on 27/1/03 19:28, mark_yorkhall at mark_yorkhall@... wrote:
> Message from Glyn Robbins
>
> I have two bits which I'd like everyone to know.
>
> 1. I door-stepped the East London Advertiser this pm and they are
> keen to run a story about the campaign this week, but they want a
> photo. Who is available to come to YH tomorrow to have their photo
> taken? Time open at the moment, but will go with majority for either
> 10am or 4pm.
>
> 2. A suggestion has been made, which I agree with, that we should
> organise a rolling leafleting of the centre this Saturday. Sure we
> could cover most of the day between us, doing an hour each.
>
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Yorkhall-unsubscribe@...
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms.html
>
>
I can leaflet this Saturday 1.30 - 2.30pm
Paul Milican
0207 254 5075
Message from GlynRobbins@...
please come to the front steps of York Hall tomorrow (Tue 28th) at
4.30 pm and bring the kids if possible to have their photo taken for
the East London Advertiser.
Have sent this letter to:
http://www.faxyourmp.com/
Ms Oona King MP
House Of Commons
London
Dear Ms King
I am a regular user of York Hall and I am very concerned that it may
be closed down.
Where do you stand on the issue of the closure or redevelopment of
York Hall?
I hope you can take the time to answer this question for me.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely,
Ali Russell
--- In Yorkhall@y..., "Joanna Buick" <joanna@b...> wrote:
> at http://www.faxyourmp.com/
>
> get the text ready that you want to send and use this form onlin.
> I've had detailed replies from my current MP - and where I used to
> live too. It works!
>
> Joanna
27/01/03
Martyn Herman
BOXING promoters Frank Warren and Frank Maloney teamed up last week
when they visited the Town Hall to discuss the future of York Hall.
News that the outdated York Hall could be demolished has sent
shockwaves around the boxing fraternity, many of whom view it as the
sport's spiritual home in this country.
The council, which spends nearly £600,000 per year on the site which
is chiefly used as a swimming pool and leisure centre by thousand of
borough residents, insist no decision has been made on its future.
In a friendly meeting with Ray Gerlach, acting director of customer
services, and Graeme Peacock, head of property and facilities, the
two boxing promoters outlined their vision for a Boxing Hall of Fame
and museum being built on the site.
The building, which was opened in 1929 by the Duke and Duchess of
York and includes a Turkish baths, hosted 19 boxing shows last year
but needs millions of pounds spent on it.
Former world welterweight champion John H Stracey is just one of many
former fighters to register their dismay at the possible demolition
of York Hall. Stracey, who used to live nearby in Bethnal Green said
it should be preserved as a "listed building."
But Mr Peacock, while acknowledging the magic atmosphere of York Hall
as a boxing venue, told East End Life that provision of a modern
leisure facility for the public is a priority.
"In the light of concerns over the possible loss of York Hall as a
boxing venue we met Frank Warren and Frank Maloney to discuss ways in
which boxing could continue at York Hall.
"They put forward ideas for a boxing museum and hall of fame with the
possibility of high-profile boxers being involved in fundraising
schemes.
"We explained that no final decision has been taken and that we are
happy to listen to ideas put forward in the context of ongoing
feasibility studies."
Mr Peacock also confirmed that a further meeting with Maloney and
Warren would go ahead in February.
"They are both businessmen and know where we are coming from," added
Mr Peacock who said the council's commitment will always be for
improved leisure facilities in Bethnal Green.
York Hall is currently used by around 300,000 per year for general
leisure use, while
boxing punters account for only 30,000.
The idea of Halls of Fame for sports is hugely popular in America and
the logical place for boxing hall of fame would be the East End, with
it;s rich boxing heritage.
The council recently commissioned consultants Hillier Parker to carry
out a feasibility study on providing improved leisure facilities in
the area.
Message from Glyn Robbins
I have two bits which I'd like everyone to know.
1. I door-stepped the East London Advertiser this pm and they are
keen to run a story about the campaign this week, but they want a
photo. Who is available to come to YH tomorrow to have their photo
taken? Time open at the moment, but will go with majority for either
10am or 4pm.
2. A suggestion has been made, which I agree with, that we should
organise a rolling leafleting of the centre this Saturday. Sure we
could cover most of the day between us, doing an hour each.
