Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

No opposition leader made as many positive contributions as I did. I worked with PB and though the means was unconstructive, the ends, though small changes, were positive.

Velcro recycling bags, rate relief for clubs, scrapping of group repairs, improved cleansing, establishment of a dedicated enforcement unit, opposing Lancashire LEP, opening of infront of the town hall.

I wanted to work with Peter. He didn't want to work with me or in fact his own members who received the same 'hairdryer treatment'.

My caseload contains much to do with HBC. As a resident and Labour Party member - we have a joint responsibility.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

was probably just as hard to work wi Caligua.:D

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

The next council meeting is going to be really interesting. 24th May ?

Hope to make it .. PB will be a formidable opponent. :D

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Will it make a difference to us mere mortals, having a council, and M.P., from the same party?

Been a while since it's been like this.

Shouldn't really make a difference, I suppose..

Though there might be some benefits to Hyndburn. Having the leader of the council, and our represntative at Westminster, singing from the same hymn sheet.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

I think I remember the last time you came to a Council meeting. Was it the controversial one?

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Tempted to go too.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Not sure about that Kate,he was rejected at National level a while ago, presumably cos he wasn't good enough, the locals may just bite his ass, yeh never know, its a funny old game.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

It does help. But they don't necessarily have to be from the same party. What's important is that everyone is pushing in the same direction. Egos can get in the way sometime of course.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Don't know if it was the last, but Katex was an eye-witness on Silly Cow & Gate night.

:D

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

am being the Devils Advocate here, if i was a local Tory i may just think the odds on us ever regaining control of Hyndburn may get a lot longer if the public thought P.B. was ever gonna return as leader.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

That's the one.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Unless you're a horse:eek::D

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

It's not an unfair speculation, in fact many is the conversation that has been had with the Conservative members that they would be more respected as a local party with someone less abrasive and seemingly egotistical at their helm.

Several names leap to mind, Cllr Hayes and Cllr Roberts for starters, both of whom manage to put their point across in a non-confrontational way and without feeling the need to constantly refer to 13 years of Labour rule or what an awful man that Graham Jones is. I have had many productive committee meetings with Tory councillors but they always seem to get lost in the melee once Peter starts posturing.

Council meetings really don't need to be the war zone they have become under Cllr Britcliffe's watch.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Please do, it's open to all members of the public to come and sit in the gallery (although God help us if all 80,000+ ever did turn up). I'm currently unsure of how Cllr Britcliffe will adapt to not being the centre of attention in council meetings but my gut feeling is that the efforts to make his voice heard over all others will still be attempted.

He'll never get to wear the yellow ribbon again, paraded for the last time for the photographers at the Freedom of the Borough ceremony, not one picture of which was printed in the papers...

However, if you look very closely:

Attachment 17781

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

It didn't make one jot of differance when Ken Hargreaves was MP, but the likes of Ken Hargreaves are few and far between

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

There's an article in the Bellylaugh about the recent election sweeteners being stopped. Interesting to scroll down the page and read GJ's comments. Maybe he could post them on here for disection, I'm not doing it I'm not his PA :D

Labour set to rip up Hyndburn Tory spending plan (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

The full scale of Cllr Britcliffe's election promises is about to come out, vast swathes of people offered money in order to tempt them to vote Conservative and now they are told the awful truth of what was really going on.

Jaysay, I know we've differed on many topics in gentlemanly fashion but this is the man you have repeatedly defended in the past and now he has affected hundreds of well-meaning people in community groups by offering money which wasn't really there to start with.

I wonder what his excuse will be? The previous Labour government? Graham Jones?

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

FROM LT: Graham Jones MP, Haslingden & Hyndburn says...
12:13pm Mon 9 May 11

Over the weekend the Labour Group have become aware of the full financial horror story left by outgoing Conservatives.

They racked up an incredible £5.2m worth of promises in just 12 weeks. That would equate to Labour increasing the Council Tax by over 50% to full fill these obligations. This is set against deep successive cuts in each of the next 3 years and Council debts of £10million. Yesterday the new Council Labour leader Miles Parkinson took the easy decision to suspend pending a full review all £5m of spending commitments, many of which were reckless election gimmicks.

