This article will make your blood boil

[Mel Spence]

Folks

Bravo all round.

This has sparked a second issue with me. The last time I was oin contract to natwest, I visted the memorialand I seem to recall seeing Laskar and Chinese crew men listed simply as things like 7 laskar, 6 Chinese. Is my memory correct, and if so, how can we correct this, and get the sacrifice of these equally brave men properly commerorated?

Regards

Mel

[Captain Kong]

On the Pier Head in Liverpool is a Memorial, one of a few, and it does list the names of, Indian, and Chinese Seafarers who were lost in WW2. There were no Pakistanis in those days so they are commemerated with Indian seamen. I think it records the names of the Liverpool Companies ships and not Nation wide. Mostly companies such as Brocklebanks etc.
I havent seen it for a while but next time I go I will look at it.

Cheers
Brian.

[Ivan Cloherty]

John

You can still get through on communications@towerhamlets.gov.uk but as the Mayor has overuled the Council and put a block on any partying in the gardens, I personally think we should thank him for understanding our depth of feeling, as I did send him a message originally pointing out that there were many Asian, lascar and African names on those memorials, whether that held any sway or not I do not know. But the man has come through for whatever reason, so I personally think no more brickbats should be aimed in his direction as we may need his assistance in the future in case any other misguided "Events Organisers" have any insiduous ideas of partying there.

Also it would seem that our respected Trinity House did not steer too straight a course in this episode, whether or not a decision was taken within that organisation by an ex seaman or a University product for marketing we shall probably never know, but who ever took the (alleged) decision to let "Events Venue" through the submarine nets then they should be keel-hauled by the senior members then strung up from the yardarm, and in reality I am a very moderate man, but there are just some things you do not even contemplate which incurr my moderate wrath.

But once again a very big thank you to all who have taken part, it goes to show what a bit of lobbying can do.

[John Callon]

Ivan,

Many thanks for your reply and I concur with everything you have said. I agree it did appear that Trinity House were not whiter than white in this (no pun intended). I will take your advice and send an email to Tower Hamlets thanking them for their decision in this matter.
Regards,
John

[Chris Allman]

I have just found this statement by Richard Beggs of Moving Venue, I just wonder just how big a part Trinity House played in this whole sorry saga, makes you think.

“Moving Venue fully understands the position the surprising comments made by Trinity House has placed London Borough Tower Hamlets Council in and we can confirm that we are withdrawing from the proposed events at Trinity House.

“Moving Venue had been told by Trinity House that they fully supported the project, confirming approval in June, and have, over the past eight months, looked at all relevant logistics of the event venue. Acknowledging the sensitivities around the venue location, from the outset we had robust plans in place to preserve the dignity and safeguard the security of the memorial gardens, which had been reviewed by London Borough Tower Hamlets Council during our discussions.

“However, following the pressure on London Borough Tower Hamlets Council, who have acted fairly and impeccably throughout, from adverse media coverage, Moving Venue confirms that it will not be using the venue. We are now in the process of contacting those clients that had made arrangements to use the venue, helping them to ensure they are able to find a suitable alternative at such short notice.

“We fully understand the concerns raised and had little hesitation in withdrawing the events, but would reiterate that we were invited by Trinity House to consider the site as a venue”.

Richard Beggs
Managing Director, Moving Venue

Chris

[Gareth Alfor Davies]

Have just received an e-mail from an old shipmate attaching a message from the mayor of Tower Hamlets.
He has cancelled the agreement with the events company & the whole thing is now off. The main reason mentioned isthe objection of Trinity House. Hurray.
Gareth Davies

[Keith at Tregenna]

LINKS:

LINK: Council puts a stop to war memorial Christmas party - Wharf

LINK 2: Council bosses urged to rethink plans for Christmas parties in war memorial garden | News

Moving Venue blames media for bankers’ party axe:

October 11, 2011 by trialbyjeory

Richard Beggs, the managing director of Moving Venue, which had invited bankers to booze by maritime war memorials, is now asking us to sympathise with his clients becaus ethey now have to find another venue at short notice.

LINK 3: READ HIS STATEMENT HERE: http://trialbyjeory.wordpress.com/

LINK 4: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/p..._axe_1_3860187

LINK 5: http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.u...ties_1_1085361

LINK 6: http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.u...ties_1_1085361

LINK 7: http://www.jarrowandhebburngazette.c..._axe_1_3860187

(8): Uncertain as to the content of this U TUBE clip, wondered if someone could take a peek and give some kind of report / review, travelling at the mo, hence remote ISP is limited and will not allow access to U TUBE content: intrigued K.

