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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 13-Aug-2009 18:20:18.
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Nothing really spectacular, but an article caught my eye on the YEP site and I can't believe what I rread - but then, perhaps I should!
Has anyone seen the scaffolding in the middle of the roundabout in Crossgates? When I first saw it, I dismissed it as being just that or perhaps the return of Tramsco to dig it up once more but no, I discovered this structure is actually 'art' intended to welcome people to Crossgates!
With a more careful look I can see what they mean in as my=uch they could be gates.... but rather abstract.
Turns out too there was debate regarding the paint colour with some beurocratic pressure coming into play in that decission. Colour is simple - the old School badge was striking in red and white on navy blue - so why insipped semi pastel colurs on this thing?
Oh well it's there now - oh, almost forget, this brain child of the City Architect cost £143,000. No recession in the hospitality section then
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Si (User)
Posted on: 13-Aug-2009 19:45:01.
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Art is in the eye of the beholder,.....however, wasted money is the same to everyone.
I don't mind anyone calling anything art (piles of bricks, unmade beds, etc) but when you have to look at it everyday, and it costs that kind of money, it becomes a bad joke.
Emperor's new clothes...
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 13-Aug-2009 19:54:32.
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It's funny how the YEP can't decide if they should call the area Cross Gates (current favourite) or Crossgates.
For what it's worth it's always been Crossgates to me (as a former resident!)
That said, the gates look a mess, they aren't "crossed" and how on earth this has racked up a bill of £143,000 is the biggest mystery of the lot. It can only be public money if it's been thrown about in such a casual manner - I wonder how many 'home helps' that money could have provided for the elederly or disabled of Leeds?
Perhaps thats the point - these gates are making everyone cross...
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Brandy (User)
Posted on: 13-Aug-2009 20:11:08.
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theres one on ebay now for £51 http://snipurl.com/ptlo3 so times that by four and stick a few extra quid in for some posts and you should still have a few quid left from your 143K lol
TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 13-Aug-2009 20:39:50.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
It's funny how the YEP can't decide if they should call the area Cross Gates (current favourite) or Crossgates.
For what it's worth it's always been Crossgates to me (as a former resident!)
That said, the gates look a mess, they aren't "crossed" and how on earth this has racked up a bill of £143,000 is the biggest mystery of the lot. It can only be public money if it's been thrown about in such a casual manner - I wonder how many 'home helps' that money could have provided for the elederly or disabled of Leeds?
Perhaps thats the point - these gates are making everyone cross... |
I suppose I always write 'Crossgates' these days, but at school it was always Cross Gates and that is who Mum and Grand Mum would write it in our address. We
ve had this discussion before - I suspect two words is probably more correct, we don't have badtemper or oldroad do we?
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dogduke (User)
Posted on: 13-Aug-2009 22:52:56.
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What an absolute abomination.
I don't live in Cross Gates but shop there at least once a week.
My poll(sorry) council tax is about a grand a year.
Let 150 concerned locals queue up outside the civic hall and demand a rebate form those idiots reponsible.
Why does everything have to cost so much?
Everything the council touches should be gold plated for the price.
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cnosni (User)
Posted on: 14-Aug-2009 20:33:36.
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Well,perhaps i shouldnt pass comment on this issue as i dont live in Cross Gates,but i do live in Leeds and there is an extra spin on all this.
when the original idea was mooted the price was £50,000 and was to be funded from local regeneration schemes that were set up to allow locals and ward councillors in particular areas to do with what they wish (withstanding a dirty weekend in Amsterdam).
Its now blown out of proportion and is a city wide political debate,or should i say argument.
It would appear that the changes to the original idea were altered at ward councillor level,not city level.
So it seems that the local councillors (who obviously do sit on the city council as well) were behind the changes that escalated the price of the art work to £70.000 then £143,000.
Christ knows how it could almost triple in price,especially as its just a few farm gates in a roundabout.
But one of the ward councillors is a Peter Gruen,and he appears to be involved in all this.
This is the same guy who stood against the use of the £20m windfall from the sale of the airport for an arena (yes,i know im a big supporter of the arena) and was ready to try and block this allocation of funds for such an important project.
I wrote an email to Mr Gruen expressing my opinions about how an arena would benefit the city,his reply was that the £20m would be better spent on,and i quote:-
"Seating and public paved areas across the city,so everyone can benefit"
Well,god help us.
If he can take a £50,000 project and make it cost £143,000 then what could he have done with £20m?
Mr Gruen is a Labour man,and so am i.
But clearly this chap is out of his depth,and it may be of benefit for the labour ward of Cross Gates to have another candidate.
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cnosni (User)
Posted on: 14-Aug-2009 20:35:10.
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| Brandy wrote: |
theres one on ebay now for £51 http://snipurl.com/ptlo3 so times that by four and stick a few extra quid in for some posts and you should still have a few quid left from your 143K lol
TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY! |
FNAR FNAR FNAR
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 14-Aug-2009 22:18:14.
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| cnosni wrote: |
Well,perhaps i shouldnt pass comment on this issue as i dont live in Cross Gates,but i do live in Leeds and there is an extra spin on all this.
when the original idea was mooted the price was £50,000 and was to be funded from local regeneration schemes that were set up to allow locals and ward councillors in particular areas to do with what they wish (withstanding a dirty weekend in Amsterdam).
Its now blown out of proportion and is a city wide political debate,or should i say argument.
It would appear that the changes to the original idea were altered at ward councillor level,not city level.
So it seems that the local councillors (who obviously do sit on the city council as well) were behind the changes that escalated the price of the art work to £70.000 then £143,000.
Christ knows how it could almost triple in price,especially as its just a few farm gates in a roundabout.
But one of the ward councillors is a Peter Gruen,and he appears to be involved in all this.
This is the same guy who stood against the use of the £20m windfall from the sale of the airport for an arena (yes,i know im a big supporter of the arena) and was ready to try and block this allocation of funds for such an important project.
I wrote an email to Mr Gruen expressing my opinions about how an arena would benefit the city,his reply was that the £20m would be better spent on,and i quote:-
"Seating and public paved areas across the city,so everyone can benefit"
Well,god help us.
If he can take a £50,000 project and make it cost £143,000 then what could he have done with £20m?
Mr Gruen is a Labour man,and so am i.
But clearly this chap is out of his depth,and it may be of benefit for the labour ward of Cross Gates to have another candidate. |
My perception from the YEP article cnosni is that the Councillors were attmpting to put the blame for the increases upon the 'City Planners' for thier insistance upon changes - we should remeber though that our elected few always had, but did not take, the option to abandon the project thus they must be held accountable for this ludicrously unjustifyable waste of money. Was there any public consultation I wonder - particularly regarding the cost?
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 15-Aug-2009 16:22:38.
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| chameleon wrote: |
| cnosni wrote: |
Well,perhaps i shouldnt pass comment on this issue as i dont live in Cross Gates,but i do live in Leeds and there is an extra spin on all this.
when the original idea was mooted the price was £50,000 and was to be funded from local regeneration schemes that were set up to allow locals and ward councillors in particular areas to do with what they wish (withstanding a dirty weekend in Amsterdam).
Its now blown out of proportion and is a city wide political debate,or should i say argument.
It would appear that the changes to the original idea were altered at ward councillor level,not city level.
So it seems that the local councillors (who obviously do sit on the city council as well) were behind the changes that escalated the price of the art work to £70.000 then £143,000.
Christ knows how it could almost triple in price,especially as its just a few farm gates in a roundabout.
But one of the ward councillors is a Peter Gruen,and he appears to be involved in all this.
This is the same guy who stood against the use of the £20m windfall from the sale of the airport for an arena (yes,i know im a big supporter of the arena) and was ready to try and block this allocation of funds for such an important project.
I wrote an email to Mr Gruen expressing my opinions about how an arena would benefit the city,his reply was that the £20m would be better spent on,and i quote:-
"Seating and public paved areas across the city,so everyone can benefit"
Well,god help us.
If he can take a £50,000 project and make it cost £143,000 then what could he have done with £20m?
Mr Gruen is a Labour man,and so am i.
