Most people contribute to society, often through voluntary work. This little town seems to be run by voluntary work, ideas, and downright ingenuity.
The Hippodrome down the road is looking for cash to alter its venue somewhat, the new cafe in the old Co-op shop is being transformed by volunteers as is the town's green appearance. We have a Climate college, (don't groan back there, climate is really on the change) with rooms for making stuff, and repairing. Society can sometimes do a much better job than government. We even have social housing taking place on an old site with the Town money granted by the government. Money of course that comes from the taxes we pay.
So the other day, a thought popped into my head, who else makes financial donations to good works. Well we all know the many, many charities that ask for money and to which we donate. It is a bit like finding the right one pinned down on a great spreadsheet.
Apparently Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, donates 15% of his salary to the homeless charity set up in his town. You can read about it here, also it gives an interesting take on charity giving. The other person I came across was Sir Christopher Hohn, he made his fortune in the city on hedge funds (milking money from what?) but now he is an advocate for the green movement, which by the way has many organisations under its umbrella.
We have come quite a way in green politics, unfortunately not in seats in Parliament. It will be interesting to see who will replace Caroline Lucas in Brighton. Will the Greens still hang on I wonder?
How to open a loo ceremony.....
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| Todmorden Mayor |
You have a climate college? Don't worry, I am not groaning at the back, I am applauding! Good on Todmorden! It sounds like a place that is really trying to do its bit to look after the future. Bizarrely, there are still many know-all fools around us who dismiss the notion of climate change in spite of the mountain of scientific evidence that not only proves it is happening but confirms that human activity plays a massive part in that change.
ReplyDeleteSmiling mayors are always preferable to glum mayors. Who cares about competence? It's how they look that matters.
DeleteIt is just nice to see a young person in charge of the gold chain ;) I will find a photo for you.
DeleteIt is part of Tod College, there is a small Incredible Edible farm where they get hands on education. The college runs small courses and we have a young mayor as well with a lovely smile. https://tlchub.org.uk/climate-college/
ReplyDeleteThe smaller towns that have some degree of separation from others seem to fare best, but they are in danger of drowning under massive house building projects and supermarket expansion.
ReplyDeleteWell we do need the house building projects, the situation is dire for many young people and as for supermarket expansion, well at least in this part of the country does not seem to be happening. But I am an optimist, there is a slight underswell of people moving independently of the powers that be to create a better life Tasker.
ReplyDeleteWe have green candidates, but all they do is divide the vote...so people are not too thrilled about that when the more popular candidate loses.
ReplyDeleteThere is always talk of proportional representation on votes in this country Tabor but we still stick to first past the post.
DeletePeople often look to their leaders or their political party to make the necessary changes. I think that very often it works the other way. Change bubbles up from the bottom, 'small' people joining forces and working together.
ReplyDeleteThat is true Debby, in fact the day to day running of any where relies on 'ordinary' people doing sometimes a boring job. One of the things that brings people together though is everyone dining at a large table.
ReplyDeleteWe have Thanksgiving coming up. I agree with you.
DeleteLove the cat and the quote! Giving to charity is difficult. I stick to giving more to one charity than spreading it thinly - having looked into it I think Medicin sans Frontieres is probably the best. When I see suffering - wars in Gaza and Ukraine, refugees in the camps at Dunkirk, home less people on the streets here, food banks - the list is endless without adding cancer, MND, - it is hard not to despair.
ReplyDeleteThe call of the charities has become overwhelming Pat, it is a good idea just to keep to one or two. As for cat memes I have a childish sense of humour needed in these sad days.
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