Forum Topic

Mela whinging

Can't believe that once again some nimbys have decided to have a whine about the Mela. They should go along this year and check out what is a fantastic event for all the family. We are really lucky to have it in this part of London. Obviously if you have tens of thousands of people coming there will be a bit of litter, a bit of disruption and some anti-social behaviour but from what I see this is so minimal that it is completely outweighed by such a fantastic event. I wonder sometimes about the motivations of the people who are against it.

Justin Harris ● 6888d37 Comments

I didn't get to go as I had other things planned, but it certainly seemed to be buzzing when I came home at about 5.00pm

John Coxall ● 6866d

There's been no shortage of tripe from you lately David.  Not sure about the "vinagar yummy", but the chicken curry and Kingfisher were superb. The "huge big thunderstorm" passed us by, save for a ten-minute downpour which drove us kicking and screaming into the beer tent.  We one beer to celebrate each year your party will be out of office in Hounslow.  Plaster or no plaster, you can probably stand up better than I can.

Phil Andrews ● 6866d

It was a great afternoon out John with only a couple of small showers.

Paul Fisher ● 6866d

What about having Northern Culture like tripe and vinagar yummy have not had this tasty treat in years. It is a shame I will miss the mela this year with my leg being in plaster, I have enjoyed the Mela's in previous years but looking out the window at the huge big thunder storm maybe its just as well.

Dave Hughes ● 6866d

Oh ye of little faith!!! - The sun has just come out and it looks like we may get a good day after all!! Fingers crossed!!

John Coxall ● 6866d

Judging by the miserable weather we have woken up to, it looks as though the Mela may be a bit of a damp squib. Can't see too many people wanting to stand around in the rain - although the recent dry weather probably means that it won't be too muddy.It's times like this that you really feel for people who have put so much into organising an event only to see it messed about by the weather.

John Coxall ● 6866d

Carling...an English beer?You're joking,of course!

Keith Iddon ● 6869d

I went last year and got to take penalties against Neville Southall. Not sure if he is a Sikh or a Hindu. To the best of my recollection he was there helping a charity raise money as indeed many of the stalls and attractions were. Didn't find it particularly commercial but I think the early finish is probably a good compromise.

Mike Hardacre ● 6869d

VanessaPlease feel free if it makes you feel better.  I promise I won't take it to heart. :o)Hope you enjoy the gig.

Phil Andrews ● 6881d

It did occur to me to tell you to sod-off in the light of your nasty remarks - but it reasuures me to know nothing changes and the good old innunendo - hint, hint - nudge, nudge survives. Pathetic.

Vanessa Smith ● 6881d

It did occur to me in the light of your conduct as a councillor, but your posting reassures me.  I hope you enjoy the gig.

Phil Andrews ● 6881d

Morris dancing goes back to the Crusades..it is not druid(not in its name anyway).Really called Moorish dancing.

Keith Iddon ● 6881d

Well over a hundred quid - why, do you think I hve some sort of privileges?

Vanessa Smith ● 6881d

"It is really good, come along and see for your self." In fact I've been twice. I have to say I found it aggressively commercial compared with the traditional Gunnersbury Family Fun Days that were aimed at people from many different communities and not just one dominant culture. Those were also very laid back and all about chilling and having fun and not simply about consumersm and hardselling overpriced snacks - which was my overriding impression of the Mela.. Fifty quid says you won't see a Lesbian swing band at this Mela or any other. Ever.While I'm waiting to collect, I'd like to repeat my request for any info about future Family Fun Days but my impression is that they've been airbrushed from local history. I hope not because my visitors (non-British like myself) are very interested in seeing the Victorian kitchens in Gunnnersbury House after I described how in past years volunteers dressed up in period costume to demonstrate how they worked.

MP Parry ● 6882d

"I've got tickets to see The Stones at Twickers"Just out of curiosity Vanessa, how much did they cost you?

Phil Andrews ● 6882d

I missed last year's as I was away on holiday,but heard it was good. The very first was brilliant, great music,dance and drama plus everybody was really friendly. Whilst it is a celebration as Alan say's above...the cross-section of our community in Hounslow was represented well.Young and Old, many communities...including lots of "white" people...ie Irish, Scots, Welsh and English with other Europeans....Greeks..French...Italians and thats just the people I knew!!Give it a whirl...its free...and I'll certainly be there!!

Corinna Smart ● 6882d

'I've got tickets to see The Stones at Twickers'Couple of years ago, son was working at the ground for their concert.  They were allowed to watch (for free) from just after the start until the end.  Very impressed, I asked him what he thought?  The reply was 'well they were like nodding dogs in the back of a car' except instead of nodding head up and head down - they were nodding from side to side.    Haven't a clue what he thought of the music!

Sarah Felstead ● 6882d

You didn't ask how many people would turn out - you asked what people thought was typical of British culture - as I said off the top of my head these things sprang to mind. Personally I don't give a toss - I've got tickets to see The Stones at Twickers, we were told civilisation as we knew it would disappear if the RFU were allowed to have concerts, it hasn't and the RFU don't overdo it either.

Vanessa Smith ● 6882d

The Mela is not just for a religious sect. It is a celebration of the many Asian cultures that are now part of mainstream British society. And in previuos years has been enjoyed by all the communities we have locally and from across London. It is really good, come along and see for your self.

