Chigwell, a place where laughter reigns

Western Bureau:It is not often that people make fun of their vexing circumstances, but in Chigwell, Hanover, the residents seem quite happy to joke their troubles away, seemingly determined not to make the challenges they face interfere with their peace and tranquillity.

"No crime around here," 76-year-old farmer Huntley Longshaw said with a broad smile. "We have our own unofficial community (neighbourhood) watch … . We don't put up with criminals."

According to the sprightly old-timer, strangers are carefully scrutinised and tracked closely in Chigwell until they leave the village. Additionally, he says residents make it a habit to look out for each other at all times.

"Since the scamming (lottery scam) thing start, we see some strange face coming and going," said Longshaw. "I can't say definitely that it is going on here, but even if it is, it is not me. I am too old to run from police."

According to the residents, except for the occasional family dispute, nothing acrimonious happens in their beloved Chigwell, a fact confirmed by the Hanover police.

"The area is policed by the Ramble police, but except for a few disputes now and then, it's a quiet area. Crime is nil," said Sergeant Charlene Grey-Morris, the head of the police's Community Safety and Community Outreach programme in Hanover.

Cognisant of the fact that flooding is arguably their greatest concern at this time, the residents of Chigwell were recently on edge as Hurricane Sandy approached Jamaica.

POKING FUN

"I am thankful that we were spared, not only because we probably would have to watch our community transform into a lake again, but more so because we did not have to listen to anymore promises from politicians," an elderly resident remarked jokingly.

The elderly woman's sentiments also found favour with Lopez Sawyers, a farmer who seems to take great pleasure in poking fun at the politicians, who, he said, regularly make and break broken promises.

"If they promise you something and they even deliver, it is used as a political tool," Sawyers chipped in. "We are tired of promises, but it is sometimes nice to listen to them and get a good laugh."

Quizzed about the level of support the farmers in Chigwell have been getting from the Government's Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA), Longshaw again began laughing.

"RADA?" asked Longshaw, acting as though he had heard a strange word. "Yes, man … . They pass through but is only fi sweet-mouth you."

'If [the politicians] promise you something and they even deliver, it is used as a political tool. We are tired of promises, but it is sometimes nice to listen to them and get a good laugh."