Mione Goldspink's Article for the Bishop's Stortford Flyer, February 2015
February 2015
Local Matters with Mione Goldspink
I wish the Town Council well with its project to run the Town Market on Thursdays and Saturdays, and I wonder what it will do. I have heard talk of free promotional bags and monthly themes, and I wonder if these will help? I would have thought that it would be more important to attract a greater number of stall holders, and so the price of a pitch has to be right. Then, to attract more customers, the Town needs to provide more car parking. I do hope that it will succeed.
There are two matters on which the Town Council has definitely not succeeded, in my opinion. First, the matter of the Christmas Lights in the Town Centre. For the second year in a row, the festive Christmas lights were thin and very disappointing. Would it not be possible for the Town Council to put aside a little money each year to provide a decent display? In the past we have had glorious lights, which looked really colourful and cheerful, and which did justice to our elegant buildings, especially in North Street.
The second matter is that of Town Twinning. The year 2015 will bring the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the friendship document between Bishop's Stortford, Villiers-sur-Marne and Friedberg. After all the horrors of two World Wars the treaty was supposed to embody a wish for peace and understanding and friendship between our countries. Surely, this is an honourable aim which we still support? The renewing of the Civic Links would not be expensive - about £2000 per year. Nor would the obligations be excessive - a requirement to be the Host Town once every three years. Being the Host involves attendance at a Church service, the provision of a modest reception and participation in a discussion about Council activities. It is hardly onerous, but it does increase understanding of other political systems, and its symbolism is enormous. The proposal to resume the Civic Links was discussed at a recent Town Council meeting. Two Councillors, Mike Wood (Lib Democrat) and Keith Barnes (Independent) voted in favour. Four Conservatives voted against, four Conservatives abstained and eight Conservatives were absent. So, the decision was taken not to renew the Civic Links. What a sad reflection on the attitudes and understanding of our present Town Council. What a poor example to set for our young people for the promotion of international understanding and co-operation.
However, one Town Council action of which I do approve, is the restoration of Dr Dimsdale's memorial garden in Newtown Road. This looks neat and attractive now, with several benches where people can sit and enjoy this little oasis of green tranquility. Dr Dimsdale, who spent his retirement years in Bishop's Stortford, was a Quaker. He was renowned for his inoculation against small pox of the Empress of Russia, Catherine the Great, in 1768.
There are worrying reports about the new proposals to redevelop the derelict Railway Goods Yard. The report implies that the developers wish to ignore several of the key stipulations in the Planning Brief completely. Some of these relate to the heights of the new buildings, the number of buildings, and the general mix. Many local groups, individuals and professional Planning Officers were involved in the creation of this Brief. What is the point of having a Brief, if it can be ignored so easily or modified so drastically by a powerful developer?
I hope for better news as the year unfolds.
Mione Goldspink. Chairman of Bishop's Stortford Liberal Democrats
mionegoldspink@hotmail.com