But clearly this chap is out of his depth,and it may be of benefit for the labour ward of Cross Gates to have another candidate. |
My perception from the YEP article cnosni is that the Councillors were attmpting to put the blame for the increases upon the 'City Planners' for thier insistance upon changes - we should remeber though that our elected few always had, but did not take, the option to abandon the project thus they must be held accountable for this ludicrously unjustifyable waste of money. Was there any public consultation I wonder - particularly regarding the cost? |
It is frequently claimed that there was public consultation, but I live in the Cross Gates and Whinmoor ward and was never asked.
I think it's also shameful that the local councillors are now trying to lay the blame for all this on council officials via the media, when they were the ones pushing the blasted plan through.
As for Peter Gruen, according to a piece in last nights YEP, he is also chairman of Aire Valley Homes (the ALMO that manages council housing for the east / south of the city) who finished the last financial year £11.5 million over budget. So whats £140k when you're in charge of spending £11.5 million more than you have from the public purse?
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cnosni (User)
Posted on: 15-Aug-2009 20:35:57.
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| chameleon wrote: |
| cnosni wrote: |
Well,perhaps i shouldnt pass comment on this issue as i dont live in Cross Gates,but i do live in Leeds and there is an extra spin on all this.
when the original idea was mooted the price was £50,000 and was to be funded from local regeneration schemes that were set up to allow locals and ward councillors in particular areas to do with what they wish (withstanding a dirty weekend in Amsterdam).
Its now blown out of proportion and is a city wide political debate,or should i say argument.
It would appear that the changes to the original idea were altered at ward councillor level,not city level.
So it seems that the local councillors (who obviously do sit on the city council as well) were behind the changes that escalated the price of the art work to £70.000 then £143,000.
Christ knows how it could almost triple in price,especially as its just a few farm gates in a roundabout.
But one of the ward councillors is a Peter Gruen,and he appears to be involved in all this.
This is the same guy who stood against the use of the £20m windfall from the sale of the airport for an arena (yes,i know im a big supporter of the arena) and was ready to try and block this allocation of funds for such an important project.
I wrote an email to Mr Gruen expressing my opinions about how an arena would benefit the city,his reply was that the £20m would be better spent on,and i quote:-
"Seating and public paved areas across the city,so everyone can benefit"
Well,god help us.
If he can take a £50,000 project and make it cost £143,000 then what could he have done with £20m?
Mr Gruen is a Labour man,and so am i.
But clearly this chap is out of his depth,and it may be of benefit for the labour ward of Cross Gates to have another candidate. |
My perception from the YEP article cnosni is that the Councillors were attmpting to put the blame for the increases upon the 'City Planners' for thier insistance upon changes - we should remeber though that our elected few always had, but did not take, the option to abandon the project thus they must be held accountable for this ludicrously unjustifyable waste of money. Was there any public consultation I wonder - particularly regarding the cost? |
Check the letters page from last nights yep,letter from Andrew Carter.
He and Mr Gruen have crossed swords in the past
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 15-Aug-2009 21:31:00.
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I take it there is some discontent within on this?
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 17-Aug-2009 20:31:16.
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| chameleon wrote: |
| I take it there is some discontent within on this? |
As an observation, the ward councillors have form for blaming nameless council officials for things going wrong in the past.
Clearly we don't know the full facts (and are never likely to) but I would imagine that there are times when a nameless scapegoat can seem like an attractive option, especially when they don't have the right to reply.
I'm suprised the officials union representative hasn't had something to say on the matter.
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 17-Aug-2009 21:26:10.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
| chameleon wrote: |
| I take it there is some discontent within on this? |
As an observation, the ward councillors have form for blaming nameless council officials for things going wrong in the past.
Clearly we don't know the full facts (and are never likely to) but I would imagine that there are times when a nameless scapegoat can seem like an attractive option, especially when they don't have the right to reply.
I'm suprised the officials union representative hasn't had something to say on the matter. |
Bottom line is they always had the option of saying NO - but they didn't! That's what people should remember when road repairs leave the surface worse than when it strated or Day Centres close thotough lack of demand - whilst onw person needs such a facility, there surely is a demand - several closing around us for that reason.
I rant rather off-topic terhaps - but it's still rate payers money
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 18-Aug-2009 20:00:09.
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This is the story that just won't go away.
Tonights YEP has a great story of how some local wag has stuck half a dozen cardboard cut out sheep on the roundabout!
And Councillor Graeme has blamed the YEP for all the bad publicity surrounding the gates, claiming they've stirred the story up - and then refused to comment on the sheep!!!!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 18-Aug-2009 20:10:57.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
This is the story that just won't go away.
Tonights YEP has a great story of how some local wag has stuck half a dozen cardboard cut out sheep on the roundabout!
And Councillor Graeme has blamed the YEP for all the bad publicity surrounding the gates, claiming they've stirred the story up - and then refused to comment on the sheep!!!! |
What ever the YEP might or might not have contributed, they did at least give factual information. It is that information which is a matter for the Public Domain which has 'stirred people up' and those responsible for bringing the facts into being are I believe Carter's associates are they not? Hiding and apron strings comes to mind more and more often.
Perhaps if our elected lot heard rather than simply listened to people, their lives may be less stressfull!
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Si (User)
Posted on: 19-Aug-2009 10:02:03.
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The councillor's attitude reminds me of finding a "good day to bury bad news." They canvass for votes (sometimes via the press) and then blame them for "stirring up" this kind of disastrous waste of money.
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 21-Aug-2009 20:08:22.
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I'm struggling to see what this enquiry will achieve, except possibly blowing another £143k on finding a scapegoat. Regardless of who is to blame, they won't be made to refund the £143k, will they?
And if the Labour ward councillors are responsible, I'll wager you a shiny £1 coin right now that they claim it's political posturing from the Lib-Con administration. And then demand an inquiry into the inquiry, possibly.
The best possible solution, from my point of view, is that we find a farmer who needs some gates and ask him to come and collect the ones off the roundabout.
The Roundhay ward councillors spent their "regeneration fund" money on - additional parking outside the shops on Roundhay Road, improving and resurfacing the car park at Oakwood Clock and installing benches, etc which have the benefits of helping boost local businesses and provide amenities for local residents.
Whilst we get the most expensive farmyard gates in the Western hemisphere....
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 21-Aug-2009 20:49:42.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
I'm struggling to see what this enquiry will achieve, except possibly blowing another £143k on finding a scapegoat. Regardless of who is to blame, they won't be made to refund the £143k, will they?
And if the Labour ward councillors are responsible, I'll wager you a shiny £1 coin right now that they claim it's political posturing from the Lib-Con administration. And then demand an inquiry into the inquiry, possibly.
The best possible solution, from my point of view, is that we find a farmer who needs some gates and ask him to come and collect the ones off the roundabout.
The Roundhay ward councillors spent their "regeneration fund" money on - additional parking outside the shops on Roundhay Road, improving and resurfacing the car park at Oakwood Clock and installing benches, etc which have the benefits of helping boost local businesses and provide amenities for local residents.
Whilst we get the most expensive farmyard gates in the Western hemisphere.... |
But only if the farmer has room for six cardboard sheep
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 22-Aug-2009 18:58:36.
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Great improvment - additional cost £1/19/11
(Pic cpourtesy of YEP - never let it be said we don't give credits )
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Brandy (User)
Posted on: 22-Aug-2009 19:23:21.
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Has anybody seen my GGGates lol
(pic courtesy of brandy,he never gives credit lol)
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 22-Aug-2009 19:44:33.
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| Brandy wrote: |
Has anybody seen my GGGates lol
(pic courtesy of brandy,he never gives credit lol) |
Priceless! At this rate, we'll soon have 'em worth every penny!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 23-Aug-2009 11:34:12.
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| chameleon wrote: |
| Brandy wrote: |
Has anybody seen my GGGates lol
(pic courtesy of brandy,he never gives credit lol) |
Priceless! At this rate, we'll soon have 'em worth every penny! |
They're still there. Now, if the leeds crest were to show hung councillors instead of hung sheep, it would have a fitting place to hang on these gates . (getting my councilor, erm, meaning, Brandy) that would be good
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cnosni (User)
Posted on: 23-Aug-2009 11:37:53.