* Poplar Baths
are having a meeting on Feb 1st, next Saturday at 11am. It's at
Mathias Church hall
113 Poplar High St
Go along if you can, to give support and to make contacts...
* Haggerston Baths
http://www.haggerstonpool.com/
They are having a meeting on Feb 12th - someone should go... offers?
* Clissold Pool
Campaign group website
http://www.clissoldleisure.com/
British Swimming Association
SWIMMING - LACK OF LONDON POOLS A "NATIONAL DISGRACE"
http://www.britishswimming.org/news/archive/2003/facilities.asp
at http://www.faxyourmp.com/
get the text ready that you want to send and use this form onlin.
I've had detailed replies from my current MP - and where I used to
live too. It works!
Joanna
Coming soon, either by post or email.
If you're on email and don't have Word please let me know and I'll
find another way of sending things to you. I have one fact to check -
whether we can use a noticeboard in St Margaret's cafe - before
mailing. Flyers are leafelts are too difficult and big to email - if
you want some you'll need to pick them up from St Margarets, assuming
they're willing to let us use them as a base, or let me have your
postal address if you haven't already - particularly people in the
solutions and campaign groups. Missing addresses include: Alf Howard,
Harriet & Charlie, Mark Mitchell, Alan Gardner. Does anyone know who
L Deane and Paul Ely are?
When you receive stuff, please get going - people have been calling
to tell me that the Council is moving fast with meetings etc. We need
to get our skates on!
Joanna
I have sent copies of the following letter to all of the councillors
listed below and then variations on a theme to Oona King and a few
others.........
Will keep you posted if/when I get any replies.
Cheers
Ali.
....................................................................
Cllr Abdus Shukur
Tower Hamlets Council
The Town Hall
Mulberry Place
London
E 14
26.1.03
Dear Cllr Shukur
My understanding of the workings of local councils is limited. I
hope you can help me.
I am a regular user of York Hall and I am very concerned that it may
be closed down.
Where do you stand on the issue of the closure or redevelopment of
York Hall? If you are for the building's closure, what reports
and/or public opinion did you take into account to form your views?
How can I obtain a copy of this information?
Where and when will a decision be made concerning the future of York
Hall? Who will make this decision?
How do I have a say in this issue?
I hope you are able to take the time to answer these questions for me.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely,
......................................................................
..
Copies to:
Ms Sylvie Pierce
Chief Executive
Cllr Abdul Asad,
Cllr Motin Uz-Zaman
Cllr Ataur Rahman
Cllr David Edgar
Cllr Michael Keith
Cllr Sirajul Islam
Cllr Betheline Chattopadhyay
Cllr Denise Jones.
Cllr Helal Abbas
.............................................................
Ms Oona King MP
House Of Commons
London
26.1.03
Dear Ms King
I am a regular user of York Hall and I am very concerned that it may
be closed down.
Where do you stand on the issue of the closure or redevelopment of
York Hall?
I hope you can take the time to answer this question for me.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely,
..................................................................
Mr Ray Gerlach
Director of Leisure and Sport
Tower Hamlets Council
The Town Hall
Mulberry Place
London
E 14
26.1.03
Dear Mr Gerlach
I am a regular user of York Hall and I am very concerned that it may
be closed down.
Where do you stand on the issue of the closure or redevelopment of
York Hall? If you are for the building's closure, what reports
and/or public opinion did you take into account to form your views?
How can I obtain a copy of this information?
Where and when will a decision be made concerning the future of York
Hall? Who will make this decision?
How do I have a say in this issue?
I hope you are able to take the time to answer these questions for me.
Many thanks for your help.
Yours sincerely,
.....................................................
