Corpen – (1) A maneuver of a formation of ships. In its simplest form, ships in a column turn in succession, each at the same point, akin to a column movement of marching men.
"What difference are you
making?...
We’re sheltered from the
world by Larg Hill and Cairns. For
those of us who left - seeing those hills on the horizon lets us know that we’re
nearly home - my brothers and sisters say the same....
‘The Crusher’ (the granite crushing plant) was an
iconic landmark for us too – on our return we would always look out for it down
on the shore.
Home...Shelter and Protection...
It’s hard for people to
imagine Creetown with a harbour.... because the estuary has changed... it
silted up over time. My family arrived in Creetown in 1856 and they were
fishermen - Creetown was a fishing village.
In my view - Creetown’s greatest
export throughout its history (...more
than granite or anything else!) has been it’s labour.
Historically - much of the
work Creetown had to offer was unskilled/manual labour.....and so there are generations
of Creetonians who left this village to find other work...to make something of
them-selves....
The work-shortage in
Creetown has got worse - but to a certain extent, it has always been this way.
I don’t think it will ever change - why would it?
I think economic revival is pie in the
sky. I’ve seen the changes...... this is progress. It’s evolution and its
progress........people develop and circumstances change. It has always been this way....
What would reverse the
trend and keep young people here? I’m not sure....
Young people need role
models to understand the world of work......
At one time Creetown had a
strong work ethic ....... so a flag representing men and women in various
working poses for example (like the old
trade union/propaganda posters)......would be an historical view of
Creetown.....
The last Creetown factory closed
a few years ago ..... it made concrete panels
to build football stadiums and multi-storey carparks. In the end they were too
far from the market and couldn’t survive.
It says something about the
current labour market...that many of the jobs available locally are occupied by
under 16’s.
... The Clock tower is
another iconic landmark for Creetonians – it’s a defining and enduring symbol.....
represented on the school badge..... and the football club, bowling club and
Silver Band crests.
I suppose I’ve lived my
life in a circle. I was born here and after years of working away – (in London and other places) - I wanted
to come home, to a community where I’m seen as a person rather than a number.
I want to give something
back – I worked for many years as a civil servant and have skills that are
useful to people here...
What
difference are you making?”
