TALKING POLITICS: Don’t mistake fiction for the facts...

Not surprisingly the people of Warsop are being given incorrect information regarding the “temporary” closure of the Meden Sports Centre. This is being politically driven by confusing fact with fiction.

So to try to put the record straight for the people of Warsop; I will be at the Parish Town Hall on Thursday and Friday to answer any questions or concerns you may have or you can contact me directly at [email protected], in the meantime.

FACT: The Meden Sports Centre has been temporarily closed due to safety issues.

FICTION: The Meden Sports Centre has been closed because the Mayor and his cabinet have always wanted it closed.

FACT: Work is already underway to re-open the sports hall by the 15th September.

FICTION: The Meden Sports centre has been closed because the Mayor and his Cabinet have always wanted it closed

FACT: Further investigations are underway to determine the timescale to re-open.

FICTION: The Meden Sports Centre has been closed because the Mayor and his Cabinet have always wanted it closed

FACT: There are no plans to permanently close the Meden Sports Centre

FICTION: The Meden Sports Centre has been closed because the Mayor and his Cabinet have always wanted it closed

FACT: For three years plans to have a new build facility at Meden Sports Centre have been worked on.

FICTION: The Meden Sports Centre has been closed because the Mayor and his Cabinet have always wanted it closed.

FACT: When I took post of the Portfolio Holder in 2011 the Meden Sports Centre was earmarked for closure. A decision was made to protect all leisure centres in Mansfield by outsourcing our leisure and work in partnership with Mansfield District Leisure Trust for the benefit of the people in our District. Since then for example the membership of the Meden Sports Centre has gone from under 150 to over 650 members.

Quote by a senior Local Labour Officer: “Outsourcing of anything goes against our NATIONAL POLICIES; therefore we will never outsource anything. Anybody who considers outsourcing are not welcome in the Labour Party and anyone who outsources anything, will never be asked to re-join the Labour Party.”

Again I ask does this sound like a group who put MANSFIELD FIRST ?

I am actually pleased the Labour Group decided to kick me out of the Labour Party as this has entrenched in my brain. “Whatever decisions are made and by whom should be made in the best interests of the people we are elected to serve and not in the interests of a political party”.

I would like to move on to some positives all which have come about by hard work, community involvement and partnership working, for the benefit of the people across our District.

The Pentanque Club in Titchfield Park: This club goes from strength to strength and this year saw the hosting of the National Championships. National teams from England, Scotland and Wales came to complete in this National Tournament. I attended the event and the comments from the visitors about the facilities and the Park made me proud to say I am from Mansfield. Over one hundred competitors took part in the competition so a big thank you to Phil and his Petanque team, Colin and his team at Maun Conservation Group, Tim and his parks team for helping make this event a huge success.

The Mill Dam at Warsop: This has needed de-silting for many years and the area needed uplifting. It is the first thing people see when they enter our District from the North, it is a place of natural beauty and abundant wildlife and it is a place which the people of Warsop are proud and passionate about.

As a result of massive community involvement, hard work and a total commitment attitude by all, the work has been done to de-silt the pond.

There is still work to be done but I am sure the Friends of the Carrs, the Save our Dam crew and the “Crazy Gang” along with the contractors, Squires, the Park Team and all the residents of Warsop, will ensure the work is completed and we will achieve our goal and see another Green Flag flying over another of our well-loved parks.

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