compare the meerkat anyone!

Well not quite!

I popped along to the community showcase event in central park on Sunday and was truly delighted to see the two meerkats on display, frisky little devils they were too.

I like many of the towns folk really missed not having Party in the Park this year so I ventured out on what was quite a chilly day to see what all the fuss was about.

Despite the complete contrast in the weather from Saturday there seemed to be a good turnout for what has turned into something of an annual event.

As I perused along the various stalls and displays, it was quite humbling to see the dedication many of the volunteers give to their respective causes.

The event in itself seemed to me to be a real attempt by like minded people to pull together and display a kinship and friendship that we in Britain do so well, a little bit like the old Silver jubilee street party days. (for those that remember them!)

Now then with all the of that warm and cuddly stuff out of the way, lets have a reality check shall we!

Community showcase does not compare remotely with the crowds that PiP brings to central park, the displays of local talent from schools and colleges far out way watching people's pet dog attempt an obstacle course.

The introduction of the parade through town to central park, has added a new dimension to the event (and should now open the door for our Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies to, once again, parade thought the town on St Georges day with the excuse that "health and safety "prevents it, now resolved)!

However, all in all, pound for pound ,Party in the Park made for a blinking good weekend and provided a chance for everyone to get together, have a few beers and chill out, and goodness knows in these troubled economic times we could have done with it!

The PiP event of course also provides an opportunity for all the community to be " Cohesive" and come together, therefore I was quite surprised when funding was not forthcoming despite the granting to Boston of some £660,000 to use on "Community Cohesion".

Even the "Community Cohesion Delivery Group" had acknowledged that PiP and community showcase were positive moves that assist with Community Cohesion.

I challenged this earlier in the year and was told it had all been spent and or otherwise allocated.
I therefore asked to see who and where this had been spent and have got that information finally.
Despite the popularity of the event many fellow councillors were quite happy to see it's demise, and as such were disinterested in its continuance and effectively condemned it. (watch out the fair could be next!)

How and where this money has gone will be the subject of later posts, but around £10000. was set aside for last weekends event for starters!

And this needs to be remembered.

Since my time at West Street I have witnessed a number of consultations, you know the kind of thing, were you get asked a question and the only answer you can give is the one "they" want.

Some may remember a few years ago ( pre Boston Bypass Independents regime ) being asked what does "Boston borough council do well" and some may well remember the answer, you guessed it, it was Party in the Park !

Therefore in traditional kamikaze style it gets binned! nice one!

This is where comparing Meerkat's and Market's end

Party in the Park (love or hate it) and Community Showcase are two events that are just not Comparable, no matter how hard the well wisher's try to make it so!