Ilkley Baptist

I went to the Parish Council tonight. Another boring meeting for a clergy representative, sitting in the dark on the back row while the councillors, bless them, drone on correcting minutes and saying there's nothing to report, or so I thought. I could hardly get in the room! Ilkley Residents Against Tesco Encroachment were there. Not particularly irate, I must say, but cogent and resolute, determined to oppose the re-siting and massive enlargement of our local store.

I must say, I agree with them. I wonder if the churches in Ilkley should get stuck in, too. Interestingly, IRATE thought it might be too political for us. I think that community issues are our sort of politics, though. I'm not sure I want to oppose Tesco as such (though their fairtrade record might be a bit weak), but there comes a point where consumerism and capitalism stop supporting democracy and liberty and start being destructive. We need to learn the meaning of 'enough,' and I think the churches might want to voice concerns.