Well tomorrow will be interesting, an uncertain time for many who have said that having voted Labour all their lives they are considering voting our way. Difficult for people who have often been brought up being told that Labour is the party of working people.
There have been some really positive things that Labour administrations have pushed through or fought for in the past. Not these people, not this time, New Labour programme after programme has been spun for effect, but this government seems to care less and less about those that have been its traditional supporters.
Last week I heard something that people have been saying to me off and on over recent years, "my grandparents voted Labour, my parents voted Labour, I have always voted Labour, but none of them would recognise this lot". Time for a change then.
So here is the decision that needs making if you have traditionally voted labour but are seeing the damage that this government is doing to you and yours.
Will you vote Conservative and see what we can do? In this democratic process you have the control, you vote and watch for results, if you are not happy take your vote elsewhere next time. That keeps politicians on their toes. The traditional tribal vote is a cop out, let the democratic process work for you.
In these parts vote Mark Crowther for Pontefract South, Phil Thomas for Pontefract North, Richard Wakefield for Normanton, Gordon Tennant for Altofts and Whitwood, Mellissa Wan for Airedale and Ferry Fryston, Tom Dixon for Knottingley, Eamonn Mullins for Castleford Central and Glasshoughton and Richard Molloy for Ackworth.
Send a nice clear message and let us do a job of work for you.
Polls are open from 7am to 10pm, take your polling card or other id to the Polling Station.
And here is an election day message from David Cameron just for you.
List of Wakefield MDC Polling Stations here.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
One day more
Yesterday, Monday was another chance to add to the growing number of signatures to keep our local post offices open. I spent the bulk of the afternoon in the Market Place.
Really positive afternoon, many people sharing this commitment to support post offices in the district. Including a full spread of people from students at New College, through pensioners and all in between, including a small group of chuggers who visited the town and hoped for some pickings.
Having taken time off from elections to gather signatures, I resumed campaigning and joined Phil Thomas whilst we delivered leaflets around the Monk Hill estate. This traditionally has been a strong source of votes for the sitting Labour Councillor that Phil is up against and whilst there were a number of vote Labour Posters in some parts of the estate, even in that situation we were well received. Some people indicating that whilst they had a poster they may not go out and vote. Tomorrow, Wednesday is the last day of the campaign before Polling Day on May the 1st, then we will see who has done what.
The strange thing is that having voted there is a further period of limbo, because in this part of West Yorkshire the count is held over until Friday. Whatever happens is likely to be ignored as the pundits dwell on the London Mayoralty which also returns on Friday.
The fact that there will not be a national spotlight on this part of the West Riding is immaterial. It is the chance that our districts have for a fresh start that really counts. So here's hoping.
Really positive afternoon, many people sharing this commitment to support post offices in the district. Including a full spread of people from students at New College, through pensioners and all in between, including a small group of chuggers who visited the town and hoped for some pickings.
Having taken time off from elections to gather signatures, I resumed campaigning and joined Phil Thomas whilst we delivered leaflets around the Monk Hill estate. This traditionally has been a strong source of votes for the sitting Labour Councillor that Phil is up against and whilst there were a number of vote Labour Posters in some parts of the estate, even in that situation we were well received. Some people indicating that whilst they had a poster they may not go out and vote. Tomorrow, Wednesday is the last day of the campaign before Polling Day on May the 1st, then we will see who has done what.
The strange thing is that having voted there is a further period of limbo, because in this part of West Yorkshire the count is held over until Friday. Whatever happens is likely to be ignored as the pundits dwell on the London Mayoralty which also returns on Friday.
The fact that there will not be a national spotlight on this part of the West Riding is immaterial. It is the chance that our districts have for a fresh start that really counts. So here's hoping.
Sunday, 27 April 2008
A Day of Action Part 2
Well it started with me bumping into the chairman of a local tenants and residents association on the 184 from Castleford to Pontefract (Story all on its own) and comparing notes about a UK Coal plan to build 900+ new homes on the site of the former Prince of Wales Colliery and the possibilities of a community centre.
Bought two paintings at the DIVA Art exhibition at Pontefract Central Methodist, which was opened by David Ward the editor of one of the local papers, comparing notes on how it may be possible to help more people realise how much arts and craft activity there is across the five towns. The associated photograph taken as David declared the exhibition open may be a little bit edited as there is currently a period of purdah leading up to the election on Thursday when the paper comes out and people go out to vote, a policy not to give any group political advantage. On the subject of the election we both commented that things are looking interesting. In my case that was based on the number of people that I have met that are talking of coming out to vote and not voting for "that lot", not sure David's take but I think his team are also picking up vibes in what is a quite traditional Labour Area.
On to the Market Place to be joined by Trevor at the PWAG market stall, Trevor is one of the local Labour Councillors who is up for re-election on Thursday and who is therefore considering his future just now.
We have both resolutely opposed the ridiculous proposal that has been tabled for 6 industrial wind generators on Went Edge and we spent time yesterday showing our support. There were further photographs taken for another local paper which comes out on Friday and purdah will not apply. Trevor then moved on to resume his campaigning to save his seat.
Mark Crowther a colleague, our candidate and Trevor's opponent then joined the group at the stall. Mark is equally committed to opposing the wind farm application a fact which people seem to really appreciate. We stopped until just after three then I went on to collect more save our local Post Office signatures until the market wound down.
