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

• "

  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."
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