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Symbolising everything that’s wrong with Wycombe (From Bucks Free Press)
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Symbolising everything that’s wrong with Wycombe
5:55pm Thursday 20th August 2009
On Tuesday I was dismayed to learn of the rejection of the plan put forward by campaigners to save the wonderful Holywell Mead swimming pool.
The rejection was a snub for the campaigners and a blow for the townspeople.
After recovering from the initial shock I was left feeling angry and bitter.
Do you know I think the plight of the Holywell Mead pool has come to symbolise everything that is wrong with Wycombe.
It was closed because there was not enough money in the budget yet money can be found to install unsightly recycling bins in the High Street. The money spent on the unnecessary bins could have helped pay to keep the pool open.
Is Wycombe the town where bins are more important than people?
Similar pools around the country have been turned into profitable ventures so surely our pool could also be turned into a financially sound business? In which case the profits could be funding other projects and decreasing the burden on the local tax payer. Every tax payer in the town is the loser while it stands empty.
While the rescue plans are stalled the pool is slowly falling into a state of disrepair.
Eventually the site will deteriorate so much that demolition will become the only option and it will be lost forever with the actions of vandals exacerbating the slide into depravation.
What is going to happen to the pool? Perhaps a block of flats may appear on the site or maybe some plush houses.
Somehow I feel the plans for the site are already sealed and we are just going through a process to close it according to the rule book.
The pool is one of many buildings standing empty in Wycombe.
The old library is slowly decaying, our town hall is so under used that weeds grow in the doorway and empty retail units stand like tombstones to the memory of shopping in our town centre.
Wycombe is a town with so much opportunity but I fear the management is so poor that buildings are just left to rot and profitable pools are left standing empty.
Perhaps we need a more commercial approach to the running of our town?
Why not sweep out the public servants who are guaranteed their incomes from the tax payer and bring in some business minded managers who have to succeed to keep their jobs.
One thing is for sure, it’s a sorry state of affairs when a town like ours is slowly shutting down building by building.
What do you think?
Your Say YourBucks
Edna_Welthorpe, High Wycombe says...
7:44pm Thu 20 Aug 09
j_guasu, High Wycombe says...
7:47pm Thu 20 Aug 09
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
8:17pm Thu 20 Aug 09
I went in the new library today- I'm grown quite fond of the place; the mezzanine had an art gallery with some lovely photographs of the area.
Let's not talk about weeds again.
ivor, says...
8:44pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Yes, I certainly do. How about this: www.hamptonpool.co.u
k
ivor, says...
8:44pm Thu 20 Aug 09
I am glad that you find this blog amazing as I spent ages writing it.
ivor, says...
8:44pm Thu 20 Aug 09
No. I did not try to get as many topics in as possible I merely wrote as my heart felt on this subject.
ivor, says...
8:45pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Indeed the pool could be open and supplementing the income from the Council Tax.
If they can find the money to install the infernal recycling bins then why not go without the bins and open the pool instead?
I shall have to go to the new library and write a blog on my experience.
Spitfire, High Wycombe says...
8:52pm Thu 20 Aug 09
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
8:55pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:You're being silly again- calling bins 'infernal' just because of their colour!
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 8:17pm
Indeed the pool could be open and supplementing the income from the Council Tax.
If they can find the money to install the infernal recycling bins then why not go without the bins and open the pool instead?
I shall have to go to the new library and write a blog on my experience.
ivor, says...
8:55pm Thu 20 Aug 09
No. The bins are checked three times a day even though they may (and probably do) not need emptying. Emptying those bins so often is a waste of even more money that could keep the pool open.
Oh, you have shocked my saying that the pool does not give value for money. You may not go bur what about all the children who enjoyed using it. Would you see them deprived of their enjoyment?
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
8:55pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Spitfire wrote:Same here- never been to the pool before. I might go if it reopens one day...
The bins are so popular they have to be emptied three times a day. I've never been to the swimming pool and know no-one who goes regularly. I know what I think is council tax well spent, and it ain't the pool
ivor, says...
8:56pm Thu 20 Aug 09
No. I am calling the bins infernal because they are an unnecessary nuisance whatever their colour happens to be.
ivor, says...
8:57pm Thu 20 Aug 09
But think of all those who did use the pool!
Would you stand to see a little child crying because the pool is closed?
Plus ça change..., Wycombe says...
