Be proud to give support to migrants
SOME people hark back to an imagined (English) world and want to build walls and fences and the recent calls to “take back” our foreign aid to spend domestically seems to reflect isolationism.
But since the Romans came to Castlefield (and possibly before), Manchester has always been a place that attracted migrants.
Some of us have come from other parts of the British Isles; some from further afield. Some came for the education, some for the science, technology.
John Dalton came from Cockermouth, Ernest Rutherford came from New Zealand and Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, the graphene Nobel Laureats, came from Eastern Europe.
Our engineering’s brought in Beyer and Siemens, and the arts attracted Valette.
We have the Curry Mile and Chainatown’s restaurants, Kore music in Piccadilly, and vibrant “ethnic” businesses in Moss Side.
Our city has been led by a Yomi Mambu, Roy Walters, Afzal Khan (now MP for Gorton), and Naeem ul Hassan.
Other leaders that spring to mind include Whit Stennett, Louise Da-Cocodia and Rupert Ceasar; space precludes a full role of honour!
And should one get sick where would our GPs and hospitals be without the contribution of migrant staff?
Tomorrow has been designated “One day without us” day when people are invited to signal they are proud to be a migrant or to stand with migrants.
Manchester seems not to have an event - perhaps it’s because we’re well integrated and we appreciate migration is normal. Perhaps it’s because migrants or not, we’re busy making varied contributions to our society.
Of course, some migrants are scoundrels, rogues and downright nasty criminals; but then so are some Brits.
Migrants are normal people, albeit often with abnormal histories.
I migrated to Manchester and my daughters-in-law were born in Africa.
I’m proud to support migrants so far they’ve given us three lovely grandchildren! J Josson Ardwick Gree
Don’t hive off playing fields
REGARDING Turn Moss playing fields, in Stretford, and the plan to fence off this public green space for the exclusive use off Salford City Football Club is privatisation by the back door.
The planned floodlighting will cause harm to the nocturnal wildlife, particularly owls, on the adjacent Local Nature Reserve. The shallow flooding that occurs in the winter months attracts hundreds of gulls.
Trafford Council leader Sean Anstee is quoted as saying “fantastic facilities that can be enjoyed by everyone in the community.”
He should be aware that many people like it just as it is, where in summer people, especially with young families, can enjoy an open and safe space.
If he is passionate about delivering great benefits for the local community, he should, surly, contact Salford Council where the club is based and give the citizens of Salford the benefit of the investment. J P Agar, Manchester
Sad news for this building
I AM sorry to read that the campaigners who have spent the last seven years trying to save Ancoats Dispensary have had to hand it back to Urban Splash.
They have done an amazing job at getting funds and it was such a shame the Heritage Lottery Fund let them down in their last bid. Vivien Hall Failsworth
Hate the herd mentality
WITH reference to David Snook’s letter in Wednesday’s Viewpoints regarding his experiences at Manchester Airport, I couldn’t agree more.
My wife and I have travelled all over the world through many, many airports and Manchester is definitely a one-off. We have complained on several occasions about their seemingly self-imposed rules that no other UK airport seems to apply. And yes, Mr Snook’s description of it as a ‘zoo’ is very apt.
Although it hasn’t happened recently, it was (maybe still is?) the norm to be called ‘mate’ or ‘love’ and barked at to ‘keep moving!.’
I remember once asking a member of staff why he was aggressively shouting: “This way! This way!” and pointing along a corridor when there was no other option but to go forward!
I suspect the staff at Manchester airport are briefed to get the ‘cattle’ through as quickly possible with no regard to manners or respect.
It’s clear and obvious where the bottlenecks are. Once one of our bags was diverted by security control to be searched (it had a lipstick inside!).
There it sat for 30 minutes before our patience broke and we asked why nobody had noticed it? Again the confrontational member of staff thought he was above being questioned.
As for e-passport control, the cost (and maintenance) of all those machines now seems laughable. It’s much quicker going through to see an actual person.
The number of staff they have to herd you along the right path and then sort out problem after problem is a joke. Other airports (eg Melbourne) have a far more efficient system for e-passports.
What foreign visitors must think, I do not know! John O’Brien, Marple Bridge