in a traditional lake district town with Kirby Slate everywhere in the town, you would meet these monstrosities from China?
This smacks very much of a financial scam.
Who has ended up with money in their back pocket ?
Del Boy comes to Ulverston!
" Fancy some beautiful marble paving stones ( that fell off the back of a Lorry straight from Ying Tong Ying Tong Idli Po) "
"Suits you sir . Yes Suits you sir."
"A perfect match. Just what 'Up and Coming' Ulverston needs. Just like the County Square"
I conducted a poll and got a 100% result from one lady -
"Aren't they awful ! "
So what happens next. . . .
Someone's head needs to roll (?)
James Airey - the new guy in the hot County Council seat - what are you up to?
The issue of a consistent design policy for Ulverston was raised with him, months ago.
Nothing will happen unless Ulverstonians speak up.
So start with your comment here.
Do nothing and in the long term, the town is doomed.
Just see what inaction has done to South Ulverston.
19 comments:
I guess if you buy random slabs, you get just that! The important thing to me (now that we have them for better or for worse) is that they are put down in a manner that makes tripping most unlikely. And, of course, that the slabs themselves are not traps for the unwary, blind, or partially sighted.
You're not wrong - a mess. But no less than we expect eh?
How do others feel.
I can't accept Gladys Hobson's approach.
In my opinion it's certainly not a done deal.
Let's see what others think !
I can think of several approaches that could see these slabs replaced.
Perhaps a local councillor would like them on their drive.
I'd be happy to pay for some quality concrete slabs done as a replacement.
First we need to find those that like them and those that don't.
Then we must act.
To me this is a really serious matter.
If Ulverstonians don't care about this way that their money is spent, then what do they care about?
What wrong with it,seen it today when i went past and looks ok to me,maybe i'm not as fussy as you
Quite honestly, Geoff, I have not even noticed those slabs — maybe because I have to look where I am going rather than at the differences in the paving slabs. You say the cementing done in the Gill will be unnoticeable with time, maybe the slabs need time too. What's more, if the rest of the town is anything to go by, what looks like chewing gum distributed on pavement areas, will, in time, arrive there too — ensuring a certain pavement unity?
Try walking along Old Hall Road. Not hard to notice the patchwork quilt of a road surface, with dangerous holes getting bigger day by day. And what appear to be blocked drains higher up the road that cause streams of water to paddle through.
No doubt other areas of town also need attention, especially after all the flooding.
Okay, the slabs you mention may not look good but those pretty-pretty arrangements in the town's alleyways are death traps.
Sorry If I cannot whip up enthusiasm for doing anything about what is obviously a high priority for you.
I agree that there is a need for paving stones to be trip free but secondly they need to be consistant all across Ulverston if we are to come across as a town that cares about itself. One that we enjoy moving through.
The crunch line is that I can see no value of these slabs over plain neat concrete paving stones. I suspect they cost us a lot more and what's more, they are a foreign import and from China so that they have a massive carbon footprint.
What I see here in Ulverston, is a mess of anything goes - Asphalt here, new slabs in amongst old, new stones for the sake of it in the Weint. New slab with the cement left on for want of a wipe with a wet cloth after the work was done. Yorkshire stones that are irregular which apparently were going cheap at the time.
It's a psychological thing. People take pride in the own drives and make their houses look attractive. Why not do the same here in town.
A pleasant environment gives us a lift when we go out in it - we may not even be aware of it but it's there.
If Ulverston continues to accept anything that is thrown its way, I shall have to find something/somewhere else to care about and enjoy.
I have to agree about the import of slabs thing and that it would be good to be consistent throughout the town. I loved this place from the day we moved in - no before then. Not because of what it might be - a frequented tourist town, but because of the old fashioned shops and friendly people. Okay it has changed and tourism seems to be the chief aim. No longer do we get spoken to by name in banks and we are losing our very friendly Building Society. We have lost some of the shops we found so appealing and welcoming and the place abounds with eating places. But we have a great Health Centre now and most of Ulverston people are as friendly as ever. We have footpaths and places of interest. A Coastline too! There is always something going on at the Coronation Hall and the local band play in the Market Place on Thursdays during the warmer days of the year. Where else would we be entertained by local clog dancers and feel our feet tapping in time with band and dancers? We have artists and writers, a library and clubs to join — if so inclined. An Independent Bookshop too - that keeps us in touch with literary events throughout the year. No doubt I have missed out many other things. Surely a town is more than a sum of its paving stones?
You do excellent work in Ulverston, Geoff, please don't let disappointment of others not going with you on this issue get you down. You have brought new life to the place with your pottery venture and your care of community matters.
I agree this slab business is quite shocking as it shows really poor decision-making by those concerned. So too the cobbles/pebbles between a lot of the slabs that trip us up. Who are these people? Maybe a question to be asked when elections come around again.
There is much to be done in Ulverston and you are appreciated by a lot of people, even if you may think the opposite.
Thanks for that Gladys.
You're right. There are lots of things that are special about the town.
Thanks for reminding me and helping get this in perspective.
Dickensian was special. Several people remarked about the mulled wine!
Did you do mulled wine? I did not have any this year - for valid reasons. No doubt it was good. Glad you are feeling better about things. I did not stay long at the Festival — I hate getting sandwiched in crowds. But I heard ans saw enough to make me proud of this place. I don't go out when it's dark but it was great to see the fireworks from the window!
Are you planning pottery things for Christmas?
Planning to provide spike lights for the Christingle do for the children at 4.30 pm on Christmas Eve and also the midnight service, even though I don't see eye to eye with the clergy, but I can't resist those spikes!
Hoping to see people at my workshop on Saturday afternoons and on Thursday evenings. See the Christmas Tree posting!
