Our town is missing out

Published on 11th September 2008 in Letters

Sir -

Three weeks ago, the Readers Page featured two letters from non-residents of Goole complaining about the facilities run by Goole Town Council, the appalling conditions at Goole Cemetery and the closure of the outdoor market and the lack of advertising for other stalls.

For ten years I lived in Scunthorpe and my work took me to Brigg, Hull, Doncaster, Selby, etc. I saw the wonderful facilities these towns had which their residents took for granted.

Two years ago I returned to Goole, my home town, and observed our town as a visitor would. The anger and despair I felt still haunts me today. Don't the people of Goole realise what they are missing out on? The facilities at Goole Cemetery ARE appalling. For years Goole Market has been poorly managed and allowed to run down. Look how popular the monthly farmers markets are. All our neighbours have thriving markets. Why hasn't Goole? And if people aren't prepared to do something about it things are going to get much worse.

Goole Town Council has put all its and our financial eggs in one basket, the proposed Arts Centre and Council Offices. Already we are seeing grants drying up for worthwhile voluntary organisations like Citizens Advice and the Green Team, it's only a matter of time before money allocated to other services is diverted to fund this unwanted white elephant. I ask the people of Goole one question. Do you want markets, parks, allotments, a cemetery and Christmas lights to be proud of or do you want an Arts Centre? Choose.

Paul Thompson,

Goole.