If you are a car driver, or indeed a passenger, you cannot have failed to notice the vast number of roadworks and diversions currently affecting our routes around Rushcliffe and in to the City. Recently, on a trip back from the city centre, we decided to detour through Wilford to visit a friend in West Bridgford. We were diverted three times and workmen were setting up traffic lights to make progress further even more frustrating. Of course, I am sure this work is essential maintenance, development, repairs and/or engineering for the new NET extension but as we approach the festive season I am not sure ‘goodwill’ will be on the tip of everyone’s lips when they are trying to do their Christmas shopping.
So why go out of the village for your Festive Fayre? Why not shop in the village? Apart from the obvious things like turkey, ham and Brussels sprouts, you can get a massive selection of less obvious things, from soft furnishings to Christmas trimmings, indigestion mixture to fine wine and many shops will be stocking a good selection of gifts. There are a number of Christmas Fair’s to be held in the village in November and December – some of which will have more unusual and interesting presents for you to buy.
So – give the city and its traffic jams and parking charges a miss – shop locally and help our village to stay vibrant and interesting. You can take your time, have a coffee break, chat to friends and when you’re finished you can even walk home.
By Linda Cooke