Are the residents of South Ulverston bothered about the colour or origin of those flags/slates in the town centre?
Your recent words "even though I don't see eye to eye with the clergy" were notable in the fact that those words made me think 'who does he see eye to eye with'?
I cannot answer that question, perhaps you should?
Wake up Geoff, focus on things that are 'life changing' to local people, not the every day frustations that we all have to manage.
Yourself & Gladys go to great lengths to publish your provenance ,how long you have lived in Ulverston,what great people Ulverstonians are etc.
However you both will always be off comers in this town. Not because we dont like or love you. But because you interfere and comment on our life style.
I know you are not parteners - but you both certainly show a kindred interest in self promotion.
My self and many others were born here and have family here. Do we yarp on about the flags, the cobbles etc? No we just get on with life and manage it. Suggest you both do the same!
Opinionated?
Of course I'm opinionated.
Why else would I write a blog?
I imagine that by sticking my neck out and expressing an opinion , this will encourage others to express theirs.
Do I see eye to eye with anyone else?
Of course not. Would any thinking person ever be in full agreement with anyone else.
If I can't see eye to eye with myself, how would you expect me to agree wholly with anyone.
There are some issues on which I have very opposing views. They are not black and white but various shades of grey.
Would you expect someone who was a regular member of the South Ulverston congregation at St Judes in the 1960s to see eye to eye with the present vicar? What has he done to save this building for those wanting it as a community centre.
What do you see as the big issues in the town?
Doesn't the state of our empty shops rate high enough for you?
Can you not see the connection between this and the state of our pavements and streets?
The fact that we don't have a good web site for the town.
The fact that we have a car park not used when the town is crying out for spaces for visiting buyers to our town.
The fact that the town is overrun be inconsiderate drunks in the early ours of the morning.
The fact that a derelict building continues to be a serious fire hazard on Princess street.
Since when does being born here give you the unquestioned right to see yourself as an Ulverstonian?
I suspect that there are some of us that have been working hard (and enjoying it) here for the town for longer than you've lived here.
There are some us that get stuck in with involvement with a vibrant town the minute we arrive.
Come on get a life. Live a little.
If all you can do is snipe at others from your anonymous hideout. Why should we listen to you?
Who does the yarping?
The way i read this is your blaming the state of the pavements for the empty shops in the town,how can this be??
Afraid I have to agree with (the other) Anonymous. I have never heard anybody, local or otherwise, complain about the pavements/cobbles. Its not an issue for them being far too concerned with just coping with everyday life/job/money/family etc.
I too am concerned with the drunks on our streets. They emanate mostly from the Roxy which you Geoff originally supported!From day one I, as a mere ordinary citizen, could foresee what it was going to become - how come you couldn't? I'll hazard a guess - you saw it as an Arts Centre, full stop. You and many others in the town make much of the arts. Again, I move in more down to earth circles and never have I heard much enthusiasm for the arts as presented in Ulverston.
Sorry Geoff but I find you a mix of condescension and arrogance. Your comments about those flooded out in S. Ulverston were quite amazing - along the lines of if they'd listened to me they wouldn't be in the mess they are now. Stick to the Pottery mate and you won't go as far wrong as you currently do.
Regarding pavements, your clearly not a business woman.
Presentation is just as important as the product.
Thinking clearly is obviously not your thing but griping and putting others down is!
You are definitely not a true Ulverstonian.
Anonymous two.
Join the club.
Twist everything you can to put someone else down.
I'll leave it to others to put you straight. There's no chance that I'm going to win!
Thanks Ms Anon. Any publicity is good for authors.
Just a hint — it you don't like what I write, why read it?
It seems you wish me to make a distinction between those born here and those who happily live here. Sorry but I write as I find. I tell the world (literally through my blogs) what a great place Ulverston is.
It seems you prefer to let strangers believe they are not welcome here. I do not buy that. As to off comers, few people these days live in the town where they were born. Lucky those who have never faced redundancy or the need to find employment elsewhere. Settling down with a young family many miles away from friends and family is not easy.
Interfere? Never
Comment unfavourably on Ulverstonians? Never.
Geoff deliberately provokes debate by going OTT — he certainly gets attention.
Geoff's approach is not mine. But he has every right to take his stand the way he chooses. At least, he accepts my unfavourable comments on his posts in the spirit of debate.
Snipe away if you wish Ms Anon, others will judge for themselves.
But I will not answer you again on Geoff's site. This is his spot, not mine.
I was also born here. My parents and their parents too.
You're getting comments from people with time on their hands. Nothing better to do than pull others apart.
These are people who do little for the town. Do we hear them making constructive suggestions themselves?
Ignore them.
I think you raise important subjects. I don't agree with you sometimes particularly over Tescos and the poll is supporting me and not you!
Having said that the many topics you cover are worth raising. Keep it up.
As for the Roxy, I see you as consistent. At least you went out on the street at 3 am to investigate. Garry is the one that has misled us and is now at last paying the price. About time.
Thanks for that last anon.
I don't know what's up with some of the people that comment here.
They're not into improving Ulverston as far as I can see but more interested in putting someone down who is trying.
It's an amazing thing when people start to pull in the same direction.
The trouble seems to be that stopping someone is more important than suggesting where they want to go.
This "I was born here", therefore my opinion is better than yours concept is very close to the ideas of the BNP.
They are first class citizens and anyone else is second rate and should be shipped off to where they came from.
Some time they will realise that we're here to stay and our opinions are as good as theirs.
The opinions that matter are those that appeal to the most people and the ones that 'work'. These ideas/opinions could come from anyone!
Judging from history, its the off-comers with new energy and ideas that put life into a place that is dying from inertia.
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