We are yesterday’s men!

yesterdays men
I recently typed up the minutes for Preston Road Community Centre Association after the February 2018 meeting. While at the centre I was interested to find a folder of papers from the early 1970s with TRA on the front. That was the Thames-side Residents Association. There is a draft letter detailing their activities in 1972. Some bits are crossed out and may not have made it to the final version sent to residents.

They held 14 committee meetings, and had meetings with councils and lots of other organisations, and produced six newsletters for people in the area.

Socially there was a darts match, a car treasure hunt, 2 socials, and a meeting to discuss education in the area.

The area was under-represented on local councils and they made a strong protest to the Home Office.

They produced a report showing the overcrowding at local primary schools.

They approached the GPO to ask for more phone boxes and post boxes in the area.

They asked councils for more play equipment in the area.

They also acted as a pressure group concerning the future Marina development, and further gravel extraction.
yesterdays men
They arranged interesting visits for members. The letter above concerned a proposed visit to the sewage works in South Abingdon.

Looking to the future, the letter says that they could plan a Children’s party but need to know what people really want. The letter ends, and this part is crossed out, ‘We badly need an infusion of new committee members. We are yesterday’s men!’

5 thoughts on “We are yesterday’s men!

  1. Badger

    The mention of the Marina reminds me of something that others might also remember, the western edge features an arch wide enough for a boat to pass through and was to be the Thames connection and new end of the restored Wilts and Berks Canal, obviously it never happened, more adjacent building and another arm was added a mile further south on the river.
    I wonder if the reservoir project has anything included regarding the canal as the restored route goes straight through that land.

    Reply
  2. Janet

    I found this very interesting. We need a residents committee in South Abingdon today. I visited the sewage works as part of an Abingdon College course.

    Reply
  3. Hester

    Fascinating – it is interesting to reflect that in the days before blogs and social media, people who wanted to get things changed had to get together to discuss them then ask for meetings with the relevant authorities. Much more time-consuming – and these days even fewer people have time to do that – but possibly more effective?
    PS Hust a reminder that tonight is the Annual Parish Meeting (7pm in St Helens Church) so a chance for raising issues direct with relevant Town Councillors.

    Reply
  4. Heather

    The Mr Simpson at the sewage works was my Dad! I would have been 6 in 1972 and I see he had no qualms about taking me and my sister out of school in term time.

    Reply

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