Twyford

Twyford Village Partnership’s Parish Plan got off to an impressive start at its meeting last Thursday evening, having launched the process at the recent Donkey Derby. As a previous Chairman, I feel proud of its already significant achievements and am convinced the organisation is in excellent and capable hands. On TVP’s website www.twyfordvillage.com you will see the host of suggestions for improvements to the village contributed by visitors to the stand at the Donkey Derby. Also shown are the strategies, stages and exercises involved in developing Parish Plans that can put such suggestions into effect. TVP is led by enthusiastic, dedicated and talented people but their task is substantial. In order to apply for essential project grants, much local information has to be gathered and collated. Detailed preparation is involved. Last Thursday, volunteers came forward to join the various special working groups concerned and already there is an encouraging 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. “Them” or “they” are the authorities and institutions to which we ascribe the task of making our existences more agreeable. Perhaps we get what we want and sometimes we are disappointed but, with increasing governmental devolvement and decentralization of responsibility, the “them” or “they” to whom we normally appeal has shifted to “you” or “us”. Emphasis for action has changed from impersonal, “top-down” direction to people-centred, “bottom-up” and locally informed decision-making. That is why Parish Plans and Village Design Statements are being urged on 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 fund schemes. 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 be achieved only through consultation, planning and diligence in submissions.

If you are prepared to roll up your sleeves (no room for habitual committee agitators here!) and contribute productively to the effort that TVP is making, there is a real chance that you will get what you want for your community. Check out the website, email the Executive Committee tvp@live.co.uk and offer your time and expertise. You will get back what you put in and possibly more! The groups look as though they will be fun to work with. The categories are: The Constitution (governance); Social Issues; The Environment; Our Economy; Friends of Twyford Library; Traffic and Travel.

Cedric C. Gilson