A R.B.C. EXPERIMENT.
In the same town from which the travelling chamber of horror is probably to start, a new scheme for rural revival was set afoot last week by the Hertfordshire Rural Community Council and the B.B.C. A good receiving set is to be loaned to a selected village ; and put at the disposal of various village
units. The plan is that groups of villagers shall listen to a talk, and thereupon start a debate on the theme, using the
broadcast talk as if it were the mover's speech. There are at present over 150 debating groups in touch with the B.B.C. who adopt this method of education. If it can be extended to the villages, it would be the best possible way of promoting " civilization of thought," a better phrase than the favourite, " adult education." The Swedes, at " considerable cost, extended the telephone to the most remote districts with the definite conscious intention of spreading Swedish culture.
We may similarly solidify and extend our British civilization by an extension of wireless to the smaller villages ; but this is useless unless there is a well-organized response at the village end. Here is a really great opening for these young and
eager Community COlmei18. The suggested scheme of the B.B.C. is so full of promise, so shrewdly touches the imagi- nation that personally I should like to see the councils scrap all their existing plans for adult education; and set to work to form debating circles round B.B.C. talks arranged ad hoc, for this particular purpose. It is realized by all concerned that such debates can only be a real success if " leaders " are found in each circle who shall set the ball in motion.
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