The Friends of Lever Park » philjay

FOLP Don’t despair. The Fight Goes On

philjay — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:31:07 +0000

Whilst it seems that all is quiet, the campaign has moved to a different level. To divulge our strategy at this time would be counterproductive, but suffice it to say that we have the man for the job and the job will be done. WTS

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Dejavu’

philjay — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:29:13 +0000

Looks like we’ve been here before, GoApe are at it again, this time down in Eastleigh in Hampshire. Eastleigh BC are threatening local protestors with fines and possible jail for displaying protest signs in their gardens. GoApe state their only involvement is that their name is on the signs, wonder why. Lets hope we can help them head off the GoApe onslaught before its too late. Watch this space for updates. We are offering our assistance.

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Obviously beyond the range of the Rangers

philjay — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:26:52 +0000

I’ll keep it short and sweet. Maybe UU staff should walk the perimeter of the reservoirs regularly, because if they did, then they would have noticed the vast amount of debris left by illicit campers 2 weeks last weekend. This is not hidden, it is about 50 metres south of the castle 20 metres from the waterside against the iron railings. It consists of bottles, broken glass, paper, plastic etc, indeed I estimate some 60 or 70 items extremely visible in a small area. Maybe there is little UU can do to prevent it happening, but it concerns me that along with the current dreadfull state the pathways are throughout the park, this is just another less than encouraging sign of UUs poor management of one of the areas best historic parks.

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Pollack Park under fire yet again

philjay — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:49:39 +0000

Friends of Lever Park will be aware of the ongoing situation at Pollack Park Glasgow. Glasgow C C seem to be behaving in a manner somewhat similar to our very own Chorley B C , in so much as they have a care to ignore lawful and legal constraints and continue with plans to allow GoApe to develope a site in an area, as equally protected as our own Lever Park. Whilst we can only standby and watch the area deteriorate as UU continue to turn a blind eye to GoApe and the constant abuse of their planning permission, hopefully SPP will be watching and taking stock of what may befall them, should the colluders up there succeed as they have down here. We must therefore continue to expose all GoApes indiscretions as they occur, in order to inform SPP. They watch this site regularly

As a footnote, I cannot believe that a company as serious about providing enjoyment and ‘education’ about the woodland canopy, can allow some a###hole to excavate three 1ft dia x 2.5ft deep holes at the landing zone of a zip wire, and leave unattended till the day after. The fact that there was no accident is a stroke of good luck. I ask, who instructed the work to be carried out? Do they have a method statement in place or indeed a H&S Policy detailing risk assessment? I understood GoApe to be a professional outfit, I suggest they are no better than cowboy builders who continue to flaunt rules and regulations that other people have to abide by, and if not face prosecution, and finally, for Gods sake, leave re-building of the stone wall to professionals, your attempts at repair only make it unstable and therefore more dangerous.

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I believe a justified rant

philjay — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:12:13 +0000

Never having been in a position where I have had to follow the party line, regardless of my personal scruples or morals, I can look back on the last 12 months and all that has transpired over that time, with a certain amount of sadness. Sadness, because nievely at the outset of our campaign, I believed that we lived in a society that was in the majority, honest and fair, and in part, maybe that’s true of ordinary everyday people. Twelve months on however, and staring the conclusion of our campaign squarely in the face, I have to say that my faith has been severely dented. I allege that we have observed two major players in peoples everyday lives, collude together, to force a development into an area of outstanding natural beauty, based purely upon financial gain. One player is a service provider who will inevitably bow to its shareholders and to that end ride roughshod over all who will dare to complain or object, my opinion of UU was never a favourable one and has taken a steep downward slide since the recent meeting where I witnessed what must be the corporate face of UU and its cold almost feudal attitude toward FOLP and the public in general. The other however is a body that is answerable to us, yes us. Chorley B C, whether they like it or not, are in place for one reason and one reason only, and that is to serve the people who live within the borough boundary, they pay your salaries, don’t forget that. So in light of the recent expose of our ‘honourable’ members of Parliament, is it any wonder that my faith has been dented. We now know that local government speak with forked tongue, and we also know that most MPs (which includes the two we had placed our trust in) spend so much of their time lining their own pockets, that our campaign, regardless of how watertight we believed it to be, was doomed to failure. Now that might have a negative ring to it, particularly in light of the fact that we have yet to receive the LGOs final report, but regardless of that outcome, what an incredibly sorry state of affairs our public services and its apparently corrupt servants are in, not just nationally, but I suspect locally as well. Recent events have opened my eyes to the greed and dishonesty of people in positions of trust and in future I shall treat all with the suspiscion they deserve until proved otherwise. In conclusion, for those who have put their positions and salaries before their consciences and what they should know to be right, you have failed those you aspire to serve.

