2024

I first started writing a blog 10ish years ago when Mrs Sloss nudged me into the technological world. So much has changed in those 10ish years but I am still here! I’d like to think I am wiser as well as older but to be honest on some days it can be a struggle. I am sure you have days like that when you don’t want to make a wise decision but just want to go with the flow and have a bit of an adventure. I know, on Saturday and Sunday I can throw caution to the wind but Monday to Friday I will continue to do my best to be wise but always throw in a bit of humour and a smile to keep everyone, including myself, going!

I actually arrived in Fleet 30ish years ago after having worked in Hackney and then in Germany. I was definitely footloose and fancy free before I arrived in Fleet. I obviously was very dedicated to my job, and still am, but I had no mortgage, no debt, no children and I could do what I wanted, when I wanted to do it. How times have changed but the best thing that ever happened to me was becoming a mum. It wasn’t always easy but so rewarding I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ll never be a millionaire but the joy of being a mum surpasses that…actually in my next life I think I would like to be a millionaire!

I have been talking about parking for as many years as I can remember and it is so tricky. In the olden days everyone just walked to their nearest school even if it was 10 miles away because that was the only option. The horse was already being used to plough the fields or take coal from the mines. Progress brought with it the car and reduced human’s ability to walk. We are all very aware that our world needs help which is why we have in our creed that we will recycle, save energy and try to eat our vegetables. We are all trying to do our bit to help but we could always do more.

I mentioned in this week’s newsletter that Tavistock is working with HCC Travel Team to try to encourage more families to walk, scoot, car share or cycle to school. I live on Ancells Farm so I do drive to work. It would take me at least 45 minutes to huff and puff my way to school. Should I use that as an excuse/reason to drive or should I give it a go? If you see me looking red and flustered one morning you will have your answer! I do have a bicycle which I bought when I lived in Germany. Methinks it has lasted this long with not a single chip of paint because I haven’t used it much. I honestly did when I lived in Weeze because the cycle paths were absolutely brilliant. Am I making an excuse again because we do have a reasonable number of cycle paths in Fleet, especially from the town centre down to school? There is one bus that runs to the town centre then I could walk the rest of the way?

It is so hard isn’t it with our very busy lives and time feeling like it is running away. I will be sending out more information and surveys in the coming weeks so let’s all think about how we can play our part to make the roads safer around school and perhaps walking even just once per week would help the bigger picture of saving our world for future generations.