The manner in which the people of Machynlleth have pulled together after the dreadful disappearance of little April Jones has brought back memories of how the people of Ealing pulled together after last year’s riots.

I was awed by the large numbers who walked in silence through Machynlleth, to the church, as they reflected on the sadness of that week.  It reminded me of the huge outpouring of disgust from the common decent people of our borough last year, who stood against the wanton violence and destruction of the riots. 

The human spirit shines through these tragedies and can give us all great faith in the common humanity and decency of the British people.

In the wake of such sad events it is easy to forget the strengths of society and the way so many communities delighted in the company of their neighbours in the weekend of Diamond Jubilee street parties back in June; or the thousands who cheered on the Olympic Torch when it passed though our borough in July; or more recently how many of us turned out to cheer the runners in the inaugural Ealing Half Marathon.

But these are natural reactions of the human spirit.  We don’t need the state, or the council, to tell us how to react.

So I was surprised, even horrified, that Ealing Council has recently spent tens of thousands of pounds distributing a glossy booklet “Altogether Better” through everybody’s door, across the borough, telling us that we live somewhere special.

I know that what makes a place special is where people look out for each other.  I don’t need the Council telling me that.

The human spirit shines through. Just let it blossom.