成人论坛

Re: Begging in the streets

I am disturbed by the increasing frequency of being approached by the "spare change?" type of beggar while waiting for buses on-street after dark. I predict that the forthcoming changes to bus routes will increase this further. Are these pathetic-looking people really homeless or do they just see ordinary citizens as a resource to be "harvested" to support their substance habits? I suspect most do have somewhere to sleep and that drugs play a large part in their lifestyle. While it is better that these people sould beg rather than steal, shouldn't this issue be taken on at government level? Was it Brighton shown in a recent documentary? Here taxpayers money was directed towards medical care and support of hard-drug addicts: resulting in a dramatic reduction in burglary and begging. Perhaps this would be a worthwhile experiment for Nottingham? People are a problem. They can also be a resource. These beggars are by definition, parasites. Somehow, we need to find a way to turn these young people from parasites into a useful resource. This would benefit us all.

Fred W
Wollaton

All the way through this board your complaining about beggars and tramps, first of all you get thousands of people on the streets in many other cities. Our tramps rule, everyone loves them, I mean for those of you who go shopping dont you smile everytime you see zylophone man, he's always happy and singing, the hundreds of big issue sellers that swap you are just a way of proving that more of our tramps want to get jobs and loads of amazing buskers just show the talent on Nottinghams streets. Nottingham may not be the best city in the world, but it has the best shopping, theatres, restaurants, night life and atmosphere.

ELE
Loughborough

I have had the disgusting misfortune to work in a subterranean office which attracted rough sleepers. As these people puked, peed, poo-ed and stuck needles in their arms (and then left used needles in vital escape route areas)for over 18 months - the true cost of these 'beggers' is more than hygiene and more than just the cost of cleaning them up. On a regular basis the police refused to move them on as the problem would just locate elsewhere local. It has cost my company thousands and even more in lost trade. Please go along Houndsgate towards the castle and if you still want to give money to beggars - give it to me to rectify my business. I was incensed that 'do gooders' even provided them with coffee rounds in their make-shift beds in the morning. The afternoon involved these beggers having sex in full view and sound of my customers. Worst, since their arrival we have suffered break-in after break-in. One bad experience attracts another. They could not ! ex! ist on the street if stupid and misguided people didn't fund the habit. There are plenty of places for these people to seek and get help - my sad conclusion is they don't want it and have no intention of trying to move off the the same streets I am trying to run a business from. If you disagree, say so and leave your address and I'll be more than happy to move these disgusting and abusive vagrants to your door.

Anon
Nottingham

I have recently moved back to Nottingham and have noticed that Nottingham has a much greater problem with this than any of the cities I have visited or worked in. I have worked in Leeds city centre for 5 months and I'm yet to be approached by somebody asking for cash. Even London does not seem to have the concentration of beggars that we have. The only way to stop this is for people to stop giving them money and the police to move them on constantly. It is clear that these people have there own "spots" around the city and can be seen in the same places day after day. We need to make it difficult for them to do this so we do not feel intimidated in simply walking the streets. As for the comment "they are a product of capitalism", well I find this hard to believe, they are a product of drink and drugs and it is our duty to stop there habits which will eventually kill them.

E Burke
Nottingham

Re :
Compared to 20 or 30 years ago the motor car is now clean. They are fitted with the technology to remove harmful toxins and the air is as clean as can be reasonably expected. Where were the asthma cases in the pre natural gas days when the majority of factories and residences were belching out thick coal smoke and creating stinking smog. If Mr Foster thinks our air is dirty then I respectfully suggest he visit various cities within the Indian sub continent during rush hour - if he did he might change his opinion.

Bert Fegg
Notts

I find it surprising that a company, which bases whole marketing policy on providing drugs and beauty products, which in effect is promoting health and beauty, objects to this scheme. We all need and in fact should demand clear air with out the pollutants belched out by cars, vans, trucks and buses. There is much evidence that air quality has much to do with the great increase in children's breathing problems like asthma and other associated disease's. Companies should not be expected to provide car parking for its employees but it should provide an adequate transport system along with the assistance of the local authority. The problem is the "GOD CAR" rules and its time to give the city and the county back to the people of the county. The transport system in Nottingham is gradually improving but parking in the city should and must be charged at a premium to persuade car drivers from driving into this city. The idea that this charge will be used to provide better transport s! ys! tems quicker is a great idea. People tend to be very selfish and only consider their own "needs" I own a car I will drive it where I want attitude. I hope the Nottingham City Council wins through in 20 or 30 years time this will be seen as a great idea, when we all can visit the city with out the smell and noise of the motor vehicle. Just imagine walking across Parliament Street at 1.00 in the afternoon with out running the gauntlet of 10's of vehicles hell bent on getting from A to B in the least time for the occupants, is this a dream or could it really come true? Go on Boots be a thinking caring company, or does profit mean more than people, humm that probably is a silly question

John Foster
Arnold Nottingham

A couple of points:

Firstly isn't the pollution inside your home, from household/cleaning chemicals etc something ridiculous like 70 (yes SEVENTY) times higher than from car pollution.

