Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
It will only ever be Black Boy Lane
I'm still shaking my head at this. The Council has spent so much on something noone wants. I don't know why the English don't stand up to this sort of thing. It would never happen in Turkey or Greece. This guy sums it up perfectly.
Tags for Forum Posts: blackboy lane name change
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gordon T on
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Here's an independent and apolitical report to a much wider readership by someone who's clearly read and referenced, in part, the extensive discussions on HoL.
https://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2023/01/la-rose-lane.html
Also, the issue was reported on BBC Radio London this morning from 0700 (online till 24th February).
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I like Diamond Geezer but there are a few inaccuracies in his post. For instance the Black Boy pub sign didn't have a piccinini character. It was a chimney sweep (see picture).
It was an ok pub. They used to have reggae nights and I recall that Bernie Grant was occassionally there. The claims of derogatory signs etc were made up to support the new narrative.
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Part of the problem is that we have a council leadership that is tone deaf. Personally, I accept two things: that there is no definitive answer to the question of whether Black Boy Lane has racist or colonialist history. I also accept that some people found the name in some way offensive or jarring -- and that whatever the truth about the street name's origins, some people, now and in the future, would still feel uneasy with the name.
The mistake the council made was not so much in proposing to rename the road, but in choosing a name that appeared to make a political 'point'.
Had they been smarter, and considered everybody's feelings properly, they might have chosen a new name that was "neutral", such as, say, Chestnuts Lane.
But no, they decided on a name that established a sort of "linkage" with the old name. In my opinion, that was a mistake. They no doubt feel good about what they have done, but they have caused bad feeling in so doing.
Their approach played to the gallery, while at the same time alienating the people they should have been trying to get on-side.
That said, I think it's time to move on now.
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I agree with your analysis but asking people to 'move on' usually means 'accept that you have lost, and stop fighting' Fortunately that not acceptable to people with a spine. I'm certainly not 'moving on' from Brexit...
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Here here. I just hope the electorate kick out Labour in the next local election. But I doubt it and that's the issue isn't it. They know it as well.
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Just so. Here in Enfield the Labour Council lost 8 seats in the last election, largely due to the Greens getting a protest vote. But the Council remain unapologetic, continuing to ride roughshod over the wishes of the people. Flogging off a golf course to spurs, building a massive incinerator, targeting Green Belt land to sell...all unpopular. We really need PR but I fear the chances of that are not good as fptp suits the two main entirely undemocratic parties all too well...
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on
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Road names change, it's not a big deal. According to the Friends of Lordship Rec, West Green Road was one called Black Hope Lane. That's a nicer name than Black Boy Lane yet it was changed at some point. Lordship Lane was called Berry Lane - I'd argue that's a much nicer name too. But places don't stay fixed in time, nor should be want them to.
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Permalink Reply by David Thomas on
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Many of the point raised already I heartily agree with - L have no problem with the removal of statues / renaming of places when there is a genuine grievance but that is simply not the case here - many of the voices protesting - mine included- are pointing out the fallacy of the supposed consultation process and especially the large sums of money spent. Those sums will increase because the council has had to offer every resident ( of Black Boy Road ) a one off payment of £300 to cover their admin costs of changing documents such as licences passport’s insurance etc. don’t know how many people involved but even my simple maths says it’s a lot of £!
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Brilliant! Excellent use of art as social comment . .. and as for “ getting over it” I’m fed up of “getting over” all sorts of things - from Brexit to elections to disgrace … ad nauseum.
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