Reminds me of the time I'd written the article for a competition while at Lifespan, when Nicki unplugged my laptop to plug in her hairdryer before I'd saved the piece. I sat right down again and re-wrote it. Didn't do the same today - just went to Jude's and drank coffee, but had a really good brainstorming there for all the things that we need to deal with at the hall now. The checklist reads:

• Heating (access to gas/electric meters and switches)


• Lighting, furniture, decor - drab and uninviting


• Safety


• Storage


• Notice boards


• Booking system


• Keys and access to bar area. Bar as storage space?


• Who will use? Questionnaire