FOR BEST VIEWING PRESS YOUR F11 KEY Asphalt factory protesters bring opening ceremony of the new £1/2m All Saints Square & Piazza to an abrupt end Saturday Yesterday's official opening of the new All Saints Square & Piazza by the new Mayor of Northampton (Cllr M Boss) was brought to an abrupt end when members of the Far Cotton Residents Association (F.C.R.A) marched onto the piazza just as the Mayor was beginning his speech chanting "Boss Boss Boss - out out out" (the reason for this shall become clear), drowning out the Mayor on his first official engagement of his mayoralty. The new All Saints Piazza & Square The morning began quietly with Morris dancing, face painting, a Punch & Judy show and the Northampton Scout Band all entertaining the public before the official opening ceremony. But as the Rev Simon Godfrey finished a short prayer and the Mayor began to speak, members of the F.C.R.A filled the Piazza chanting and waving their placard's in protest at the NBC giving planning permission for a new asphalt factory to be built at the end of Ransome Road, Far Cotton - which the F.C.R.A say shall cause a lot of pollution to local residents and Northampton in general. Then one resident walked to the edge of the Piazza and lit a 'smoke flare' as a symbol of the pollution that the asphalt factory would cause. Unfortunately, despite moving to the side of the Piazza strong gusts of wind blew sparks from the flare in the direction of the Northampton Scout Band. One of the band members was burnt after a spark went down his shirt collar and another female member suffered from the effects of the strong smoke from the flare going into her eyes (Please see picture below). Please allow time for the JPEG's to download. But now a political row has broken out after Labour & Conservative party group leaders on the NBC realised that the resident that was holding the flare is a Liberal Democrat activist and a candidate for the Lib Dem's in the next local borough elections, although he was only at the demonstration as a local resident and not as a representative of the Lib Dem's. Mr Roy Connell - Chair of the F.C.R.A spoke exclusively to Webby yesterday saying; "When you report on yesterdays protest can you make it clear that the protest was organised by Far Cotton Residents Association. Brendan Glynane was there as a concerned resident of Far Cotton as is his right." Mr Connell cont: "Far Cotton Residents Association decided to protest as it seems that is the only way to get our views heard. Because of the embargo place on the residents of Northampton our views were not allowed to be heard at the planning meeting when the decision was made. Cllr Phil Larratt & Mr Roy Connell after the flare incident "Our new Mayor was chairman at this committee meeting and we thought it was a fair decision that he should be the target of our protest. The flare was used to indicate the pollution that will be present over Far Cotton and Northampton in general. "It is regretted that the young lad was burnt by a spark from this flare and it is hoped that all is well with him. We intend to do all we can to get this decision reversed." But Cllr Phil Larratt (Leader - Conservative Group NBC), took a rather more serious view of the events and also spoke exclusively to Webby yesterday saying "I was disgusted at the actions of Mr Brendan Glynane on All Saints Square this morning. "Everyone living in a democracy has a right to demonstrate, but in doing so they don't have the right to endanger and harm others as Mr Glynane did today. "Mr Glynane's irresponsible actions in letting off a large flare on All Saints Square, amongst the crowd and in close proximity of young people, was both dangerous and illegal. "It is due to Mr Glynane's actions that, to my knowledge, two young people were hurt. The consequences could have been far more serious. Somebody could have been burned or incurred a serious eye injury. Luckily, as far as I'm aware, the only injuries received were slight." His Worship The Mayor Cllr Mike Boss Cllr Larratt concluded: "Mr Glynane is a Liberal Democrat activist, who aspires to be an elected representative. His actions and behaviour of today are totally unacceptable of an elected representative. "Consequently, through an open letter, I have called upon Councillor Richard Church, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Northampton Borough Council, to disassociate himself, his Group and his Party from Mr Glynane's actions of today and not to endorse his candidature as a Liberal Democrat in future elections." The open letter to Cllr Church read as follows: I accept that in this democratic country of ours, everybody has the right to demonstrate and to voice his or her opinions. However, in doing so, I don't believe that anyone has the right to endanger and cause harm to innocent bystanders. I understand that Mr Brendan Glynane is a Liberal Democrat activist within Northampton, having stood as a Liberal Democrat Candidate at last years County Council Election. Mr Glynane today led a demonstration of Far Cotton residents to All Saints Square. This demonstration, which coincided with the official opening of the square, was in protest at the granting of planning permission for an asphalt plant in the Far Cotton area. As I have said Mr Glynane and those accompanying him have every right to demonstrate. However, upon arriving on All Saints Square, Mr Glynane, standing amongst the crowd and in the vicinity of young children, illegally let off a large flare. This flare, held by Mr Glynane in close proximity of a Scout Band, caused a lot of smoke and ash that blew across the square, affecting many people. I understand that as a result of Mr Glynane's actions, at least two people on the square, who were members of the Scout Band, were harmed. One, I am told was burned on the neck, and the other was affected by the smoke. I saw Mr Glynane himself after he had let off the flare and he was covered in ash. Mr Glynane's actions today were illegal and shameful. They harmed at least two young people. This is not the behaviour expected, nor