The vast majority of my communications are by email, but yesterday I received a “snail mail” letter. On the envelope was written in bold letters. “PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP “. Not a letter to be ignored obviously!
I opened with considerable interest. Inside I found a delightful pleading letter from a 7 year old from Dawlish very concerned about the damage being done to some trees at the Manor in Dawlish. She explained how important trees were for us all, and begged me to help.
I instantly phoned and spoke to her. We had a good conversation and she came across as a well informed and genuinely concerned young lady.
How fantastic that this youngster should be so concerned about the plight of these trees that she should not only write to me, but then when I rang “out of the blue” hold a confident and reasoned conversation. I doubt very much if I could have managed the same at 7.
I hope I was able to help, but that isn’t the point of this blog. The point is that on the same day as I received numerous reports about the loutish, drunken anti social behaviour of so many in the area, there was this glimmer of hope that some children are being brought up to be concerned about their local environment and confident and informed enough to hold a conversation with the Leader of the local council.
I applaud both the youngster concerned and the parents. Some good parenting going on there!