Hi Ryan - Sorry - I've only just seen your comment. Many apologies. If its not too late then sure! Go ahead.
I would add that the council have been very supportive of late. We have just received a grant from them (for refurbishment of our changing rooms) and they approved our last application for rate relief
Having lost DDR last year and having made this video about that we have been granted DDR for 2011/12 season. WODC say it's because our application was much clearer this year. It has nothing to do with the fact that we've had interviews with local and National Press. Apparenty.
@KenNormal I am in two minds about this yes you have done well to save and run this service also a well done for taking on and getting the DDR. My problem is why should we as council tax payers have to take these things on as volunteers ? I feel the whole "Big society " ethos is a con and trying to get important services on the cheap. I must confess I have no love for the Tories and see a parliament full of public school millionaires cutting services and giving themselves tax dodges
@colcfc123 I really can't disagree - but what can you do. If we had not stepped in the pool simply would have closed. Our attempts at lobbying to keep the facility open failed - we took it over. The BIG Society ethos is not a con - it happens, people organise and do things (and not always in response to a negative!) I think the government are just trying to tap into that spirit in the face of the cuts they have to make. That is often seen as divisive and hypocritical.
Out of interest, how much did the solar panels and ground source heat pump reduce your energy bills by each year? Have you guys got a blog about this stuff anywhere?
@pauldwaite It's all very complicated. We're actually not sure at the moment. We've just had one season running with the ground source heat pumps and photo voltaic cells. What's been difficult is getting our energy provider to get the right bills to us. WIth estimates, refunds and erroneous meter readings flying around its simply not clear yet. Also it's taken a long while to sort out our feed in tariff. Nothing is as straight forward as you'd think. No Blog yet - great idea tho'.
(perfe@KenNormal Ah! Sure — when I moved into my current flat, the (boring, normal) electric meter had just been changed, and our energy provider couldn’t manage to get a bill to us for a year. I dread to think what you guys are going through.
Great that you’re doing it though — it’s only by people actually trying it that all this stuff will get worked out. Best of luck with it. Feel free to give me a shout if you need any help setting up a blog.
Excellent video highlighting the Council's willingness to put the boot in to community effort; and yet the wastage of council money goes on hand over fist; here in Suffolk the County Council spent over £1400 on a few photos of the Chief Executive Andrea Hill (Evening Star 18th March 2011)posing in different parts of Endeavour House.
Such an admirable project, powered entirely by human goodwill. If the big society is to be made to work its all very well giving you all these awards, but what's really needed is FINANCIAL recognition. If D Cameron et al want charities and local groups to run the country, they need to support them to the tune of the required financial peanuts it takes not to completely wear them out. And they need to enshrine that principle in law.
@Bryzone1 Thank you. Love your opening comment. That's so true of so many charities and clubs run by volunteers. It's hard work that should be encouraged and supported - not undermined.
Aww I LOVE lidos! :-). Have a little tin, so people can contribute their spare pennies when they visit? I'm so sorry about the bad news, corruption & de-motivation. ((hugs)). When hospitals met targets so could see more patients, they received no more money, went into the red & were then punished by that deficit being doubled by the (last) gvmnt. Criminal minds I'm afraid. Theft. Taxes going to global rich. We're all fighting for human rights, law, goodness & to save 'lives' now ~God bless~
Great video, I have never actually been to the lido but I am aware what a great community resource it is. I have emailed my district councillor Hilary Biles to have a moan about the nonsense of this decision in person to her (and also the other silly cuts). I will let you know how I get on. Good luck on the great north run, the final climb to the finish line in South Shields is a bugger I hear :-)
You sell mugs. So the council basically got you to run a public service for them and then they tax you for it. Sounds like you've got a few mugs left over down there! Now don't you wish you'd pushed David Cameron in the pool?
Fair one, Ken. Point well made. I do believe in the Big Society though, and don't feel that Cllr Hoare's action in any way undermines its importance. It's only a failing on his own part, or perhaps the part of his council - not the government, or the Big Society.