Throughout which I heard a significant amount of "that lot" comments, it also transpired that the local MP Yvette Cooper (even now as a Brownite Minister the Blairs Babe label seems to stick, link that with a public local disgust at parliamentary expenses and second homes, the fact that she is Ed Balls partner and was parachuted in to replace a well respected and hard working MP, her pathetic defence on Newsnight of the 10p tax rate cut , her upholding the government decision to close local post offices, HIPS and a host of other things including the demolition of our hospital to arrange a smaller one, I really would not like her on my side if my seat was in jeopardy RANT OVER) was out campaigning on behalf of the Labour Councillors in jeopardy. Very pleased that she is doing that as she is seen by many as part of the problem and not the solution.
As the day wore on I got a series of calls from colleagues in other parts of the district and "that lot" comments are quite general and growing, lets hope people turn that energy into a strong voting message.
The Pontefract North Ward is being contested by Phil Thomas and he has been updating his experiences on his blog as he goes along, he stood in 2007 and worked really hard to support local people on a number of issues, this has meant that the number of people that recognise him and have offered support has really grown this year. Even so he has pretty much walked up every drive, posted leaflets through letter boxes and spoken with people across the Ward. With Yvette's help for his opponent I predict very interesting results at the count next Friday.
Finished the day at the concert by The Castleford Choral Society and the Gawthorpe Brass Band. Brilliant!
Bought two paintings at the DIVA Art exhibition at Pontefract Central Methodist, which was opened by David Ward the editor of one of the local papers, comparing notes on how it may be possible to help more people realise how much arts and craft activity there is across the five towns. The associated photograph taken as David declared the exhibition open may be a little bit edited as there is currently a period of purdah leading up to the election on Thursday when the paper comes out and people go out to vote, a policy not to give any group political advantage. On the subject of the election we both commented that things are looking interesting. In my case that was based on the number of people that I have met that are talking of coming out to vote and not voting for "that lot", not sure David's take but I think his team are also picking up vibes in what is a quite traditional Labour Area.
On to the Market Place to be joined by Trevor at the PWAG market stall, Trevor is one of the local Labour Councillors who is up for re-election on Thursday and who is therefore considering his future just now.
We have both resolutely opposed the ridiculous proposal that has been tabled for 6 industrial wind generators on Went Edge and we spent time yesterday showing our support. There were further photographs taken for another local paper which comes out on Friday and purdah will not apply. Trevor then moved on to resume his campaigning to save his seat.
Mark Crowther a colleague, our candidate and Trevor's opponent then joined the group at the stall. Mark is equally committed to opposing the wind farm application a fact which people seem to really appreciate. We stopped until just after three then I went on to collect more save our local Post Office signatures until the market wound down.
Throughout which I heard a significant amount of "that lot" comments, it also transpired that the local MP Yvette Cooper (even now as a Brownite Minister the Blairs Babe label seems to stick, link that with a public local disgust at parliamentary expenses and second homes, the fact that she is Ed Balls partner and was parachuted in to replace a well respected and hard working MP, her pathetic defence on Newsnight of the 10p tax rate cut , her upholding the government decision to close local post offices, HIPS and a host of other things including the demolition of our hospital to arrange a smaller one, I really would not like her on my side if my seat was in jeopardy RANT OVER) was out campaigning on behalf of the Labour Councillors in jeopardy. Very pleased that she is doing that as she is seen by many as part of the problem and not the solution.
As the day wore on I got a series of calls from colleagues in other parts of the district and "that lot" comments are quite general and growing, lets hope people turn that energy into a strong voting message.
The Pontefract North Ward is being contested by Phil Thomas and he has been updating his experiences on his blog as he goes along, he stood in 2007 and worked really hard to support local people on a number of issues, this has meant that the number of people that recognise him and have offered support has really grown this year. Even so he has pretty much walked up every drive, posted leaflets through letter boxes and spoken with people across the Ward. With Yvette's help for his opponent I predict very interesting results at the count next Friday.
Finished the day at the concert by The Castleford Choral Society and the Gawthorpe Brass Band. Brilliant!
Friday, 25 April 2008
A Day of Action..In Pontefract 26/4
This Saturday looks to be one of the hectic ones. The Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group are holding an information session at Pontefract Market on the 26th.
The South Pontefract Wind Farm is widely acknowledged as just too close to peoples homes and lives and myself and Trevor our local Labour Councillor declared common cause back in 2007 to oppose the development. Now you will know that the 1st of May is local election time and traditionally we should be making our seperate cases and delivering election addresses, but for the bulk of Saturday morning Trevor and I will be manning the PWAG stand to support our community in resisting what is a Central Government approved initiative.
Later in the day I will be collecting more signatures and support to be able to oppose local post office closures. Phil Thomas and Mark Crowther will be around and we hope to add to the growing list of people who want to support the elderly and vulnerable threatened by these closures.
See you their? If so say hello.
The South Pontefract Wind Farm is widely acknowledged as just too close to peoples homes and lives and myself and Trevor our local Labour Councillor declared common cause back in 2007 to oppose the development. Now you will know that the 1st of May is local election time and traditionally we should be making our seperate cases and delivering election addresses, but for the bulk of Saturday morning Trevor and I will be manning the PWAG stand to support our community in resisting what is a Central Government approved initiative.
Later in the day I will be collecting more signatures and support to be able to oppose local post office closures. Phil Thomas and Mark Crowther will be around and we hope to add to the growing list of people who want to support the elderly and vulnerable threatened by these closures.