The Tories had allocated £15k to drain a football pitch that had never been played on in years. Worse, a sizeable piece of one half of the pitch has seen a multi use games area built over it resulting in it being useless as a pitch. At my surgery and on the doorstep community activists have told me they were encouraged to turn up at the town hall, there were no criteria or application forms and just say how much they wanted and they were granted it.

The reality is two fold. The Tories knew they had lost so wanted to spend spend spend to leave nothing but empty promises Labour could not full fill whilst winning votes. One Labour voter in key seat of Immanuel told me he was voting Tory because the Council had promised in the dying days to build a brand new pavilion at Immanuel CC (they had).

Whilst housing is a key policy for Labour, there is to be a review of the £millions wasted under the previous administration. Under Labour housing investment is unlikely to be cash handouts or benefit private landlords as under the Tories. Scheme's such as any in Woodnook must provide the Council with a return.

The Conservative government have announced this morning they are putting more money into Woodnook providing the Council match funds it. Hardly a Labour only issue is it?

I have campaigned in parliament continuously, I feel led the campaign to some extent to secure funds post austerity for the housing crises, much of which is poor owners and bad landlords. I understand Council officers will be presented with a number of much lower cost options involving both the public and private sector with whom talks began last month.

The only sensible option now for the Council is a full review of each application on a case by case merit with those seeking funding submitting detailed proposals.

The days of reckless Tory spending are over.

Sent from mobile

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Thanks Graham :)

I didn't know wether to laugh or cry at the above issue :confused:

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

The loss of Cllr Britcliffe as Leader is something of a bittersweet victory with little surprises such as this coming out into the open. There will be more to come over the next few months.

Just make sure that you let as many people know just what was done in the name of electioneering by the Conservatives in Hyndburn, the same party that banged on endlessly about the evils of reckless spending so much that they felt compelled to try it out for themselves. Not one of them is on record as being against it, not a single Tory councillor objected.

This is comfortably the biggest act of hypocrisy I have ever witnessed first hand.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Let's just cast our minds back:

£2.6 million for housing in Hyndburn (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Leader of the council Peter Britcliffe said Woodnook was their top priority: “This is excellent news for Barnfield because we have the funds and the relevant control as well. The government have awarded funds to us directly, so we can act on what residents and ward councillors want. In the past we had to abide by Elevate’s plans. I was never a big fan of theirs because money was spent on glossy broches and executive wages instead of where it was needed.” Barnfield ward councillor Paul Barton said he hoped the news would see more green spaces created in Woodnook.

And then forward to today:

Labour set to rip up Hyndburn Tory spending plan (From Lancashire Telegraph)

The borough’s new leader Miles Parkinson said the need to revamp boarded-up streets would see a review of the decision to give every ward at least £100,000. The plan by their Conservative predecessors to share regeneration funds borough-wide has been described by Coun Parkinson as ‘an election gimmick’.

But ousted council leader Peter Britcliffe said the news was ‘disastrous’.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Yes, well isn't it strange how a change of perspective can be brought about when you aren't the leader anymore.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Lets hope that money is spent in areas that badly need it and Woodnook is certainly one such area. The way it has gone downhill is unbelievable whilst other areas have improved no end. And before it is suggested that the residents of Woodnook and other areas likened to it are deadbeats and don't deserve the area to be bettered, rubbish I say there are plenty of hard working folk living there

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

agree bernie, i like the idea of what money their is being spent were its most needed, n my area aint one of em.;)

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Thankfully, who gives a toss what PB thinks any more, he's not important. Thank God. Good luck new clean council.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

So your complaining that the 'evil' Tories used the premise that half a loaf is better than no bread and used funds available at the time to bring a kids 'play/exercise/keep fit' area back into use (as you wrote the area was being unused for years) and now funds are available they were set spend £15k to upgrade the rest of the area to make an even bigger play/exercise/games use area ........ thought the idea was to get young folks outside exercise more .

Lets be honest £15K is less than a teardrop compared to what your friends and colleagues have squandered on the London Olympics in an effort to get Britain fit ;)

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

It's a waste. It's not complicated.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

and any waste is expensive when there are areas of visible deprivation.

