This article will make your blood boil

[Ivan Cloherty]

I just couldn't believe what I was reading. I have today sent the following message to licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk and have contacted very many of the members of the Bearwood Old Royals Association - to say they are incensed is putting it mildly. I understand that objections have to be submitted by 12th October, so there is no time to lose. Name and address need to be given to make sure the objection is logged.

"]As the Alumni Secretary for the Old Royals Association (ex pupils association for the Royal Merchant Navy School, Bearwood) I wish to register the Association's strong objection (and my own) to any 'party' events planned for the Merchant Navy Memorial Site.

Our Association represents many sons and daughters of men who perished in two World Wars whilst serving in the Merchant Navy and we all consider this to be a most inappropriate use of the site. For many who had no known grave, this is a very important place and it is visited frequently from people all over the world. How sad and shocking that people should make a pilgrimage from, say, Australia or Canada, to see their father's name and his ship engraved on the Memorial only to be confronted with a marquee licensed for the sale of alchohol. This site should be safe from 'sacrilege' just as any graveyard would be.

Mrs Sylvia R Lambert
40 Deepdale Road
Cullercoats
Tyne and Wear NE30 3AN"

Well done Sylvia

Between most of us on this site, we have contacted the Prime Minister, The Home Secretary, John Prescott, numerous National Press, The mayor of Tower hamlets, the Council Members at Tower hamlets, the Licencing Authorities at Tower Hamlets, the EVENT Organisers, I've done them all and I haven't finished yet and they will all be repeated tomorrow, I would respectfully suggest that all those who already sent emails to whom whatsoever they retransmit them again tomorrow and we'll tie up their bloody computers, we may not be an armed service we sure as hell can rise up in arms

Ivan

[George]

What a state of affiiars, when a war memorial can leagely be desicrated in this country, I like many of you have written to the Priminister urging him to youse his office, to put a ban on this proposed Party, of Bankers that have taken the food from many peoples mouths around the Globe, becouse of there greed and stupidity. There are around 6000 members on this site now, so please, rise up and do the same, badger your own local MP as well as Goverment Ministers. I am also thinking of writing to the head office of my own bank, although I haven't done that yet. I have also got Family, Friends and Neibours, to Write in.
George in Southampton

[Tony Morcom]

I too have sent emails to the various places stating my objections.

As has been pointed out on other sites, we should not let the fact that the intended party is for bankers cloud the issue. At this point the bankers have done nothing wrong regarding this issue. It is the event management company and the council who are at fault. Granted if the event is allowed to continue then the bankers would become a justifiable target for condemnation but at the moment they are the innocent party (no pun intended) The whole point is surely that it is a totally unsuitable site for this type of activity. It is a memorial site and as such should be treated by all with the total respect it so rightly deserves.

[Ivan Cloherty]

I too have sent emails to the various places stating my objections.

As has been pointed out on other sites, we should not let the fact that the intended party is for bankers cloud the issue. At this point the bankers have done nothing wrong regarding this issue. It is the event management company and the council who are at fault. Granted if the event is allowed to continue then the bankers would become a justifiable target for condemnation but at the moment they are the innocent party (no pun intended) The whole point is surely that it is a totally unsuitable site for this type of activity. It is a memorial site and as such should be treated by all with the total respect it so rightly deserves.

Whilst agreeing with all you say Tony, this party venue is aimed at City Institutions including Banks, it would be of no interest to anyone else, especially those living within the Tower Hamlets catchment area. I have written to Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England asking him to use his influence to request the Banks and Banking Institutions to boycott this venue for the sake of the image of Banks in general.

I also received a reply from Tower Hamlets Licencing Authority which states whilst noting our concerns that we MN protesters and others do not have a basis for legal objection because we do not live in the area adjacent to the Memorial gardens, so whilst our objections are noted they cannot be taken into consideration. I have sent the full reply to Keith to post on this site as I could not get it to stay on, another of my limitations I'm afraid

[Tonga]

Those of us who have contacted the Licensing Authority to object, will now be aware of the careful wording from LBTH that stands in the way of anyone with a personal interest and genuine objection to this event, so in consequence they will have to be equally careful if they wish their objection to survive the stonewalls of bureaucratic indifference …

Surely Members will have their own thoughts as to how their particular objection meets the legal criteria, but if it helps, Tonga will be looking to raise his concerns (as a local company) relying on:

- the prevention of crime and disorder (which is one of the criteria that LBTH states it will consider)

and making the case that; given the nature of the proposed event, there is a high risk that, notwithstanding the existence of good security, fouling and/or damage, accidental or otherwise, could occur to the Bronze Plaques, which are the only land-based memorials that exist for the many Merchant Sailors who lost their lives at sea, whilst serving their country.

Shameful is not really a good enough word to describe either the Council or the Events Company…

Regards
Mark

[Mel Spence]

Folks

I have registered an e-petition with the Westminster Parliamment, calling on the Government to bring forward the necessary changes to the Planning and Licencing acts to protect all our War Memorials from this sort of activity.

As I understand the system, if we can get 100,000 signatures, we have a good chance of triggering a debate in parliament.

I will post the link to the e-petition here, once i receive confirmation from the parliamentary authorities.

Regards

Mel

[robpage]

Just sent my complaint to Boris Johnson Mayor of London

[Captain Kong]

One thing I cannot understand in all this , As The LBTH is mostly a ****** Council, then why, if ******s are against Alcohol, as per Quoran, then why are they promoting, hosting and assisting an Alcoholic event.

Surely The Council have double standards.

Wouldnt it have been easier for them to Host it in the grounds of the East London Mosque.?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Allman]

The following is reproduced courtesy of The Docklands :-

The application has also brought condemnation from the Tower Hamlets’ licensing chairman Peter Golds, leader of the Tory opposition group, who pointed out the proposed dates for events starts November 22 — nine days after this year’s Armistice Day ceremony memorial.

Cllr Golds said: “How appalling that wreathes will be removed and replaced by canapés, champagne and fairy lights.”

It emerged this week that Trinity Square Gardens has already been rented out to the company.

Opposition Labour group leader Joshua Peck said: “No-one knew about the gardens being rented out. The Mayor should reconsider this, money isn’t everything.”

The council said it has received “valid representations” against the application, which means the entertainment bid will be determined by its licensing sub-committee.

Also

There is an article from the London Evening Standard HERE which looks as if Bob Crow has entered the fray and also that Moving Venue have had their cage rattled, you never know things could get worse for them, I hope so.

Chris

[Willie Saunders]

This ****** council have recognised an area where they can cause maximum outrage and offence, and are now no doubt sitting back rubbing their hands in glee. They should remember that many of the seamen commerated on those tablets are fellow ******s but I doubt if they care, really, for as all we seafarers know, life is cheap in those countries.