http://www.wfa.org.uk/cal/20070214.htm

No doubt you have noticed from my Vote Baker, Mike Oborski RIP, and The Robber Baron blogs of another project I'm involved in, namely Wyfopedia.

It all started, like most things, with a comment here on the 'agenda. On 16 August 2006 I left a comment on the Welcome to the Archives blog...

Tav 16 August 2006 The Wyre Forest Agenda

I have had this idea for sometime now and I would like to propose it here. When I started the WFA I was going to make it my own (but public) font of knowledge of Wyre Forest, but with time constraints I soon cut it down to the core objective - blogging! However, my original idea remained. Some time ago I found out the Wikipedia people give away the Wiki engine (the thing that runs Wikipedia) for free. So you can create your own Wikipedia. This is my proposal create a Wikipedia called Wyfopedia as an on-line encyclopaedia for the Wyre Forest district. The costs would be minimal (less than £100 per year), and I couldn't do the backend stuff all myself, so I suggest a group of trustees be created to organise it, in much the same way as Wikipedia is organised. It would help the 'Historic Kidderminster' project and the similar project organised by the Stourport Civic Society. What do you think?

Soon after Don Barton took this up and we meet at Kidderminster Library and we started the project in earnest. Since September we have both been adding articles (mainly stubs ) to the site. We even added them over Christmas. Now we have, at time of writing this blog, a total of 3,023 pages (827 are probably legitimate content pages), a total of 19,356 page views, and 3,977 page edits. That comes to 1.32 average edits per page, and 4.87 views per edit.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Wikipedia or the concept of a wiki. A wiki is an on-line encyclopedia were everyone is allowed to add, remove and change encyclopaedia articles in order to build a substantial knowledge base. Wyfopedia is based on the Wyre Forest district (or, for pre-1973 articles, the area that covers the Wyre Forest district). All we ask is that the articles are neutral, informative, do not infringe copyright, and have some connection with the area currently bordered by the Wyre Forest district.

It's still in its infancy, but consider this an open invitation to join our wiki community. Seriously though, if you are reading this could you at least try to create an account (its totally free, unobtrusive, and all you need is an email account). This is not only to start to build a community of 'Wyfopedians', but I'm not sure whether creating an account actually works!

I tell you what, type something connected to Wyre Forest in the search box (on the left in Wyfopedia, on the right here on the 'agenda) and press 'Go'. See if you can find an article we haven't done yet, or haven't finished!

Sources:
Wyfopedia
Statistics, Wyfopedia

Comments:

Chris Newman 28 April 2007

I am a Devonian - I was not expelled although some people thought I must have been to choose to live in Stourport rather than Topsham - on - the - mud. My first teaching appointment was at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Hartlebury. An easy school to teach in provided you knew your subject reasonably well. It was at a time when approx 11% were unfortunate enough or fortunate enough depending how you view education to succeed in the so called I.Q. tests. It was interesting for me a devout cricket and rugby fan especially the former to see Basil D'Oliviera and Roy Tattesall play at Chester Road names that were boyhood heroes to "Yokels" or as one ex-marine a red cap called us "Janners". He was a Lancastrian and although he called us "Janners" he didn't know why! He suggested I should call him a black pudding - didn't seem worth it. (A second - hand history book will be sent to the first correct answer published on W.F.A for the origin of the supposed marine nick name for a Janner). To continue the cricket link for Wyfopedia - Peter Heard who was also from "Yokel" land but did not in any way sound Yokel captained and opened the batting for Kidderminster when Basil was the star performer in the Birmingham League. Wyre Forest and Kidderminster and Stourport were great community places in the early sixties. I suppose, as elections approach, or whether depression is around tucked away in my old brain somewhere the sixties in Stourport then did feel better and so full of promise. Perhaps the Costa de Stourport will be exciting again and full of hope for 22 year olds as it was for me in 1964. And I realise this has nothing to do with Wyfopedia but the principled politician that can represent the young and the future is the one for me. If I ever hear the slogan Education; education; education from a local politician or market forces etc then I will plead for momentary deafness and if I receive propagandised newsletters then I will head for the recycling bin or return it to party H.Q. for them to recycle!!!!!!

Don Barton 7 May 2007 svr_p_way's photos Galahad's Homepage

Many thanks Chris for your reminiscences on Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School and Kidderminster Cricket Club. I have incorporated your comments into the appropriate Wyfopedia articles. I have noticed that there are now articles, or stubs, on nearly 500 people connected with the Wyre Forest area on Wyfopedia.

Chris Newman 13 May 2007

Thanks Don for taking "encyclopaedic" info from my mailing. It is a new attempt for me to exercise the brain in local history. Anv guidance would be appreciated. Tav has my email address; or please send advice/guidance via WFA. May I leave this to your judgement. Wyfopedia is going to be an interesting and useful source of local history, I am sure.