Alan Sheerins ● 6882d

There used to be an annual Family Fun Day every summer in Gunnersbury Park which my family greatly enjoyed, especially the kids. There were charity stalls, craft stalls, food and traditional cake stalls, a funfair and live music of different kinds including R&R and jazz. This was for everyone, not just members of one religious sect. Recently I've been trying to find out if the Family Day is still happening but haven't been able to find out despite emailing GP and Ealing council. Does anyone have any info on this? - I would love to take some visiting friends if possible.

MP Parry ● 6882d

I live in Chiswick and far from the park but can hear the music its very load. I don’t remember anything that sounded remotely British as I understand it.I am sorry but I didn't feel lucky to be forced to listen to it. It’s not like anyone nearby gets a choice and there are plenty of ways that the British can and do celebrate, that does not involve mindless incessant blowing of whistles as they do at the Notting hill carnival. As yet I have not visited the Meela simply as it does not interest me that much.However, I am sure that its visitors enjoy it or so many would not come, so it can't be all bad just a bit annoying to some, irrelevant to others.

Philip Walsh ● 6882d

They have fabulous legs for dancing...............

Alan Sheerins ● 6882d

"Morris Dancers, boar roasts, country arts and crafts - i.e. blacksmiths, thatching, angling displays, animal shows - domestic and farm, vegetable competitions"Do you really think that 60,000 people would turnout to see this? If they were been held in my front garden I would draw the curtains. The fact is we don't do festivals. We are lucky enough in this country to have lots of people that do - Afro-Carribbeans, the Chinese, the Irish and Indians. The Mela is possibly the best event held locally all year and non-Asians are made to feel very welcome. I'm also reliably informed that lots of the music being performed originates in this country so is as British as Tikka Masala.

Dan Evans ● 6882d

Almost correct  - only the players from Northern Ireland march through  the opponents changing room - the players from the South do a Riverdance routine ; )

Michael Robinson ● 6883d

PatrickAs you know, Northern and Southern Ireland have separate soccer teams but a united Rugby side.  Is there any truth in the rumour that before a rugby match the team divides into two and one half takes the traditional route to the pitch via their opponents' changing room?

Phil Andrews ● 6883d

There is some disagreement as to where in the UK fish and chips originates from. However, Chicken Tikka Masala is definitely English, having been invented in Birmingham.

John Connelly ● 6883d

I think that Fish and Chips has made a comeback and is now No. 1

Alan Sheerins ● 6883d

... sounds like English culture rather than British culture to me.  For a British event, surely you'd also need some guys tossing their cabers, a Welsh male voice choir and for my native Northern Ireland, we could hold the event on the 12th July and the local residents could throw bricks at the police.

Michael Robinson ● 6883d

Is not true now, that the national dish of the UK is in fact Chicken Tikka Masala. The most commonly eaten meal in the country.Also there was a Morris Dancing expo on in London last week. I happend to be having a beer on the embankment when a jingling hoarde of 200 Morris men and women came by. Very strange I switched from 1664 back to Carling just in case it was a beer thing.

James Kirkby ● 6883d

I guess the Romans and co. did a good job suppressing the culture of these Islands and the last 30 odd years of embarrassment over our imperial past has not helped. As for Morris dancers they don’t seem a true representation of our cultural origins, but for that we would have to look back to Druidism.It is a big question though, as is why are we so embarrassed by and ignorant of our own culture, as we do seem to be.

Philip Walsh ● 6883d

Well according to the story on this site local resident objections could lead to its cancellation. Net result no Mela and some big legal bills for the Council. Part of the blame seems to be down to CiP incompetence but it would be disasterous for all sorts of reasons if this happened.

Justin Harris ● 6883d

Well, randomly - Morris Dancers, boar roasts, country arts and crafts - i.e. blacksmiths, thatching, angling displays, animal shows - domestic and farm, vegetable competitions. Have you ever seen River Cottage on the television? Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall found plenty of long-forgotten uniquely British traditions still surviving against all the odds. That's not to say I don't want the Mela but neither do I live near Gunnersbury Park.

Vanessa Smith ● 6885d

I've asked the question before, but what is British culture and how would it be celebrated?

The Pseudometer ● 6885d

Would it not be nice to see a festival of british culture in th park for a change.

Philip Walsh ● 6885d

The Mela is Aug 13th and promises to be very good this year - extra sponsorship has been raised which should reflect in a very good line up of artists. As far as "whinging" is concerned, I think the residents around the park are right to be angry at the lack of consultation and communication from CiP - it's something which I and other councillors will try and help put right over the next couple of months.

Matt Harmer ● 6887d

justin - when is the mela. it was such a shame last year as the weather did put us off going. lets hope its better this time. i like to idea of having more events in gunnersbury park. do they have a website that lists whats going on? thanks

M Dowling ● 6887d

I wasn't aware of any whinging about the Mela. Most of the people where I live (close by Gunnersbury Park) have been quite happy about the Mela over the past couple of years. As you say, it is a great event and attended by the whole community, not just Asian people. The only problem last year was that Ealing Council were extremely late in getting residents parking permits out, and, indeed, in my road probably wouldn't have bothered without some constant harassment from Hounslow residents (aopparently Ealing were dealing with parking permits for both Ealing and Hounslow residents). Hopefully this will be resoved a great deal earlier this year.The only murmourings I have heard don't concern the Mela itself, but rather CIP's request for a blanket permit to run events in the park whenever they wish. I, like, I am sure, most of my neighbours, are in favour of events in the park on an occasional basis, but would like them to be approved on an individual basis on their own merits.

John Coxall ● 6888d