Copies to:
Mr Kevin Whittle
Economic Development Officer
Ms Alex Freemantle
Chief Architect
Mr Owen Henry
Planning Officer
From the doc "Bethnal Green Gateway - Programme Update and Action
Plan" 07/08/2002
http://194.201.98.217/Committee/CE_CommRepository.nsf/d48b61d54b55ecba
80256ad9003d7815/09511d8d776db20a80256c23005b60e0?OpenDocument
INTRODUCTION/SUMMARY
1.1 This report seeks approval for the adoption of a Capital
Estimate for a series of regeneration projects at Bethnal Green
Gateway, as part of the Borough Gateways Initiative, and puts forward
a programme for action over the next 3-5 years. The overall project
cost is currently estimated at £2,705,000, subject to further
detailed design. Funding has only been partly secured, and the
implementation of each of the individual projects will need to be
phased to reflect available funding and project management resources.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Cabinet:
2.1 Include within the Capital Programme, and adopt an overall
Capital Estimate of £2,705,000 for the Bethnal Green Gateway,
including the following projects:
· Building Reuse - £764,000
· Sports and Play Development - £569,000
· Junction Improvements - £407,000
· Railway Arches - £517,000
· Lighting Strategy - £168,000
· Landscape Masterplan - £280,000
Priority Borough Projects
3.4 There are a number of other major priority Borough projects
that are currently being managed by Customer Services, including the
redevelopment or relocation of York Hall and the redevelopment of
Mile End Park Stadium. The Bethnal Green Gateway Project is a
secondary priority project, and will only be pursued as funding and
project management resources become available. Nevertheless, there
are some individual schemes within the overall project that are
likely to be pursued in the shorter-term, including the redevelopment
of play and sports facilities in Bethnal Green Gardens.
Area Profile
3.5 The core of the Bethnal Green Gateway is the intersection of
Cambridge Heath and Bethnal Green Road. This Gateway includes parts
of Bethnal Green North, Bethnal Green South and Mile End and Globe
Town Wards with a population of around 29,000.
3.6 The area is well served by public transport, with good
underground and rail connections to the City, North and East London
and good bus connections to the City, Hackney, eastwards and to
Docklands. Bethnal Green tube station has over 11,000 visitor trips
per day making it the busiest single line tube station in London.
3.7 Bethnal Green Gateway has a rich cultural diversity, with a
large ethnic population, particularly of Bengali origin. However the
area also has some of the poorest housing conditions in the country
and high levels of deprivation. Housing conditions in the former
St.Peters Ward were ranked the 17th worst out of over 8,000 wards in
England and Wales. There are also above average levels of crime in
the area, particularly streetcrime and domestic burglaries, and
perhaps more significantly a high level of fear of crime.
TABLE 1 : SUMMARY OF PROJECTS AND RECOMMENDED OPTIONS
Lighting Strategy
Improvements to street and façade lighting in Bethnal Green Gateway
Undertake lighting improvement projects on:-
9 buildings of architectural merit (including : St.John's Church,
York Hall, Bethnal Green Library, Mayfield House);
Living Safely Scrutiny Panel (Anti-Social Behaviour) Sub-Group
9th December, 2002
Councillor Sardar further suggested that the maximum number of
attendees should be restricted to 300 persons. A possible venue for
the conference was York Hall, Bethnal Green. He hoped that the event
could take place in the Spring of 2003, pending the availability of
Minister(s).
Document at :-
http://194.201.98.217/Committee/CE_CommRepository.nsf/d48b61d54b55ecba
80256ad9003d7815/9d1a2615fe5438f580256c830049a284?OpenDocument
CONFERENCE
Councillor Sardar wondered whether the best way of raising awareness
of these matters and a method of dealing with them in a practical
manner would be to propose that a conference be organised.
Mr. Robotham advised that his Unit had used conferences to good
effect in the past but it was essential to be clear about what one
was seeking to achieve and who was being targeted. He added that the
conference could be broken down into workshops if different groups
were concerned about different aspects of anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Sardar suggested that the Sub-Group should meet formally
and consider adopting this as a proposal. He hoped that the Media
could be persuaded to attend the conference.
Potential Attendees at the proposed Conference would include, among
others:
Government Minister(s) – key note speaker(s)
Parents
Faith Groups
Business Groups
Community Organisations
Teachers
Professionals
Council Officers
Mr. Blake, the Scrutiny Co-ordinator, thought that there could be
difficulties in securing the attendance of Ministers but Councillor
Sardar was confident that he and his colleagues could arrange this.
Councillor Sardar further suggested that the maximum number of
attendees should be restricted to 300 persons. A possible venue for
the conference was York Hall, Bethnal Green. He hoped that the event
could take place in the Spring of 2003, pending the availability of
Minister(s).
LBTH published a stategic plan to 2006 and set up 5 Scrutiny Panels
in May 2002 to progress work towards the plans objectives.