Money should be spent where it can do the most good.

If party politics were taken out of the arena of local government, then maybe, just maybe, more time would be spent 'doing' and less time would be spent mud slinging and name calling.....two pursuits which are childish and lame.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

And it is a lot less than is paid to a certian ossy tory in benefits each year ;)

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Mud slinging and name calling will always go on.. and when it gets to the nitty gritty the people that sling the mud will get the returns.. like I said ...some people who have been active in slagging anything that is not "the tory way" are the ones who have gained in some parts of Hydnburn... do us a favour and don't go all soft on us Tory Marg. ..you where one of the most pro Tory posters on here up to the last General Election.:rolleyes:

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

I have no party allegiance Mancie. That means I support no political party Just how many times do I have to tell you this.
Because my views are not aligned to yours, you view me as a tory.(some labour governments have been more tory that tory - and new Labour is not Labour)I vote using critical thought processes....and of course core values, if I don't see a party which is in line with those things....then I don't vote.(and you have harangued me for this)
However, I do vote in local elections.
Party banners are devisive in local issues, and energies which could be spent in working towards resolution of local issues, are wasted in name calling and mud slinging...totally pointless.
A bit like your posts really.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Exactly.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

No.. I've never seen you post anything that could be seen as anti tory..but seen plenty that are anti Labour.. and I reckon this is were you are found out.. no matter what the argument is you will find some place to blame anyone but the tories.. you don't fool anyone.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

So do you not believe in providing safe areas for our kids to play?

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

So you agree with spending our tax money renovating houses belonging to private landlords who according to other posters on here purposely allow areas to become run down so they can buy up houses cheap to then rent out.

The Council should be making these land lords sort out the appearance of their business properties not throwing our money at them.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Which is why the Labour budget proposed to look at the introduction of extra enforcement officers and tighten up lax enforcement notices in order to alleviate this problem.

Full details of new policies to tackle housing problems will be released when they are ready. Until then it is pointless to enter into discussions based on speculation of what the precise details of those solutions might be. The same is true of all policies of course.

Money should be channelled into problems after measured thought, not simply thrown at votewinning ideas.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

That will cost money..money we are told you or any other council don't have.. officially;)

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Not to sound patronising but that is what a 'budget' is designed to do, see what money you have and then redistribute it in the areas which you think are important.

As the council is in far worse shape than even we feared thanks to the efforts of Cllr Britcliffe, that job has suddenly become immeasurably more difficult.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

I agree with you on that

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Increase council tax by at least inflation then.

Should the residents expect the council to keep taking a cut in income each year which is in effect what a no rise in council tax is.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Not to sound patronising but you must have had an inkling about the shape of things.. this smacks of the Tories saying they never knew how bad the state of the country was in when they took over.. I hope you don't go down the same road of shame and blame.. I'd say that the voters in Hyndburn got fed up with the lying tories and don't need anymore spin.. tell the people as it is.. if you need to make cuts just tell people.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

It's common sense really. The current best approach to spending public money is to treat it as if it were your own and be as frugal as possible to acheive the desired result. That really shouldn't be very much different in times of plenty either, not that I ever remember such halcyon days.

For the record, I have been appointed Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny committee to examine the way the council spends it money. As ever, I shall be continuing my niggardly ways in order to be the biggest miser in the borough and try to save the council a few quid.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

In ordinary circumstances it might be looked at as an undesirable possibility but currently the council faces losing a large government subsidy if we raise taxes so it simply isn't in the borough's best interests.

In short, raising council tax as things stand means that everybody loses.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Absolutely right, although I am not the person to make public statements on such things as presently I have neither the full facts or the authority. We knew there would be many unpaid bills in the bottom drawer but the full scale of things is only just coming out as a huge amount of the financial damage was only done within the past three months.

The public will be kept informed but for the moment the facts that should be forefront in your mind are that we had £2.4m in reserves, £2.7m in transitional funding and £2.8m of cuts to make this year alone.

Britcliffe has gone and spent £5.2m and claims to have left the council in great shape.

