21 – a patrol in March – A good news story.

We were meeting up with the Purple Flag assessment team.They were duly met at the Wills Memorial Building. Purple flags are awarded to cities for, among other things, their safety, amenities and welcome. As street pastors, we play a large part in maintaining safety and welcome on a Saturday night. I do hope we retain the flag.We did a lot of walking, not finding many people or bottles during the first half of our shift.Most bottles were found in the second half and I wouldn’t be surprised to be the holder of the award for the most broken glass cleared!! St Nicholas Street was by far the worst.Some of the purple flag team pointed out a spread of broken glass as we passed them at the bottom of Park Street. As we had been called to the Commercial Rooms to an unconscious young lady. Nearly there and we were stood down. No longer needed. So we went back to Park Street and got the dustpan and brush out.We passed a group of girls, two or three of whom were barefoot. So we offered flip flops.The refusal was very fast and really rather rude!! You can’t win ‘em all!! One lovely conversation was with a guy who had been homeless. With help he now has a job and a place to live. We wished him well and carried on with our patrol. It is so good to hear a good news story.