AFTER more than 30 years of service, Hawick's community council has this week been forced to admit defeat in its efforts to attract new blood. Apathy has won the day, and although I'm sure a lot of Teries want a community council, they are simply not prepared to form a part of it.

And there will no doubt be those who are more than willing to lay the the blame for the community council's demise at the door of townsfolk. But one needs to delve a bit deeper to establish why such a lack of interest in Hawick's affairs has taken root.

Ask yourself:

Have your views and opinions ever been sought by the community council?

Have you ever been encouraged to attend coummunity council meetings?

Do you feel that the community council best reflected the spectrum of interests in Hawick?

Have you ever received a newsletter from the community council?

Do you feel the community council has done enough to counter growing apathy over the last few years?

Now, I'd wager a bob or two that a majority of you reading this will have answered no to all five questions.

In all honesty, I don't think that Teries felt the community council affected them, or could make a difference. Those are the sad facts of the matter.