Volunteers needed!

Posted by Ellie Omahoney at 11:40 on 16 Oct 2009

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I haven't been to see the film at the Town Hall yet (Quantum of Solace screening next week) but I've gone one better by signing up to the Launceston Film Society. Good to get involved in local goings-on, I thought. Gordon/Dave/God would be proud of my community spirit.

My new-found local lynchpin status wasn't something I had been aiming for. I had emailed Rita, the film screenings coordinator, to tell her what I thought of the upcoming roster of films (not much). Rita deftly ignored my criticism but went right for the jugular. ‘Would you like to join the film committee?' I'd been warned about this: villagers can apparently smell vulnerable Big Smoke blood and will try to sign you up to every possible club/society/committee and before you know it your life is no longer yours but instead owned by the Patchworkers' Union (now there's a thought).

I've never been good at saying no, so there I found myself thinking, then saying, well, yes I would, Rita, yes I would, because it's not like I have anything else to take up my time, apart from the small matter of writing a novel and making a living for myself as a freelancer writer. But all work and no play would make me very sad indeed, and so it is that I have agreed to forfeit my place in the audience next Thursday to pull tickets, serve refreshments and be an all round busy-body instead. My life is looking increasingly like that Dawn French sitcom set in rural Devon. I don't want to think about which character I'm playing.

Anyway, Rita was very pleased. And she's not just any old lady, she's the town clerk. Oh yes, been down here barely a month and I'm already in with the town council. Give me a week and I'll be running for Mayor.

Someone who's not likely to be hugely impressed by my new enthusiasm for community volunteering is Sam, who's due to arrive for a long weekend next Thursday. Our first night together after two weeks? Quantum of Solace in the intimate setting of the Town Hall with 100 locals for company. At least I'll be able to give him a free orange squash.

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