Secondly there are several "studies" "published" which refer to the harmful effects of air pollution/traffic causes air pollution/cars should be banned.

What they forget to point out is that most of the pollution is from industry, offices and to a very large extent the fuel used to light and heat (very inefficiently, and very dirtily) homes.

Most of the rest is from buses, diesel trains, and the fuel burnt to power electric trains and trams.

The harmful pollution generated by modern catalysed car engins is insignificant compared to that.

In fact some car manufacturers claim that in a typical city their engines exhausts are actually cleaner than the intake air.

By the way: what exhaust cleaning equipment have the anti car lobby fitted to their central heating boilers?

Or do they use solar panels and heat pumps - easily affordable by anyone who doesn't have to pay 340% tax on their petrol?

bogush
nottingham

RE: Car sharing scheme
With reference to the article on the Nottingham 成人论坛 site covering car sharing, this is an excellent idea, but these systems always seem to fail.
Generally the problems are the car driver does not want to be tied down and restricted waiting for his passenger who may for whatever reason be late. The car driver feels obliged to offer to take the other party in the car share scheme to their front door, which may be inconvenient. Another problem with the idea is the possible costs to the driver in the event of an accident and the claim, which would be made against them.

The very best of luck with the scheme, any thing that can reduce the traffic and pollution is a step forward. It would be interesting to know at some later date how many people take part in the scheme.

John Foster
Arnold Nottingham

and in reply...

John Foster is spot on in his outline of the drawbacks of car sharing. Like him, I wish the project all the best, as it surely will make some contribution to easing congestion and pollution in Nottingham. However, it will remain a relatively small contribution unless we can learn to make changes in our behaviour. As John says, we should be interested in the long term results of the scheme to see if any progress has been made here.

Stanley
Basford, Nottingham

I have just found your article on carbon monoxide poisoning. I am an active campaigner in the field and I run a helpline for vicitms and for educational purpose.

I am also in the process of securing funding for an Environmental Toxins Foundation, in order to secure funding to commission studies that are desperately needed in this field. At present, there is a firm proposal for study of a number of children known to be chronically poisoned, by the Nationals Poisons Unit in London.

But more research is desperately needed and with it, funding.

The Environmental Toxins Foundation is at present taking calls from victims and interested parties alike.

June Nicholls
e-mail: junecnicholls@aol.com

Re: Begging in the streets

The money you hand over is usually simply fuelling a drink or drugs habit. These people do need help though by the government in terms of education, training for jobs and changing their outlook in life. They are a product of a capitalism system which becomes more like the greedy American system everyday.

David Brock
Nottingham, England

As with M Davies, I too get annoyed with the amount of beggers in Nottingham, but not beggers on the streets, it's the one's in the train station. As I travel to and from Lincoln a lot I have to use the train regularly and on a number of occasions I have been approached by beggers asking for money or drinks. If I refuse to give out money or drink when confronted I then get abusive language thrown at me from the beggers themselves. This is a recuring problem within the train station, and I now find myself feeling uneasy when waiting for a train due to the recent events. With that point I ask that not only Nottm County Council clamp down on beggers but the Rail Authority clamp down also.

W Tatton
Selston

Going to nottm town centre now has become a real pain for many nottsfolks as our town centre is littered with beggers layabouts stray dogs ect.you cannot walk 20 yds now without being stopped for spare cash or big issue sellers and there is only a certain ammount of times you can say no without it becoming a real pain.in summer you get groups of these people flocking to the square drinking booze and making a mess along with people laying on the floor wrapped in old rags with a couple of puppies laying on them for sympathy asking for any spare cash.note the ploy now is to sit next to cash machines.what tourists think of this god only knows and the police seem powerless to do anything.

