Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

For the past few weeks the Observer's featured articles about the charity Maundy Grange.

Dorothy McGregor, the founder, says so far this year they've given 534 food parcels.

She's quoted once again in this weekend's newspaper, saying that...

'For many people , life in Accrington in 2012 is worse than it was in The Depression.'

What utter drivel!

I've not heard of many people dying now, because they can't afford to call the out the doctor.

Nor have I seen many children in Accrington with nothing on their feet.

Unlike in the Great Depression we now have a Welfare State, with a generous array of social benefits.

People only go hungry now because of fecklessness.

I don't think she's a bad woman, just woefully naive. Though I would question the benefits she brings to the area.

It's not for nothing drug addicts are called users.

Her providing for them, some of which is sold to buy drugs, makes her a facilitator, in my book.

In response to her outlandish claim, that life in Accrington today is worse than The Depression, I'd love to ask St. Dorothy just one question.

Just how many registered smack-heads were there in Accrington, in the twenties, and thirties?

I'm guessing it wasn't many.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I would agree wi her,It is worse now n this foolish woman is responsible.:mad:

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Ya they now come from miles around to get "help":eek::mad:

I think what she's does is with best intentions and she is a good woman however I can't disagree with anything said in the previous posts

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

My personal opinion is that she is fulfilling her own needs.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Think you've hit the nail on the head Anne

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Went past there this morning on my way to WORK there really are some stunning examples of humanity hanging around there, i bet the shops around them plus 2 etc are really glad to have the maundy crew hanging around outside their premises it makes for a warm and welcoming sight for any shoppers wanting to go into other shops.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

To say we have a true level of poverty in Hyndburn is just ludicrous.
I returned last night from Libreville, Gabon in Sub Saharan Africa, having spent a few days there flying some clients in and out.
While there I had the 'pleasure' of going for a walk in a relatively safe part of Africa.
The Hotel, had a contingent of the WHO, Red Cross, UNICEF, The UN all giving basic medical aid, injections etc in the bar next to the lobby.
Outside the street was next to a open sewer, with the appropriate stench. Most of the houses were of authentic 'ghetto' construction.
Children and adults with no shoes, few dirty clothes and lets not discuss food.

Now in Accrington, I don't see any of the above. Recently at the A&E at Blackburn, with a relative I saw our underclass, they had fake designer clothes, ciggarette's, they complained as they wanted the hospital to take them home, seeing they don't have a car.

A friend has a shop on Abbey Street, they say it is becoming more and more a haven for our towns drug users and for those from outside the town, all using Miss McgGregor's hospitality. I know to some she is a new Mother Teresa, but in Accrington.....

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

...and I don't disagree with you.

She's kindly...but foolish.

It's tough love that's needed.

Not butties, and twenty quid for 'the leccy'...which ends up in the dealer's pocket.

She's also totally wrong, in saying society's worse today, than it was locally in the depths of the 1920's/30's depression.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Yes, and it's not just one shop.

They've taken over the whole street, as others have moved out.

Wonder why they moved?

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Shamefully, all with the blessing of H.B.C.

I wonder how much having the tourist attraction that is the Maundy Model Village, actually costs the council tax payer?

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Interesting view - this seems to fit
Psychological egoism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Ok ... I know I could go to Google, but what is Maundy Grange:confused:

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

She is old enough to have seen with her own eyes, the effects of the 30's depression, whilst she thinks she is helping the poor, she isn't, she's just helping the junkies to keep on being junkies, and no way is she running all those shops, seems like some do gooders have found their niche.

Retlaw.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Spot on Anne. She needs to be needed.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

A Junkies paradise in Abbey St, Accrington, facing the end of Tasker St & Queen St, some do gooders have taken over most of the adjacent shops selling furiture & other rubbish, in the name of Maundy Grange, her little place is set back from the main road on the Eastern side of Abbey St.