is it acceptable of somebody who aspires to become an elected representative. Were Mr Glynane a Member of the Conservative Party, I can assure you that I would not be endorsing his candidature at a future election, and I would be challenging his right to continue as a Party Member. I only hope, that as Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Northampton Borough Council, you will disassociate yourself, your Group and your Party with Mr Glynane and his actions of today, and that you will not be supporting his candidature as a Liberal Democrat in future elections. One nervous looking Cllr Terry Wire as the protesters began arriving. Cllr Wire told Mr Glynane BEFORE the protest that it was all Cllr Chaman Kalyan's fault (Lab - Delapre) that this project was moving forward. Should be interesting to see what Cllr Kalyan has to say about that as well as the residents of Far Cotton & Delapre? If you wish to discuss this matter with Cllr Kalyan tel (01604) 706310 Cllr Keith Davies (Labour Group Leader - NBC) also spoke exclusively to Webby on Saturday. He was furious with Mr Glynane and had strong words with him after the event. I asked Cllr Davies what he had to say on the protesters actions and he told me: "This morning’s demonstration was an example of bad taste. It resulted with children being hurt and scared. There was no need to use flares to try and make their point. Cllr Keith Davies & Mr Brendan Glynane in an angry exchange of words after the ceremony was brought to a halt "This is an example of people whipping up local groups by feeding them misinformation, then urging them to do things, which will not enhance their cause. "I have no problem with demonstrating, I have been on many demonstrations myself, including the Dundee Timex march and several Cheltenham marches supporting Trade Union members at GCHQ. "The main aim of the demonstration was to object to the granting of planning permission to an asphalt plant at Ransome Road. Councillors have to adhere to legal advice which is given to them and the advice given was there was “no grounds” to turn down this application. It was in an area that has had this type of industry for many years. Even though planning permission has been granted this does not mean that it will go ahead. The land required is not in the company ownership and a lease or sale has to be achieved before it can proceed. "I think that this group should publicly apologise to both the children involved and to the Rev. Simon Godfrey." I am pleased to say that today I received a statement from Cllr Richard Church (Leader - Lib Dem's NBC) which read as follows: "Andy, I'd like to make the following comments, and I may have more to say later.   "Feelings are running very high in Far Cotton. People are feeling ignored and frustrated, and they are understandably concerned at the prospect of a large new asphalt plant in their communities, that is what led to this demonstration, and people do still, thank goodness, have the right to make a public protest. Cllr Richard Church - Leader Lib Dem's NBC  "A flare was lit to make a point about an asphalt plant. it was not lit with the intention to cause harm to anyone. I understand that Brendan Glynane and the residents association have apologised to anyone who was hurt or distressed by this incident.   "The use of this flare, especially on a windy day, was a silly mistake which those involved must now regret.   "I hope that the council now address the real concerns of people in Far Cotton, over both the asphalt plant, and the failure of the Council to support proposals for the regeneration of Delapre Abbey. Imaginative plans, which would create new environmentally sustainable homes and leisure facilities, together with the restoration of Delapre Abbey for the benefit of the local community are being discarded by the council.   "I hope both sides learn from their mistakes, and the council enter into a more constructive dialogue with local people." Then to make the situation worse, someone had called the police, just what was needed. So now the stakes had been raised as the threat or possibility of Mr Glynane being arrested was real. But the police were not only interested in Mr Glynane, as I took the photo to the right, the small plod with no hair came over to me rather angry and demanded to know why I was taking photograph's!! Police talking to Mr Glynane - Shy PC 412 has his back to us so he is not recognised! The thought crossed my mind to reply that it was because I was carrying a camera, but that might have confused him a little. So I informed PC 412 that I was invited to cover the opening of the All Saints Piazza & Square for an independent political news service. This did not satisfy his curiosity and he once again demanded to know what press association I worked for, I simply replied that as I had just told him I was an independent photographer and reporter - he was not amused and informed me that I was NOT to take photographs of the police and that was an order that had come from "a higher authority". Wow I thought, I knew I was there to cover the All Saints Church Piazza & Square story but I never expected the main man to make an appearance, now that would have been a photo worth keeping. Anyway, if he is that paranoid about being a police officer I would suggest that he does not drive around Northampton in a highly visibly marked car with flashing lights and sirens, wearing a bright yellow jacket with the word POLICE written all over it! No doubt the CCTV control room was told to take my photo (unknowingly), as I may have been branded the instigator of the mornings events! However, there is a lot more to this story than this one demonstration. We shall be following this story as things develop and shall be posting all the information that has been sent through to me to date that explains the frustration of the people of Far Cotton, so watch this space! 23:50 Sunday 26/5/02 I have just received the following Press Release from Cllr Richard Church, please click on the following link to read it. Click here BACK TO LOCAL NEWS 2002