On Saturday 6th December, I spent a couple of hours at Roch Valley Radio with Tim, Dave and Dean.
Having become a regular reader of their news stories, since their report of the August protest walks in Heywood. I wanted to see for myself what this media outlet was all about.
It turned into a very informative and open chat, we talked about the radio station, its background and its 120-plus volunteers who staff all aspects of the station.
What did I find out, and what impression did I leave with?
Firstly, a big surprise to find that it is a community-based radio station, with a broad listener base and that it is staffed 100% by volunteers, who receive no income from the station.
Next, let's dispel a few myths: they are in no way an arm of any political organisation.
Their newsroom has two news channels broadcasting, Sky News and GB News. They have no political affiliation. The management and the volunteers have many views on life, our community, and politics.
But I could not pick up any intended bias towards any of our community politicians.
An acceptance that their headlines may sometimes suggest bias or lean strongly towards one viewpoint, and that the headline may not reflect a balanced view of the narrative, was a pleasant surprise.
Our discussion ran through how I first became aware of Roch Valley Radio and how I felt I had to respond to their coverage of the peaceful protest in August in Heywood.
This was a family-led protest against news that an HMO opposite a nursery school was the home of an individual who had, during the summer holidays, attacked two local schools. So, because the leader of Rochdale council has since repeated the lies, that firstly, I had led an extremist right-wing march, which is not true, I did not lead any march.
I ATTENDED AT THE REQUEST OF A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS, who on the Thursday before the protest, contacted me and asked if I would address the rally, emphasising that this was to be a peaceful march. I did this and asked that anyone who was there to cause trouble, should leave, anyone with offensive banners should leave, and anyone wearing a mask or face covering should leave.
The march went ahead, and there was not a single suggestion of trouble. Some, like myself, may have been uncomfortable with a minority of the chants, but for anyone to describe families defending our community as right-wing or fascists tells us how much mainstream political parties have ignored the fears and genuine views of society.
If there has been a move towards stronger views being expressed across the country, it is the fault of the local and national political activists who appear to have decided they are no longer elected to represent our community, but that they know best and that anyone speaking with an alternative view is extreme.
I am not representing any political party, nor will I be standing in May for any political party.
But as a family man who represented Heywood for 18 years, I will not be quiet, I will not be silenced.
And, if the politicians who believe they know better than our community, what to listen, then I would say get back to listening, and stop preaching.
Britain is not racist, Britain is not extreme, and flying the flag of any nation should not be attacked, just to defend your incompetent and unreasonable preachings. Wales and Scotland have always flown the flag with pride and not with any thoughts of hatred.
The British flag and the English flag used to be a sign of pride; to see a flag flying should not induce fear. It is the narrative from mainstream politicians who have created that fear.
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