Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

In response to a letter in this week's Observer, I felt compelled to write to the paper for the first time since 1981.

Here is a copy, in the event of it not being published.

Dear Sir,
In reply to last week’s letter from John Farrer regarding our M.P. Greg Pope ‘ at last moving into the 21st century’.
As well as the surgeries held throughout Hyndburn, Greg is also easily accessible through other twenty first century technologies. There’s his office in Accrington, the old fashioned telephone, and lastly his website, all of which make him easily available for help and advice at any time.
Only this week on Accrington Web, a much used local internet forum, someone had a problem with a passport. All of a sudden up popped Greg with his office telephone number and an offer of help. Graham Jones the leader of the Labour Group on Hyndburn Borough Council, also uses this facility to communicate with residents of the borough. Sadly Mr. Farrer’s close friend Peter Britcliffe, or any other Tory councillor hasn’t felt the need to reach people of Hyndburn this way, although Mr. Farrer himself is a member of Accrington Web.
I find it quite ironic that Mr Farrer felt compelled to write about our M.P. embracing modern technology, especially as Hyndburn Borough Council recently saw fit to squander £600,000 on the now defunct website Hyndburn Life, which in more prudent and imaginative hands, could have been a valuable resource for us all to be kept informed of matters of importance and of interest in Hyndburn.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Sorry, don't know why the font is small at the end, hope it's readable.:o

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Bloody hell I had to send the kids upstairs for my gigs for the last bit lmao.....all I could hear was a bloody eye specialist saying " right can you read the bottom lone for me please?? " hmmmmmm no sorry I cant :D:D:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Can read it just. Its a nicely and factually written letter and sums up the widening gulf on the council between the all embracing and the ludites.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thu...y_old_lady.jpg


There you go...is that better?:D

I did it in Word, and have no idea why it's gone all to cock when I pasted it on here.:confused::o

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

ROFLMAO.............Christ I just had a look into the future, and it's not very nice :D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 453978) In response to a letter in this week's Observer, I felt compelled to write to the paper for the first time since 1981.

Is that better?

:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Cheers Gay.................opps Jay :D:D ( nope eyes are still bad ) :D:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Lol, thanks Jay, you computer whizz!:D

I knew I should have used my quill and ink well instead of Word.:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Really rolling on the floor, you daft git!!!:p:p:p

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

LMAO please don't make me wee cos I have bust my ankle and I can't get up the stairs..............:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Nothing to do with a certain badge that I had to wear at one of the AccyWeb meets, by any chance?

:confused:

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I haven't got a clue what you are talking about :confused::confused::confused::confused:





















:rofl38::rofl38::rofl38::rofl38:

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Really?


:eek:

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Honest!!!!!!!!!!!



would this face lie to you?? :eek::o

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Great letter Garinda.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

[quote=garinda;453978]In response to a letter in this week's Observer, I felt compelled to write to the paper for the first time since 1981.

Have you used your real name or are you 'Disgruntled, from Oswaldtwistle' or something like that?lol:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

[quote=Lilly;454032]Lol, no, my real name.

Not that hopeful that it'll be published, for some reason the Observer don't seem that keen on metioning Accy Web, the best we usually manage is 'a local forum'.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

[QUOTE=garinda;454034] Well better start drumming it into the numpties that this is the local forum and you could mention that the writing on here is far superior to some of the drivil they come out with. ;)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Yes, and this forum is better for news of local events and happenings too...by the time things get in the Observer they have whiskers on them.
I don't know why I buy the blooming thing......scared of missing something I suppose......and the letters are always worth a read.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I still buy it, But to be honest I'm sick to death of reading cases before the bloody bench!!

Every single page is cases before the bench!!! (( and i usually know quite a few people )):)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Even the local news (like for Clayton/Ossy etc) is skanky. I think it only sells for the property section....i think the Observer would sink without a trace if they decided to sell just the property section

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

i have been making a concious effort not to waste money buying this drivel and have managed without for last 2 weeks, its gonna be hard next week if they print your letter rindy, but then i believe in fairies.:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I buy both the accy observer and rossendale free press seeing as im inbetween the two!!! But have you noticed a lot of jobs in the accy observer are for rochdale and heywood and oldham - not accrington?

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Yes i have noticed that too Shill

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

M.P.'s are all the same......full of c**p when it comes election time-they want to speak to you then.Once elected,you'd have more luck finding the goose that laid the golden egg!!!
Thank yourselves lucky, I've got Jack Straw to deal with. I'd get more sense out of the hound!!!! :):):)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Whenever i've tried to contact Greg by email i've always got a response within a day which is incredibly fast.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

As stated, or M.P. Greg Pope, uses this forum as one way to speak to us.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Maybe you should listen to that hound more. A friend of mine had a problem with a visa for America. Jack Straw sorted it out with one phone call for him.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

M.P.s should be accessible, and in my experience are.

