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Save the National Musicians' ChurchSt Sepulchre’s, the National Musicians’ Church, is an integral part of British amateur and professional musical life. In its north chapel lie the ashes of the founder of the Proms, Sir Henry Wood, along with a Book of Remembrance inscribed with the names of deceased distinguished British musicians. The church has long been a beacon for professional musicians and for all those who passionately support church music of all traditions. The decision to permit no further rehearsals or concerts by external users seems to go against the church’s own stated intention to be a ‘a spiritual home for musicians, and a place where excellence in music is used to the glory of God’. We ask the Parish Council to reconsider their decision and work with representatives of musician users to find a mutually beneficial way forward.8,111 of 9,000 SignaturesCreated by Richard Robbins
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National Archive will Reduce Access the Public Have to View Records.The National Archive plans to change the way the public access records onsite at Kew, which will make it impossible to see documents on the day unless you have an appointment. To do this they will cut 60 plus jobs from Document Services and Reprographics departments. 1 .At present visitors can turn up at the NA and have access to records; under proposed changes access will be by appointment only. 100 appts per day will be available. Visitors making appts have to give advance notice of records they wish to see, if you don't know document reference number you will not be able to see documents. 2. This proposal will outsource work of Reprographics dept. This dept makes revenue for the National Archive.39 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Pat Harris
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Demand that the BBC commission another series of Count Arthur StrongIn this time when the majority of comedians think that they are funny if they use a tirade of foul language about every topic they mention, it is refreshing to watch a comedian that doesn't. The comedy series Count Arthur Strong is a show that can literally be watched by the whole family without any fear of embarrassment.31 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Gary Shawcross
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Langport Hanging Chapel Medieval GatewayThe Hanging Chapel is iconic to Langport and has belonged to the town in one way or another for centuries. It is deemed to be of national importance and scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act of 1979. At a meeting of Langport Town Trust in June, the Town Council as sole trustee, voted in secret to offer the present tenant the opportunity to buy the Chapel. Local residents are outraged and want to be consulted on the future of their much loved local 'treasure'. Many local people are flabbergasted by the decision not least because of the secrecy surrounding it. As the only councillor present at the meeting to oppose the sale, I have been reported for breach of Code of Conduct in revealing something I consider to be in the public interest. Attempts made to force the Council to revisit the motion (which is not not going to be made public until after negotiations are completed!) have failed. The 'Friends of the Hanging Chapel' are determined to secure the building for Langport's future generations and will leave no stone unturned. They thought it was safe in Langport's Town Trust. Please support our efforts.1,358 of 2,000 SignaturesCreated by Val Saunders
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Improved holiday provisions for all special needs children in Telford and WrekinTo support families with complex children during school holidays giving routines, consistency and respite. Having a provision like this would improve mental health and wellbeing of everyone involved. Parents are exhausted and children have no where to go that is suitable for their needs. Even if they do have access to the small amount of trips and playscheme available it is small and not consistent throughout the entire school closures. Parents who are employed are unable to go to go to work as there is no permenant or regular provision suitable for their child. We are not able to send our children to just any holiday club or child minder... They are extremely vulnerable persons and have to have all of their needs met and understood. Our son is 5 and a half years old. He was placed at The Bridge Assessment Nursery for almost 2 yrs so was able to access a holiday playscheme for a couple of hours twice per week for 4 weeks. We were grateful for this little bit of respite at the time even as small as it was, but as our son has now moved to another special school there is no permenant holiday provision at all. Not having respite for a family with a special needs child is so difficult. Our children need routine and consistency and don't understand why school closes for 6weeks+, this accentuates all of their difficulties.201 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Lucy Trower
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Save Hamilton HousePlease Watch this video to help you understand the project and what is at stake. https://www.facebook.com/SaveHamHouse/videos/706374576394248/ Not only have we recently lost two amazing organisations in Stokes Croft, Jacknife and Mark My Words, but now there is an immediate threat to Hamilton House being gentrified through the backdoor with artist studios and community businesses being developed into flats. The landlord has handed a vacant possession order to the building manager Coexist CIC for August 11th 2017, making 300 artists and another 400 people working in valuable creative and community activity without a legal contract or any guaranteed security for the future. Since then 200 people have been evicted fromthe rear block in the building and Coexist CIC, the organisation that was brought to life this project have been told they will not see their lease renewed. We need to protect these community buildings. Sign the petition. Act Now!13,627 of 15,000 SignaturesCreated by SaveHamiltonHouse !