The summary below has been constructed from the various documents on
the LBTH site at
http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/data/your-council/data/works/index.cfm
1. The Strategic Plan
LBTH has set objectives in its "Tower Hamlets Council STRATEGIC
PLAN 2002 - 2006" document
York Hall is included in section 7.4.2 "Increased Participation in
Leisure and Cultural Activities"
The specific objective is to improve the quality of leisure
facilities in the borough. The Contact Officer is Ray Gerlach,
Customer Services Directorate.
Amongst the milestones listed are 2 that have already or could impact
York Hall
Agree funding package, design and associated and associated sports
development plans for Mile End Stadium with Sport England by March
2003
Brief for development of York Hall by September 2002· Funding and
design for development of Mile End Stadium to be agreed with Sport
England by March 2003
2. The Scrutiny Panel
LBTH has set up a "LEARNING, ACHIEVEMENT AND LEISURE SCRUTINY PANEL".
The WORK PROGRAMME 2002/03 includes KEY AREAS FOR SCRUTINY :
Development of sports facilities, including York Hall and Mile End
Park. With a TIMESCALE : March, 2003
The last minutes published on the council web site by the panel are
for 30-9-03 does not mention York hall.
From 17-07-02 minutes
Councillor Ludlow commented that the Cultural Strategy would be
completed soon and ought to be in the programme. She agreed with the
proposed inclusion of the development of sports facilities including
York Hall, but felt that safety in parks was also an important issue
that needed to be included.
From 24-06-02 minutes
Future Priorities - Recreation
Take forward major capital developments for Mile End Stadium and York
Hall
Not everyone knows how we got to where we are now. I have copied below
the relevent sections of the Council and Cabinet meeting minutes and other info
available from the LBTH website.
I've tried to be as concise as possible !
If you find anything else let me know. I will keep an updated version in the
files section.
Best Regards - Mark
York Hall does is mentioned in the minutes of the following
meetings :-
08/01/03 Cabinet Meeting Cultural Strategy Report
27/11/02 Financial Outlook and Review 2002
30/10/02 Council Meeting
01/07/02 Cabinet Meeting(Extraordinary)
06/03/02 Council Meeting WEDNESDAY,
I have copied extracts below.
08/01/2003 Cabinet Meeting Cultural Strategy Report
Extracts from the document :-
Some of the major development priorities for the Sport and Recreation
Service include:
· Increasing opportunities to boost local access to facilities
through dual use agreements with schools, enabling community access
in the evenings and weekends.
· Assessing the viability of the establishment of a Sports
Action Zone called "Tower Hamlets and Hackney Active Sports
Partnership". The aim of this initiative is to create partnerships
with members of the voluntary, public and private sectors, to
increase participation in sport and develop new approaches to social
inclusion in sport.
The Council's key capital projects (in order to support the Community
Plan objective of increasing participation in sport) are the
development of a swimming pool and sports centre at Mile End, the
redevelopment of York Hall in Bethnal Green and the opening of a new
Football Development Centre at Meath Gardens.
A Definition of Culture from same report
So what exactly is `culture'? The word encompasses a range of
activities. It can include sport, the arts, festivals, play,
watching television, reading, learning, attending church, mosque or
synagogue, going on holiday and visiting a restaurant. At a wider
public level, the availability of cultural opportunities can attract
people to visit or live in an area, or encourage business to locate
there.
Participation in cultural activity can also produce a range of
benefits - including social and personal development, education and
learning, health and well-being, employment, a sense of feeling
safer, community cohesion and empowerment and local regeneration.
Together, the variety of cultural activities make a valuable
contribution to the health and well-being of local communities, and
are often the instigator, mover and shaker in developing sustainable
communities.
27/11/02 Financial Outlook and Review 2002
Major Capital Schemes – A number of major capital projects are being
progressed including Idea Stores, the Rich Mix Centre, and Mile End
Stadium/York Hall. These projects have complex funding arrangements
and implementation timescales, and achievement of the anticipated
revenue impact relies upon a high degree of co-ordination between
interdependent projects and the robustness of the underlying
forecasts.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2002/2003
An overview of how much cash is available, where it comes from and
how its planned to be spent.
30-10-02 Council Meeting
11.1 Question from Councillor John Griffiths to the Lead Member
for Arts and Leisure (Councillor Ataur Rahman).
"Could the Council clarify its position on the future of York Hall?"
Councillor Rahman referred to his tabled reply.
