June 26, 2014 - Written by: Daisy Jervis

Community Spirit

England are out of the World Cup 2014 and needless to say I am not happy, not because I am devoted football fan (devoted to Beckham always) or had much hope in them winning but that’s one summer community that’s ended.

Like many hopeful fans across the UK, my friends and I gathered to watch England on the two occasions they tried (but failed) to win their group games. However, as much as I do follow the World Cup and of course have some passion towards our home team, I will honestly say that it is the gathering itself that I am much more drawn to: the array of groans as a group as we failed to score, the cheers when we did and the general unity of people in the room all hoping for the same outcome (most of the time).

It’s beyond cheesy to say that I like the fact that events like this bring people together, but I truly do. There is nothing better than having an excuse to meet midweek, drink something you wouldn’t usually drink midweek and have a catch-up you wouldn’t normally have.

Not wanting to sound pro-BNP but I also like the array of flags and support there is for the World Cup (maybe not so much now). I felt like I was part of a bigger community, meaning I smiled at the person on public transport who looked remotely like they were interested in the World Cup. So fuck you England for taking that away from us!

Luckily there’s another summer community just beginning… WIMBLEDON!

Now this is a lovely community, although I don’t think gatherings will be as often, I’m looking forward to the discussions and delight as Murray may win it again.

Although I’m not going to any matches, I’ll take pleasure in watching the crowds on the telly, on the hill and on the trains, ready to celebrate in the sunshine (optimistic) and cheer on our players (and possibly even other players – I know I willl be!).

There is something really special about being in a room full of people who are sharing the same emotions and expressing them.

It’s like a mass screening of The Notebook; everyone may be crying but there’s happiness in the unity that everyone is crying – you look over at someone crying and it’s cool because you share that bond over Gosling. It’s like that feeling of all sharing a toast or when you all sing happy birthday (minus the wally who harmonises it).

There’s also the big community of Glastonbury.

Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to brave the thought of Batiste for a week and pooping in a field but what a fabulous community to be a part of (if you can).

There’s obviously something very special about drinking until dawn in a field with your friends whilst artists play across several stages, otherwise thousands wouldn’t trek across the UK to do so.

(Image via)

Similarly to the World Cup and Wimbledon, I’ve no doubt that it’s the feeling of being part of the Glasto community that urges people to get their tickets or wristbands that they continue to wear for months afterwards. The feeling of singing in a crowd of forty thousand (slightly intoxicated and covered in hair chalk) is no doubt a feeling that is hard to create without that mass of people sharing the same feeling.

Why do we gravitate towards these communities and why do we crave these feelings?

I think once in a while we all need to feel as though we are sharing one world and sharing the same feelings of joy, sadness and celebration as the many others around us.

Being united in the same feeling allows us to put aside our individual woes, issues and goals for the time being. It makes us realise that we all go through similar situations but there’s always someone around us who will empathise and be there to chant or sing or dance with you with an arm on your shoulder.

If you enjoyed this article, why not check out ‘Tall, Sparkly Blue Eyes, Gorgeous Smile… UKIP Voter’?