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Some of Us Fly High: The Real Stars of Our Street
Forget celebrities: these are the neighbours who quietly kept our corner of Bristol going this year.
Every week my phone tells me which celebrity did what. Not once has it told me about the people who actually make my street a better place to live. So here's my own list for this year, no red carpets involved.
The Sunday shopper. A retired bus driver who does a big shop every Sunday for three neighbours who can't easily get out. He's done it for four years. Most of the street had no idea until this autumn.
The tool-box keeper. Since we built our tool-share box in May, one neighbour has checked it every single Sunday morning, tidied it and chased up the occasional missing drill with the politest messages you've ever read.
The litter-pick regulars. Seven people who turned up to every clean-up this year, in rain, in heat and once in hail. They've filled more bags than I can count.
The nine-year-old twins who drew the posters for last winter's coat swap and then stood by the door to say hello to everyone who came in. Best welcome team we've ever had.
None of them would call themselves stars. Some of us fly high in public. Some of us fly super high quietly, and only the street notices. I just wanted them noticed a bit more. Who's on your list?
Comments (3)
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Jane, would you be up for turning this into a monthly thread in Neighbourhood Organisers? One local hero a month, nominated by members. I'd pin it.
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Thinking about it more, a few questions for whoever runs it:
- nominations open to anyone, or members only?
- first names only, and always ask the person first?
- a small thank-you, like a card from the group?
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And the tool-box keeper deserves an award for those polite messages alone.