Councillor Griffiths said there had been a singular failure to
consult on the future of York Hall. The majority group had only
seriously considered two of the eight options put forward by CB
Hillier Parker (Property Consultants) – one of which was, in effect,
the closure of York Hall. He asked Councillor Rahman to commit to a
full and transparent consultation – which would include tomorrow's
LAP meeting and the York Hall Users Group on 3rd December.
Councillor Rahman said he would attend the meeting on 3rd December.
He said it was true that only two options had been shortlisted from
the original eight. He went on to list the consultation exercises
that had been undertaken and said that once the funding situation was
clear, a report would be presented to Council.
01/07/2002 Cabinet (Extraordinary)
Report on
Comprehensive Performance Assessment - The Council's Self Assessment
SETTING THE SCENE
The Council's vision is to improve the quality of life for all those
who live and work in the borough. Working within the Tower Hamlets
Partnership, it supports the aims set out in the borough's Community
Plan of making Tower Hamlets by 2010 :
A Better Place for Excellent Public Services
Two new leisure facilities have opened in recent years and a new
stadium at Mile End has achieved first stage lottery approval; plans
to replace the out-of-date facility at York Hall are also underway
6th MARCH 2002 Council Meeting WEDNESDAY,
Supplementary Question from Councillor Ludlow
She referred to the "Our Promises" leaflet and asked how could it
suggest that one of the Council's priorities was improving sport and
leisure facilities, when it had left York Hall to fall to pieces.
Even the opening of 'flagship' IDEA Store in Bow had slipped she said.
Living Safely Scrutiny Panel(Anti-Social Behaviour) Sub-Group - 9th
December, 2002
Our priorities for the next year
Our promises for 2002 – 03 : Provide improved leisure opportunities
and better quality facilities in the borough
Our targets : Plans for the development of York Hall will have be in
place
Discussed by LBTH Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Extraordinary) 7-
1-03
REPORT OF: Head of Legal ServicesORIGINATING OFFICER(S):Mark Norman
Full report available at :-
http://194.201.98.217/Committee/CE_CommRepository.nsf/80b779492a787221
80256b5e0039fc23/7cb3d040bb4cffe380256ca20051aee7?OpenDocument
Extract :-
1. SUMMARY
This report provides a summary of the main provisions of the Freedom
of Information Act 2000 and details the requirement for the Council
to submit a draft Publication Scheme by 31 December 2002 for approval
by the Information Commissioner.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
Cabinet is asked to endorse the draft Publication Scheme at Appendix
A to this report and delegate final approval of the draft Scheme to
the Chief Executive following the outcome of the consultation
described at paragraph 4.7.
From the councils web site - see links section or follwo :-
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Yorkhall/links/Tower_Hamlets_Counci_0
01042328291/
The Cabinet
The leader and cabinet is the part of the council's structure which
is responsible for preparing the strategies, budgets and plans for
the council to consider, implementing and monitoring them when agreed
and also taking major day-to-day decisions.
The cabinet is made up of the leader and nine other members of the
council.
If these major decisions are to be discussed with council officers at
a meeting of the cabinet, this will generally be open for the public
to attend, except where personal or confidential matters are being
discussed.
The cabinet has to make decisions that are in line with the council's
overall strategy policies and budget. If it wishes to make a decision
that is outside the strategy budget or policy framework, this must be
referred to the council as a whole to decide.
Major decisions are defined as any that are likely to result in the
council incurring expenditure or making savings which could have a
significant effect on the budget for the service or function to which
the decision relates.
A major decision could also be significant in its effect on
communities living or working in an area of two or more wards or a
major proposal in respect of a single ward area.
Details of all key decisions to be taken by the cabinet are included
in the council's Forward Plan, a list of all such decisions published
monthly. As well as through the website, this is also available in
libraries, Idea Stores, One Stop Shops.
All the cabinet members are from the majority Labour group and each
has a specific portfolio.
The council leader Cllr Helal Abbas and deputy leader Cllr Denise
Jones head the cabinet.
The other members and their responsibilities are:
Cllr Abdus Shukur, finance and audit
Cllr Motin Uz-Zaman, equalities and social inclusion
Cllr Ataur Rahman, leisure
Cllr David Edgar, housing
Cllr Michael Keith, regeneration and community partnership
Cllr Sirajul Islam, social services and health
Cllr Betheline Chattopadhyay, environment
Cllr Abdul Asad, education and youth.
