Access

If we are born in UK (or become naturalised as a citizen - sorry, 'subject') we accept that we aquire rights and obligations that do not apply if we are in France, Ireland or anywhere else. We have muddied the waters slightly by devolving some national authority to Welsh and Scottish elected administrations but, on the whole, these don't affect what we can and can't do on either side of these borders. It's quite unusual to divide our rights or opportunities any more atomically. Born in Warwickshire (although now it is 'West Midlands'), it's hard to think of anything I can't do in Oxfordshire as a result

There is one exception though. I have seen that in parts of Pembrokeshire there are houses for sale with a 'local restriction' on who can buy them: the buyer must satisfy a set of criteria to demonstrate that they can in some way be categorised as 'local'. I'm sure this applies in other places. This is intended as a counterbalance to the multiple forces - principally the massively inflated cost of housing - that have resulted in young people who grow up in expensive areas having to move away to live and work

Understandable, but it's also the case that it does nothing to enable the inflow of less affluent people into the area to live and work. It's based on the assumption that being born and raised in Warwickshire gives me some additional right to live there, compared to someone from Suffolk - it's better that I live here than that they do, apparently

Our village community housing project has taken this one step further. When they are completed next year, these eco-homes will be available at an 'affordable' rent, and allocated according to a set of criteria in which 'a strong connection to the parish' is a critical element. I have mixed feelings about this. A deserving friend with a multi-generational connection will be applying for one - I hope they get it. But is it good that they get preference over, say, someone moving here hoping the restart the pre-school group that closed this year, or a recruit to the village surgery? 

I love the archway and sign - the entire sports field boundary to the left of it is unfenced. Can you tell it's been wet?!