Not to show political bias, I've mentioned on here before how Ken Hargreaves helped me get some money back I was owed by Liverpool City Council, and I was very grateful.

I just didn't see the point of a letter to the Observer saying that Greg was somehow less accessible than Ken had been, besides trying to score cheap political points. Well two can play that game, but I only deal in facts, not daft tales about tracks on Park Lane to Ken's front door.:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I think you have written a good letter.

I hope it gets published.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I have never had any difficulty in contacting Greg and he has been most helpful, unlike a certain Tory councillor who has an annoying habit of putting the phone down if you ask him a " difficult" question ! :rolleyes:

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

You're most welcome.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Hi Greg.If you want to pm somebody you just click on their name on one of their posts and the option to send a pm comes up then you just click on that and away you go.:)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Don't admit to that!

There'll be another letter next week admonishing you for not be able to do it.:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Don't you mean Sir Garinda? :D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

They printed the letter.

At last, a name chack for Accy Web in the Observer!:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Hahaha I have just read the letter in the observer........ well done Rindy, and YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS it has given Accrington Web out as well, I thought they might have edited that bit hehehe :D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I'm really pleased about that too. Normally we just get called a 'local forum'.:)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Is it letter of the week Garinda? Will you be getting a free meal for two at the Calder or whatever the prize currently is?:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Don't ask for miracles!

No it isn't letter of the week.

I'm just pleased it was published, with the Accy Web name left in, especially as I was recently complaing about all the photo pull-outs in the Observer.:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

...I would have taken John Farrer, if I'd have won the meal.;)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Lmao It's like a Accyweb reunion this week ................ SPOT THE ACCY WEBER'S:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I've seen Accy Jay looking all bruised and battered, is there someone else?

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

No I haven't spotted any one else, but last week there was Roy and Wingy lmao......... maybe we can get our own page :D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I am really glad your letter has been published.
Maybe it is because you posted the content on here first.
It will be interesting to see if John Farrer replies next week.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

It was great to see the letter in the Observer and good that people now know that they can get hold of their MP so easily.:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Well done Rindy!!! will have to remember to buy an observer tomorrow now :)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

you swine rindy,will have to buy one now.;)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

:o:o oh Rindy i didnt know my problem & resolution inspired u so much, thanks for doing so :thumbsup: I sent u karma but it sent half completed so its from moi :D

Greg Pope has been such a life line as lately as well in the past, i never thought of my local MP as approciable in my life before, i really didnt think he would take up my problem - thinking it was standard government regs, i have to admit amazed, & can say its definately not for guarenteed vote, i wish i could give that pleasure of my lil x in a box but he is well aware of my situ, he does what he can for the good of Hyndburn & its people. I think his staff needs also recognition at the Hyndburn office - Julie is amazing as is all staff i've dealt with there - i really cannot express how valueable they actually are & how lucky Hyndburn aka Accrington district is so lucky. I have never had dealings with PB or any other person in local councillor/politician intervention as i have with Greg, he even emailed his staff to let them know i'll be calling about passport prob as soon as he saw it on accyweb, such is great communication with his staff as well as his constituants - absolute 1st class!

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

So, Mr Farrer, or Jaysay as he's known on here, has replied to my letter, and apparently we are, and I quote, a 'Labour-loving Britcliffe-hating clan on Accy Web, a website that does not tolerate dissenters to the Labour cause but merely disenfranchises them.'

I will be replying, but will not be posting it on here first. It'll be a nice suprise, especially as some of us suspect some people on here have two usernames, which I think is a bannable offence, and might add some weight to my argument.;)

I won't be entering into a ping-pong correspondence with Mr Farrer, partly because he offers very little competition for me, but I will have the last and damning word, trust me.:)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

OH I can't wait for next weeks observer now!!! :D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

That's one extra copy.

Sales are soaring!

I should be on commission.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Lmao very true!!! I usually look forward to reading it on a thursday!! but I don't think I'll sleep this week with the excitement :D:D:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

after reading the quote,and firmly believing there is a fair cross-section of voters on accyweb.and having witnessed many political/local discussions on here,were labour have got some real welly,as well as praise, i can only come to the conclusion that Mr Farrah (jaysay) has shown his true colours- Decietful,Lying,Cowardly, Weasel,i do not think the man is fit to represent anyone.and his comments show the electorate the "Real" conservative,and why they have been out of power for so long.:rolleyes:

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

More exciting than seeing who has won Bonnie Baby of the Year?:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Perhaps he could ring the Conservative MP for Hyndburn and make a complaint ....... oh hang on there isn't one :D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

LMAO......... hmmmmmmm :rolleyes: It's a close one is that!!

