Baddest Ruffest Staines

I refer to your request for information.

 

The Cabinet meeting held on 22 November 2011 (Item 5 Report and Appendix)
discussed the name change and can be viewed  using the following link:-

[1]http://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/your_counci...

 

1.  The above attached document refers to Ali G together with the extract
below.

2.  Spelthorne Council do not hold any DVD's.

3.  There has been no correspondence with S. B. Cohen.

 

The extracts below are taken from documents prepared for consideration by
the Economic Development Theme Group which consists of council officers &
councillors / business people and other organisations such as Job Centre
Plus

 

Media coverage:

Staines has, certainly since the 1960s, suffered from negative reportage,
often of an unkind and ill-informed nature.

 

While locals are well aware that Staines is a jolly nice place, the rest
of the country has, for years, been misled by reportage that has had the
effect of developing and confirming negative attitudes to Staines. 

 

“How to get rid of unsightly Staines – blow up the bridge and burn the
cinema!” so began a Kenneth Horne show first broadcast by the BBC in the
1960s. His outlook has been adopted by the media ever since. Whether in
commercials extolling opportunities in Australia (“would you rather be in
Staines?”) or reportage of twinning with Mauritius (town described as
“urban wasteland just off junction 13 M25”) or, for that matter, liquid
tonnes of coverage concerning Sacha Cohen and Ali G; coverage has been
unbalanced, unfair and uncomplimentary.

 

It is noteworthy that recent media coverage of a possible change in name
is characterised by an air of incredulity which typifies current media
attitudes to the town.

 

On any view, the media coverage suggests that the name Staines is used by
journalists as a quick shorthand for an unattractive location.  There is
clearly no awareness of its riverside position and it seems likely that
most of those referring critically to Staines never visited the town.  A
change of name would, at least, challenge those assumptions.

 

Appendix three contains just a selection of press and other cuttings which
demonstrate that most editors’ knee-jerk response to the name Staines is
to knock it. We are in the process of expanding this appendix to include
television and radio coverage of Staines reportage in news stories.

 

THREATS

 

It could cause a degree of embarrassment for the council if there is not
the momentum from Staines residents to progress with the name change.

 

It could provide ammunition for the opposition to mock the time and effort
expended into the name change at a time they may argue when there are far
greater priorities.

 

Bad publicity from the media may involve poking fun at the town and thus
deflecting the erstwhile efforts to elevate the status of Staines.  This
may leave a lasting negativity in the minds of people who have been
exposed to the press reports i.e. Ali G

 

Opposition to the name change may be more significant than anticipated by
the public, this could undermine the whole process and provide a lasting
source of protest (formation of protest groups) and resentment by local
residents both in Staines and the Borough.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further
information.

Madeleine Beck
Legal Admin Assistant

Spelthorne Borough Council
Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines, TW18 1XB
01784 446229

 

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