Stadium axe latest: WSDL responds (From Bucks Free Press)

Oh I knew you'd try and keep going, that is your life, searching for ways to make money out of others. Now you're trying to change defeat into some form of victory.
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Well please mull over what has happened and if you do decide to put forward such a crash business plan, thinly veiled as something for the community there will be many willing to pick up the gauntlet.

I'm sure WDC would appreciate the support of WSDL in helping them to create the brand new community sports village at Handy Cross, quite near Booker really and much more accessible.
It needn't be the "loss of a golden opportunity" after all, or does the reference to "golden" have a different meaning to WSDL?

If it is such a great idea, surely Mr hayes will go it alone now?

QUOTE: “Despite their decision, our belief in the Sporting Village remains”
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But very few others believe in the scheme hence this evenings decision.
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That last thing we need is for those who created this mess to be festering away in a corner of Wycombe pondering on where they went wrong and how they can launch a new attempt to blight another part of town.
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The sooner they realise their dream is over and leave town the better.
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Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “BLOGS” link at the top of the page.

Today I feel both embarrassed and ashamed to be from High Wycombe. I have a council that appears to have no recognisable face or backbone and residents who for some reason or another take joy in saying NO to much needed change. The idea for a new family sports village and stadium for two fantastic clubs is something that will move Wycombe a number of steps up a slowly corroding ladder and keep us in line with the 'Readings' and 'Watford’s' of this area. It begs belief we have locals who have a firm desire to halt this process. Even when a vote goes their way there's joy in a continuous 'slagging off' of Mr Hayes and WSDL. I think you should hang your heads in shame that you act this way. What's it to you if someone ultimately makes money out of a venture that offers so much? Any shop or business that offers a service does the same. Surely we should all pay for those with vision and determination to improve our own and future generations’ lives. I think WSDL are worthy of our investment, trust and time. It's a disgrace that members of the council who are also paid to go to work decided not to step up to the mark last night. They for one have just lost my trust. We have just gone a number of steps back, let’s hope WSDL aren’t as lacklustre as our own council and continue to fine a workable solution.

PetersNeil wrote:
Today I feel both embarrassed and ashamed to be from High Wycombe. I have a council that appears to have no recognisable face or backbone and residents who for some reason or another take joy in saying NO to much needed change. The idea for a new family sports village and stadium for two fantastic clubs is something that will move Wycombe a number of steps up a slowly corroding ladder and keep us in line with the 'Readings' and 'Watford’s' of this area. It begs belief we have locals who have a firm desire to halt this process. Even when a vote goes their way there's joy in a continuous 'slagging off' of Mr Hayes and WSDL. I think you should hang your heads in shame that you act this way. What's it to you if someone ultimately makes money out of a venture that offers so much? Any shop or business that offers a service does the same. Surely we should all pay for those with vision and determination to improve our own and future generations’ lives. I think WSDL are worthy of our investment, trust and time. It's a disgrace that members of the council who are also paid to go to work decided not to step up to the mark last night. They for one have just lost my trust. We have just gone a number of steps back, let’s hope WSDL aren’t as lacklustre as our own council and continue to fine a workable solution.

I agree with almost everything you've said there....I think it's a huge shame that people can't be a little bit open minded and consider the wider implications of such a project. Okay, so in the interim, it does require some of 'our money' - but it provides so much for that money. Young people in Wycombe today get a raw deal with the activities that are on offer. Handy Cross just isn't fit for purpose any more, and a lick of paint isn't going to change that.

Very sad.

StrawberryPie wrote:

PetersNeil wrote:
Today I feel both embarrassed and ashamed to be from High Wycombe. I have a council that appears to have no recognisable face or backbone and residents who for some reason or another take joy in saying NO to much needed change. The idea for a new family sports village and stadium for two fantastic clubs is something that will move Wycombe a number of steps up a slowly corroding ladder and keep us in line with the 'Readings' and 'Watford’s' of this area. It begs belief we have locals who have a firm desire to halt this process. Even when a vote goes their way there's joy in a continuous 'slagging off' of Mr Hayes and WSDL. I think you should hang your heads in shame that you act this way. What's it to you if someone ultimately makes money out of a venture that offers so much? Any shop or business that offers a service does the same. Surely we should all pay for those with vision and determination to improve our own and future generations’ lives. I think WSDL are worthy of our investment, trust and time. It's a disgrace that members of the council who are also paid to go to work decided not to step up to the mark last night. They for one have just lost my trust. We have just gone a number of steps back, let’s hope WSDL aren’t as lacklustre as our own council and continue to fine a workable solution.