8:57pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Looks like the false facade of a 1960s comedy film set...
There's probably nothing behind those walls at all.
Just bits of a Roman villa.
Maximus of Wycombulum would be turning in his sarcophagus!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
8:59pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Ivor- get this through your head: the bins are checked three times a day. They will not empty the bins if it is unnecessary. Is that not a simple concept to grasp?
Re the comments of Spitfire at 8:52pm
No. The bins are checked three times a day even though they may (and probably do) not need emptying. Emptying those bins so often is a waste of even more money that could keep the pool open.
Oh, you have shocked my saying that the pool does not give value for money. You may not go bur what about all the children who enjoyed using it. Would you see them deprived of their enjoyment?
Just because you have a bin fetish doesn't mean you know everything about waste management- like your blogs.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
9:00pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:I'm getting bored already- the bins are there so people can throw away their rubbish. Amazing!
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 8:55pm
No. I am calling the bins infernal because they are an unnecessary nuisance whatever their colour happens to be.
Unless you think the High Street is so useless that bins are not needed as no one will ever go there again?!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
9:02pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Yes, but ridding the town centre of recycling bins is not the answer. Getting rid of that woman we call leader of WDC is!
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 8:55pm
But think of all those who did use the pool!
Would you stand to see a little child crying because the pool is closed?
ivor, says...
9:02pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Ah, the marvellous architecture of the 1960’s! What could you want more?
Have you seen a picture of the roman villa remains? They are not very spectacular you know….
ivor, says...
9:03pm Thu 20 Aug 09
But think of the waste of money paying someone to check a bin that may not need emptying. They should have bought bigger bins so they only needed emptying once.
ivor, says...
9:04pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Unfortunately the bins have been put where the people sit so there are no people to throw rubbish away.
This is the town were bins are more important than people!
ivor, says...
9:05pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Yes, you may well be right there. How is your petition on the No. 10 website going?
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
9:06pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Blah, blah, blah...
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 8:59pm
But think of the waste of money paying someone to check a bin that may not need emptying. They should have bought bigger bins so they only needed emptying once.
I'm sure that WDC article I linked to explained it all.
ivor, says...
9:07pm Thu 20 Aug 09
I am not happy with the excuse from the powers that be. I may still write off to them and register my complaint formally.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
9:08pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Not this again...
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 9:00pm
Unfortunately the bins have been put where the people sit so there are no people to throw rubbish away.
This is the town were bins are more important than people!
Spitfire, High Wycombe says...
9:08pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:I grew up in Wycombe but was never tempted to use the pool. The children are too busy playing with their Wii's to notice a swimming pool close.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 8:55pm
But think of all those who did use the pool!
Would you stand to see a little child crying because the pool is closed?
ivor, says...
9:11pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Oh dear. Let’s talk about something else then….
ivor, says...
9:13pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Then it’s time the children were prized away from the computer games and given some good old fashioned exercise.
It’s always a shame when any building closes especially one that has given so much enjoyment to so many people.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
9:13pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:I can't be bothered to check- though I find it strange that some Marlovians are moaning that they want their own council; I proposed such an idea back in April and it got ignored.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 9:02pm
Yes, you may well be right there. How is your petition on the No. 10 website going?
ivor, says...
9:16pm Thu 20 Aug 09
But surely through your petition you could be the hero of Wycombe who broke up WDC and saved the town?
Maybe you gave the Marlovians the idea of having their own town council?
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
9:31pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:I think I might write a letter to the BFP reminding people that the petition exists. If people in Marlow want freedom from Wycombe, that is way to get it.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 9:13pm
But surely through your petition you could be the hero of Wycombe who broke up WDC and saved the town?
Maybe you gave the Marlovians the idea of having their own town council?
Spitfire, High Wycombe says...
9:32pm Thu 20 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Don't worry parents, that eccentric old bachelor from down the road is here to take your children away from their computers and take them swimming. None of those infernal modern swimming shorts though please, skimpy 60's style speedo's only...
Re the comments of Spitfire at 9:08pm
Then it’s time the children were prized away from the computer games and given some good old fashioned exercise.
It’s always a shame when any building closes especially one that has given so much enjoyment to so many people.
.
He'll bring his trusty camera too...
ivor, says...
10:07pm Thu 20 Aug 09
I could always do another blog on the subject to promote the petition.
So far your petition has got 24 signatures. I’m sure we could soon rustle up some more!
ivor, says...
