While I welcome any attempt to attract regeneration cash into any part of the Borough this scheme really shouldn't be called a Ring of Unity or be represented as a Borough wides initiative.

It excludes areas like Saddleworth, Failsworth and most of the townships in the Borough and I think looks more like an exclusion zone or ring of disunity to those not in the Town of Oldham.

If the bid is successful at this stage and goes on to receive visits from funding judges - what sort of response will they get if they go on to the streets of areas like Saddleworth, Failsworth, Shaw etc. ?

I doubt if it will be positive. Oldham MBC's best bet would be to ensure Lottery judges are kept away from those parts of Oldham excluded from the 'Ring of Unity'

I did make my views known to those drawing up the bid before it was announced but it seems my comments fell on deaf ears.

Ken 01457 872859