If you're wondering what it's all about, let me tell you!
During the time spent visiting and talking to people door-to-door, I have met several of you who would like to get together for a number of reasons.
The main one being that many people don't know each other very well and can see the benefits of more contact.
There are benefits to making such a group 'official', as it will then be asked for its opinions whenever something affecting Croftlands is proposed.
The introduction of a MUGA to the playing field is such an issue.
Taking things one step further, an official group can apply for grants through the Neighbourhood Forum, where there remains £16,000 that can be applied for before March. This money could be spent on improving the Croftlands Community centre with - for instance - a climbing wall for young people to develop their rock climbing skills. There may also be a need for more cupboard space for groups to store things, so that something like a pottery or craft group could meet.
Members would also most likely get elected to the Town and District Councils should they want to stand as Independents. Most people are dissatisfied with the present party politicians and their inaction.
Another option, rather than operating 'officially', we could simply gather together on the playing field for fun. Here our dogs could run around together on a Saturday/Sunday in an informal manner in a similar way to what happens at Ford Park. This led to the filming of something that went on Youtube ! There's another on the way taken at the 'happening' on Christmas day!
There are lots and lots of other possibilities and you will have your own ideas which you could add here by pressing the comment button - you can be anonymous if you choose - watch this space - I've still got another 100 cards to deliver!
21 comments:
Well i got one of your cards this morning and seen on it about parking,well i live in a cul de sac on oakwood drive and parking was made for residents only.Now over the road is milbys taxis now they use our parking for one taxi plus there own car and there drivers also park there cars here as well,they also park 2 mini buses on the road.So some days myself and others have to park elsewhere because they take up all the parking bays.Now if you want to do something about parking how about sorting this out,i've approached the council but no one will claim they own it so won't do anything
Phil, you are most likely to get a result if you tackle Milby's directly. Are they the same as LA 12 taxi's at 82 Oakwood Drive?
If we had a strong group formed as I suggest then they could approach them. And with the various web sites in town we could advertise their unhelpfulness.
You could get a petition signed by the people in your close and present this to the Town Council - it takes minutes.
Then I suggest that you contact your local councillors by email which you can find using the link at the top right of this blog "your local councillors in ten seconds".
Include me in a copy and I'll watch for their reply.
If they don't help we can bring this to the attention of their electorate at the time of their next election - something I plan to do in future.
See how you go and come back to me!
They way I operate is get people to do what they can and then get involved! Best wishes.
Email from LA12 Taxi's and my reply:
Thanks for your email,
Good to know that you're aware of what is said!
Why the aggressive email?
What else was I doing than checking my facts when I ask the question on my blog:
"Are they the same as LA 12 taxi's at 82 Oakwood Drive?"
Aren't you being unreasonable.
I shall publish you message so that people are clear.
Now would you use you effluence to get the message across to Mr Milby.
The more people that speak up , the less this behaviour is likely to happen.
On 21 Jan 2009, at 09:39, LA12 taxis wrote:
Why don't you check your facts before putting my company name on your blog ? My trading name is LA12 TAXIS - 82 Oakwood Drive and I park off the road normally .
It wouldn't take much effort to see where Milby's vans are parked, go and have a look .
"Now would you use you effluence to get the message across to Mr Milby."
You seem an educated man Geoff, and in that light *confusing* 'effluence' and 'influence' seems a rather cheap shot.
Also, the email indicates there is no connection between Milby's and LA12 Taxis, so exactly what 'influence' you are talking about I'm not sure. That's like asking you to use your influence with someone else who also has a beard.
Finally, I don't see how the email classes as "aggressive" - just a question and a couple of statements. Pretty innocuous.
The business owner quite rightly doesn't want the association with another, unrelated taxi firm that is causing a dispute in the area - which is fair enough in my book.
having recieved your card may i say at last some one has had the intitive to consider such as a community group as a local resident i grew up on croftlands until i was 17 i moved away and came back to the area once i had children six years ago.I believe that Ulverston was and is the best enviroment to bring my children up however croftlands seem to be left behind when it comes to funding for such things as park regeneration and projects.During the recent poorly advertised meeting concerning MUGA i asked why the park was to not be regenerated at the same time as the installation of the new games area and i was was told that there was not enough funding, but yet lightburn park has been updated several times in the last few years However in Windermere Queens Park was renewed with both the help of the community and the council and it takes pride amoung many generations.I have many times tried to raise such issues with the relevant departments and have been brushed away.May be it is about time that a group is developed so the voice of many generations living in croftlands can be herad and taken notice of and i myseldf would very happily join with such a group to hopefully take action and not be full of hot air.
A few points to the Taxi issue.
1. I do my best with spelling and try to catch mistakes but this is something I'm not good at. Fortunately i get by and it hasn't stopped me coming up with a couple of patents when working at Glaxo and one at Shell- Problem solving is my speciality.
2.Influence - I think we would all be surprised how much influence we can actually have just by saying something instead of moaning on to our friends. A remark to Milby like "Come one mate you're getting us taxi drivers a bad name" would be a little ripple that with many more will cause a wave.
Most people never give it a try for fear of the consequences. It really does work.
Say something and stand up for yourself everyone. Most people back off. In the past I've had a few brushes with people like George Miller in the Gill and because I stuck up for myself he became almost 'helpful'!