10:07pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Indeed I do think the children of today would benefit from some proper exercise although I am not sure why you would say that I am going to take my camera….
Plus ça change..., Wycombe says...
6:34am Fri 21 Aug 09
ivor wrote:One fragment of Roman tesselated flooring or one piece of Roman roof tlle is worth more than all that together.
Re the comments of Plus ça change.... at 8:57pm Ah, the marvellous architecture of the 1960’s! What could you want more? Have you seen a picture of the roman villa remains? They are not very spectacular you know….
They represent Wycombe's distant origins.
Nihil desperandum.
gutterheart, high wycombe says...
7:44am Fri 21 Aug 09
demoness, Hades says...
9:17am Fri 21 Aug 09
Ivor - I actually went and looked at the "weeds" growing on the town hall steps - barely anything there.
The library - well I think that we are all in agreement that something needs to be done there, but I am all for the wait and see approach. We do not know what is happening in the wngs as it were and this council is too money conscious ( and I do not mean that as a compliment either) to let such a prime piece of real estate go to waste.
The bins - Ivor , for the love of God, stop bleating on and on about the bins. If we did not have them, the litter would be all over the ground and then you would moan about that.
I am sure you are far too intelligent to really think that WDC employs people just to empty bins 3 times a day, It is probably a small part of a much bigger job. Shh about the bins - please. You really are losing so much credibility over them.
Empty shops. There was an article in the Guardian ( or it could have been the Independent!) that was talking about Eastbourne. Eastbourne is having the same problems as Wycombe, and a lot of other towns.
The big shops are moving out into large out of town retail parks.
Ivor WDC cannot be made responsible for the big shops moving - they are governed by profit NOT councils.
People travel to them because they like the choice and easy parking,
That is NOT going to change and all the bleating about vision and all the rest of the malarky will do no good.
However WDC do have a responsibility to re juvenate the High Street and they will not do that by trying to re invent the past - ain't gonna happen.
There is a lot of good in High Wycombe, It has a university and the population is changing. Ivor your day has gone - it is not coming back. All the rants, all the blogs, all the negativity will not change that.
Try for once taking the 1970's blinkers off your eyes, and see what the rest of us do.
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali, Castlefield says...
10:01am Fri 21 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Is someone keeping a record of all of Ivor's stupid statements so they can be regurgitated at the beginning of every blog?
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 8:55pm No. I am calling the bins infernal because they are an unnecessary nuisance whatever their colour happens to be.
I might start doing just that.
20 August 2009, 8:56pm Ivor said bins are an unnecessary nuisance whatever their colour happens to be.
I'm not trying to degrade your blog at every chance Ivor but sometimes you can only answer stupidity with further stupidity.
As a wise man once said "who is more foolish. The Fool or the fool who follows them"
Move along
Edna_Welthorpe, High Wycombe says...
10:41am Fri 21 Aug 09
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali wrote:Or as Ivor's fortune cookie recently revealed, 'The real danger is your stupidity'.
ivor wrote: Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 8:55pm No. I am calling the bins infernal because they are an unnecessary nuisance whatever their colour happens to be.Is someone keeping a record of all of Ivor's stupid statements so they can be regurgitated at the beginning of every blog? I might start doing just that. 20 August 2009, 8:56pm Ivor said bins are an unnecessary nuisance whatever their colour happens to be. I'm not trying to degrade your blog at every chance Ivor but sometimes you can only answer stupidity with further stupidity. As a wise man once said "who is more foolish. The Fool or the fool who follows them" Move along
Edna_Welthorpe, High Wycombe says...
10:47am Fri 21 Aug 09
ivor wrote:No, I was simply flabbergasted. Every sentence of this blog is pure provocation! I find it interesting you talk of symbols – Ivor, darling, you are a living metonym for everything that’s wrong with High Wycombe.
Re the comments of Edna_Welthorpe at 7:44pm I am glad that you find this blog amazing as I spent ages writing it.
Did you enjoy your Spam when you got home, by the way? With only your four walls for company? Francine is asking after you. She fears she's scarred you for life.
J B Blackett, High Wycombe says...
12:47pm Fri 21 Aug 09
Plus ça change... wrote:Your pithy comments are always to the point wrt our heritage , Pcc
Just look at it.
Looks like the false facade of a 1960s comedy film set...
There's probably nothing behind those walls at all.
