Forum Topic

Over £120K from Ealing Council to the Hanwell School of Boxing - Why?

Is anyone other than me surprised that Ealing Council has given over £120,000 to the Hanwell School of Boxing? Especially in light of the 700 planned job cuts, the cuts in libraries and library refurbishment, and the closure of the Albert Dane and Links centres for the disabled and the mentally ill.

William J Malmet ● 5274d8 Comments

By all accounts Phil, the skate park, initiated by the Tory party, is a resounding success. But the Labour lot took the far more intelligent decision (for once) of siting the park where it would serve a far greater number of Ealing citizens. As you well know any person who meddles is likely to be called an activist or a nimby or be subject to some other disrespectful weak minded epithet. This was not meddling. It was a melding of two streams of common sense and need. It was a good lesson for both parties to consider and accomodate what both groups wanted and we should have more of that and less cheesed off sillyness -please.

George Knox ● 5269d

George,Thank you for mentioning the skate park which was another fantastic Tory youth project (signed off by me again I might add) that was delayed by 18 months by meddling Labour activists.

Phil Taylor ● 5269d

Agreed and perhaps in your next manifesto you might promise a youth club or two.Better than a skate park which focuses less on cohesion and more on competition.

George Knox ● 5269d

I echo Cllr Taylors points and would also add that having been involved at key times with the boxing club for a few years the commitment of the volunteers and the families to the provision of this facility is really quite inspiring.The boxing club themselves have committed signficant funds to the scheme.  I also feel that we cannot have it both ways.  Decrying the attitudes of our young peeople and at the same time questioning the expenditure on a facility that provides a signficant number of them with positive male role models, the taking part in an olympic sport that requires discipline and self-esteem to perform and which provides an powerful alternative to hanging around on street corners, seems to me to be the opposite of the support we should be supplying to this valuable endeavour.

Mark Reen ● 5269d

Mr Malmet,Ealing Council has supported Hanwell School of Boxing (HSB) for many years in various ways, for instance providing their current premises.  Boxing is not everyone's cup of tea but it has proven to be an effective way of diverting a range of kids from trouble.  Let's not debate the merits here.  This project goes back a number of years and like many such projects it has taken a while to come to fruition.  When I was in charge of sports (and other things) I signed off the orignal programme which involved £120K of council capital funds plus £130K of grants from sports bodies.  See here:http://www2.ealing.gov.uk/ealing3/export/sites/ealingweb/services/council/committees/agendas_minutes_reports/cabinet/19may2009-24may2010/_23_february_2010/Item_16_-_Hanwell_School_of_Boxing.doc - 2010-02-15The key thing to remember is that the club runs itself with volunteer help and does not cost the council anything from a revenue point of view.  150 young people are learning some discipline and respect for the sake of the council providing a decent building for them to operate out of.  It is a good deal for our community.  HSB is based in Northfield ward and is strongly supported by the three local councillors.  They have recently also had volunteer project management help from local lady Linda Massey.  One of the Northfield SNT police, PC John Bennett, is one of the club's officers and coaches.

Phil Taylor ● 5271d

Spot on.Despite the health concerns, boxing is a proven 'tool' to turn-round disaffected youngsters. Rather invest £120,000 now than spend many times this on trying, and failing, to turn round those who have nothing in their lives. I regret the passing of organised youth clubs which kept many on the straight and narrow. In my youth (old git alert) I could have attended a different youth club each night of the week. They cost a pittance to run and, if run correctly, help to develop young minds and bodies.

Nigel Brooks ● 5274d

I think it's money well spent.Nothing like youth idleness,hanging about and smoking skunk with your mates and a life of petty criminality to prepare you for a life on benefits,in and out of nick and possibly mental health problems.

Keith Iddon ● 5274d

No, not just you. Nothing like boxing for making people disabled and mentally ill, either.

Susan Kelly ● 5274d