Runners at the ready to revive ‘estate mile’ (From The Oxford Times)

great news and about time, well done to those who organised this event : D

i'm not sure if this event is passing the spot where Ross Doyle was brutally mown down and murdered but wouldn't it be a fantastic opportunity to make a fresh plea to those who are STILL harboring the cowards that killed him. i know this is a fun event but Ross was around the same age as one of the kids in the article when he was run over and left to die. seems fitting that Ross should have a mention, a fresh appeal in his name. RIP Ross

For the record, i was not having a pop at the people of bb leys. like anywhere else in this city the majority are decent people. lets be fair.

It should not be forgotten that the IWCA, who are jointly promoting this event, worked side by side with the BBLF in an attempt to stop the people of East Oxford from benefiting from a new family fun pool, childrens play park, and a new training pool.

‘Andrew’ knows only too well that the IWCA’s opposition to the proposed new swimming pool in Blackbird Leys is based on three things

1. Our support for local residents who oppose the scheme and whose views have been disregarded by the mainstream parties

2. Our opposition to the planned closure of Temple Cowley Pool and Gym and the proposed sell-off of the land to private contractors

3. The loss of valuable playing fields on Blackbird Leys Park.

We have made our position quite clear as the following article shows: http://www.iwca-oxfo
rd.org.uk/blackbirdl
eys/news/nws09002.ht
m

Aside from proudly working alongside Blackbird Leys tenants to oppose the City Council’s agenda, we have made no formal alliances with any other group – in fact I haven’t got a clue who the ‘BBLF’ referred to by ‘Andrew’ actually are. We do share common cause with those who want to save Temple Cowley Pool and Gym and those who are against the concreting over Blackbird Leys Park, but we are certainly not answerable for any opinions on other issues that these groups may express (or even all the opinions that these groups may express on these particular issues!)

My children actually use the current Blackbird Leys Pool and from talking to instructors, swimmers and parents there, it seems that the majority of the local swimming fraternity oppose the closure of BBL pool. Yet these are the very people that ‘Andrew’ claims the IWCA is acting against!

Of course we would all like a shiny new pool, but not at the expense of popular existing facilities – once they have gone they will be lost forever. This may suit Labour’s business friends - the type of people most likely to benefit from the sell-off of public land - but it would definately not be in the long-term interests of local working class people.

When previously challenged on these boards to come up with an example of anything positive that he, personally, has contributed to the society, ‘Andrew’ was unable to produce anything. His agenda is merely to attempt to undermine those who are willing to give up their free time to try to improve their communities by spreading lies, innuendo and half-truths in the hope that some of this mud will stick.

The IWCA stands for proud working class collectivism. This sits very, very uncomfortably with both middle class lefties and right wing elitists who see themselves as our natural superiors and leaders.

As I have said before, if ‘Andrew’ had the courage to stop hiding behind a false name we may be able to take him a bit more seriously. But if he came out of the closet he’d be forced to defend his position or to lose all credibility – something he is obviously too cowardly to do.

This type of black propaganda against the IWCA is actually nothing new.

The following article from September 2003 gives a flavour of what we have had to put up with for having the temerity to challenge the mainstream parties over the damage that their policies have done to working class communities: http://www.iwca-oxfo
rd.org.uk/blackbirdl
eys/dirty%20tricks.h
tm

‘Andrew’ will be aware that the last time false allegations were openly made against the IWCA – by the then Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Bill Baker, New Labour was forced to pay us substantial damages, issue a public apology and to promise not to repeat the allegations: http://www.iwca-oxfo
rd.org.uk/blackbirdl
eys/libel01.htm . This may explain why he feels safer with the cynical strategy of withholding his identity.

In contrast, to the likes of 'Andrew', the IWCA has nothing to hide. If you have any questions about our organisation, please feel free to contact me by email: stuart@bliwca.fsnet.
co.uk or by telephone on: 07733 274 324

Don't hold your breath for ‘Andrew’ to make a similar offer!

