In an age where travel to the other side of the globe is possible, it’s no wonder we tend to miss what’s right there on our doorstep. For many people, home is just a place to rest after commuting back from another town, and even those who work at home are not fully present, thanks to the geography-defying powers of the internet.
The feelings of disassociation this brings can be unsettling, particularly when things go wrong: the car breaks down and you have to walk to the nearest garage (where’s that?) or the weather stops you from getting into town. So why not take a closer look at where you live – that is, the area you can comfortably cover by foot – and familiarise yourself with the resources and richness it has to offer?
A good place to start if you want to become an expert in your area is by looking into its history: find out about the events that shaped it, and how it became what it is today. Did anyone famous live there? Was it renowned for a particular trade? Local History Online is a great resource. Before cities became the sprawling giants they are today, everyone lived in smaller borough which were largely self-sufficient. Has any of your area’s distinctive character remained since those times?
There are many ways to get to know your area better but the obvious starting point is on foot: next time the weather’s good and you’ve got a spare hour, take a walk around it with a camera, noting anything that looks interesting or unusual, then do some internet research to find out more about it. Visit streets you haven’t taken before and try out shops and cafes that are new to you. If you don’t have a local pub, invite friends round to brave the nearby establishments, until you find one that works for you.
Getting to grips with your area is also great way to feel more connected to the local community, better informed about local goings on and far more in control. With a general election looming in the UK, now is also the ideal time to get into local politics: make sure you know who the candidates are in your area and what they are (or aren’t) doing to make it a better place – local newspapers are a good way to keep informed on these matters. That way you’ll feel in a position to shape your area’s future.
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