OTHERWISE ENGAGED

SOMETIMES, REAL LIFE TAKES PRIORITY...
It may have been all quiet on this blog for the past five months but it certainly was not quiet for its author! Hence no blogs were published in that period although the work of 'preparing the ground' for West Central Residents' Group continued throughout that time.

On 25th April two committee members attended a 'Media' workshop held at the Neighbourhood Management Team's Dalton Road office and a WCRG committee meeting was held at the Nan Tait Centre on the 28th. The aim of the media workshop was to prepare for using the local press to publicise the work of the WCRG.

May was a busy month with both County Council elections and Regional (European Union) elections being held. We lost our New Labour County Councillor, Clive Kitchen, whose place was taken by Independent Oliver Pearson (a member of our committee). The low turnout for the European elections meant that the BNP (which only needed 8% of the total) gained by default and the North West is now represented in Brussels by a fascist.

During the weekend of 6th and 7th June the whole of West Central received a newsletter announcing date of the next residents' Open Meeting and the Chairman attended a Funding Workshop at the NMT office on Monday 15th. The residents' Open Meeting was held on Wednesday 17th June, the group's bank account was officially opened at Barclays on Friday 19th and there was a committee meeting on the 30th.

We conducted a Street Survey in the week commencing Monday 13th July, the Secretary attended a Funding Workshop at Forum 28 on Wednesday 15th, the committee met on Wednesday 22nd and the Chairman attended a Police Forum held at the Coronation Hall, Ulverston, on Thursday 23rd.

There were no meetings in August and the first autumn event was the residents' Open Meeting held on Wednesday 2nd September (newsletters announcing the meeting were distributed to all households on 31st August). On Monday 14th September, the Chairman attended a 'Police in the Community' meeting at the NMT office, a committee meeting was held on Wednesday 16th and the Chairman was on a 'Creative Use of Technology' course at Greengate Community Centre on Thursday 24th.

The next committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 14th October when a newsletter will be agreed for distribution in preparation for the Open Meeting on Wednesday 28th.

Well, I'm sure that made for pretty boring reading! What was it all about? What has been achieved by it all? What's been the purpose? It's all explained at the residents' Open Meetings but not everyone finds these convenient so information will be given in the next posting and also in the next Newsletter (which every residence receives).

BACK TO CROSS STREET - BACK STREET

SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS HERE

This is the gate at the Albert Street end of the Cross Street-Geneva Street backstreet. The large gap at the base of the gate is creating problems for residents.

One resident likes to let his little pet dog have a 'run about' in the backstreet but uses a heavy log of wood to block the gap to prevent the dog escaping and running loose into the road.

Unfortunately, the pet owner does not always remove the 'dog-log' when he and his dog return indoors and this creates a problem for any elderly resident wishing to open the gate because the log is too heavy for them to move out of the way.

A further problem is that young people are able to crawl beneath the closed gate and, it has been observed, make use of the caravan (pictured) that has been parked in the backstreet for many months. It is not known if the owner of the caravan is aware that it is being used in this way and, at the time of publishing this article, the owner of the caravan has not been located.

The gap clearly defeats the purpose of having a gate and the matter has now been reported to the appropriate department for remedial action to be taken.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION MEETING

A brief report on the findings of the Community Workshop held at St George's Church hall from 7 til 9pm on Monday 23rd March will be given in a later posting as will an account of business conducted at the Committee meeting held at the Nan Tait centre on Wednesday 28th March.

LATEST NEWS - AND SOME MORE

WEST CENTRAL RESIDENTS' GROUP IS NOW 'OFFICIAL'
Members attending the Wednesday 4th March Annual General Meeting unanimously agreed to accept the written Constitution and elected the following persons to Committee positions for the next twelve months:
Peter Goodings, Secretary; Linda Phelps, Treasurer; Norman Hill, Chairman, and supported by Michael Bailey; Christine Goodings; Oliver Pearson and Stephen Newton. All were elected unapposed. Julie Dalton kindly volunteered to be Minutes' Secretary.

The election was followed by a talk and Powerpoint presentation on the Waterfront development by Mr Dennis Laird, Senior Project Manager of West Lakes Renaissance and ended with a 'Question & Answer' session.

Notice of this meeting had been previously circulated to all residencies in the West Central area and attendance at the meeting was good.

A report on the meeting, written by Margie Arts, appeared in the Spring edition of the community newspaper, Central Issue, and also announced a Community Consultation meeting would be held at St George's Church hall from 7pm til 9pm on Monday 23rd March at which all residents would have the opportunity to say what they liked and/or disliked about living in this area and suggesting how things might be improved.

