Update 2009 No. 2
Published 30th April 2009
Dear Summerway Friend,
We’ve enjoyed some fine spring days recently, and now we’re back to sunshine and April showers. Last week, Dave, Laurie and I went down to the Summerway courts as members of the public, and organised some tennis for the youngsters. I’ve submitted an article about this for the May edition of ‘The Voice of Exeter’, due out soon, and posted my submission on the website. (view article)
• Summer Sessions. We can’t operate as a Club, of course, but where I have help, I hope to do something for the youngsters at Summerway, in memoriam of Summer Sessions. Wednesdays from 6.45pm for those wishing to join us, with nothing guaranteed. If the Council intervenes, we may try the Heavitree courts, but there would be a big transport problem for local children.
• Confidentiality of Watchers’ Identities. Summerway Watchers are no business of Exeter City Council. Having substantial evidence that prevents me from trusting the Council, I was concerned that it might misuse its RIPA powers to discover identities. I expressed my fears to the Information Commissioner, who directed me to the Home Office. An exchange of correspondence and explanation of the technicalities ended with a firm assurance that we need not worry.
• Letter to Prince Charles. Struck by the enormous contrast in attitudes towards children’s activities and role models shown by a positive Prince Charles and negative City Council, I wrote to the Prince. An article about this was published in the April edition of the ‘The Voice’, a glossy news magazine with a circulation of 20,000 in Exeter. (view article) Do you like our campaign heading?
• The Tree. A deciduous tree has been planted four metres from the fencing around the Summerway courts. We are left wondering what is going on in the municipal mind. We discovered yesterday that local vandals, whose actions cannot be condoned, have neutralised this ‘health and safety’ hazard. Earlier details, with access to photos, are posted on the website. (view tree details)
• Vandalism in the Locality. DCC and ECC were warned. (view details) The City Council refused to listen and has acted perversely. Sadly, we taxpayers and others pay the price for this intransigence. Extensive damage has been done to the surgery, causing considerable expense, and newly planted trees have been snapped off. Opening the vandal route was not a good idea.
• YouTube Videos. Google’s YouTube is becoming increasingly influential, and our four videos are drawing hits and a few interesting comments. I’ve had to remove four comments posted on three of our videos by a BNP activist as being unsuitable in language, tone and content for youngsters! Our original ‘Five News’ video has passed the 3,000 viewings mark, and the ‘Heavitree Arch’ clocked up its first thousand viewings very rapidly. It is currently most popular of the four.
• Splash. I have maintained an interest in the fortunes of this holiday play scheme, originally led by the City Council. The crisis, precipitated by the withdrawal of ECC, has been resolved by others, and the prospects for the future are brighter under new management. I doubt if it will surprise you to hear that I have written a little something for the May edition of ‘The Voice’. (view article)
The previous update has been posted on the website. There is more news now, but I will keep it for our next emailing. Next on the agenda is a supplement to my earlier submission to the Boundary Committee. Do enjoy the longer days, and warmer weather ... if we’re lucky!
Warmest regards anyway,
Jim.