Tuesday 12 January 2010

Warning to Driver for Dodd's Florist

You were seen driving down a steep road covered in ice whilst on your mobile phone. Previously you were also seen reversing up the road at a dangerous speed by someone else.

Please don't do it again as I often have my camera ready to film and will attempt to get a conviction of similar drivers in Ulverston. I only just missed one guy by a split second a year ago!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good for you Geoff.

If more spoke out, we'd have a better Ulverston!

Mind you, I wouldn't dare!

A R said...

Couldn't agree more - there is no excuse for not using a hands-free kit. Tesco Barrow have them on offer right now. Why don't plod crack down on this offence ?

Geoff Dellow said...

I've contacted the shop by email and hopefully they will have a word with their drivers.

Anonymous said...
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Geoff Dellow said...

Sadly I've had two obscene comments to the effect that I should mind my own business.

I believe it's extremely important for the safe running of Ulverston that we all try to do all we can to modify negative behaviour. This guy was driving in a dangerous manner in a narrow lane where kids occasionally play. He was breaking the law.

Not to say something gradually leads towards more and more extreme behaviour leading ultimately to thieves running others over in order to steal their cars as happened recently.

People do respond positively to being pulled up short. With the frequent absence of police on our streets, we need to take action ourselves to support and work with them. With mobile phones that take photos , this is a way of asserting ourselves and doing this.

Ulverston this way will stay a place that we safe in.

Nadine Berry said...

Well said Mr Dellow. This town has far too much lawlessness which, by and large, goes unnoticed and unpunished. 2 things particularly irk me - the use of mobile phones whilst driving and the mounds of cigarette ends to be found outside the local public houses. I just think they are unsightly and I wonder what effect they have on my dogs paws as I walk him past these places?


I am not convinced however that your assertion "people do react positively to being pulled up short" is true. About 2 months ago my husband and I were strolling past one such pub, the floor was, as per, thick with fag ends and there was a chap, leaning against the door, puffing away and depositing his ash all over the place (despite the presence of an ash tray). Then, said man casually dropped his butt to the pavement. As he turned to re-enter the pub my husband, who was incensed by what he saw, shouted to him that he wanted a word.Clearly the worse for drink the man turned and George remonstrated with him, pointing out the damage he was doing not only to himself but to our environment. The drinker listened then spat out "F*** off you barmy old ****, gerra f****ng life."

Like you Geoff, I always go prepared for such behaviour, I took out my notebook and noted what the man said and then took pics of the pile of fag ends. Sadly though the man had gone back in the pub before I could snap him, but I'd say he was late fifties, balding, quite tall and overweight with a long crombie style coat on.

The point is that people such as this, and there are many in Ulverston, are indeed fireproof when it comes to their behaviour. I did manage to report the incident to a policewoman some days later and queried why there is such a low police presence in the town. It turned out that on that particular day the entire Ulverston force had been drafted to police a major sheep dog event somewhere up near Ullswater.

Well Geoff, between our cameras and my trusty notebook we may yet make a difference to the quality of life here. I live more in hope than expectation though!

P.S.Any progress re that revolting bin outside the old town mill?
Another example of "couldn't care less."

Geoff Dellow said...

It's partly gut feeling and partly based on experience.

"people do react positively to being pulled up short"

I don't believe people like being criticised.

The man in question went back in the pub. He is less likely to do it again I believe despite what his initial reaction is.

And if he was outside doing the same again and someone different came along and in their own way criticised, I suspect this would more than double the effect.

All around us people walk by and are fearful of commenting on the behaviour of others. If just half of us were the kind of people who spoke up then Ulverston would be considerably different though it's only bad a a few places.

I've seen very brave behaviour here in the town. One middle aged woman walked into the path (slightly to one side !) of a speeding vehicle as she was crossing King St and shouted and waved her finger at them to slow down.

Good on her! We should be awarding medals to courageous behaviour like this.

The more it becomes the culture of Ulverstonians to speak up, the more Ulverston will be a town that people respect when they come into it.

We could have a sign at Ulverston approach roads:

"A big welcome to responsible people - we've got stocks on the Market Square for those that aren't."

The closest modern equivalent is our instant video cameras on mobile phones displaying the result on Youtube.

A R said...

Can't believe you fell for such an obvious wind-up Geoff.

Wise Old Dave said...

Nadine, its a welcome opportunity to respond to the comments you and George have have posted. the individual you refer to was me, I remember the incident clearly. My recolection is somewhat different to yours. I was stood outside the pub smoking and i was using the provided ash tray. However the incedent started when your dog shat on the pavement and I asked you to clean it up. You responded by saying it was fack all to do with me and to mind my own fakin ??? It is fortunate that i found this post and that I have a photograph of you and George taken on my phone.

Geoff Dellow said...

Prove it!

You have a great imagination Dave.

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