The property traffic has been quiet lately, but yesterday I had no fewer than twelve stops to make as well as a couple of general pastoral visits to do at the same time. Those were to a recently bereaved gentleman, who wasn't in, and a lately married couple whose banns we read, and they weren't around either. That sped things up a bit. Just as well, since the chill wind and a recent back strain had decided me to walk my route rather than cycle as I normally would. As a result it took ages even if only about half the new residents of Swanvale Halt were in for me to bother them. In fact I very rarely get anything other than a friendly reception once people are past the slight bemusement of having a clergyman knock on their door who wants nothing but to say hello and give them a leaflet.
When I ask whether people have moved in from elsewhere in the area or further afield, a story I often get told is that of young couples moving out from London for more room (often because they're starting a family) or better quality of life. But yesterday there were several young people who were engaging in what you might call 'family consolidation' - deliberately moving closer to parents and siblings so that they could all keep an eye on each other and see each other more often. That may be a result of the pandemic encouraging a bit of reassessment, but we will see whether it becomes a more noticeable trend.
I always ask how newcomers are finding things so far. One young man who'd moved with his partner from South London told me it was 'paradise in comparison', which even as a partisan of my parish seemed a bit over the top. I do hope they carry on feeling that way.
when did you last go to his part of South London?
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