[Acrylic-bob]

I am going to let Graham's comments pass, for now, while I try and decipher what they might mean.

Yes, Cllr. Moss, You are right I do live in Rishton, for my sins, and dear lord they must be many and truly horrific to have deserved Rishton as a penance. The place is, not to put too fine a point on it, a sh*t heap! Even the swans that swim on the canal are filthy. The mother of a friend of mine once described it as "an open mental home". And in the years since she made the remark things have, if anything, deteriorated.

I do appreciate that fact that you and Cllr. Grayson are attempting to clean the place up, I have seen the photographs of you with bin bag in hand, and I am pleased to see that you do not expect others to do what you are not prepared to have a go at yourself. So, a gold star for Cllr. Moss.

Now to the serious stuff.

First the running sores; The Roebuck has for a long time been a source of leisure and a place of business for those of our community who are addicted to the sale and consumption of controlled substances of classes 'A', 'B' and 'C' and yet, although the current tenants are well known to indulge in such products themselves, HBC Licensing and the Police offered no objection to their taking over the running of the place, and also turn a blind eye when the place is open all night and people are seen staggering out of there at four and five o'clock in the morning. Why is that Councillor?

Spring Street, Cut Wood, Need I say any more?

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal, as it runs through Rishton is little better than an open sewer. Perhaps now that the canal is closed to traffic for the next few months, British Waterways might be persuaded to avail themselves of the opportunity for a little housekeeping.

Apparently there is some sort of bylaw in existance which prohibits the conversion to residential use of retail premises in the High Street. As a centre of the retail trade Rishton has long since dropped off the serious shoppers map, if it was ever on there to start with. Is it not time that this situation should be investigated and the prohibition relaxed?

Second, Sticking plasters.

Those "flower towers" in front of the library are ridiculous!('Floral Market Town' my backside!) They aren't even level or straight. What a waste of time and money. Can HBC do nothing right the first time? The flower baskets are a similar disgrace. Why does most of the money available to brighten the place up appear to be spent at the end of Parker Street?
Why does the Town get two Cristmas trees? Why are neither of them ever planted straight? Why are there no Beat Bobbies? Why are the Carpet factory, the Paper Mill and the Mill at the top of Mary Street left vacant and derelict?


Things that are good. The flower beds in front of the War Memorial, Excellent, First Class. Whoever has charge of these deserves an RHS medal. Though I do think that it is about time that the Easter Crucifix was removed.

Is that enough to be going on with Cllr. Moss?