OPEN LETTER TO KEITH ANGUS, Clapton Pond and the Cricketers

Subject: Hackney News in Brief.
To: keith@keithangus.com
Date: Tuesday, 16 February, 2010, 11:04

Dear Keith, Your 'Hackney News' paper arrived at my home and have just finished reading it, with an open mind. Your, 'In brief' column, on the back page, describes various minor issues and campaigns with which you are involved. I have found that column informative. From that column I wiil refer to two issues one which seems to show that you are uninformed and perhaps wasting your time, the other which suggests to me that you may be part of a movement in Clapton which could, in my considered view, lead to social unrest and conflict in the near future. The first issue is that of 'dog waste' bins. Dog waste has been declassified and is no longer treated as toxic waste. separate bine are expensive to install and service. Why bother with this? The second is the issue of Clapton and anti-social behaviour. You are unspecific about this but you may be aware that there is an increasing movement to gentrify the Clapton Pond area. I do not suggest that that improvements are unwelcome, however, due regard must be paid to the delicate balance between the different racial/cultural groups in the area. The closure of pubs and clubs which are the favoured social venues of afro-carribean people will lead to a 'pressure cooker' effect fueled by resentment and anger. Thirty years ago when I decided to move into an inner-city multi racial community, I accepted that i had in some measure to fit into the local pattern. I believe that it is perfectly normal to accept that there are certain places, on certain days, at certain times, which are best treated with caution. We don't want to live in a DODGE CITY atmosphere but, having lived for a short time in Muswell Hill, I chose to live in Hackney. Faithfully yours,