You work it out.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Well having read all these post from people supposedly in the know, I would suggest that if things are have as bad as you say they are not only are there faults with the last political incumbents but, HBC pay out millions in wages to officers, maybe there is something wrong in that department, after all when budgets are put forward surely they must be deemed workable by more than just the politicians, just a thought

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

The Government subsidy will be cut by around 30% no matter what... I understand that raising council tax will cause problems in the community.. but are you saying the council would suffer directly from the Government if it had to raise tax in order to keep a normal service?.. whats going on?

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Bit of a long winded reply from you.. it's usually the last labour mob to blame.. go back to bed :)

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

The council receives a 2.5% tax grant for keeping taxes as they are, if we raise taxes at all then we lose it.

It isn't a sensible option at the moment, all we do is needlessly take money out of residents' pockets.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Mancie you post some ludicrous twaddle.
Your stance is obviously, I am not with labour so I must be against them and by your logic that puts me in the tory camp.
I do not fit into any of these pigeon holes that you try to put me into.......as I have stated very clearly in the past........I would vote for the party that I feel could do the best job of extricating this country from the great financial hole that it is in.........I DO NOT CARE ONE JOT ABOUT THE IDEOLOGY. Have you got that?
You can believe whatever you want. And speaking of fools (which I wasn't, but you were)......I don't need to fool anyone....the people who know me(and that obviously isn't you) know I have no allegiance with any political party....and as you know, I withheld ( or rather spoilt my vote at the last election because I believed there was no party up to the job).

Now go away and digest that information and maybe you will post something sensible next time...though I won't hold my breath.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Neil....you are trying to put words into my mouth.
You know very well that I did not say that in my post, so don't try to twist my words.

There are areas of this town that are very run down.......and nowhere did I suggest that private landlords be given public money.....there are other ways of going about regenerating areas.
You are intelligent enough to know that too.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Margaret, I wouldn't have known what the guy was on about if you hadn't quoted on his post, you see I alleviated him from my accyweb a few months ago so now I don't even read the drivel he posts on here

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

well yer entitled to yer opinion.:D

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Cashy, I made that opinion from many of Neils' previous posts.
:)

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

understandable, but think back to yer days as a nurse, quite a few reasons could explain this= Medication don't always have the same effect! A change of medication! etc etc.:D:D:D:D:D

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Oooh, I didn't know he took medication Cashy.
Maybe he has upped his dose.
Sorry Neil......I like you really:)

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Where would these safe areas be then, Neil?

Most parents I know, do not want their children to play anywhere other than where they can be seen...usually in thier own back yard or certainly where they can be supervisedby their own family.......often in the street.
Parents worry all the time that perverts or paedophiles are watching their children in public parks, playgrounds and the like.

The times when it was thought safe for children to play out in fields and parks (without the parents overseeing them) are long gone.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Not just how it spends its money, but also how it gets money in.

At budget time, we talked about the income generation that was part of the 2011/12 Budget ie

Additional Income Generation - Pest Control 30,000
Budget Re Alignment Income - Env. Health 40,500
Additional Income From Better Waste Management 28,000
Increased Rental Income 2,500
Regeneration - Additional Income Fees 418,689
Additional Fees on Environmental Schemes 4,400
Accountancy Services - Increased Income 21,000
Corporate Services - Additional Income 82,416
Total 627,505

This was all new money, never previously received, and we thought it warranted a full explanation. As I understand it, requests for an explanation were blocked by the Cabinet and the then Chair of Resources Overview and Scrutiny.

Well, now is your chance. Ask for:-

1. A full breakdown of where this 627,505 will be coming from, and who will be paying it to HBC.

2. 7 Weeks into the new financial year, how much of this 627,505 has been secured?

Nobody will be more delighted than me if a satisfactory answer is received.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

I must be a bit stupid then because we are seeing houses renovated that belong to private landlords

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

How sad that you think that. I am so glad not everyone does or our children would have a boring upbringing.

Go for a walk in our many parks on a nice sunny day and see the children having fun it really is a lovely sight.

Personally I prefer to see them in parks than on street corners.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Why call yourself stupid, when it is clearly plain that you are anything but stupid......or was that a bit of irony/sarcasm?

What you are saying may be true, but that isn't what I advocated....nor ever would.

