Leaders’ anger at Shadsworth Panorama documentary ‘disgrace’ (From Lancashire Telegraph)
When news happens, text LT and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
Leaders’ anger at Shadsworth Panorama documentary ‘disgrace’
12:15pm Monday 29th October 2012 in News
By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter
Leaders’ anger at Shadsworth Panorama documentary ‘disgrace’
THE FIRST public meeting held in Shadsworth since the screening of a Panorama documentary on the estate invoked a strong reaction from leading figures.
The meeting was attended by key decision makers including MP Jack Straw, council leader Kate Hollern and Chief Superintendent Bob Eastwood.
Held in the Shadsworth Neighbourhood Centre, over 50 residents attended to discuss local issues, but it began with a riposte to the BBC over the documentary aired in September.
Mr Straw labelled the hour-long programme ‘disgraceful’.
He said: “There was an element of trickery in what they had done. If they wanted to make a programme on three families, two of which have genuine problems, and the other had just fallen on hard times, then that is fine. But to stigmatise the whole area in the way they sought to do was unacceptable.”
Mr Straw told residents that he would be writing to the BBC.
Ch Supt Bob Eastwood, who was interviewed for the documentary, said: “My sole priority was to make sure Shadsworth was not discredited.
“In total about two minutes of my interview was shown, when I actually spoke to them for around two and a half hours.”
Coun Hollern also branded the documentary ‘disgraceful’. She said: “I’ve never felt a place with such a strong sense of community as Shadsworth has.”
Ian Clark, executive director of Twin Valley Homes, said: “Panorama filmed with us for four days but they didn’t show any of it, they weren’t interested in good news.”
Among the issues raised at the meeting was rubbish being left in back streets and changes to housing benefit.
A BBC spokesman said: "Jack Straw’s allegation of “trickery” in the making of the Panorama Trouble on the Estate is both untrue and unfounded.
"We stand by our programme as a fair and balanced portrayal of life on the Shadsworth estate.
"We were open and transparent during the many months we spent there and we fairly and accurately reflected both what we were told and what we filmed.
"This included the view of the police and the positive work of the Fernhurst School in Blackburn and the efforts by Shadsworth residents to save the local swimming pool from council cutbacks.
"However the vast majority of people we spoke to, both on camera and off, told us that anti-social behaviour and drugs, are serious problems on the estate. We remain firm in our belief that it was in the public interest to bring these very real concerns, together with the issues of joblessness and family breakdown, to a wider audience.”
Comments(18)
Hendog
says...
12:44pm Mon 29 Oct 12
slammer
says...
12:45pm Mon 29 Oct 12
I showed my daughter the house where I was born and where I played as a kid, Rothsey road where my granny lived, all the things you need to see again when you do a bit of navel searching.
Not much has changed since 1972 but the change that there is has been for the worst.
I saw a lack of pride in the area, houses in disrepair and grimy, litter in the hedges, overgrown and unkept grass in the greens, people I saw did not walk, they trudged.
I have not seen the TV report and don't need to the situation is evident.
easypeasy
says...
3:09pm Mon 29 Oct 12
AnthonyUK
says...
3:09pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Major Tom
says...
3:27pm Mon 29 Oct 12
"I can't go to work I've got my dog to look after and his got like type 3 diabetes. His called Tyson like that boxer."
jack denials
says...
3:42pm Mon 29 Oct 12
I'm expected to run a house from my salary and pay taxes yet, all their housing / decorating etc needs have already been met and DON'T even come out of the £1100?
Then they have the nerve to complain they are being made look bad.
jack denials
says...
3:44pm Mon 29 Oct 12
1 - would you like to live there?
2 - would you open a shop there?
3 - would you park your car there overnight?
jack denials
says...
3:48pm Mon 29 Oct 12
AnthonyUK
says...
3:49pm Mon 29 Oct 12
jack denials
says...
3:49pm Mon 29 Oct 12
jack denials wrote:that's £1500 a month not a week (i wish) before you start making comments
I have to work 48 hours a week to EARN a measly £1500 and some Shads residents get £1100 for sitting on their lazy posterior?!
I'm expected to run a house from my salary and pay taxes yet, all their housing / decorating etc needs have already been met and DON'T even come out of the £1100?
Then they have the nerve to complain they are being made look bad.
sen c ble
says...
4:02pm Mon 29 Oct 12
jack denials wrote:Yeah!
How on earth does a species that can send man to the moon also produce such foul mouthed vulgar idiots as those shown in the documentary is beyond me.
Why is it then 9 months ago whilst I was posting a comment to 'Madari the snake charmer' and the first comment you posted to me, you came up with the lowest lingo directly aimed at myself?
In another words you're a two faced piece of 5*1t.
roversjeff
says...
5:38pm Mon 29 Oct 12
elmo maniac
says...
6:14pm Mon 29 Oct 12
did anyone mention the high car insurance at this meeting as bb1 is riddiculas to own a car.
powerpop
says...
7:34pm Mon 29 Oct 12
AnthonyUK
says...
10:02pm Mon 29 Oct 12
angel2012
says...
9:07am Tue 30 Oct 12
AndyW
says...
10:04am Tue 30 Oct 12
jack denials wrote:Completely agree.
I have to work 48 hours a week to EARN a measly £1500 and some Shads residents get £1100 for sitting on their lazy posterior?!
I'm expected to run a house from my salary and pay taxes yet, all their housing / decorating etc needs have already been met and DON'T even come out of the £1100?
Then they have the nerve to complain they are being made look bad.
I earn a little bit more, but have a wife and son to support.
Once all bills and responsibilities are taken care of, I'm probably left with a couple of hundred £ each month, but we managed and live reasonably comfortably.
How can anyone on benefits complain that they don't have enough money, when they have probably upwards of £1k per month in 'free' money, without a mortgage, pension, insurance, childcare or Council Tax (etc) to pay?
And if any case, if you're struggling for money, how about not drinking or smoking...?
lwg76 says...
12:44pm Mon 29 Oct 12