M Davis
Nottingham, England

Whilst I applaud moves to crack down on beggars in Nottingham I don't think that tougher penalties for those caught begging will be much of a deterrent. You can only punish beggars once you catch them and you can only catch them if there is a high enough police presence. cctv cameras may catch beggars unawares, but the police presence in the city centre is near enough invisible. Most beggars frequent the same areas - Hockley, Market Square, Lister gate - so why not increase the police presence there as a deterrent? Increased police visability would reassure shoppers and people going about their business whilst sending out the message to beggars that they are not welcome in nottingham. once the beggars are sorted out can something be done about the charity pests?

Giles Metcalfe
West Bridgford

I have not noticed a 'beggar' problem in the city centres since I moved to Atlanta in the USA. Surely if the population was armed as we are here - they would be too afraid to menace the innocent passers by ?

Dave Margetts
Atlanta Goergia, USA

It may be annoying to be approached by beggars and Big Issue sellers, but I'd rather be able to give than have to face doing the begging. I'm also surprised by criticism of those who beg to support a drug habit. I'd rather addicts begged for money from those who can afford to give than were forced into criminal activity. Of course addicts need programmes of help and support but if those programmes aren't working begging is surely better than theft or robbery.

John
Nottingham

Like many, I work in the city centre and twice daily have to run the gauntlet of beggers and Big Issue sellers between Nottm station and the Market Square. Let's face it, nobody likes being hassled or subjected to a hard sell, but for centuries the centre of Nottingham has been a focal point for street traders and commerce, and I guess Big Issue sellers have just as much right to be there peddling their magazines as anybody else. The only difference is that the man who runs the fruit stall on Lister Gate doesn't confront me on my way home in an attempt to emotionally blackmail me into buying his last bunch of bananas. If anything the Big Issue is a victim of its own success, as more and more of the homeless turn to it to earn a living. 21st century consumers are not comfortable with this type of emotive selling and are basically fed up with being asked to put their hand in their pockets everytime they walk round a street corner, day in day out, week after week.! ! Over time this constant barrage of in-your-face selling can only serve to alienate their customers. I have even less sympathy for the beggers who intimidate me in the street demanding money or sit in the gutter all day playing a pipe. I appreciate that these people have serious issues and need all the help our society can give them. Never before, however, has there been such access to advice, help and support as there is now. But above all else the homeless have to take responsibility for themselves and to make the first step towards a fresh start, rather than sell-out to a life of begging and drug addiction.

David Pigott
Beeston, Nottingham

Get them off the streets and out of my way. I am sick to death of being hounded by these people when I am out and about at night. There is no need for begging in this country and these people can get help. They are an health hazard especially when they become violent when you don't give them anything. Don't give to the beggars.

Paul
Mansfield

The whole tone of Big Issue sellers seems to be that to object is to be intolerant, bigoted and mean. Many of the vendors are polite & professional; clearly taking advantage of a well meaning scheme to help vulnerable people. However, the situation in Nottingham city is absurd and indefensible. There are too many sellers who become increasingly desperate as people understandably decide they don't want to buy three copies a day. The male vendors in particular are often aggressively assertive, especially in the evening. Many sellers also beg for change if people say no thank you or ask to keep the ubiquitious 'last copy' so they can sell it to another person. The underlying problem it is financing a lot of hard drug users in Nottingham. The Big Issue was designed to help homeless achieve stability and change their circumstances. In Nottingham it keeps a lot of people in junk.

Will
Nottingham

Re: Mansfield Brewery
Regrettable, but inevitable once W&D got their hands on it. It would be nice if the brewery could continue under new management, but would W&D let it happen? Is there a market? As an aside Aileen Rawding must have a good nose. I went to Sherwood Hall Boys up to 1974 and don't recall smelling that wonderful smell from there. She could have been thinking of the old maltings on Midworth St.

Andrew Batty
Abbots Langley, Herts

RE:
The article about Newstead Abbey brought back many memories of my visits there as a child. We lived in what was known as Fishpool (now Ravenshead) in those days and on summer Sunday afternoons would visit there for family outings. Keen memories are the walk down the long driveway lined with what at the time seemed like huge Rhododenron bushes. walking around the formal garden with lily pond, picnics, and sometimes a ride back on the special bus at the end of the day when we were tired. I have not visited there for many years being now resident in New Zealand.

Aileen Rawding (Craggs)
New Zealand

and in reply...

It's still known as Fishpool to the locals, Ravenshead was made up to make it sound "posh".

