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.