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We’re still here

philjay — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:17:48 +0000

Just a post to let you know that we are still here, watching and waiting. Bob Dootson, Tony Johnson and myself attended the meeting with UU last week and I would dearly love to say that it was productive, but i’m afraid I personally found it not to be so. We will go to press on receipt of the minutes. It is important that we publish the correct information.

As you are aware we await a reply from the LGO in the hope that justice will be seen to be done. In the mean time GoApe have anounced that the Rivington course has exceeded all expectations in the first three weeks since opening! Think of that what you will.

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Remedial works to zip wire 3

philjay — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:34:56 +0000

The French contractors were on site this evening carrying out alterations to the platform of zip wire 3. We believe that they may be altering the height, in which case this could have a detrimental effect on the Oak tree at the other end. The wire is already resting on a skid to the underside of the bough, if the angle is increased the wire pressure will be even greater. Please keep a look out for any attempted work outside there remit. Just to note that it would appear that an accident that warrants scrambling of the air ambulance last week has not warranted coverage in our local newspapers. Who picked up the tab for the chopper?

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Further Damning Evidence Against GoApe

philjay — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:25:34 +0000

Having studied further, the Global Canopy Organisation website, I was surprised, well no, not really, to discover that GoApe are a ‘Corporate Partner’ of GCO and receive a small but significant percentage of GCOs’ sizeable funding per annum. As if it’s not bad enough that we have to contend with political double dealing from politicians at all levels, we now have to accept a company that tells us they are the saviours of our woodland, forrests and subsequently the world. Well I say ‘thankyou GoApe’ To hell with global warming, weve just been saved.

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GoApe. Sailing under a flag of convenience?

philjay — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:47:57 +0000

Now that GoApe are up and running I have had an opportunity this weekend to observe what impact it has on the immediate environment. In an attempt to be impartial I have to say that all who were taking part appeared to be enjoying themselves, (well you would if you’d just paid £20/£25),(sorry that wasn’t impartial). What I did notice was the number of people on the ground accompanying those in the trees, moreover the volume of communication ground to air as well as air to air, certainly less than the tranquil area that I have been used to. That said, what does concern me is that I have noticed a statement by GoApe that they support GCO, who? Global Canopy Organisation. www.globalcanopy.org This is an international organisation whom GoApe have asked to design a series of educational and informative boards to display around there sites. Now forgive me for maybe being over critical, but an organisation whose recent initiative is titled Forest Now Campaign and ‘quote’ we are raising awareness of the need to reduce deforestation if we are to make the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emission to mitigate climate change. Call me a cynic, but how can an organisation with that ethos accept support from a company who chooses to cut down mature woodland trees in order to accommodate a for profits activity. Make up your own minds by visiting their web site, but I think it’s hypocrisy by GoApe who are obviously pulling the wool over there customers eyes, by sailing under a flag of convenience.

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Unconfirmed Roe Deer Deaths

philjay — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:02:15 +0000

We are led to believe through unconfirmed sources that three Roe Deer have been shot in the vicinity of the treatment works, by, or under the instruction of United Utilities. We also believe that the reason given, was the apparent danger of pollution to already treated water within that immediate area. Again we must emphasise that as of this time, this is unconfirmed, however, if true, the implications are surely of grave concern. As Friends Of Lever Park we are concerned with the welfare of both flora and fauna, we have recently observed UU indirectly decimate 3.2 hectares of Lever Park and now it would seem that it is open season on its’ defenceless wild animals. we await an explanation from UU as to what is going on, and will update as soon as an answer is forthcoming.

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