LETTER: Media portrays a totally distorted view of Shirebrook

It gave the impression Shirebrook was living on a knife edge of racial tension and we locals were too frightened to venture out.  Not only does it give the totally wrong impression, but may actually drive out the very thing we need here, investment being one.

People from outside the town need to be encouraged to come and shop here, so the local businesses survive.

So at the weekend, the town hosted the annual Classic Vehicle Show and Auto Jumble.

Being very lucky with the weather, the public flocked to the show.

What was noticeable was the amount of exhibitors there, so many that some had to park on the roads around the town square.

I do not know about you, but I am fine with your Minis, but some were totally alien to me. I spent a lot of time just asking people “what is this motor then?” Then they look at you with upturned eyes, having probably been asked the question a thousand times.

If there is so much racial tension in Shirebrook, then I was left wondering why the police did not have a presence there. I witnessed many people from Europe happily mixing with the locals. Why does the media distort things like this?

I will be honest, we have had some problems in town, but it is no worse than if you were to visit any other town or city in the UK. The national press, in my view, have had to make a mountain out of a molehill as per usual – and I for one find it disgraceful.  This town has a lot of hardworking people within it and so the town is not how they portray it.

Do not take my word for it, come and visit the town and see for yourselves.

Peter Waby

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