Northern Moor Unites Against TV Slurs - 18/08/2009 |
 Wythenshawe MP Paul Goggins today joined residents from Northern Moor at a protest against the way the area has been portrayed this week in the press.
Publicity associated with the Spun Gold TV programme The Duchess on the Estate, which stars the Duchess of York setting up a community centre in Northern Moor, falsely claimed that the area is run down and awash with crime. The event this morning in Wythenshawe Park was attended by hundreds of people who live in Northern Moor and are proud of the area.
Speaking after the programme this evening Paul Goggins MP said: “I acknowledge Sarah Ferguson’s good intentions and her willingness to engage with the people she met. Like any community in Britain, Northern Moor has difficulties and challenges - but she did not need to go to Blackpool to find the solution! As Bernard Caine said – we have got many talented people in this area. Sarah Ferguson came to Northern Moor with the wrong idea that this is a neglected area in which no-one cares. She wanted to create a new community spirit but if only she had recognised the spirit already here perhaps she would have realised that this is not a broken community.”
Speaking earlier Mr Goggins said, “I know that residents in Northern Moor are very concerned about the way their area has been portrayed in the last few days and that people associated with this TV programme seem to be claiming it is another example of ‘Broken Britain’. This is not a broken area or a broken community and today’s show of unity by the residents underlines the strong spirit that exists.
“The vast majority of residents living in Northern Moor are decent hard working people, who do not recognise the caricature that has been created about their area.
“There has been a decade of investment in Northern Moor. Crime is relatively low thanks to the work of the neighbourhood police; and the local housing Trust Parkway Green is investing millions in improving local homes and regenerating the area. There are good local services for children and families and a new £500,000 youth club being built at Norbrook. This is a vibrant community that is proud of its achievements."
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