Ken - I watched this and sponsored you for the run.
I think you are wrong to use this as a stick with which to beat the Big Society. The fact that a Councillor, who is no doubt under tremendous pressure to save money, made arguably a bad decision in reducing your rate relief, is unfortunate, but it doesn't mean the Big Society is a bad idea. Indeed, the small contributions that I and others have made and will make, to your North run, will hopefully help demonstrate that the reverse is true.
As far as I can see, the Big Society means having to do it yourself without any help...in which case they can jolly well give up any rights to have any say whatsoever in how things are run.
The discrepancy between what this government *says* and what it *does* has become absolute. They are nothing but PR men. Hit the streets on March 26th and lets be rid of them.
@davidboothpigpen I think it's really sad that in acknowledging the existence and importance of The BIG society (for which I applaud Mr Cameron) that through rapid cutting of services without knowledge (or even a smattering of a basic understanding) demonstrates a lack of joined up thinking. Sorry to hear how the cuts are affecting you. The decision Cllr Hoare made won't cost me my job - ironically it might just give me a bit of spare time if I pack it all in! I'm getting fund-raiser's fatigue
Unfortunately, I disagree with you on there being a disconnect with the outcome of their actions. I think they know exactly what they're doing, they just don't give a damn.
For all his shiny talk and shiny face, Cameron's doing the exact same thing that Thatcher did but more so. Rewarding the rich bankers, slashing public public services, hell the Tories are even talking about going after war widow's pensions for goodness sake.
What a comprehensive dismantling of government hypocrisy. But also what a fine example of a community project and what volunteers and charity work can actually do for a local community. The 'big society' is exposed as politicians attempting to reflect the glory of fine people like this, without actually meeting their responsibilities in supporting them. Ken, I hope you meet your target and more.
Hi Ryan - Sorry - I've only just seen your comment. Many apologies. If its not too late then sure! Go ahead.
I would add that the council have been very supportive of late. We have just received a grant from them (for refurbishment of our changing rooms) and they approved our last application for rate relief
KenNormal 1 month ago
Hey Ken,
I was wondering if I could source this video and the information you put across in an assignment I am carrying out for my university work.
It would be much appreciated as in my opinion Chipping Norton Lido is a textbook example of the Big Society concept in action.
Thanks a lot for your time,
and fantastic video,
Ryan :)
rymeryme 3 months ago
Still superb. Still tweeting you and God bless.
BritishSnail 9 months ago
Having lost DDR last year and having made this video about that we have been granted DDR for 2011/12 season. WODC say it's because our application was much clearer this year. It has nothing to do with the fact that we've had interviews with local and National Press. Apparenty.
KenNormal 10 months ago
@KenNormal I am in two minds about this yes you have done well to save and run this service also a well done for taking on and getting the DDR. My problem is why should we as council tax payers have to take these things on as volunteers ? I feel the whole "Big society " ethos is a con and trying to get important services on the cheap. I must confess I have no love for the Tories and see a parliament full of public school millionaires cutting services and giving themselves tax dodges
colcfc123 9 months ago
@colcfc123 I really can't disagree - but what can you do. If we had not stepped in the pool simply would have closed. Our attempts at lobbying to keep the facility open failed - we took it over. The BIG Society ethos is not a con - it happens, people organise and do things (and not always in response to a negative!) I think the government are just trying to tap into that spirit in the face of the cuts they have to make. That is often seen as divisive and hypocritical.
KenNormal 9 months ago
Out of interest, how much did the solar panels and ground source heat pump reduce your energy bills by each year? Have you guys got a blog about this stuff anywhere?
pauldwaite 10 months ago
@pauldwaite It's all very complicated. We're actually not sure at the moment. We've just had one season running with the ground source heat pumps and photo voltaic cells. What's been difficult is getting our energy provider to get the right bills to us. WIth estimates, refunds and erroneous meter readings flying around its simply not clear yet. Also it's taken a long while to sort out our feed in tariff. Nothing is as straight forward as you'd think. No Blog yet - great idea tho'.