Retlaw,

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Most Saturday mornings I see Dorothy MacGregor hoofing it up Infant street with bags loaded up(I am told that M&S give them their leftovers) Wouldn't you think on of the able bodied people who get the benefits of her labours, would come down with her and give her a hand with the bags...after all it is them that are going to be eating it

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

As I don't live local - are these shops squatted or rented by her?

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I had heard a little about it Eric on my last trip over to Accy in April. Found it slightly disconcerting that something like this organisation is taking over a large space in the town. It smacks a little of some kind of sect to me...certain religious groups prey on the weak.
In Garinda's first post he mentions "St. Dorothy". I did Google it, as i have limited knowledge and was worried by what i read and the posed "Saintly" photos of this Dorothy person smacked of some kind of cult to me, very like the images of catholic Saints and Martyrs. Testimonials of "abuse" victims etc reinforced the idea that they are in some way trying to attract people with problems.
My friend's mother-in-law had recently changed her dining room furniture and offered the old stuff to this group only to be told it wasn't what people wanted these days -too old-fashioned -she was taken aback as, if someone is in need -a table is a table, surely.
I read that this person is 77 therefore she cannot have witnessed the difficulties of the Depression -would have been a babe I think. To compare today's problems with those of the 30's is blinkered to say the least - there is no country in the world that gives support to all as much as the UK does, no-one in Britain has to be truly in need as the State supports all its citizens.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Who knows.

As they expand, others move out, and they expand further.

They are a registered charity, so will benefit finacially from all the perks that entails, including very reduced rates...if any.

The Observer are running a campaign urging other businesses to be drop off points, so people can leave donated stuff there.

The expansion continues.

Oh, and our council give her their full backing.

Seeing it all as some tourist draw.

It is.

For smack-heads.

Margaret you are so right. I really feel sorry for her that these users are taking her for such a mug

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I honestly don't think that there's any need to feel sorry for her.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I agree wi Anne, Its the traders whose businesses are declining cos of this lot, that i feel sorry for.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

She allows herself to be used.

For whatever reasons, why she does what she does, she acts as a facilitator.

She allows the problem to fester, instead of lancing the infection.

Still struggling to find out how many registered drug users there were in Accrington, in the thirties.

Probably easier to look for statistics about how many anorexics there were in Ethiopia, in the 1980's.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

She'll be getting her reward up in Heaven, whilst down on Earth, Accrington's closed for business.

:angel:

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

It's backed by the church isn't it so it's an official charity. There are several places like this all round the country now they give out food parcels that last about 3 days for people on benefits who have a letter from a GP or Social Worker proving they are on benefits etc. There is one lot who stand out side my local Sainsbury's asking people to donate food on their way out!

So what's wrong with helping people? Junky or no junky!:rolleyes:

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

http://www.maundyrelief.co.uk/

(I was about to say more but it would cause offense to some christians)


PS - do they have an equivalent of 22 virgins?

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Why are traders losing business because of her? She's not selling anything cheaper just giving stuff away to those in poverty!

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

There's nothing wrong with helping the needy.

That's why we created the Welfare State, some years after the Great Depression had ended.

Giving money, to someone saying they need money to pay a bill, then going outside to score drugs, as I've seen with my own eyes, helps no one.

Not the user, and certainly not the town.

Any criticism of the ex-nun's 'good works' risks a holy contract being taken out on you.

Be warned.

Luckily I'm already doomed.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Fill yer' boots, It is UK after all & as such it's okay, now if you're going to be talking about the religion of peace .... well, whole different ball game!

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Because she is driving businesses out of Abbey Street and taking over their shops with second hand tat shops.
Because her clientele can appear threatening to people and therefore people do not choose to shop there.
Because of the limited choice of business on Abbey Street which means that unless you want second hand tat you don't shop there.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I agree... Maundy Grange is a blight. 'St Dorothy' is foolish, misguided and naive..but does not deserve the grief she is getting on here.

Her ideals are sound...someone with a few quid deciding to help the more unfortunate..ain't that socialism?

Thing is, the unfortunate are taking the mick out of her, I'm sure she intended something different than what Maundy Grange has become, but what can she do?