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Yes to KingsfordIt is important so that Aberdeen FC as a football club and football family can enjoy matchdays in a brand new stadium with training facilities that can be used to their full potential by both the First Team and junior teams for years to come.10,470 of 15,000 SignaturesCreated by Hannah McLachlan
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Hounslow: Review your Premises Licence with Gunnersbury Park!Hounslow Council have just granted a Licence to Gunnersbury Park, allowing it to run • 4 Melas each year • 4 beer festivals of up to 10,000 people • Noisy Events going on to 10:30pm UNRELENTING They say 21 days between events (the old Licence said 60 days) but they may allow 2 events at the same time in western playing fields or large events 8 weekends out of 11 throughout the summer! CORPORATE TAKE OVER Incredibly, they banned small wedding receptions (and other parties less than 500 people) from having a bar, but will allow boozy festivals to sell alcohol to take away around the park and into the streets! So much for little people getting to enjoy a party in the park….it will all be big business! EXISTING USERS IGNORED Forget about quiet walks with children, park runs, kite flying, big business making profits will take priority with parts of the park closed off THIS LICENCE WILL ALLOW • Events can go on till 10:30 not 9pm. Crowds and cars at larger events make a noise till 11:30 at least… • 4 Special Events annually (>10,000 people) – eg. London Mela • 5 Large Events annually (> 5000 people) – eg. Big beer festival • 10 Medium Events annually (< 5000 people) – eg Jazz Festival • 28 Small Events annually (<500 people) – eg. Company outing • Events can sell alcohol to take out of the park • 21 days between events sounds good till you see the western Playing Fields is divided into 2 zones, so we could have 2 events at the same time, or one after the other, for 8 weekends out of 11! • Why no Alcohol at small events (less than 500 people)? • Noise and Anti-social behaviour will sky rocket • Litter in the park will be a constant nuisance • Parts of the park will be closed off for long periods not just for the event but for set up and clear down, with security lighting, sound checks and other disturbance! WHO WANTS THIS LICENCE So who are the people hoping to turn the park into a rowdy dive? The councillor-run Gunnersbury Park Advisory Panel is supposedly in charge, but they are handing over control to Gunnersbury Estate 2026 Community Interest Company - who will lease the park and employ people. They applied for the licence. No members of the community involved in it, only 3 council officials Gunnersbury Museum and Park Development Trust A Limited Company and charity. Its relationship is unclear. Are they more interested in raising money or spending it? There seems no way local people get a look in! A LICENCE TO INCLUDE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD! WE SAY :A licence should mark the bounds of what is acceptable, and Hounslow have shown what a low opinion they have of this area. Let’s show them this neighbourhood deserves better! STIG (Save Trees In Gunnersbury) helped defeat plans in 2009 to sell off part of the park for housing – we can knock some sense into officialdom now too! REPRESENTATION FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT USES THE PARK DAILY The community is more than the big events organisers and sports clubs. People use the park daily to walk their dogs, go for a run, fly kites, ride their bikes or sit and relax. All these activities will be restricted by what Hounslow plan! It is time Local people were listened to for a change! WE WANT: • No event after 9pm • Fewer larger events • 21 days respite between events in western playing fields • Small events can have a bar! Gunnersbury Park – TIME TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR!741 of 800 SignaturesCreated by Martin McCloghry
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SAVE Wimbledon’s Merton Hall, London SW19Merton Hall is a charming, ornate, structurally sound Victorian public hall which was commissioned by renowned philanthropist John Innes and executed by his first architect Henry Goodall Quartermain. Together Innes and Quartermain started the design and development of nearby Merton Park garden suburb. The hall is a well-proportioned, balanced and carefully designed public building which does not deserve to be decimated and crushed. Why Should It Be Saved? Structurally Sound ******************* Merton Hall is a fit-for-purpose, solid, Queen Anne style building, in good order which is used by the public daily. It does not merit demolition. Merton Council itself has for years acknowledged its historic and architectural merit by making it a locally-listed building, and putting it on the local heritage trail. Today, it plans to pull it apart The Council has allocated millions of pounds of public money to demolish and replace the main hall in its entirety, retaining only the front which will be blighted by a stitched-on extension made of glass, aluminium and stone cladding. Instead of Merton Hall’s beautiful warm brickwork, buttresses, ornate porches and terracotta plaques, the Council plans a modern, bland, “black box” style warehouse design replacement that doesn’t respect Wimbledon’s heritage nor local distinctiveness. Green space with mature plants and wildlife will be ripped out. If the demolition is not stopped, it could give a green light to “chip away” at John Innes’ distinctive Merton Park and other community assets as has already happened at nearby Merton Rush. Loss of Heritage Asset ************************ In 1898, John Innes' leafy and architecturally harmonious “garden suburb” Merton Park was now thriving. He decided it was time for the community to have a public hall for concerts and performances. He was approached by the headmaster of Merton school to build a Masonic Lodge as it would strengthen local ties. John Innes agreed, and commissioned Quartermain to design a building that would satisfy the dual purposes of a Masonic Lodge and a public hall. Merton Hall is the last jigsaw piece in his legacy to the public. Prominently positioned at 78 Kingston Road SW19, it is one of only two remaining public buildings built by Innes and Quartermain. The Boys’ Club across the road and the old Rutlish School were not so fortunate; they were demolished in the 1950s and 1960s. The 1891 privately-owned Manor Club built for working men sits alongside Merton Hall. The two buildings complement each other