Greenwich Council’s deputy leader has compared Woolwich’s “wall of hope” to having “flowers on lamp posts for years”, a day after the cherished landmark was painted over by contractors.
Locals were outraged when the wall on the side of the burnt-out Great Harry pub, created in the aftermath of the riot on 8 August, was painted over by building owners Powis Street Estates on Monday morning.
The wall contained messages of both hope and despair following the disturbances, but the messages were described as “graffiti” by both Powis Street Estates and Greenwich Council in press statements.
Asked by News Shopper reporter Mark Chandler to comment on the wall’s destruction, Brooks said today: “The only thing I can say is Powis Street Estates wanted to paint over it.
“I can understand why people would be upset but we have to move on. It’s like when you have flowers on lamp posts for years and years.”
A wall of Post-It notes in Peckham is being preserved by Southwark Council, and while another one at Clapham Junction is also being saved. There had been moves to preserve the Woolwich wall before its sudden destruction.
Brooks’ comment comes a day after council leader Chris Roberts said Woolwich did not need “a fixation with burnt-out buildings“.
He spoke as London mayor Boris Johnson visited Woolwich, saying he was “sorry” to hear of the wall’s destruction. He also visited the burnt-out Poundmart shop on Woolwich New Road.
Just when you thought the council leadership couldn’t come up with anything more boneheaded and oafish – one of them has to open their mouths again. Credit to Mark Chandler and the News Shopper for putting the question to Peter Brooks. Even if you think the wall should have been painted over, it could all have been handled so differently. People wanted to express their pride in Woolwich – but the council wanted to cover these sentiments up. Apparently photographs were taken first – but will any use be made of them? (How about an exhibition of photos of the wall taken by us all, not just the council?)
How on earth did Greenwich Council get into this mess? There’s plenty there fretting about this right now. The lack of public meetings and the painting over of the wall paints a picture of a council uncomfortable about dealing with real people. Chris Roberts’ barely-edited rant against the media in Greenwich Time pretty much destroys any recent argument that the weekly paper isn’t misused as a propaganda sheet. I’ve made the point here several times before that the council doesn’t like listening to people. But the council leadership seems intent on daily demonstrations that it’s more interested in governing and less bothered about serving.
Others, however, do seem alert to the anger felt over the wall.
It’s worth pointing out that while dissent is usually not tolerated inside Greenwich Labour – sycophancy is preferred – several councillors have quietly used social media to speak out about the wall’s destruction, whether in public or in closed accounts. That’s very rare, and hints that the leader and his deputy aren’t even speaking for their own party here. All this could rebound on them, because they face a re-election contest within the Labour group on the council in May 2012.
The Woolwich wall may have gone, but the consequences of its destruction, in their small way, might just be as much a turning point as the riot it sought to commemorate.
5:10pm update: One of the people behind the wall speaks out… (via Jellyfielders)
Flattering to be included in your blog post Darryl but it does imply that I’m a member of Greenwich Labour, which I am not.
You’re in Labour Students at Greenwich University and a former contributor to Greenwich Time. That’ll do. Good luck climbing that greasy pole.
There is no Labour students at Greenwich university.
You should tell this lot, then, they’re clearly wasting their time: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54724208186
I am not a member of any political group but I have to say that the council have failed to engage with the mood of the people, with a real lack of connected leadership. Not for the first time either. There seems to be a huge contrast between self- aggrandising leaders who politicise Greenwich Time and the mayoral event, and some of the excellent local councillors and the efforts they make. Quite simply, power corrupts and when one party rules for decades then arrogance takes over – whether it’s one lot or another.
Have you seen the latest?
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/9212553.Visiting_Woolwich__Hide_your_wallet_says_head_of_Greenwich_tourism/
===
SHOULD the man in charge of tourism in Greenwich be telling the world he has to hide his wallet before visiting Woolwich?
News Shopper is calling for the resignation of Neil McCollum after he posted the following message on social media website Twitter: “Guest Appearance in Woolwich today. Wonder if it has changed. Mental note, make sure wallet is not visible.”
===
It’s not the latest,he posted it three weeks ago. I’m not impressed with that kind of story – will post on it later this morning.
Grammar: “There ARE no labour students at Greenwich University” tut tut
Further point – Years are longer than days..these riots did not happen years ago. The equivalent of “get over it”.
Honestly, it is a total and utter disregard for those who have lost something in Woolwich. Tell that to the mother of that poor girl.
Pomposity in the extreme. Come down from your Ivory tower.
Three weeks ago? Should have looked closer at that twitter screengrab they had. I just don’t have a journo’s eye for these things.
[…] of social media conduct in people’s contracts. After all, leading councillors can already say stupid things without having to take to Twitter or […]
Grammar pedantry – I suspect it should have been “There is no Labour Students at GU,” so an error of capitalisation which we shouldn’t get too hung up over …
As for the wallet comment, surely that’s wise advice anywhere in London. But Cllr Fletcher’s response to the News Shopper (daft thing to say even as a joke, hope he’s learnt a lesson) has the right of it as far as I can tell.
Obviously no English students at Greenwich University either, “There is no labor students”??? if you’re that ignorant then at least use a grammar/spellchecker!
Indeed, Tony…
Strange way of spelling Labour Tony. Before you judge someone’s English at least get a grip of your own.
Besides I was referring to Labour Students as a single entity, obviously there are students that support Labour at Greenwich but that’s not what I was saying.
Drove past the wall this morning, lovely advertising spiel for Greeneich Council all over it!
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