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It is kind of the BHCA to offer me this opportunity to write
a few words about the Association. I will use it to reflect upon the purpose
of the Association, upon the function which it fulfils.
Following the building of any new housing it is natural that
clubs and other activities should be started which, only a little later, form
the basis for a Community Association. I am sure that it was in the mind of
early members, and certainly those of my own later era that the Bramcote Hills
Community Association's activities should both serve the community and provide
it with a distinct identity. Even those who earn their crusts in the global
village often prefer homes which lie in the more local variety, in a village
that has a clear identity of its own, with a geographical centre, local services,
local activities in the local community.
In considering these aims the BHCA has been faced with a number
of particular difficulties. Following the building of the Moor, it found itself
serving two distinct areas, which are separated by a pronounced geographical
feature, the ridge. The local planners had made no serious attempt to provide
either area with a real focus, and had given no thought to their identity. The
Hills contained schools, which might provide a focal point for those with children
when the area was young. In middle age and in days where choice of school is
an option, the focus is far weaker. For the Moor the focus provided by the schools
is weaker still. Neither area has any community building of the sort which might
be found in a village in the form of the village hall or a community centre.
What then could the Association offer the local community
and what could its strategy be in providing focus for the community it continues
to serve?
It has undoubtedly been very successful as a loose association
of clubs and functions. Over the years many diverse activities have been born
and have prospered. Just a few have died, either when their usefulness has passed
- whist, photography, or, under the influence of the British weather, tennis.
While the clubs are mainly self-standing the Association has been useful in
watching over their activities, in providing occasional funding when necessary,
in applying its influence when local bureaucracy has made room bookings at the
schools more difficult, and particularly in publicising their activities in
the newsletter which has been an invaluable aid to its activities ftom the earliest
days. Many of the special functions which the Association has run - children's
parties, summer children's activities, summer rambles, shopping trips to northern
French ports via the gangland areas of London, have been precisely those which
would be organised in a lively village, and which an area needs for cohesion.
The Care Group and the provision of loan equipment are other examples of activities
which would be found in the more interactive atmosphere of a village, but which
tend not to be found in mere suburban sprawl.
One of the most important activities of the Association has
been its involvement in local planning matters. The weekly reading of the planning
sheets issued by the local authorities has usually been a delight - with items
such as 'conversion of pig-sty to granny flat', 'removal of rotten shop tront
and replacement by similar', 'removal of dead horse' (chestnut?). Occasionally
items have appeared which have needed urgent action by the Association. It might
be supposed that the problems of enthusiastic developers should best be dealt
with through elected councillors and members of Parliament. It often happens
that these representatives paint with a broader brush to a design influenced
by the party machines, which may in turn be influenced by the developers. Often
the local planning authorities are delighted when an organisation tree of these
foibles and which clearly represents the views of the local community comes
and makes their case with conviction. Thus the area has evaded the aerials of
the mobile phone companies, has avoided building development of the ridge and
has acquired a golf course which should protect the ridge trom future developers.
At the same time it has avoided the construction of intrusive golf club buildings.
The Association has even helped to ameliorate the damage caused by wayward golf
balls.
Once or twice it has had decisions to make on planning matters
which have appeared in the form of succulent temptations. During my period on
the committee an enthusiastic brewery company offered to build a community hall
for our area. A village hall for our 'village' - which would give it a centre,
a focus. There was of course a price to pay! We were to offer our support both
to building the hall and extensive facilities for the sale of the brewer's products
_ on Green Belt land. The temptation was examined and in the end rejected. While
we no doubt felt virtuous for maintaining the principle of 'no buildings on
Green Belt land' the decision was also based on sound financial considerations.
The Association would have been responsible for running and maintaining the
hall into the future at an expense which was far greater than any budget of
the Association has ever been.
And so to the future. I wish the clubs, the activities, the
newsletter, great success. May your watch over planning matters need little
action. And the community centre? Perhaps one day the space will be found and
the residents' enthusiasm for living in a local village will provide the funds?
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