Stuart Craft wrote:
‘Andrew’ knows only too well that the IWCA’s opposition to the proposed new swimming pool in Blackbird Leys is based on three things

1. Our support for local residents who oppose the scheme and whose views have been disregarded by the mainstream parties

2. Our opposition to the planned closure of Temple Cowley Pool and Gym and the proposed sell-off of the land to private contractors

3. The loss of valuable playing fields on Blackbird Leys Park.

We have made our position quite clear as the following article shows: http://www.iwca-oxfo

rd.org.uk/blackbirdl

eys/news/nws09002.ht

m

Aside from proudly working alongside Blackbird Leys tenants to oppose the City Council’s agenda, we have made no formal alliances with any other group – in fact I haven’t got a clue who the ‘BBLF’ referred to by ‘Andrew’ actually are. We do share common cause with those who want to save Temple Cowley Pool and Gym and those who are against the concreting over Blackbird Leys Park, but we are certainly not answerable for any opinions on other issues that these groups may express (or even all the opinions that these groups may express on these particular issues!)

My children actually use the current Blackbird Leys Pool and from talking to instructors, swimmers and parents there, it seems that the majority of the local swimming fraternity oppose the closure of BBL pool. Yet these are the very people that ‘Andrew’ claims the IWCA is acting against!

Of course we would all like a shiny new pool, but not at the expense of popular existing facilities – once they have gone they will be lost forever. This may suit Labour’s business friends - the type of people most likely to benefit from the sell-off of public land - but it would definately not be in the long-term interests of local working class people.

When previously challenged on these boards to come up with an example of anything positive that he, personally, has contributed to the society, ‘Andrew’ was unable to produce anything. His agenda is merely to attempt to undermine those who are willing to give up their free time to try to improve their communities by spreading lies, innuendo and half-truths in the hope that some of this mud will stick.

The IWCA stands for proud working class collectivism. This sits very, very uncomfortably with both middle class lefties and right wing elitists who see themselves as our natural superiors and leaders.

As I have said before, if ‘Andrew’ had the courage to stop hiding behind a false name we may be able to take him a bit more seriously. But if he came out of the closet he’d be forced to defend his position or to lose all credibility – something he is obviously too cowardly to do.

This type of black propaganda against the IWCA is actually nothing new.

The following article from September 2003 gives a flavour of what we have had to put up with for having the temerity to challenge the mainstream parties over the damage that their policies have done to working class communities: http://www.iwca-oxfo

rd.org.uk/blackbirdl

eys/dirty%20tricks.h

tm

‘Andrew’ will be aware that the last time false allegations were openly made against the IWCA – by the then Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Bill Baker, New Labour was forced to pay us substantial damages, issue a public apology and to promise not to repeat the allegations: http://www.iwca-oxfo

rd.org.uk/blackbirdl

eys/libel01.htm . This may explain why he feels safer with the cynical strategy of withholding his identity.

In contrast, to the likes of 'Andrew', the IWCA has nothing to hide. If you have any questions about our organisation, please feel free to contact me by email: stuart@bliwca.fsnet.

co.uk or by telephone on: 07733 274 324

Don't hold your breath for ‘Andrew’ to make a similar offer!

Stuart, you've never heard of the BBLF?

To quote William Clark, "The Blackbird Leys 14 are still here and still campaigning for the park to be classed as
a town green"

BBLF is merely an abbreviation of the Blackbird Leys Fourteen. There's even a pic of you standing alongside William in your Rohan running kit at a campaign photo opportunity!

As far as I can tell, despite the verbosity, you are agreeing with my review of the position of the IWCA.

I am proud to support William Clarke and his neighbours in their campaign to stop a significant chunk of our playing fields in Blackbird Leys Park being concreted over.

I have however never seen them referred to ‘the BBLF’. The acronym ‘BBL14’ would have made more sense, but based on your previous posts, common sense is not something I would expect from you ‘Andrew’.

