Why can’t we all just get along?

THE FRIDAY THING: WHILE the pledge by Greater Manchester civic and faith leaders to take a stand against hate crime is welcome, it doesn’t come at a particularly good time.


In Oldham, for instance, there is trouble involving east European communities in Hathershaw. Police are stepping up patrols and asking residents not to take matters into their own hands.

There has also been a double shooting, after which two men needed hospital treatment for luckily non-life-threatening injuries.

The ill-feeling and threats come at a time when Councillor Brian Ames says that there has been more crime in Failsworth and Hollinwood than for a long time and is critical of police figures on crime.

To make matters worse, council leader Jim McMahon claims there is a disconnect between councillors and the police force.

It is not a good state of affairs and we don’t want to slide into a situation where neighbours and neighbourhoods are at war with each other.

The temperature and passions are obviously rising and the last thing Oldham needs now is violence on the streets. We have been there before and have no wish to go there again.



FINAL WORD: Eric Pickles said he wanted to help struggling high streets by allowing for parking for up to 15 minutes on double-yellow lines so we could nip into a corner shop to buy a paper or a loaf.

Unfortunately, Eric has had a change of mind after the public raised fears it could cause confusion, lead to dangerous parking and clog up high streets.

But all is not lost.

The Government plans to allow motorists to park for 10 minutes in free or paid-for parking spaces to stop the yellow peril from booking us when we overstay our welcome by a couple of minutes. There could be trouble ahead!