Bert Fegg
Notts

RE: Newstead needs money to save Byrons pergola.
In reply to Bert, you should know that Ravenshead was the name given to the area which covered Fishpool, Larch Farm and Kig Hill,because it was expanding greatly in the sixties.

From a Local of many years.

Great city but the new Corner building in trinity square is a real disapointment.

do we really need more american cinemas, america food and american culture.

This is nottingham not new york

We dont want your fast food or crap films here anymore

Adios Americanos

King Daniel
Nottingham

and in reply...

I for 1 am glad more american culture is being bought to this town. yes nottingham is a great city but all the shopping centers here are from ideas from america. mcdonalds is a great fast food place, helped to fame by usa. what about all the indian and chinese food shops??? y aren't u complaining at all of these? i bet u go there.

Anthony
Nottingham

and in reply...

Yes i have been to Macdonalds. But there are already 5 in Nottingham. You really think shopping centres are so great? Broadmarsh centre destroyed the old part of Nottingham drury lane, and replaced it with the cheap monstrocity that is there now. Victoria Centre was built upon the old victoria station, that would be a masterpeice of architecture if it were still here now. This is america for you... profit before anything. I for one do not want to lose everything that makes Nottingham Unique. More and more american culture will take away our identity. You can find a Mcdonalds in Leicester to Swansea. Newcastle to Norwich.

The new corner building is owned by Hollywood movie firms who only show american films. You wont see anymore Nottingham Classics like twenty four seven when Hollywood is in charge. What does Bruce Willis, McDonalds, Shopping Malls, or Kentucky Fried Chicken care about Nottingham? nothing.. they just want our money.. and now they have more chance to get it. For every Macdonalds that opens, im sure 2 local restaurants close down. I'd much rather go in a Nottingham restaurant and have a chat about Forest, or Robin Hood, or NET or whatever, than go into Macdonalds and have some spotty sixteen year old with an attitude problem refuse to give me a mcdonalds breakfast because its 10:31. Haven't you seen the film Falling Down? do you really want Nottingham to end up like that?

King Daniel
Nottingham

RE: Bridge

Nottingham City Council and Notts County Council agreeing on something? Not a chance - they still haven't agreed which assets should or shouldn't transfer between them after the Unitary Status fiasco. Still - its only 3 years since that was supposed to be agreed!. Scientists will have worked out how to walk on water before these 2 public bodies can plan anything as simple as a bridge!

Bert Fegg
Notts

I have no problem with what people do to the pigeons, it is true that the problem needs to be delt with, and i'm sure someone will come up with a suitable plan eventually!

What really disgusts me is peoples views on Big Issue vendors and beggers! I moved to Hong Kong nine months ago and i personally miss reading the big issue.

Now a days it is so easy to become unemployed and homeless. People may believe all beggars are wasters (i personally do not agree) but how people can critisise Big Issue vendors is beyond me! At least they are selling something worthwhile and earning some money for themselves, what makes them all that different to outdoor evening post vendors? I used to regularly buy the Big Issue and found pretty much all vendors i bought from to be friendly and curtious (more so than many shop workers in Nottingham). They are all ready for an enjoyable chat, an activity in which i regualrly participated.

Perhaps we should address the problem of narrow minded bigotts who will fully support pigeons, but can't spare 80p for a fellow human and an enjoyable and informative read!

Fran
Hong Kong (ex-Nottingham)

In reply to Steve Hobbs comments regarding Colwick Park and the Water Sports Centre at Holme Peirpont -
I totally agree. There was some talk many years ago just after the Water Sport Centre opened that a foot bridge was being looked into to join the two together.
The project was shelved, as I understand it, which is a great shame. There is a footbridge of sorts over the Trent at the Colwick Sluice Gates, I assume this cannot be used as it belongs to Severn Trent Water. This could be a way to provide access and surely the Nottingham City Council, Nottingham County Council and Severn Trent Water could come up with a solution.
This again is a natural feature "The Trent" could make far more money and provide more jobs with a little thought. Like a footbridge of this kind.

John Foster
Arnold Nottingham

Professor resigns after online vote on tobacco issue
I think what Mr. Smith did it show us how noble he is and whatever he think or decide to do, he will be right and no one have the right to blame him if he want to resign.

