Communites work

Local communities can achieve what seems insurmountable when they work together and unite behind a common purpose.

In recent weeks I experienced the return of the mobile cinema – Film Mobile Scotland – to Buckie after many years.

This came about after three Modern Studies pupils at Buckie Community High School wrote to me requesting that Buckie have its cinema returned. I took up the matter with Film Mobile Scotland and their director Ian Brown was very positive, but he did make it clear that there would need to be obvious support from the local community before they could return to the town.

After some talks with the Buckie Regeneration Group, local councillors, and Buckie Community High School Rector Neil Johnston - we’ve now just had a Sunday with two films shown for kids and adults, with Hollywood’s latest offerings coming out on a regular basis in the town from now on.

This is an excellent example of real community effort in action and I would like to thank all of those who were involved in making it happen – especially the Buckie High pupils who sparked off the campaign. I hope that the whole town will continue to give their support to this new enterprise and the enjoyment it gives to others.

This consideration for others was further emphasised for me when I read about Fraserburgh man Gordon Cruden who has raised over £200,000 by sleeping rough in cities across the UK and Ireland for 30 nights from October 21.

The 48-year-old experienced the harsh reality of what it is like to sleep rough so that he could raise funds for the Teen Challenge project in Mintlaw, and for a female addiction recovery base in Aberdeenshire – the Benaiah Centre. He was humiliated by people taking pictures of him trying to sleep and even had one of his only meagre possessions – his sleeping bag – stolen from him.

It is the efforts of people like Mr Cruden that makes sure that things can be changed, and services can be given to those that need them most. At a time when tax credits are being cut and benefits slashed, this is the kind of spirit we need in our communities to fight back.

As I write, the situation in Paris following the horrendous attacks that killed 129 people in the French capital - is still ongoing, with operations to find the perpetrators still dominating the headlines.

Communities within Paris are joining together to mourn their tragic loss and share their shock together. What is clear is that in the face of such horror - people should not turn on each other, and groups should not be scapegoated while explanations are sought. From one community to another, we want to extend our love, friendship and solidarity to the people of France.

It is also this community spirit that has led us to the point where Scotland recently accepted its first group of refugees from Syria – giving homes to the homeless and caring for some of the most helpless in our world.

Our local community is essential when it comes to caring for others close to us, and looking out for their needs. But as we approach the festive season, the spirit of community also forces us to look further afield and challenge us to extend kindness to those beyond our everyday lives.