Community Matters

During the last twelve months I have been part of a committee set up by Diggle's Community Association seeking to acquire the now defunct Methodist Chapel, known as Wrigley Mill, for the future use and benefit of Diggle's community.

After a lot of hard work, time and energy a bid was prepared and submitted to the Methodist Church, but it was subsequently rejected.  The successful bid apparently is based on a commercial child nursery with some, as yet unknown, add ons for the greater benefit of the village.  

The building was the focal point of Diggle for many years until the declining congregation forced the Methodists to close the church and sell it.  It is fair to say that during the preparation of the bid we asked ourselves several times if Diggle residents wanted a centre for its community; somewhere to meet, hold events, create opportunities for the residents, and on balance we thought there was sufficient support.  However, the fact that we had to ask the question in the first place, suggests that one outcome was that the village did not want a centre for amenities and that the residents are quite happy, thank you very much, without such resources.  

Diggle has two pubs, both of which would welcome more customers.  There is building serving the village brass bands, but financial difficulties have put its continued existence into doubt.  The only surviving church is on the edge of village and has a cosy hall and small meeting room, however, the committee is constantly looking to create interest in the events and clubs that they so valiantly promote.  Other than this there is a post office with a small shop that could easily expand to meet the demand.  There is a thriving fish and chip shop.  There are several small businesses operating from Wharf Mill and Ellis Mill - everything from beds, carpets, tiles, horse supplies, car repairs and knitting wools.  There used to be gym and an Indian take away but these have sadly closed.  There is small light industrial work at Shaw's Mill but agriculture is perhaps the dominant industry of the valley.

Wrigley Mill - Diggle.  Former Methodist Church 

The focal point for Thamuang's community is its temple.  It is used for many events from Thai boxing to pop concerts, polling station to weekly markets.  The temple and its facilities serve the community well, almost every day of the week.

Buddhism is central to the lives of most of the residents of Thamuang.  This obviously makes the temple a focal point for individual as well as communal prayer.  The temple is home to several full time monks. and tradition dictates that their meals are provided by the villagers twice a day, every day, at 6:00am and 11:00 am.

There is no other central point for the community - no pubs, band halls, churches.  There are many small shops; most selling household provisions, but you can buy petrol from three stations, and all sorts of diy hardware from cable clips to sewerage pipes from at least two shops.  There a three or four motor cycle repair shops, and several places to get a day time meal for about 50 pence (fast food Thai style - fresh and hot).  Thamuang's economy is agriculturally based with rice, cashew nuts, mulberry trees and the odd rubber tree growing in tropical monsoon conditions.

Thamuang's old temple was recently demolished and a new one is being built to replace it.  I have not seen any plans, but you can be certain it will serve the community better than the old one.  

Thamuang is a poor village.  There is little spare cash to spend on extras like computers, cars and posh kitchens (for example).  That does not mean to say people do not have mobiles, flat screen TVs and motorbikes.  The village functions during the hours of day light; from dawn till dusk the villagers go about their work.  Hours of darkness are for sleeping, and people rarely go out on any evening of the week.

The Old Buddhist Temple Thamuang - a new one is under construction!

So why does Thamuang have more community spirit than Diggle?  Or put another way, why don't Diggle residents want more of community spirit?

My simple answer is that Thamuang's community is united by Buddhist traditions with agriculture helping to bind the community together with a common structure.  There is a common understanding and a simple way in which the community works together.

Perhaps in Diggle (and the west in general?) we are individuals in a world dominated by activities and interests in which we can divulge from the comfort of our favourite armchair. The diversity of our options means we do not have rely on each other or other organisations any more.  We can, and do, for ourselves.  Look at the stories of 40 or 50 more years ago in working class England - I can remember being a member of the scouts and youth club, based at the church.  Our activities were less diverse and we needed each other to organise our lives and social activities.  Industry was based in the village - textiles, engineering and agriculture.  Because this way of life has changed; it has changed our our sense of community as well.

Temple Celebrations

The telephone rings - it's Khamma's Mama, and it is 5:45am, Sunday 26 August 2012.  I am, or was, in a deep sleep.  Khamma's voice rises as she reminds her Mama of the time and yes, she does know she has to make food for the monks and the special party at the temple - but it doesn't start until 11:00am, now go back to sleep.  Well at least that is what Khamma tells me she said - it could have been a lot worse from the sound of it.

I ask what party is this, because it is the first I have heard about a knees up.  I still don't know why there was a party, but it was something like a birthday, but not birthday.  Many important monks were coming from other temples to Thamuang to join in the fun.  Sounds like a good opportunity, so I checked if I would be welcome - no problem.

I think Khamma started to panic a little bit because she was ushering me to leave the house at 9:00 am.  I did notice a lot of other people, dressed in their finest traditional clothes, making their way to the temple and this seemed to 'hurry her up.'  Sadly Khamma's Mama did not attend.  She is still recovering from her illness and cannot sit or stand for long periods of time, so she is best at home where she can decide for herself.  A lovely lady though, who is deeply religious and obviously upset at not attending.

The old temple has been demolished and work has just started on a new one.  I suspect there is a lot fund raising going on, especially as the chief monk greets me like an old lost friend.  I am actually very flattered, and it goes down well with the onlookers.

The old temple

The new temple under construction 

The leader of the village is a family friend, and he quickly invited me to sit at the front of the makeshift temple, which was bit of an honour.  It also put me on show to the rest of the assembled crowd.  I cannot sit on the floor for very long without getting cramp, neither can I sit cross legged as my worn out knees and knotted leg muscles refuse to be flexible.  My heart sank as Khamma said this was going to be a long session.

However, it was interesting watching the arrival of the senior monks and the respect shown to their position in the temple.  They were greeted with humility, reverence and they responded with smiles and compassion.  I was very impressed with how they could sit on the floor without flinching or any sign of discomfort.  Unlike my position which was being threatened by a lack blood supply to my right buttock and right arm; due to all my weight resting on those body parts for the last thirty minutes.  The problem is, you have to be careful where you point your feet - do not point them, or the soles, in the direction of a monk.  This is tantamount to blasphemy, especially as most of village was intrigued at my lack of mobility.  Anyway I shuffled and somehow found a part of my backside that hadn't been rendered physically insensible by the pressure between body and concrete floor.

The climax was a long blessing and prayer from the assembled monks.  The chanting is deep and hypnotic - evidenced by a few sleepers, and goes on for a longtime, which was further bad news for the dead leg that had caught up with my numb bum.

I saw an opportunity when another honoured guest alongside me got up and walked to the side.  I did the same and limped out of the hall trying to get much need blood into my leg.  I noted I had been sat there for 90 minutes - 85 of them in agony!!

Leader invites me to sit at the front

The rest of the village were seated further back