I suppose she could employ people, to means test each individual case. She could take photo's of people who already claimed, and refuse them a second time..She could check on how many jobs they had applied for since they last claimed. She could make them apply for jobs in Kendal, Skipton, Morecambe, and Chester etc.etc..Just like a real job centre.. Would this work???

Thing is, the government, with it's massive resources, still has major isssues in dealing with benefit fraud....what chance does some altruistic 77 year old with limited resources have.?

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Common Sense: The Egotistical Altruist: A Walking Contradiction

"The Egotistical Altruist: A Walking Contradiction

The outspoken altruist takes pleasure (they will deny this) in placing themselves at the forefront of human kindness. Claiming slogans of self-sacrifice to be the only way, and rousing (false) courage develops an appearance of moral fiber, to which the altruist will thrive."

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

So you hang round outside in a rain coat checking up on Junky's who obtain money from her under false pretences!

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

They do sell things, at a whole range of premises, on both sides of Abbey Street.

A neighbour's forced to close, they move in, and take over.

Other traders do lose out, because of all the addicts who come from miles around for her handouts.

There are so many they are a real problem.

So much so the council removed benches, so they couldn't have a little sit, after getting high.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Not many expressions of support; is that because AccyWeb members are a load of moaners or does it reflect the general feeling within the town? Picking up on comparisons with the depressions of the 30's has unleashed a barrage of complaints about the charity. These seem to include the effect on the local street scene, the attraction of undesirable elements in our society, from elsewhere and the encouragement of drug use/abuse. Perhaps our so called 'local' newspaper should do some investigative journalism and publish their findings to expose the problems and/or educate the local residents of any positive achievements/particular examples of good work that the charity has done/achieved. I can agree with many views that the overall street level impressions can be less than attractive, at times, but if that is the price we have to pay for helping the truly unfortunate - it may be worthwhile? It is obviously an issue, within the town. Until someone bites the bullet and seeks further information; we will not be able to judge the merits of the charity or its founder, based on factual evidence. Come on Observer, make the effort! Now is your chance to show us what a good local newspaper can provide in terms of journalism and a enterprising reporting service for the locality and for their readers.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

If you're going to try and turn this very serious local issue, into another petty attack, I shall just have to ignore what piffle you're spouting now.

Keep to the subject being discussed .

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I read that this person is 77 therefore she cannot have witnessed the difficulties of the Depression -would have been a babe I think. To compare today's problems with those of the 30's is blinkered to say the least - there is no country in the world that gives support to all as much as the UK does, no-one in Britain has to be truly in need as the State supports all its citizens.[/quote]
That means she was born in 1935, then she would have been old enough to have witnessed how her parents, & grandparents lived, and heard first hand accounts of the times, whilst she was growing up, she is just exagerating when she compares things to that era, because like many others living today, they have no knowledge of those times, so who's going to correct her. She doesn't need any excuses for what she said, just exagerated journalism to extract sympathy for a load of so called down trodden junlies, whose ailments are self inflicted, they should have been allowed to overdose, & clean up the gene pool.
There is no reason for the genuine needy to visit that place these days.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Oh but we can judge.

From personal experience the kid glove, kindly-kindly approach rarely results in someone managing to kick their drug habit.

Her methods kill.

She facilitates abuse.

You any idea how many drug addicts there were in Accrington, in the 1930's, that St. Dorothy says were so much easier than today?

Then it was no worky-worky, no eaty-eaty for everyone.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Hmm..again I'll state that I think Maundy Grange is a poorly thought out idea...but,

Care to name a single business that has been driven out?

Care to link a single occurrence of threatening behaviour, resulting in someone refusing to shop in the area?

I suggest you look at the other thread where many on this forum are saying that they furnished their first home with 'second hand tat'

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Besides her terrible gaffe, about today being worse than in the Great Depression, another quote that's been oft reported that amused me, is that she's seeing more and more 'middle class people' coming in for food parcels.

No darlin', they're still junkies.