and together tell the success story of John Innes’ sense of community, extreme public generosity and concern for the physical and mental wellbeing of the people. Getting rid of Merton Hall is a diminution of John Innes’ legacy. He gave enormously to the area and his legacy should be respected and protected. To do otherwise would seem an act of ingratitude not only to Merton Hall but to all his community assets in the locality. Loss of Freehold in Swap ************************** The Council has agreed a “freehold swap” with Elim Pentecostal Church for the church's current industrial site on High Path. The Hall will no longer be called Merton Hall, a title it has held for over 100 years. It will be named Elim Pentecostal Church serving a limited congregation. Elim will own the freehold in this “swap”, giving it the right to dispose of this heritage asset at any time in the future. The wider community will lose Merton Hall as a public asset and a public hall - yet another blow to community life at a time of when social cohesion is much needed. To this day, John Innes has looked after the community through his Merton Hall which daily embraces everyone. It is an inclusive venue, well-used for a broad variety of activities for all, as well as innumerable weddings, birthdays, christenings and performances. The closure of Merton Hall and public asset transfer to privately-owned Elim Pentecostal Church will end John Innes’ legacy of inclusivity - regardless of creed and status. We Call Upon Merton Council ****************************** 1- To lead the way in respecting our dwindling heritage and planning law. 2- To shelve its plans for unnecessary demolition of a solid and fit-for-purpose building steeped in history and public legacy. 3- To find an alternative site for Elim Church or issue it with a compulsory purchase order (CPO) We must save Merton Hall for generations to come; it is Merton’s heritage, a British asset to be celebrated, not destroyed. Let us not forget: What heritage we easily demolish is lost forever and cannot be rebuilt. Useful links: - Merton Hall planning application live until August 24th 2017 - later representations can be accepted Planning.merton.gov.uk Application reference 17/P2668 https://www2.merton.gov.uk/environment/planning/planningapplications.htm Email [email protected] quoting 17/P2668 Merton Hall - List of Merton Locally Listed Buildings https://www2.merton.gov.uk/loc_list_descriptions_sort1.091.pdf Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SaveMertonHall4,208 of 5,000 SignaturesCreated by Sara Sharp
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Reform grave personalisation regulationsFamilies across the borough have been sent letters over the last few years demanding that they remove small items, such as toys and small wind-chimes, from grave plots. This is owing to their being apparently "inappropriate" and a "nuisance". We urge the council to review these regulations and allow these harmless and peaceful mementos to remain on individuals' graves, giving families a sombre and personal place to remember their loved ones.392 of 400 SignaturesCreated by Lewis Hancock
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#justiceforharrisonSo today, I took my son too gullivers land. Upon arrival I went to purchase mine and Harrison's tickets, Harrison evidently being under 90cm tall, I asked for one adult and one child under 90cm (which is free) the young girl behind the desk asked me too measure Harrison but I explained that he's disabled and can't stand so won't be accurate anyway. She said she'd need to get her manager, after having a quick word and some giggles behind the window she came back and asked for proof that he's disabled. By this point I was getting fed up and there was a queue of people behind me so I just said fine I'll measure him, I did and as explained before, he doesn't stand and it weren't accurate but he did come up under the 90cm mark. The girl was still not satisfied and asked me to stand too the side and wait for the manager too come out(aiden who is in the picture) he came out and I explained I'm not happy with how I've been treated and more so how my son has been treated. He said and I quote 'I can tell just from looking at him he's over 90cm' how he can make that assumption is beyond me because he was in his wheelchair with a blanket over half his body, he then said she's over 90cm too, pointing at my neice who had been measured at the desk and was about 10cm under. So after his disgusting attitude tensions were rising, I firmly said are you expecting me to pay for him? And he then said actually none of you are allowed in. Bare in mind there was 3 children with us. I was so fed up, I said fine whatever, just give my sister and friend a refund which he refused. Then laughed and walked off!! We went up too the ticket sales window and there blindes were pulled down on us and left down until we moved away, despite there being a big queue behind us. 2 ladies witnessed the entire things and was disgusted so much that they actually phoned head office too complain and they advised they'd send the area manager down too speak with us. About 10 minutes after the call, he came too us, followed by the boy we earlier had dealt with that laughed in my face and refused us entry. The boy they went on to deny what he had earlier said and the area manager actually asked him too leave as he could see how upset he was making us. The area manager apologised which was appreciated and gave me and Harrison free entry but it wasn't really much compensation as too what happened. We was stood outside for an hour before being let into the park. I think it's absolutely disgusting and their staff need educating on how to deal with children with disabilities, asking me to measure my son who has low muscle tone and can not stand is absolutely disgusting. For then the manager to laugh at us as if we were the unreasonable ones was an absolute joke. Safe to pay we will not be returning there and I will be making it as public as I can too make sure everyone knows what its like! At least my boy had no clue what was going on.15,183 of 20,000 SignaturesCreated by Amy Cunningham
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Save Aberystwyth Paddling poolAs the Promenade is the Jewel in the crown of Aberystwyth, it is the most popular attraction for our youngest people, and it has been allowed to stay closed over summer to save some money, shamefull9 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Basil Coates
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