See you their? If so say hello.
Diva comes to Pontefract
Great evening at the Central Methodist Church on Newgate this evening with about 150 other folks for two local groups to entertain us as part of a weekend of performances.
This evening it was an excellant performance by the Castleford Male Voice Choir, with a break to preview an arts and crafts exhibition that opens at 10am tomorrow (might take the Walsh cheque book), followed by a great band performance from the Knottingley Concert Brass Band.
Diva is a Wakefield based organisation to promote the arts in the district and this evening they did a first rate job. The venue was great as well, fantastic acoustics added to the enjoyment of great performers.
Tomorrow we have Castleford Choral Society and the Gawthorpe 85 Band same place at 7.30pm, I hope to be there.
This has rounded off a day of first rate performances, there has been a series of organ recitals each Friday at 1pm at St Giles in Pontefract, todays performance was by Paul Dewhurst the Director of Music at St Giles and was brilliant. The Organ has been undergoing a process of improvements over recent years and the process is gradually coming to a conclusion.
If you can visit St Giles in Pontefract on a Friday lunchtime you could be in for a great experience.
This evening it was an excellant performance by the Castleford Male Voice Choir, with a break to preview an arts and crafts exhibition that opens at 10am tomorrow (might take the Walsh cheque book), followed by a great band performance from the Knottingley Concert Brass Band.
Diva is a Wakefield based organisation to promote the arts in the district and this evening they did a first rate job. The venue was great as well, fantastic acoustics added to the enjoyment of great performers.
Tomorrow we have Castleford Choral Society and the Gawthorpe 85 Band same place at 7.30pm, I hope to be there.
This has rounded off a day of first rate performances, there has been a series of organ recitals each Friday at 1pm at St Giles in Pontefract, todays performance was by Paul Dewhurst the Director of Music at St Giles and was brilliant. The Organ has been undergoing a process of improvements over recent years and the process is gradually coming to a conclusion.
If you can visit St Giles in Pontefract on a Friday lunchtime you could be in for a great experience.
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Why Gordon axed the 10p Tax Band?
A very interesting idea as to why Gordo the magnificent may have chopped the 10p tax band appears on Critical Faculty Dojo Blog , or follow the link at the top of my second links section.
More than 300 page views in ten days
Well the front path up to my blog seems to be getting quite busy.
Not exactly the sort of volumes that people like Inspector Gadget get but I am delighted at the number of visits that I am getting from a variety of sources.
Even more pleasing although I do not have drill down detail, more than half the visitors went on to do it again. So welcome back, you know who you are.
The most popular items over recent days in order seem to have been: http://geoffwalsh.blogspot.com/2008/04/no2id-campaign-for-freedoms-worth.html
http://geoffwalsh.blogspot.com/2008/04/keep-our-local-post-offices-open-update.html
http://geoffwalsh.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-smaller-pontefract-general.html
Also if this is your first visit please have a look at the links that interest you.
Thank you from the management
Not exactly the sort of volumes that people like Inspector Gadget get but I am delighted at the number of visits that I am getting from a variety of sources.
Even more pleasing although I do not have drill down detail, more than half the visitors went on to do it again. So welcome back, you know who you are.
The most popular items over recent days in order seem to have been: http://geoffwalsh.blogspot.com/2008/04/no2id-campaign-for-freedoms-worth.html
http://geoffwalsh.blogspot.com/2008/04/keep-our-local-post-offices-open-update.html
http://geoffwalsh.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-smaller-pontefract-general.html
Also if this is your first visit please have a look at the links that interest you.
Thank you from the management
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
St Georges Day
Pleasantly surprising how many people in Pontefract are flying the Flag of St George today.
Pontefract Music Festival - Final Gala evening
Saturday night. The Mayor and Mayoress of Wakefield were in town, the Mayoral Audi was parked outside Pontefract Town Hall, the Mayoress was wearing the Pontefract Chain and the Assembly Rooms were full of participants, friends and family and a number of local enthusiasts of spoken word, song and music and the committee members who make the festival happen, for the final Gala Evening.
Really great night was had by all including Walsh who was even given a flower at the back end of the evening. This evening was the culmination of a weeks festival giving winners of classes in the festival to perform and in some cases to receive additional awards.
The Festival has gone from strength to strength since 1903. Roll on 2009!
Now looking forward to DIVA next weekend and the Pontefract Liquorice Festival in the Summer, watch this space.
Really great night was had by all including Walsh who was even given a flower at the back end of the evening. This evening was the culmination of a weeks festival giving winners of classes in the festival to perform and in some cases to receive additional awards.
The Festival has gone from strength to strength since 1903. Roll on 2009!
Now looking forward to DIVA next weekend and the Pontefract Liquorice Festival in the Summer, watch this space.
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Time to paddle your own canoe
A big slice of our lives and freedoms depend upon the Government of the day. Never so true as now.
At a local WMDC level, once each year, in three out of every four years, people across the district get the chance to steer the canoe, setting a direction for the council.
They can choose to do something with their vote or do nothing. On May 1st in our part of the world, people that have had enough of 30 years of Labour controlled local government can help change things for the better.
Do something or do nothing, if people do not go out and vote it is pointless complaining that things never change. Some people use their local election vote as a way of telling government that they need to behave and this year I think many see that as an additional reason for visiting the polling station.
