Local democracy and learning
Urchfont has been a bastion of lifelong learning for more than 60 years. In this time we have been able to offer an oasis of learning against a backdrop of quite fundamental change in almost every aspect of society. Today, with the continuing support of Wiltshire Council, we provide all our local communities with access to a form of learning that stimulates, bonds people together, promotes the traditional values of our Nation, and above all allows individuals to grow and develop through their own endeavours and personal contribution. We do this because there is no more important nourishment for local democracy than good education.
Our programme for 2012 includes much that is new and of course much that has been a cornerstone of learning at Urchfont for the last ten years and more.
Amongst staff changes at Urchfont we warmly welcome Catherine Grew to the new role of Centre Manager. Catherine steps up from her job as Conference Manager and is thoroughly enjoying the challenge – at least that’s what we keep telling her!
Finally, as this will be my last opportunity to write an introduction to the Annual Brochure, I couldn’t leave you without some lines from one of my favourite poems, where John Donne perfectly captures the clear and proper sense of how our individual endeavours are no more than a part of the sum:
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
