The Village Community
In days past the village was a small and tight-knit community; since then it has undergone a rapid expansion. In 1950 its population was under 700; by 1975 it was over 1,000 and in 1990 it was just short of 2,000. However, the proximity of Colchester, with its large range of shops and facilities, has eventually forced all but one of the three shops in Layer to close. Despite this, the village has still managed to maintain its distinct character and feel.
Despite concerns over vandalism and so-called "yobbery" - a growing concern amongst the middle class in almost all rural areas of England - the village is generally regarded as a safe and happy place to be . Societies and clubs such as The Shoestring Theatre Company provide entertainment for the whole village community.
Read more about this topic: Layer De La Haye
Famous quotes containing the words village community, village and/or community:
“When a village ceases to be a community, it becomes oppressive in its narrow conformity. So one becomes an individual and migrates to the city. There, finding others likeminded, one re- establishes a village community. Nowadays only New Yorkers are yokels.”
—Paul Goodman (1911–1972)
“In Canada an ordinary New England house would be mistaken for the château, and while every village here contains at least several gentlemen or “squires,” there is but one to a seigniory.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Human life in common is only made possible when a majority comes together which is stronger than any separate individual and which remains united against all separate individuals. The power of this community is then set up as “right” in opposition to the power of the individual, which is condemned as “brute force.””
—Sigmund Freud (1856–1939)