In few words, he is great

Sara Joe
UAE, Dubai

Racist City?
This is in response to Goldielocks who replied to lawn mower's msg about the beggers in notts city. Perhaps lawn mower's msg seeme heartless and selfish, but i must say that he has a point. I'm saying this from my own experience of being hassled and crudely insulted for not giving change to one of those beggars who looked much younger and healthier than me to work. Try walking around the city, especially at night and you just might be lucky enough to encounter them. Perhaps being a foreigner makes me a good target for god knows what reason (i'm a foreign student at notts U). Furthermore, I have experienced racial insults before from a passing car full of brainless thugs in Beeston. Trust me when I say that there have been other similar cases like these. Having said that, maybe I'm just unlucky, and experiences do influence your perceptions on a place. But anyhow, notts may be a good place to live for some, but I personally do not think it's that great; I'd give not!
ts!
a miss if I were a tourist.

lawn mower 2
beeston, nottingham

I live in Forest Fields and am constantly annoyed by how the council treats us.

No research has been carried out - or if it has then the results haven't been made public - about the effects on children of running a huge electric cable down a narrow residential street. The kids of Forest Fields can be guinnea pigs on this one.

The tram, if it were to work, should cut traffic, why then do we still have to have a huge carpark on the recreation ground and another new one behind Radford Road police station? Obviously, there is not expected to be a reduction in traffic for us.

The tram is supposed to provide "regeneration" - is anyone actually going to get off it, when it is finally operational, to shop in Hyson Green, when more and more of the shops are shutting down, being forced out of business etc etc?

The route is ridiculuous; PFI a nightmare waiting to explode in our faces and if anyone thinks that the recent increase from 60p to 70p to travel from FF into town on the bus is not going to finance the tram i pity them. How many more price increases will we be forced to put up with so that the tram can be cost effective? Trams are limited to tracks, busses not. Why not create a cleaner, more efficient bus service, not restrict services when the tram is finally up and running?

The council take months to replace swings and other equipment in the very few play parks near FF; they want to shut our local swimming pool; they are cutting down grown trees and destroying some of the limited open spaces around FF - and they want to build on more of it; they're giving the only secondary school away to the CTC - a private school that has no obligation to take local kids and the tram will run directly through the heart of our community.

Are we being dumped on, or what?

Is there any connection between both John Taylor, one of our local councillors, and MP John Heppell's involvement in the tram and their lack of action for us?????????

Ms. Jones
Forest Fields

and in reply...

Your comments regarding the fare increase on Nottingham City Transport has absolutely nothing to do with the tram.

The tram is being financed entirely by the private sector and the fares increased to cover both the hige increase in diesal costs and the staff wage increase at NCT. We all moan about a lack of buses, due to a lack of drivers. Why so few drivers, because the wages aren't appealing enough. In comparison, on a recent trip to Basingstoke, i noticed a sign informing passengers of a 30pence increase of fares, which pits our 10 pence rather more appealing.

I think NCT should be applauded for the excellent work they do. There aren't many cities with such a comprehensive network of routes, and this weeks announcement of a revised network is most welcome. For far too long buses have run around empty along side streets, whilst mainline buses have been missing. Hopefully now the new 'turn up and go' system will improve the service for the majority and not just cater for the minority.

The City Council do consult local people. and are very good at providing info on the tram - their website and regular letters through the door.

Anthony
Nottingham

in reply...

I notice Anthony suggests that we have "..empty buses rattling 'round the side streets while the main routes have buses missing..". Does he work for Nottingham City Transport by any chance? The cross-city routes are equally hit by "missing" services but the consequences for travellers are more severe. A main route will run every fifteen minutes in the evening, so a "missing" bus may cause you a half-hour wait. Some of us have services every forty-five minutes and can be waiting an hour and a half when one goes missing. The new routes are not all wonder and light. My journey is only five miles but it will increase from thirty-five to sixty minutes. If the new routes go ahead it will be the final straw for me: I'll buy an old banger of a car and with anger and reluctance make my own contribution to congestion and pollution.

Fred W
Wollaton

and in reply...

I agree totally with Fred W of Wollaton. The bus service in Nottingham is poor and the changes proposed for September will make things worse. My present journey to work involves a wait of up to 20 minutes, then catching one bus at a cost of 70p, after the changes I would have to catch two busses at a cost of one pound and an indeterminate wait in the city centre. This is the sort of 'improvement' I could do without. Having lived in two German cities of comparable size, including Nottingham's twin, Karlsruhe, I would suggest that NCT have a lot of catching up to do! As a final thought, it is interesting to speculate how many nighttime muggings would not happen if the victims had the option of taking a bus home rather than walking. I know it's happened to me more than once.

Ian
Radford, Nottingham