Good hunting IA!
But what the heck was Richard Kelly doing in the House of Commons library?

Perhaps it is time for an organised, well attended gathering of support, at the site with relevant media informed, thus enabling the more articulate to get our points accross.
Sharing a platform didn't get our side accross very well, perhaps some kind of walk from BV.

yes we should, then lets make it Belle Vue every home game

Once again, and without wishing to curb natural enthusiasm towards this issue, unless there is a specific goal to be achieved in such an event - which has to be far more than just making us feel better for doing something - then it is dangerous to try and run such an event.

We are now the ones with something to lose, and we consider that the best way to get through this is to lay low. Any amount of publicity runs the risk of further empowering the support for the scheme.

Our goal is to ensure that there is support within the right people, rather than just generally.

I'm just explaining why we are not doing more publicly than some expect - it's not because we don't consider other ideas or that we are avoiding our commitments, more a case of strategising!

Normal sort of day then, Clan.

I've e-mailed council and wakey express to condemn the half-truths and downright lies and scaremongeriing of the NIMBYs. Council have replied, and seem keen to hold a neutral and balanced position (a good thing, IMO). Wakey Express asked for my address so they could consider it for publication - so maybe I'll get the NIMBYs knocking on my door!

Anybody seen a rugbyball around, or has it been kicked into touch?

Thanks for your e-mail regarding ‘Look North’ broadcast on 26 May.


I understand you feel the programme is overly Leeds centric, failing to adequately report news from across Yorkshire, such as the number of people who signed a petition in favour of the new stadium at Wakefield.


Choosing the content of our news bulletins is often a difficult and complicated process. In making their decisions our editors need to take several different factors into consideration including whether the news is breaking and the perceived level of public interest in the subject matter.


We appreciate that our audience hold a wide range of opinions, and this, coupled with the subjective nature of our editorial decisions means we'd never expect everyone to agree with every decision we take.


I’d like to take this opportunity to assure you that I’ve recorded your comments onto our audience log. This is an internal daily report of audience feedback which is circulated to many BBC staff including senior management, producers and channel controllers.


The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.


Thanks once again for taking the time to contact us.


Kind Regards

Ciaran McConnell

That looks like a very standard reply and I guess does not address the specifics you raised in your email/letter.

What a surprise!!!

The email response I recieved.

Thank you for your email. I'm sorry you didn't like our report; it certainly wasn't our intention to disappoint. But I can assure you we don't take sides in any story we cover; we always try to be impartial.

It's not the first time Look North has covered this story. We broadcast items about the proposed development in December 2009 and February 2010. On both occasions we reflected the boost it would give the local economy, the community and obviously the Wildcats and their supporters. This was the first time any objections to the plans have been mentioned by BBC Look North.

We did approach the developers, Yorkcourt Properties, for an interview. Unfortunately they were unable to provide someone. They did, however, provide information, which our reporter clearly included in her script when she said 'the developers claim it will boost the economy and bring more jobs to West Yorkshire... the idea is there will be more sports facilities for people in Wakefield and Wildcats fans believe the new stadium is vital'. Phil Townsend from Stadium Wakefield Action Group then provided a fans' perspective. We did omit some of what he had to say- just as we did with our other contributors; our report was only two minutes long and it really was impossible to justify any more time for the item on a day when there was such serious news in Bradford, for example..

We did, I accept, speak to a resident who objects to the plans; and also to an ecologist, who objects for different reasons. We also included the views of Leeds Council because their concerns are different, again. We did approach Wakefield Council for a comment, but as the planning authority, they felt it inappropriate at this stage.

Following our broadcast, the developers got in touch with us to say that, contrary to your view, they had no objections to what we broadcast. I'm also pleased to say we have a very good relationship with John Kear and his colleagues at the club. I sincerely hope that continues, and that the club and its supporters have a good end to the Superleague season.

Thank-you for taking the trouble to write; I do appreciate it.

Yours sincerely
Tim Smith

Editor, BBC Look North