Liz,
Great to here your comments. I'm about to publish some doublespeak from Simon Hughes and Richard Foster of SLDC. Dealing with them is like trying to cross a bog when up to your waist in mud. Many officials seem to play the game of stonewalling until you give up and die of exhaustion.
However I believe there is usually one tactic that will achieve success and once you've won one battle it becomes easier and easier with subsequent battles.
I'm gunning for Nick Raymond of Cumbria Highways and have a silver bullet almost loaded ready for action - just preparing all the material before firing!
Yes Lisa there are others on Croftlands ready for action - soon we'll be getting together and see what we can do. I think it will surprise people what can be achieved.
Send me an email - information name etc will be kept confidential or better still call in to see me for a coffee at Poppies in Union Street 11-12 any Saturday - I'm moving over from the Rose and Crown!
I think the person claiming to be from LA12 Taxis is probably a wind-up, Geoff. There was nothing offensive in what you originally wrote. For the record, I have never heard of either LA12 or Milbys taxis; I would appreciate their phone numbers if anyone has them. The taxi provision in the local area is terrible. When I try to call a cab there is often no answer; or someone does pick up the call, and in a surprised or bemused tone tells me that they are 'busy'.
Lisa, sorry about the Liz,
Google tells me "LA12 Taxis - 01229 582296"
Now there's a bit of free publicity.
Any positive reports (not anonymous!) about this firm anyone?
I think that was a scurrilous little attack on LA12. he is a "one man band" with one car, working long hours and provides a marvellous service to oap's and the disabled, as well as being reliable and trustworthy. In my book, perfectly entitled to park his car outside his home without being maligned by someone who is nowhere near as any use to the Community as he is!
Great to have your comment Dave M (Miller? !).
Don't know where you get "scurrilous little attack". No one suggested that there was any problem what-so-ever with LA12 Taxis.
Now with your recommendation we'll all be trying him out.
(I've already said that I'll be considering him should I get 'The' job as I won't trust myself to drive myself back from Kendal in the evening after a hard day.)
So you would waste tax payers money on taxi fare??
Thats a 70 quid round trip with the meter on Geoff..Easy when it's our money isn't it??
That's a pretty negative statement but an interesting one from my point of view!
First, Councillors can only claim travel expenses based on a mileage formula for use of your own car.
So if I use a taxi to get to Kendal - which I will, I would imagine - I will pay the extra myself. This extra will be approx. 75% of the fare.
Second, the reasons I would use a taxi are:
It will enable me to sleep - at present I'm up at 5 - 6 am when I start packing in all my activities. These go on to about 10-11 at night. Short naps are essential.
On the way out when I'm feeling good, a taxi will enable me to make phone calls, and use a laptop computer to access information and write emails and maintain this blog.
If I'm traveling further say to Carlisle then I shall use a combination of taxi and train. Other destinations will have to be examined in detail.
I firmly believe that taking care of oneself is the responsible thing to do. Car sharing though recommended will be out, unless I need to discuss something with the other councillors in the car. Efficient use of my precious time is far more important than saving the odd penny when you are responsible for the spending of millions of taxpayers money.
More on expenses at another time when you may be pleasantly surprised with my approach which is based on my experiences in the US when some representatives are very efficient businesslike politicians eg Obama.
Dave M - where do you get your price of £70 round trip ? sounds cheap to me . I got a cab to Oxenholme station and it metered £52 !!!
X35 bus Geoff, goes to Kendal and back. You can do anything you like on there. Also enhances your "Green Credentials" by reducing your carbon footprint,and, reduces the burden on the Council Tax payer,ticks all the boxes really! Marvellous! a "Holistic" solution!
Dave M, good thought which I shall bear in mind but:
I hate people who inflict their mobile phone conversations on innocent passengers.
Hope conveniently can you use a laptop?
Can you really doze off and not miss your stop?
It will certainly be an enjoyable change when I want to view the countryside from the top of the bus.
Also a chance to chat to the locals and get first hand info..
Mr Kipling
That was the cheap OAP rates !!
Parking is getting even worst now,a strange cars been parked there for 3 days,milbys taxi is still parked along with there family car and there workers car.Last night i came home from work and had to park round the back off my house.I've spoken to the council in the past about this but they don't want to no about it,so what else can i do.I can approach him about it but he's not a guy you can approach because he thinks he's always right
Right , what you do is this.
Go to the top right of this blog by clicking on the words "Getting things done in Ulverston" at the top of this page. (you may want to open a fresh copy of this blog so that you can still read this!).
Now click on the words:
"Your local councillor in 10 seconds" (second down on the right)
Now click roughly on where you live, then again exactly on your road.
This shows your councillors. Click on the second column of their names and this will create an email ready to send.
Send the same message to all four of your councillors. Put copies to me gd@tygh.co.uk
Lastly, let's hear from you here, what they say and how long it takes them to reply.
This will keep them on their toes and the public will know what good councillors they are! (or not)
Thanks i shall try contact them,i've just looked out of my window all spaces are taken up and one lad is parked on the pavement outside his house cause there's no where for him to park.Now this is getting alot worst now and something needs to be done about it,maybe signs installed to stop people just dumping there cars there
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