A new group aiming to tackle far right groups in Middleton Park ward met for the first time last night.
Belle Isle and Middleton Together is supported by the national Hope Not Hate campaign and is made up of local residents, community groups, the voluntary sector and local church leaders. Eight people attended the first meeting – a pie and pea social – held at Belle Isle Working Men’s Club, off Belle Isle Road.
This new initiative aims to bring together people from all backgrounds, to highlight the positives of the area and to represent a direct challenge to the popularity of far right and racist ideas and groups within Belle Isle and Middleton.
Ideas discussed last night included distributing a newsletter to all homes in the ward, working with local schools and the possibility of annual community events in a bid to undermine far right groups such as the EDL and BNP.
Organisers stressed they weren’t demonising the area to outsiders, and they said the community had a vibrant spirit with lots going on and was full of honest working class people.
The group’s only in the early stages of forming and more members are welcome.
For more information, email leedshopenothate@yahoo.co.uk
