When’s The Open Day Then ?

Way, way back in January 2020, the Chelmsford Muslim Society issued probably their only proper public statement concerning the future of Hamptons.

It came in the form of an open letter from Ayman Syed, the Gen Sec of CMS. It was read at a meeting we organised, held at Hamptons on 30/01/20, read it here. Open Letter

The open day

One of the most interesting statements from the Open Letter was this one:

“We are currently planning an open day for residents, where there will be opportunities to talk to us directly”

This seemed a reasonable response to everyone, and we sat back and waited for the big announcement, and we waited, and we waited.

The year flew by, ending with the venue in lockdown. But possibly, just maybe, the Open day would follow in July 2021, after the lockdown restrictions were fully lifted. So we waited, and waited some more.

And here we are, some 41 months after the Open Day was announced, still waiting.

So when is this event happening then ?

Since they completed the purchase in February 2020, CMS have had time to plan and organise:

A science fair
A charity appeal to buy Hamptons a defibrillator
A Madrassa offering nearly 50 hours of tuition a week.
A CPR/AED Training Day
Eid Prayers
Eid Prayers at Hylands Park
A Food Bank
A two children’s summer camps (with the Iqra Learning Centre and Essex Active)
A number of half term clubs (with the Iqra Learning Centre and Essex Active)
A day trip to Clacton
Night time Ramadan prayers
A visit from the NHS Vaccination van, accompanied by a BBC film crew.
A charity appeal to send relief to Yemen.
A charity appeal to help displaced refugees from Afghanistan, again with a BBC film crew.
An application for a Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use or Development seeking to establish a wider scope for worship and related religious activity.
A community Ifthar Event, with multiple LIb Dem councillors, emergency services, faith leaders and our local MP in attendance. In fact everyone apart from residents and club members !
An application for a Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Use or Development seeking to establish a wider scope for worship and related religious activity.
Not one but two Open Days at the Parkway Mosque

But no open day at Hamptons. No chance for residents and members to talk to Hamptons directly. It’s almost as if they don’t care what you think anyway. As one local resident recently commented “They don’t want you to see what is really happening at Hamptons”

One particular event organised by Hamptons/CMS, had a bouncy castle, face painting, free ice cream and was attended by Vicky Ford MP and the Mayor. Watch the video below.

This wasn’t organised in a couple of hours, but it seems that it was more of a priority than an open day for residents and members, that was promised in January 2020.

When’s the Hamptons open day, I wouldn’t hold your breath !

KBO