I’ve heard most of the arguments about the Rugby World Cup being good for the local economy - and I suppose, like most people, I am ready and prepared to put up with the inconvenience - the traffic diversions, the closed streets, the hoards of fans, the ‘porta-potty’ toilets, the crowded trains, the litter and the noise into the early hours of the morning. This the price of living next door to Twickenham Stadium at the time of the Rugby World Cup. I accept this. What I cannot accept is the apparent lack of any recognition, recompense or legacy for the thousands of people who will have to put up with it.
At every public Rugby World Cup meeting that I have attended I have asked the same simple question - What is there in it for the people who live here? Any sports facilities for us or our children to use in the future? Any landscaped areas or gardens for older people to enjoy? Any free “Fun Days” at the Stadium? Any open-top bus tours around the district by rugby super stars? Any permanent museum or gallery celebrating this important international event? The answer has always been an embarrassed silence. Tell me. Am I missing something? Are there some really exciting community things coming up that I don’t know about or is our legacy going to be no more than a scatter of empty lager tins in our front gardens and a faint whiff of urine in the wind?
– from Martyn Day
Comments
Just to give some balance.
The World Cup trophy is coming to various local rugby clubs over the next month, for example it's coming to London Welsh rugby club in Kew on the 8th of September (12pm to 2pm).
There was a residents ticket ballot (which I got some decent tickets in!)
I'm sure the world rugby museum will have lots about RWC 2015 especially if England win.
Twickenham train station has had a bit of a freshening up and Twickenham has some of the nicest pavement in SW London because of the world!
Maybe you should try living next to Wembley to see if that's any better.
Bryn Walters on 2015-08-13 19:59:00 +0000Overused word "legacy" these days. It usually takes the form of a bequest upon someone's death but more recently it's been applied to Tony Blair - illegal wars in the Middle East and the 2012 Olympics - did it live up to the promises made. I agree with Martyn Day, so far I haven't heard of any "proposed legacy". Maybe they are just being honest - there won't be one (aside from the fabulous Twickenham pavements)
As for the comparison with Wembley, all we have to do is wait until Chelsea take up residency.
Ian on 2015-08-13 22:06:59 +0000Free fanzone for all matches at Old Deer Park, free tickets for residents at the internationals on the 15th Aug, free stadium tours for residents, free rugby festival at redlees park on the 13th sept...plus the RWC ticket ballots
I think they're offering quite a bit actually
Robyn on 2015-08-13 22:17:48 +0000Didn't you notice there was an International stadium when you moved into the area?! Being able to walk to a Word Cup will be amazing. Suggest you get out more.
Sam on 2015-08-13 22:33:42 +0000Yet more nimbyism, I feel. We don't NEED a legacy, although I hope that local traders will be able to fill their coffers from the large influx of visitors during the 6 weeks of the tournament. At least the "no Gloriana" rent-a-mob won't be able to stop the RWC15 in its tracks.
Colin on 2015-08-14 03:22:42 +0000I was about to add a comment but I think Robyn and Colin have pretty much nailed what my points were going to be. In summary yes, Martyn Day, you are missing something which probably says more about you than the RWC. Those of us who have started from a positive standpoint and kept our eyes peeled have tickets to matches, places on stadium tours, excited friends and family planning once in a lifetime visits to enable them to walk to and from a RWC - and those of us who are local traders have a fantastic opportunity to showcase our truly brilliant area to an international audience who might not otherwise have come this way... Pretty exciting really!
Helen on 2015-08-14 10:35:55 +0000I've never been interested but I believe there's already a Museum of Rugby at the stadium?
If there were to be a meaningful "legacy", in my opinion it would involve some decent joined-up and separated cycle lanes to get us around through the road closures :)
Ed on 2015-08-16 09:19:04 +0000I accept that there are many people who will get a lot out of the RWC - the economic benefits of an increasing footfall, the residents' ticket ballot, the places on stadium tours, the free rugby festival in Redlees Park and free admission to watch rugby matches on giant screens in the Fanzone. All these things are very laudable but they are of little or no interest to the thousands of others who are simply not interested in rugby. It is as if our neighbours are having a very long, loud and lively party but we're not invited! All I am asking for is something for the entire community, the old and the young, the fit and the fragile, those who will welcome the RWC with open arms and those who quietly wish it would go away. All I am asking for is something that in years to come we will be able to point at or refer to and say "That is there because of the Rugby World Cup in 2015 when half the world came to St. Margarets." Surely that is not too much to ask?
Compost King on 2015-08-17 14:23:30 +0000Essentially I agree with Martyn, although I don't have too much of a problem with the Rugby World Cup or any other Rugby event. I don't even mind the odd music concert. However what I do object to is the RFU's creeping campaign towards filling every available weekend during the year with an unrelated event. Their latest application is for two annual (temporary?) motor sport events. Sam, I did realise I was close to an International Rugby stadium when I moved in, albeit some time ago. And perhaps the definitive word there is 'Rugby'. I also accept that things do change, and obviously I'm very happy Helen for local traders to benefit from an event. I think that it's also becoming apparent that their long-term business aim is to fill the stadium every weekend. If you're in business that's understandable, but I think given the fact they are in the middle of a heavily populated residential area - like it or not there has to be a balance between their business interests and those of local residents. So it would be rather nice if they basically stuck to Rugby which we all knew about when many of us came to live in Twickenham.
Harry Jacobs. St Margarets.
Harry Jacobs on 2015-08-17 18:36:29 +0000Now all the hullabaloo has died down and things are returning to normal, and for those that don't like Rugby, and apart from Pubs and Eateries that made a killing, can someone out there ITK please explain what "Legacy" has Twickenham been left with.
alsie42 on 2015-11-20 11:53:00 +0000