The attack on Bermondsey: How our national identity is being destroyed

Our national identity:

A Prince of Britain,

The Prince of Cambridge,

The Prince of Bermondsey

 

The happy family ©Daily Telegraph 2013

Bermondsey loves Britain: remember the many union and St George's flags fluttering from the windows of our homes and offices during the Olympics and Andy Murray's storming victory a few weeks ago?  And, yesterday was no exception - even the fish and chip shop on Jamaica Road flew a union flag from its shop front!

 

 

 

Bermondsey isn't ashamed of its patriotism, and nor should it be.  Many members of the uber middle-class revel in tinkering with our concept of nationhood, delighting in patronising and shaming the working people of Bermondsey into hiding their love of our flag, our country and its people.  This is the middle-class-muck-about in full swing: destroying the spirit of working people only to replace it with a hollow liberal-nothingness.

 

 

To them, flying proudly the union flag indicates at best an idiosyncrasy, and at worst out and out racism.  Demonstrating publicly an affection for and a deep love of our country is demonised: the flyers of flags decking the many estates around Bermondsey are  labelled uncultured and chavs: this sort of outright discrimination would be made illegal if hurled at other groups within our society - and rightly so. 



The Daily Mail captures the hopes of Bermondsey and the natio

©Daily Mail 2013

 

The birth of the Prince of Cambridge challenges this seemingly unstoppable uber middle-class dogma and orthodoxy, sticking up two fingers to its outright assault on the working-class values of family, community and duty to country.  To Bermondsey people, identity is tied up with the hopes, dreams and successes of our country.

 

Bermondsey Coronation Party, 1953 (©bermondseyboy.net)

The birth of the royal prince has brought joy and happiness to Bermondsey, and guess what - the uber liberal elite hate that!  Enjoying their navel-gazing monologue of doom and permissiveness, anything goes, except good news and Britishness.

Baby Prince Charles held by Princess Elizabeth

According to a recent survey for ITV's Jonathan Dimbleby programme, 81% of Britains are in favour of keeping the monarchy (in Bermondsey that figure is probably much higher).  60% believe that the royal family is integral to national identity, and over 19 million people participated in last year's jubilee events.  These figures send a clear message: don't mess with Britain - it ain't broke!

Of course, national identity is difficult to quantify and even harder to define.  The Scottish Government says that 'national and cultural identity is defined by our sense of place, our sense of history and our sense of self.  It is defined by what it means to be Scottish; to have an affinity to Scotland; and to be able to participate in Scottish society. It is the tie that binds people together.'  At a local level this includes strong families and faith groups, community events, taking pride in one's environment and supportive relationships with neighbours.  Nationally, our identity is wrapped up in many areas including national symbols and colours, sport, role models, government, heritage and history, as well as institutions such as the Royal Family.  A consistent message  from each of these groups, often over many generations, is vital.  

©Daily Mail 2012

So, as the celebrations continue, and the images of an elated and rapturous population stream from our television sets, Bermondsey chooses to ignore the lies of the minority who attempt to dissimulate the values of working people and the nation at large.  God bless baby Cambridge, God bless Bermondsey and God bless our beloved Britain.

Congratulations William and Catherine! We've changed our blog background image for you!

To celebrate the nation's good news, here at Bermondsey Beach we have changed our blog background image!

 

 

We are more than thrilled to wave proudly and enthusiastically the union flag - well done William and Catherine!

Watch out for different background images all this week...

 

 

It's a boy!

Congratulations to their

Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy, the Prince of Cambridge!

Bermondsey Beach sends its very best wishes to William and Catherine!

 

Today we celebrate a moment in Britain's history that the world will never forget.

 

 

Studios/Workspace Available, V22

V22 has various studios/workspaces currently available in its Bermondsey studio building.

There is also a very large space becoming available at the end of August. This space is suitable for a graduate school or similar organisation who would be looking for a large space for shared use.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.artiststudiofinder.org/

http://v22collection.com/studios/

 

 

Views from Bermondsey Beach...

On a hot and steamy Wednesday morning, nothing is better than the sight of Bermondsey's Tower Bridge in all its finery and glory.

In fact, this Sir Horace Jones 1894 classic looks inviting at any time of day.  They don't build bridges like this anymore - just consider the Millennium Bridge and make up your own mind!

The Tower of London is enough to take your breath away when strolling along The Queen's Walk...

Is the environmental boat garden behind Bermondsey Wall West SE16 London's only park on the Thames?

Bermondsey skies cannot be beaten in all of London town.

The view from Bermondsey Beach: the best of Bermondsey, the best of British!

The Bermondsey Review: The Great Salmon Choir Sing-Off

Bermondsey vs Jesus College Cambridge: Who wins?

 

On a more than balmy Sunday afternoon, Cambridge University met Bermondsey's Salmon Youth Centre for the fight of their lives.  The gloves were off and the stage was set for this summer's Great Salmon Choir Sing-Off.
 



In the blue corner, the choir of Jesus College Cambridge, fresh from a year's academic study at one of the world's most renowned universities.   And, in the red corner, the finest selection of Bermondsey choirs: the Rotherhithe and Bermondsey Choral Society (RBCS) and Grace to Grace International Centre's 'De-Harmony'.