More importantly, the fact that you ignore all the salient points in my post to pick up on this minor point, simply underlines the fact that you are a provocateur (albeit a ham fisted, second rate one).

It obviously hurts you and your paymasters to see the IWCA, with no City or County Councillors, eclipse the Labour Party on Blackbird Leys - despite Labour holding all the seats.

It just goes to show that those who are motivated by careerism and the pursuit of financial rewards are no match for genuine grass roots community activism.

Get used to it, we are here to stay!

Stuart Craft wrote:
I am proud to support William Clarke and his neighbours in their campaign to stop a significant chunk of our playing fields in Blackbird Leys Park being concreted over.

I have however never seen them referred to ‘the BBLF’. The acronym ‘BBL14’ would have made more sense, but based on your previous posts, common sense is not something I would expect from you ‘Andrew’.

More importantly, the fact that you ignore all the salient points in my post to pick up on this minor point, simply underlines the fact that you are a provocateur (albeit a ham fisted, second rate one).

It obviously hurts you and your paymasters to see the IWCA, with no City or County Councillors, eclipse the Labour Party on Blackbird Leys - despite Labour holding all the seats.

It just goes to show that those who are motivated by careerism and the pursuit of financial rewards are no match for genuine grass roots community activism.

Get used to it, we are here to stay!

It's good that you now understand how "BBLF" is derived. The point of abbreviations is that fewer characters are used in documents but maintain the same meaning. Clearly "F" is shorter than "14" so is entirely appropriate.

As to your salient points, you didn't disagree with me! Within many paragraphs you embraced with pride your work and endeavours to prevent a new children's pool and training pool being built for East Oxford in Blackbird Leys. A position I covered in around 4 lines, perhaps it doesn't meet your branding requirements though.

As to politics and paymaster... Well, once more I'm delighted to tell that I've never voted for a socialist, and don't work for a public body.

Did you know that the "Public" in "Public Limited Company" (PLC) doesn't mean that it is a state owned company?

Here in the real world we tend to use numbers in such an abbreviation (for clarity, as ‘F’ could stand for many things while ‘14’ is self-explanatory). But I am really not interested in getting into a debate on semantics with an online troll.

The elderly working class residents, who have chosen to stand up against Oxford City Council’s plans to build a towering concrete and steel monstrosity on playing fields opposite their homes, put your cowardly cloak and dagger shenanigans to shame.

If you get your way, East Oxford residents will lose two popular swimming pools, a gym and precious council estate playing fields - and you have the front to claim the moral high ground on this issue!!

There is no public demand for a new pool on Blackbird Leys and the chosen site is highly inappropriate for many reasons including the fact that the area is already a traffic hotspot.

There is however a demand for a purpose built boxing club on the estate, while there are many other sports clubs (including our own athletics club) that are crying out for premises. If you genuinely cared about the people of BBL you would be campaigning for these facilities, but that wouldn’t fit your agenda would it?

As for your political affiliations, any claim that you make either way has to be taken with the proverbial pinch of salt, given your decision to withhold your identity/accountabil
ity).

All we need to know is that you are a cheerleader for the Labour Party’s BBL and Temple Cowley Pools proposals, so I'd say that we wouldn't be too far off the mark applying the old adage: ‘show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are’.

Stuart, you're forgetting the other pool that has closed.

Peers School Pool(PSP) closed a few years back. It was a "proper" training pool and very busy with Blackbird Leys (BBL) residents. It was also popular with some of the people who have signed the many Temple Cowley Pool (TCP) petitions - who now express concern about crossing the ring road and are fearful about using a bus to visit BBL.

Space for community activities are very important. Perhaps if there was a form of business rates on private buy-to-let properties set to match the full-occupancy council tax band for the property it would raise more funds to spend in the community. Save a massive amount in the administration of council tax collection in high turnover households in Oxford too.

