“People turned against each other cannot turn against those responsible.”
DaShanne Stokes
With Michael Vaughan, the ex-England cricket captain cleared of racism charges, what to make of this whole sorry affair?
The whole process has shamed the game and those institutions central to this farce. From YCCC’s inept early head-in-the-sand response to the ECB blame game witchhunt to an appalling DCMS Select Committee “hang ’em all” approach.
What value Rafiq’s other claims now that have cost numerous people their jobs, sacked by email by the well-paid ECB stooge Lord Patel? And what a legacy he left YCCC, over £3m of additional debt. Good work son!
Credit to The Yorkshire Post’s excellent cricket correspondent Chris Waters who went against the tide to offer a broader perspective of events here and the likely realities. His writing was courageous journalism, not least in exposing Rafiq’s catalogue of misdemeaners where others feared to tread.
No doubt there will have been language used in the past that is unacceptable today – we live and learn – but the central plank here was a guy simply no longer deemed good enough to obtain a professional contract. Those of you who will instantly berate me, go check his stats which are those of a journeyman cricketer.
This was only ever about a fast buck and sod the consequences. Very few come out of it with any credit.
Shabby
A huge extension to a terraced house that has previously been refused four times has now been approved, after the chair of a planning panel said he would make an exception to Council planning policy.
Reading this story I was left with a warm glow that Bradford’s planning process was in rude health…so far as comparisons with a third-world village went at least – see here.
Work to 783 Little Horton Lane has previously been refused by planning officers and a government inspector. The first application was refused in 2012, but despite this, the massive extension was built anyway.
Despite the council ordering the demolition of the extension, Cllr Shabby, waved it through using his casting vote. So why have any policy at all when the likes of Cllr Shabby can wield such influence?
Once again, small wonder the exodus continues.
Bargain Hunt
The average household is visiting the supermarket more than four times a week as they seek deals to beat the soaring cost of living, research suggests. Is it me I wondered on reading the BBC website piece – see here – I mean, how much time and money are these people wasting ort is it that supermarkets are now warm spaces?
Just a thought.
Private Enterprise
The doorbell rang the other night; was it Trick or Treat again I wondered? Three local kids stood at the door and offered me the opportunity to buy half an empty mussel shell.
They thrust it forward and told me that 50p was a bargain, especially as half of it would go to charity. They were less specific about the other 25p but I saw this as a good sign.
Seeking to close the deal – and eat my dinner – I gave them a quid. Their eyes widened – “the bloke across the street did just the same!” squealed one – and, in an instant, they had learned the fundamentals of good business.
Never would they undersell themselves again.
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