Tower Hill War Memorial - Dancing on Graves - YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9H5UsiDNmc - Block all www.youtube.com results
1 day ago – ... corporate parties on the the Tower Hill Memorial opposite the Tower of London. ... The memorial commemorates the 35787 men and women of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who died in ... This should be stopped. ...

LINK 9: http://www.docklands24.co.uk/news/ma...ties_1_1085373

(10) Nautilus has welcomed the news that the Mayor of the London borough of Tower Hamlets has vetoed plans to hold a series of day-long commercial Christmas parties in the Trinity Square memorial gardens besides the UK’s Merchant Navy war memorial.

ACTUAL LINK: http://www.nautilusint.org/default.aspx

AND

MEMORIAL PARTY PLAN ‘STOPPED:

LINK: 10B: http://www.nautilusint.org/News-and-...spx?newsid=262

Merchant Navy Memorial, Sanity Prevails.

LINK 11: Following howls of protest from Veterans and Seafarer's Organisations the Mayor of Tower Hamlets has relented. http://www.rfa-association.org/cms/i...id=2&Itemid=30

LINK 12: http://www.shiptalk.com/?p=10126


K.

[Red Lead Ted]

I Have a suggestion why dont you hold your Xmas bash on the Thames itself plenty of little river cruisers were the music plays until after hours/ free champers/ nicely laid out buffet/ enjoy your hard earned cash / the state the economy is in you deserve it. But then why not do what many thousands of the men commemorated at Tower Hill done during there Xmas bash while getting torpedoed or blown out the water.............Thank the lord you are here for Xmas/ go on the Thames on a little clinker built lifeboat/ put yourself on boat rations these seaman had to endure/ if it comes to it and you end up stranded you can always eat each other after about 30 days out there like a lot of seaman did/ oh and dont worry about the cold weather you can always curl up and keep each other warm you will get used to it/ And if one of you have the misfortune of dying during your stay aboard a little lifeboat you can always wrap them in burlap and slip them into the river just like thousands of seaman did/ but before doing any of those things go fancy dress and cake yourself with crude oil just like many seaman did./ OH dont worry we will all be praying to the lord for you to bless you with a 9 force gale to contend with just like many thousands of seaman did. I Am sure it will be a very sober Xmas for all you wet nursed Nellie's. You dont know you are born any of you. And why did your Merchant Fleet do all this during two world wars. So that the likes of you could have your freedom and Xmas bash. LEST WE FORGET. Terry.

[Lou Barron]

it makes me proud to be a ex merchant seaman after the way we all protested against the booze party those thoughtless people wanted to hold on our mn memorail gardens i did send a couole of emails in protest i have visisted the memorail a few times and when i look at the plaque of my ex ship and see the names of some of my old shipmates it brings back many memories thank you guys well done

[Keith at Tregenna]

Some Heads Should Again Be Lost at Tower Hill:

I cant believe that people can even consider doing this.

Not wanting to pass on to much to the local burglars, am travelling at the mo, but as soon as I got wind off all have ensured the powers that be are aware. I also have the lap top with me and am keeping updated and following all.

Am in communication with home and although new news is that the party's are over, have attempted to set much in motion that I am assured is occurring. Trouble now is as this involves many and overseas etc, by time the message that the war may be won gets through to all, much more will occur in protest.

If nothing else all may prevent this lunacy ever being attempted again.

Will report more on return, but will keep looking in and adding when pos.

I still think some heads should roll at Moving Venues Catering co, all excuses will attempt to pass the Buck, but the Sales, Marketing team and even the MD: should never have entered the intention of this venture.

Seems the Moving Venue Caterers have learned nothing: They are blaming the media !

Had the story not broke now, all would have been justified ?

We would have found out and joined the unions in more protest at the events.

The shifting cookery club should look close to home,

an entire Marketing and sales team along with an MD,

C*CKED UP BIG TIME"

The British Merchant Navy saved a nation over many years and wars, they have saved the memory of the fallen in a few days.

Moving Venue blames media for bankers' party axe « Trial by Jeory
trialbyjeory.wordpress.com/.../moving-venue-blames-media-for-ban...13 hours ago – Lutfur Rahman cancels the bankers' booze-up in Tower Hill ... Richard Beggs, the managing director of Moving Venue, which had invited ..

LINK: http://trialbyjeory.wordpress.com/20...ers-party-axe/

Will update as and when and on return home.

K.