What I actually said was, the money should be used where it can do the most good....and at this point I will add...to benefit as many people as possible.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

I cannot see labour;

1) funding private landlords - that will stop - there are other ways and tough enforcement is one, as is open market sale and CPO.

2) We need to stop the giveaway cash handout culture and ensure as a principle for every £1 we put in - we should be looking to get back as much as possible so we can continue a regeneration programme. We are exploring exciting ways we may be able to do this with outside partners.

Conservative giveaway facelift grants and expensive group repairs, £30k relocation grants and £30k 'lifetime' loans are on the axe list.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

I didn't say I thought that....but I know many parents do.
I do visit parks and I see children playing, but usually close by there is a parent/grandparent......because even these idyllic surroundings are not seen as safe.

Street corners aren't ideal, but if you can look out of your window and see your children, then surely it must be a comfort......though still not exactly safe.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

You do realize that if, as Margaret P suggested ... post #231, I think ... party politics were not a part of municipal government, this whole issue of Labour spending vs. Tory spending would disappear.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Yes, that was my point....that those elected would be able to focus all of their energies on what benefits the community as a whole.
We would be saved the whole'they did this, and so we'll do that' mudslinging/slanging match.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

We may be talking about different age range of kids, I was meaning teenagers, these are the ones that need facilities in Hyndburn. All most want to do is hand about with mates chatting or kicking a football about.

Thats why the friends of Rhyddings park working with HBC funded and built the multi use play area and youth shelter in the park. HBC could not pay £100,000 for such a facility so we applied for the funding with the assistance of HBC and it was specified using their expertise and built by contractors. I cant remember the figures but a small amount of money, less than 10% was provided by HBC and £100,000 provided by the friends from the lottery.

Its not enough though and our towns and villages need more of these facilities if we want to stop seeing groups of kids on street corners.

I am hoping the new administration are forward thinking and will be looking at ways to provide these facilities.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Just when you've been doing so well, you go and drop a howler.

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

Marg has posted what paper she reads. But being a vociferous reader, I suspect that's because compared to every other daily newspaper, there's physically a lot in it to read.

You don't half like your labels, don't you Mancie?

I suspect if you'd have beeb born with a daisy, instead of a little tail, you'd have been one of those mad feminists in the seventies, who'd have labelled all men as rapists, and anyone who bought The Sun, with it's pin-up, on a par with a mass murderer.

:rolleyes::D

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Now the King Emporer has been deposed, I hear certain brown nosers have already been sniffing around.

Looking for a new home, in which to stick their schnozzles.

:rolleyes:

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Yes, we were talking of a different age group.
And my observation is that lots of teens don't really play in the parks, they hang around......but they do sometimes seem to prevent the younger children from playing, by their aggressive behaviour.
Teens are a totally different ball game(pardon the pun)....they need to be kept occupied.
Over the years, there has been a move away from organisations which gave the teens a focus.(scouts Guides, Sea Cadet,Church Activities etc)

Teens see these as 'uncool'.
Street corners seem to be where these youngsters want to be.......although if asked, they will tell you they would like something better to do, but I bet a pound to a penny, if you organised a Drama group or something organised, it would fold, because not enough of them would join.......or they might join for a few weeks and the numbers would dwindle and that would be the end of that.

Part of the problem of children on street corners is, because they are teens, they think they are grown up, and above'playing'.

As I said previously, I am i n favour of public money being spent on things that will benefit the greater good of deprived communities, and it isn't for me to designate just how it is spent, it is up to the people in charge of the money, ensuring that the money being spent is on something that is good value for money.
In the past this (in my opinion, for what it is worth)has not been the case.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Yes, I have posted what newspaper I read, the one I get delivered....but I read many others online too....so I get a balanced view of the world about me.
This is what allows me to make informed decisions. Decisions not based on narrow ideologies.

I am not the only one in my house, and did you ever stop to think that the newspaper that is pushed through our letterbox, could be the choice of the other person in the house.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Thats funny I thought he already was:rolleyes:

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

They want to be somewhere the feel safe, they might not openly admit it but that is one of the reasons they hand about on street corners. People pass by and they dont feel isolated.