KenNormal 10 months ago
(perfe@KenNormal Ah! Sure — when I moved into my current flat, the (boring, normal) electric meter had just been changed, and our energy provider couldn’t manage to get a bill to us for a year. I dread to think what you guys are going through.
Great that you’re doing it though — it’s only by people actually trying it that all this stuff will get worked out. Best of luck with it. Feel free to give me a shout if you need any help setting up a blog.
pauldwaite 10 months ago
makes you almost lose the will - but the fight has to go on!
maureen1359 11 months ago
Do comments usually have to be approved?
4sallya 11 months ago
Excellent video highlighting the Council's willingness to put the boot in to community effort; and yet the wastage of council money goes on hand over fist; here in Suffolk the County Council spent over £1400 on a few photos of the Chief Executive Andrea Hill (Evening Star 18th March 2011)posing in different parts of Endeavour House.
4sallya 11 months ago
Such an admirable project, powered entirely by human goodwill. If the big society is to be made to work its all very well giving you all these awards, but what's really needed is FINANCIAL recognition. If D Cameron et al want charities and local groups to run the country, they need to support them to the tune of the required financial peanuts it takes not to completely wear them out. And they need to enshrine that principle in law.
Bryzone1 11 months ago
@Bryzone1 Thank you. Love your opening comment. That's so true of so many charities and clubs run by volunteers. It's hard work that should be encouraged and supported - not undermined.
KenNormal 11 months ago
I clicked 'Like' but it's another example of the disgusting Big Society sham in action.
shaunpubis 1 year ago
I wish you good luck. x
UrbanMyth2010 1 year ago
Superb (and galling) story delivered very well. Good luck on the GNR.
choddo 1 year ago
Aww I LOVE lidos! :-). Have a little tin, so people can contribute their spare pennies when they visit? I'm so sorry about the bad news, corruption & de-motivation. ((hugs)). When hospitals met targets so could see more patients, they received no more money, went into the red & were then punished by that deficit being doubled by the (last) gvmnt. Criminal minds I'm afraid. Theft. Taxes going to global rich. We're all fighting for human rights, law, goodness & to save 'lives' now ~God bless~
BritishSnail 1 year ago
Typical coucil, tax tax tax tax the peasants, stab people in the back.
stevibaldi 1 year ago
Brilliant work on keeping that pool running, I admire you for that.
I have added this video to StumbleUpon so it can reach a wider audience, and the hypocrisy of your local council can be laid bare.
ramsaybaggins 1 year ago
Well said, Ken! It takes someone with your dedication, commitment and hard work to really show up Big Society for the nonsense that it is.
johnmurray1960 1 year ago
Great video, I have never actually been to the lido but I am aware what a great community resource it is. I have emailed my district councillor Hilary Biles to have a moan about the nonsense of this decision in person to her (and also the other silly cuts). I will let you know how I get on. Good luck on the great north run, the final climb to the finish line in South Shields is a bugger I hear :-)
TheTrevnan 1 year ago
You sell mugs. So the council basically got you to run a public service for them and then they tax you for it. Sounds like you've got a few mugs left over down there! Now don't you wish you'd pushed David Cameron in the pool?
cwatts547 1 year ago
I tip my hat to you, sir.
cannonfodder9 1 year ago
Fair one, Ken. Point well made. I do believe in the Big Society though, and don't feel that Cllr Hoare's action in any way undermines its importance. It's only a failing on his own part, or perhaps the part of his council - not the government, or the Big Society.
lonegroover 1 year ago
Gah. Comic Sans at 0:51. MY EYES; MY PRECIOUS EYES.
shittookmyusername 1 year ago
Well done for all the work so far. Booo to the council for their mean spirited action. Hope you can keep going.
