My name is Louis Critchley, I’m twenty years old and I have lived in this village {Yarlington} since I was born.
I’d like to preface this by making it clear that I don’t intend on using this platform as a soapbox to preach against “the evils of advancement”. In fact, quite the contrary; as someone from the next generation, I can appreciate more than anyone how important it is for the world around us to be constantly developing – if it weren’t for such a thing, we’d still believe that the sun revolves around the earth and birds transform into frogs for the winter season.
However, I cannot help but look upon some of the Newt’s future plans for development and feel a deep concern for what might be lost in the process. That being, while it may sound dramatic, the soul of Somerset. I mean this not in a spiritual, nor a metaphysical sense. Rather, it is something that can be found in every house, person and story in this place.
I fondly recall walking through the fields by our house with my father, traversing various routes that we had laid out ourselves. A particular landmark of note was a tall tree atop a hill adjacent to us. It was called “The Dragon Tree”. You wouldn’t find it on any map or signpost; it was a name exclusive to us yet, nonetheless, was of immense value. I mention this particular anecdote to show that everything here, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant, has a story. I speak not only for myself; I’m certain that everyone in this room can think of at least one place that’s uniquely special to them, a place that no one told you was special, but simply was.
It’s upon returning during the breaks from Drama School that I realise what a privilege it is to be able to say this, and how many places in the urban landscape seem to have a need to dictate what is “special” to us. I think of a particular theme park near my place of study called “Adventure Island”. This name, unfortunately, is tragically misleading, the only ‘adventure’ to be found there being a rickety old merry go round and a used crack pipe in the kiddie pool. This is not to say by any means that the Newt is, or will, provide this kind of experience. I’ve actually enjoyed quite a few of the installations you’ve had to offer. However, the more you expand, the more so-called ‘empty space’ you fill up, the less room there will be for places like The Dragon Tree to exist. In the last year, I’ve had to avoid these places, including the tree, out of fear of being reprimanded by Newt staff. What was once an expression of the ultimate freedom of the countryside has suddenly become something that feels prohibited and wrong.
But it’s not just the places that are being affected (although I must ask, do you really need another farm in this area?), but also the community. Such wonderful events, such as the Yarlington Fringe which was hugely successful this year, or the fortnightly pub quizzes, were not brought about by a corporate need to attract more visitors, but by individuals who wanted to give back to the community and deliver something magical.
This is how the soul of Somerset is kept alive. This village was not made special because somebody put up a sign saying it was. It was made special by us, the people. So I implore you, in whatever future plans you make, to keep this in mind. Work with us, not against us. I hope that when my hair is grey and thin, and my teeth are yellow and crooked, that the family I raise here will still be able to explore as I once did and create many of their own special stories.
