Today was the highlight of Mayor Ian Stewart's `bread and circuses' Spirit of Salford festival – that was supposed to highlight all that's good in the city, while Salford Council makes cuts to services for the old, young and vulnerable.
One group which wasn't buying the glitz was the campaign to Save Salford Children's `Jam Butty' Camp. Its members decided to stage a peaceful, fun protest during today's `children's day' to point out the hypocrisy of the Council and Mayor celebrating the city's children, while axing their services.
Thanks to Salford Council cutting all of its £50,000 contribution to the much loved Camp in Prestatyn it was on the point of closure with the land about to be sold off, until the campaign stepped in to try and raise enough money to keep the Camp open (for further details see previous Salford Star article – click here).
"We're here today to try and raise as much money as possible to stop the closure of the Jam Butty Camp for Salford children" explained Collette Jenkinson, stood behind a busy sweet stall on the same patch of grass where the `banned' Rally On The Lawn against cuts happened a few weeks ago attracting over three hundred people (see previous Salford Star article – click here).
Salford Council began the day by trying to stop campaigners putting up their banners on the outskirts of their `pen', arguing that the wooden sticks would `damage the grass' – despite a huge climbing tower, fences, tents and staging being erected for the official festival just a few yards away. And the intimidation continued throughout the afternoon…
"The Council said they'll give us four warnings and after the fourth warning they'll think about throwing us off" said Collette "They said `If there's any trouble or if people keep walking over the side to where the festival is we'll remove you'. Yet it's a public place and they can't really stop us. If they try to remove me I will stand my ground and be arrested, I'll kick up some fuss!"
Paul David Williams, who lives in Prestatyn from the days when his dad ran the Camp, came back to Salford to take part in the protest and was astounded at the Council's attitude…
"I asked if there could be any chance of an announcement on the pa to tell people we're here and to sign the petition but they refused because `technically' we're going against Salford Council…I said `Technically we're supposed to be on the same team and we're raising this money which you lot were supposed to do'…The next minute a bouncer came over…
"I've had three warnings" he added "Apparently I'm not allowed to guide people over here from the festival. I've got a mate who has bouncy castles and he was going to donate one for us to use today but he wasn't allowed. It says it all. If you restrict someone you have an issue with them; they don't want us to have a successful campaign. Yet all schools can go to the Camp by the beach, it's the experience that kids need today."
Patricia Glanville (was Stamford) had flown over from Spain to attend the protest and was also treated almost like a terrorist…
"They said we can't go out of our space but I've been out with our collection box and a big orange banner and the security guard said `You can't come here'...I said `But we're just telling people where we are and what we are doing'…He said `I'm not allowed to let you through' and gave me a warning. How can they tell us that we can't walk over there and tell people that we're here?…We're doing this for the kids."
Lee Craven, given an MBE for services to the community, was also present on the protest… "This is our grass, we own it!" he said "We've been walking around and asking people to come over here and people have been donating. But for me, at the end of the day £50,000 is coppers for this Council. I've got nothing against them supporting the Salfordian Hotel but if they can support that for the elderly they can support the young'uns too. There's a choice there. They can support both of them."
As the afternoon wore on the queues at the protest face painting stall grew longer, sweets and cakes and drinks were selling fast, and people had no qualms about signing the petitions to Save The Jam Butty Camp.
"There's been loads of support off the public, that's the main thing" said Colin Perkins "The Spirit of Salford festival is about looking after its children but they're not. The public are asking me what this is about and they didn't even know what was going on. When you explain, they are disgusted with Mayor and the councillors."
Meanwhile, as councillors mingled at the official festival across the lawn, smiling at children, and bands on the official stage played to a sparse audience, Collette was fuming at the charges for the evening concert, starring Ren Harvieu…
"They're charging people £10 to go to the Spirit of Salford tonight, it's downright disgusting because they know people of Salford have got nothing, they're struggling day to day, kids are going hungry and they're still charging people" she said "They should hang their heads in shame…Don't bring the Mayor over here because I will be arrested! I might stand for Council myself, I'll do a better job and keep this Jam Butty Camp open!"
In the event Collette wasn't arrested, the fourth warning never came and the campaign raised £336.50 towards keeping the Camp open – as well as making a lot of new friends and supporters.
* Before the `banned' Rally On The Lawn two weeks ago, Salford Council tried to discredit the event by stating that the Rally would ruin three weddings booked at the Civic Centre during its duration, because of the noise and disruption.
"We will take action against anyone who ruins their wedding day…by causing a nuisance or disturbance" stated the Council.
On the day, nothing of the sort happened (see full article here). But today, with kids' events going off and bands playing on a huge stage mounted just a few yards away from the registry office, weddings were taking place. With not a word of warning about `nuisance' or `disturbance' from the Council or Mayor…isn't that strange?
** For more details on the Save The Jam Butty Camp campaign and details of how to donate see the Facebook group - click here
See also previous Salford Star articles relating to the Save The Jam Butty Camp...
* Salford Council Accused of Jam Butty Camp Dirty Tactics - click here
* Salford's New DIY Politics - click here
Photos by Steven Speed
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