Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Thank you!!!!:D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

And believe me Rindi, I never had much problem of getting back in again before:rolleyes::p

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

There you go Neil because he personally found £67,000 for you, I wouldn't blame you didn't want to rock the boat.:rolleyes: :)

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

So what you saying Bagpuss, that Neil and Co don't do a great job in Rhyddings Park:confused::confused::confused:

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

How do you work that one out???
I've not been up Rhyddings Park for over 5 years but reading reports I believe the Neil & Co do a great job.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

No wonder he seems a tad defensive towards him.

£67,000 = sixty seven million pounds in H.B.C. world.

Those rabbits will be eating organic greens off solid gold plates.

:D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

PMSL, oh well I needed a new monitor this ones full of coffee.:D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Something about Neil not wanting to rock the boat was making me wonder just a tad:rolleyes:

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

So don't we in Ossy deserve that kind of consideration Rindi when the beans are being shared out, Neil, Gayle and Co do great job and I for one back their efforts to the full. I only wish I was more able bodied and I would be only to willing to be more hands on, but unfortunately I can't

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Don't get me wrong, I think it's great.

Great that money has now been made available to carry out essential maintenance of the bottom path, and the drainage of the main field, particularly as no money has been spent on it for years. Years spent hoping for win from the lottery fund to pay for it all, which hasn't as yet materialised.

I'm sure residents throughout the rest of the borough will look on in envy, as Rhyddings Park enjoys it's windfall, as they contemplate the state of their own parks.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

The problem with Rhyddings Park started when we had a Labour council who didn't give toss, when we had Labour councillors saying it was fine for kids to play football on a bowling green when there was a perfectly good field, which I used when I was a kid and still there for that purpose. Now these same Labor councillors, when found out and kicked out didn't stay long enough to reap the damage they had done, well thank god for that Hyndburns gain is now Carlisle lose

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Like I said, it's great money is finally available after years of neglect, which had left the park in a dangerous, and inaccesible state for many people.

I'm sure residents who don't live in Oswaldtwistle are green with envy.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Whilst £67,000 seems like a lot of money, it really doesn't do an awful lot compared to the £1.6m that the park really needs to completely regenerate it. The funding bid was for £1.6m which would have made the park spectacular. I'm certainly not complaining about £67,000 because it's fantastic that some basic work is being done but to put it into perspective, other parks have had basic maintenance done on them over the last ten years, this is just a catch up. The paths in Rhyddings are dangerous at the moment, doing them is long over due.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

I know this is off thread but it is that sort of thread anyway so what the hell.

The estimates taken from the original lottery bid to drain the footpaths and field would barely be covered by this money. To resurface all the paths in the park while the drainage is being done would cost well over £250,000. These are massive sums of money that we could only have hoped to receive from a lottery grant. At the last friends meeting we put together a top ten hit list of works we need to do in the park. The top of the list is drainage and paths. The drainage has been a problem in the park for as long as most people can remember so its nothing we can blame on any recent Tory or Labour Councils.

As a group we are very pleased that the Council have committed themselves to begin improvement works on a park that has been neglected for many years. Two lottery bids have hampered improvement work in the park for almost the last 15 years. I can, to a point, understand why the Council would not want to spend large sums of money in a park they were hoping to receive a grant for. Unfortunately this has led to little improvement work being done in the park. About 6 years ago a new children's play area was installed in the park and several others in Hyndburn. I can't think of any improvement work in the park since that except for that The Friends of Rhyddings Park have been involved with. Yes we have had money from Hyndburn and Lancashire but only relatively small amounts.

The Friends are now working with HBC to try and address the concerns that local people have with their park. This is a big step forward and I hope it is only the first stage of many.

Sorry to prattle on but several of us are working hard and put many hours of our own time into improving the park to make it a better place for everyone. Only this evening I was telling the local Cub leader that the 1000's of daffs that the cubs planted are doing well and should be flowering soon.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

So are you saying the council deliberately held back money from Rhyddings Park, thus preventing essential maintenance from taking place, and therefore making the paths a danger for those who struggle with walking or with poor eyesight, in order to try and secure the magical lottery million, which thus far has been unsuccessful?

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

No one is knocking the work you personally, and the other Friends do. The evidence is there to be seen, and it's much appreciated.

However you are wrong. The drainage hasn't been a problem 'for as long as people can remember'.

True the park is on a hill, but in the past regular maintenance work was carrried out which ensured drainage wasn't a problem. Gulleys and drains weren't allowed to become choked up.

The same goes for the paths. There wouldn't be the need for such a massive budget now if regular amounts of money had been spent on upkeep and repair.

