How can anyone not believe in food banks?

Our columnist with his unique view of Ashford life

Last Thursday, Mrs B saw, to some extent, the best and worst of our happy town; she went to the Park Farm Tesco as a volunteer to invite people to contribute food for distribution to food banks, soup kitchens, women’s refuges and other charitable organisations and events.

Her task was to hand out leaflets with a list of most needed foodstuffs. ‘How’s it going, love?’ I asked. ‘Some people are wonderful’ she said ‘But some people just waved me aside, one said she didn’t believe in food banks.’

I had to wonder just exactly what she does believe in. It is, of course, difficult and often unfair to make judgements about people but, to generalize a little, it seemed that the more apparently welloff women were least likely to contribute – possibly because they had never experienced hard times themselves.

Among the most generous donors were men, particularly those who seemed to be in charge of the shopping, either for themselves or for their family at home.

Because the store’s layout was unfamiliar to me, I found a charming young lady named Sarah who took me in charge and led me around the store, pointing out where all the items on the list lurked. If Sarah is typical of Tesco staff, they must employ the best in the country. She deserves an immediate and substantial raise in salary. Pubs, living and dead figured pretty prominently in last week’s KE. As an ex-landlord myself, my heart goes out to Howard Lapish, who had to endure the agony of standing by while his wonderful pub went up in flames.

That was not the only pub tragedy reported, however. Many people will have been saddened to discover that Shepherd Neame have taken over the Village Green Restaurant chain, built so carefully by Alex and Helen Bensley with the aid of some dedicated staff. I imagine that Shep’s offer of £11.9 million is one that anyone would find difficult to refuse.

And then, of course, we come to the subject of the remains of what became known as the Prince Albert – a pub that was cobbled together by combining and destroying two hitherto successful pubs.

When the council is doing so much to improve the image of the town, it really is time that this ruinous eyesore went. Bring out the wrecking ball!

‘Among the most generous donors were men’