Changing Times

I recently attended a Faith in Partnership event organised and hosted by East Suffolk Council. With speakers from Community Action Suffolk, Citizens’ Advice and the diocese the event marked local recognition that faith communities can reach those in need better than public or third sector organisations. Much was made of the addition of F for faith, in the acronym VCFSE.

The meeting took place at East Suffolk’s Melton offices, a contemporary building on a leafy six acre campus near the river. Having recently moved here from South Norfolk, I couldn’t help but compare the two councils. South Norfolk remains Tory controlled and in my experience, a little slow to adapt.

East Suffolk however, is led by a green/liberal democrat coalition and aspires to promote a bright, green, open, free, and fair future for all in East Suffolk. As you might expect, environmental impact is top of the list of themes that will shape policy and practice over the coming years. This makes me optimistic that tomorrow will actually be better than today.

The event also delivered a surprise. I found myself sitting next to Alan, a man I’d not seen for more than 40 years. We’d both once worked for Fisons and had both been based at the former West Norfolk Fertiliser site at Kings Lynn. We spent the lunch-break comparing memories; evidence perhaps that I am getting old!