If you are thinking about local and national situations you may be interested in hearing a Q&A session that the Yorkshire Post set up with a panel of 60 readers from across Yorkshire and David Cameron last Thursday April the 17th 2008.
David Cameron 60 against 1 follow this link or use the one in the second links menu on the right.
Colleagues tell the tale of a candidate who got within 10 votes of electoral success only to fail at the recount.
Over the next few weeks he counted at least 40 people who came up to him and said "If I had known it was going to be that close, I would have come out and voted for you".
On May the 1st pick up the paddle and use it.
Make the democratic process work for you.
At a local WMDC level, once each year, in three out of every four years, people across the district get the chance to steer the canoe, setting a direction for the council.
They can choose to do something with their vote or do nothing. On May 1st in our part of the world, people that have had enough of 30 years of Labour controlled local government can help change things for the better.
Do something or do nothing, if people do not go out and vote it is pointless complaining that things never change. Some people use their local election vote as a way of telling government that they need to behave and this year I think many see that as an additional reason for visiting the polling station.
If you are thinking about local and national situations you may be interested in hearing a Q&A session that the Yorkshire Post set up with a panel of 60 readers from across Yorkshire and David Cameron last Thursday April the 17th 2008.
David Cameron 60 against 1 follow this link or use the one in the second links menu on the right.
Colleagues tell the tale of a candidate who got within 10 votes of electoral success only to fail at the recount.
Over the next few weeks he counted at least 40 people who came up to him and said "If I had known it was going to be that close, I would have come out and voted for you".
On May the 1st pick up the paddle and use it.
Make the democratic process work for you.
Friday, 18 April 2008
Keep our Local Post Offices Open and a VIP visit!
Had the privilege to be joined whilst out collecting signatures for the petition to keep our post offices open today by William Hague, Shadow Foreign Secretary and real gent.
William visited Pontefract and met members of the public out and about and also visited a local post office to find out more about the situation in our part of Yorkshire.
At the moment the Post Office is sitting on a list of branches for closure and will keep that quiet until the 13th of May, having been persuaded to do so by the Government to wait until after the May 1st Local Government Elections.
Whilst with us William met candidates: Mark Crowther (Pontefract South), Phil Thomas (Pontefract North), Richard Wakefield (Normanton), Gordon Tennant (Altofts and Whitwood), Tom Dixon (Knottingley), Richard Molloy (Ackworth) and Eamonn Mullins (Castleford & Glasshoughton). We finished by William addressing the Chairman, Committee and an enthusiastic group of Club Members at Pontefract Conservative Club, National Club of the Year, whose committee and members have been great supporters of our campaigns to grow the number of Conservative Councillors on WMDC. He was very well received and the visit was a great success.
UPDATE
Having spent time in the market place in Pontefract today Saturday, again hugely impressed and thankful for all those members of the public who signed up to the petition. Several times had people queuing up to sign.
This included a number of people visiting from other parts of the country who have already lost their own post offices and did not want to see us losing ours.
Thank you one and all.
William visited Pontefract and met members of the public out and about and also visited a local post office to find out more about the situation in our part of Yorkshire.
At the moment the Post Office is sitting on a list of branches for closure and will keep that quiet until the 13th of May, having been persuaded to do so by the Government to wait until after the May 1st Local Government Elections.
Whilst with us William met candidates: Mark Crowther (Pontefract South), Phil Thomas (Pontefract North), Richard Wakefield (Normanton), Gordon Tennant (Altofts and Whitwood), Tom Dixon (Knottingley), Richard Molloy (Ackworth) and Eamonn Mullins (Castleford & Glasshoughton). We finished by William addressing the Chairman, Committee and an enthusiastic group of Club Members at Pontefract Conservative Club, National Club of the Year, whose committee and members have been great supporters of our campaigns to grow the number of Conservative Councillors on WMDC. He was very well received and the visit was a great success.
UPDATE
Having spent time in the market place in Pontefract today Saturday, again hugely impressed and thankful for all those members of the public who signed up to the petition. Several times had people queuing up to sign.
This included a number of people visiting from other parts of the country who have already lost their own post offices and did not want to see us losing ours.
Thank you one and all.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
NO2ID A campaign for freedoms worth supporting
Went along to an informal group meeting this evening where I started to receive background information about the NO2ID campaign, a single issue group to raise public awareness of the governments proposals for "identity cards" which are not just about the need for people to carry a card to prove their identity, but also about the National Identity Register (NIR) a register of the entire UK population that will include 50 categories of "registerable fact" on everyone in the country.
The NIR will potentially be the key to the total life history of everyone, retained on file for ever.
I have a number of concerns. UK Government does not do major IT schemes with any degree of success. Data disks,laptops and personal data go missing all the time, corrupt officials give people access to police and DVLC records and for those who say that if you have not done anything wrong you have nothing to worry about, I ask you this, if somebody blags your identity by access to the NIR how do you re-establish it?
Other simple things include the time taken when you will have to attend an interrogation centre to prove your identity. These centres already exist and are currently used for personal interviews for passports.
Then there are the Billions of pounds of tax money that will go in set up costs and the estimated £93.00 that each and every one of us will find so that we can be processed.
Why does our government wish us to go through this process? Well it was a Labour manifesto commitment in the 2005 General Election allegedly to protect us from terrorism (although the reasons that the Home Office give keep shifting).