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Yes, was it once or twice that Britcliffe lost to Greg Pope?

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

By the way he has recently signed up to Lancashire Online.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Yes I know, and thanks to some sterling detective work by one of the mods, he's still posting on here, but under a different name to Jaysay.

Didn't mention that in the Observer when he slagged this forum off, did he?:eek::D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

who PB? if thats the case,he must know the IQ of dingles.:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

No John Farrer/Jaysay, or has he's now known on here.......;)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Thats the reason I posted it, I know there are joint mods :)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Amazing what you learn using a bit of detective work, especially when some people use email addresses owned and provided by our very own Hyndburn Borough Council.;)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Well how he thinks we are a "Britcliffe-hating clan" beats me. I dont live in the borough but after comments and the reading of articles in various forms its no wonder it is at this stage. I as you all know was down and found the town a disgrace esp. Broadway. To add a bit of salt to the wound I prefer Rawtenstall TC to Accy TC. Regardless of who is in power the town comes first which it isnt as there seems to be a heap of fighting in the council going on. Its time they (the council) took heed of what the public on here are saying.

One question they might be able to answer is since when did Huncoat extend to
The Bowling Club on Burnley Road. :confused:

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Strange how all these soft arse Tories aren't afraid to use the letter pages of the press to air their views, yet find the democratic forum that is Accy Web, to frightening and daunting a place.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Oh I see b.joel is reading this thread!

Any comment?

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Its the instant reply that they get on here that puts the fear into them.:D

In letters to the press they have time to answer any response something they cant do on here as that means thinking on their feet. :eek:

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Oh well then...............enough said :D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Yes sad that. We, who cover all the political spectrum, feel able to use Accy Web to say what we believe, as well as Greg Pope and Graham Jones, but the local Tories aren't confident enough in their skills to post....at least not openly.;)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

What other reason could there be apart from the whips banning em?

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Just checked, and twice you rejected Peter Britcliffe.

I was living in London then.

Well done you lot.:D

Hyndburn | Aristotle | Guardian Unlimited Politics

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Can it be that they are LibDems in disguise as they associated with yellow? ;) Either that or being blue means they think they can look down and ignore people. :)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I think you have made a good point, they probably think that we don't know how place, by our comments on here. After all they do consider that they were born to rule us - and don't like the pesants getting above their station in life.

I also think, that it was a valid point, raised (I think by Garinda ), that on here they need to give a quick reply, but can take their time to compose a reply to a letter to the Observer.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

To be fair, not everyone can respond straight away, there are management/leadership tests that place you in a matrix, some people are naturally impulsive and response/act immediately, some prefer to consider their options and respond in a more timely manner, neither is right or wrong. I fall heavily in the responds quickly catagory but during a leadership initiative I was selected for I found an ally in a girl who was my alter ego. Between us we learnt how each other POV would be different and together we made an awesome team, she tempered my quick responses and I drove out her confidence in making a reasoned decision quickly. It balanced nicely and we rarely lost a debate.

I do believe they are missing an opportunity to discuss and defend their policies and to be seen to be accountable though.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

If it was me, then I disagree with myself.:D

The beauty of a forum like Accy Web is that it gives everyone a voice. Unlike a debate you don't have to be a good orator, or have to think too quickly on your feet. You can take your time to consider what you want to say, and even spelling and grammar is irrelevant to a point, as in the past some very good and interesting posts have been made on here without much evidence either of those two things.

It's what you say that is important, not how you say it, in my opinion.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

when Tim O Kane was Labour leader of the Labour group on Hyndburn Council, he was the object of John Farrar's attention, regularly doing verbal battle in the Accrington Observer, never once did he get the better of Tim. Both of these gentlemen are known to me, as now is Gary,(rindy) and I can assure all our members the outcome will be the same.
Have no mercy with this 'windbag' gary go get him.:smilingfa

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I have decided to show mercy on those less fortunate than myself.

It was never my intention to enter into a long winded correspondence with Mr. Farrer via the letter pages of the Observer, mainly because I fear it would give him pleasure.

We know he reads the forum, even though he hasn't posted for a while. Therefore he now knows that his wild accusation of bias towards Labour on Accy Web, is totally untrue.

Besides, I'd hate to be the one who caused him to use another wrong word in a public domain, and the ensuing embarrassment that might cause. As an ex-primary school teacher, perhaps his chum Peter Britcliffe could teach him the correct use of the word disenfrancise.

