Apathy rules

I WAS at church this Sunday morning (November 8) and I have to admit this is not my usual activity on the Sabbath - unlike when I was a kid and church and Sunday School were part of my weekly programme. No way would I be allowed to miss either. Bible Class and Church Choir followed as I got older and continued until I worked away from home. How times have changed.

The kirk was Kirkoswald and I was attending in my official capacity as councillor - it was my privilege to lay the council poppy wreath at the war memorial.

What surprised me - no I will strengthen that - what shocked me was that there were so few in the congregation. Around 20 attended the service, most of whom would not see 60 again. I found that surprisingly depressing paticularly on Remembrance Sunday and when our young soldiers are being killed every week and the debate about the Afghan War is so high on the national agenda.


After the service we walked down to the war memorial which edges the busy A77 and there was something so inappropriate about cars and lorries whizzing by as we were remembering the dead of all recent wars.

But hey the church wasn`t the only barely attended event of the past week or so. Another example of public apathy was the council`s big `Conversation` in Maybole which managed to attract barey 20 local people, despite being advertised all over North Carrick - the target audience.
The aim of the Converstion was for the Chief Executive and Council Leader to advise people of the diffricult times ahead and the cuts that might have to be made. There was also a chance to ask questions and air beefs - everybody has some beef against the cooncil. But few decided to take advantage of the opportunity. More such events are being held - each ward in South Ayrshire will host one - so it will be interesting to see if they attract a bigger audience.

Then there was the night with John Cairney in Maybole Town Hall which struggled to attract an audience and the organisers of the Homecoming event had sleepless nights in case they faced the embarrassment of a half empty hall. It was a close call but eventually they managed a respectable audience - all of whom I may add enjoyed a great night`s entertainment. Cairney may be in his 80the year (he looks and sounds a good 20 years younger) he has lost none of the charm, personality and acting prowess that has seen him through a lifetime of being or speaking about, Robert Burns.

After an evening of anecdotes on his life as Burns he happily answered questions from the auidence. As I said, a wonderful night of live entertainment which I would have thought would have had House Full signs up. As one organiser asked - What do you need to do to get folk out?