Britain in Bloom contests have expanded to the overground and even London underground stations, encouraging treats for the eyes of the traveller.
Radiating out from central London, the suburbs and cities of the home counties connect with the capital and are creating their own hubs or culture and civic co-operation. Hatch End station is a winner of stations in bloom. The gardening group and local societies help with watering.
Hatch End station has bookcase for borrow a book and lend a book when travelling. Litter picking days are organized with litter pickers loaned by the Council.
Whats App Group
A whats app group links people in one street in Hatch End. Recently, two suspicious callers knocking on a door are instantly reported to every house in the road.
You can start your own WhatsApp group for your street.
The Hatch End Association has a quarterly magazine which gives obituaries and articles on history and updates on planning applications, road accidents and council plans.
Next Door Website
Around the London suburbs, such as Hendon, have a Nextdoor website for the area with updates. The same system operated all over the UK and elsewhere.
When there is a lull in Covid, people start travelling. When there is a lockdown, we are all communicating on Zoom, whatsapp and email.
So, all is humming. When you are looking for a hotel or home in another country or city, it helps to know the cost and time of travel to work and culture and tourist spots in the centre.
Fast Train Times To Cities
For example, I met a man who lives in Luton. Why would you live in Luton, unless, you had a job at Luton airport? He told me that it was only about 35 minutes by train into central London where he worked. That was less time than it took me to the centre of London on the slow suburban train, or even changing twice on fast trains, from the suburbs such as stations around Harrow.
Cheaper Train Ticket Prices
The ticket seller at Watford was very helpful to my friend who was travelling towards London to Hatch End. The train fare, only four stops, was seven pounds. My friend, a pensioner, gasped, 'Seven pounds for just four stops!'
The ticket seller asked, "Do you have a London Transport Freedom pass? Or a network rail travel card?" She went through three types of cards which would qualify for a discount. Watford is on two lines south into London.
Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch is national wide in the UK and issues window stickers.
So, do you want to see blooms when you travel, brighten up your travels, find discounts, find a neighbourhood group or start one, off you go travelling by train, or let your fingers do the travelling on your laptop or mobile phone.
Useful Websites
https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/great-britain/ticket-types/off-peak-train-tickets
https://about.nextdoor.com/gb/
https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/freedom-pass
https://faq.whatsapp.com/iphone/chats/how-to-create-and-invite-into-a-group/?lang=en
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britain_in_Bloom
About the Author
Angela Lansbury was born and bred in Britain, and has lived in the USA and Singapore. Her family has worked in or lived in Spain and Switzerland.
She is the author of several book on public speaking and quotations.
She is a member of Toastmasters Clubs meeting on Zoom with visitors from the UK and USA, India, Sri Lanka, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Through the Toastmasters mentoring program Angela has connected with individuals in Vietnam and Romania, and Belize, a different connection each month. Please come to the next BHA Toastmasters meeting on the 3rd Saturday afternoon every month.
Angela is a member of Harrovian Speakers, London (two Monday evenings each month (BST or GMT) currently part in person and part on Zoom, and VP PR for BHA (1st Monday evening and 3rd Saturday afternoon Singapore Time; and TCA, one Tuesday evening a month, both currently on Zoom, as well as secretary for Singapore Online Dynamic which is online only and always, Friday evening 9.30 pm Singapore time.
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