Finding peace after the war

Finding peace after the war

by Tales from Gun Wharf Monday, March 14 2011

At long last sense has been brought to bear in the long-running saga of the youth club at Allhallows.

Whether it was bloody-mindedness, pendantics or something more sinister as some suspected, the club has secured the long term future of its headquarters at the Brimp.

It has taken the involvement of Medway Council lawyers, advisors and mediators to bring a degree of rationality to the arguments.

Not that everything was necessarily clear on the night.

The chairman, Yvonne Forrest, had earlier revealed there were fears over asbestos in the building.

At last week's meeting she revealed she had taken angry, unidentifiable, but litiginous, calls - and ordered a second survey. That despite an earlier one that gave the building a clean bill of health - and at a fraction of the cost.

Then she revealed for the first time that the real concern was over fire escape routes.

Whether she intended it or not, it was understandable that among the audience there were confused (and angry) parents who considered it was all a pack of excuses to delay and obstruct the club. Indeeed, it was difficult to find anyone who supported the stance of the majority of the council.

Now the club has a permanent home (once all the paperwork is concluded), the streets should be clear of young people most nights of the week and a sorry mess is coming to a conclusion.

Most importantly to the diginified youngsters who have patiently sat through the arguments, the club is open once again, giving them somewhere to meet and enjoy their peers' company.

***

The tragedy in Japan is being closely followed by many Medway people.

There are numerous close links between the Medway Towns - in particular Gillingham - and the Japanese people that stretch back to the first Western sailor to set foot on the island.

William Adams was a Gillingham sailor. As a young man he commanded a fleet provisioning the English navy as it chased the Armada, and later became the Pilot Major in charge of a fleet of five Dutch ships that tried to find its way across the Pacific to China - only to be wrecked on the East coast of Japan.

He swiftly endeared himself to the country's overall war lord, Eayasu, as he gained control of Japan, and became its first Western Samurai.

His memory lives on in Japan and led to the probably unique situation that Medway was effectively twinned with two Japanese cities where he lives or died - Yokusuka and Ito.

The Mayor of Medway, Cllr David Brake, has sent messages to both cities express condolences on behalf of the people of medway.

Former mayor, Cllr Sue Haydock, who is an honorary mayor of Yokosuka, has also sent a message of condolence.

Older generations have bitter memories of of the Japanese nearly threequarters of a century ago.

Those of us who have had the pleasure to meet more recent generations have encountered a community with a cheery, fun-loving outlook, eager to share their lives and experiences. They don't deserve the horrors through which they are now being forced to live.

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Categories: Allhallows | Gillingham | parish council

Comments

Monday, March 14 2011 #

Chris Fribbins

Now what do we have to do for you, and the media in general, to get some interest in Parish Councils ?

Report Abuse Chris Fribbins United Kingdom

Wednesday, March 16 2011 #

Allhallows Resident

Youth Club re-opened last night and 61 young people attended and had a great time!

Report Abuse Allhallows Resident United Kingdom

Wednesday, June 8 2011 #

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Tales from Gun Wharf

Gun Wharf is the Chatham headquarters of Medway Council, the only unitary authority in Kent. Join Medway Messenger reporter and local resident Alan Watkins as he sorts through the service, spin, politics, personalities and cock-ups that is an everyday fact for the 250,000 people who rely on the council. Add your comments at the end of each blod - or email me at awatkins@thekmgroup.co.uk

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