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New series of one man and his dog due to be filmed around Leeds.
Any suggestions????
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 23-Aug-2009 12:08:12.
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There used to be Show Jumoing each August bank at Killingbeck - ready made course here....
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Croggy2 (User)
Posted on: 25-Aug-2009 23:08:31.
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Lol - sorry lost my password during a computer crash and have just signed up again.
These gates are awful ... the original idea/plans were on display a couple of years ago at the Methodist church hall (and I voted against them!)
I heard that the original idea was that they were to be bright, primary colours - but that it was felt that it would encourage children to go and play on them?!
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Reginal Perrin (User)
Posted on: 26-Aug-2009 09:11:27.
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I'm not against Roundabout art, in Rothwell we have a commemorative pit winding wheel and it's great, cost £50k though.
These gates look a bit poor though to be honest.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 26-Aug-2009 09:35:20.
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| Croggy2 wrote: |
Lol - sorry lost my password during a computer crash and have just signed up again.
These gates are awful ... the original idea/plans were on display a couple of years ago at the Methodist church hall (and I voted against them!)
I heard that the original idea was that they were to be bright, primary colours - but that it was felt that it would encourage children to go and play on them?!
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It's called "covering your a**e..."
The climbing frame in Pudsey Park used to be painted in pastel colours, but we still played on them!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 26-Aug-2009 17:11:51.
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| Croggy2 wrote: |
Lol - sorry lost my password during a computer crash and have just signed up again.
These gates are awful ... the original idea/plans were on display a couple of years ago at the Methodist church hall (and I voted against them!)
I heard that the original idea was that they were to be bright, primary colours - but that it was felt that it would encourage children to go and play on them?!
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Rather akin to the old school badge then - would have been better.
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 26-Aug-2009 17:12:54.
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| Reginal Perrin wrote: |
I'm not against Roundabout art, in Rothwell we have a commemorative pit winding wheel and it's great, cost £50k though.
These gates look a bit poor though to be honest. |
So poor Regi, they didn't even keep the sheep out (They're still there btw)
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rangieowner (User)
Posted on: 27-Aug-2009 14:57:19.
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Them there Cross Gates (un) crossed gates look like something we knocked together in metalwork class at the age of 14! I wouldn't wanna put my name to em! Now the pit wheel at Rothwell and the spectacular pit wheel at Glasshouton are something to be proud of!!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 14-Sep-2009 22:39:26.
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Oh dear. What on earth is the association between Crossgates and football? If Mr Edwards doesn't like the traditional colours of the Crossgates insignia, he could always move.
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 15-Sep-2009 19:58:23.
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| chameleon wrote: |
Oh dear. What on earth is the association between Crossgates and football? If Mr Edwards doesn't like the traditional colours of the Crossgates insignia, he could always move. |
I'm fairly sure he lives at Kippax
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 15-Sep-2009 20:50:26.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
| chameleon wrote: |
Oh dear. What on earth is the association between Crossgates and football? If Mr Edwards doesn't like the traditional colours of the Crossgates insignia, he could always move. |
I'm fairly sure he lives at Kippax |
Good.
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Croggy2 (User)
Posted on: 15-Sep-2009 21:09:24.
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I like the suggestion in the comments to paint them green : ) Wonder who phill d is??
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Phill_dvsn (User)
Posted on: 15-Sep-2009 21:48:55.
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| Croggy2 wrote: |
| I like the suggestion in the comments to paint them green : ) Wonder who phill d is?? |
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Croggy2 (User)
Posted on: 16-Sep-2009 00:30:31.
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Lol
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LS1 (User)
Posted on: 16-Sep-2009 08:11:45.
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Could always paint them Green and sell them to that place near Calverley - Greengates!!
Doubt theyd pay anything like what Leeds did though for them
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Si (User)
Posted on: 16-Sep-2009 10:04:21.
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| LS1 wrote: |
Could always paint them Green and sell them to that place near Calverley - Greengates!!
Doubt theyd pay anything like what Leeds did though for them |
Bradford's got enough problems!
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simonm (User)
Posted on: 16-Sep-2009 13:28:03.
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| chameleon wrote: |
Oh dear. What on earth is the association between Crossgates and football? If Mr Edwards doesn't like the traditional colours of the Crossgates insignia, he could always move. |
Thing is it was reported by the YEP a short time before that that local LUFC fans may take umbrage to it, hence Gary's offer of a paint job. As much as I love LUAFC, I do find the thought of red gates rather trivial. Were it a sculpture outside ER for instance, then fine, but how can anyone get upset over a colour no where associated with football or any particular ground is beyond my ickle grey matter??
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Croggy2 (User)
Posted on: 02-Oct-2009 20:44:45.
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There is now a "Welcome to Cross Gates" sign on the roundabout close to The Gates.
So now people can discuss if it should be Crossgates or Cross Gates ..
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 02-Oct-2009 21:10:43.
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| Croggy2 wrote: |
There is now a "Welcome to Cross Gates" sign on the roundabout close to The Gates.
So now people can discuss if it should be Crossgates or Cross Gates .. |
They'll be buying a field at Thorpe Arch for the sheep to over-winter on next
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Croggy2 (User)
Posted on: 02-Oct-2009 21:16:15.
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Hehehe
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Brandy (User)
Posted on: 02-Oct-2009 22:04:55.
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| Croggy2 wrote: |
There is now a "Welcome to Cross Gates" sign on the roundabout close to The Gates.
So now people can discuss if it should be Crossgates or Cross Gates .. |
Ahhh so thats what them large stone things are then??
Talk about rubbing more salt into the wounds
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 02-Oct-2009 22:44:02.
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| Croggy2 wrote: |
There is now a "Welcome to Cross Gates" sign on the roundabout close to The Gates.
So now people can discuss if it should be Crossgates or Cross Gates .. |
It was always Cross Gates School wasn't it. Maybe the 'conjoined' form comes from lazy writing
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 03-Oct-2009 09:45:19.
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| Brandy wrote: |
| Croggy2 wrote: |
There is now a "Welcome to Cross Gates" sign on the roundabout close to The Gates.
So now people can discuss if it should be Crossgates or Cross Gates .. |
Ahhh so thats what them large stone things are then??
Talk about rubbing more salt into the wounds |
Think they are better than the gates, at least they clearly give the message....instead of leaving you guessing!
I could live with these, unless that's on top of the £k143, then, it is taking the proverbial isn't it
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Brandy (User)
Posted on: 07-Oct-2009 16:39:10.
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now there really taking the pi$$ http://snipurl.com/sdo5l [www_yorkshireeveningpost_co_uk]
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 07-Oct-2009 17:20:49.
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Don't like red and white alone though I still fail to see why there is an automatic association with football. Could just a s easily be a Patriotic thought with St George in mind?
But there is black too which brings it closer to Cross Gates.
The Ordacity of more money let alone another, what around 13% is a vote loser - remember that when election time comes round and the reminder will be the hike on the Council Tax bill you won't be getting a pay rise to pay it with.
I mentioned before, I'm sure a major gas main complex sits under the roundabout.....
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 08-Oct-2009 17:46:33.
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YEP:
Car flips at roundabout
A PENSIONER was taken to hospital and a car flipped on its roof in an accident at 9.10am yesterday at the A6120 ring road and Station Road in Cross Gates, Leeds.
A Honda CRV and a Ford Ka collided on the roundabout. The Ka overturned and the driver of the Honda, a 79-year old Colton woman, was taken to hospital with "non-life threatening" injuries.
Hope they weren't confused wondering what the brightly coloured civil engineering works in the middle were all about?
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 08-Oct-2009 19:56:06.
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| chameleon wrote: |
YEP:
Car flips at roundabout
A PENSIONER was taken to hospital and a car flipped on its roof in an accident at 9.10am yesterday at the A6120 ring road and Station Road in Cross Gates, Leeds.
A Honda CRV and a Ford Ka collided on the roundabout. The Ka overturned and the driver of the Honda, a 79-year old Colton woman, was taken to hospital with "non-life threatening" injuries.
Hope they weren't confused wondering what the brightly coloured civil engineering works in the middle were all about? |
They were probably wondering which half-wit painted the damn things red, white and black (on a Sunday afternoon if another story in the YEP is to be believed). Talk about sneaky!