 

Rotherhithe and Bermondsey Choral Society

RBCS threw the first punch with their rendition of the 1000 year old round 'Summer is a' comin', deftly followed with a battering of songs including: 'Merry England' by Edward German; Henry VIII's  'Pastime with good company' and the 20th century gospel classic 'Down by the riverside' https://vine.co/v/hZdnqZljUJX .

 

Next in the ring throwing a counter punch was the younger 'De-Harmony', a local teenage group headed up by a super talented lead singer.  Performing a range of material including 'Jesus how I love to call your name', De-Harmony set the bar very high.  Would Jesus College Cambridge resort to fighting dirty, punching below the belt? https://vine.co/v/hZdHJbJlnqb



De-Harmony



After a selection of presentations from the Salmon Youth Centre, including an inspirational video setting out their life-changing programme of events, and a moving testimony from volunteer Tina, Jesus College Cambridge entered the ring.

 

The Choir of Jesus College Cambridge

Dressed in black and ready for battle, they belted out a canon of choral pieces, including a compelling version of 'Somewhere over the rainbow', which made them a sure contender for the prize. https://vine.co/v/hZdEE03VQzt 

 

 

But, the truth was that although Cambridge's final bout ended the sing-off, the overall winner in this barn burner of a fight was hard to call.  Each of the choirs sang their hearts out, performing to the highest possible standard.  If there were any tears, they were tears of joy, as each group took their rightful place in the Bermondsey choral hall of fame.

 

 

Salmon's relationship with Cambridge dates back to 1906 when Reverend Salmon set up The Cambridge Medical Mission Settlement.  If his spirit was in the room, he would have recognised much of his own pioneering zeal in these young people.  To this day, Salmon proves that partnerships between academia and Bermondsey young people benefit everyone involved.

 

 

Working against the backdrop of a difficult national economic climate, Salmon has felt the effects of cuts and efficiency savings.  But, on Sunday they entertained, showcased talent and raised the profile of local youth services, raising desperately needed funds, as well as recruiting new volunteers and supporters.  In reality, the sing-off was part of their fight back to avoid being knocked down for the count.

 

More information:

 

http://www.salmoncentre.co.uk/

 

http://www.rbcs-choir.org.uk/

 

https://www.facebook.com/de.harmony.50

 

http://www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/

 



This week in Bermondsey...

Bermondsey celebrated in style Andy Murray's three set to nil thrashing of Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon last Sunday. In true Bermondsey fashion, windows were festooned proudly with union flags, and parties were held in the many local pubs, restaurants and bars.

Down at More London with views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, the citizens of Bermondsey celebrated with people from all over the country, as they watched on a large screen Murray storm to victory.   The atmosphere was electric!

  

It really was a case of hats on, tops off and drinks in hand!

Even Canary Wharf across the river joined in with the fun, set ablaze by the evening Bermondsey sun. 

For others though, the heat and the excitement were both a bit too much, as they cooled down splashing around in More London's many fabulous fountains.

Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp announced its move to Bermondsey at London Bridge's 'Baby Shard' building - surely this has to be good news for London Bridge City? 

Fly tipping continues to be a growing concern in the Bermondsey area, with little sign of the problem abating.  From Bermondsey South station to Shad Thames, some residents and businesses still fail to understand that the council provides an easy way of collecting unwanted items - for free. 

While Southwark Council can be sometimes quick to respond to individual cases, it has not yet demonstrated an understanding of how to implement a comprehensive strategy to solve the problem.

Nearly a week on from the start of our blog and Twitter campaign, Bermondsey underground station still resembles something out of a rubbish tip horror film.

With dirty pavements and rubbish bags strewn everywhere, Southwark Council continues to neglect its responsibility to keep the public realm clean.  The good news is that councillors Neil Coyle and Graham Neale agree with us.  Will we see some action soon?

And finally, a big thank you to Southwark Council for the many many beautiful hanging baskets decking out the blossoming streets of Bermondsey, and not just on Bermondsey Street!  You see, they can do something right!

Does 'life' mean 'life'? Not according to the European Court of Human Rights

Notorious killers could be released under the latest bonkers ECHR ruling

Today, the European Court of Human Rights threw Bermondsey common sense  out of the window when it ruled that notorious killers can no longer be sentenced to life in prison.

 

In its ruling, the ECHR reached the absolute zenith of its defective, ill-informed and badly timed decision making by granting so-called 'human rights' to the likes of Ian Huntley, who murdered schoolgirls Holly Chapman and Jessica Wells, as well as Peter Moore who killed in 1995 four gay men for his own sexual gratification. This is more than just a middle-class-muck-about by the idiotic and über-liberal Strasbourg judges - it is a dangerous judgement that puts at risk the lives of ordinary Bermondsey residents.

