I thought I should give you an update of just a few of the things I have been up to in recent days:
Street Pastors: As I mentioned in my last posting, it was great to attend the Street Pastors launch at St Paul's. The support that the Pastors have across the Town is crucial to the scheme's success.
Housing Briefing: One of the most difficult constituency issues is housing - and the subject that is raised with me the most. For this reason, on Friday, I went to see Council Officers to go through a number of difficult housing problems, and also to discuss housing policy. It was a very useful briefing for me, and gave me a better understanding of housing problems facing our town.
Latton Green School: I attended an important meeting with parents, governors, teachers and pupils in Latton Green School. Parents are incredibly concerned about road safety issues around the schools. I am working with the Governors, trying to persuade Essex Council to introduce some proper road safety measures, particularly around Commonside Road. I would like to see some vehicle activated speed signs, as a first port of call.
Nazeing Festival: A wonderful Saturday afternoon was spent at Nazeing Festival, just by the Lea Valley Park. Not only were there some great bands playing, but also a huge variety of tents and loads of food stalls also. I had the pleasure of awarding the prizes to the Nazeing young Princess. It was good to be there with former East Enders Actress Gillian Taylforth too!
The Chinese Community Centre: The Harlow CCC is one of the biggest and most thriving outside London. I had an amazing time - and an incredible Chinese meal. The Harlow Chinese Community were celebrating ten years of the Centre. I was even asked to do some Karaoke to the Beatles: All you need is love.
DHL: One of the biggest courier companies in the world - it is good that DHL have a major office in Harlow. I was pleased to visit the plant to discuss current issues facing the company. DHL is a big employer in Harlow - and a huge employer across the UK. I will be going back to visit the warehouse and meet some more employees. The picture at the top shows me with the manager and Hannah, our work experience student.
Harlow Alzheimers Society Memory Walk: The annual walk took place this morning, starting at the Greyhound Pub in the Town Park. I had to blow the whistle. I have promised to do a sponsored swim though for the Harlow Alzheimers Society later in the year.
Harlow Alzheimers Society Memory Walk: The annual walk took place this morning, starting at the Greyhound Pub in the Town Park. I had to blow the whistle. I have promised to do a sponsored swim though for the Harlow Alzheimers Society later in the year.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
I am concerned about the remit and accountability of Harlow's street pastors.
ReplyDeleteI believe that street pastoring can be beneficial where the remit of the pastors is strictly defined as one of helping those with social problems, for example, homeless and disadvantaged people.
If, however, the remit of street pastors is to be broadened to one of helping the police to enforce law and order then I believe that special constables should be in place, not street pastors, and those helping the police in this way must be representative of the general community, not simply representative of the established church. They must be trained and properly accountable.
I am a committed Christian yet, in common with the majority of British people, my values differ from those of the most of the established churches in a number of ways. I am therefore unhappy about the values members of the established church being in any sense imposed on the majority of us via street pastoring.
I would be more than a little concerned if street pastors are drawn solely or largely from the established churches and are therefore unrepresentative of the majority of us in Harlow. In my view, pastors of the established church have far too much influence in Harlow and in our country through their membership of regional and local quangos and local organisations. This influence should be scaled back, not increased.