I agree with almost everything you've said there....I think it's a huge shame that people can't be a little bit open minded and consider the wider implications of such a project. Okay, so in the interim, it does require some of 'our money' - but it provides so much for that money. Young people in Wycombe today get a raw deal with the activities that are on offer. Handy Cross just isn't fit for purpose any more, and a lick of paint isn't going to change that.

Very sad.

Oh dear.Sour Grapes...
Wake up, both of you, Wycombe can't afford such luxuries at the present time ..and many of us who have quite happily and healthily lived our lives thus far without it are not convinced we need (not want) our money spent supporting this venture.Thankfully our councillors have listened to us and responded.

Excellent point. You have lived your life ‘happily and healthily’ - yet you feel an excellent sports centre is not something that may offer other more youthful residents a similar option! Let's be fair the amenities once available to your are now crumbling and afford or not this town needs something we are largely being offered for free. I suggest it's now time to think of the happiness and health of some other people and not just yourself.

Neil, are you the Neil Peters who is Head of Sales for Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps? If so, you are entitled to your opinion like everyone else, and I know you are a keen Wanderers fan, but you could hardly disagree with your employer. I myself am not against a new stadium as such, but the current proposal as it stands is deeply flawed and would put the long term future of Wanderers at risk. The short term future is also not good for the club (singular, not interested in Wasps' future) but the Council made the right decision last night.

PetersNeil wrote:
Excellent point. You have lived your life ‘happily and healthily’ - yet you feel an excellent sports centre is not something that may offer other more youthful residents a similar option! Let's be fair the amenities once available to your are now crumbling and afford or not this town needs something we are largely being offered for free. I suggest it's now time to think of the happiness and health of some other people and not just yourself.

They could always go for a walk or jog in the beautiful countryside that is now not going to be decimated for more concrete.
Anyway this was never about High Wycombe.
It was not the residents of the town whose life was going to be affected.
This was about Lane End and THEIR countryside and way of life.
If High Wycombe wants a sports village, can I suggest that they build it in the town itself - what about the Rye? ;)

( That was a joke btw but I am sure there are people on here who would think it a fine idea...)

Neil Peters & Strawberry Pie may be disappointed by the Council's decision but as one member stated the "cart was before the horse" meaning the scheme failed because the Business case has never been explained. The reports by the "experts" were all based on the initial "business forecasts" of WSDL . The Scheme relied on the use of Green Belt, as did the original Adams Park. However Adams Park did not need financing by WDC. Finance and the Green Belt defeated Steve Hayes plan, and rightly so. Any business must live within its means, sadly WWFC and Wasps are failing to do this. Now is the time for all who want to save the Clubs to pull together. AFC Wimbledon is a shining example to us all. and I am old enough to have seen the original Aldershot play in the Football League. Finally, the Council took on board the need to provide better facilities for Sport in the District but the WSDL scheme was flawed.

Neil,

I was going to ask if you had actually read the Strategic Outline Business Case, but if you work for WWFC I hope you have.

The Council didn't miss an opportunity last night. The business plan just had too many holes, now WDC have the chance to decide how to improve sporting activities across the district by asking the community.

Remind me again, the first, and probably only phase was to be just a stadium and 506 houses, how was that a sporting village?

PetersNeil wrote:
Excellent point. You have lived your life ‘happily and healthily’ - yet you feel an excellent sports centre is not something that may offer other more youthful residents a similar option! Let's be fair the amenities once available to your are now crumbling and afford or not this town needs something we are largely being offered for free. I suggest it's now time to think of the happiness and health of some other people and not just yourself.