As to my politics... I consider it my civic duty to vote, and have never missed voting whether it be national or local.

At the most recent local election, I voted as always.

My "X" was not adjacent to Labour, Liberal Democrats or Greens.

Did you vote at the last local election, and if so, why not match my open-ness and also name 3 parties that you did not vote for in your ward?

Why would I contemplate voting for any party other than the IWCA when we set the IWCA up precisely because no other party represents working class interests?

To vote for a party is to indorse it and as there are no other parties in Oxford who are on our side, it would be highly hypocritical for either the IWCA or me personally to support them.

Our experience in the Town Hall has shown us that we were wasting our time on the city Council as winning the arguments means nothing if the mainstream parties routinely club together to vote our proposals down. This resulted in countless hours of wasted preparation and paperwork - time we can ill afford given the extent of the damage done to working class communities by the policies of the establishment parties.

Unless we find ourselves in a position to actually influence council decisions, we will in future be concentrating all of our energies at grass roots level - where we can actually see the results.

As for openness, are you being serious?!! I have better things to do with my time than engage with a man who hides behind a pseudonym and then lectures others on openness.

NB Northfield Brook returned the lowest election turnout in the city at the recent City Council elections. This is a return to pre-IWCA figures. The missing voters tally with the usual loyal IWCA vote which shows, encouragingly, that a significant percentage of voters on our estate go into elections with their eyes wide open despite being bombarded with party propaganda. The low turnout was not a reflection of the laziness and/or ignorance of the electorate as some suggest, but a calculated boycott of a system that works against working class interests.

The derisory vote achieved by the Greens in Northfield Brook also shows that the IWCA vote was never merely a protest vote against the big three which could be tranferred to any anti-establishment party that happened to throw their hat in the ring. This is something we are extremely proud of and something which no doubt causes sleepless nights to those – such as you - who evidently hate the idea of democratic independent working class collectivism.

Stuart Craft wrote:
‘Andrew’ knows only too well that the IWCA’s opposition to the proposed new swimming pool in Blackbird Leys is based on three things 1. Our support for local residents who oppose the scheme and whose views have been disregarded by the mainstream parties 2. Our opposition to the planned closure of Temple Cowley Pool and Gym and the proposed sell-off of the land to private contractors 3. The loss of valuable playing fields on Blackbird Leys Park. We have made our position quite clear as the following article shows: http://www.iwca-oxfo rd.org.uk/blackbirdl eys/news/nws09002.ht m Aside from proudly working alongside Blackbird Leys tenants to oppose the City Council’s agenda, we have made no formal alliances with any other group – in fact I haven’t got a clue who the ‘BBLF’ referred to by ‘Andrew’ actually are. We do share common cause with those who want to save Temple Cowley Pool and Gym and those who are against the concreting over Blackbird Leys Park, but we are certainly not answerable for any opinions on other issues that these groups may express (or even all the opinions that these groups may express on these particular issues!) My children actually use the current Blackbird Leys Pool and from talking to instructors, swimmers and parents there, it seems that the majority of the local swimming fraternity oppose the closure of BBL pool. Yet these are the very people that ‘Andrew’ claims the IWCA is acting against! Of course we would all like a shiny new pool, but not at the expense of popular existing facilities – once they have gone they will be lost forever. This may suit Labour’s business friends - the type of people most likely to benefit from the sell-off of public land - but it would definately not be in the long-term interests of local working class people. When previously challenged on these boards to come up with an example of anything positive that he, personally, has contributed to the society, ‘Andrew’ was unable to produce anything. His agenda is merely to attempt to undermine those who are willing to give up their free time to try to improve their communities by spreading lies, innuendo and half-truths in the hope that some of this mud will stick. The IWCA stands for proud working class collectivism. This sits very, very uncomfortably with both middle class lefties and right wing elitists who see themselves as our natural superiors and leaders. As I have said before, if ‘Andrew’ had the courage to stop hiding behind a false name we may be able to take him a bit more seriously. But if he came out of the closet he’d be forced to defend his position or to lose all credibility – something he is obviously too cowardly to do. This type of black propaganda against the IWCA is actually nothing new. The following article from September 2003 gives a flavour of what we have had to put up with for having the temerity to challenge the mainstream parties over the damage that their policies have done to working class communities: http://www.iwca-oxfo rd.org.uk/blackbirdl eys/dirty%20tricks.h tm ‘Andrew’ will be aware that the last time false allegations were openly made against the IWCA – by the then Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Bill Baker, New Labour was forced to pay us substantial damages, issue a public apology and to promise not to repeat the allegations: http://www.iwca-oxfo rd.org.uk/blackbirdl eys/libel01.htm . This may explain why he feels safer with the cynical strategy of withholding his identity. In contrast, to the likes of 'Andrew', the IWCA has nothing to hide. If you have any questions about our organisation, please feel free to contact me by email: stuart@bliwca.fsnet. co.uk or by telephone on: 07733 274 324 Don't hold your breath for ‘Andrew’ to make a similar offer!