Just ones with the latest iPhones, designer trackies, and souped up cars.

There for you to give 'em stuff...they can flog.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

There are two long established interiors businesses, that I know of, that closed because their staff and customers didn't like getting hassled.

It's also the reason Whalley's Maureen Cookson decided against taking over Gene Sutcliffe's.

You shop much in Accy?

I'm one of the few, who still do.

Spend thirty minutes outside the post office.

See if you like the pestering, hassle, and abuse you get from those off their heads, who are winding their way to the open arms of St. Dorothy,

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Thats crap using the fact people furnished homes wi second hand tat, I did meself, bought from second hand shops n friends that were selling stuff, The object was to avoid getting stuff on the never never, a good concept in my book that many now would do well to learn. As yer not around here now, yeh have really no concept of what occurs on Abbey St, pretty regular these days.:rolleyes:

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I was merely commenting because you said you saw someone come out with money and buy drugs, so I assume if you have seen this more than once then perhaps you was staking the place out - if you get my drift? :D

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

No.. now this is were you go wrong...you have been told by Garinda what is acceptable to post and if you differ you will be dealt with:D

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

As I've said before..I avoid shopping in the town centre like the plague, because Tesco/Asda have more variety in different nappies than Accrington has in different shops.

No reason to doubt either of you guys..so I'll concede

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

No...I am merely stating what I thought - that Garinda must spend a lot of time keeping his eye on this place if he knows so much about it and knows exactly who goes in there and what they do when they come out of it! :rolleyes:

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

As you're apparently still in nappies, that's probably wise.

;):D

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Of course he knows :D..the bloke is all seeing all knowing.. it's like having one of the X-Men hovering around Hyndburn.. think yerself lucky..:)

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Not quite, but fully expect to be in a couple of years, so been pricing them up

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I've actually been in there, buying a painting if you're at all interested, and heard the sob story, saw the money given 'for electricty', which was then handed over to a waiting dealer outside in Abbey Street, for two ten quid wraps of smack.

That sort of charitable help aids no one.

I really don't care if one or two fools don't see that.

They can take comfort from each other.

Like addicts take comfort from the town having the Maundy Grange here, which allows their addictions to continue unabated.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Do try to stick to what's being discussed in this thread please,

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

If you had ever had a loved one with a drug problem I think you would share the view that Maundy "enables" the problem to continue. The people who avail theirselves of its services will in the main be getting benefits to pay their bills/feed themselves. It is certainly not an asset for the town and if people can't see that they are blinkered to say the least.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

The blinkers seem to be on those people with a problem who actually live nowhere near Accy, I only learnt for myself what maundyville was like until I saw it for myself last Summer, the Abbey St I knew is long gone and I didn't like its replacement one little bit.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Yeh Abbey Street used to be a nice street of varied shops, but Muandyville has taken over.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

One example of second hand tat - I arranged for the council to take away an old television set which was broken. It stood outside for two days in the rain until Hyndburn Used Furniture Stores collected it. A few days later I was walking along Abbey Streey and there was my knackered old telly in pride of place for sale in one of the Maundy Grange shop windows.
I also furnished my first home with second hand goods, and I love a rummage round second hand shops and charity shops, although I would never on principle go into any of the Maundy Grange shops.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

The thing is when Dorothy started of at first she did a good job, until it started escalating, now its totally out of control

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

And you would trust what the Observer told you?
All I will say is....'don't hold your breath while you wait for this to happen'

I have donated food and goods to this charity in the past, but I do not support them anymore after I heard one recipient of Dorthy's charity lambast the goods she had been give(food) with words like 'Does she expect us to eat this she-ite?'
I know this is anecdotal and only one comment. There may be other very deserving cases she has helped, but to the outside observer(not the paper), it does seem that a lot of these people see her as a 'mug'.
And these clients of hers do blight the town centre......making it less than pleasant to visit.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

No, we didn't say that we furnished our homes with second hand 'tat'.
What we actually said, was that we furnished our homes with second hand furniture and stuff that was gifted to us - or at least I did....and I know that Susie123 posted something very similar.
And what was alluded to by that was that we hadn't the money and were being thrifty...not that we furnished our homes with tat...none of my stuff was tat!

