Rochdale In The News Again

Looking to catch up on this evenings 'Panorama' programme on BBCiPlayer, I in fact stumbled upon last weeks episode quite by chance. This episode concentrated on the subject of doorstep money lenders working for 'Provident', highlighting dubious tactics used in order to encourage clients to take on more debt. Well, surprise, surprise...it was filmed in Rochdale, describing it as 'one of the poorest boroughs in the country with unemployment 40% higher than the national average' (according to Government statistics).

Why is it that whenever television planners decide they want to make a programme like this that Rochdale is always their first stop? Wouldn't it be nice to have some filming done in the town that is positive for once?!

Poppyanna555 wrote: Wouldn't it be nice to have some filming done in the town that is positive for once?!

Perhaps some sort of local film project, based in a lively area of Rochdale, like Falinge for instance could document real lives and give a more positive view. It would need a bit of funding though.

Well there was a short film made about the area you suggested. But it came at great cost to us the Rochdale Taxpayer.

Chill37 wrote:Well there was a short film made about the area you suggested. But it came at great cost to us the Rochdale Taxpayer.

Sorry Chill37, I did know that, and that it was a scandal. That type of thing, scandal and failure etc., does seem to be the main filmic appeal of Rochdale. With todays camera and computer technology, it's not expensive to make a video about something either positive, negative or factual about Rochdale and put it on U tube, for those that are interested in that kind of thing.

We've had several funded film projects, also about Falinge, to promote positives, but our stats continue to attract negative attention for documentaries.

Reverting to Charly's initial diversity theme, an Independent Film " Best Little Whorehouse in Rochdale " is a recent Stateside hit.

Sept: Best Little Whorehouse in Rochdale premiered at the Palm Beach International Film Festival in Florida, winning the audience choice award, despite worries that the American audience may not understand the Rochdale accents. ! There is no sex or nudity and it's a low-budget (£3,000) comedy spoof film that was shot round Rochdale and Manchester by an independent film maker, a Prestwich chap, only using local actors. There's even northern brass band music in it and themed on a co-op. It's currently doing the circuit of film festivals, to rave reviews as a real comedy. An inoffesive sense of humour ....

cyfrifia wrote:

Chill37 wrote:Well there was a short film made about the area you suggested. But it came at great cost to us the Rochdale Taxpayer.

Sorry Chill37, I did know that, and that it was a scandal. That type of thing, scandal and failure etc., does seem to be the main filmic appeal of Rochdale. With todays camera and computer technology, it's not expensive to make a video about something either positive, negative or factual about Rochdale and put it on U tube, for those that are interested in that kind of thing.

Very true that bad news is more easily available about Rochdale then good news. The usual tabloids seem to be all to eager to use bad news.

The project was dreadful;

the website pulled after a day becasue the quality was so dire; the short films made can be found on U Tube - and are so poor as to be unwatchable and STILL not presenting the borough in a good light.

This particular fiasco cost about £75K of tax payers money. all was thoroughly documented and commented on the RO Messageboard - now regrettably out of reach.

You can get a lot of stuff at Argos for £72,000

'Unbelievable' amount spent by Council on film and website
Reporter: Laura Wild
Date online: 08 January 2011

A project funded by Rochdale Borough Council is being investigated by the Council's internal audit team following controversy over what appears to be an “unbelievable” amount of money spent on a project that in essence was little more than the production of a film and an exceptionally poor website.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/51366/unbelievable-amount-spent-by-council-on-film-and-website

My apology I did not see your writing before and went on to the SCR. I am thinking there has not been any INDEPENDENT review and the climate we have in Rochdale sends this woman to the BBC in alternative to local news.

Rochdale intends to stop funding moderate (disability) needs as part of a drive to save £45m by 2015.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/vulnerable-to-be-hurt-most-by-inhumane-support-cuts-8219863.html

Other councils are mentioned in this article about cuts to funding for disabled people, but Rochdale gets a couple of mentions as a leading example. Can anyone accept or agree with this approach to cutting council expenditure? Or, should we sell the Mayors' Chain of Office before going this way?

Another rape in Rochdale today.
http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/74489/two-incidents-of-rape

Not good is it, the perpetrator of a rape that took place at the back of our properties quite recently has not been apprehended yet either (as far as I am aware) and so the familiar quote rolled out by the police " I would also like to say that as upsetting as these incidents are, we do not believe there is a wider threat to women in the area." is beginning to wear quite thin.

I do not know if I am correct on this. In the news a few weeks ago it was said that violent crime was on the waydown.

This last couple of weeks there seems to be an increase in violent crime reported in the news.

The woman who claimed she was raped behind a Heywood pub in the early hours Monday, has been fined £80 for wasting police time.

I feel sorry for the innocent man in all this. Whose name, no doubt, is now 'out there' and this woman who lied is allowed to remain nameless.

I ve always said both parties should remain nameless untill a conviction is made and secured and the guilty party then named.

Perhaps it was a 'cry for help'. A doctor should have a chat with her.

cyfrifia wrote:Perhaps it was a 'cry for help'. A doctor should have a chat with her.

Well Im sorry but that is a very strange way to get help. Accusing an innocent man of one of the most horrific crimes.

Maybe she does need help now after her conviction. Personally I would have given this woman a harsher sentence instead of £80.00 fine.

On the face of it, a fine and some sort of referral to mental health support would seem to be in order, at least to try and stop the same thing happening again.

Chill37 wrote:I feel sorry for the innocent man in all this. Whose name, no doubt, is now 'out there' and this woman who lied is allowed to remain nameless.

I ve always said both parties should remain nameless untill a conviction is made and secured and the guilty party then named.

Totally agree. Would say that should be the case in all crimes similar to this, crimes involving alleged rape, child porn etc.

Recently a former local councillor and his partner have been found (rightly) not guilty after being charged for having terrible terrible images on their computer. This AFTER they had been forced out of their homes and now living away from Rochdale. It must be awful to be accused of a crime you did not do, and or framed for such awful crimes.

Not sure what crimes the victim and or accused should remain anonymous, on, but certainly sex type crimes should be in my opinion.

" UP THE DALE wrote

Recently a former local councillor and his partner have been found (rightly) not guilty after being charged for having terrible terrible images on their computer. This AFTER they had been forced out of their homes and now living away from Rochdale. It must be awful to be accused of a crime you did not do, and or framed for such awful crimes.

Not sure what crimes the victim and or accused should remain anonymous, on, but certainly sex type crimes should be in my opinion.

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UTD: Perusal of "not guilty" cases sometimes show the defence lawyers very sophisticated use of a technicality to result in not proven charges. It must be very difficult for juries at times like that.



An interesting view regarding sex type crimes and one not shared by all, as shown yet again today:


23 Oct 2012 Nine men from Rochdale charged after child sex grooming probe

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1591927_nine-men-from-rochdale-charged-after-child-sex-grooming-probe.