Video Nation

Should she stay or should she go?

forestgirl
Look around and see how many people sweep their rubbish from their front gardens into the street. I live in Forest Gate and I too have had enough.

Mike
Kathy - No offence, but but how can you call Odetta a moaner? Look at all that rubbish. I reckon Odetta is right. It's horrible having to walk past that everyday. Doesn't it bother you?When I saw this video my heart really sank :(It's a sad day when people like Odetta feel like they have to move. She's been in the area all her life. All her life! She's not asking the earth is she?She represents the way a lot of us are thinking.It's very strange to think how people can just chuck litter down like this...and not care. I find it so difficult to understand.I really feel for Odetta. You think you can fight it in your own little way but in reality you can't really do anything about it. If you dare challenge someone dropping litter then it's real grief - with no police around - and no public willing to help - you're in trouble. It's really frustrating.It's so sad that so many have a basic lack of respect for their area or or the poople around them. So much rubbish everywhere in the mornings on the way to work and bad attitude. I'm in my mid 30s - it's concerning about the youth and what's happening over time.As for the Olympics, we all got a bad feeling before it was even announced. I doubt anyone in Hackney Or Newham will benefit from these games - not the people on the street anyway. Everytime I see that logo it makes me shudder.

Phil
Odetta - The main centre of Stratford may be getting special attention but I can assure you that if you come away from the centre Stratford is as bad as anywhere else in Newham. I, like you, have had enough of this mess. I have several times looked around various parts of Essex with the intention of getting away but never have made the jump and carried on complaining in the hope that things would improve. I would still like to get away but as you may know this is a bad time to sell a house. I do not believe the Olympics is going to make the slightest difference to house prices in the area, the developers are errecting flats as quickly as the council can grant planning permission. The supply will outstrip the demand and keep prices down. What will become of these flats after the Olympics? Well as Micheal Portillo said - "they are the slums of the future." I thought town planners learnt the lesson with high rise flats after the 60s, apparently not!

leslie tidey
go odetta I moved to thundersley near rayleighbest thing we ever did

Clive
Unfortunately East Ham and surrounding areas like Plaistow and Upton Park have become a magnet for fly tipping and rubbish. I don't know who's responsible but it's clearly getting worse. It's become the norm for people to throw their take away cartons, household rubbish, sofas and mattresses on the street. The council is quick to clear fly tips once their reported but isn't proactive in its approach.

Kathryn Whelan
Wouldn't you miss the hustle and bustle of london? Are you ready to settle down by the seaside just yet? This doesn't seem like a good time to sell your house, it might really go up in value the nearer 2012 gets. Wouldn't you be kicking yourself if you missed out on that opportunity. Why don't you consider renting that way you're not committing yourself, you can return or you can sell up if it really is the life for you. If you still have to work in london then the commute is something you should definately try before you make any decision that once taken can't be undone. Because unless you are a wealthy woman you won't be able to buy in London again. I wish you the very best of luck.

Sally Heddon
Good to see someone taking pride and speaking out with something they feel strongly about. Unless we all take responsibility for our residential areas we drive caring citizens like Odetta away and be left with a sad state of affairs in our areas of residence. Odetta I think you should do what will make you happy, living by the sea will surely lighten your soul.. well done for speaking out.

Rob Glaves
Hi Odetta, I sympathise with your dilemma, sort out East Ham or head for the coast.The problem in East Ham is that unless the council helps you out and does its work, you can't win.Therefore, I look forward to the postcard from Leigh-on-Sea.RG

Saoirse
Dear Odetta, you seem like such a caring lady. I live by the coast and can recommend it. It is very difficult leaving the area you grew up in especially after your very long life there. I hope you find peace eventually. God Bless.

Edward
I can understand Odetta's predicament, I also live in East Ham and am saddened by the sights I see on a daily basis. People just don't seem to care about their surroundings. I'm glad Odetta MOANS we need more people like her. Stick it out Odetta, it wouldn't be the same without you jogging around the streets with your camera, a lot of local people really admire your dedication

odetta
in case you haven't guessed David -Kathy is my work colleague and thought it would be a great laugh I am just about to strangle her!

Kathy
I think that East Ham is a lovely place. Plenty of places to shop, some places open very late, good transport - tube and plenty of buses. I think Odetta should stop moaning and sell to someone who would appreciate the area and all it has to offer. WHAT A MOANER!!

peter lancaster
I think odetta should leave eastham, Im 13 years old and odetta is my aunt, my mother sonia used to live with odetta as they are sisters and ive seen photos and know that it used to be a nice area, it is now a trash heap, when i have to visit her i get worried as there is many crimes there. even if i walk to her local corner shop i have to be careful not to step in the heaps of rubbish like cans newspapers and even seats and old broken tv's are even just chuked outside.my conclusion is that odetta should move and live a better life.

sonia lancaster
i think odetta should move i have lived away from east ham for 20 years now but when i have to visit east ham i am disgusted by the way the area has declined.Growing up there was very good with a sense of community spirit all the neighbours knew eachother and it was considered a very nice area to live in people aspired to move to east ham from stratford and surrounding areas the traffic is terrible and the litter is disgusting. so over all i think odetta should move away from eastham and follow her dream.

Tony
GO, Do not waste one more day!