The Shaw Street Redemption

Well, what can I tell you about Shaw Street? We moved here nearly two years ago while I was heavily pregnant with my son, Teddy. It’s just a regular terraced street in East Belfast with its own wee unspoken rules such as cars on the left can park mounted on the pavement but cars on the right park on the road. We were never told this rule but it seemed like this was how it was done, so we just followed suit. Another unspoken rule seemed to be that (apart from Shanti and Garth who invited us into their home for a yummy meal) no-one spoke to you, you kept your head down and didn’t make eye contact and that suited everyone just fine. Again, we were never told this but it seemed like this was how it was done, so we just followed suit… for a while.

I imagine that 40 or 50 years ago this certainly would not have been how Shaw Street looked.  It would have been a hive of activity with people out chatting to each other, neighbours helping each other out, in and out of each others houses and children playing games with each other. 

I am a person who needs friends, not in a needy way but I like to be friendly and in return I like people to be friendly to me.  So, I decided to try and make Shaw Street a friendlier place to live.  I am not saying this to make myself look amazing or to gloat but just to encourage you to maybe start making an effort where you live.  Honestly, it makes such a difference and is so nice when people who have just moved here comment on how friendly a place it is (little do they know we only started being friendly a few months ago!).  Start by just trying to say hi as people pass, or have things outside such as your recycling box or plants so you have a reason to be out there. 

The first few times I put myself out there I felt sick but now its just second nature.  I first made friends with Shanti which was easy because she’s lovely.  I also have an elderly neighbour called Mr Halliday (but he allows me to call him Jack).  He has lived here since the 1940’s and is in 90’s.  I had spoken to him once when he was ill and his daughter was visiting and I gave her my number in case she needed me to do something for him or her.  When the weather was bad I called over a couple of times to see if he needed anything from the shops he returned the favour by getting me lovely blue socks!  You know, I really liked the thought that if my Granda was the Jack on his street that someone would check on him now and again.  I’m just being that person to someone else’s Granda.

Another neighbour had some trouble and the police were involved.  Rather than close the curtains and pretend nothing had happened, I called over just to see if she was ok and to let her know if she anything to give me a shout. I didn’t need to know what was going on just to know she had someone who cared across the road.

We have also had some new people moving into the street and somehow it seems easier to talk to them.  Just knocking the door, introducing yourself and letting them know who you are and where you live makes all the difference.

So, Shaw Street is going to have a street party on Sunday 18th July (whoop).  I now have three really good friends that live here, Barbara, Gillian and Shanti (added your names girls so I hope you read this!) or three and a half if you count my husband.  The Shaw Street girls try to meet for coffee every couple of weeks and are going to co-ordinate our party.  We’re talking bunting, lots of sandwiches, juice and lots of neighbours who will hopefully become friends.  I don’t want to be a nosy neighbour but I want to be able to lift my hand to say hi or if I need to borrow a dish or just have a chat that I can call to someone’s house.

Last Sunday, Shaw Street had seven people from five different houses outside having a chat and a giggle and I felt like I was starting to live in a community, rather than just a street.

I love living here.  Let the Shaw Street Redemption continue!

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