Agbrigg & Belle Vue Community Association

by Najeeda Asghar

Our local resident Mr Wasti was standing near the Zakariya Mosque when he met MP John Trickett alongside with Charlie Keith (Labour candidate for Wakefield South in the 2010 District Council Election).

They were both in Agbrigg visiting the New Mosque.

Mr Wasti did not know who they were until John Trickett introduced himself with Charlie Keith.

I (Najeeda Asghar) was driving out of St Catherines street when Mr Wasti stopped me and so I pulled over and I was introduced to John Trickett and his team.

I was quite surprised to see John Trickett however they seemed very nice and genuinely interested about our Campaign, which was surprising as we have had no help or support from anyone official yet.

Whilst Mr Wasti showed John Trickett around the Mosque John and his team told me they would meet me at the Community Centre afterwards.

At the Community Centre, John Trickett met up with the Neighbourhood Management Team and Arshad Mahmood who also works at the Centre.

Myself and Mr Wasti had small discussion with John Trickett and we talked about our Campaign and we told John about how Sure Start has been taken away from this area and now the Agbrigg Nursery is being closed down and the residents feel strongly about NMT continuing as it is the only scheme that has worked well not only for residents but also the service providers.

Many of the service providers are also supporting the residents as they are also concerned about what will happen in March 2010 when the scheme is going to end.

John asked how much funds we need to keep the continuation of the NMT and I told him around £60,000 would keep the NMT continued.

John Trickett is the only official that has said he WILL help us and speak to other sources as well as the council and he will arrange a meeting with us very soon.

We are quite positive now that John will help the residents as we continue with our Campaign.