`ARROGANT, BOSSY AND GROSSLY INEFFICIENT`

Community group beats Riverside virus threat

Not every virus came from China , 6,000  miles away. The Riverside virus, for example. That virus travelled in one instance only one hundred miles- from Liverpool to Carlisle.

Possibly because of this much shorter journey, some people would say, the Riverside virus is proving much harder to kill off than the deadly coronavirus from China now plaguing the world.

What then is the Riverside virus?. It gets its name from the Merseyside housing association of the same name that is spreading it

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Riverside Housing Association was formed in Liverpool more than 90 years ago and since then the virus has spread nationwide as Riverside has expanded nationwide to become a housing giant owning 50,600 homes.

And what are the features of the Riverside virus?. Bossiness and dictatorship are the chief characteristics. Other features include gross inefficiency, absence of democracy  and any sort of accountability.

Handwashing may keep the coronavirus at bay. But handwashing is no prevention against the Riverside virus. Handwringing through frustration at Riverside`s appalling culture is a more appropriate reaction but of course is equally ineffective.

The virus arrived in Carlisle 18 years ago when Riverside Housing Association took over the city`s 8,000 council houses. It was not many months before the effects of the Riverside virus were being felt.

Several sheltered housing blocks were closed without proper consultation. Controversial plans were put in place to transform  housing estates, again without proper consultation.

And arrogant announcements were made about closing down those community  groups started by the previous landlord, the city council.

DALE END PARK....£30.000 BMX track

Fortunately in Carlisle there were  major survivors of the Riverside virus attacks. Two community  groups in the city  have been successful  over many years in virus resistance   and have continued to campaign against Riverside.

They are Carlisle Tenants` and Residents` Federation which publishes this blog and the associated group, Carlisle South Community Association.

That association has just hit the front page of the  Carlisle weekly newspaper, the Cumberland News in a story which had the headline: “Major funding secured for new BMX track in Carlisle.”

The association in co-operation with the city council raised £30,000 for the track at Dale End Park in Petteril Bank. The track is expected to be built later this year.

“This is a major success for us” said a spokesman for the Federation.”It shows that we continue to be strong despite being attacked by the Riverside virus.

“Some time ago, Riverside told the city council that we would cease to exist. In other words, Riverside would ensure that we ceased to exist And that arrogant statement appeared in the council minutes.

“Those minutes badly need to be re-written.

“And Riverside needs a good injection of anti-virus democracy.”

Carlisle Tenants` and Residents` Federation publishes this blog. Information about the Federation is available on 01228 5222