The author of this site has recently become aware of a discussion on the village Facebook site (he does not like or use Facebook but it was shown to him) concerning anti-social behaviour by a small group of boys (11-12 years old?) in the park or adjacent to it on Easter Sunday. Following a notice about it, some Facebook users who clearly had no direct knowledge of the incident ‘defended’ the boys concerned saying they were “just kids” with nothing to do and only doing what “we all did” in our youth and they would soon be back at school and the problem would go away. Not true!
These are three extremely unpleasant youngsters looking for trouble and the Easter Sunday incident is not unique; at least one of these boys, who seems to be the ‘ring-leader’, has been seen behaving unsociably in the park on several occasions when schools were not on holiday.
The Low Hall Road side of the eyesore building at the side of Menston Park, behind the Scout hut. A magnet for the more unsavoury elements of Menston youth.
Location for ‘seedy’ goings on
The building on which they were misbehaving, that behind the Scout Hut, is the location for frequent seemingly ‘seedy’ goings on with young people. It is adjacent to the ‘over 55s’ flats at Menston Hall and Sunday’s incident was unpleasant for those residents because of the appalling, obscene language used, loudly, by the boys on the roof of the building over a period of around an hour. Another young person did remonstrate with them only to attract taunts – laced with obscenities – to fight.
The park side of this unpleasant looking building
What is more, when the three left it was not before attempting to smash in the doors of the building, whatever it might be.
Insulation, kicked free by boys on the roof, hangs down. Notice the many gaps in the edging stones.
The boys involved in the Easter Sunday incident will be reported to the police; publishing their pictures on this site was considered but they would probably just enjoy the notoriety and indulge in even more anti-social behaviour.
It is a great pity that this small minority spoils a wonderful Menston amenity; it was a joy to see the park full of families and young people on Easter Sunday. Just a few need better educating to use the many litter bins!
However, whatever authority is responsible for this building should be taken to task by the Parish Council. Buildings in this state inevitably attract hooliganism and further vandalism.
Another problem corner
Another corner of the park which attracts unsavoury elements is at the back of the children’s playground behind another ugly building, or on the other side of the fence behind it. This is a pity as many young children play there usually doing no more than hide and seek though they often need to be reminded not to trample down the flowers planted by residents. Almost every morning empty packets and drinks cans/bottles are scattered here even though there is a strategically placed litter basket (see photo). In fact litter in the park is far more widespread. Easter Monday morning litter next to the seat close to the building mentioned above, with a litter bin adjacent, is shown in another picture below.
Park corner behind the children’s playground
The seat and litter bin near to the ugly building with Easter Monday morning rubbish on the ground
Alan Ayckbourn at Highroyds
NB. The Alan Ayckbourn play at the Highroyds Social Club is this coming Friday evening, not Friday 17th as originally listed in ‘Events’ and in the ‘Imminent events’ calendar. These have now been corrected but unfortunately this may happen when things are picked up ‘on the grapevine’. A plea to Menston organisations: please send information on your events, meetings, etc in good time to menston.village.wharfedale@gmail.com otherwise they can occasionally be mis-publicised or not publicised at all.
Otley traffic discussion spreads to Menston
Another discussion on another social media site ( click Streetlife) is worth a look by Menston residents (and joining in). What began as a discussion about Otley’s one-way systems has now spread to include discussion of the Bingley Road/Buckle Lane/A65 junction and traffic lights.
No one seems very concerned about above building! Over the years I have been in touch with the council ,parish council ,Scott’s police and Dale Smith no one wants to know !!
Rest assured this will be followed up when the newly ‘elected’ Parish Council is in place. The only answer received so far was that there was no money to resolve problems with the building. It has been suggested that if some paint was provided (surely a sponsor could be found) the building appearance could be improved by a team of young volunteers who might create some kind of ‘mural’ on it. If they did this the young people themselves would be interested to protect it from vandals. The other corner mentioned could be resolved easily during one of the usual BMDC ‘gardening’ sessions but I would like to see some signs pointing out that this small area is a memorial garden and wildflower garden and not for games or exercising dogs. The whole of the rest of the park is available for this. This would help to answer the problem of parents who, instead of explaining that to children trampling down the flowers etc, have just replied “this is a public area, kids play and you cannot do anything about it”!