THIS weeks letter to the editor.
‘Foolish decision to demolish our purpose-built library’
THERE is not space in a letter to issue a point-by-point rebuttal of the spurious assertions and bizarre claims made by Coun Hart in the front page article in the Standard on the closure of our bespoke library, though we all know how easy refuting them would be.
It is a matter of some concern when a council ignores the opinions of those who actually take part in a consultation, on the grounds of ‘what the silent majority might be thinking’ (my emphasis).
No one can know as they chose not to comment.
I suspect the most likely thing they were thinking was ‘the council will ignore our opinions and the whole thing is a cosmetic exercise so why bother?’.
If the powers that be ever pause from giving thanks for public apathy to wonder why people become disillusioned with, and disengaged from, the democratic process, they need look no further than this foolish decision to demolish our purpose-built library for an ill-conceived vanity project.
K Wass
‘How many badge-holders are there in the town?’
WHILST sealing the library’s fate, Coun Hart tried to convince there was never a closed ‘done deal’ between heads of two authorities, the whole process had been democratic and transparent.
As he and colleagues gave county council approval one laughable but very insulting aspect is the provision of just one blue badge space. How many badge-holders are there in the town?
Coun Hart admitted ‘the extra 100m to the Town Hall posed no difficulty to my able-bodied healthy self’.
It’s actually 250m with a sharp incline over 50m, then 250m with a marked slope back towards Church Green and shopping centre.
For those having difficulty walking, or parents with buggies and other little ones – not a pleasant prospect, especially in rain, wind, icy conditions.
If WCC cannot get that detail right after all the scrutiny they claim has been done, how much confidence can there be for regeneration funds, public property assets worth millions.
WCC’s Equality Policy commits to ‘advance opportunity and promote the values of inclusion and belonging to everyone in Worcestershire’ yet none of the committee/panel/ scrutiny/cabinet meetings were signed – excluding the deaf/hearing impaired.
It is wrong to claim the Town Hall will be of equal measure to existing provision. At present there are multiple rooms for a variety of activities to meet particular needs and requirements, not possible in the open plan arrangements with furniture/screens as dividers.
Redditch Council has failed miserably to take residents with them.
Members highlihted previous library moves in the county.
One member enquired: “Would there be objection if Redditch Library was moved to another new building?”
Most probably not, if it was like a development and improvement as the case from the old Church Road location to the purpose-built one we have.
The library is being used as a makeweight, nothing to do with library qualities.
Whilst defending itself against claims there were serious flaws, WCC congratulated itself over its public consultation.
All that was done was to manipulate the objections raised, pretend to have listened and then done what was intended in the first place.
Simply having more eating/drinking outlets will only add to existing health and social problems.
The plans for regenerating Redditch should include ‘active’ provision such as tenpin bowling, ice skating, strictly ballroom, indoor golf, adventure/eco interactive games.
We can use several venues for these activities and a mix of nightlife without wasting millions knocking down the library – the former Wetherspoons, Royal Hotel, British Heart Foundation buildings, units vacated by B&M, Debenhams – PureGym, Barclays Bank imminently.
It is up to the people of Redditch to decide if the wrecking ball will be used to bring about a scheme they have largely been excluded from and which in my opinion, for what its worth, does not serve their interests.
Alan Godwin
‘No donkey rides at Beach on the Green’
I WRITE regarding the Redditch ‘Beach on the Green’.
We were so disappointed the Redditch BID organisers failed to provide donkey rides up and down our Market Place.
Their comment was ‘it would create too much mess’.
It would appear they do not have ‘green credentials’.
Are they unable to provide a team with buckets and spades to follow every donkey, collect any waste, then sell it at £1 a bag to any gardener who visits with a wheelbarrow?
The Redditch BID organisers are asked to provide both the rides and the manure at next year’s beach event – that’s assuming the possible demolition of the library building does not prevent it from happening.
Southcrest-On-Sea resident and colleagues
‘Appeal for help’
I AM making contact to ask if you would kindly be able to publish this letter asking if any of your readers might be descendants of Thomas Haines or anyone who might hold recollections of him and family.
Thomas held many prominent positions in Redditch including as a long serving vice-chairman of the Redditch Urban District Council, a member of the Redditch Joint Burial Board and of the Redditch Benefit Building Society.
A highly respected man, he sadly died in January 1914. One descendant of his settled in Tarporley, Cheshire, to sadly die childless with no local relatives to pass down recollections of his Redditch roots.
If there should be anyone able to help, however slightly, it would be very much appreciated.
Telephone contact can be made with me at 01829 733481.
Thank you.
Maurice Hunt
