WITH the Beast from the East gone but not forgotten, we can perhaps take a warmer breath and spare a thought for all of those that have been so negatively affected by its visit.

It is yet another time to give thanks to the unsung heroes from all parts of the social spectrum upon whom we rely when life becomes extreme. Those professionals whose main purpose in life is simply to help and support those in need. The legions from our health, social services, fire and rescue, police, the many water, gas and electricity engineers, road rescuers, salt spreaders and the like are called upon to ensure we have the best chance of getting through.

Alongside those countless professionals who might spring to mind in such circumstances, there are also the scores of individuals and organisations, some voluntary, who work tirelessly to provide help when and where it is needed.

At times such as these, my heart and thoughts go out in particular to those who find themselves homeless. When most of us are worried about the increasing cost of heating our homes at such times, the thought of not even having a home sends shudders of a very different kind down my spine.

The various organisations and individuals connected to homeless initiatives deserve our thanks and praise. However, a more sympathetic and empathetic and preventative housing strategy is vital. House building, particularly for those in most need, needs a serious rethink, as does the second home and buy-to-let market. It is abhorrent that people can own more than one home, when too many have none and more still live in unsuitable and undignified circumstances.

The Thatcherite home ownership mythology, that essentially saw the selling off of the country’s council housing stock without reinvestment, is a clear example that when it comes to the basics of human survival, politicians can’t be entrusted to preserve or provide.

The privatisation policy that has seen the selling off of our collectively owned utilities, such as water, gas, electricity, and the railways, along with the lack of reinvestment in affordable/council homes has to be right up there as one of the crimes of recent centuries.

What sort of society is it exactly that can lavish stolen gold on palaces, churches, cathedrals etc and yet sit idly by while parents struggle to feed, clothe or suitably home their children? What are the values exactly, that we, as a society our supposed to aspire to? The survival of the fittest? The law of the jungle? Whatever happened to love, truth and common humanity?

The basic essence of our life’s meaning cannot be to acquire material objects or things, houses, cars and bling. Unfortunately, the perversion and exploration of many organised religions has turned many independent thinkers away from a more spiritual exploration of life. 

How many churches I wonder had their doors open to provide shelter for the needy whilst the Beast from the East was raging? The answer may not be all of them which, when you think of who and what they are supposed to represent, is both ironic and hypocritical.

We as a society need to reconsider in who and what we invest our trust and taxes. Homes and housing surely should take precedent over private wealth creation and greed. A society that has a foundation in equality and respect as opposed to one slowly sinking into the mire.

How many poor souls have passed away in the last week, how many more will follow, for the want of the warmth of human kindness?

ED DEEDIGAN