NO2ID are campaigning against the 'database state' which is what they call the tendency to try to use computers to manage society by watching people. There are many interlocking government plans that do this. Together they mean officials poking into your private life more than ever before.
Personal freedom is worth fighting for.
Look at the right hand column of links to the Youtube video or visit the NO2ID website and make a start.
The NIR will potentially be the key to the total life history of everyone, retained on file for ever.
I have a number of concerns. UK Government does not do major IT schemes with any degree of success. Data disks,laptops and personal data go missing all the time, corrupt officials give people access to police and DVLC records and for those who say that if you have not done anything wrong you have nothing to worry about, I ask you this, if somebody blags your identity by access to the NIR how do you re-establish it?
Other simple things include the time taken when you will have to attend an interrogation centre to prove your identity. These centres already exist and are currently used for personal interviews for passports.
Then there are the Billions of pounds of tax money that will go in set up costs and the estimated £93.00 that each and every one of us will find so that we can be processed.
Why does our government wish us to go through this process? Well it was a Labour manifesto commitment in the 2005 General Election allegedly to protect us from terrorism (although the reasons that the Home Office give keep shifting).
NO2ID are campaigning against the 'database state' which is what they call the tendency to try to use computers to manage society by watching people. There are many interlocking government plans that do this. Together they mean officials poking into your private life more than ever before.
Personal freedom is worth fighting for.
Look at the right hand column of links to the Youtube video or visit the NO2ID website and make a start.
The NEW smaller Pontefract General Infirmary...
In 1839 by public subscription a medical service and dispensary commenced off Southgate in Pontefract, over the years it went from strength to strength, all along being funded by subscriptions and donations from the people and businesses of Pontefract and the surrounding district. Like many hospitals and infirmaries across the country it transferred to become part of the National Health Service in 1948.
It went from strength to strength and was something that the people of the five towns depended on at birth, through illness and accident and through to the end of their lives. At its peak PGI had over 450 beds and a variety of associated services.
When our MP was elected in 1997 one of her first ministerial responsibilities was to set up a series of health authorities including our local one and their first act was to develop a plan that would have closed the two district general hospitals and built a new one located somewhere near to Normanton. The plan was amended and people breathed easier as PGI ceased to be mentioned in the new plans. So far so good until people started to realise that whilst PGI was not mentioned, other locations were and the reason for not mentioning our hospital was that it was to be disposed of.
In 2005 there was a broad based campaign for health not housing for PGI and on the eve of the 2005 general election the local MPs promised that the hospital was "safe in their hands".
Shortly after there was a launch for a new facility to be built on the PGI site, modern revolutionary facilities with 90% of the capability of the existing PGI.
At about that time our MP became Minister for Housing, one of her tasks was to see to the release of government land including Health Service land for housing.
The new cottage hospital opens in 2010, it will have not 450 but 115 beds and will occupy a third of the site (which was publicly donated and supported from 1839) the remainder of the site will be made available by the Mid Yorkshire Health Authority for housing.
The new hospital is a PFI and will be rented back to the Health Service by Balfour Beatty giving them revenue for 30 Years and then will be handed back in 2040.
They will give us back a thirty year old facility with less beds than PGI had in 1940 on a site with little or no possibility for growth. We will shortly hear of WMDC plans linked to this governments growth points programme to add up to 2000 new homes a year across the five towns and the population growth will test the infrastructure to its limits and the new PGI Cottage Hospital may not cope.
The people of the five towns put their faith in their MPs to look after and provide for the future. The four local Parliamentary Seats have been in Labour Hands since the 1930s............ Safe in their hands?
What do you think?
It went from strength to strength and was something that the people of the five towns depended on at birth, through illness and accident and through to the end of their lives. At its peak PGI had over 450 beds and a variety of associated services.
When our MP was elected in 1997 one of her first ministerial responsibilities was to set up a series of health authorities including our local one and their first act was to develop a plan that would have closed the two district general hospitals and built a new one located somewhere near to Normanton. The plan was amended and people breathed easier as PGI ceased to be mentioned in the new plans. So far so good until people started to realise that whilst PGI was not mentioned, other locations were and the reason for not mentioning our hospital was that it was to be disposed of.
In 2005 there was a broad based campaign for health not housing for PGI and on the eve of the 2005 general election the local MPs promised that the hospital was "safe in their hands".
Shortly after there was a launch for a new facility to be built on the PGI site, modern revolutionary facilities with 90% of the capability of the existing PGI.
At about that time our MP became Minister for Housing, one of her tasks was to see to the release of government land including Health Service land for housing.
The new cottage hospital opens in 2010, it will have not 450 but 115 beds and will occupy a third of the site (which was publicly donated and supported from 1839) the remainder of the site will be made available by the Mid Yorkshire Health Authority for housing.
The new hospital is a PFI and will be rented back to the Health Service by Balfour Beatty giving them revenue for 30 Years and then will be handed back in 2040.
They will give us back a thirty year old facility with less beds than PGI had in 1940 on a site with little or no possibility for growth. We will shortly hear of WMDC plans linked to this governments growth points programme to add up to 2000 new homes a year across the five towns and the population growth will test the infrastructure to its limits and the new PGI Cottage Hospital may not cope.
The people of the five towns put their faith in their MPs to look after and provide for the future. The four local Parliamentary Seats have been in Labour Hands since the 1930s............ Safe in their hands?