If anyone else here cares to write to correct him, that is up to themselves.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I think you're doing the right thing,Garinda.It would look a bit silly him writing a letter one week and then you keep sending one back the next week.The paper would probably stop printing them anyway once it turned into a regular slanging match.I have never had dealings with Greg myself but I gather from people on here and from one of my friends who he's helped with her tax credits that he is very accessible and helpful.
I didn't really get what John Farrer was trying to say to be honest.I thought it was irrelevant to mention Ken Hargreaves as he has not been our MP for years and years and for some reason so why bother comparing him to Greg?:confused:John Farrer also seemed very concerned as to how the pensioners of Great Harwood could contact Greg.If they cannot get on a bus to his office then I'm sure they could ring him to discuss problems and if a face to face discussion was required and they were housebound he would probably go to them.:confused:
The result of your poll did surprise me as I said I got the impression that most people were Labour on here but I admit when I'm wrong,I see it turned out that most people who voted on the poll have no particular political affiliation so it's not fair to say they're all Labour,it's just that there's hardly any Conservatives!

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

The last time I wrote to the Observer, in 1981, I received death threats, so I guess this is a somewhat better outcome.

I've just received a letter through the post from John Farrer.

In it he says 'whenever there is a serious thread started within ten to fifteen minutes post somebody (sic) starts taking the **** and trivialises it, and I have to say you are one of the main culprits.'

Would that be in threads were I've praised HBC for giving us the flower towers, or when I've said that I know Peter Britcliffe has helped people I know, or when Ken Hargreaves helped myself, or indeed when I've ctiticised the Labour government taking us into the war in Iraq?

I think someone has totally selective vision.

I shall carry on both praising and criticizing were I see fit, regardless of political affiliations.

He did say he can't post because there is a problem with his Jaysay account, and the tone of the letter was quite friendly, so if you are reading this, thank you.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Why did u get death threats for Rindy ???

Nice that he replied well to you, tho accyweb is really not a political stage as to what he's accustoned to expect, it really is a community forum no more no less, but as its been proved things can be changed or improved indirect or even direct thro this forum:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I challenged and corrected something written by the then leader of the local National Front in Accrington.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

that wouldn't be difficult with those mindless numpties, good on yer.;)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I was just being nosey and saw on Speedy's profile that he found Accy Web through the 'local press'.

That's at least one more new member.:)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I've done something I've never done before today, I contacted my M.P.

Ken Hargreaves once helped me with a problem years ago when I was at college, but that was done through my granny.

I don't really have a problem, but I wanted Greg Pope to know what I thought about the forthcoming Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which M.P.s are to have a free vote on. After all how can we expect people to represent us if we don't tell them our thoughts?

I emailed Greg, and he replied a couple of hours later. He told me his thoughts on the matter, as well as offering to call or meet me if I had anything else to add.

In the great scheme of things not really a matter of great importance, but personally I'm happier that however he decides to vote on this controversial and emotive issue, my M.P. will at least know how one of his constituents feels, and how it might affect my life.:)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I've contacted Greg on a few issues before and always found him to be helpful and prompt with his advice and help.
He is a nice bloke and very approachable !
( ps Greg it was me that said Hi to you outside Argos last week, new haircut !)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Rindy...please could you start a thread about this? ive just had a bit of a google on it and it looks interesting... mybe you could explain it better?

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

There was a thread on here a while back;)

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

am i asleep or did i miss it?

or are we talking about the pregnant man thing........ i need sleep lol

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Will go and find it for you

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I can't find it, but think you are probably right, but I don't think I posted in it.

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

It tells you a bit more on here Emma, about what they are voting on.


BBC NEWS | Politics | Brown compromise over embryo vote

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

aah.... thanks rindy, that explains the questions i had...

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I'd forgotten all about this thread. Just been re-reading it all the way through. Flippin' 'eck, Jaysay, considering you have such a low opinion of AccyWeb, you certainly spend a lot of time on here!

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

I know it was his letter that inspired me to write the the Observer about this, but it was not my intention to have another dig at Jaysay. It just seemed the most appropriate thread regarding me acccessing my M.P.

Despite our differences he's someone I consider a friend now.

Besides, apart from the occasional political rant, he's so mellow yellow now that his user name could be Donovan.:D

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

Oh well, that's OK then. Apart from the letter to the Observer stuff and the odd rant (which we're all inclined to indulge in from time to time!), he's always seemed a cheery sort of chap to me - the sort who you could have a few pints and a good laugh with. And any friend of yours, Gary, is a friend of mine!

Re: Greg Pope's accessibility.
 

my thought entirely, n consider him a top geezer, even if he is a tory.:D n sincerly hope he recovers shortly from his chest problems n cashy will do just that.;)