A row, I first heard about courtesy of FlipC in November last year is now surfacing in the Shuttle and John Campion's clog. I consider myself provoked enough respond.

I'll start from the beginning, FlipC on his excellent weblog 'The Mad Ranter', wrote a blog on 20 November 2006 entitled, 'Quick snaps, nostalgia, non-answers, and local buildings'. At the bottom of the blog we read that there are two choices for placement a new skateboard park:

Stourport [192.com]

(1) "...next to the kiddies paddling pool against the bridge, where the inflatable castles are placed during the summer" or
(2) "...next to an empty field with the amusements and mini-golf between it and the bridge"

Now the Shuttle start filming (yes filming, they are starting to catch up with the Stourbridge News) and interview our John (Cllr. John-Paul Campion [Sutton Park, Conservative]) because Nathan Desmond was not available and also Cllr. David Little [Stourport, Conservative].

Cllr. Little tells us of a new site:
(3) At the bottom of Harold Davies Drive

John then blogs about it, see 'Look, mum, I'm on the tele (well kind of)'.

What strikes me first is John uses that term, '...the Conservative District administration...'. If you have read the 'agenda blog, 'Question #2: The eternal political question!' you'll realise that John is following the rules of the eternal political question. However, in this case he has been astute enough to insert the word 'District'. You see in the video clip Cllr. Little implies that Stourport town councilors are unanimous in site (3). So the Conservative Town administration is at odds with the Conservative District administration. This is Tory unity in action, this is!

Anyway enough of politics let's get down to the real issues. What strikes me is that John Campion comes up with no (that is zero) advantages of their choice of site (1). Whereas, Cllr. Little comes up with two disadvantages with site (1) and two advantages with site (3), their (Stourport Town Council) choice. OK I will give John Campion some leeway as he was filling in for Nathan, but the unity of the 'Conservative District administration' means that one Cabinet member speaks for all (one-for-all and all-for-one). What then annoys me is John Campion states that choice (1) was the decision of district councilors (no kidding), the police, user groups and extensive consultation and research. First the police, I'm sure they would prefer site (1) because it is easier for them to keep an eye on the skateboarders (and graffiti artists) because they are in the public view (particularly from the bridge). User groups tend to want the facilities regardless of other groups. I'll state that this is a general, perhaps stereotypical, statement that does not apply to all user groups, although a user group always has a key objective than an overall viewpoint. I remember attending a council meeting when district councilors 'decided' to stop the funbox _ there was only one 'user group' member there and he didn't get an opportunity to speak. Now the 'extensive consultation and research', how come we, the district taxpayer, have forked out money for 'extensive consultation and research' and at the end of it we get not a single advantage of the 'decided' site. Like Cllr. Little says [Stourport] has been rough-shot all the way and the district council take decisions regardless.

For the record here are the vial bullet points:

Site (1) District Council's Tory District Administation's Choice
Advantages	Disadvantages
Less anti-social behaviour because in the public view	On the flood plain (I suppose this could be an advantage for wind surfers)
	Interference with families at the pool, the play area, the promenade and ice cream stall
	Very limited access for emergency services
	The space was already taken up (successfully?) by the bouncy castle in summer

Site (2) FlipC's Choice
Advantages	Disadvantages
Out of the way, but near to facilities to encourage spectators	On the flood plain (wind surfers!)
	Limited access for emergency services

Site (3) Town Council's Choice
Advantages	Disadvantages
Out of the way	Difficult for the police to patrol
Access for emergency services
Encourage use of leisure centre car park (currently under-utilised)

Tell us your thoughts. Hey consider this a tax-free consultation, courtesy of the 'agenda.

PS:
Oh yeah my wife insisted I add her suggestion of the small plot of land at the bottom of Lower Lickhill Road.

Sources:
FlipC (2006); 'Quick snaps, nostalgia, non-answers, and local buildings'; The Mad Ranter, 20 November 2006 9:08am
Anon. (2007); 'Stourport skate park row'; The Shuttle, 13 February 2007 1:09pm
Campion, John (2007); 'Look, mum, I'm on the tele (well kind of)'; Wyre Forest Conservatives Blog, 13 February 2007
Anon. (2007); 'Row rumbles on over Stourport skatepark'; The Shuttle, 14 February 2007 4:19pm
FlipC (2007); 'Skate board park'; The Mad Ranter, 15 February 2007 4:20pm

Comments:

FlipC 14 February 2007 The Mad Ranter

!me does a little dance! So only three months after I mentioned it, not bad for the Shuttle :P I'll carve. One of the disadvantages you list is the flood plain, Well site 1 can't be shifted, but site 2 could be moved closer to the Civic Centre, that would mean it was closer to the car-parks and Martins Way so helping the emergency services. It could even then be integrated into the carnival when they take over the meadow, perhaps get some professionals in to perform tricks. Harold Davies Drive, wouldn't that put it a mite close to the proposed route for the relief road? Also do we need two half-pipes on that side of the river, there is one behind Layamon Walk already. As for Lower Lickhill Drive, I'm sure the nursery and residential homes will love your wife's suggestion if she's thinking about where I think she is.