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Croggy2 (User)
Posted on: 09-Oct-2009 18:13:53.
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The 'red' looked more red/brown to me - until this evening when I noticed they are now also illuminated!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 09-Oct-2009 20:25:42.
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| Croggy2 wrote: |
| The 'red' looked more red/brown to me - until this evening when I noticed they are now also illuminated! |
Does the Council have a Green Policy in terms of Carbon Footprint?
Perhaps one of the Local Councillors looking in could justify this latest addition in terms of an environmental impact assessment?
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 09-Oct-2009 20:35:42.
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Drove past tonight and noticed that the sheep are back again.
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 12-Oct-2009 19:27:40.
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In the ubiquitous YEP today there is (yet another) piece about 'the gates'. It seems now that the initial figure of £k143 now includes the stone and the lighting (not the sheep though).
That said, it looks as though the respray of antoher £k11 or so is on top of this and, wait for it, yes there's another £k46 being put in the piggy-bank for maintenance over the next ten years.
I tell, you, if gates cost that much to look after, there's no wonder farmers tell us they're going bankrupt
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Si (User)
Posted on: 13-Oct-2009 11:32:05.
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£11 grand to respray? £11 grand!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????? Jeeeeez...
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 13-Oct-2009 12:53:57.
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| Si wrote: |
| £11 grand to respray? £11 grand!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????? Jeeeeez... |
....and for some 'minor alterations'. All that and they couldn't get it right first time round?
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Si (User)
Posted on: 13-Oct-2009 13:06:36.
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| chameleon wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
| £11 grand to respray? £11 grand!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????? Jeeeeez... |
....and for some 'minor alterations'. All that and they couldn't get it right first time round? |
In Otley, we got a bit of dry-stone wall and a lump of rock with "Otley" carved on it. Don't know what it cost, but I'd guess less than £11,000! Bloody hope so, anyway!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 13-Oct-2009 15:24:19.
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Talking of things on roundabouts has stirred a small memory - there is a roundabout down the estate at the junction of Farm Road and Pool Road close to the school.
In the centre was a single lowley gas lamp, long gone of course and can't have done much other than show the road went round it!
Long gone of course but does anyone remember any others in unusual places I wonder?
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Croggy2 (User)
Posted on: 15-Oct-2009 13:03:40.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
| Drove past tonight and noticed that the sheep are back again. |
It had gone again yesterday evening - I thought it looked good on the black / blue gate!
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Lilysmum (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 14:01:57.
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Aye! and how much will they cost? I reckon I could knock something like that up for about a tenner!
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Si (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 14:40:36.
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Speaking as a designer.......IMO all three are nonesense.
Art by lowest tender. Then art by committee. Now art by public vote. Oh dear... And before anyone says, "You're a designer...you do better," there's no point. Chapeltown, or anywhere else, doesn't need a "welcome to" piece of art - it's a waste of money, time and effort, like having your own cartoon character in your advertising, or someone dressed as a bear to generate business for a roadside carwash. It's pathetic!
Sorry - went off on a bit of a rant there!
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Cardiarms (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 14:45:31.
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| Si wrote: |
or someone dressed as a bear to generate business for a roadside carwash. It's pathetic!
Sorry - went off on a bit of a rant there! |
Not that you're bitter about the experience! :-D
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Si (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 14:46:50.
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| Cardiarms wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
or someone dressed as a bear to generate business for a roadside carwash. It's pathetic!
Sorry - went off on a bit of a rant there! |
Not that you're bitter about the experience! :-D
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LOL! No it's not me in there...I may be unemployed at the moment, but I'm not that bloody desperate!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 15:42:58.
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| Si wrote: |
| Cardiarms wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
or someone dressed as a bear to generate business for a roadside carwash. It's pathetic!
Sorry - went off on a bit of a rant there! |
Not that you're bitter about the experience! :-D
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LOL! No it's not me in there...I may be unemployed at the moment, but I'm not that bloody desperate!
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I know that Councillors budgets are alreqady set aside for these wasteful quests but, after the furoe and critiscm to date you really would think tact and diplomacy might creep in somewhere for a while!
But then....
(I don't see much there represnting tradition or the past heritge and prosperity of the area either in those charismatic and colourfull offerings either)
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Si (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 16:43:59.
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| chameleon wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
| Cardiarms wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
or someone dressed as a bear to generate business for a roadside carwash. It's pathetic!
Sorry - went off on a bit of a rant there! |
Not that you're bitter about the experience! :-D
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LOL! No it's not me in there...I may be unemployed at the moment, but I'm not that bloody desperate!
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(I don't see much there represnting tradition or the past heritge and prosperity of the area either in those charismatic and colourfull offerings either) |
Precisely. "Let's have something colourful and fun..." groan...
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 17:45:16.
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We should have a competition to come up with other literal pieces of art that could be erected in other Leeds suburbs at vast expense.
Can I suggest a bucket of pigs swill with a one ton weight (for Swillington), a painting of actor Tim Roth leant against a well (Rothwell)) and a gathering of trees taking candy from a baby (Meanwood). A statue of a stocky gentleman could represent Burley and another statue of footballer Lee Champan heading a football could be placed in Headingley. That should do for a start.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 19:23:33.
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I'm afraid Mr Pergusey the artist, who "lives in the area" is way ahead of you, Davey. In consultation with local residents, he's done a big letter "C" (for Chapeltown - clever, huh?) with "Welcome to Chapeltown" written on it. You're thinking too hard... a big "R" for Rothwell, a big "H" for Headingley, crossed gates for Crossgates...
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 20:06:21.
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| Si wrote: |
| chameleon wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
| Cardiarms wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
or someone dressed as a bear to generate business for a roadside carwash. It's pathetic!
Sorry - went off on a bit of a rant there! |
Not that you're bitter about the experience! :-D
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LOL! No it's not me in there...I may be unemployed at the moment, but I'm not that bloody desperate!
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(I don't see much there represnting tradition or the past heritge and prosperity of the area either in those charismatic and colourfull offerings either) |
Precisely. "Let's have something colourful and fun..." groan...
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Representing who and what exactly??
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 12-Jan-2010 20:08:47.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
We should have a competition to come up with other literal pieces of art that could be erected in other Leeds suburbs at vast expense.
Can I suggest a bucket of pigs swill with a one ton weight (for Swillington), a painting of actor Tim Roth leant against a well (Rothwell)) and a gathering of trees taking candy from a baby (Meanwood). A statue of a stocky gentleman could represent Burley and another statue of footballer Lee Champan heading a football could be placed in Headingley. That should do for a start. |
Statute of a horse mounted by the traditional Court Jester, complete with 'Fool's Hat' outsidew the Civic Hall?
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Si (User)
Posted on: 13-Jan-2010 07:54:01.
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I'm assuming the three designs "to choose from" are just illustrations or CGI? If not, what happens to the other two, and did we pay for them, too?
When the North East wanted a "welcome to Gateshead" sign, they didn't piddle about with a gate with a head on it on a roundabout somewhere, and get the locals to vote for the nicest colour. No, they did it properly. Antony Gormley's Angel of the North might not be to everyone's taste, but it makes a bloody big statement, and has become an icon of the north east, and in the south, the north generally. If only we'd had the Brick Man.......instead we get some crossed gates for Cross Gates, and a big C for Chapeltown. Puts it in perspective, dunnit? If you can't do it properly, don't do it at all.
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simong (User)
Posted on: 13-Jan-2010 08:42:22.
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| Si wrote: |
In Otley, we got a bit of dry-stone wall and a lump of rock with "Otley" carved on it. Don't know what it cost, but I'd guess less than £11,000! Bloody hope so, anyway!
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The one on the roundabout at the top of Yeadon High Street, which was either put there or sponsored by the local Round Table has either disappeared or has been surrounded by shrubbery. I think there's a similar one in Guiseley (by the roundabout at the junction of Queensway, Oxford Road and Towngate?) so I assume they were all put there by the same group.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 13-Jan-2010 15:49:58.
