It was super to have 4 fresh faces at this session to join the existing team. Again, everyone agreed that wherever you live in the parish of Carbury, it gave you a unique and hyperlocal identity, while still feeling like ‘the parish of Carbury’ was the broad identity that incorporates Carbury, Derrinturn and the surrounding hinterland. There was a feeling that the recent realignment of the main road had cut off the main settlements of Derrinturn and Carbury, especially with no path now connecting the two villages. Some people remembered when the grass verge between the villages had a path which is now just a grass verge. Could this be reinstated?
We did a brief recap on the first session and discussed how word was getting out to the wider community about the project and the work that’s happening in each session. We’re starting to move with understanding the local challenges and thinking about what projects could work, but it’s still early days so lots of time for new people to feed in and shape the way forward.
Desmond described the Community-Led Local Development sector, including the key players like CKLP and the local LAG, who provide direction and governance for funding decisions. We discussed the principles that underpin CLLD work from the local community, right up to the European Union, with an emphasis on achieving bottom-up approaches and projects.
Using the double-diamond approach from Design Thinking to guide us through the 10 sessions will ensure we test the local challenges so that we tackle and solve the right problems.
As a group, we started to differentiate the local challenges that were exciting or achievable, while considering how challenges that crossed over both, would likely be the best to approach first. Some of the main challenges that we discussed were:
Safety and enjoyment for getting about without a car, especially due to the lorries
A sense of disconnection between local communities within the area
The need for more coordination and communication across the parish, balancing positive social activities and efforts to overcome problems when they emerge
More facilities for groups to use, particularly in Derrinturn (the old hall is a hot topic!)
A lack of activities for young people including playparks and spaces for teenagers.
The reduced bus stopping points, which means public transport becomes more difficult without a lift.
The missing path between Carbury and Derrinturn and routes into the countryside/bog
Making the most of the rich local heritage and environment.
In the next session, after Christmas, we will explore these challenges further and begin to understand what’s needed to get them right. So why not make a New Years Resolution, to join the group and get involved for your local area?