Community - Alex

Being an A-level Modern History student I had the pleasure of studying Britain from the tail end of WW2 right up until the present day. One them that was ever-present was the sense of community across the vast majority of Britain. Post war jingoism led to mass street parties and huge outcries of pride in being British. When you add that the style of living back in the day lent itself to promoting a deeply ingrained sense of community, it is no surprise that everyone knew everybody's news and neighbour's were usually close friends.

I find the idea of "community" awfully charming, sadly my stomping ground seems to be devoid of this sense of community. I live in a 5 house cul-de-sac, meaning, in theory me and my family could be friends with all four of our neighbours. As I have already referenced, there is no real community feel to my area. We used to be fairly chumy with one set of our neighbours, however when they moved out it all seemed to disintegrate. Working clock wise around the cul-de-sac my personal feeling towards the inhabitants of the houses go as follows...

Lovely, lovely elderly bloke living by himself. Occasionally we exchange pleasantries and swap small talk.

A family with children (now adults) just a few years older than me. I've lived next door to them for nearly 18 years yet still know very little about them.

Another family with children a few years older than myself. They probably moved in about 5 years ago, and they seem nice enough people. I'll nod at them if we see one another, but rarely hold a full conversation.

Now just a couple, used to have children who grew up and moved out. The only other house which has never changed ownership during my 17 and 3/4 years in the cul-de-sac. The husband endlessly cleans his car and mows his lawn. I know little else.

Now that's bad. I've lived within 50 feet of these people for many years and beyond their names, vague occupations and habits I know very little. It works the other way too, only the man living by himself knew in advance that I had booked my driving test. He is also my only neighbour who knows what course I want to do at university, where I want to go and how my football is going. The long and the short of it? Whilst the idea of community is a quaint one, it seems not the be feasible in my location. I dare not speak on his behalf, but I assume that Patrick is in an all too similar position.

So to end the blog on a thought, where has the community spirit gone? Much the same way as posting a letter I assume, it only over happens at Christmas.