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Well some of my stuff is now worth quite a lot of money so it can't have been that tatty! Just out of fashion in those days - now more likely to be seen on the Antiques Roadshow.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Yes, much of the stuff we were given was because it was unfashionable.
I never cared much for fashion in furniture...it was about comfort and functionality in my book, and of course not going into a debt that I could not afford.

But when we had a bit more financial stability much of the old stuff found its way onto the bonfires ....purely because nobody wanted the unfashionable stuff..... they would rather pay for stuff on the never never.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I've lost count of the stuff we have thrown away and put on bonfires, never knowing that it could be worth something.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Yep, done that too, Max.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Does Dorothy remember the Great Depression? Growing up with rationing in the 50s was hard but we made do.

No doubt there are people living in comparative poverty but a few lessons in home economics alongside the food parcels may not go amiss.

I don't like to judge but the number of times I see families in supermarkets with a trolley stacked high with processed foods and ready meals, pizzas etc. Some of these families will no doubt be claiming benefits.

Times are hard for a lot of people but perhaps the food banks should also offer cooking lessons for some of the families as well. It is usually true that the most nutritious food are the cheapest. Tinned tomatoes, pasta, carrots, rice etc. All comparatively cheap. A few few simple staple foods which can make filling meals.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I am in the odd position of having dealt with some of these "addicts" whilst working at a local pharmacy and have heard a couple of well respected pharmacists state that what Maundy Grange is doing actually undermines the hard work and effort of parole boards, Add-action team and pharmacists alike in trying to get these individuals back on track. They would come and collect their heroin substitute, take it outside, sell it on and then go up to "see Dorothy and tell her I've no money for gas", get £30 and buy the real thing instead....
The woman is either mentally impaired, sadly deluded or very naive if she thinks she is genuinely helping these folk.
Either give them food vouchers for stores that can only be used on food or go with them to Morrisons. And get a paypoint machine to top up their gas/electric cards instead of handing over what is essentially drug money. Rant over.:eek:

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I have seen this selling of the heroin substitute outside the post office when I have been collecting Ma's pension...so I know this does go on. It is very hard to give to a charity when you know that it is being abused by addicts and alcoholics...especially when you know there are services in place to help these members of society.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Lindsay, I always thought that those on heroin substitute had to drink it there and then before they left the pharmacy.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I've just been watching a series on Channel 4 called Secret Eaters in which people who are obese say they have no idea why they are putting on weight. Their food diaries show they only eat three times a day.

Their homes are rigged up with cameras and a couple of private investigators follow their every move, showing that these people are actually stuffing their faces at every available opportunity without realising it - snacks, sweets, alcohol etc, thus consuming sometimes up to three times the calories that their food diaries show and that are healthy limits for their sex.

Most of the meals they consume are takeaways or processed foods and I just wonder how these families can afford to eat like this - I don't think any of them were on benefits, but nonetheless it must put a great strain on family budgets now to mention waistlines.

There's also a new series on BBC2 called The Men who Made us Fat about the ploys used by big business to get us to consume more calories in the form of fat, sugar etc. The first one last week was very interesting.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Quite right.

Old stuff was built to last.

Very often it's modern stuff that's the tat, and designed to be binned after a couple of years. Which then forces you to buy more rubbish.

I furnished my first home with second-hand stuff people kindly gave me. I didn't have anything new at all, until a few years later when Mum bought me a washing machine. I was thrilled with what I was given, and it's still treasured.

I didn't ever have a new telly until two years ago.

I've posted before that a friend of a friend who was an asylum seeker, well he wasn't really, he was a Turkish liar pretending to be Kurdish, laughed at my television for being antiquated, though it worked perfectly well, even if it was third-hand.