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Here's a picture of Gormley's Leeds Brick Man model, now in the art gallery. The actual monolith, made from Leeds recycled bricks, was to be 120ft high (some sources state 180ft - the Angel of the North is 60ft) and would have stood in the Holbeck railway triangle, marking the true gateway to the north. Just over 20 years ago, the plans were rejected, partly by public poll. However, with hindsight, perhaps we should have gone ahead. I think so anyway. Yes, I know it would have cost a fortune (as did the Angel of the North) but it would really have put Leeds on the map, and rendered all the other provincial public sculptures pointless. (It would have cost £600K, but compared to the Cross Gates gates at £143K, it doesn't sound too bad for Britain's (by far) largest sculpture.)
As it happens, Manchester have recently taken an interest in the project...
Has Leeds missed the boat again? I apologise if this has been covered in the past, but what do other SL people think? Am I a lone voice?
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Cardiarms (User)
Posted on: 13-Jan-2010 16:02:35.
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On the Leeds Art Gallery Website:
Note from Gateshead Council:
The Angel of the North is a major attraction to visitors.
It was the vision of Gateshead Council to create a landmark sculpture at the entrance to Tyneside, which culminated in The Angel of the North. Its wide, open arms greet visitors as they reach Gateshead, whether they come by road or rail.
A major attraction
Over 150,000 a year visit the site to see the awe-inspiring sculpture close up.
The scale cannot fail to impress, at 20 metres (65 feet) it is more than the height of four double decker buses.
Its wings are 54 metres (175 feet) wide - almost as long as the wings of a Jumbo jet.
To people living and working nearby it appears on a much more human scale. Its silhouette at the head of the Team Valley is no more imposing than - but just as impressive as - other hilltop landmarks such as the Penshaw Monument.
The Angel also has a warm, appealing colour. It is of a special weather resistant steel which contains copper. The surface oxidises to form a patina, which mellows with age to a rich red brown colour.
The Angel is now also one of the 12 official 'Icons of England' in a major government-sponsored Culture Online project.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 13-Jan-2010 16:30:01.
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Thanks, Cardiarms. It could have been us.
What would Paris be without the Eiffel Tower? The Statue of Liberty now represents the gateway to an entire continent - to name but two similar landmarks. Both these international icons were villified when first planned - the Eiffel Tower was meant to be a temporary structure, and the US only went ahead with Liberty, because it was a gift from France...
If they were left to a (money inspired) public vote, I doubt either would exist today, and the world would be a poorer place for it...
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Si (User)
Posted on: 18-Jan-2010 08:38:16.
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Cue SFX: wind noise, distant bell toll...
| Si wrote: |
The proposed Leeds Brick Man, made from recycled bricks, was to be 120ft high (some sources state 180ft - the Angel of the North is 60ft) and would have stood in the Holbeck railway triangle, marking the true gateway to the north. Just over 20 years ago, the plans were rejected, partly by public poll. However, with hindsight, perhaps we should have gone ahead. I think so anyway. Yes, I know it would have cost a fortune (as did the Angel of the North) but it would really have put Leeds on the map, and rendered all the other provincial public sculptures pointless. (It would have cost £600K, but compared to the Cross Gates gates at £143K, it doesn't sound too bad for Britain's (by far) largest sculpture.)
As it happens, Manchester have recently taken an interest in the project...
Has Leeds missed the boat again? I apologise if this has been covered in the past, but what do other SL people think? Am I a lone voice? |
"...and some fell on stoney ground..."
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 18-Jan-2010 11:49:59.
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| Si wrote: |
Cue SFX: wind noise, distant bell toll...
| Si wrote: |
The proposed Leeds Brick Man, made from recycled bricks, was to be 120ft high (some sources state 180ft - the Angel of the North is 60ft) and would have stood in the Holbeck railway triangle, marking the true gateway to the north. Just over 20 years ago, the plans were rejected, partly by public poll. However, with hindsight, perhaps we should have gone ahead. I think so anyway. Yes, I know it would have cost a fortune (as did the Angel of the North) but it would really have put Leeds on the map, and rendered all the other provincial public sculptures pointless. (It would have cost £600K, but compared to the Cross Gates gates at £143K, it doesn't sound too bad for Britain's (by far) largest sculpture.)
As it happens, Manchester have recently taken an interest in the project...
Has Leeds missed the boat again? I apologise if this has been covered in the past, but what do other SL people think? Am I a lone voice? |
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Cross Gates on Sunday afternoon?
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 18-Jan-2010 19:50:50.
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| chameleon wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
Cue SFX: wind noise, distant bell toll...
| Si wrote: |
The proposed Leeds Brick Man, made from recycled bricks, was to be 120ft high (some sources state 180ft - the Angel of the North is 60ft) and would have stood in the Holbeck railway triangle, marking the true gateway to the north. Just over 20 years ago, the plans were rejected, partly by public poll. However, with hindsight, perhaps we should have gone ahead. I think so anyway. Yes, I know it would have cost a fortune (as did the Angel of the North) but it would really have put Leeds on the map, and rendered all the other provincial public sculptures pointless. (It would have cost £600K, but compared to the Cross Gates gates at £143K, it doesn't sound too bad for Britain's (by far) largest sculpture.)
As it happens, Manchester have recently taken an interest in the project...
Has Leeds missed the boat again? I apologise if this has been covered in the past, but what do other SL people think? Am I a lone voice? |
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Cross Gates on Sunday afternoon? |
Just for reference, how tall would 120ft (or indeed 180ft) compare to the tower blocks that have been built or are underway / planned for Granary Wharf and the area around Holbeck Triangle?
Would I be right in guessing that 120ft would be about a 10 or 12 storey building?
Obviously if the Brick Man had been built then subsequent planning permissions may have been very different to what we have now, but lets not forget the council were quite happy to let the developers dwarf and mask the famous Tower Works chimneys.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 18-Jan-2010 20:07:43.
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That's a very good point, Davey.
Incidentally, at one time, the Towers were visible from my old office window, but were obscured by the new "flying saucer" building.
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dogduke (User)
Posted on: 06-Feb-2010 18:16:12.
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'LIFTED' from the current issue of Private Eye.
MAGIC ROUNDABOUT.
Two roundabouts leading to the site of MediaCityUK are
being tarted up by Salford city council at the staggering cost
of £3m.
The first,near the M602,is having £1.6m spent on its makeover.
The council hopes it will help the'development of the roundabout
as a destination'.It will feature such must see delights as 'resin bonded
gravel''functional lighting' and 'vandal poroof plaques'in the subway.
The second phase ,costing more than £1.5m will see some new plants
and crossings on a smaller roundabout,plus a 'super crossing' and some 'architectural lighting'on the main road leading to MediaCity.
Altogether the Quays Gateway is costing £3.24m via a grant from the
North West Regional Development Agency.,plus nearly £170,000
for ten years maintenance,plus an option of around £400,000 to
drag listed dock side cranes from the quays to theM602 roundabout
for added 'destination'value.
If this doesn't win over BBC staff reluctant to move from London to Salford,what will?
I think Cross Gates got off lightly really.
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 06-Feb-2010 18:57:44.
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Frightening really - One is left wondering where priorities lie.
Doubtless we will be told that budget was ringfenced for such things, which begs the question of why some practical and beneficial service could not have seen the money.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 07-Apr-2010 12:52:09.
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With reference to the Brick Man comments on the "Food For Thought" thread, just thought I'd resurrect this thread to save Phill searching for it! I don't know how to post into the other thread - perhaps Chameleon knows how?
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Phill_dvsn (User)
Posted on: 07-Apr-2010 13:09:12.
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Rightly so Si. And i'm with you 100% about the Brickman.
I thought it was a brilliant design 20 years ago. I can't believe it didn't go ahead. I think it would have fitted in perfectly with the tower works landmarks too. It was in a brilliant position to visitors of Leeds. That triangle of railway land is basically dead. Nothing other than a landmark can be built on there really. It would have been nicely weathered in by now as well.
I think a campaign to bring back the Brickman should be started lol
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Si (User)
Posted on: 07-Apr-2010 13:15:11.
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Yeah, I remember seeing Gormley's maquette of the Brick Man in Leeds Art Gallery years ago and thinking it would be fantastic. When I discovered how big it was to be, and that the council were thinking about actually building it, I thought, "At last! Leeds will be put back on the map!" What a disappointment when it was binned...