Just bits of a Roman villa.
Maximus of Wycombulum would be turning in his sarcophagus!
.
But I think it would appear that Igor was offended by your sarky (cough !) Argos reference. One can but hope.
.
Up the Villa
Craig...., Coventry says...
12:58pm Fri 21 Aug 09
I still feel that the pool could and would be successful if it was managed properly. I would be in favour of it being taken over by a private health club providing that strict criteria were implemented regarding public access to be pool (including sensible pricing).
I feel sorry for the campaigners who have worked so hard only to have their business plan rejected by the council, for not other reason that for Clarke and co to save face I'm sure.
But anyone who thinks they are going to get away with putting a residential development on there will find out what happens when they really incur the wrath of the people!
Eachban, High Wycombe says...
2:24pm Fri 21 Aug 09
.
I wasn't thinking of anything in particular, although I couldn't help noticing there were only a couple of empty retail units in the old Eden.
.
The High St showed activity in a couple of retail units, indicating an imminent opening. The Woolworths is the stand-out empty unit, but London Demolition's hoarding does suggest something will be happening there.
.
I am insufficiently anal (or is that just interested?) to study the WDC planning portal to search out the retail planing consents recently granted and submissions in for consideration. I therefore don't know what we can expect when the contractors dust has been cleared.
.
From my casual wander I saw little evidence supporting a position that our town has all the hallmarks of a town in decline (although I always think the presence of a "99p" shop projects a rather poor image). In fact the local building tradesmen seem to be being kept quite busy carrying out works for these allegedly non-existent retailers.
.
The matter of the pool has been discussed more sensibly under the appropriate news article. This blog adds nothing to the debate.
.
The recycling bins are red herrings.
.
A more commercial approach to running the town poses some interesting questions.
.
.What would a commercial organisation do with an under-utilised loss making swimming pool located on prime development land?
.
.What would the town centre re-development look like if commercially driven? How much of the beloved historic architecture would be preserved (it isn't all protected)?
.
.What other social amenities would be lost to commercial opportunities that couldn't be ignored?
.
I think the warning is, as is so often the case in these pages, be careful what you wish for.
Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali, Castlefield says...
2:34pm Fri 21 Aug 09
Thames Water Utilities always sticks out to me as a good example of what happens when a public sector becomes commercial.
I am looking forward to the towns transformation. The East of the town centre is changing with deals being done and the image changing for the better. Once use is found for the larger floor space units, e.g. Woolworths, this side of town will be complete. Hopefully this transformation will then work along by the (old) Curry's and through White Hart and Church Street. By then, other developments like the hotels will be complete. Exiting things. Ivor what do you think the outlook for the town is? Are you worried that by 2012 we will be overrun with weeds on our municipal spaces and buildings?
Plus ça change..., Wycombe says...
8:05pm Fri 21 Aug 09
Wooooh.
That's a concept that'll confuse Ivor...!!!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
1:31am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor, says...
2:39am Sat 22 Aug 09
Are you saying that one old broken tile is worth more than the smiles of children enjoying themselves in the swimming pool?
ivor, says...
2:39am Sat 22 Aug 09
No. I feel that the plans may have been rejected to save the face of those who decided to close it. I am sure there would be enough people wanting to use it to keep it open and profitable.
Why would I wan to be a Councillor? The red tape and fruitless debating is not my style. If I were the leader of the Council then that would be a different thing. I am sure that I would soon get the town back into shape if given the remit.
Thank you for your comment.
ivor, says...
2:39am Sat 22 Aug 09
I too have been around and kept an eye on the weeds. They have now withered and died. With all the rain we have had recently I am sure the weeds would still be alive in normal circumstances so I am beginning to think that the powers that be have read my blog and been round with some herbicide.
No. With the ridiculous ideas and schemes they come up with I can believe they would employ someone to empty the bins three times a day.
I feel that my day is yet to come….
ivor, says...
2:39am Sat 22 Aug 09
Indeed the bins are an unnecessary nuisance. Think of all the money wasted on buying and installing them.
ivor, says...
2:40am Sat 22 Aug 09
That’s a terrible thing to say about me.
ivor, says...
2:40am Sat 22 Aug 09
No. This blog was not meant to provoke. It was meant to highlight the ridiculous situation we have in the town.
ivor, says...
2:40am Sat 22 Aug 09
Thank you for your valued comment.
ivor, says...