SPONTANEOUS 'STREET ART'

HOW'S THIS FOR EXAMPLES OF CANINE STREET SCULPTURE?

To fully appreciate what fine examples of canine art these truly are it will be necessary to enlarge them to Full Page view. Then you will observe the tonal subtlety, the play of light that helps define the form and picks out the varied textural qualities.

Unfortunately, as these examples are shown here in but pictorial form, one is unable to absorb the aromatic bombardment provided by the originals.

Sadly, tourists rarely get the opportunity to view these exquisite objects for they are often quickly dismantled and taken home on the shoes of local residents - usually on the footware of unappreciative children and presented to equally unappreciative parents.

GETTING CROSS IN CROSS STREET

IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY?

This photograph of an illegally parked car was taken in Cross Street during February this year.

The number plate has been obscured to save the blushes of the irresponsible driver but the registration is clearly visible on the original picture and has been saved for possible future use should the driver choose to make a habit of such anti-social behaviour.

How, for example, is a blind person or a disabled wheelchair user supposed to use the footpath? A parent with a child in a pushchair would have to walk into the road.

Behaviour such as this is unreasonable, antisocial and unacceptable. What's more, it's ILLEGAL and if it is repeated you WILL be reported.

UNACCEPABLE ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

DUH, DUH and more DUH!

We all want local firms to flourish and many of our residents use local businesses but at times some firms need to get their act together.

Blocking access to the lower end of the Mount Pleasant/Storey Square back street as illustrated here smacks of arrogant disregard for residents' lawful right of way and is absolutely unacceptable. The excuse of "We are struggling to run a business here." does not wash - if a business has to indulge in blocking residents' access with parked vehicles then that business is situated in the wrong place and ought to move to a more suitable location - either that, or there has to be a compromise acceptable to residents.

Owners of the car repair workshops will be approached about this matter and, hopefully, there will be an amicable resolution satisfying both residents and business owners.

BLOCKING ACCESS IS ANTISOCIAL, INCONSIDERATE AND DEMONSTRATES A DISTINCT ABSENCE OF COMMONSENSE.

The alley gates were installed to provide security for residential homes and commercial premises. This aim is defeated whenever irresponsible residents and businesses leave the gates OPEN - they not only place their own property at risk from vandals, thieves, arsonists and lazy dog-walkers but place all other residents and businesses at risk too!

KEEP ALLEYGATES SHUT!

WEST CENTRAL RESIDENTS' GROUP

FATE OF WEST CENTRAL RESIDENTS' GROUP IN BALANCE
All residencies in West Central will receive notification of the next meeting of the group to be held at 6pm on Wed 4 March to agree a constitution and formally elect a management committee. It is hoped that notices will also appear in the Advertiser and the NW Evening Mail. This meeting will determine the future direction of West Central Residents' Group.

If successful, this will place the group on an official footing - it will allow access to funding and to obtaining direct information from both borough and county councils. It will also strengthen the voice of residents in this area on the matter of regional development and the upkeep of our immediate environment.

Yes, I know that all sounds pretty dull but just think about this - are you bothered by noisy neighbours? Does the dumping of unwanted furniture in your backstreet irritate you? How do you feel about a blocked drain causing a threat of flooding to your property? Are you annoyed by inconsiderate parking in your street? What do you think should be done about dog mess and litter? Can we get gangs of youngsters off our streets to engage in something more enjoyable than aimlessly hanging around convenience stores at night?
What do you think we can do about 'boy racers' who travel as quickly as possible between 'speed humps' in residential areas? What could be done to protect the lives of youngsters who frequently ride bikes at night without lights on our streets? What can be done about the state of our pavements? Why are yet more houses being built in this area of high-density housing? Why do some residents allow their dogs to bark for hours and why do some never bother to close the alley gates that are designed to protect us all? Who is keeping a regular check on our infirm or elderly residents to ensure their wellbeing? Who can quickly warn residents about rogue traders or opportunist thieves operating in the area? These are just a few of the issues that a fully operational Residents' Group can tackle - but requires genuine and consistent support by many members of the community.

Look at what community groups in other areas are able to arrange for their enjoyment - whist drives, bingo, 'tea and a chat', one-off demonstrations of cookery or needlework, shopping trips to Blackpool, visiting speakers on a whole range of topics........and then look at what we have here in Central.