Also, it was to be constructed with reclaimed bricks from the Holbeck/Wortley "slum" clearances. Recycling, years before it became fashionable!!!
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Phill_dvsn (User)
Posted on: 07-Apr-2010 13:32:24.
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| Si wrote: |
Yeah, I remember seeing Gormley's maquette of the Brick Man in Leeds Art Gallery years ago and thinking it would be fantastic. When I discovered how big it was to be, and that the council were thinking about actually building it, I thought, "At last! Leeds will be put back on the map!" What a disappointment when it was binned...
Also, it was to be constructed with reclaimed bricks from the Holbeck/Wortley "slum" clearances. Recycling, years before it became fashionable!!! |
You hit the nail on the head Si. My sentiments exactly.
Wow. Leeds is doing something unique, different at last.
No surprise it went no further than the Y.E.P story and drawing stage AGAIN!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 07-Apr-2010 22:33:55.
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| Si wrote: |
| With reference to the Brick Man comments on the "Food For Thought" thread, just thought I'd resurrect this thread to save Phill searching for it! I don't know how to post into the other thread - perhaps Chameleon knows how? |
Whats you trying to put where Si?
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Brunel (User)
Posted on: 07-Apr-2010 23:20:32.
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Brick man............ Supertram
All in the same wastebin
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Phill_dvsn (User)
Posted on: 07-Apr-2010 23:29:11.
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| Brunel wrote: |
Brick man............ Supertram
All in the same wastebin |
That's an excellent name for a pop band
Pity it's at the expense of Leeds misfortune tho lol
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tilly (User)
Posted on: 08-Apr-2010 20:06:54.
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Phill is now a man of many faces we have lost Mr Cool LOL
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cnosni (User)
Posted on: 08-Apr-2010 23:21:35.
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| Phill_dvsn wrote: |
| Brunel wrote: |
Brick man............ Supertram
All in the same wastebin |
That's an excellent name for a pop band
Pity it's at the expense of Leeds misfortune tho lol |
I like that Phil,it has a ring to it.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 09-Apr-2010 15:09:32.
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| chameleon wrote: |
| Si wrote: |
| With reference to the Brick Man comments on the "Food For Thought" thread, just thought I'd resurrect this thread to save Phill searching for it! I don't know how to post into the other thread - perhaps Chameleon knows how? |
Whats you trying to put where Si? |
I was trying to post my earlier comments about the Brick Man from this thread onto the Food For Thought thread. However, by resurrecting this thread, there's now no need. Thanks Steve.
PS I've figured out how to do it myself now, anyway!
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jim (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 07:10:01.
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I feel a rant coming on. While I agree wholeheartedly with those who would like to see an iconic public art work for Leeds, and have no objection to the vast sum of money required for such a project ----------I can't agree that the Brickman is worthy of my support (I can barely keep my trousers up!)
What is it supposed to represent? The artists ego? He appears to be attempting to be try to populate the whole planet with his repeated image, and despite my number two son's involvement in the moulding and casting of thirty or forty of his smaller versions, it isn't an idea I wish to further.
The Human Race as superman? Nietzschean ideals hold no attraction for me.
Man as despoiler of the planet? Not something we should wish to claim for Leeds, unless we want to commemorate the Service Crew.
Ozymandias? Shelley has already done it better. And we'd have to wait a while for the full effect.
Leeds as twentieth or so subscriber to the Gormlean vision? Surely we want to be FIRST! Lets have a far superior inspirational work for the best place in the country.
Finally, I have no wish to fall out with anyone over this, but feel the need to let my views be known. Your views are of course just as valid and we shall have to agree to disagree.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 07:43:34.
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Hi Jim. Don't worry, you're not falling out with anyone!
The point is, Leeds would have been the first.
Also, as for Neitchze's superman - art, and it's interpretation, is in the eye of the beholder.
(PS I wondered why there was a reference to Ozymandias on the bottom of your posts!)
Here's Shelley's poem in full:
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command
Tell that it's sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
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jim (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 08:07:00.
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Even had we been first I can see no merit in the idea other than Gormley's re-interpretation of "The Biggest Aspidistra in the World". If anyone can give me a better reason for The Brickman concept I am all agog and waiting with bated breath etc etc.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 08:17:37.
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I wouldn't want to go into a discussion on the interpretation of the Brickman (or any art) on a website for two reasons: Life's too short, and these discussions have gone on since - well, Ozymandias' day. And secondly, like religion and politics, they can degenerate into heated arguments all too quickly, especially in this narrow, virtual format.
This isn't a cop-out. I'd enjoy a pleasant face-to-face chat about it anytime, Jim!
But, as you said, we'll agree to disagree!
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jim (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 08:32:19.
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I'd love a face-to-face natter Si--about life, the universe etc etc. I've lots of spare time and a bus and train pass. You pick a time and neutral ground!
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Si (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 09:03:32.
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| jim wrote: |
| I'd love a face-to-face natter Si--about life, the universe etc etc. I've lots of spare time and a bus and train pass. You pick a time and neutral ground! |
Thursday? One o'clock? The Palace?
I could show you where Ozymandias' twin sons (the Crown Court skulls) used to live!!!
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jim (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 09:57:00.
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See you there and then Si. I'll post here if For any reason I can't make it. (I'm presuming you mean the Palace down Kirkgate, just past the Parish Church of St Peter)
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Si (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 10:27:41.
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| jim wrote: |
| See you there and then Si. I'll post here if For any reason I can't make it. (I'm presuming you mean the Palace down Kirkgate, just past the Parish Church of St Peter) |
That's the one. See you there. I think I'll recognise you from Tilly's photo! I'm on the Windmill Hill thread.
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jim (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 10:43:27.
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Cheers Si, see you then--------and by the way, I'm not Lobby Lud and you can't have five pounds!
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 20-Apr-2010 13:00:12.
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| Si wrote: |
| jim wrote: |
| I'd love a face-to-face natter Si--about life, the universe etc etc. I've lots of spare time and a bus and train pass. You pick a time and neutral ground! |
Thursday? One o'clock? The Palace?
I could show you where Ozymandias' twin sons (the Crown Court skulls) used to live!!!
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Do munkie and dunkie now about this revelation regarding their origin Si
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Si (User)
Posted on: 22-Apr-2010 08:22:50.
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| jim wrote: |
| See you there and then Si. I'll post here if For any reason I can't make it. |
JIM! JIM!
I'm sorry, but I can't make it today. Just read my e-mails, and I've been offered a job interview this afternoon. A bit last minute, but it's local.
I hope you read this before setting off!
Once again, my apologies and I hope we can re-arrange soon.
Please let me know you've read this.
All the best,
Simon
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jim (User)
Posted on: 22-Apr-2010 08:47:46.
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Message received Simon, thanks for letting me know. I leave it to you to rearrange. Good luck with the interview!
Jim.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 22-Apr-2010 09:25:25.
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Thanks Jim. I'll let you know.
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 22-Apr-2010 11:33:19.
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| Si wrote: |
| jim wrote: |
| See you there and then Si. I'll post here if For any reason I can't make it. |
JIM! JIM!
I'm sorry, but I can't make it today. Just read my e-mails, and I've been offered a job interview this afternoon. A bit last minute, but it's local.
I hope you read this before setting off!
Once again, my apologies and I hope we can re-arrange soon.
Please let me know you've read this.
All the best,
Simon
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Si - Very best of luck mate, you've been waiting long enough - do let us know how it goes
Also back at work too this week at last, rather be home but it's good to be able to go, 'phased return......' yup I'm feeling well phased
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Si (User)
Posted on: 26-Apr-2010 19:54:35.
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| jim wrote: |
Message received Simon, thanks for letting me know. I leave it to you to rearrange. Good luck with the interview!
Jim. |
Hi Jim!
No luck with the interview. Overqualified, apparently.
Will fix up new date for drink and chat soon.
Cheers,
Simon
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Phill_dvsn (User)
Posted on: 26-Apr-2010 19:57:40.