 

  

Sitting in their plush Strasbourg court room, built at the expense of Bermondsey and other European taxpayers, the well-remunerated Euro-judges overstepped the mark when they upheld an appeal lodged by multiple murderers Jeremy Bamber, Peter Moore and Douglas Vinter.  Their ruling stated that whole-life tariffs with out the possibility of release or review are 'inhumane' and are a degrading form of treatment for criminals.  Furthermore, life sentences are, they say a 'violation of article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights': this is absolute bonkers!

 

 

Thanks in part to Tony Blair for introducing Euro-law via the 1998 Human Rights Act, rather than a carefully tailored British Bill of Rights, these killers have been allowed to abuse the system, wasting thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money, as well as valuable court time.  While serious issues go unheard, the Euro-court overreached itself this time and showed that it is far from being 'tough on crime'.

 

 

Even Jeremy Bamber's family don't agree with the ruling saying that he should 'stay where he is'.  The judges wrongly believe that Britain has violated these brutal murderers' human rights.  How is that exactly?  Most sensible Bermondsey folk would think that when someone murders children, or in the case of Bamber his entire family, you should forgo some of your rights.  These animals should be banged up in jail without the possibility of review, parole or release.

 

 

The Tories are rightly angered and outraged.  Ed Miliband on the other hand is noticeably silent, preferring instead to talk about his party's relationship with the unions.  And, Nick Clegg?  Unfortunately, he thinks that if he criticises the ECHR in anyway, he will be giving in to the Conservatives.  No, no, no!  If politicians cannot stand up to the ECHR and promote proudly British values, they should not be in their jobs.

 

 

Although the threat to Bermondsey and Southwark residents is admittedly rather small, it exists nonetheless.  Earlier this afternoon, one furious resident said that he had 'never heard anything like it'.  Another believes that the move is nothing less than a 'prisoners' charter', as well as being deeply unfair.

 

 

So, what should the government do?  Well, as with most problems to do with Europe, the simplicity of their solution eludes most politicians.  Ask the people of Bermondsey and they will give you a straight answer.  The government should seek to redefine Britain's relationship with the ECHR, making clear the wishes of our people and pointing out the stupidity of the decision.  If Strasbourg fails to listen, the government must withdraw from the jurisdiction of the court.  The danger of the latter is that there exists a potential that human rights could be abused by future governments.  Therefore, a bill of rights must be enshrined in British law to prevent this.  Simple.

 

 

So, as the Eurocrats reign supreme from their gilded office complex in France, Bermondsey must speak up for common sense (please vote in our blog opinion poll to show how you feel).  If we don't, violent prisoners will continue to abuse the 1959 concept of human rights, and already widespread disillusion with the European Court of Human Rights will rise inexorably.

Clean up Bermondsey Station!

Come on Southwark Council, get scrubbing!

Bermondsey underground station: shiny and spotless on the inside, dirty and grubby on the outside.   Opened in 1999, the station provides a real lifeline for residents living north and south of Jamaica Road. 

Serving the West End of London in only 12 minutes and speeding to Olympic Stratford in the east in only 17 minutes, the Jubilee line gets Bermondsey residents where they want to go in a flash.  The trains are spruced up daily and the platforms are so clean that you could dine on them.  So, what has happened to the concourse outside the station?

The pavements are covered in grease and grime, due mainly to a lack of regular sweeping and steam cleaning.  While Southwark Council stated in a recent Twitter exchange that they 'have a permanent cleaning presence in this section of Jamaica Rd between 6am and 6pm', our recent visits call into question the quality of the cleaning.

What exactly are they cleaning with: an old Aldi duster?  In Bermondsey we know how to clean - we get down on our hands and knees and scrub!  Not so long ago, Bermondsey folk used to take pride in cleaning their door steps every day with a brush and a bucket of bleach and soapy water - indeed, some community spirited residents still do.  While not wishing to teach Southwark Council how to suck eggs, it is evident that their cleaning department needs a lesson in street cleaning and public realm management, so here goes.
 

1.Sweep thoroughly throughout the day, without picking and choosing what to sweep up.

 

2. Pick up cigarette ends and empty regularly the cigarette bin on the wall.

 

3. Steam clean the pavement every few weeks to remove dirt and grime, wiping walls and street furniture.

 

4. Scrape up chewing gum - it looks unsightly and is a public health hazard.

 

5. Use cleaning products that actually clean.

 

6. Limit the amount of street furniture outside the station including bins, newspaper vending stands and cycling racks. (Why not move the 'Evening Standard' stand at the end of the day?)

 

7. Stop placing Southwark Council rubbish sacks and resident and business waste sacks outside the station entrance.

 

 

Local Lib Dem councillors have put their weight behind a 'Clean Up Southwark' campaign.  On our Twitter page @bermondseybeach, prospective Labour MP Councillor Neil Coyle promised to raise the matter with the council lead officer.  So, come on politicians - get a move on and clean up our beloved station - get scrubbing!

 

 

Further Information and Contacts:

 

Lib Dem '#CleanUpSouthwark' blog

http://cleanupsouthwark.wordpress.com/

 

Southwark Council street cleaning page

http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200089/street_cleaning

 

Cllr Neil Coyle Twitter account

@coyleneil

 

Southwark Council Environmental Services

Telephone: 020 7525 2000

email: Environment@southwark.gov.uk