Friday, 20 June 2008

Twyford Village Partnership got off to a fine start at its meeting on Thursday evening, having launched its Parish Plan at the recent Donkey Derby. As a previous Chairman, I felt proud of their already significant achievements and am convinced the organisation is in good hands. Elsewhere on this website you will see the host of suggestions for improvements in the village gathered at the recent Donkey Derby, together with the strategies and exercises involved in developing Parish Plans that can put suggestions into effect. The group is enthusiastic, dedicated and talented but the task is substantial. In order to apply for essential project grants, much local information has to be gathered and collated. Detailed planning is involved. On Thursday, volunteers came forward to join the various special working groups required and there is a nucleus of interested people for each. The way forward therefore is assured but I am sure further support would not be declined.
In our everyday lives, frequently we rely on a faceless “them” or “they” to attend both to our personal wants and the affairs of society. Really, “them” or “they” are the authorities and institutions to whom we assign the task of making our existences more agreeable. Perhaps we get what we want and sometimes we are disappointed. With increasing governmental devolvement of responsibility, the “them” or “they” has shifted to “you” or “us”. Emphasis for action has changed from “top-down” impersonal dictat to “bottom-up”, informed decision-making. In other words, choices now are made and effected locally. That is why initiatives such as Parish Plans and Village Design Statements are being urged on towns and villages via community agencies, with the endorsement of local authorities. Miraculously—and surprisingly for Britain—resources have been made available in the forms of both expert guidance and money to help identify requirements and put schemes into action. Twyford is eligible for this kind of help—official! Twyford Village Partnership will be the conduit for grants and will receive the assistance of Wokingham Borough Council to expedite capital schemes. Prioritisation of requirements is vital to grant applications and can only be achieved through consultation and planning.
If you are prepared to roll up your sleeves (no room for habitual committee agitators here!) and contribute productively to the effort, there is a real chance that you will get what you want for your community. Email the Executive Committee at tvp@live.co.uk and offer your time, talents and service. You will get back what you put in and maybe more! The working group categories are The Constitution (governance), Social Issues, The Environment, Our Economy, Friends of Twyford Library, Traffic and Travel.

Cedric C. Gilson
Chairman, TVCMI 2004 - 2008