Local shopping

A few days ago I ended up chairing a meeting of the St Augustine's Community group, http://www.staugustinesnorwich.org.uk/. One of the Green councillors brought up the issue of a group who have set up a small holding just outside Norwich, http://www.norwichfarmshare.co.uk/share-our-vegetables/how-does-it-work/. You join and do a few days voluntary work and get a box delivered weekly to somewhere in Norwich, in fact quite near St Augustine's St.

It sounds very good but my wife pointed out that  in the local shopping centre, Anglia Square,  there is a local greengrocer. If we got our box would we stop buying stuff from them, presumably  the local produce would not have oranges and bananas. We also have a good local butcher. if we want to keep the community going we need to have local shops and there will only be local shops if we all shop  locally.


On the Saturday there was a celebration of Magdalen Street and many of its local shops. It was fun but the weather was probably too good, people went to the coast. instead. One difficulty was that they set up the music under the flyover, obviously a good protection against the rain but the effect of the traffic noise made it hard to hear.

All I can say is try to support your local shops, though it is hard when they aren't very good!