Haven't we been here before?

'Joined up thinking is what Ripon needs' - so squeaks the All new, slightly bigger, slightly smaller, but almost empty Ripon Gazette in this week's editorial. Factions within the city have apparently come together to achieve a common goal - the collective aim 'to bring people into the city centre'.
Now just how do Ripon councillors, GRIP and whomsoever else is involved, weigh this with the opening of an even larger shopping complex on the very outskirts of Ripon? Make no mistake, this is the choice you have folks:

It would be a surprise to Harbinger if many of the people involved in these various factions can manage joined up writing; let alone joined up thinking.

Ok, so the Katharine Viner article in the Gruaniad has stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest - I expect a letter will be pouring in to the 'All New Slightly Bigger, Slightly Smaller Gazette' as I type. Certainly the grumblings on the street have reached fever pitch - well nearly fever pitch - well a couple of people have mentioned it in passing. The general feeling is that this kind of negativity can only do Ripon harm: "Who's going to visit Ripon after reading that?" is the cry; an argument defeated somewhat by the fact that no-body comes here anyway!
The thing is, you see: it's all true - the very day after its publication the council nincompoops   were parading up and down Ripon's streets in their fancy dress costumes, puffing out their chests and pretending to be important. As for the 'Portas Bid' - Did you see the video? Well did you? SHAMBOLIC!
I must admit though, I would have liked to see the Alice in Wonderland murals - how long would it have been before someone (and I can think of some likely candidates) painted a grossly erect penis on the mad hatter and a fetching pair of comely breasts on Alice? Ripon's 'ginnels' would certainly have been enlivened.

Like an alcoholic, Ripon must admit to itself that it is in a mess. Only then can the cure be taken and the cure is radical change - embracing the 21st century instead of wallowing in the mid 1950s.

Boobies

‘Artist’ David Stead’s letter to the Gazette (May 22nd) which we like to think was inspired by the PUN’s own article ‘Who Are They Watching’ (April 22nd) finally elicited a waffling reply to the paper from Harrogate Borough Council last week.
The reply, from Coun Les Ellington states that: CCTV cameras have not breached privacy’, that ‘Under no circumstances would a camera be directed into a window’. And that: ‘If Mr Stead still has concerns, we would welcome him giving us specific times, dates and locations and we would be happy to investigate’.
The information asked for is available on this site along with relevant photographs and if Mr Stead wishes to use this information in his reply Harbinger would have no objection.

Perhaps the camera operator is an ornithologist and was admiring a rare kind of Booby.

George Pickles: A Very Naughty Boy.

I really can't be bothered with this silly little story, and yet it seems to have grabbed the headlines in the Gazette for weeks now.
So, the hornblower George Pickles has had an official reprimand from our esteemed Mayor 'earinged' Sid Hawke for 'attending events without official permission' and 'communicating with the press'. Perhaps Mr Pickles should restrict himself to his original remit in which case I shall expect to see him patrolling the town in the early hours in order to ensure we all sleep safe in our beds.
I suppose it is indicative of a wider stupidity, arrogance and insularity on the part of many members of our council though why we should be suprised at this defeats me.