Local Government ExplainedWhat the Hadrian’s Wall Path taught me about local government
Peter Smith, LGIU England Commissioning Editor
LGIU England Commissioner Peter Smith ticked off one of his bucket list challenges by walking the 84 miles of the Hadrian’s Wall Path. In this article, Peter explores how experiencing a major historical landmark made him consider the role of local communities and local government in delivering on our future.
Last week I ticked off one of my bucket list challenges by walking the 84 miles of the Hadrian’s Wall Path. Those walks gave me a lot of food for thought and plenty of time to consume it. The original Wall stretched for 73 miles but there are only about ten miles of it left, still standing, and most of that is a fraction of its original height. This is because it is some 1900 years old and, since the Romans left (some 1600 years ago), local people, over the following centuries, recycled the stones from the Wall to build monasteries, castles, farms and houses across Cumbria and Northumberland.
On the walk, I met fellow travellers from across the globe, some of whom were very disappointed at the sparsity of the remnants of the original Wall. Their attitude disappointed me – the recycling of the Wall, that has gone on throughout the centuries, has provided structures that have benefited local communities for much longer, and with far greater rewards, than a defensive wall can provide. Of course, it would be great to see the original Wall in its full splendour but isn’t it even better to see what local communities have done to recycle the defensive resources, that the Romans used, to create new benefits for future generations?
Local people and their local government structures are integral to the recycling of resources to provide the housing and infrastructure that propagates the continuing development of our local communities. The lack of stones left on Hadrian’s Wall reminded me of the importance of recycling and the role of local communities and local government in delivering on our future.
The other issue that struck me on my Hadrian’s Wall walk was how mission-led the Roman empire was and the results that this approach delivered. The new UK government is focused on a mission-led approach to delivering outcomes. And while August tends to be a quieter month for LGIU briefings, as so many of you are on holiday, we are focussed on delivering new briefings this autumn that will assist you in addressing the new government’s demands. On 3 September, our latest briefing on mission-led government will explain it all. So be sure to watch this space.
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