Participation Director Jayne Williams shares the beginning of an upcoming community podcast project in Alford, Lincolnshire. Keep your eyes peeled for the launch of the project coming soon. 

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When I was a kid, we'd have a coach trip to Skegness for our once a year stay in a caravan during factory fortnight. Sandcastles and gritty crisps made up the daily beach visit followed by a fight to eat your ice-cream before it melted up your arm in the mid day sun whilst walking to the ice rink for the daily attempt to let go of the sides.

I could never understand why it would take almost two hours to get to Skeg when we arrived and everyone knew each other. It didn't make sense to go all that way to say 'ey up' to your work mates. But this is factory fortnight. The pits are shut for a couple of weeks so everyone from Notts ascends on SkegVegas. You went on holiday as a community which is something I'm considering whilst alone on the train to Skegness as I approach a new community project we are starting in partnership with Live & Local.

As I arrive at Skegness Train Station and ring for a taxi to take me to Alford, a small market town where our adventure will take place, I have just enough time for a bacon cob and a polystyrene tea and I'm quite surprised with what else you can purchase in the Station Cafe. Let's just say they are catering well for the many hen do's that are due to come through this weekend.

ACE Taxis arrive and the very lovely Sarah gives me an impromptu guided tour of everything we pass through to get to our destination and I know instantly that I'm already being invited into this fabulous community, I didn't even have to bring one with me. When we arrive at The Corn Exchange I've already persuaded Sarah to do an audio interview sometime to capture some of the fascinating stories she told me on the 20 minute trip from that infamous seaside town.

And here I am, at the Corn Exchange, the most beautiful ex council building which the local community have clubbed together to refurb and save to maintain their community's ability to gather and celebrate and often commiserate as the Theatre Manager Andrew tells me that they're getting more bookings for funeral teas lately. It's a gorgeous Theatre originally built in 1856 for the exchanging of corn and now it's laughter, tears, ice cold beers and stories that are passed around.

I have the warmest greeting by the group as they begin to arrive, Heather, who has recently moved to Alford and been embraced as one of their own, quickly becoming engaged in the voluntary action group, bingo, bridge and the hellos from strangers across the road which is something quite new to someone from down south, Heather tells me. Then we meet Rob who has been dragged along by his two teenage daughters who speak excitedly about everything and anything and I instantly feel welcome and excited for what this small but mighty group might create.

We spend the next three hours having fun telling stories, doing a bit of drama at the girls request as they embarrass their dad into joining in but we all agree that we're hilarious geniuses by the end of the day from what our brains have collectively created with theatre games and improvisations. 

It's time for me to check into the Anchor B&B and walk down the road to choose a chippy tea where I meet another Rob who has kept the fryers going for over 30 years from worker to owner. Rob and his wife welcome me into the busy conversations with members of their community who go there for their Friday night fish along with a healthy dollop of gossip on the side. It's important to keep up with what's happening in this close knit community where people will drop anything to give each other a helping hand.

When I arrive back at the Anchor B&B, owner Paul has generously set me a place at the breakfast table complete with every condiment you'll ever need and a huge pot of proper tea. I wrap up the remaining chip paper and write Thank You on it then go to my room for some musings on a fabulous day...and a superb hot chocolate because at the Anchor, they truly do think of everything. In the morning, following an amazing breakfast, I get chatting with Paul and Nikki who begin to tell me fascinating stories of the B&B being a pub for some years before they converted it to the beautiful four bedroom building which it is today. Of the ghosts stories that embedded themselves in the bricks and mortar of an old place and of the massive pants that were found in the renovations, belonging to an ex landlord.

Then I'm on my way back to the Corn Exchange full with sausages and stories and that warm fuzzy feeling when you start to feel a part of something special. And I'm thinking of what we'll create together in the short time that I'm here yet overwhelmed by the way I've already been made to feel like I'm now part of their community.