Nicholas Craig column

Aug 11 2006 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal

Community spirit can be a powerful weapon. When local people band together to make something happen it can change lives, economies and the future prospects of an area.

The potent force of a community was brought home to me recently following a golf day in aid of the Charlotte Straker Project, which began 12 years ago. The Government of the day decided to close Corbridge's Charlotte Straker hospital in 1994, and a campaign began then to make sure older people were still cared for in the village.

It led to amazing results. The former hospital now has 27 nursing and residential beds. It also has two flats and eight bungalows as sheltered housing. The determination of local people has toppled bureaucratic decisions made in London to provide something really worthwhile for the community.

The golf day is one of many fund-raising events organised this year to collect £18,000 towards refurbishments and improvements for the project. They will reach the target because they are committed to keeping Charlotte Straker's going - and improving - over the years.

Cosy coffee mornings can be the catalyst to mini-revolutions led by people who are passionate about their cause. The innocuous settings of the church hall, leisure centres, golf courses or football pitches can create events that bring funds and forge bonds between neighbourhoods.

Unleashing people power works best when it is tightly focused. Making a visible difference to the places in which we live and what they offer residents sparks energy, enthusiasm and long-term interest in the cause.

In one case, 10 people got together in a south Manchester estate and formed a community trust to bring new life to their area. They have raised £10m from the EU and borrowed £10m more to rebuild and run a swimming pool, sports arena, library and adult learning centre.

I'm full of admiration for local co-ops like North Tyneside's which has successfully helped people tackle financial worries, or the food co-ops where you can buy bags bursting with local produce for half the price of supermarkets

Small groups can make a huge difference, and they in turn can affect business by driving up the attractiveness of an area to investors. Oak trees from acorns - given a bit of time and care.

Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton law firm.