My memory of the park only stretches back to the mid sixties, but it has been allowed to fall into such a terible state because the council chose not to spend money on regular maintenance.

Strange how councils in the past, for nearly a hundred years, managed to do a much better job than is being done now.

If a winter storm blows a slate off your roof, you pay someone to replace it.

You don't wait until successive storms blow them all off, and then face the prospect of an expensive new roof.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

think you will find a similar situation with the Parks in other areas (towns) of Hyndburn , Gt Harwood's Memorial Park is in a similar situation , seems the 'old' UDCs had a better grasp/control of the local picture :confused:

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

No Council would take deliberate actions to make a park unsafe and put residents at risk.

If the Council had spent a large amount of money on the paths, for example, and had then secured a grant, don't you think people would have accused them of wasting the money they had just spent when several of the paths could have been removed or re routed as part of the grant works?

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

But it appears they have, and they are.

It seems rather an odd situation, hoping for a win on the lottery.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Well Rindi, to all intents and purposes this is the kind of thing the lottery was set up for, but it seems that the people dolling out these grants care more about funding diverse groups than for what it was meant. If councils over the years were to have funded the upkeep of the parks to the level required, the Rates/Council Tax would have had to increase proportionately. Its really a catch 22 situation your damned if you do and your damned if you do, but this problem isn't just confined to Hyndburn, its a national thing

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Well for at least the first ten years that Hyndburn was formed, and before that when it was the responsibilty of the Urban Council, money was found to ensure the park was kept in a much better state than it is now, and the rates weren't sky high to pay for it.

Paths were patched up and repaired to a good standard. They weren't allowed to be made worse by successive winter frosts and storms, so that they are now so bad some people are unable to use them because they aren't safe.

Hell long before the lottery came along money from the rates ensured the park was safe, had it's own greenhouses and gardeners, tennis courts, paddling pool, pitch and put, and magnificant floral displays, and even employed a man in the office in the pavillion, who was there every day, and who you paid your tennis/pitch and put/bowling fees to.

Strange how money was found in the past from the rates. Perhaps they were just better at managing the tax they were given, and of course they couldn't then pin their hopes on winning the lottery.

Some progress.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Maybe its time to reflect and see if some of the older ways of doing things can return. Regular maintainance of paths flowerbeds parks etc can be cheaper over the long run than trying to find the cash to do major repairs. The little dude in the hut could keep the place tidy keep the riff raff at bay, well untill dusk and was there to help.

Wonder sometimes if there is any people in the council that care about our facilities esp the parks.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

It is not quite right saying a lottery win.

Grants are the way things work now.
LCC are totally reliant on a Government grant to pay for its Rapid Bus Route it is trying to implement.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Over the years the parks department has been slowly reduced in terms of man power. As costs to the Council increased it was an easy target that took years for the effects to show up.

I bet in the good old days the current percentage of taxes raised was not spent on employee pensions like it is now.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Well even though money for essential maintenance has apparently been witheld, in the hope of the park being deemed a worthy enough cause to qualify for funding from the profits from the lottery good causes fund, no money has so far been secured this way.

Which in my book counts as a loss, rather than a win.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

...or indeed the percentage spent on councillor's expenses, for that matter.;)

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Could be :D although my suggestion is probably a larger expense.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves.

There then might be enough money to fill in the odd pothole...or twenty.;):D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

The pot holes would soon reappear if you filled them in with pennies :p

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Better filled with pennies than the blood of some poor old dear whose fell and cut her leg in one.;)

...and in the long run cheaper than paying out all those uncontested claims that regularly wind their way to the offices of H.B.C.;)

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Its bad enough with people stealing man hole covers, we can't fill holes with money :D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

No but in modern Britain it allows you to pay a little man, or woman, to come along and fill it in with the correct materials, thus allowing more people to safely use the park without fearing that a short walk may be their last stroll on Earth.;)

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

yet here it remains :)

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Just another thing that makes the site what it is. A forum for people who moan about things that have no affect on their small and sad lifes. They have nothing better to do than try to look good in front of their little web buddies. These are also usually people who hide behind their pc's acting all tough but are fairly quiet at the meets when your face to face (strange!). Then you get the moderating which is a joke if im honest with no clear cut right and wrong it goes off who you are and if they like you or not (well it seems that way anyhow). This site is going down hill and im not the only one who thinks and i think that more people should just be more honest with people and stop being so dam over PC all the time. rant over and cue the oh why do you come on here you moron and the usual dont like it go somewhere else then rubbish.......