2:40am Sat 22 Aug 09
Indeed I agree about the viability of the pool. If a private company can make money from it then why can’t the Council? The profits should be going to the tax payer and not faceless shareholders who reap the benefits from the previous investment made by the public.
ivor, says...
2:40am Sat 22 Aug 09
Did you walk along White Hart Street and Church Street? If so you would have seen the many empty units that have come to blight our once prosperous town.
As you say the presence of a 99p shop is hardly sending out the wrong signals. No high class retailers will move in while it is there.
I do no believe that all the architecture in the town centre is protected.
ivor, says...
2:41am Sat 22 Aug 09
What is wrong with the company you mentioned? They provide a good service for a reasonable price.
The weeds are already creeping in on the town’s municipal spaces….
ivor, says...
2:41am Sat 22 Aug 09
I suppose a read herring is better than a green plaice….
ivor, says...
2:41am Sat 22 Aug 09
I was so tired when I arrived home that I nodded off in my chair hence my failure to comment this evening.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
2:43am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Yeah a once prosperous factory dump! The town is more prosperous now than it has been for years.
Re the comments of Eachban at 2:24pm
Did you walk along White Hart Street and Church Street? If so you would have seen the many empty units that have come to blight our once prosperous town.
As you say the presence of a 99p shop is hardly sending out the wrong signals. No high class retailers will move in while it is there.
I do no believe that all the architecture in the town centre is protected.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
2:45am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:So I see Thames Water is also on your list of unmentionables.
Re the comments of Anwar Mohammed Akhtar Ali at 2:34pm
What is wrong with the company you mentioned? They provide a good service for a reasonable price.
The weeds are already creeping in on the town’s municipal spaces….
My neighbour's let some weeds grow on her driveway. Send the Gestapo!
ivor, says...
2:47am Sat 22 Aug 09
How dare you refer to our glorious town in such a way. IT was far more prosperous then that it is currently and more people were in proper employment.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
2:47am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Yawn... yes Ivor, WDC have read your blog and sent out an emergency weed removal squad to make you look silly.
Re the comments of demoness at 9:17am
I too have been around and kept an eye on the weeds. They have now withered and died. With all the rain we have had recently I am sure the weeds would still be alive in normal circumstances so I am beginning to think that the powers that be have read my blog and been round with some herbicide.
No. With the ridiculous ideas and schemes they come up with I can believe they would employ someone to empty the bins three times a day.
I feel that my day is yet to come….
There's no need for WDC to do that, you're quite capable of it on your own!
ivor, says...
2:48am Sat 22 Aug 09
There is a big difference betweens weeds growing on a private driveway and in front of a historic municipal building.
ivor, says...
2:49am Sat 22 Aug 09
Oh, what a terrible thing to say about me.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
2:50am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Sung to the tune of 'Who Ate All the Pies?':
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 2:43am
How dare you refer to our glorious town in such a way. IT was far more prosperous then that it is currently and more people were in proper employment.
"Wycombe was a dump; Wycombe was a dump; Wycombe was a, Wycombe was a; Wycombe was a dump."
Smoke and soot- yeah, that's proper employment.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
2:51am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Is there? Maybe we should send the Gestapo to capture WDC? Or is that a bit of an over-reaction?
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 2:45am
There is a big difference betweens weeds growing on a private driveway and in front of a historic municipal building.
ivor, says...
2:53am Sat 22 Aug 09
You have shocked me with your comment.
The factories provided skilled work for many, many people and provided them with a wage that enabled them to buy a home of their own. Far different to the low paid shops work available today.
Perhaps I could do a blog on the subject?
ivor, says...
2:54am Sat 22 Aug 09
Indeed there is. People pay Council Tax to keep the town tidy yet it seems that even basic weed control is not taking place.
Perhaps I should start a weed watch?
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
2:58am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Shocked? lol
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 2:50am
You have shocked me with your comment.
The factories provided skilled work for many, many people and provided them with a wage that enabled them to buy a home of their own. Far different to the low paid shops work available today.
Perhaps I could do a blog on the subject?
My father has lived here almost all his life. He did not like the Wycombe of yesteryear.
The factories provided employment, yes, when we were an industrial nation! Get that through your head- the factories have closed everywhere, not just in Wycombe. Your point about homes is stupid as well- the factory workers were squeezed into tiny houses in the slums that made up in Wycombe up till the 60s. At least nowadays housing, in general is nicer.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:00am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Maybe we should form a police state in Wycombe, where anyone who disagrees with you gets chucked in jail?
