Accrington Web - View Single Post - Councillors in Hyndburn

gondola · 08-04-2007, 10:34

Gayle,
Thank you for that. I perused the first page of the link attached but did not feel the need to scroll the rest. I gather from this page that the amount allocated to this project was £12000.
You suggest that this project served the purpose of connecting communities amongst other things. This is what the BME suggest, and so too do numerous other organisations set up for the same. All seem to gain funding for more or less the same reasons. Thus I would have expected that they would have made tangible progress in this regard by now.
Let us look at the facts. Unfortunately, the BNP are seeking to enter Hyndburn in political terms since they feel they have had sufficient support from residents of Hyndburn in their campaigns elsewhere. Thus there is a growing number of residents in Hyndburn who are obviously disgruntled and are using the protest vote. We also have to consider the rising racial tensions between rival race gangs as reported in the Observer the other week (teens clash or similar).
I do not seem to recall these tensions being as significant when there was little in terms of community cohesion projects years ago. This is not to suggest that such projects are the cause, but to consider the real possibility that these projects are doing little to offset the rising disharmony. Social dynamics may have changed and thus this may be a contributing factor to increased tension, but community projects in their current form do not seem to be the way forward. I have often repeated on these threads that it is a desire to integrate, from all segments of societies that will drive any change. Not DVD’s about why we enjoy living here. If people want to gain an insight to different cultures, then why does the ‘asian’ neighbour not have a cup of tea with the ‘white’ neighbour on a summers day in the back garden. Surely this would dispel a few myths, raise awareness of the different cultures and cost nothing. Or the idea I proposed the other day about bringing youngsters of different cultures together for a game of football in the park using mixed teams. Little cost, but substantial impact.
You write that ‘’surely you can see that it is better to get the money into Hyndburn rather than spend billions on a massive advertising stunt for London.’’
No, I simply cannot see the justification for squandering money on the basis that if it does not go to Hyndburn it will go elsewhere. The Olympics is a story that is an inspiration to budding sportsmen and women throughout the country including Hyndburn, a project that is set to transform an entire area, a project that will drive tourism to that area, a project that will create employment for those that wish to better their lives, a project that shall be a landmark site for Great Britain and be talked about for years to come.
I am sorry Gayle, but the same simply cannot be said about the ‘Why I Live Here’ project.
I can think of far better ways to spend £12000 to benefit the people of Hyndburn.

08-04-2007, 10:34	#473
gondola I am Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 202 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 0	Re: Councillors in Hyndburn - Are they fit for purpose? Gayle, Thank you for that. I perused the first page of the link attached but did not feel the need to scroll the rest. I gather from this page that the amount allocated to this project was £12000. You suggest that this project served the purpose of connecting communities amongst other things. This is what the BME suggest, and so too do numerous other organisations set up for the same. All seem to gain funding for more or less the same reasons. Thus I would have expected that they would have made tangible progress in this regard by now. Let us look at the facts. Unfortunately, the BNP are seeking to enter Hyndburn in political terms since they feel they have had sufficient support from residents of Hyndburn in their campaigns elsewhere. Thus there is a growing number of residents in Hyndburn who are obviously disgruntled and are using the protest vote. We also have to consider the rising racial tensions between rival race gangs as reported in the Observer the other week (teens clash or similar). I do not seem to recall these tensions being as significant when there was little in terms of community cohesion projects years ago. This is not to suggest that such projects are the cause, but to consider the real possibility that these projects are doing little to offset the rising disharmony. Social dynamics may have changed and thus this may be a contributing factor to increased tension, but community projects in their current form do not seem to be the way forward. I have often repeated on these threads that it is a desire to integrate, from all segments of societies that will drive any change. Not DVD’s about why we enjoy living here. If people want to gain an insight to different cultures, then why does the ‘asian’ neighbour not have a cup of tea with the ‘white’ neighbour on a summers day in the back garden. Surely this would dispel a few myths, raise awareness of the different cultures and cost nothing. Or the idea I proposed the other day about bringing youngsters of different cultures together for a game of football in the park using mixed teams. Little cost, but substantial impact. You write that ‘’surely you can see that it is better to get the money into Hyndburn rather than spend billions on a massive advertising stunt for London.’’ No, I simply cannot see the justification for squandering money on the basis that if it does not go to Hyndburn it will go elsewhere. The Olympics is a story that is an inspiration to budding sportsmen and women throughout the country including Hyndburn, a project that is set to transform an entire area, a project that will drive tourism to that area, a project that will create employment for those that wish to better their lives, a project that shall be a landmark site for Great Britain and be talked about for years to come. I am sorry Gayle, but the same simply cannot be said about the ‘Why I Live Here’ project. I can think of far better ways to spend £12000 to benefit the people of Hyndburn.