Cultural links with south of England

I just had to sit down and ponder the magnificent deed, that Martin Kimber and Roger Stone had managed in some miraculous way to co-join our town with London.

Reading further into the article (see Advertiser, April 6) it would seem that the “excitement of the Olympic Games” would be brought to our town.

We will build friendships with these people who inhabit the south of England and join together in a range of sporting and cultural activities.

It's strange but I never knew that these southern people were different culturally until now. It sounds too good to be true, especially when I read on that “there will be a number of joint activities that will involve visiting our partners in London.”

Can you imagine that? Everyone will be going to visit London just in time for the Olympic Games. I just can’t wait to get on the first coach load.

I wonder if it will be the same one that the mayor and the councillors might get on or are they going on the train or perhaps they are taking ET 1?  

Do you think that this will include overnight accommodation provided by the residents of Dagenham, like it was when we had to have evacuation in the war?

Only on the website there is a three-bedroomed house advertised for rent at £200 per night and I don't think we will be able to afford those prices?

Mind you, it is a pity that Dagenham was unsuccessful in becoming an events host and it is a considerable distance from there to the Olympic Park.

Still, they did get the new £23 million Becontree Heath Leisure Centre that will host the water polo training.

Do you think it was free or do you think they had to pay for it like we had to do when we built the one on St Ann’s Road? 

On a related note do you think that we might be offered cheaper tickets for the event on account of us having similar deprivation to Dagenham?

I just couldn't believe my eyes when I read on the website that "Despite being some of the most vibrant, diverse and dynamic places in the capital, the six Host Boroughs are an area of significant deprivation, among the worst in England. 

“The boroughs have high unemployment levels and underperform relative to other parts of London in many areas including income, educational attainment and health.”

Oh those unfortunate people, it's no wonder they want to be twinned with us if they are that poor off.

Still, I’m sure we could lend them a few quid as we are allegedly subbing mega bucks to Magna, Dolly’s free books and Jamie’s snack bar, so we’ve shown that we are a soft touch haven't we?

I think that’s all except that I can’t wait to see a list of the organised events and all the trips published together with the detailed accounts as to how much it has cost the ratepayers of this fine northern town.

Colin Levesley (Olympic hopeful), Beechwood Road, Rotherham.