What does community mean to you?

I love living in Lostwithiel, I have a fantastic family and an amazing home. But I could pick my family up and move them anywhere. I could find a home in many different locations.

What community means to me is this.

This morning I woke up and took my dog for a walk. I saw Richard and spent 30 minutes walking through the park and chatting. He looks out for me, asks how I’m doing and we share. Richard is one of several people I meet in the morning.

I had breakfast with my family and then headed to school with them. Once at school I met and chatted with several parents and one of the parents said, “This school is amazing. Perfect for my kids.”

I then went home. I needed to return the car my garage has lent me whilst my own car is being repaired. On the way I headed to our local wood yard. All the guys said hello, asked how I was. They are amazing. They know that I cannot lift at the moment because of my operation and illness. They were concerned I was lifting too much and wanted to check all was okay. I can turn up with ideas and check out what they think and they throw in suggestions and then help me buy the best wood.

From there I returned the car to the garage. Both Richard’s asked how I was. They were concerned about my job. Richard the garage owner wanted to make sure all was well and that I had found another job.

I walked home and said Hi to Graham, the local gas fitter. He asked me how I was doing. I didn’t even realise he knew I was ill.

Throughout the day I have just stopped and chatted. Some people asking me how I am doing? Others just wanted to pass the time of the day. Lostwithiel is a community of 3000 and most of them seem to care. They spend time catching up with each other.

That is what community means to me.