Daily Photo: 18/06/2010 – The Big Society

I saw evidence of what some might call the Big Society in two forms today. The picture above (larger version), taken at the corner of Gloucester Circus and Crooms Hill, was of a gentleman dressed up in some kind of costume which was somewhere between a superhero and comedy bank robber.

I asked what it was about and apparently he wants to help people cross the road and perform other acts of kindness to draw attention to his belief that we should be more neighbourly to one another. It seemed like some kind of stunt and I think I only got half the story but if I find out any more I will share it with you. Maybe he’ll develop his ideas further and set up a free school for young superheros of tomorrow.

I found a more serious example of civic action when I met up with Sebastien Chapleau in the Bar De Musee cafe this morning. Sebastien is London Citizen’s Borough Organiser for Greenwich and Lewisham. He told me a little about their campaigns for safer streets, the Living Wage and affordable housing projects. Hopefully I’ll mention more about their activities in the future.