Coming Together

We had our annual street party on Sunday.  We played music, we drank Pimm's, we ate each other's home cooked  food, we made and displayed bunting.  We had break dancer's performing, a best decorated cake competition, poetry reading's, tug of war, face painting etc.  We had a police sergeant, a constable and 2 community police officers join in the fun and camaraderie.

We celebrated under a shadow as news trickled through about the appalling events in neighbouring Tottenham the previous night.  As we chatted and rubbed shoulders under the gazebos, the rain lashed down and we could see and hear a helicopter circling overhead.  Sirens could be heard in the distance.

At around 3.00pm the police left abruptly and moved swiftly away from the street.  Later that evening after the evidence of the party was swept away, we sat in our houses and listened to the relentless sound of sirens.  Helicopters swooped down and we knew something untoward was happening.  That night my town was ravaged by troublemakers, vandals, arsonists, opportunists and looters.

Yesterday our local shops were in lock down from 4.00pm.  Trains were stopped, buses diverted.  It has become a no-go area.  I am deeply saddened.  As society crumbles, thank goodness I have neighbours who are willing to come together.