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 2:51am
Indeed there is. People pay Council Tax to keep the town tidy yet it seems that even basic weed control is not taking place.
Perhaps I should start a weed watch?
ivor, says...
3:01am Sat 22 Aug 09
My family has lived in the area for a very long time and the Wycombe of yesteryear was far better then that of today. Which could you rather have, a decent wage from a factor of a minimum wage from working in a shop?
Not all the houses were tiny.
I fear you are talking down the past of Wycombe.
ivor, says...
3:02am Sat 22 Aug 09
Now you are making me out to be some form of dictator. Well if I was in control the Holywell Mead pool would be re-opened immediately!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:07am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:You are allowed to disagree...
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 2:58am
My family has lived in the area for a very long time and the Wycombe of yesteryear was far better then that of today. Which could you rather have, a decent wage from a factor of a minimum wage from working in a shop?
Not all the houses were tiny.
I fear you are talking down the past of Wycombe.
Where would you rather live, a town full of soot emitting factories and slums or a clean, spacious town like we have now?
Of course I'm talking it down. I'm not saying there's no heritage or history; Wycombe was a great furniture town- but it was never attractive to live in.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:11am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:I recall you once saying that people who let their lawns grow too much should be given a criminal sentence...
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:00am
Now you are making me out to be some form of dictator. Well if I was in control the Holywell Mead pool would be re-opened immediately!
General Francisco Ivorco, dictator of High Wycombe..
ivor, says...
3:15am Sat 22 Aug 09
But people can not afford the houses in the Wycombe of today because the jobs do not provide the required level of income.
There were many parts of Wycombe that were attractive to live in all those years ago.
ivor, says...
3:16am Sat 22 Aug 09
No. I said they should be given a ticket by a traffic warden. There was no mention of criminal sentence….
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:19am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:What was the average wage in 1962? How much did a three bed semi cost?
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:07am
But people can not afford the houses in the Wycombe of today because the jobs do not provide the required level of income.
There were many parts of Wycombe that were attractive to live in all those years ago.
At least nowadays we have something called affordable housing.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:20am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:That's just as bad, General Ivorco.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:11am
No. I said they should be given a ticket by a traffic warden. There was no mention of criminal sentence….
ivor, says...
3:23am Sat 22 Aug 09
I do not know what the average wage compared to the price of a house was in 1962. But what I do know is that it was possible to buy a house so the wage was sufficient.
The very fact that affordable housing exists shows the failure of the town to provide jobs with enough income to be able to buy a normal house.
ivor, says...
3:24am Sat 22 Aug 09
No. It would be a benefit if the worst kept houses were tidied up.
I am pleased that you consider me so important as to have the rank of general!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:27am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Once again you fail to see the position nationally. Wycome is no different to any other town- affordable housing is available everywhere. It's a good idea.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:19am
I do not know what the average wage compared to the price of a house was in 1962. But what I do know is that it was possible to buy a house so the wage was sufficient.
The very fact that affordable housing exists shows the failure of the town to provide jobs with enough income to be able to buy a normal house.
Your last comment just shows how ignorant you really are.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:28am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Franco was a general... that is all.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:20am
No. It would be a benefit if the worst kept houses were tidied up.
I am pleased that you consider me so important as to have the rank of general!
ivor, says...
3:33am Sat 22 Aug 09
If Wycombe was prosperous there would be no need for affordable housing. Sadly the jobs on offer in the town do not pay very well now we have a retail economy rather than manufacturing.
ivor, says...
3:34am Sat 22 Aug 09
Well, I consider myself to be more of a field marshal!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:38am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Yes, but that is not a case unique to Wycombe. Everywhere is now based mainly on service industry. Stop living in the past.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:27am
If Wycombe was prosperous there would be no need for affordable housing. Sadly the jobs on offer in the town do not pay very well now we have a retail economy rather than manufacturing.
You come across as a really unpleasant man. You would begrudge a young couple being able to afford a home...
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:39am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:I don't think you'd even make it to private.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:28am
Well, I consider myself to be more of a field marshal!
ivor, says...
3:41am Sat 22 Aug 09
I would rather see the young couple have a decent wage so they can afford a real home!
ivor, says...
3:42am Sat 22 Aug 09
Oh dear. What a terrible thing to say. Do you not give me any credit?
