From: Ron Harvey 27 November 2002
Re: 'Best Value' crops up again.

To the Editor,

I have some very mixed feelings about the public gathering last night to review whatever progress on the Old Pool Site.

While the organisers soldier on with an admirable persistence, and while a substantial majority of those present voted to support, a number of the ifs and buts persist, and the loss of Ken Hathaway seems to show in terms of absent political energy.

Why is it that the notion of "best value" always seems to crop up as if to fly in the face of constituents already ill at ease? And why then is it that when the notion does turn up, nobody shouts to doubt the premise, not even to wonder according to what scale or sense of values one is supposed to judge?

For a long time now, while the mainstream political entities subscribed unquestioningly to the doctrine of economic growth, a minority crawled vainly out onto another limb, as if an alternative were not only conceivable, but essential to survive in the long run.

And then, as if a dark cloud had suddenly descended, amidst all the consequent prosperity, the reality of it looms: New houses crammed into others' back gardens; allotments up for sale; parks possibly not so completely safe from the pressure of development; ugly buildings already distributed along the River.

It was not therefore to indulge himself that Ken Hathaway presented his Riverside Terrance drawings. He did so in the sincere belief and hope of demonstrating what the people of Twickenham really wanted. Furthermore, he did so fully minded that actions speak louder than words.

The origins of the unfortunate affair should then and thus be recalled. Local activists had already attempted to proceed by normal means, with letters to the press, with speeches to Council, etc. etc. It got them nowhere. The arrogant incumbents had all too obviously stitched up in advance a deal of their own, and for reasons best known to themselves.

The trouble then and now is that the actions, or alternatively the complacency of the people at large will also speak louder than words. It is easy enough to prefer this this or that at the ballot box, or when somebody comes along with a clipboard. The doing and the paying are then another matter.

with best wishes,

Ron Harvey

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