Tav 14 February 2007 The Wyre Forest Agenda

I like your idea of including skateboarding tricks in with the carnival. However, doesn't it still flood right up to the doorstep of the Civic Centre? Anyway, you have to think of the future. The powers that be (well until May 2007 anyway) are hell-bent on demolishing the Civic Centre selling half to a developer and using the other half for the Civic Hall/Theatre thingamabob. The developers are obviously going to build half or one-bedroom apartments there, and new residents are probably going to object to a skateboard park outside their front window. Mind you with house prices as they are, I suspect the residents will only be able to afford a skateboard to get to work. I thought about the Stourport Relief Road (the holy grail of Stourport). I think it is proposed a bit further back, right through the caravan park. To be honest I'm not exactly sure where my wife meant, something about Lickhills Park.

Fran Oborski 14 February 2007 Wyre Forest Liberals

The problem is that, for whatever reasons, Stourport Town Council did not object to the siting when the scrutiny exercise was held and they were invited to the public consultation that I chaired. The trouble is that the Town Council own the Memorial Park on Lickhill Road which many thought would be the best site and they refused to have it there. The site that has been chosen is where the skateboarders thought was best and, suitably fenced, it will not be a hazard. One of the big issues is that it would seem that some important correspondence may not have been made available to the Scrutiny Panel when they looked into the matter!

Tav 14 February 2007 The Wyre Forest Agenda

Great! The more I hear about Stourport Town Council the more incompetent they appear to be. They may as well hold their meetings in secret since they don't seem to publish their meeting diaries, agendum and minutes _ a legal requirement, according to Don. So what is supposed to happen to the bouncy castle? Is it no longer required, have they been told? What a shame that tourist facilities have to be removed when we are supposed to be promoting Stourport at a tourist destination. Added to this is a lost opportunity for a tourist attraction suggested by FlipC in his comment above. So can this 'important correspondence' change the decisions already made?

Chris Danks 15 February 2007

If its placed on the riverside area it will be a disaster, it will not help bring families to that park area but will drive them away. That area in the summer is very popular with lots of very young children going around the area at the moment in relative safety. If you have masses of young adults and children on both skateboards and BMX bikes you are just asking for broken bones from those not even using the ramp. They don't want the ramp on the Memorial Park due to issues from the police over the access and exits all over the ramps if any trouble should arise. If the Wyre Forest District Council did their homework once again they would know that this sort of development while possibly worthwhile could cause much more trouble than its worth if placed on the riverside area. And drive more people away from the riverside area than bring them in and keep them there. Keep that area for the families with young children who want to let their children have some fun in relative safety with "freedom and fun" in the paddling pool, the climbing frames, swings and excellent activity area they have there. Let those people sit down and enjoy a little peace and quiet in our riversde park. That area should be preserved for the younger children and families. If the site over the bridge was properly developed then families could take a active part with their children there too, give them a small area for car parking so groups, families and friends could go together and have some fun without scaring the very young half to death whizzing past on BMX bikes and on skateboards as it would be on the riverside park.

FlipC 16 February 2007 The Mad Ranter

Chris has a point. Considering that there's a chance that a fair few of the skate-boarders/BMX'ers will also want to hang-out at Shipleys that'll mean that wherever it's put on the riverside will create an increase in traffic through the bridge arch, especially if they plant the thing next to the pool. It would also be difficult to stop them using the small pedestrian bridge either. Any measures taken will also affect families with pushchairs forcing them to go through the car-park. So it has to be in a central location that people can reach, but not in any particular 'area' (Walshes, Lickhill, etc.) to cut down the risk of territoriality. That means a business area. Damn that really does just limit it to either side of the bridge, unless... could it be built next to the sheltered apartments proposed for the Shell Garage site in Vale Road? I'm sure the old folks'll love the idea, but it will push that demographic away from the riverside and as it happens close to the police and fire station, and the ambulance wait-point in Minster Road.

jac 25 April 2007

Well done - not! to whoever organises the work on the new skateboard park in Stourport. Do they sit there deciding when would be the worst time to start building a skateboard park in Stourport and then book it in for that time? Days before the first bank holiday of the year, lets dig a big hole right by the tourist area on the riverside, and then down tools because its bank holiday, leaving the big hole for everyone to look at, and just for added interest, leave the diggers there too, all fenced off with a big pile of dirt, making sure that at least on of the picnic benches for the tourists to sit on is inside the fenced off area so no one can use it during the bank holiday rush - well done.