Save Our Southill Petition Presented to the Mayor

Yesterday evening at the full Council meeting of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council the Save Our Southill Community Land petition containing 501 signatures, was presented to the Mayor. This was followed by a short speech addressed to the council, summarising the strength of feeling of the local community, which includes Radipole, of all ages and their desire for the council to retain the land for use by the community.

The council were told of how we had talked with the young people (teenagers) and got their support for an idea to create community gardens on the site of the green land that fronts on Radipole Lane. The young people are willing to help create such a community garden and to help maintain it. This would give them a meeting place in the evenings and something they can be proud of. The elderly residents expressed delight with such an idea, both for the young people and for themselves. In fact, all ages thought it wonderful as they would have somewhere to meet with friends, break up their walk to the shops or just sit and watch the world go by. A use of the council-designated community land for use by the whole community - what could be better than that?

Fundamentally, there is a very strong community spirit and the council have been made aware of that. Let's hope that they will not now seek to destroy it.

Personally, I have found it truly amazing how this issue has brought the community together and how they have offered help in whatever way they can. They have spread the word about the petition, taken sheets to gather signatures and offered help in other ways. Naturally, with my interest in the local history, I have very much enjoyed talking with the more senior folks and those who have lived in the locality for a long time. Their memories and their stories have been delightful. The young people have been grateful to have their voice heard, to be asked what they think of the council's ideas and how they would like to see things done, as after all, they are our future and they should have a say.


P.S. the Echo don't have this story.