As I said earlier, I don't think Dorothy McGregor is a bad person, but I do think she is misguided, and also foolish for saying the things she has, about local folk being worse off now, than in the Depression.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Not so, it depends on the conditions attached to the prescription, if it 's "supervised" it has to be taken in front of the pharmacist, otherwise they can take the bottle/pill away with them.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Noticed today that the new charity shop in Church Street, until recently a 'real' business, had the Observer's blurb in the window, stating it was now acting as one of the drop-off points for donations to Maundy Grange, which the newspaper are promoting.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I think the trouble is that no-one at council level has the "cojones" to confront St Dorothy about the blight she has brought on the town, for fear of upsetting the applecart. The Council has to be seen to be supporting "charities" even ones as badly run and obviously flawed as this one.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

We'll just have to hope one of them, of either gender, grows a pair of balls one day, and has the guts to say this isn't working, and is helping to destroy the town.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

1. Maundy - 21 Abbey Street, Accrington, BB5 1EN.


2.Maundy - 3 Abbey Street, Accrington, BB5 1EN.


3. Maundy Relief Key Scheme - 33-38 Abbey Street, Accrington, BB5 1EB.


4. Maundy Relief Trust - 29 Abbey St, Accrington, BB5 1EN.


5. Maundy Relief Warehouse - Junction 7 GEC Bsns Pk, BB5 5JW.


Maundy in Accrington - Business Name - The Phone Book from BT

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

i stay away from abbey street ... the only time i go along there is on the bus going home ....

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

For those interested, there is some info here:
"MAUNDY RELIEF" (PASTORAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY) :: OpenCharities

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

The latest statement of accounts is here -

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/...110331_e_c.pdf

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

No expediture noted for business rates.

Charities are allowed to pay no more than 20% of the current ratebale value on non-domestic property, which they use for charitable purposes.

Perhaps Hyndburn B.C. have decided to charge them nothing at all, for all the many properties they currently occupy.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

To say they're God's little helpers here on Earth, you'd think one of them would have noticed the spelling mistake on their own website.

'The Agnes Dei chapel'

http://www.maundyrelief.co.uk/page2.html

Er...shouldn't that be the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) chapel, that you refer to on here?

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/...080331_e_c.pdf

The last link makes interesting reading.

Donations, five thousand from Comic Relief, a grand from Hyndburn's Mayor.

Plus they apparently had complaints from one of their neighbours, about the numbers of people using the Maundy facilities.

That neighbour being one Greg Pope, M.P.

Still, as long as they've got this Agnes looking after them.

All is well.

:rolleyes:

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Saying this charity is just for junkies to leech off, to me that opinion is abhorrent, It is also, simple BS

Heroin addicts are sick. IF they are trying to kick the habit and get their life together they need charities like this. They need help. As much as I dislike the creatures they become when that drug takes them over.

A friend of mine that found himself out without a hope in the world of where to go went there a few years ago. She gave him some sort of letter and he got money for bond, got a house and they gave him furniture. He is not a smackhead.

Uptight today. Dont like my opinion; see disclaimer :-)

Sent from my ST18i using Tapatalk

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Your case is just ONE example, what about the all the others, who have made little IF any effort to get off the habit, and will keep on, as long as they get the hand outs from Maundy. How many success stories can Maundy claim.
As for the shops in Abbey St, how much furniture, and other goods do they get through in say a month, and I don't mean food parcels, the same stuff has been in the window displays for months now. Not seen much change since I saw Tony Hindley fitting some of them out, and that is some while ago

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Or Angus Dei, the well known Scottish lamb. :p

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Would say your friend was the exception rather than the rule Restless and if it wasn't so obvious that the Maundy was being abused by many of the clients who use the facilities on offer people might just be more inclined to support rather than knock it. It is a blight on the town and most people can see that for themselves.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Certainly does..thirteen grand from Bootstrap..which is, in itself, a charity...a charity donating to a charity????...the mind boggles.

