Some us 'real Bristol people' don't want new Tesco
I just don't understand the article that Mike Ford has written about Southville and Bedminster, the anti-Tesco campaign and this great divide that he tries to set up between local 'real people' and champagne swilling, foolish middle class communists who are 'no better than racists' (who on Earth are these people he describes?).
Or rather, I understand the words, but it just seems such a hate filled, bitter rant. It doesn't describe a single person I know in this area, and trying to set up division like this adds nothing and helps no one and is definitely not the right place to find any pride in being Bristolian. There is, as he says, a 'culture of negativity' in Bristol, and he seems to be a great example of it.
In contrast to what he says, the people who don't want another great 24 hour Tesco shed in this area are of all ages, all backgrounds, both men and women, City fans and not.
What brings us together is an appreciation of what we see as being good and healthy about our community: the independent, locally owned shops that you can walk to; the personal, friendly service; and – most important of all – the community life that happens in the shops and street around this, particularly for older people. Together, we are standing up for something positive that we believe in, something that many other areas have lost: a way of life that benefits all local people as opposed to another huge warehouse that will line the pockets of no one in Bristol.
What would make me personally very proud of Bristol would be to see BCC, BCFC (and any other organisation, business or individual who is interested in the local area or the stadium) working together to find an alternative, less greedy development proposal for that site; one that will make possible the new stadium and the World Cup Bid AND add to the community of Ashton, Bedminster and Southville.
Surely, with all of our combined work, skills, imagination, energy and determination in Bristol (and the publicity of the Evening Post?) we must be able to attract something better than a big shed? Surely there must be another potential developer?
Ingrid Skeels (Real Person) Bedminster
5 Comments
by Di, bristol
Sunday, October 18 2009, 9:25PM
“I thought I must be seeing things then looked more closely - why does criticising someone's spelling have to do with an articles catagory? I thought it was an article's catEgory?”
by john isaacs, Bedminster
Monday, October 05 2009, 9:12PM
“As a long time resident of Bedminster, where is this magical place being described ?
I do not recognise it,all the non-chain food stores in North Street, few that are still left are overpriced and shut when you really need them.It is only the relaxation on A3 planning consent over recent years that has kept North Street from being a ghost street.Assisted by the fortnightly boost in trade given by the football fans.
Business has been leaving the area bigtime and a boost to the commerce is sorely needed.”
by Mike Ford ¿(¿¿¿¿¿)¿, Bristol
Friday, October 02 2009, 9:41AM
“Oooh I read this in the paper the other day, didn't know it was on the website too.
It is a nice attempt to discredit me, but unfortunately you put forward no counter-arguments apart from saying "You are wrong" and tail off badly at the end.
Still, it's nice of you to try.
x
MF”
by Disgruntled of Bradley Stoke, Bradley Stoke
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 12:47PM
“Don't let your area become like Bradley Stoke which is almost completely monopolised by Tesco. You need to travel out of the town to get locally produced food and not the packaged up highly travelled produce that the large supermarkets sell. Tescos are even posting pictures of what the local area looked like before they destroyed it and built their concrete shed. Not all progress is good!”
by DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 7:12AM
“You only have to look at the way your name is spelt to know you fit into Mike Ford's articles catagory, Love.
Savvy?”