Hello, it’s so lovely to have you here. I’m Jayne Sharratt, a writer, community campaigner and Labour Councillor in Tunbridge Wells in Kent. I started this Substack as a place where my politics, life, family, intersectional feminism and planetary boundaries can collide into something that may be messy but will (I hope) resonate, reassure, galvanise and perhaps inspire. Mainly I’m trying to fathom how we can raise the next generation of humans with some joy, grace and hope in the midst of the gritty fight for our planet’s future. And make no mistake, there’s a fight raging.
I’m writing this Friday newsletter because I reluctantly realised what day it was, which must mean we are emerging from that post-Christmas/New Year fugue state when I make believe that my entire life can revolve around bed/sofa/tv/books/radiators/chocolate.
The serious news that has snapped me back to reality is that there has been an incident of indecent exposure in the (beautiful and ancient) woods that run between Rusthall where I live and the village of Speldhurst, which is also part of the ward I represent. There were a number of indecent exposure incidents last year on the Commons around my village, but following two arrests, they seemed to have abated. Apparently Tunbridge Wells is particularly prone to this crime. It makes the community feel angry and frustrated; it’s traumatic for the person it happens to and the effects are ongoing.
It’s also a limitation on the freedom of everyone in the area - these are places we want to be able to walk freely whenever we want and knowing that somebody is doing this means that we can’t. I’ve been asked for advice on what people should do if they experience someone indecently exposing themselves to them. We know that for some perpetrators this is a crime that can lead to even worse crimes, and so it isn’t safe to confront them or stay in the location. A photograph or description would be useful to an investigation, but personal safety has to come first. I’m awaiting advice from the police. The connection between nature and people is really important when it comes to making sure that we look after our planet for future generations, and when incidents like this happen they send a message to women and girls that they should stay away from nature, they aren’t safe there - it’s catastrophically unjust, in my view.
On happier themes, some other things of note this week:
I went to Brighton last weekend, and had so much fun! Slot machines on the pier, a walk on the pebbly beach, choosing posters in the lanes…Naturally this has become a strong contender in the places I might want to live one day category, and I’ve been browsing Preston Park houses on Rightmove ever since. Always good to get in some vitamin sea, sunshine and fantasy house perusal to keep us going through the bleak mid winter!
The days between Christmas and New Year saw me racing through the pages of Jess Phillips’s latest book Let’s be Honest: Truth, Lies and Politics after receiving it as a present. Chatty, angry, passionate, funny, sweary, down to earth - nothing disguises the fact that she really knows what she is talking about. Her job as Minister for Safeguarding is based on fifteen years working to end male violence against women and girls, and it’s clear nothing will stop her fighting for that end. I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time, and reading this book reminded me why I care about politics, and why I want to write more too. Clearly I’ve always been a Jess fan, so here’s a gratuitous picture of me meeting her at the Labour Party Conference, telling her about Reclaim the Night and her asking, “Can’t they count in Tunbridge Wells?” when she heard I was in the Cabinet despite Labour only having 7 Councillors.
There was more curling up on the sofa to watch the Netflix Amy Winehouse biopic, Back to Black on my battered ten year old tv - a reminder of the woman she was, her amazing talent, and how much we, but most of all she, lost.
Storyland: A new mythology of Britain by Amy Jeffs is a great collection of retellings of British myths and legends I didn’t know - perfect for a short story before bed when the days are short and the nights feel blessedly long (I’ve needed rest).
Finally - the last few days my daughter and I have been watching episodes of The Gilmore Girls, and we’re loving it. She says that we are going to be like the Gilmore Girls, and I’m here for that. Yes, there’s a (much) bigger age gap between us, but we’re friends and, like Rory and Lorelei, we’re part of a close knit community and we go to coffee shops a lot. I like that.
That’s all for now, thank you for reading, I hope you have a lovely weekend and week ahead.
Jayne