Commons Column 17th September 2007

I wonder who it was at Epping Town Council who decided to have the Town Show in September rather than in the “summer months” as most towns do? Whoever it was deserves a place of honour, either at the Met Office or in the Magic Circle, for predicting the weather so well!

Sunday was a beautiful day – windy, but sunny and fresh.

The weather, however, only provides the backdrop to an event. What really matters at a Town Show or any other similar occasion, is the atmosphere of fun and of striving to do some good in the community.

I have said before in this column, and I will say again because I think it is important, that nothing defines a community better than the way in which its people all pull together to help those who are in need.

The Epping Show was a brilliant example of the enormous effort so many people from a huge variety of organisations make to raise money for their charities and good causes and also to raise the profile of their groups. Rotary, Scouts, Guides, Women’s Institute, Churches of all faiths, Care Homes, protectors of cats and ferrets – and many, many more – all were there to show the rest of the community what they are doing – and why they need financial support to do it.

And most important of all, our children see that helping others in your community, while having fun, is what local life is all about. I was pleased to see the Show full of children – all learning by example a lesson they cannot just learn from books.

I hope the other towns and villages in the area, who battled so valiantly against the “summer” weather earlier in the year, have better luck in choosing their dates next year. But the sun, it is said, shines on the righteous. What a great compliment to Epping!