I don't know what it is about Sandwell but since I have been writing this mighty work - "The Anals of Sandwell Labour" - even people I like and respect start foaming at the mouth at the mere mention of Christmas lights. It seems that many are quite content to live in an absolute sh*thole for 364 days if some Z-list "celebrity" turns up once a year to switch on a few lightbulbs.
But at Blackheath/Rowley the other night the whole event was "kettled" into a section of the High Street and crowds intermingled with moving traffic. RC wrote on Facebook:
LE agreed:
The display may have been sh*te but social media certainly lit-up with complaints...
JE said "A huge crowd but no toilets, unless the pubs were generous".
SF described the event as "horrendous".
CW said it was "pure luck no one was injured".
CS stated: "We left before the lights were switched on as it was dangerous and I was getting seperated from the kids...."
JG said: "Nearly pushed over as crowds rushed to try to get to the bottom of the street to see the tree lights switched on. Very dangerous situation..."
One local opined that the officials responsible should be "publicly flogged" (for Skidderati who read this whole piece this was an unfortunate choice of phrase) and one wag - SR - quickly responded:
"Let's hope the public flogging is better organised".
Abuse was hurled at Sandwell Labour Council and in another unfortunate choice of phrase in the particular circumstances they were referred to as "w*nkers".
But soft ye denizens of Blackheath and Rowley. Sandwell Council had, in fact, farmed out the event to a company called "Walk Works CIC". Now we all know that Sandwell Labour have a history of corruption, cronyism and incompetence but surely if giving such an important public event out to a third party they picked a proper public events firm with extensive experience of the health and safety issues surrounding such an event? Surely they performed extensive "due diligence" to ensure the safety of local people and their children? Surely they would not have simply passed the contract to members of "the Labour family"? Er........
Walk Works are a non-profit company and they have received extensive funding from an "unknown" third party. There are three directors, Frances Mary Wilde is one whom I know nothing about. I am told that the second is Vicki Smith who is a fully-paid-up Labour "family member" (I do not wish to defame the woman and if this is wrong I will be happy to publish a correction forthwith). But the third Director is most definitely "one of the boys and girls" - our old friend John Tipper, hitherto unknown (and unqualified?) for his prowess in organising street events of this or, indeed, any other type.
Many of you will know Mr Tipper better as former Labour Councillor, John Tipper - rimmer extraordinaire of Spellar and Watson and still very active in "the Party".
Tipper was involved in an infamous incident whilst a Councillor which has been covered up ever since. You might want to ask him about that if you see him out campaigning....
Clearly Leader Yvonne Davies needs to arrange (yet another) investigation into how this contract was awarded and to learn lessons from what numerous local people have stated to be a dangerous event.
Remember folk this is not an isolated foul-up. Labour have f*cked up Sandwell for over 40 years and you have YOUR chance to send them a loud and clear message on December 12th!
Returning to the event itself at least Tipper and Co did get one thing right. They booked a band to perform called, wait for it, THE SHAMBOLICS! Boom, boom!
ADDENDUM 18/11/19
Firstly if has been confirmed that Vicki Smith signed the nomination papers for GMB Union heavy, Ian Cooper, to be the Labour Candidate in H & RR. He is the President of the Union's notorious S85 branch. This confirms that Smith is indeed one of the chosen ones... On the same partial list shown in the photo below is Tipper's big mate and sometime protector Cllr Ann "Shakkers" Shackleton. Keep it in the family bent Labour!
It has also been brought to my attention that Walk Works ie Tipper and Co also have the contract for the Cradley Heath lights event on 30th November. Nice! A bent Labour double!
Given the public safety issues surrounding the Rowley fiasco I have written the following email to David Stevens, the Interim Chief Exec of SMBC:
Dear Mr Stevens,
THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION
I have written a blog today concerning the Xmas Lights event at Blackheath/Rowley - where very many locals have described the event as badly organised and actually dangerous.
SMBC have given the contract to a Company in which former Labour Cllr John Tipper is a director. Another Labour figure is also a Director. I will be putting in a FOIA request on this later today as there is no obvious connection with this company putting on public events of this type and this smacks of cronyism at best.
More urgently, however, is that I understand Tipper and Co are also organising the Cradley Heath event on 30th November. Can you please advise the public what steps SMBC are taking to ensure that this event is thoroughly safe for residents and their children. Please also advise how the extra costs to SMBC of doing this will be met?
Julian Saunders
THE SANDWELL SKIDDER - COMMUNITY NEWS - READ THE SKIDDER, KIDDER!
**** Phone No: 07470 624207 ****
Email: thesandwellskidder@gmail.com
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Post: Jules Saunders, 11 Chelworth Road, Birmingham B38 0BG
PROUD TO HAVE BEEN TROLLED BY DICKHEAD DARREN COOPER DECEASED!
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