DO you remember that politician saying there’s no such thing as society? She went on to say men and women must look after themselves, adding inconsistently that they should look after their neighbours. Her first statement was wrong, obviously, but what did she mean?

A society is usually seen as people living in a more-or-less-ordered community with shared customs, laws and organisations. The idea of a community conveys togetherness; it’s usually a positive concept.

I was reminded of this yesterday when I visited Parndon Mill. I’ve been there before, of course, but this time other visitors and I were taken on a partial tour by volunteers Bev Ingram and Jake Shepherd, two Parndon Mill trustees.

Simon Langsdale hand-carves letters into stone and wood. We saw examples of his work —- poetry, sayings, memorials —– and all so painstaking, so skilled and so beautiful. We crowded into his work space asking question after question. Mark L’Argent is another letter man, employing the gamut of styles and layout on various papers. He transforms a certificate into a work of art, a verse into an heirloom.

In another part of the complex, Jon Lewis told us about his adventures while trying to make a living from blown glass: those commissioning his work can be an unpredictable lot! Lifting one of his moon-glass creations also proved unpredictable.

Those are only some of the artists who’ve made Parndon Mill their base. Other specialisms include guitars, ballet tutus, graphic and product design, architecture, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, bookbinding and much, much more. An abundance of creativity in a kind of heaven. Outside, across the weir, is a glorious raised walkway by Alan Freeman (design and fabrication) and Karen Murphy (glass art). It alone is worth a visit.

Nearby on the Stort are barges, ducks, swans and five almost-grown cygnets. It feels calming, healing, so it’s no surprise that Walking and Talking therapy is practised here, with an opportunity to create something as a bonus. According to Margaret Mead, helping someone through difficulty is where civilisation starts. There’s plenty of civilisation right here, at Parndon Mill, where artists of all kinds share ideas and collaborate creatively. 

It’s a dynamic community. It’s a wonderful idea and it works.  Maggie never experienced its benefits and joys: she just didn’t get it. 

Kay Morrison: Labour Councillor for Bush Fair