PaulRogan

and Her ‘Primaries'!

Why should an English Democrat and a patriotic Englishman be saying that? Because, as a Democrat I believe democracy is being well served in the United States at the present time. With voter turn-outs in the ‘Primaries' doubled; with more viewers watching political debates on TV than major league football matches, isn't that great Anglo-Saxon Country across the Atlantic showing the way by engaging the People of America in the process of how they want to be led and who should lead them in a democratic way?

I am told the ‘Primaries' were introduced to more fully engage ‘The People' in how their Party Candidates should be selected, wresting the process away from smoke-filled huddles of the influential few. Sounds like a bloody good idea to me!

What we need in England is for many more people to take part in our democratic processes and to feel that their views will really make a difference. In England it is extremely important today because, unless they do, I fear there will be very little English democracy left tomorrow for them to become engaged in.

The small parcel of land at Carr Green, next to Rastrick Cemetery is to be auctioned... again!

There is a long history to this small plot, which many see to be one of the most contentious sites in Calderdale. The Council itself withdrew the land from auction three times due to community pressure before finally auctioning it off. The buyers, Royalle Estates, were beset with community objections from the day they paid over a substantial sum for it to the Council, who many feel had wrongly indicated that planning permission should not be a problem. The community thought and fought otherwise.

The historic barn was firstly demolished to community outcry because a natural roost for bats and other wildlife had been destroyed without doing proper checks and studies. The police were involved. Undeterred, walls were ‘damaged' to make entrances to the site appear they had always been there. A small part of England was under threat.

Two planning applications were made, both went to committee, both caused massive community outcry and objections, both were refused. They can be found by searching ‘Royalle Estates' in the applicant's box of the Council's planning search database. The references are 07/01389 and 06/01587.

The latter was ‘Appealed' before the 07 application went to committee. The Planning Inspector upheld the refusal and dismissed the appeal. PI Ref. APP/A4710/A/07/2045258WF.

Details of the present auction can be found here,
http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/sale/yorkshire-and-the-humber/west-yorkshire/brighouse/-investment-opportunity-sale/1591-1193936.html

I sincerely hope that any prospective buyers fully apprise themselves of the history of this small, but highly contentious parcel of land before handing over good money for it.

This month's e-newsletter (Rastrick Voice from the English Democrats) is in the process of being emailed out to community and voluntary groups, associations & bodies in Rastrick ward. Anybody reading this, who would like to either receive a copy or be added to the distribution list, please send an email to voice@rastrick.org.uk.

It is my view that the Secretary of State's decision, published 17^th Jan. 09 could bring about an earlier date for swimming to be restored to Brighouse.

Details of news articles are here:-

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Builder-victorious-in-battle-for.3690640.jp

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/The-1m-blow-for-Brighouse.3689995.jp

This is what I have issued to the press:-

I am of course delighted with the Secretary of State's decision as it confirms the views I have held from the outset. I welcome it also as it could and should now mark a turning point in the Sugden's saga.

I hope all parties will now agree, in the light of this clear message, to be prepared to sit down together so a way forward can be found which will positively benefit Brighouse. I will to this end, as Chairman of Brighouse Forward Partnership, be seeking to arrange for all stakeholders to come together at the earliest available time, including senior Council Officers.

Brighouse needs a solution to the withdrawal of the swimming facility, a means of easing it's traffic congestion and a river/canal side development which will enhance the town, to the benefit of our town centre traders and all our residents. This is what we must now all work for, especially as it is so long overdue. We must all, Calderdale, developers, stakeholders and residents, work together to build bridges and fill in trenches.

Cllr Paul Rogan, Rastrick Ward, English Democrats Party. 18^th January 2008.

I am not impressed with the spin put on the announcement of the decision by the Leader of Calderdale Council. Actions speak louder than words and this Councillor was a member of the ruling Cabinet which closed down the old pool and who has resisted calls to bring it back into use whilst Leader. I will be seeking Councillor's support for a budget amendment aimed at restoring Brighouse's swimming pool at next month's Budget Council. Lets see if votes can replace spin.