I do, my children. Happily doing lots of sport without the need for a New Stadium.
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Get over it Neil and start putting your house in order.
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Think of the Players and what they have achieved last year with what they already have. Support them by coming out of the fantasy land that your head is on this subject and back to the real world.
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Football is a luxury that many in the third world only enjoy bare footed and people still cheer from the touchlines to see good sport

Half a million pounds would have been enough to provide world class gliding facilities at Booker and secure the future of the club for many years to come.

Today, without council support, the members train about 8 youngsters each year to fly at very low cost to them and many of them continue into professional aviation.

With a little help from the council we could do much much more.

For the last four or five years a certain group at the council, Steve Hayes and his henchmen and a number of people who have the controle of the air park in their hands have plotted to develope Booker Airfield, I believe their sole reason for doing so was greed. They didn't care what happened to the gliding club and they didn't care if flying ceased at Booker forever. Mr Hayes wanted a nice free stadium, the lease holder wanted a shiny new hotel, the councillors wanted power and glory and whatever they could get, and the air park organiser (I could name him but I won't) clearly had his own motives. The one thing you can be certain of was that they were not doing their best for Wycombe, they were doing it for themselves.
And finally a word for all those who are dissapointed not to have had their way--GET OVER IT.

'The Council's decision tonight represents the potential loss of a golden opportunity to build towards a better future for Wycombe.

Despite their decision, our belief in the Sporting Village remains. To all the many people across the district who have understood the need, seen the opportunity, shared our vision and given us support, we thank you'
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'A noble-sounding goodbye from a commercial, wealth-inspired group. As usual plenty of BS words: 'a better future', ' ... opportunity, shared our vision ' What is worrying is that the loss is only 'potential' - surely it's an absolute loss or are they thinking of some comeback from the grave?

Handy Cross just isn't fit for purpose any more, and a lick of paint isn't going to change that.

Why not ask it's users. I was there yesterday and did just that. Everybody I spoke to was happy with what was on offer and considered it to be good value

Agniesca wrote:
Handy Cross just isn't fit for purpose any more, and a lick of paint isn't going to change that.

Why not ask it's users. I was there yesterday and did just that. Everybody I spoke to was happy with what was on offer and considered it to be good value

Agreed that Handy Cross needs some attention and TLC, perhaps well thought through improvements.
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I've used Handy Cross for some 30 years and it's given good service to me and my family.
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Trick is to invest the right amount of capital to provide the right value and benefit for the community. the New Stadium didn't do that, smaller local venues will and maintaining\improvin
g what we have is a good start; provided we have the future costs and liabilities in mind.
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Hence the reason this New Stadium venture had no capital on any level.

I agree with some of what Neil Peters says.
To a certain extent the aim was laudable, and no-one should gloat because it has failed. It was however flawed, and as such WDC had no choice but to reject the scheme.
The problem has always been lumping the stadium in with the other facilities that would have been provided. The "other facilities" may have been sufficiently justifiable on their own, but a new stadium element clearly never was, given the relatively young age of the existing stadium and the fact that it is virtually never full.
Had the clubs been selling out regularly, had all park and ride strategies been employed to no effect, had attendance trends been going up not down, then it may have been a different matter. Add to that the financial concerns, then the project never stood a chance. However, we can all point fingers and gloat/criticise all we want, but it achieves nothing. What's needed now is to take stock and plan what is really needed AND legitimately achievable for the area, and WWFC/Wasps.

Demoness the second spoke of sport being played on the Rye. How well I recall happy days playing on one of the very many football and cricket pitches on The Rye. Our away games were played upon the Rec, Ryemead, Fernifields and all the adjoining parishes and villages dotted around the district. Now those games are no longer being played, does that not suggest that the present generation are happier getting its exercise in the gym or jogging? Thank goodness our new Council made the right decision, I shudder at the thought of what the last lot would have done.

