[gondola]

Not all the groups set up have to be affiliated to the Hyndburn Community Network. In my view there are far too many groups all doing it appears the same thing. As I said previously, integration requires a desire to be part of a better society, not lots of funds to have 'celebration functions'.

One only has to peruse the last few weeks of the Observer or Lancashire Evening Telegraph to note that there are pages and pages of celebrations of diversity parties, all centred on asian culinary or hand painting or some such. I simply do not see the value in such functions in terms of these assisting integration. In all the pictures in the local press of such events there appears little in terms of a cross section of the community attending the events. Maybe the photographer missed this aspect, I don't know since I was not at any of these functions.

Anyway, I see the governments blunder on miscalculating the cost of the Olympics may serve some benefit. It appears that some of the Lottery funds will now be directed at the Olympics, rather than it being a further burden on the taxpayer. Thank goodness for that. The Olympics will be a landmark for many years to come in this country, and is set to benefit not just London, but will raise the profile of the country as a whole. Projects such as the Olympics can actually aid integration as well, allowing budding sportsmen and women of all backgrounds to come together and contribute as one community.

I would rather money directed to such important projects,( than on some silly exercise donating 130k to celebrate the community food worker). I mean, what on earth is all that about?