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| Si wrote: |
| jim wrote: |
Message received Simon, thanks for letting me know. I leave it to you to rearrange. Good luck with the interview!
Jim. |
Hi Jim!
No luck with the interview. Overqualified, apparently.
Will fix up new date for drink and chat soon.
Cheers,
Simon
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Oh bugger. Chin up Si. Worse things happen at sea (or so they say lol)
It'll work out ok in the end mate!
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jim (User)
Posted on: 26-Apr-2010 20:09:40.
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Commiserations Si. Thanks for message, I'll look forward to hearing from you.
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 26-Apr-2010 21:39:59.
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| Si wrote: |
| jim wrote: |
Message received Simon, thanks for letting me know. I leave it to you to rearrange. Good luck with the interview!
Jim. |
Hi Jim!
No luck with the interview. Overqualified, apparently.
Will fix up new date for drink and chat soon.
Cheers,
Simon
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Hard luck Si but, all experience of today's way of interviewing so not an entire waste - keep at it
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cnosni (User)
Posted on: 27-Apr-2010 00:46:37.
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| Si wrote: |
| jim wrote: |
Message received Simon, thanks for letting me know. I leave it to you to rearrange. Good luck with the interview!
Jim. |
Hi Jim!
No luck with the interview. Overqualified, apparently.
Will fix up new date for drink and chat soon.
Cheers,
Simon
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Youll get there pal.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 27-Apr-2010 14:22:10.
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Thanks, Phill, Jim, Steve and Chris. Much appreciated.
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Si (User)
Posted on: 27-Apr-2010 17:45:59.
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| chameleon wrote: |
| Hard luck Si but, all experience of today's way of interviewing so not an entire waste - keep at it |
This interview was the complete opposite of the DWP one we discussed. Took place in a store-cupboard with another member of staff present on her tea-break, no older than 20.
I bumped into the interviewer on Saturday, and she apologised that the decision wasn't hers, and that the successful candidate would be leaving in September anyway! It makes you want to weep...
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chameleon (User)
Posted on: 27-Apr-2010 17:50:56.
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| Si wrote: |
| chameleon wrote: |
| Hard luck Si but, all experience of today's way of interviewing so not an entire waste - keep at it |
This interview was the complete opposite of the DWP one we discussed. Took place in a store-cupboard with another member of staff present on her tea-break, no older than 20.
I bumped into the interviewer on Saturday, and she apologised that the decision wasn't hers, and that the successful candidate would be leaving in September anyway! It makes you want to weep...
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I know a job is a job Si, but from the sound of that, how are they going to treat their employees - interviews are a two-way thing
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Brandy (User)
Posted on: 27-Apr-2010 18:58:41.
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| Si wrote: |
| jim wrote: |
Message received Simon, thanks for letting me know. I leave it to you to rearrange. Good luck with the interview!
Jim. |
Hi Jim!
No luck with the interview. Overqualified, apparently.
Will fix up new date for drink and chat soon.
Cheers,
Simon
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Never mind Si, there loss mate
Good Luck for the next one pal.
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tilly (User)
Posted on: 27-Apr-2010 19:54:39.
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| Si wrote: |
| jim wrote: |
Message received Simon, thanks for letting me know. I leave it to you to rearrange. Good luck with the interview!
Jim. |
Hi Jim!
No luck with the interview. Overqualified, apparently.
Will fix up new date for drink and chat soon.
Cheers,
Simon
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Hi Si It must be the pits trying to get a job now when i was younger you could go to four interviews and take your pick but then we still had production on a large scale.The Government promise more jobs but doing what. ?
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Si (User)
Posted on: 27-Apr-2010 20:11:43.
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I know Tilly. It's happened to me in the past. In about 1987, I applied for several jobs in Leeds on spec, and got them all, and then had to choose! I've been employed in the same job for eighteen years, and now, at the age of 50, it's a nightmare. In the last 15 months, I've applied for over 200 jobs, got no response from about 70% of them, and only a handful of interviews. I spend several hours a day checking the papers, websites, local businesses, JobCentre, etc, etc, etc. You're either over-qualified, or don't have enough experience in that particular field. I was told on applying for a retail job, that I didn't have experience of shop work - I've been shopping for bloody years!
I wonder who they are employing?
Anyway, enough of my problems. Rant over!
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 19-May-2010 20:19:44.
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Two more wastes of public money that I've seen this week.
On Sherburn Road, near Stanks fire station, a pair of speed bumps have been removed and the road surface levelled (although the outer square marking the former site of the speed bumps are still there).
And not twenty yards way, two brand new speed bumps have been placed in the road.
The rest of the speed bumps on the road are currently untouched...
And...at the entrance to Seacroft Hospital, a large sign has been erected advising us that "Childrens A&E has moved to the LGI".
Very commendable, but there hasn't been an A&E of any description at Seacroft Hospital for as long as I can remember. The road signs to Seacroft Hospital even say "No A&E"
So why the need of a sign there to point it out?
Could it be that because it's public cash it doesn't matter what it is spent on, as long as it is spent?
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boo (User)
Posted on: 19-May-2010 22:19:20.
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Si -
Rather late on this one - but you're posts reminded me of a brilliant documentary on channel 4 a while back, about age discrimination in the workplace. If you didn't see it, it didn't tell you anything you don't want to know, but it was refreshing to see the issue being so well publicised. Anyway, I did a bit of a search on the internet and found this site - includes the press flurry that happened after the documentary http://www.matureappointments.com/media3.php
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boo (User)
Posted on: 19-May-2010 22:20:25.
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| boo wrote: |
Si -
Rather late on this one - but you're posts reminded me of a brilliant documentary on channel 4 a while back, about age discrimination in the workplace. If you didn't see it, it didn't tell you anything you don't already know, but it was refreshing to see the issue being so well publicised. Anyway, I did a bit of a search on the internet and found this site - includes the press flurry that happened after the documentary http://www.matureappointments.com/media3.php
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boo (User)
Posted on: 19-May-2010 22:21:14.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
Two more wastes of public money that I've seen this week.
On Sherburn Road, near Stanks fire station, a pair of speed bumps have been removed and the road surface levelled (although the outer square marking the former site of the speed bumps are still there).
And not twenty yards way, two brand new speed bumps have been placed in the road.
The rest of the speed bumps on the road are currently untouched...
And...at the entrance to Seacroft Hospital, a large sign has been erected advising us that "Childrens A&E has moved to the LGI".
Very commendable, but there hasn't been an A&E of any description at Seacroft Hospital for as long as I can remember. The road signs to Seacroft Hospital even say "No A&E"
So why the need of a sign there to point it out?
Could it be that because it's public cash it doesn't matter what it is spent on, as long as it is spent?
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I enjoyed this so much
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Si (User)
Posted on: 22-May-2010 14:08:37.
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| boo wrote: |
Si -
Rather late on this one - but you're posts reminded me of a brilliant documentary on channel 4 a while back, about age discrimination in the workplace. If you didn't see it, it didn't tell you anything you don't want to know, but it was refreshing to see the issue being so well publicised. Anyway, I did a bit of a search on the internet and found this site - includes the press flurry that happened after the documentary http://www.matureappointments.com/media3.php
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Thanks Boo. Interesting.
It's not just age (I had an interview recently, and when they asked my age, they said, "Fifty? Good. You don't look it!"), but the vicious circle of experience. I failed an interview because they said I'd be "shunted" to a management job in no time, so apply direct to head office for a management position instead. I did, and got a reply saying they wouldn't even interview me because I had no retail experience!
What can yer do?!
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LS1 (User)
Posted on: 23-May-2010 21:10:13.
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| Si wrote: |
| boo wrote: |
Si -
Rather late on this one - but you're posts reminded me of a brilliant documentary on channel 4 a while back, about age discrimination in the workplace. If you didn't see it, it didn't tell you anything you don't want to know, but it was refreshing to see the issue being so well publicised. Anyway, I did a bit of a search on the internet and found this site - includes the press flurry that happened after the documentary http://www.matureappointments.com/media3.php
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Thanks Boo. Interesting.
It's not just age (I had an interview recently, and when they asked my age, they said, "Fifty? Good. You don't look it!"), but the vicious circle of experience. I failed an interview because they said I'd be "shunted" to a management job in no time, so apply direct to head office for a management position instead. I did, and got a reply saying they wouldn't even interview me because I had no retail experience!