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:46am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:That is a stupid and depressing thing to say.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:38am
I would rather see the young couple have a decent wage so they can afford a real home!
What do you mean by a real home?
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:47am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Well, to get anywhere in the army you need to obey orders and live in the real world. Two things you don't do very well...
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:39am
Oh dear. What a terrible thing to say. Do you not give me any credit?
ivor, says...
3:50am Sat 22 Aug 09
A real home is not an affordable home. I am talking about a normal home that has nod been designed for those on low incomes.
ivor, says...
3:51am Sat 22 Aug 09
But a field marshal has to be intelligent, think for himself and take command rather like me!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:56am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:No, you are talking about a large house. Any house is good enough for some people. Affordable housing is there to get people onto the housing market, and more importantly, to give people somewhere to live.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:46am
A real home is not an affordable home. I am talking about a normal home that has nod been designed for those on low incomes.
What you have against this system I don't know.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:57am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:He also has to think about others, realise that he may be wrong at times and not know everything and understand his troops.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:47am
But a field marshal has to be intelligent, think for himself and take command rather like me!
ivor, says...
3:58am Sat 22 Aug 09
No. I am talking about a three bed semi with a garden. That is not a large house.
I would rather that people had decent paying jobs so they did not need to have the stigma of having to look for affordable housing.
ivor, says...
3:58am Sat 22 Aug 09
Just like me then!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
4:02am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Whatever... I'm getting bored. A young couple would only need a two bedroom house anyway. And you'd begrudge then that. You horrible man.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:56am
No. I am talking about a three bed semi with a garden. That is not a large house.
I would rather that people had decent paying jobs so they did not need to have the stigma of having to look for affordable housing.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
4:04am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:No, not like you.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 3:57am
Just like me then!
You don't think of others, or those who disagree with you. You never admit when you are wrong. You think you know everything, and you don't understand people.
ivor, says...
4:09am Sat 22 Aug 09
No. A young couple need a home suitable for a family.
I wound never begrudge them a roof over their heads indeed I think they should have a three bed roomed house but you only want them to have a two bed roomed house!
ivor, says...
4:10am Sat 22 Aug 09
I have admitted when I have bee wrong indeed I am not afraid to show humility when it is called for. I have a pretty good idea how people tick….
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
4:15am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Yawn... Talking to you is very tedious.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 4:02am
No. A young couple need a home suitable for a family.
I wound never begrudge them a roof over their heads indeed I think they should have a three bed roomed house but you only want them to have a two bed roomed house!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
4:17am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:You are not a humble man. You are always quick to say how wonderful your blogs are and how intelligent and witty you are. Not great signs of modesty!
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 4:04am
I have admitted when I have bee wrong indeed I am not afraid to show humility when it is called for. I have a pretty good idea how people tick….
You have no idea what makes people tick. That's why you live alone...
ivor, says...
4:18am Sat 22 Aug 09
But my comment was true….
ivor, says...
4:19am Sat 22 Aug 09
No. I live alone because I have yet to meet anyone who matches up to my high standards and who would like to live with me.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
4:23am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Blah, blah, blah
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 4:17am
No. I live alone because I have yet to meet anyone who matches up to my high standards and who would like to live with me.
You live on your pedestal then. The rest of us normal people, with our normal expectations will get on with our normal lives.
ivor, says...
4:30am Sat 22 Aug 09
Would you consider living with someone who was second best then?
If things go on as they are I shall soon have to lower my expectations….
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
4:32am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Blah, blah, blah...
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 4:23am
Would you consider living with someone who was second best then?
If things go on as they are I shall soon have to lower my expectations….
You talk of women as if they are objects, or items to be selected off the shelf. I am disgusted.
I can honestly see why you are a loner.
ivor, says...
4:36am Sat 22 Aug 09
No. I respect the people of this town. Every one of them is special and deserves the very best treatment and highest levels of respect.
But I am not a loner!
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
4:40am Sat 22 Aug 09
ivor wrote:What's that got to do with it? The truth is: you want a woman who acts like you and does exactly what you say.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 4:32am
No. I respect the people of this town. Every one of them is special and deserves the very best treatment and highest levels of respect.
But I am not a loner!
You are a loner. You live alone. You wander the streets of Wycombe alone. Why do we never hear you going with your "friends" for a drink or a meal, or inviting them over or vice versa? Why do you never invite anyone along with you on your outings?
demoness, Hades says...
