Want to know more about your area? Do you like an informative read about where you live? Well, do ya?
I believe there are still copies of Our Common Story available. It's the definitive history of Plumstead Common and a perfect present for everyone from 9 - 90. Get yours now.
24 comments:
very exciting have filled in my form - will give me something to read on the train as i never get a metro...
The lady we bought our house from tells me that the library has old piccies etc of Plumstead of days gone by...
If its old piccies of the shire you're after, take a look at:-
www.plumstead-stories.com
...and
http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/ is a cracking read
Great links!
Thank you
I'm very pleased to support the PCEG and this book is very much worth a read if you are interested in the Plumstead Common area.
May I say that the PCEG does fantastic work, and it seems from local talk, that the group itself is in need of some better, more inclusive leadership, people who can organise people and delegate tasks, and perhaps even some new blood! This is not a personal criticism of the Chair, Nick Day, who gives a lot of time and energy to the PCEG, but he alone is not, in fact, the group. The newsletters and minutes are often pitched as if from him the individual, rather than the group objectively and inclusively. I quote the website on the St Nicholas Reserve Project: "Nick Day has a dream"... should that not be the Group?! Does the whole group share that dream?
A seemingly individual voice comes across as being the voice of the whole group. Could it be that this is down to the fact that more leadership from other committed ACTIVE members is needed? It is great to have a charasmatic, committed and energetic person leading the group, but more people are needed to generate ideas, lead different activities and give ongoing support PCEG work.
And though all PCEG work needs support via membership fees, action by members is very much required in order to make the PCEG's work possible: helping out by picking up litter, tackling grafitti, helping at the pond and nature reserve and calling the Council when you notice something that needs their attention... and, I'll add, standing up at meetings and leading different activities. The group needs to be by and for everyone around PC, that is all of us, not just the man at the top.
(Again, not a personal attack on Nick Day as Chair, but rather a call for all in PCEG and living in PC to think about this abd get more involved.)
I saw the plumstead runners last saturday morning.
Hmm . . . I couldn't agree more! I would LOVE it someone could take over the newsletter, for instance. We have only just gained the membership secretary we have desperately needed for years! Until now it has been down to the Chair to do that as well. Indeed the St Nicholas reserve WAS my dream and I would love some help to realise it. Appeals at meetings brought promises which never materialised and I have frankly put it on the back burner because the other tasks are already so time consuming. Having just spent two days revamping the website I have to say I feel hurt by this post (any offers for webmaster by any chance? . . . or to take over book sales? or to be Vice Chair even? - another "active leadership from a committed member" position that we just cannot fill. Or for Chair, perhaps - unfortunately uncontested at every AGM!). There are some valuable active members of the group to whom we are all indebted and I really hope all credit due to them is properly given.
I would dearly love to have a lower profile. Eg at our last photo-call I tried so hard not to be in the pictures, but the photographer was absolutely insistent and yet again it looks like the Nick Day Show. Obviously I haven't learned the art of providing leadership that is "inclusive" but there are things that simply have to be done if the group is to stay alive and well. If only you knew how much I would love to "delegate" . . . If this "local talk" comes from members then please will those members talk to me and we can build a better way forward. To make this kind of post on a public blog anonymously is very upsetting and actually makes me want to throw in the towel, but the area we live in is so beautiful and so needs our care that I feel its my duty to do all I can.
Nick,
As one of your newest members, I am hoping to be of help to the group, and I am looking forward to the meeting on Sunday at Charlton House with the safer neighbourhood team.
I also think that people who are going to post critical comments about others would at least have the bottle to put their name to that critisism.
Please don't throw in the towel over stupid comments like this, I for one appreciate the work that you do for PCEG, oh and.... can I have my can of paint soon, not that the garages need it at the moment as they are happily still Graffitti free.
Simon
anonymous said.
I must admit that i have to agree with the previous blogger, Nick you do a great job. I have only been a member of the PCEG for a while and my personal opinion is you should not throw in the towell.
I would consider Vice Chair, have time on my hands and used to organising schemes at work. I may be new, but have plenty of go. Anyway i need a new Challenge...
re:- PCEG meeting, as the SNT are not now meeting with PCEG members the meeting is at its usual venue, St. Mark with St Margrets rather than Charlton House
As founder of PCEG and former Chair I would point out, in response to criticisms by 'anonymous',that the reason the Chair has from the outset had a high profile has been because of the need to try to encourage others to get involved in caring for Plumstead Common. Many people share the aims of PCEG but far fewer are able or willing to actively participate.
