TAWPA’s involvement in Dawley Town Hall’s Future Now Jeopardized

The story about The Future of Dawley Town Hall initially broke via the Telford Journal on 4^th March 2010 and the involvement of TAWPA Borough and Parish Councillors became clear on the TAWPA website www.tawpa.net.

Whilst the views of TAWPA and their supporters initially seemed honorable, the tone soon changed to a manner that was almost sinister.

Comments questioning the honesty of the Baldwin Family, the conduct of Telford Stage School, questions over CRB checks were posted.

Whilst the questions seemed fair, many postings were posted and allowed by the website admin team that were without sound basis, allowed for considerable innuendo and were in fact  defamatory toward the Baldwin family who own Telford Stage School.

On the 5^th March 2010, The Baldwin family emailed Councillor Helen Williams raising their concerns,

The Baldwin family stated

“Paul Quinn is a false name used by an ex students father we believe, who we have had a harassment order againt”

Despite this grave issue be brought to her attention, Cllr Helen Williams replied,

Dear lee

Please feel free to add your comments on this website.

Can you please identify which comments you feel are liabelous, after investigation we will consider removing them.

Regards
Helen Williams

totally ignoring the legal issue and continued to allow the person known as Paul Quinn to keep posting, other names used were also Elaine Quinn.

Telford council Watch raised concerns about the contents of the allowed posts stating,

I have just received an email complaining about the content of TAWPA's website.

I have advised the writer that I have NO authority over what TAWPA allow on their website and have suggested they either contact TAWPA or wordpress directly.

However, having read the comments made, I do believe that they have gone beyond the point of discussion and into the realms of being personal maybe even defamatory, if a complaint was made, it could easily be upheld by the hosting provider.

I feel that this serves as a reminder to us all, that anything said has to be kept factual other wise you not only damage others, yourself, but what ever you stand for.

Telford Council Watch has made other comments in the forums. Our concerns appeared to be responsible for the initial stream of comments being marked “Your comment is awaiting moderation”

However, the comments section was soon reopened and further concerns about the TAWPA’s handling of this situation were raised, this seems to have been responsible for the complete removal of comments from the TAWPA web site, however, we have been informed that a formal complaint has been made to TAWPA’s hosting provider.

The comments allowed were in fact harmful and brought into question the integrity and honesty of the Baldwin family in an unfair and unjust manner.

Although TAWPA have been invited to comment and justify their actions on Telford Council Watch, they have yet to comment,

But two vital questions now loom,

Have TAWPA Councillors now jeopardized their ability to fairly handle the future of Dawley Town Hall and secondly, should they be allowed too.

One thing is for certain, their reputation now lies in tatters because of their own actions.

I would suggest that this was the biggest single attack launched by a political party and some of the comments caused myself and others considerable offence.

TAWPA should now issue a formal apology.

Comments can be read and made in the forums under “TAWPA out of order”

Original Message -----

From: Williams, Helen, Cllr

To: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 6:26 PM

Subject: Re: TAWPA comments forum

Dear lee

Please feel free to add your comments on this website.

Can you please identify which comments you feel are liabelous, after investigation we will consider removing them.

Regards
Helen Williams

From: The Baldwins <baldwinash
To: Williams, Helen, Cllr
Sent: Fri Mar 05 17:53:32 2010
Subject: TAWPA comments forum

I have recently been informed of the comments made on your TAWPA forum. I request that those allegations concerning Telford Stage School and the Baldwins are removed please as they are not true.  Also that any future potentially libelous comments also be removed.

 Paul Quinn is a false name used by an ex students father we believe, who we have had a harassment order againt.

I have not written any thing on your site. I would use my own name.

We have done our best to move the change over of DTH quickly. It is a shame the press was involved. I was shocked when they called me to comment.

On reading your forum it is a pity the groups who were looking for premises to hire were not referred to DTH as we were constantly calling or emailing groups to rent DTH

Kind Regards

Lee baldwin

AFC TELFORD UNITED – NOT JUST A FOOTBALL CLUB

AFC Telford United has become synonymous in its reputation as a football club and has enjoyed considerable success over recent years.

But there is more to AFC Telford United that goes well beyond football and like an octopuses tentacles, reaches out further and into many if not all communities throughout Telford.

The area I refer to is the area of youth support and education. The club does not blow its own trumpet with regards the success it has in youth support and to some extent that is understandable.

When working with or supporting young people, there is a very fine line in letting people know what you do and being seen to gain some notoriety or publicity for doing it.

I believe it is this fine line that causes AFC Telford United to remain quiet about its achievements and many other organisations who do similar positive work to also remain silent.

Chairman Lee Carter wears many different hats, from grounds man to safety to youth worker, many if not all of the players do similar, they are not just footballers, but also full fill a role as role models to young people, both directly and indirectly.

Over the past few years I have had the pleasure of meeting many young people, many of whom have experienced various difficulties in their short lives. Some have lost direction through no fault of their own only to be given a fresh outlook on life when having become involved with AFC Telford United.

Some of these young people have received football coaching from various players and many have received educational support from the players and staff at the club.

I know all to well what a positive influence a successful sports person can have on a young person and know that as a role model and mentor they can have a positive effect. Often, they can reach a young person in ways family, teachers, social workers and other professional bodies cannot.

AFC Telford United is giving many young people support. The support given is the club thinking out of the box and assisting many who do not work too well in the traditional arena of a school or classroom environment.

There is something very special about being taught something by a star you admire, whether that be football, boxing, hockey or even mathematics. The young person listens, acts differently, but most of all listens and learns.

Having recently visited the club, I saw at first hand the passion and tenacity the club has with helping young people. I have also come to the feeling that the club has or had become an accidental political pawn, when you work with many partners and like minded bodies, politics will always creep in there somewhere, politicians who aim their frustration towards the club, need to think outside the box, some would benefit from seeing what the club does at first hand.

Apart from the passion and the tenacity the club shows to its youth support, I was struck by something new.

All too often, we hear statements like

“If our work only helps one, or stops one, then it has all been worth it”

AFC Telford had a different train of thought,

“We want to positively impact on every young person that walks in our doors”

A view I’ve shared myself and still share today.

I can honestly say that AFC Telford United is positively influencing many young people in new and positive ways. This positive influence is far reaching in a way that cannot be measured and this positive influence will last long after we have gone, but also influences those that are not only the future of the Borough, but those that are our decision makers of tomorrow.