Back in the day, THE corner end played a central role in the life of a community.There were many corner ends in every town and village but only one mattered.It was situated where the main walkways intersected, the focal point.The place where friends, neighbours, workmates and acquaintances bumped into each other, smiled, passed the time of day, had a chat.The place where news was shared, opinions passed, advice given………but generally ignored.A place where experiences were shared and the world put to rights.

The world moved on. Cars replaced shoe leather ; shops, commerce, and services moved out of town, life moved online. Town and village centres morphed. Communication channels re-engineered. Virtual replaced the physical. That human connection slowly evaporated. THE corner end just became another corner end.

TheCornerEnd is a place where experiences are shared, thoughts captured, notions developed, issues raised – often without conclusion. The purpose is not to give advice but to provide stimuli for thought. Perhaps to provide an alternative view, provide options, but not seek consensus.

Over my personal and professional life I have been fortunate enough to interact with many interesting and learned people, who have contributed positively to me. A lot of what comes next is a result of their wisdom. Thoughts are recorded here at a point of time but views evolve, perspectives alter, the world around us changes so that notions need to be reconsidered. I now think very differently than “ way back in the day”. I hope my curiosity never diminishes. So take what is offered here with the spirit in which it is given.

You have a voice, develop and use it for the benefit of yourself and others. TheCornerEnd is my voice – if it is useful to you , great. If not, then just discard it.

31-XII – 23.