A man should never write what a gentleman could never repeat. Sandy Toksvig
The oldest trick in the book used by politicians on a bad news day is to suddenly find some “good news”.
On the day the Director of Children’s Services in Bradford fell on his sword, doubtless assisted by a nice pay-off, Comical Alex was excused tea-making duties.
Bear in mind that there have been three resignations in four years from this key post, with Bradford’s services now being run by a Government commissioner. But let us not worry about that for now in a city fast approaching Pyongyang for announcements.
Tree lined roads, better pedestrian facilities and “pocket parks” are all included in proposals to re-vamp Bradford city centre’s Top of Town” area. So went the article with the usual primary school drawings to illustrate.
Comical said (allegedly): “Our community engagement programme conducted earlier this year confirmed overwhelming support for creating new public spaces and greening existing ones…introducing street trees and rain gardens into the designs.” I bet they had three replies.
This is a Council that consistently bangs on about its green credentials whilst fields are ripped up to build houses, mostly in the areas that they can rely on Council tax being paid.
It is hypocritical beyond belief.
Delusion
The leader of Bradford Council says she has been assured the consortium behind the takeover of Morrisons will ‘want to continue to be a good citizen in Bradford’. So went this article as Hapless met with the US vulture capitals who have just bought Morrisons for some £7bn.
Lord knows what the new owners went away thinking; perhaps, we need to move to Leeds? It would have been comparable to meeting the straw-chewing local mayor from a US backwater.
Rather than demonstrate leadership – about which she remains clueless – this just typifies how out of her depth this woman is. It also shows how little she understands about business, existing in the protected world of local government handouts.
Investing $7bn demands a return and Morrisons will inevitably become a different beast to the one Sir Ken Morrison built with such pride.
As I have banged on about forever, were she able to get her own house in order, then she could claim licence to go preach to the wider world. But as Bradford continues to slide, her time is fast approaching.
Cash Is King
Bradford is one of the top five cities in the country that still prefers cash despite the move to a cashless society according to a news piece on local radio. I wonder why?
Be Nicer
Post the shocking Sir David Amess tragedy politicians have been making the case for people to be nicer to them. Am I wrong to suggest that they do not see that they are the ones often treating us with contempt day in and day out?
The vast majority take it on the chin but I sense a nation bubbling with frustrated voices from many who feel marginalised, lied to and dismissed without thought.
Those who wish to set the right example must do so from the very top.
Namaste
There can be few better hours in the week than my Wednesday morning yoga class where the pressures of publishing melt away.
Worryingly, several of the old biddies were coughing and spluttering, puncturing the calm aura. I was glad to maintain my social distance from the wall of lycra and nylon.
Ten years on from countless pilates and yoga classes I remain as rigid as a plank but for an hour a week, where better?
Bonkers!
The Bradford BID team, funded by a levy on businesses and a modest council contribution is clearly bereft of any productive ideas. In a city plagued by fireworks all-year-round, what do they come up with?
A fireworks display so large that it should be visible to almost anyone within the A6177 Ring Road and some rockets will reach up to 750 feet high. See here.
Ian Ward, chairman of Bradford BID, said the spectacular display may be the “biggest ever staged” in the city centre. “We’re struggling to find anyone who can remember a huge fireworks display on this scale ever taking place in the city centre,” said Mr Ward.
Clearly, he does not live anywhere near. It is a pile of money up in smoke and it’s not even on Bonfire Night!
Idle Moor
The deadline for objections to this greed driven proposal has been extended now to November 2nd. We are almost at 800 which is staggering so far as an example of what the community think of this.
If you can help please register your objection here.
M.T. Leahy says
I don’t know about the planned biggest firework display ever, we’ve had some of the biggest bonfires ever over the years. The German bombers in WW2 barely scratched the surface compared to what we have had to endure this last 50 odd years.
I would, however, get the fire brigade on stand by.
Lord Frazer Irwin says
A few years ago a Chinese merchant ship had a side blown out by exploding fireworks destined for the UK market. If that isn’t a big enough warning to stop importing the things I know not what else. We should take a leaf out of the book of St Peters School in York. They don’t celebrate November 5th for one very important reason. Burning effigies of a former pupil is not and never has been on the cards.