Trust, community & respect or fear, risk & control

It's been wonderful to be back in the UK on a short work trip, and great we managed to make some time and use some annual leave to catch up with family and a few friends, but it's been sad to see the increasing negative signs, symbols and controls.

West Kirby a quaint by-gone seaside resort was our home for 31years, but now so much green space has been sold off, traffic lights abound, parking is a highly competitive and stressful activity, CCTV cameras strategically located throughout the town capture every move, intimidating Police Officers who look kitted out for conflict patrol the local train station, while on the train itself NO, NO NO posters warn of what will not be tolerated, and today I noticed the latest negative addition to welcome drivers as they enter the town.

One positive counterbalance to this overwhelming pre-occupation with fear, risk and tide of intrusive state controls is the great voluntary work of West Kirby Transition town that have provided flower tubs, supported a new Farmers Market and bicycle hire.