‘It is inspiring to see what can be achieved when we work together’
11:04am Wednesday 9th May 2012 in Skipper
There have been two real demonstrations of community spirit in the past ten days that could have brought a smile to even the most hardbitten cynic.
Firstly, there was the incredible display of kind-heartedness shown both during and after the devastating fire at the Falmouth Beach Hotel last Monday.
From nearby hotels offering refuge to care home residents forced to flee the smoke, to cafe workers giving up their day to tend to staff and evacuees from the hotel itself, everybody just seemed to want to help out those affected by the blaze in any way they could.
Even in the days following the fire, community leaders across Falmouth have been inundated with people coming forward to offer support in any way they can.
The more cynical amongst us may have thought some other hotels may have seen such a tragedy as an opportunity to boost business - but not a bit of it - the fire has simply pulled people together across the town.
That same community spirit has been mirrored in Helston, where yesterday saw the whole town come together for the Flora Day celebrations.
Everyone knows how proud Helstonians are of this ancient tradition, and anyone visiting the town to join in the party will soon realise exactly why.
Forget the dancing, it is the effect the day has on the town’s residents that is important about the day.
People come together and work together to ensure the celebrations are a success.
From the volunteers who litter picked the streets on Monday, to the countless homeowners and shopkeepers who spend hours decorating the buildings, everyone gets involved for this most ancient of celebrations.
It seems sad to me that it takes these on-off special events to really pull our towns together.
It is so inspiring to see what can be achieved whenever people put their minds to it and are willing to work collectively.
Don’t get me wrong - this is no call for a ‘Big Society’ style campaign where people are expected to carry out the services their council tax should have already paid for.
All I am saying is, a little thought for each other a little more often could make everyone happier - and maybe this column a little more cheerful.