What do you think?
Where did that money go?
In earlier posts, I have been writing about the financial situation in Wakefield. Here is something of an update on details of the chief executives remuneration. In the most recent year it seems that the chief exec earned more than the Prime Minister (although that probably does not take account of Gordon's expenses claim).
The other troubling thing for the poeople of Wakefield is that was comparable with twelve nurses, ten police community support officers, six RAF fighter pilots or five teachers, according to a local paper.
Whatever the figures, local taxpayers funded it.
The other troubling thing for the poeople of Wakefield is that was comparable with twelve nurses, ten police community support officers, six RAF fighter pilots or five teachers, according to a local paper.
Whatever the figures, local taxpayers funded it.
Friday, 11 April 2008
Pontefract Music Festival - 22nd & 23rd April then 29th & 30th April 2016
Frank Hatchard founded Pontefract Music Festival in 1903 to stimulate and foster the love and practice of music and drama in the district. This was to be by competitive classes before competent judges, whose criticisms and advice would be of exceptional educational value to all entrants.
The Festival was suspended during the 1914 war but was resumed afterwards, and managed to survive the depression of the 1930’s. Activities were once again suspended because of the 1939 war and were not revived until 1947. This resumption was made possible almost entirely by a grant from The Mayor’s Charity Fund, and help from the local authority and Wakefield Arts Association enabled the festival to keep going, supplemented by small events such as concerts and coffee mornings held by various committee members.
In 1951, Pontefract festival was considered sufficiently important to be used for a music class as part of the Festival of Britain, and the area semi-finals were held in Pontefract. Over the years, entries ranged between 300 and 800, with never less than 2000 competitors taking part. The Postal Strike took its toll one year and numbers were also affected by the teachers dispute in 1986. However the Festival went ahead in spite of these setbacks.
Pontefract Festival gives a great deal of pleasure to people of all ages, either in the audiences to enjoy the competitive performances or winners’ concerts, or as competitors gaining experience of public performance in their own particular specialities. They have the opportunity to gauge their own work with that of their contemporaries and the benefit of expert advice and comments from highly experienced professional adjudicators in both drama and music.
I am a supporter of the festival and I will be taking as much time as I can to visit the 2016 Festival.
FOR INFORMATION CLICK HERE
The Festival was suspended during the 1914 war but was resumed afterwards, and managed to survive the depression of the 1930’s. Activities were once again suspended because of the 1939 war and were not revived until 1947. This resumption was made possible almost entirely by a grant from The Mayor’s Charity Fund, and help from the local authority and Wakefield Arts Association enabled the festival to keep going, supplemented by small events such as concerts and coffee mornings held by various committee members.
In 1951, Pontefract festival was considered sufficiently important to be used for a music class as part of the Festival of Britain, and the area semi-finals were held in Pontefract. Over the years, entries ranged between 300 and 800, with never less than 2000 competitors taking part. The Postal Strike took its toll one year and numbers were also affected by the teachers dispute in 1986. However the Festival went ahead in spite of these setbacks.
Pontefract Festival gives a great deal of pleasure to people of all ages, either in the audiences to enjoy the competitive performances or winners’ concerts, or as competitors gaining experience of public performance in their own particular specialities. They have the opportunity to gauge their own work with that of their contemporaries and the benefit of expert advice and comments from highly experienced professional adjudicators in both drama and music.
I am a supporter of the festival and I will be taking as much time as I can to visit the 2016 Festival.
FOR INFORMATION CLICK HERE
Windfarm at Pontefract Market 12th April
The Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group are taking time tomorrow to update people about progress on the Banks Industrial Wind generator application for Went Edge.
People may be aware that a 60 metre monitoring mast was rejected by the WMDC planning committee and then permission granted by government inspectors, we are still waiting to see how the main application for six industrial generators 125 metres high along Went Edge between the villages of Darrington and Wentbridge and dominating the skyline above East Hardwick and West Park.
I have been invited to spend time with them and will join them at the back end of the morning to back them up. They have kindly offered me the opportunity to collect signatures to save our local post offices and to stop the closures that are scheduled to be announced in May.
See you in the Market Place tomorrow?
People may be aware that a 60 metre monitoring mast was rejected by the WMDC planning committee and then permission granted by government inspectors, we are still waiting to see how the main application for six industrial generators 125 metres high along Went Edge between the villages of Darrington and Wentbridge and dominating the skyline above East Hardwick and West Park.
I have been invited to spend time with them and will join them at the back end of the morning to back them up. They have kindly offered me the opportunity to collect signatures to save our local post offices and to stop the closures that are scheduled to be announced in May.
See you in the Market Place tomorrow?
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Local Elections 2008
Posting may be a little patchy over the next three weeks as we run up to the local elections. Like many people across the UK I will be out and about supporting our candidates.
What that means is walking up driveways to drop off leaflets or knocking on doors to catch up with as many members of the public as possible and being prepared to answer the questions they may have about our plans.
There are 22 seats which are subject of election this year, seven of which are in the five towns area. Hello to Phil Thomas (Pontefract North), Mark Crowther (Pontefract South), Richard Wakefield (Normanton), Gordon Tennant (Altofts and Whitwood), Eammon Mullins (Castleford & Glasshoughton), Mellissa Wan (Airedale and Ferry Fryston) and Tom Dixon (Knottingley). I must also mention an old friend and colleague Richard Molloy who is standing in Ackworth.