What can yer do?!
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Si, I'm not sure if they should have asked you your age - that's effectively discriminatory and you could take them to task over that!
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Si (User)
Posted on: 24-May-2010 10:11:15.
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They had a copy of my CV with my d.o.b. on it anyway, Lee.
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 02-Aug-2010 19:23:40.
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An interesting piece in tonights YEP, that our fine body of councillors have claimed more than £2,100,000 in allowances and expenses in the last 12 months.
Nice work indeed, if you can get it.
Some notable examples (these are on top of their 'basic' £14,781 allowance for being a councillor):
Keith Wakefield, (Lab, Kippax and Methley) and Council Leader £39, 670 - he complained last week at having to work 60-70 hours a week for that...
Richard Lewis (Lab, Pudsey) Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Development and Regeneration £34,217
Pauline Grahame (Lab, Cross Gates and Whinmoor) £34,649 (also responsible for the gates that started this thread...)
It literally goes on and on - I'm struggling to find a single councillor on the list who has claimed less that £14,700 on expenses, giving them a minimum 'wage' in excess £28,000 a year.
It makes me sick, it really does.
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Leodian (User)
Posted on: 02-Aug-2010 21:33:53.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
An interesting piece in tonights YEP, that our fine body of councillors have claimed more than £2,100,000 in allowances and expenses in the last 12 months.
Nice work indeed, if you can get it.
Some notable examples (these are on top of their 'basic' £14,781 allowance for being a councillor):
Keith Wakefield, (Lab, Kippax and Methley) and Council Leader £39, 670 - he complained last week at having to work 60-70 hours a week for that...
Richard Lewis (Lab, Pudsey) Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Development and Regeneration £34,217
Pauline Grahame (Lab, Cross Gates and Whinmoor) £34,649 (also responsible for the gates that started this thread...)
It literally goes on and on - I'm struggling to find a single councillor on the list who has claimed less that £14,700 on expenses, giving them a minimum 'wage' in excess £28,000 a year.
It makes me sick, it really does. |
I've no particular wish to bring politics in to the SL website but you have been very selective in only giving details of some Labour councillors. Andrew Carter (Con, Calverley and Farsley) claimed £46,061 and Richard Brett (Lib Dem, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) claimed £46,589. I also noticed that Jacqueline Langdale (Lab, Temple Newsam) apparently only claimed £15. I wonder if that is an error, but surely not in the YEP!
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Si (User)
Posted on: 03-Aug-2010 11:14:18.
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| raveydavey wrote: |
An interesting piece in tonights YEP, that our fine body of councillors have claimed more than £2,100,000 in allowances and expenses in the last 12 months.
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We could have had Brick-Men all over the place for that!
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tilly (User)
Posted on: 03-Aug-2010 19:29:25.
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Hi raveydavey This does not add up, Kath Pinnock says she was up at 6am and had meetings untill 5pm. I will bet the meetings dont start untill at least 9am. They also state that they have no spare time but Andrew Carter is member of 21 bodies and David Dagger belongs to 36, they say they give up their spare time free, what spare time?
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 04-Aug-2010 19:51:48.
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| tilly wrote: |
Hi raveydavey This does not add up, Kath Pinnock says she was up at 6am and had meetings untill 5pm. I will bet the meetings dont start untill at least 9am. They also state that they have no spare time but Andrew Carter is member of 21 bodies and David Dagger belongs to 36, they say they give up their spare time free, what spare time? |
It's a good point.
My alarm goes off at just after 5am, I'm out of the house at just gone 6am and I got in tonight at just after 6.30pm (sometimes it's a little earlier, but not by much).
I also don't have any spare time, but then neither am I coining it in to the tune of £50k+ a year.
I really would love to be able to find myself a seat aboard the gravy train.
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Cardiarms (User)
Posted on: 04-Aug-2010 22:47:46.
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For running a city the size of Leeds the 'pay' isn't much. Compare that to a company with a similar turn over and I'm sure the directors have a nicer return. I'm not defending them, they make the decisions, right or wrong, and we moan, bitch and accuse them of all sorts of incompetence. Ultimately we have the say wether they carry on. IS the alternative any better? Put up, stand up, run for election as an independent and jump on the gravy train.....or be honourable and turn down all the expenses, as a true volunteer. I don't think there'll ever be a satisfactory solution to the need for honourable volunteers having to exist in the real world of jobs and bills.
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Leodian (User)
Posted on: 04-Aug-2010 22:51:54.
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Just in passing but I wonder how the expression "gravy train" was thought up?
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Cardiarms (User)
Posted on: 04-Aug-2010 23:04:46.
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I have visions of some baronial hall, men in tweed, facial hair, banquet table, silverware with the gravy boat on an 0 scale trainset going around the table to the guests.
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anthonydna (User)
Posted on: 04-Aug-2010 23:08:20.
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Gravy train - any easy and lucrative way means of obtaining money
By the beginning of the 20th century gravy was being used to mean money that had been easily acquired, or that was extra in some way, such as a bonus or tip, in the same way that gravy is an extra on top of the basics of a meal. It could also be used for money obtained through extortion or other illicit means. A gravy train was US railroad slang for an easy run where the pay was good. This was adopted into general speech in the 1920s.
I am so clever since I found Google!
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Cardiarms (User)
Posted on: 04-Aug-2010 23:26:46.
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You didn't even use quotation marks, you tart!
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 05-Aug-2010 19:50:18.
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| Cardiarms wrote: |
| For running a city the size of Leeds the 'pay' isn't much. Compare that to a company with a similar turn over and I'm sure the directors have a nicer return. I'm not defending them, they make the decisions, right or wrong, and we moan, bitch and accuse them of all sorts of incompetence. Ultimately we have the say wether they carry on. IS the alternative any better? Put up, stand up, run for election as an independent and jump on the gravy train.....or be honourable and turn down all the expenses, as a true volunteer. I don't think there'll ever be a satisfactory solution to the need for honourable volunteers having to exist in the real world of jobs and bills. |
I know what you are saying, but they don't actually run Leeds do they? All the important decisions are actually made by the councils staff and the councillors just vote on, or implement them.
And we all know how quick some councillors are to shift the blame onto these "faceless bureaucrats" the minute anything goes wrong (back to the Cross Gates gates again!).
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dogduke (User)
Posted on: 08-Aug-2010 17:52:58.
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About 18 months ago,a guy was doing some door to door research on behalf of th council asking people of an older age group what sort of facilities they would like to see in new complexes for senior citizens.
There was the option of attending a sort of seminar where you could,with similar people put forward your views.
What would this have cost,the researcher was from a private firm in I think Norwich and travelled the country.
The firm commissioned to run the seminar would require no doubt generous payment and I think the location was hired.
About 15 members of the public attended and were rewarded
with Morrisons shopping vouchers to the value of £15.
Council and consultancy staff also attended.
Do we really need to spend money like this?
Surely existing council staff,architects etc should be capable of doing such things without constantly hiring outsiders.
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raveydavey (User)
Posted on: 08-Aug-2010 19:31:50.
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The hiring of consultants is another bugbear of mine.
Essentially, it's backside covering of the highest degree. What happens is that someone decides that they want to change something / introduce something new. Consultants are then employed at a very pretty penny to engage in PR, questionnaires, surveys and the like to obtain the answer that everyone thinks this is a good idea. They then take several months (or years) to publish a report, which is then acted on.
Then if everyone kicks off about the implementation of the changes / new ideas, the whole thing is brushed aside citing the consultation exercise where "everyone thought it was a good idea".
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tilly (User)
Posted on: 16-Aug-2010 09:34:09.
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Hi raveydavey How i see it is £21,000 to them is peanuts with the sort of money they can make.I for one can only dream of haveing this sort of amount to play with, they can splash money about has though it grows on trees.Dont get me wrong i am happy with my lot but they do not live in my world this goes for M.Ps as well. It would have done them a lot of good to grow up in the environmet i was brought up in.Then they would be more in tune with the mass of people they represent i dont want to get into a political debate on here we all know were that leads so enough said.
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