AnnieReidinBeziers 1 year ago
Thank you for making this.
jokaah 1 year ago
Two fousand and free
xXHaWkEy51Xx 1 year ago
i love the video, but despite the challenges being faced you should not discourage people from becoming proactive in nonprofit endeavors.
duvaldresscode 1 year ago
Ken - I watched this and sponsored you for the run.
I think you are wrong to use this as a stick with which to beat the Big Society. The fact that a Councillor, who is no doubt under tremendous pressure to save money, made arguably a bad decision in reducing your rate relief, is unfortunate, but it doesn't mean the Big Society is a bad idea. Indeed, the small contributions that I and others have made and will make, to your North run, will hopefully help demonstrate that the reverse is true.
edstradling 1 year ago
As far as I can see, the Big Society means having to do it yourself without any help...in which case they can jolly well give up any rights to have any say whatsoever in how things are run.
Hillybillygirl 1 year ago
As far as I can see, the Big Society means having to do it yourself without any help...
Hillybillygirl 1 year ago
Very well done video, congratulations for all your hard work and keeping it going. Good to have a rant too
beenbrun 1 year ago
The discrepancy between what this government *says* and what it *does* has become absolute. They are nothing but PR men. Hit the streets on March 26th and lets be rid of them.
PhantaJisto 1 year ago
Unlike the volunteers at the swimming pool who do their civic work for nothing, Councillor Hoare claimed allowances of over £15,000 last year.
So committed is Cllr Hoare to the people of West Oxfordshire that he has twice stood to be MP for Cardiff.
All in it together?
MrSimonTrent 1 year ago
Brilliant video Ken. Good luck with it all, looks like you're going to need it.
MrJlock85 1 year ago
an amazing job you've done. our leader is a spineless arsehole :)
lighttreadmonkeyflip 1 year ago
@davidboothpigpen I think it's really sad that in acknowledging the existence and importance of The BIG society (for which I applaud Mr Cameron) that through rapid cutting of services without knowledge (or even a smattering of a basic understanding) demonstrates a lack of joined up thinking. Sorry to hear how the cuts are affecting you. The decision Cllr Hoare made won't cost me my job - ironically it might just give me a bit of spare time if I pack it all in! I'm getting fund-raiser's fatigue
KenNormal 1 year ago
@KenNormal
Unfortunately, I disagree with you on there being a disconnect with the outcome of their actions. I think they know exactly what they're doing, they just don't give a damn.
For all his shiny talk and shiny face, Cameron's doing the exact same thing that Thatcher did but more so. Rewarding the rich bankers, slashing public public services, hell the Tories are even talking about going after war widow's pensions for goodness sake.
dominictemple 1 year ago
Simon Hoare. What an appropriate name. How do people like that ever get a job...?
Smug shite.
Ken. You sound like an amazing character.
honourgooday 1 year ago
What a comprehensive dismantling of government hypocrisy. But also what a fine example of a community project and what volunteers and charity work can actually do for a local community. The 'big society' is exposed as politicians attempting to reflect the glory of fine people like this, without actually meeting their responsibilities in supporting them. Ken, I hope you meet your target and more.
TheGentlemanAdmin 1 year ago 8
Go for it Ken.....The Jardines will support you!
SMJ61 1 year ago
Great rant. And great use of iMovie - picture in picture, Ken Burns AND my favourite title effect :-) tweeting this. And thanks.
anotherbleedinmuso 1 year ago
Fuck the Tores. Fuck conservatives. Stop the cuts. Start the rebellion.
Dreath2623 1 year ago 2
Wait...you recommend not to do it because if it earns excess it might be taxed to bring it closer to 'zero'?
You recommend people not to do it because you managed it and were able to contribute beyond the specific task itself for doing so?
See, this sounds on both readings like *DO IT*, with the caveat that you'll be taxed at the end if you've an excess.
Xis0r 1 year ago
You're clearly doing a great thing. What a slap in the face. Disgusting.
lostmyshoes80 1 year ago