We have had some very positive responses so far and I look forward to polling day with interest.
AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED
What that means is walking up driveways to drop off leaflets or knocking on doors to catch up with as many members of the public as possible and being prepared to answer the questions they may have about our plans.
There are 22 seats which are subject of election this year, seven of which are in the five towns area. Hello to Phil Thomas (Pontefract North), Mark Crowther (Pontefract South), Richard Wakefield (Normanton), Gordon Tennant (Altofts and Whitwood), Eammon Mullins (Castleford & Glasshoughton), Mellissa Wan (Airedale and Ferry Fryston) and Tom Dixon (Knottingley). I must also mention an old friend and colleague Richard Molloy who is standing in Ackworth.
We have had some very positive responses so far and I look forward to polling day with interest.
AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED
Transport Strategy for Pontefract...is the Walsh Hat in Danger?
Attended a meeting last night held at the Kings School in Pontefract by SELRAG (South East Link Road Action Group)about 65 members of the public, the key SELRAG officers and several local councillors and our two candidates for Pontefract North and South, Phil Thomas and Mark Crowther.
As public meetings go it was quite straightforward, unanimous concern about traffic congestion, pollution and safety at Town End and the desire to see this situation put right.
I attended a similar meeting in 2006 just before the local election where I was elected by the people of Pontefract South. The issue at that time was that proposals for improving Pontefracts situation was blocked at a regional level because the WMDC officers had not been able to make the case that this was a priority and Pontefract did not appear on the WMDC list as such.
What government funding that was available went to priority cases and we were told that the next opportunity for inclusion of Pontefract on the regional plan would be in 2010.
Well 2010 looms and I am concerned to discover that Pontefract still does not appear to be placed on a priority list and as such we could find that we miss this new deadline. As someone commented WMDC planners seem able to draw road lines on an east west basis but do not appear to have any north south pencils.
I have commented in other posts about the lack of a transport strategy for Pontefract and it will only be when we can instruct officers to treat this as a priority do I feel that we may see some progress.
Unfortunately the traffic chaos grows and my hat is still safe. Lets see what the local elections bring and see if that gets the controlling groups attention.
As public meetings go it was quite straightforward, unanimous concern about traffic congestion, pollution and safety at Town End and the desire to see this situation put right.
I attended a similar meeting in 2006 just before the local election where I was elected by the people of Pontefract South. The issue at that time was that proposals for improving Pontefracts situation was blocked at a regional level because the WMDC officers had not been able to make the case that this was a priority and Pontefract did not appear on the WMDC list as such.
What government funding that was available went to priority cases and we were told that the next opportunity for inclusion of Pontefract on the regional plan would be in 2010.
Well 2010 looms and I am concerned to discover that Pontefract still does not appear to be placed on a priority list and as such we could find that we miss this new deadline. As someone commented WMDC planners seem able to draw road lines on an east west basis but do not appear to have any north south pencils.
I have commented in other posts about the lack of a transport strategy for Pontefract and it will only be when we can instruct officers to treat this as a priority do I feel that we may see some progress.
Unfortunately the traffic chaos grows and my hat is still safe. Lets see what the local elections bring and see if that gets the controlling groups attention.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Danger Rangers at Pontefract
An amazing morning at Pontefract Fire Station at the request of the Council's Health Development Unit. Local councillors were invited to see an initiative that is aimed to make primary school pupils more aware of some of the host of things that they need to be aware of and can do to keep safe.
I tagged along with a group of 12 pupils and a teacher from a local school who were part of a group of sixty there for the morning and followed them through sessions:
With the West Yorkshire Fire Service and what to do if the fire alarm goes off at home. Including the way to make sure that you do not dash out of your bedroom straight into the teeth of a fire (touch the handle with the back of your hand, so you realise it is hot before you grab it). How to make a 999 call and the fact that 112 is a zone specific service that tracks you if you have a mobile.
A briefing with a safety officer looking at a wall sized graphic of a kitchen and the children spotted 33 dangers that were present from pictures that showed open bottles of bleach through, vases of flowers full of water on shelves above the toaster, to the pans of boiling liquid on the stove with the handle sticking out for the attentions of innocent toddlers.
Then with the Health Authority team who warned about the dangers and hazards that can be found lying around on streets and in parks, including what not to do about discarded needles, or glass bottles of booze lying around and the way to put some distance between yourself and an adult that tries to grab you.
A session on road safety from the WMDC's Road safety Team where the children turned to detectives to identify what may have gone wrong in a mocked up road accident that put passengers and pedestrians at greater risk. The quality of responses and the savvy of these nine to ten year olds was impressive and then you think about adults and the messes that they can get themselves into.
We finished with a briefing and walk through a series of harrowing scenarios with a British Transport Policeman about what can happen when people young or old take dares, vandalise or stray on to railway tracks, that electricity from overhead power lines can jump up to three metres when it is trying to escape and if you happen to be grounded and in the way to earth you may not be lucky if you survive.
This all may seem bleak but actually the way that the information was delivered and the style of the individuals concerned was such that I am sure it was really good learning experience and those children present hopefully have some good ideas to take away.
I then thought back to my primary school experiences and the differences, the main thing was that a number of the dangers that we explored today did not exist or were not significant when Walsh was a nipper. Good luck to them all and I hope that this particular programme gets as much of a fair wind as we can give it.
