Column: 'Making the world a better place for others'

But there is nothing quite like returning home, especially if you live in such a lovely place as ours. It is tempting to compare and contrast the two countries and that was the original intention of this month’s column but I have been asked to keep this a politics free zone so I will try!

In one way or another I have been traveling for years. My first trip without parents involved backpacking around France in the 1970s and my parents were not entirely happy about the idea. If I was lucky, I could pick up the World Service to get some news or read an English newspaper that was a couple of days old. I sent weekly postcards, there were no phone calls as my parents didn’t have a phone and some of the cards arrived after my return! Those were the days of proper travel. 

On my recent holiday the MS Nordkapp had WiFi and I had the back up of my trusty phone. Sad person that I am, I can’t switch off completely.

I mostly escaped the election, sneaking the occasional log in but came across one piece of news which upset me and kept me checking in. It was the disappearance, and ultimately the sad death, of Dr Michael Mosley. I had met him briefly in relation to a project he was working on and was a big fan of his more public work. Unassuming, with a twinkle in his eye and a knack for communicating health messages, he actually had an impact on many. I have friends who have followed his dietary advice and reversed their diabetes and his “Just one thing” broadcasts were always worth a listen.

This week I shall be attending a different funeral – John Burgess. He was Town Mayor but also a friend and was responsible for making me a Rotary Widow! Through his work as a local councillor and as a Rotarian he also played a part in doing his best to improve the lives of others. The Rotary motto “Service above Self” is a good one to live by.

Over the past few days I have also had the chance to catch up with a couple of local organisations who have been recipients of small amounts of money from my Test Valley Councillor Grant. It was a delight to have Sunday afternoon tea with the older generation from the United Reformed Church and to attend the thank you event at Jane Scarth House. Once again I was struck by all those who quietly get on with things, doing their bit to make the lives of others just a little bit better.

But I can’t resist coming back to the campaign trail. Politicians are generally thought of as having a glib answer (or non-answer!) for everything, but the hardest question I was ever asked was in Church Place in Romsey during the 2001 General Election. I was asked, “Sandra! Why are we on this planet?” With the Abbey nearby I wasn’t quite sure what sort of answer was required but I could only answer honestly. “I don’t know” I replied, “All I do know is that I like to think that I will leave this earth in a slightly better place.” He seemed to find that an acceptable answer.

We often hear about the negative side of life, including politics, and I often think that the world is becoming a nastier place. The events of the past couple of weeks have made me reflect on the good that many, many people do. Whether you are a household name, a politician or helping a local organisation then making the world a better place for others is a pretty good way to live your life.