Christmas is voluntary

Not much of a story? But wait -  the bus was on a new route – the S7 from the Verulam Estate in St Albans to the City Station - and how often these days do we get a new bus route?  There’s nothing very hipster about a new bus route, but for the people whom it serves, who haven’t had a bus till now,  it’s a big story.   In these days of shrinking bus services, it’s something to celebrate. And actually, buses are quite hipster.

Also,  it was Councillor Walkington’s birthday. He’d championed the new route and fought for its subsidy, so he just had to get up before dawn, on his birthday,  to catch the first bus.  County Councillors are essentially volunteers. They get some expenses, but they work for love of the community. Local heroes.

All across St Albans and Harpenden this Christmas season, volunteers will be going the extra mile to make life better for the community. They’ll be ringing bells, and singing carols in the pubs. They’ll be shepherding children with oranges stuck with  candles through Christingle services. They’ll be driving a motorised sleigh , pumping out canned Christmas songs, while robustly collecting for good causes. They’ll be handing out hymnbooks at early services on Christmas Day. They’ll be on the phone at Samaritans, and down at the Vineyard dispensing food and love and seasonal cheer.

You might be one of them.  If so, thank you ! If not ,  please celebrate and support them.  

And happy Christmas-prep to you too . On your bus!

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