ABSTRACT
THIS chapter * analyses Berinsfield in terms of the second aspect of community: the existence of many interlocking memberships in voluntary organisations. In the classical community, residents belong to a variety of groups based on kinship, age, sex, occupational status and place of residence. The social structure is cohesive because those who cooperate in one situation compete in another. These interlocking relationships prevent very close ties or lasting friction between members, for each meets the others in many differing situations. The classical bases of group formation, especially kinship, were not present at Berinsfield. It was nevertheless conceivable that shared leisure interests would lead to a network of interlocking voluntary groups at the community centre. Indeed, we shall begin by showing that one of the aims of community centres is to build organic solidarity in residential areas, on the basis of common leisure interests.
