Mercury News
Mosborough Mercury, Tuesday, November 18, 2009
www.mosborough-news.co.uk
Beighton man ‘living in fear’ as BNP list is leaked online
Volunteers needed for Mosborough tenant group A COMMUNITY group aimed at improving the standard of living for Mosborough residents is to be launched in the next month. Sheffield Homes has confirmed that it wants to start a Tenants and Residents Association in Mosborough, bringing it in line with most other areas in Sheffield.
Activist builder says public will attack property and force him out of his job EXCLUSIVE By Alex Campbell
A BEIGHTON resident exposed as a BNP activist when the far-right party’s membership list was leaked on to the internet says he now fears that he will lose business and become the target of hate crime. Builder Paul Smith, 48, of Manvers Road, was one of eight BNP members in and around Mosborough whose personal details were published on Tuesday 18 November. He told the Mosborough Mercury he is “furious” that his details have been released and fears his property will be vandalised by people who oppose the controversial party. “I’ve worked hard for years and years, and I’ve earned myself a good standard of living through nothing but honest means,” he said. “But what is the point in me having a shiny 4x4 on the driveway if my neighbours are now going to come over and scratch it?” Mr Smith said he has already received a number of anonymous calls but is now reluctant to answer to people he does not know. “I’m expecting to get hate mail and abusive phone calls now,” he said. “My address and my phone number are
out there in the public, I’m probably going to get people phoning up saying that I’m ‘dead’ and that I’m all the names under the sun. “There’s a good chance that it will affect my trade.” And Mr Smith, who found out about the leak after his wife spotted the story in her morning newspaper, claims that people targeting him and other BNP members have more to be ashamed of than the party members themselves. “It’s a political opinion which I am entitled to, but some people can’t take it.
‘People should have no sympathy whatsoever’ “My granddad fought in the Somme, I’m not a racist, I’m a nationalist – and I love my people. “People just don’t understand what it’s about. There’s nothing wrong with black people or Muslims, and I don’t agree with all of what the BNP says, but there are bad eggs in this country who don’t want to hear what you have to say.” The police and other public bodies forbid membership of the BNP. And party officials have expressed fears that members may lose their jobs because of the list’s publication. But groups opposed to the British National Party have celebrated the leak.
Angry: BNP member Paul Smith, who did not want to show his face “It says a lot that BNP members have got anything to be worried about now they’re names are out in public,” said Gwen Hackett, a supporter of the Hope not Hate campaign in Yorkshire. “If the Labour or Conservative lists were published we wouldn’t have people fearing for their safety. “People should have no sympathy whatsoever.” Although it is a recognised and legal political party, the BNP has ignited consistent political controversy since its formation in 1982. The party’s explicitly far-right views on racial segregation and immigration have strengthened a widespread public view of the party as a hub for racial hatred.
BNP leader Nick Griffin welcomed the publicity generated by the leak in an interview with BBC Radio Four’s Today programme. “In terms of repositioning us as a party genuinely made up of ordinary British people from all walks of life, it will actually do us good,” he said. But he also said the motives behind the leak could potentially be “a very nasty piece of intimidation on behalf of the Labour Government.” Mr Griffin has faced calls to resign over the furore from some members, but Mr Smith said he intends to stay loyal to his views and to the party. And he will shoulder any abuse as “worthy for the cause.” a.campbell@mosborough-news.co.uk
Cashless council may swap bins for ‘pay as you go’ bags By Alex Campbell
PLANS to axe Mosborough’s green recycling bins announced by Sheffield city council face opposition from angry residents who say the authority is making a mockery of its own pro-recycling campaigns. The Liberal Democrat controlled council has written to residents explaining that bins could be recalled to save money and will replaced by plastic bags – which residents will have to pay for. The proposal would see the bins, used for leaves and garden waste, replaced by plastic bags costing around £1 each. Green bins were initially introduced to Mosborough and nearby areas as a pilot scheme for the rest of the city. But despite their obvious popularity the council has no plans to provide them elsewhere. Residents have told councillors that the proposals will cut recycling - and tempt people to dump their waste in the street. “If anything we could do with
another green bin, so taking away the one we do have is crazy,” Mosborough resident Martin Gale said. “The council are constantly pushing for us to recycle more and now they’re doing something that will actually decrease it. “This will trigger dumping across the estates and great piles of soggy grass everywhere. “Most of us think it’s bonkers, and we are telling the council just that.” Veolia - which handles the council’s waste management - has been criticised for charging for the sacks, which residents say makes the scheme even less appealing. More than 7,000 tonnes of garden waste is collected from green bins every year, but the level of recycling could plummet if residents have to collect bags for themselves. Mosborough Councillor David Barker (Labour), are said the public’s reaction will be considered before a final decision is made. “By all means people should let us know what they think about this, it’s not something that is set in stone just yet,” he said. “A new system would be more
Page 3
cost effective and, yes, it’s what we would prefer, but people should let their views be known. “Unfortunately, with times the way they are, we’re having to tighten our purse-strings as much as everybody else.” Cllr Barker, said the council is also keen for people to compost garden waste themselves. “The council has a number of ways of helping out people who want to do home-composting, which is a solution that can suit everybody.” The changes would also affect neighbouring areas like Birley, Beighton and Woodhouse. Most areas outside south east Sheffield already rely on green sacks for recycling garden waste. Garden waste is collected for free in most of Sheffield’s neighbouring towns, including Doncaster and Leeds. A similar bins pilot scheme in Barnsley was extended to cover the entire town after a positive response. A Veolia spokesman said the green sacks will sometimes be offered for free or at a lower price in special offers - but they are also entitled to raise the price. The company sells on its compost.
Axed: Green bins could be recalled from Mosborough
The group will be run by local volunteers, and chaired by representatives who will be voluntary or elected – depending on the level of interest. Shaun Nolan, Sheffield Homes local manager, said the group is intended as a chance to bring together people who want to see the area improved. “It’s an excellent opportunity to attract a wide range of people who are keen to improve the area,” he said. “We hope that by forming a group our residents will have a proper way of expressing their views to us.” Sheffield Homes, a branch of the city council responsible for managing council housing, runs tenant groups across the city. The groups are designed to give local people a forum for discussing changes needed in the area. There are already 76 similar groups across Sheffield. Mosborough is one of the last areas to start a group because of its low levels of social housing compared to the rest of the city. Volunteers for the group have held a number of coffee mornings at the Methodist church but more local people are needed. All local residents, including private home-owners, are asked to volunteer. The next meeting will be held at Mosborough Primary School from 7pm on November 18.
Primary lads are top of the league in Yorkshire FOR millionaire superstars like David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard it is almost a second home. But for footballmad children at Mosborough primary school the chance to play at Wembley Stadium is causing a stir. Pupils at the school have been crowned champions of South Yorkshire after winning an FA tournament featuring teams from across the region. They will have the chance to emulate their sporting heroes at the national stadium if they can triumph once more in the countrywide competition. The seven-a-side team defeated a number of Sheffield schools to qualify for the South Yorkshire tournament and they beat a school from Doncaster to win a place at the Northern finals. Headmaster Gordon Hamilton said: “I am very proud of the lads and it’s an exciting chance for them to play where there heroes play at Wembley.” The team will compete against other schools from across the North at a tournament in Blackburn in March. If they win they will play against the country’s best under-11 teams in the finals at Wembley.