Another wanker! He complains about a lack of facilities in villages whilst he supported Thatcher and the policies that caused their demise. Oh and buying a farm to avoid tax. He is just another dude with a personality that appeals to many, and says things people want to hear without having to think about! Clarkson said “………” therefore it must be true.
However there is a genuine concern regarding local facilities, and it is not just about economics. Take the pub – yes the cost of a pint has gone up, but the culture associated with pubs has changed. In the past men worked hard at manual jobs and went to the pub with their mates. A womans place was at home doing the cooking, cleaning and child rearing. No self respecting woman would accept that today. Pubs are generally more likely to be gastro-pubs and maybe should become more of a shop/bar? Post Offices are becoming a rarity around here! Who sold off the Royal Mail? and allowed the growth of Amazon, etc. The tories of course and the free market.
My village shop is doing ok – open 6.30am to 9.00pm. Prices are ok – when cost of petrol added in to go to the supermarket. But the variety is not there 0 organic veg is not a seller!. I would guess nearly half of the shelves are drinks of some kind (not just alcohol). The service is great with help for the aged to put bags in the car, and chatter. This last one is relevant – When was the last time you chatted to someone at the checkout point in a supermarket? Mine was gently flirting with a girl in about 1987! I am sure there is a solution here – related to the delivery vans that all the big supermarkets have – the days of out of town mega stores has passed – or maybe is not relevant for villagers. It is also worth remembering that about 90% of those living in the UK are ‘urbanites’.
Then the NHS – when little I had Ostloendilius something like that!- the doctor came round and was fucking useless (my dad took me to hospital and they just managed to save my leg!), but a nurse as a first point of call in a village would save the NHS time and money.- people are using A&E for common complaints.
OK so lets break the ‘village thing’! I live in a village with about 1000 others. My neighbours – I had 2 cards this year, visitors =0. I do not much care as they seem to be ….. one should not speculate! I ‘do’ the papers for the shop at 6.30 am each day so see some locals – 100% tories – Sun, Mail, Express readers. My daughter asked me why I had not gone to the carol service outside the shop – I have no wish to talk with bigots! I will be polite but not entertain them.
So a village today is soulless – yes there are clubs that I refuse to join, and would not wecome me anyway! I see no one during the day so saviour my time at the shop – which is an odd meeting – outside whatever the temperature – 3 different souls who chat freely (when lorries and traffic go past I am unable to hear – so guess!).