Without the media having to point it out to us, we will all have noticed how often Gordon punctuates all speeches on all themes with the word Britain. I remember in one single speech it was recorded over 100 times. Why should this be? If our Prime Minister wanted to be politically correct, why does he not use the word ‘United Kingdom'? It is after all the name we use at the United Nations where we cling onto our permanent seat on the Security Council by our fingertips. Perhaps because this seat has been set aside in Gordon's future plans for the United Socialist States of Europe? (I will hold a referendum on the European Constitution, watch my lips, i didnt say Treaty)

This speculation aside, by looking back into the history of the word ‘Britain' we might find an answer. A certain fact is that our PM is not English, the most populous by far of the ‘Home Nations'.

‘Britons' was the name given by the Romans to the variety of Celts (Brythons) who occupied most of Great Britain and parts of the Continent, most notably Brittany. This term excluded the Irish Celts (Gaels) and the Picts of Western Scotland but it did include the ‘Scots'.

Some of the Kingdom's subjects living in Northern Ireland may speculate that there is perhaps another underlying future policy when the PM says ‘Britain'. That being to unite Ireland and exclude them?

After the Romans withdrew, a wide variety of Germanic tribes took over and settled what may be considered today as England. These peoples included Angles, Saxons, Friesians, Jutes and a few Franks. From the Angles we derive the name England. In general terms we refer to all these folk as Anglo-Saxons. The Romanised Brythons were pushed North and West into what is roughly today, Scotland and Wales. Could it therefore be understood, that when the PM uses ‘Britain' it is because he secretly harbours a wish that the ancient Celts will once again re-occupy all of Great Britain? No, of course not. It is more a case that we, the People of England are now subjugated to a Brython rule. Well, at least thats what Bede might have written had he been alive to hear the Scottish accents of our Government's rulers.

CARR GREEN & CROWTREES COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP

MEETING AGENDA, WEDNESDAY 9^th January  (postponed from5^th December) 7pm at Carr Green School

Welcome  ... especially anyone new to group; Thanks for attending; Apologies; Attendance record coming round on clipboards - (need only put e-mail down if you're not on the e-mail news group, and would like to be). Introduction of anyone in ‘official' capacity

Agenda :

  Minutes from last meeting - Joanna Blanco-Velo

  Matters Arising

  Treasurer's Report - Gill Oates

Updates on :

  Grant and resulting Survey    - Christine Beal

  Website  - Christine Beal

  Event     -  Christine Beal

  Crowtrees Village Green Campaign - Paul / Mary Green

  Carr Green Lane Land Appeal - Christine Beal

  Playground  - Jimmy Fitt

  Cycle Play Track  - Jimmy Fitt

Report from Police Forum Meetings  - Tom Caselton

Update on Tidy Up at Carr Green Avenue / Lane Snicket - Chair / Mohammed Riaz - Resulting Community Tools Supply!

Any Other Business ?! (If not already covered)

  Dog Poo Problem - Mohammed Riaz ... action/results taken since last meeting

  Dry Stone Wall Down in Carr Green Park - Mohammed Riaz

  Carr Green Stores Planning Application ... Level of concern/support. Group Involvement?

  Sign for school & traffic calming on Crowtrees & Carr Green Lane - speed sign, bump or chicane? (Request from George at Cemetery Lodge)

 Celebrating Rastrick ... Involvement? 

 Bus services                                                             

Confirm next meeting date/s and venue/s & to finish

  MULLED WINE & MINCE PIES !

It seems much of the Country turns upon the function of imparting knowledge to our children. The roads seem more than twice as busy, there is a seed change in attitudes and activities once the Nations schools are open again after the Yule (or any other) holidays.

On the political front, it seems our leaders, invigorated by having the kids around, burst forth with new ideas and initiatives to solve the Nations problems and the TV gives them airtime instead of the children's cartoons.

Unemployment, financial crisis, immigration, healthcare, and a whole host of other chestnuts are again pulled out of the fire.

Wouldn't an ideal panacea to all these issues and many more, be to seriously address the education system and raise the school leaving age to 18?

I can think of many arguments in favour, not the least of which is to better address the transition of England from the world's first industrial Nation to a settled, non-industrialised, service economy. England was the first Country to industrialise and we are being left behind others who are more advanced in post industrial transition. France, Germany and the United states are certainly strides ahead of us in this.

It is sad, although not surprising that once again England is being left behind. More perhaps due to the Countries indifference than anything else?

Any views out there more than welcome.