Although, from my dealings with Bootstrap they simply get work placements for the disadvantaged and then wash their hands. So it's probably a way they dump a few people from their books onto Maundy Grange's books and boost their success figures

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Ta. Now I get the picture.;) Is it like "hug a hoodie" on steroids?

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Have you not looked at the website, Eric?

http://www.maundyrelief.co.uk/index.html

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Looks like something begging to be taken advantage of. I'm not unfeeling, and I'm not opposed to charitable acts. But this looks like a magnet for losers and users.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

You should pop in the Agnes and Doris Day Chapel of Peace and Solace, and calm your nerves.

As far as I can see no one at all has said this place is 'just for junkies to leech off'.

However, it cannot be denied, the most visible visitors to Abbey Street are now the many addicts, to drink and/or drugs, and they are the ones who cause the most trouble in this part of town.

Addiction is a terrible thing. It ruins lives, and breaks families apart.

Having lived with one, and worked with many others, the soft, kindly approach rarely helps people recover. It just makes it easier for them to take advantage of other people, and continue with their habit.

It's tough love these people need.

Not a food parcel, and twenty quid for the friggin' leccy.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I assume most folk have nowt against someone who helps those who "WANT" help, Theres a big difference between those n those who don't. perhaps yeh will eventually distinguish between em.

Thats just the point. She can't distinguish between who wants help and who wants to "leech" so the nature of the charity is to help any one.

The darker side of me thinks of those recovered drug addicts that became born again the money is then returned into the churches pocket somewhere.

Sent from my ST18i using Tapatalk

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

As I said, in my opinion her approach rarely works.

I'd like to know the recovery rates, for addicts who come into contact with Maundy Grange.

As far as I can see there are many more here now, than there was in 1998, the year they first opened their doors.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

If you're unaware of how many properties have been taken over, try putting 'Maundy' and 'Accrington' in the search facility of the business phone book.

Business Name - The Phone Book from BT

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

They probably come from far and wide for all the freebies and money to replenish their supplies.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

She ought to have a word with John Bird the man who started the Big Issue! He has been through it all and I've heard him say "never give street beggers cash!" Because they usually spend it on booze or drugs - take them to a shop and buy them some food - many beggars would not like that! Or give them gift coupons as these can be used to buy food in some supermarkets.

So this Maundy set up seems very naive if they giving amounts like £30:00 to people who drop in. They should re-think their strategy - has anyone written to the Observer about this? Also start a petition if you feel so strong about it.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

When we are out and about, we see the street beggars and my husband goes and buys a coffee(or in some cases a soft drink) and a sandwich and gives them that.......and we have not had a bad response from beggars......they seem to take the gift in the spirit it was intended.

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Spot on wi that, about 10 yrs ago in manchester centre i was tapped up fer dosh fer food, I said NO, but i pointed to a cafe across the road n said i will buy yer some snap n a brew in yon, I was told to pish off,:rolleyes: Since then i just ignore em,

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

I think your spot on with most of what you say kes especially John Bird, but its going to take somebody with real guts to start a petition, after all the council has never had the bottle to say anything about something which is so evident, to people who see it for themselves, but when you have TV stars backing them and actively raising money its not an easy task

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Are you sure it was the same TV? It's not worth fixing 2nd hand TV's these days unless it wasn't bust or something very simple like a fuse needed replacing? Surely they wouldn't put a broken TV in the window! :rolleyes:

Re: Worse than The Depression - says Maundy founder.
 

Good point. It is quite difficult to get good re-hab on the NHS, so I heard from sources such as Amy Winehouses father who set up this trust, he says there isn't enough quality re-hab on the NHS. Also the issue is giving money (sums like £20 - £30 which is enough to buy drugs with) to heroine addicts, this is a key issue!

But as I don't live in the area and havn't seen the place and the surrounding shops that she has taken over. I know down South there are places like this that supply furniture but they are in warehouses off the main high street. What this set up in Accy appears to be is a mix of charity shop, drugs councilling and 2nd hand furnishing to help people in crisis. Which are usually all seperate concerns.:alright: You never see charity shops giving cash handouts to drug addicts.