The person from Boston Manor Friends was quoted in the Sunday Express last sunday. A poor quote in an otherwise well reported story.No. I don't have a direct involvement with these people but my business partner has a Polish wife and both she and he have both taken it on themselves to take the trouble to help some of these people.I have helped indirectly and often walked the parks with them as they stop and talk to them.Some do indeed live rough, but not generally in the parks. Sometimes it's only for a night.Most are not Polish but Ukranian, Romanian, Lithuanian and Latvian, and Slovenian and the vast majority are well educated and have trade or professional qualifications which, rather embarrassingly, are generally to a much higher standard than UK qualifications. Not to be confused with Romas and refugees who tend to come from elsewhere.These are all EU nationals and have the right to live and work here.The problem lies with the fact that yes, there is work, but employers are all too ready to use them as cheap labour and 'below the radar'.Some of the worst offenders are well off locals who employ house cleaners and child minders at rates way below £6.00 per hour. And it's the wealthier of the district who are the meanest. Some I know are like slave drivers for the pittance they pay them. The reality is there is no affordable accommodation where the work is and travel costs often exceed the income. It takes a while to find somewhere when they get work and it is not all that different to how it has been in this country since the 1930's. Except it was easier to find an affordable room.Most who you find drinking in parks are often Eastern European casual labour workers. They are not alcholics but simply having a drink just as others like the Irish have in bygone years.Yes it is against the bye-laws but that is down to the complete lack of enforcement.If pubs were not so expensive, they would be in there, but very few if any, local pubs are welcoming to manual workers. The day of the distinction between the Public bar and the Saloon bar are long gone. But the thirsty manual worker still exists.I worked as a student in an Ealing pub and even the beer was cheaper in the public bar but the dress code was strict for the saloon bar and respected by patrons.It is also illegal for drinking in public in Poland and most Central and Eastern european countries. In fact, if found drinking in parks or public places you get your name address taken and a letter of warning and or a fine. Get caught again and you can be in real trouble.It simply would not happen here if this was both signposted and enforced, but just like the spitting of Paan and other health or anti social habits, it is not enforced, it is far easier to issue a few parking tickets.But to imply that this is going on en masse in local parks and to imply that it is a campsite is not true .Simply do what we have done, take a walk around after working hours and see for yourselves and do not make assumptions without trying to find out the circumstances. Talk to them. They are only ordinary people just like you and I only less fortunate and wanting to do something about it.
Anthony Waller ● 4190d