StrawberryPie wrote:

PetersNeil wrote:
Today I feel both embarrassed and ashamed to be from High Wycombe. I have a council that appears to have no recognisable face or backbone and residents who for some reason or another take joy in saying NO to much needed change. The idea for a new family sports village and stadium for two fantastic clubs is something that will move Wycombe a number of steps up a slowly corroding ladder and keep us in line with the 'Readings' and 'Watford’s' of this area. It begs belief we have locals who have a firm desire to halt this process. Even when a vote goes their way there's joy in a continuous 'slagging off' of Mr Hayes and WSDL. I think you should hang your heads in shame that you act this way. What's it to you if someone ultimately makes money out of a venture that offers so much? Any shop or business that offers a service does the same. Surely we should all pay for those with vision and determination to improve our own and future generations’ lives. I think WSDL are worthy of our investment, trust and time. It's a disgrace that members of the council who are also paid to go to work decided not to step up to the mark last night. They for one have just lost my trust. We have just gone a number of steps back, let’s hope WSDL aren’t as lacklustre as our own council and continue to fine a workable solution.

I agree with almost everything you've said there....I think it's a huge shame that people can't be a little bit open minded and consider the wider implications of such a project. Okay, so in the interim, it does require some of 'our money' - but it provides so much for that money. Young people in Wycombe today get a raw deal with the activities that are on offer. Handy Cross just isn't fit for purpose any more, and a lick of paint isn't going to change that.

Very sad.

What exactly constitutes the raw deal that the 'young people of Wycombe ' get - what activities are not available that that 'Sports Village' three miles out of town would have provided. Give us a list please.
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Being a bit 'open minded' in this instance implies brain surgery carried out by Hazy and and his Henchmen. On the head and in Wycombe people's wallets and bank accounts. Hazy used to be good at getting funds out of gullible people.
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But he has lost this badly planned battle this time and needs to find about £10Meg pretty quickly before he goes down the pan. Perhaps his granny may appear for sale on e-bay soon.
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In the meantime don't be sad - Don't Worry , Be Happy.

StrawberryPie wrote:

PetersNeil wrote:
Today I feel both embarrassed and ashamed to be from High Wycombe. I have a council that appears to have no recognisable face or backbone and residents who for some reason or another take joy in saying NO to much needed change. The idea for a new family sports village and stadium for two fantastic clubs is something that will move Wycombe a number of steps up a slowly corroding ladder and keep us in line with the 'Readings' and 'Watford’s' of this area. It begs belief we have locals who have a firm desire to halt this process. Even when a vote goes their way there's joy in a continuous 'slagging off' of Mr Hayes and WSDL. I think you should hang your heads in shame that you act this way. What's it to you if someone ultimately makes money out of a venture that offers so much? Any shop or business that offers a service does the same. Surely we should all pay for those with vision and determination to improve our own and future generations’ lives. I think WSDL are worthy of our investment, trust and time. It's a disgrace that members of the council who are also paid to go to work decided not to step up to the mark last night. They for one have just lost my trust. We have just gone a number of steps back, let’s hope WSDL aren’t as lacklustre as our own council and continue to fine a workable solution.

I agree with almost everything you've said there....I think it's a huge shame that people can't be a little bit open minded and consider the wider implications of such a project. Okay, so in the interim, it does require some of 'our money' - but it provides so much for that money. Young people in Wycombe today get a raw deal with the activities that are on offer. Handy Cross just isn't fit for purpose any more, and a lick of paint isn't going to change that.

Very sad.

The Ministry of Defence are selling a site in Wycombe that would be suitable of a new football stadium – it is the former RAF site along Daws Hill Lane. The land is to be built on anyway so residents are very much less likely to object to a new football stadium there.

Agniesca wrote:
Handy Cross just isn't fit for purpose any more, and a lick of paint isn't going to change that.

Why not ask it's users. I was there yesterday and did just that. Everybody I spoke to was happy with what was on offer and considered it to be good value

I agree. I think a lick of paint is exactly what is needed for Handy Cross. Perhaps some platering here and there and new floors in places. Washing the building would make it look smart again and taking down the hideous advertising on the inside of the windows. I always put things in domestic terms - when times are good we might make a capital investment to buy a new kitchen or car but in lean times we may change the doors on the cabinets or just give the car a good polish and a hoover.

The present centre offers good value, we need to take care to ensure that any expenditure will be value for money in terms of increased membership (more income) and the ability to charge higher charges without becoming uncompetitive.

Also need to make sure that sports facilities are provided elsewhere in the District.
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It wouldn't be right if, like the sports village proposal, all investment was made just to benefit High Wycombe and so Pirnces Risborough, etc. suffered accordingly.