Hear hear!

Andrew, for quite a while now, every time Blackbird Leys or the IWCA is mentioned you start banging on and on. You seem just a bit obsessed...

What exactly do you do to make your community better? Because you seem to spend a lot of time sitting on the sidelines sniping at people who put their time and effort into trying to improve things where they live. Put up or shut up as the saying goes...

Hope the day goes well and good for all those who're organising this. Nice to see people getting kids involved in something positive and worthwhile.

(Andrew, maybe you could get involved in helping out with the IWCA Athletics Club or similar...? Do you good to get out a bit more.)

Stuart Craft wrote:
Why would I contemplate voting for any party other than the IWCA when we set the IWCA up precisely because no other party represents working class interests?

To vote for a party is to indorse it and as there are no other parties in Oxford who are on our side, it would be highly hypocritical for either the IWCA or me personally to support them.

Our experience in the Town Hall has shown us that we were wasting our time on the city Council as winning the arguments means nothing if the mainstream parties routinely club together to vote our proposals down. This resulted in countless hours of wasted preparation and paperwork - time we can ill afford given the extent of the damage done to working class communities by the policies of the establishment parties.

Unless we find ourselves in a position to actually influence council decisions, we will in future be concentrating all of our energies at grass roots level - where we can actually see the results.

As for openness, are you being serious?!! I have better things to do with my time than engage with a man who hides behind a pseudonym and then lectures others on openness.

NB Northfield Brook returned the lowest election turnout in the city at the recent City Council elections. This is a return to pre-IWCA figures. The missing voters tally with the usual loyal IWCA vote which shows, encouragingly, that a significant percentage of voters on our estate go into elections with their eyes wide open despite being bombarded with party propaganda. The low turnout was not a reflection of the laziness and/or ignorance of the electorate as some suggest, but a calculated boycott of a system that works against working class interests.

The derisory vote achieved by the Greens in Northfield Brook also shows that the IWCA vote was never merely a protest vote against the big three which could be tranferred to any anti-establishment party that happened to throw their hat in the ring. This is something we are extremely proud of and something which no doubt causes sleepless nights to those – such as you - who evidently hate the idea of democratic independent working class collectivism.

As I expected.

Well, my own view, and the view of many, is that if you choose not to vote, by default you are embracing and promoting a vote for the winner.

It would be dreadful if I were to see a socialist winner in my ward and I knew that I hadn't voted against him or her.

I notice you have no comment on my business rate suggestion for BTL properties.