They only want to be in the dark when up to no good

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

dont bother me if they hang around street corners, bothers me when they make one hell of a racket when stood yon, doubt if they would feel very safe when they do that.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

It does many people though, they feel intimidated and wont walk past them.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

agree it does, but right or wrong that to me is taking the view,all kids are yobs, which they aint,

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

It was not meant to sound like that as I believe most kids are not yobs, its only a small percentage that are. Most never do anything wrong.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Like you Neil, I think it is a small minority of young people who give the rest a bad name.

Anyone who has any ambitions to make life better for them, by introducing them to activities which will use up their seemingly boundless energies, has my admiration.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

It would be good if they could have subsidised access to sporting activities,swimming,football,badminton bowling and the like.......but money is tight and I can't see it happening.

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

The youth centre on Harvey street is doing a great example in that respect Margaret, I have called into see Martin the Youth Leader a few times of late, who's doing a tremendous job with young people

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Well then John, we need to have him instruct more people on how he does what he is doing.......and get them to use his model.
It is all about connecting with teens, making them feellistened to and I guess, important.
We all like to be made to feellike we matter, don't we?

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

I think its down to the principle you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink Margaret, as martin tells me there are those who don't want help and are hell bent on spoiling things for others, but his success stories are to be admired in the overall piece

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

You would lose your bet on this one Margaret, as proved by the success of the Drama/Dance/Art groups now available for young people at The Civic Arts Centre.

For instance, the Junior Section of Ossie Players 'Sparks' starts again in June.
'SPARKSWe're pleased to announce that Oswaldtwistle Players Youth Group, Sparks, is starting up again at the Civic Arts Centre for the Summer. Starting on 6th June (no session on 13th June) then every Monday through to the end of August. Only £2 per session, 7pm to 9pm for 11 yrs up to 17yrs. Drama games, improvisation and lots of fun.'



On Friday, the production of 'The Witches' opens in the theatre ... all young people involved.

The Teenage Gigs are a great success allowing young bands a chance to show off their talents.

All these are extremely well attended and are showing no danger whatsoever of folding. Lots more too.

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Yes Kate, I wish they has been in existence when I was growing up......well thinking about it they probably were to a limited degree, but alas I had no access to them.

Do you think I could go along and pretend I am 14? I'd have an absolute ball!

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Yes John, you are right........and I did actually say this in an earlier post.
Things have to be 'cool'.....or at least not ridiculed by their peers.

I think this might be where Kate is coming from with the Drama group......it is almost seen a a possibilty for a foot in the door of fame, after all we have quite a few local actors and actresses(one of them currently getting rave reviews in a Shakespeare Production...... J Slinger)
And who is to say that this young peoples drama group won't be a springboard for others?

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

Well, can come and help or become a Matron (that's what they call the CRB checked people now.. even the fellas !) .. can join in with them too if you wish... LOL.
We do have an Over 50's Drama Group.

They don't all have ambitions of becoming stars .. just enjoy the fun and friendship.

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But Kate..........I'm only 14:D(that is what Spindles thinks anyway - even though he knows his mother is in her 40's....sorry Nicola)

Ooh you know I could just be tempted. I can act daft with the best of them........I just can't sing(tone deaf)......or dance come to think of it.

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it didn't sound like that, was referring to the view of many people, not inferring or thinking twas your view.;)

Re: Hyndburn Local Elections - 5th May
 

I must have been reading one thing and seeing another, was a little distracted this morning because Emily had an op today, gromits in her ears.

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That is understandable...being distracted I mean.
Hope she recovers quickly from her op Neil.

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I know this might sound a little strange but I was an avid member of St Marys Amateurs from the age of 15 to 19 and appeared in two productions and worked back stage on 3 more, so there were things even then for kids to do, but there again kids in our day were more adept at amusing themselves without causing havoc and damage just for kicks, on top of getting blotto every weekend

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Its times like that Neil when you wish you could take your kids place, would sooner I had problems than them

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Can see how that'd be a distraction. :) Show her this & wish her well.

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Erm no its not, I don't need them :D

She is fine and running round like normal ish

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Neil, that is really good to hear.(no pun intended).

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Ummm pity daddy isn't though:D