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

I think all forums have up's and down's. I don't this one is going down at the moment though. Just look at the number of active members and the ammount of usually useful posts we get daily. We have serious posts and just plain daft ones. I think it is what makes this a good forum. I think people get bored with forums and just move on somewhere else.

As for fair and balanced moderating and I think the mods do let some things go a little and stop some before they think they go off the rails. It works well except that some people think they can break the rules without being pulled up for it, a slight side effect I think when you do use a sensible and flexible approach. I hope you wont be upset when your post gets edited to remove the *'s you used instead of swearing. If I was a mod and had to keep editing peoples posts for doing things like that I would probably give them a little less leway as well. After all swearing with *'s just makes more work for them to do.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Well I can't say I've ever found that to be true, about any of the members of this forum that I've met. They've been very chatty, and always ready for a laugh.

Perhaps it's just your company that deadens any conversation.;)

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

well for once Carl, i have to agree with everything you have said, your face either fits or it doesnt, certain members get certain benefits and certain moderators get away with things that a 'normal' member would never get away with, members get banned for saying things and yet certain moderators can get away with saying whatever they want, in 'real life' they would get a few teeth broken for the things they have said to certain members

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

and now lets wait for the speech on 'moderators dont get paid to do this, they do it voluntarily' 99% of the mods on here are brilliant, its just that 1% that lets the show down

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

No "speech" from me, if you have an issue, use the report button....
"simples" (to quote a meerkat):)

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

I think if there is an obvious conflict between mod and member, the mod should back off and let another one be the moderator in the true sense of the word.............meercat indeed. :rolleyes:

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Do you know Lindsay don't think I've ever used the report button, except for Spam a couple of times, but mind you offencive post have usually been removed before I get the chance to read them:D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

I use it whenever I see spam or something that should not have been posted. I do it to try and help the mods with the task of reading the drivel we all post :D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

:s_cool: The names Neil Secret Agent, patrolling Accy Web:D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

There is a first for everything Shanida. People are just frightened of putting out their real views i think. On some topics people just turn into the sheep and follow the crowd.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

If people put their real views on here, the mods would be working overtime cleaning it up, just the thought of mick on time and a half and unable to make it to the railway is unthinkable:D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

That's true jaysay:D
now what was the original thread about ??:rolleyes:

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Are you trying to say that people have been thread wondering mick, never:D:rolleyes:

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

but why SHOULD people be afraid to say what they mean? i always say what i mean, if i get banned then so be it, its pathetic that a lot of you dont know your own mind and follow everyone else about just because you are afraid you might get a smack bottom, pathetic

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

agree doubt if many don't say what they think though, think that ideas just in the "minds" of some though.:)

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

I think it was about custards ... and nutmeg:confused: Or was that the council meeting thread:rolleyes:

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

I think Less was being a whinging tart :rolleyes::D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

I am not afraid to say what I think, I just follow the rules. After all I only a guest here

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Mmm ... seeing that you mentioned spanking .... :D er, mmm, is there any dressing up involved;):D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

As a Canadian, I'm obliged to think in two official languages; so, because of the English language only rule, I'm only allowed to say only half of what I think:confused: Which means, I suppose, that if I try to be a wit, I can only say something half-witted.:eek:

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

:rolleyes: yes of course you do Neil

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

well I do ish, I might be suggestive but I don't swear and I am not overly abusive to people :D:D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

well not at least to their faces, you just do it behind their backs dont you

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Only somethings ;)

I think most people do the same in a degree. For example, if you don't like someone because they smell, most people won't tell the person but might mention it to a friend.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

you dont do it to a degree though do you, you do it massively

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Don't know how you can say that flashy, everybody knows Neil is the Shy and Quiet Member:rolleyes:

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

if this thread is going to go to a name calling slanging match its going to be closed sorry

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

i assume the other language is french in which case in not using it you have negated the half witted proportion of your responses :D

aww come on its ages since someone took a pop at the french , the damn poles have been taking all the critisism lately im just sharing it out more evenly :)

next week - russians ;)

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Say what you want?... this site is censored and should well be.. you can all jump in the hottub you fat French scouse bastards....but we.. we.. we shall create a shower that like showers all of mankind with love and understanding.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Mancie, are you drunk?

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Well yeah..but that does not mean I cannot imagine a land were all gods creations can live and breath together as one...mind you them E's are only 2 quid down New Cross.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

lol ya daft sod

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

How can a thought be unthinkable? :confused::D

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Easy......dont think about it.

Re: I'd rather this was in anything goes!
 

Easy when you live in the wonderful world of jaysay:D:p