This poem was written at an Overspill workshop led by poet John Lindley which the Langley Writers took part in in November 2019.
Back from the future
Eight immigrants,
Indigenous population absent,
Writing in refurbished
Community centre,
Heading for mists of history.
Riverside from Merseyside
Control Bowlee Park,
Control most of overspill.
Rest consisting of
Right to buy and
New private houses.
Bowlee Park Housing Association,
Sold to residents by
Dianne Oxbury,
In expensive video.
Estate saved by irony of
Sold-off council houses,
Refusing to allow
Bulldozers relentless progress.
Swathes of social destruction
Wreaked by absentee landlord,
It’s city starved by Thatcher.
Decay, decay, decay.
The lowest ebb.
Early nineties;
Middleton Central bye-election
Highlighting abject difference
Between Rochdale’s vibrant, occupied Hollins
And Manchester’s neglected Langley.
Far cry indeed from bustle of
The Folk on the Hill, where
Newly imposed residents,
Above town of Middleton,
Spilled into a new future,
Where Loach’s Stones Rained.
A film of mixed emotions
Of folk, poor in money
But rich in humour
Portraying, above all,
Community,
Community,
Community.
©Robin Parker
overspillmcr.org 