iDave’s Big Society is up and running. All those doubting Thomas’ who said it would never happen; people were too selfish, too dependant on the Nanny State, there was no community any longer….

OK, it’s not the big bang the ConDem’s might have wanted to show the essential soundness of their idea, but it’s a start. Little acorns and all that.

The Post Office had closed in Draughton, Yorkshire. The Post Office which sold basic food stuffs and newspapers as well.

The phone box outside was vandalised. BT offered to sell it to the Parish council for £1 rather than get it working again.

Lo! Lewis Cooke who runs a newsagent in nearby Skipton, is now delivering food and newspapers to the phone kiosk.

The “store” in Draughton, near Skipton, North Yorkshire, has been up and running for two weeks and is operated according to the “honesty box” principle, with residents leaving payment for any goods they take.

The kiosk has been adapted to include a shelf to hold newspapers and groceries such as jam, milk, tea bags, sandwiches, butter, cheese and biscuits.

Titter Ye Not. Marks and Spencer started on a market stall.

Well, it had to start somewhere and I just thought you’d be interested to see the first green shoots….No?

Hysteria July 25, 2010 at 17:15

but in terms of localism – wouldn’t the local good folk feel more empowered
to deal with said packs of feral youths…?

Brian July 25, 2010 at 11:06

Perhaps the urban phone boxes could be used as mini-prisons for the
feralkinder. They have toilet facilities already. Two days in a modern version
of the stocks might lose them “respec’ innit”.

Gildas July 25, 2010 at 10:06

Sadly I agree with Specky – in any urban area (and quite a few countryside
ones) the feral yoofs would ‘ave it on their toes with the lot, or just
vandalise it.
A sad fact.
Gildas the Monk

Specky July 25, 2010 at 09:17

Wouldn’t work in a city the smackheads would just nick it.

JuliaM July 25,
2010 at 08:01

Interesting…

Nick2 July 25, 2010 at 07:48

Great idea – but I’m not sure ‘honesty box’ accurate describes the
operation, as customers have to pay using bank cards when phoning in their
orders, which are subsequently left in the box.

The ‘honesty’ bit appears to relate to none of the other residents taking
what someone else has paid for.