“IT’S rather sad John that there is no community life in the Cotswolds any more” what utter tosh!

Of course I took issue with the speaker and put him right.

It was easy to do. Quite simply I referred him to the pages of the newspaper.

The Gloucestershire Gazette, Stroud News & Journal and the Wilts and Glos Standard are full of events and news that not only serve the community but spring from the efforts of people within it.

These events could be fetes, flower shows, festivals or concerts.

They could also be individual and eccentric. In Bisley they are preparing for ‘the year of the radish’.

It is soon to be the traditional show and fete and radishes are to be in evidence everywhere, of all shapes and hues.

Seek out this wonderful event and you will see how wrong the statement made to me was.

We have just had a successful community event in Bingham Close.

There are about twenty homes on the site of the former Regal Cinema in Cirencester.

Families of sizes and ages live happily together. It must be said that Penny and I do not lower the average age.

A letter came through our door asking if residents would like a gathering (4pm till late) on our communal lawn.

There was no specific reason, just a wish to get together. We responded immediately with a resounding YES!

A cheerful follow up letter arrived with food suggestions and happily when the day dawned the weather was dry.

There was one problem that initially seemed unsolvable.

In the morning a willing and optimistic gathering of males were presented with what seemed an impossible task. A large gazebo had to be assembled, (it seemed more like a mini-marquee to me).

No plans were available and most of the metal framework consisted on un-numbered rods.

It must be said that an ex headmaster and former professional footballer were quite useless at this.

It took the common sense of a former fireman to get the job done.

Camaraderie and good humour abounded. We gathered in the late afternoon with a fine spread before us. The puds were particularly splendid.

It was an open-ended event and with these columns having to be written sometime I left earlier than most but not before enjoying a quality occasion. Thanks Lori and Cara. It shows what can happen when people actually talk to each other, and of course in most Cotswold communities they do. Enjoy as many opportunities as you can.