I tagged along with a group of 12 pupils and a teacher from a local school who were part of a group of sixty there for the morning and followed them through sessions:
With the West Yorkshire Fire Service and what to do if the fire alarm goes off at home. Including the way to make sure that you do not dash out of your bedroom straight into the teeth of a fire (touch the handle with the back of your hand, so you realise it is hot before you grab it). How to make a 999 call and the fact that 112 is a zone specific service that tracks you if you have a mobile.
A briefing with a safety officer looking at a wall sized graphic of a kitchen and the children spotted 33 dangers that were present from pictures that showed open bottles of bleach through, vases of flowers full of water on shelves above the toaster, to the pans of boiling liquid on the stove with the handle sticking out for the attentions of innocent toddlers.
Then with the Health Authority team who warned about the dangers and hazards that can be found lying around on streets and in parks, including what not to do about discarded needles, or glass bottles of booze lying around and the way to put some distance between yourself and an adult that tries to grab you.
A session on road safety from the WMDC's Road safety Team where the children turned to detectives to identify what may have gone wrong in a mocked up road accident that put passengers and pedestrians at greater risk. The quality of responses and the savvy of these nine to ten year olds was impressive and then you think about adults and the messes that they can get themselves into.
We finished with a briefing and walk through a series of harrowing scenarios with a British Transport Policeman about what can happen when people young or old take dares, vandalise or stray on to railway tracks, that electricity from overhead power lines can jump up to three metres when it is trying to escape and if you happen to be grounded and in the way to earth you may not be lucky if you survive.
This all may seem bleak but actually the way that the information was delivered and the style of the individuals concerned was such that I am sure it was really good learning experience and those children present hopefully have some good ideas to take away.
I then thought back to my primary school experiences and the differences, the main thing was that a number of the dangers that we explored today did not exist or were not significant when Walsh was a nipper. Good luck to them all and I hope that this particular programme gets as much of a fair wind as we can give it.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Update...Darringfield, send for VanHelsing its alive!
This evening I attended the Darrington Parish Council Meeting and amongst a number of items, Darringfield was on the agenda.
At a recent PC meeting the Council had resolved to write to the DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government to express their concerns about the potential impact of said eco-town.
Reply comes back in an envelope addressed to the Clerk to the Parish Council of Darrington, the letter inside from the senior civil servant who had responded was addressed to the Clerk to the Parish of Darringfield.
The members of the council were very unimpressed.
So just as once upon a time in Transylvania a monster was given life by Doctor Frankenstein, Darringfield seems to have been brought to life by a Mr Hall.
At a recent PC meeting the Council had resolved to write to the DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government to express their concerns about the potential impact of said eco-town.
Reply comes back in an envelope addressed to the Clerk to the Parish Council of Darrington, the letter inside from the senior civil servant who had responded was addressed to the Clerk to the Parish of Darringfield.
The members of the council were very unimpressed.
So just as once upon a time in Transylvania a monster was given life by Doctor Frankenstein, Darringfield seems to have been brought to life by a Mr Hall.
Update...Leeds City Region Eco Towns - Darringfield & Willow Green
Had a brief conversation with a reporter today, who tells me that having asked a press officer at the DCLG specifically if Darringfield and Willow Green were off the table, was told that they had not been ruled out as Leeds City Region choices for Eco-Town.
Somehow I am not surprised.
Somehow I am not surprised.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Leeds City Region Eco Towns - Darringfield & Willow Green
Well here we are the saga goes on and the Minister confirms that there is to an Eco Town from Leeds City Region on the shortlist. Leeds City Region is a government construct that brings the City, County and Metropolitan District Councils together to look at a number of strategic issues for Yorkshire. Who LEEDS well there is a clue in the title.
In this case LCR has three eco-towns on the table. I am hearing from colleagues that Micklefield may be deselected, leaving Darringfield and Willow Green, either of which will have a significant impact on the five towns and this eastern part of the WMDC area. Real impact will be felt in Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley as people commute from their 20 or 40,000 spiffy new eco homes to shop or to work.
Our resources are scarcely able to cope with existing demands. The new Pontefract General Infirmary henceforth known as the cottage hospital is reducing from 450 plus beds at its peak to a little over 100 when the new hospital comes on stream in 2010.
(Incidentally I have just heard of an initial proposal to build a first phase of 150 new homes on the parts of the hospital that will surplus to requirements.
If either or both get selected we have the makings of huge problems and that at a time when we are about to be consulted on a further nearly 2000 homes to be built in and around the Pontefract area.
More to follow as the picture gets clearer.
In this case LCR has three eco-towns on the table. I am hearing from colleagues that Micklefield may be deselected, leaving Darringfield and Willow Green, either of which will have a significant impact on the five towns and this eastern part of the WMDC area. Real impact will be felt in Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley as people commute from their 20 or 40,000 spiffy new eco homes to shop or to work.
Our resources are scarcely able to cope with existing demands. The new Pontefract General Infirmary henceforth known as the cottage hospital is reducing from 450 plus beds at its peak to a little over 100 when the new hospital comes on stream in 2010.
(Incidentally I have just heard of an initial proposal to build a first phase of 150 new homes on the parts of the hospital that will surplus to requirements.
If either or both get selected we have the makings of huge problems and that at a time when we are about to be consulted on a further nearly 2000 homes to be built in and around the Pontefract area.
More to follow as the picture gets clearer.
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