We have had many marvellous people in PCEG over the years, doing a range of things, but as all voluntary groups find, people eventually get tired (and older!), their circumstances change etc. so you need new people coming through all the time. And here lies the problem.
In 2005 when I stepped down as Chair and returned to New Zealand to live, PCEG was after 14 years in existence at a crossroad and definitely in need of "new" blood. If Nick had not agreed to take on the role of Chair, despite his many other commitments and after much consideration, the group would have folded, which would have been a real loss to the community.
So please give Nick the support he deserves in the most constructive way: by actively getting involved in the life and running of PCEG and/or its various on-going projects. I know that Nick would be only too glad to be relieved of some of his burden. From my own experience I know just how tough it can be - and I did not have a full time job. No Chair can please everyone, and no one is perfect. It is good to note from this site that some people are offering their help. That is the way forward and PCEG needs a lot more people like you.
Criticism, especially anonymous, is easy; it's much more difficult to get out there and put yourself on the line.
All best wishes for a strong and vibrant PCEG.
Julia Cowdell
I would be interested in joining the PCEG but the meetings are always on weekends and we have been away so far every weekend since we moved here that the meetings have taken place. I know you can't please everyone but is there an option to have a meeting one evening after work once in a while? Maybe a Tuesday evening for instance?
This "anonymous" thing is rather odd for such a friendly community. Are you (the last poster) the same anonymous that put up the long post about the PCEG leadership problem? Anyway . . . I'm sorry about the Sunday thing - it does help people to remember regular meetings. We can discuss alternatives at our next meeting. You can join in our activities without attending meetings but most things perforce happen at the w/e. If you join up you can at least have a printed newsletter and we can meet up in a pub one night or something. Best wishes.
just read the various comments. As a long standing but not active member (other committments) I am truely grateful that Nick was willing to take up Julia and Alexs' PCEG-baton and run with it. Love the area, love pceg, sorry I can't be of more active assistance but 100% support for those who are putting in the time, effort and enthusiasm to keep this the great place to live that it is.
Very cowardly to put in anonymous comments - I can only assume that the person who did has not been to meetings or responded to regular invitations to help by representing pceg at meetings and by standing as an officer of the group.
All the best
Paula Canney
I agree with what all of you are saying in support of Nick Day! Been a member for a few years now, and I know he does an amazing job. Reading the post that started this, I can see that that anonymous seems to not really be criticising Nick, so much as others who fail to get actively involved. It probably is the case that there are plenty of PCEG supporters (pay the membership fee) who are not active (don't help out with any of the work). I am afraid to admit I am one of them. Sorry. That post has made me think I should get more involved, in order to support Nick's efforts and the PCEG's work. With the next meeting on Sunday I have no excuse. Hope to see others there too.
Is it cowardly to post "positive" comments as anonymous? or just "negative" ones? over half the comments are anonymous on this thread alone, i suppose everyone of those people must be cowardly too. if the owner of this blog wants to ban anonymous posts he can, but there'd certainly be alot less (open) discussion!
I don't think anonymous comments should be banned, and if a comment is positive then it doesn't make a difference if it is anonymous or not, but if you are going to criticise others then be man (or woman) enough to put your name to it.
Simon
Hi
I'm the anon who posted the comment about meetings being on a Tue - am not the same person as any of the other anons. I'm also not that tech minded and tried to set up a Blog identity but got an email through with a link to another blog, i contacted the blogging people to try and rectify this but nothing has happened since, not trying to keep myself hidden just easier and quicker to click anon than type..
Pubs and weekends are out for me at the mo as I am pregnant, so also prob not much use litter picking as shan't be able to reach the ground soon. I shall however be on mat leave and will have free time soon, shall look at getting the newsletter, and I also purchased the Common Story book...
Mrsdp
Hello Mrsdp,
Enjoy the free time whilst you've got it. When baby comes along, you might not even find time to brush your teeth. Babies take up a whole lot of time, in a good way of course.
Best of luck with your bump.
I'm Anonymous and so is my wife.
Not so hard really.
and frankly I wouldn't want to be associated with some of the comments by other "anonymous" people!
wooooo!
excellent!
I see you are getting it.
Compared to the blasted word verification thingy, selecting 'other' and typing something is a doddle, dontcha know?
You really don't need to set up a blogger account.
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