7:09am Sat 22 Aug 09
Never mind about Ivor's blitherings.... how did the A level results go?
Did you get the grades to get to the uni of your choice?
Spitfire, High Wycombe says...
12:14pm Sat 22 Aug 09
.
To compete in manufacturing you have to offer wages similar to those in China, India and other developing countries. That's about 7pence per hour. Do you think that's a good wage Ivor? Can you afford a decent house on those wages?
.
Shop wages are decent and most are above minimum wage. The problem with housing isn't to do with wages in Wycombe, it's to do with hugely over-priced housing in the South East. Every commuter town has the same problem. And prices are even higher in London.
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
1:32pm Sat 22 Aug 09
demoness wrote:They were fine. I got my first choice.
OLLIE!!!
Never mind about Ivor's blitherings.... how did the A level results go?
Did you get the grades to get to the uni of your choice?
demoness, Hades says...
1:42pm Sat 22 Aug 09
OllieNewbury wrote:Well done - many many congratulations!
demoness wrote: OLLIE!!! Never mind about Ivor's blitherings.... how did the A level results go? Did you get the grades to get to the uni of your choice?They were fine. I got my first choice.
Oh noes - you will have to leave Wycombe!
ivor, says...
3:33am Sun 23 Aug 09
No. You make me out to be some form of dictator which I am most definitely not.
Being a tee-total I am unlikely to go out with my friends for a drink.
I do not invite anyone on my outings because I have no-one to go with because I do not have a wife or girlfriend….
ivor, says...
3:33am Sun 23 Aug 09
How day you describe the products of Wycombe’s factories as “tat”. It was a high quality product.
No. We could easily compete with the factories in the far east and still provide a decent wage.
Are shop wages decent? I shall have to investigate….
ivor, says...
3:34am Sun 23 Aug 09
I am pleased to hear that you got your first choice. Well done!
ivor, says...
3:34am Sun 23 Aug 09
It must be very difficult leaving Wycombe. Do they not do correspondence courses?
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:56am Sun 23 Aug 09
ivor wrote:Go out for a meal then. So you admit you have no friends: "I do not invite anyone on my outings because I have no-one to go with..."?
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 4:40am
No. You make me out to be some form of dictator which I am most definitely not.
Being a tee-total I am unlikely to go out with my friends for a drink.
I do not invite anyone on my outings because I have no-one to go with because I do not have a wife or girlfriend….
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:57am Sun 23 Aug 09
ivor wrote:You are living in fantasy land again! The industrial revolution is over Ivor! You are an idiot, you know that?
Re the comments of Spitfire at 12:14pm
How day you describe the products of Wycombe’s factories as “tat”. It was a high quality product.
No. We could easily compete with the factories in the far east and still provide a decent wage.
Are shop wages decent? I shall have to investigate….
OllieNewbury, High Wycombe says...
3:58am Sun 23 Aug 09
ivor wrote:What the hell are you talking about? Everyone can't wait to get out of Wycombe for a few years! It'll be family I miss, not the town.
Re the comments of demoness at 1:42pm
It must be very difficult leaving Wycombe. Do they not do correspondence courses?
brachyura, says...
6:56am Sun 23 Aug 09
ivor, says...
1:08am Wed 26 Aug 09
~
I did not say that I didn’t have any friends just that I did not have a partner to go out with….
ivor, says...
1:08am Wed 26 Aug 09
~
No, I am not in fantasy land.
~
The industrial revolution may be over but the technological revolution is only just beginning.
~
No. I am not an idiot.
ivor, says...
1:09am Wed 26 Aug 09
~
You may be keen to leave Wycombe but there are some of us who are not so keen to leave the town.
Holywell Mead swimming pool was built in 1957 to a 1930’s design.
There was even a terrace where you could partake in refreshments.
The swimming pool has been drained.
Weeds are growing between the paving stones where people could be enjoying themselves.
In this section
- What has Wycombe come to?
- Goodbye speed cameras
- A visit to Wendover
- Is Wycombe town centre in terminal decline?
- Weekly black bin collections ruled out
- Outrage in Marlow town centre
- Wasting away in Wycombe town centre
- Where have the butterflies and bees gone?
- The effects of dry weather
- Will your radio soon be useless?
Spitfire, High Wycombe says...
7:40pm Thu 20 Aug 09