holding out

[15_the_circle]

[OT from cottage renovations]

the Grove, like many places out of time, is facing developmental and financial pressure both along its borders and within.  some of these others are further away but the setting and problems are familiar. 

Comments

[m-lightfoot.livejournal.com]

Great article--thanks for bringing it to our attention George. The similarities (philosophically speaking) to WG are remarkable. What do you do when people come because they love the old-fashioned feel of the place, but then decide that it needs to be changed to more greatly suit their view of the world? It must just be human nature. As is the reaction of the Sark landowners---it's ours and we'll fight to keep it!

When I saw the article title, I rather expected one on the effect of the EU on the centuries-old agricultural practices (generating some of the best artisanal food in the world!) that are now being eliminated as not-conforming-to-our-standards. This is also very heinous, but Sarks situation is more interesting simply because it is more unique in our 'western' world.

[15-the-circle.livejournal.com]

you're welcome, but credit is actually due to a cousin in southern California who was thoughtful enough to pass the link by email. 

>
> What do you do when people come because they love the
> old-fashioned feel of the place, but then decide that it
> needs to be changed to more greatly suit their view
> of the world?
>

what indeed? 

it is our tremendous good fortune that we have planning and zoning powers that are the envy of many other historic districts and municipalities, but in typically Grovian fashion lack the will to make use of them.  not that a certain baseline level of mistrust of governmental authority isn't of itself a good thing -- of course it is -- but as often as the beauty of this place is a continuing source of delight, so is our recurrent negligence in protecting it one of sad disappointment. 
we could do better; the place deserves no less from us. 

if we can't get our [colourful expression] together to preserve it for the future, at least I can try to document it in this space so we will have a record of what will have been. 

[djaza.livejournal.com]

Interesting article, thanks for posting it.

[15-the-circle.livejournal.com]

you're welcome, though all I did was pass along a URL that came by email -- I don't monitor the news for Sark updates, nor am I in the habit of keeping an eye on latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com) for items of potential relevance to the Grove. 

[nienna-nineve.livejournal.com]

Ironic, isn't it? By trying to enjoy 'a slice of the island's tranquillity and rural grace,' people who come in and buy up real estate are likely to destroy that very thing.