Does that mean it comes with you tacit approval?

astronaut wrote:

Stuart Craft wrote:
‘Andrew’ knows only too well that the IWCA’s opposition to the proposed new swimming pool in Blackbird Leys is based on three things 1. Our support for local residents who oppose the scheme and whose views have been disregarded by the mainstream parties 2. Our opposition to the planned closure of Temple Cowley Pool and Gym and the proposed sell-off of the land to private contractors 3. The loss of valuable playing fields on Blackbird Leys Park. We have made our position quite clear as the following article shows: http://www.iwca-oxfo rd.org.uk/blackbirdl eys/news/nws09002.ht m Aside from proudly working alongside Blackbird Leys tenants to oppose the City Council’s agenda, we have made no formal alliances with any other group – in fact I haven’t got a clue who the ‘BBLF’ referred to by ‘Andrew’ actually are. We do share common cause with those who want to save Temple Cowley Pool and Gym and those who are against the concreting over Blackbird Leys Park, but we are certainly not answerable for any opinions on other issues that these groups may express (or even all the opinions that these groups may express on these particular issues!) My children actually use the current Blackbird Leys Pool and from talking to instructors, swimmers and parents there, it seems that the majority of the local swimming fraternity oppose the closure of BBL pool. Yet these are the very people that ‘Andrew’ claims the IWCA is acting against! Of course we would all like a shiny new pool, but not at the expense of popular existing facilities – once they have gone they will be lost forever. This may suit Labour’s business friends - the type of people most likely to benefit from the sell-off of public land - but it would definately not be in the long-term interests of local working class people. When previously challenged on these boards to come up with an example of anything positive that he, personally, has contributed to the society, ‘Andrew’ was unable to produce anything. His agenda is merely to attempt to undermine those who are willing to give up their free time to try to improve their communities by spreading lies, innuendo and half-truths in the hope that some of this mud will stick. The IWCA stands for proud working class collectivism. This sits very, very uncomfortably with both middle class lefties and right wing elitists who see themselves as our natural superiors and leaders. As I have said before, if ‘Andrew’ had the courage to stop hiding behind a false name we may be able to take him a bit more seriously. But if he came out of the closet he’d be forced to defend his position or to lose all credibility – something he is obviously too cowardly to do. This type of black propaganda against the IWCA is actually nothing new. The following article from September 2003 gives a flavour of what we have had to put up with for having the temerity to challenge the mainstream parties over the damage that their policies have done to working class communities: http://www.iwca-oxfo rd.org.uk/blackbirdl eys/dirty%20tricks.h tm ‘Andrew’ will be aware that the last time false allegations were openly made against the IWCA – by the then Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Bill Baker, New Labour was forced to pay us substantial damages, issue a public apology and to promise not to repeat the allegations: http://www.iwca-oxfo rd.org.uk/blackbirdl eys/libel01.htm . This may explain why he feels safer with the cynical strategy of withholding his identity. In contrast, to the likes of 'Andrew', the IWCA has nothing to hide. If you have any questions about our organisation, please feel free to contact me by email: stuart@bliwca.fsnet. co.uk or by telephone on: 07733 274 324 Don't hold your breath for ‘Andrew’ to make a similar offer!

Hear hear!

Andrew, for quite a while now, every time Blackbird Leys or the IWCA is mentioned you start banging on and on. You seem just a bit obsessed...

What exactly do you do to make your community better? Because you seem to spend a lot of time sitting on the sidelines sniping at people who put their time and effort into trying to improve things where they live. Put up or shut up as the saying goes...

Hope the day goes well and good for all those who're organising this. Nice to see people getting kids involved in something positive and worthwhile.

(Andrew, maybe you could get involved in helping out with the IWCA Athletics Club or similar...? Do you good to get out a bit more.)

I like to remind people that there is a story and history behind the press release of the various groups and associations in Oxford.

Oh, I'm out and about all the time. The benefits of mobile devices mean that you can communicate on the move - whether it be sitting on the train, waiting for a bus.

Don't confuse politics and views with individuals though. I know wee Stuart is a decent chap, he always nods a hello when I pass him out running and is a hard-worker in his community capacity too. Any time he has "chauffered" me around Oxford his customer service and driving has been faultless.