Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand
 

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand
 

That picture can't be of the Mela, I can't see anyone drinking cans of Special Brew or smoking funny fags :rolleyes::D

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand
 

The council meeting is tonight with regards to the re-building of the bandstand, we need people!! If you can spare an hour or so of your time please attend the meeting in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall tonight 7pm and show your support.

Thanks

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand - Update
 

To all who have supported this campaign, I have good news. A public vote at the area council meeting 01/11/2007 was massively in favour of reinstating the bandstand. This means the motion is carried, and the area council will make a recommendation to the cabinet that the bandstand be rebuilt.

A number of positive points were put forward by a number of people, including:

• The use of the bandstand by groups of musicians from the thriving local music scene. Also, the potential use of the bandstand by the (newly relocated) students of Performing Arts at Accrington and Rossendale College. And, not least the annual festivals which attract large numbers from across all the local communities.

• The bandstand will be constructed with “security by design” and use of flame resistant materials. It was noted that the plans are already drawn up and should be made available for public viewing.

• Some arguments regarding the purchase and use of a portable stage were dismissed due to various reasons primarily the fact that the insurance money would not be payable for a portable stage, and the practicalities of storing, transporting and erecting a non-permanent structure.

• Several people stressed the importance of not giving in to the vandals, and that the minority element are just that – a minority. A number of people spoke highly of the younger people in the area and how the majority show a high level of respect for the park and what it stands for.

• There was a clear public affinity with the bandstand and the park, and several people made the point that it should “just be there”, the park has always had the bandstand, and the fact that it has even come to debate seems unbelievable.

It was suggested by a spokesperson of the “Friends of Oak Hill Park” that the points that we made in relation to Mr. Hindley were not really fair. So, just to clarify our position on this – we DO support the good work done by the Friends in maintaining the park and it’s facilities, but we could not accept their stance on the bandstand issue. The bandstand is a public facility, and it’s fate could not be the subject of a minority group decision.
As it turned out, after hearing the public’s sentiments, a seemingly amicable ending was reached, with one of the Friends actually voting in favour of the reinstatement of the bandstand.

Our campaign will continue until the bandstand is finally reinstated, the number of signatures is now over 200. Thanks again.

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand - Update
 

Was it not a minority group at the Area Council Meeting that decided, on behalf of the local residents, to rebuild the bandstand?

Most meetings are after all, attended by a minority of the local residents.

Are you a member of the Friends of Oakhill Park?
If so many of you are so interested in the park why are you all not members of the Friends? That way you can have your say and vote on such matters without having to go over the groups head.

In fact if so many of you don't like the way the friends are acting on your behalf then thats simple as well, at the next Annual General Meeting of the group put yourself and friends forward as committee members and make sure you have enough followers to vote for you. Then you will be in control of the friends group. Problem solved. Or would that require too much of your time and effort?

oops, maybe thats just my cynical side showing through again

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand - Update
 

Neil,

It should not have been the decision of any group (minority or not).

The bandstand got damaged, it was insured... claim on the insurance, build a new one... job done !

That is what was going to happen until this group intervened and said that "they" did not want it.

We felt that it was not for "them" to decide - so that is why we started the petition - to make this issue visible to a larger audience - a lot of other people felt that it was not for "them" to stop the rebuilding.

You are not the first to suggest that we should explore the possibility of working with the Friends, that is something we have said that we will look into.

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand
 

Out of interest did they ever catch whoever burnt it down. What makes them sure it was your stereotypical youth vandal. It could have been some drunken adults or maybe something more sinister.

It does still look a little odd that this group who want to improve the park did not want to rebuild doesn't it?

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand
 

What are you thinking of Neil, out of interest was it burnt down in the run up to the Mela?

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand
 

Can I just ask why it has taken so long for the bandstand issue to be resolved? I can dimly recall that the council were insistant, within days of the actual fire, that it would be rebuilt.And what has this got to do with either The Friends of Oakhill Park, the Real Friends of Oakhill Park or any other unelected grouping for that matter. The council have a statutory duty to repair the damage, plain and simple. That, surely, should be the end of the matter.

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand
 

Actually, A-B that's an excellent point. Why are they even consulting anyone when they should simply restore it because that's what the insurance money is there for. What will they do with the insurance money otherwise?

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand
 

Moons have passed since the heated exchange within Hyndburn's council chambers occured between the Real Friends of Oakhill Park and Mr Tony Hindley the Chair of the Friends of Oakhill Park... The Friends are still meeting regularly and the next meeting, the AGM, is to take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 30 January 2007 in the Christ Church lounge... all are welcome to attend especially the Real Friends... The friends will need to appoint a new treasurer, secretary and chair... Spread the word...

Re: Oak Hill Park Bandstand