Petition to save Bingley Pool

****

As you probably know Bradford Council plan to close Bingley Pool. They also plan to make the decision in private session (for reasons of "confidentiality"). We're told there will be a consultation - although I doubt this will be about the closure more likely an exercise in justifying the proposals.

Bingley Civic Trust and local campaigners have launched a petition to save the pool:

Yesterday and today volunteers were in the town’s 5Rise shopping centre collecting signatures, parents have been taking more names at school gates and copies are also available in shops and the Arts Centre, with an online version on Bingley Civic Trust’s website. 

If you're in Bingley do sign up or else visit the Civic Trust website to sign up on line - click here to do so.

Remember that, if 1000 people sign it triggers a debate at full Council - a chance to make sure every Councillor considers the issues and that the decision is made openly.

....

On the banning of harmless fun...the case of Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival

Not a good week for Parish Councils I'm afraid - this time it's Hebden Royd Council (which covers what we more usually call Hebden Bridge). These fine upstanding representatives of the people have banned Hebden's Burlesque Festival:

"The Picture House Committee does not feel that it is appropriate for Hebden Royd Town Council to be associated with the Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival. Burlesque arouses strong feelings, and many people feel it is demeaning to women, and raises issues of gender equality. It is also inevitable if held in the Hebden Bridge Picture House that it would be seen to be associated with Hebden Royd Town Council, so the committee declines the approach to host a part of the Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival.”

Now while I'm resisting screaming out "political correctness gone mad" this strikes me as a typical judging (and ignorant) decision from a local council spoilsport - in this case a left wing spoilsport.

The Burlesque Festival is - like Earth - mostly harmless and it's banning an act of po-faced puritanism. And some local folk think so too and have got up a petition where they say:

Far from being demeaning to women burlesque has enabled the organisers (both women) to run their own very successful business, employ other people (both male and female) , support local businesses and provide some jolly good entertainment, both comedic and titillating but never sleazy or demeaning to women. The council has also overlooked the fact that around 70% of burlesque audiences are made up of women. Women do indeed find certain things demeaning and patronising, one of those is having their decisions made for them and assumptions made about what they find offensive.

Absolutely - especially the last sentence. You can sign the petition here.

...

Petition to review the smoking ban...go sign it!

Anthony Worrall Thompson has set up an e-petition:

REVIEW THE SMOKING BAN

Responsible department: Department of Health

We petition the Government to review the impact of the smoking ban on pubs and clubs and consider an amendment that would give licensees the option of separate well-ventilated smoking rooms.

You should all - in the interests of choice and liberty (and keeping pubs going) - go and sign.

....