Attached is a draft for people to download/cut & paste with others/edit/send
to anyone who might have influence!
I don't have any addresses to hand(don't live in LBTH), but will check the
LBTH web-site.
Apologies for lack of formatting; I don't use Microshaft, though can save in
'Word' format; some of the layout gets munged in the process. Hope this is
of some help.
Dave
Hi,
this is the flyer I gave out at the User group meeting. You can find
it in the files section. I have posted 2 versions - the one with
graphics is nearly 2MB (Slow to download) while the text only is 24KB
and much faster.
Please print it out or email to your friends.
Regards - Mark
PS : Happy to print copies if you can distribute - drop me a mail and
I will leave copies at YH for pick up.
There are plenty of ideas here from Joanna Buick.
The notice board idea will help spread the word - very necessary from
my experience. When I suggested this group to many users they had no
idea what the council is planning. If enough of us ask the manager if
the user group can have some prominent space in the ticket hall
entrance maybe we will get it. Down in the Steam a large notice board
sits half empty most of the time.
Another idea discussed tonight was the letter to those that have
influence within the council.
Could you draft a letter and share it with the group? The more ideas
and styles the better.
Do you know the addresses, emails and roles (Chair/members of
scrutiny committee, MP's, etc) of those decision makers ?
Making a template letter available and presenting the addresses will
help those with access to printers and photocopiers get more letters
out to those that count.
Please use the 'POST' button to feedback to the group your comments
and any progress made when you take action.
Saluti - Mark
Joanna's ideas :-
What are we able to do?
We need to work as a team. Despite anyone's individual passion and
commitment we will need reliable supporters who can function to
deadlines otherwise we'll burn out. We need to form a 'committee' to
share the work. If only a few people try to do all the work, they'll
get tired and give up, and nothing will happen. AR suggests we notify
the local job centre that we'd like volunteers if we need them: the
more people who can be involved, the better - I don't know how this
might work, so if you do, please have a go.
We need to meet regularly and to ensure people who are not on email
get proper information. For this reason we need to get a prominent
notice board at York Hall ASAP. If you're going there please ask them
about it.
If we don't sort this out at the start - what each of us is willing
and able to do, and commit to doing it - this will not get off the
ground. We'd be better saving our strength if we can't agree to work
fast and hard, together.
What do we want to happen to York Hall?
We don't yet know, and haven't had the information we need back from
LBTH so we think about it properly. John Griffiths may be able to
help, but someone really needs to go to the council offices with the
list I compiled in the last meeting, emailed at the beginning of
January, and bang on some desks. If we have to come up with
alternative proposals, we need that information ASAP.
In the December meeting it was apparent that we don't all agree on
what we want to happen. We must. There is no point in arguing for
opposite positions. This will be a tricky discussion - everyone will
need to listen and be generous. Any agreed position will be a
compromise, and we have to be realistic about what's financially
viable. We also have to be careful that any involvement from Frank
Warren doesn't leave us in a worse position. than we started.
Press and media coverage
There are useful links building up on the Yahoo Group that Mark
Mitchell has set up - thank you to Mark. Articles from The Times, The
Guardian, The Telegraph, local papers and on Frank Warren's website.
If you see any other articles please join the Yahoo group and put a
link in there or cut out from the paper and leave for me at York Hall
front desk.
Several journalists have written about this - mostly from a boxing
point of view - and will want info from us. We need to be ready, and
helpful, so they help us. Both a paper and computer file needs to be
created of letters about York Hall to the local press as well as a
potential 'press pack' devised of such items that can be sent to
potential media supporters.
A 'who's who' of those involved should be compiled so that those
managing any campaign will have a reference of the potential skills
and resources of individuals willing to help. Do you have access to
Barbara Windsor or other personalities who are identified with the
East End? Compiling such a list and having them turn up is a photo-op
particularly if they use of have used the facilities
The closure of York Hall could be promoted to the producers and
writers of East Enders as a local issue of significant local concern.
It is a facility, with the closure of others, unique to the East End
of London. It could be incorporated into a story-line as part of the
decay of east end culture and the sense of local community which
gives rise to disenfranchisement and alienation which results in
increased levels of crime and anti-social behaviour. Making it a
national issue in this way effectively makes it the 'Stonehenge' of
the East End, the destruction of which is synonymous with the
vandalism of East End culture. This, effectively, is a 'winner' and
needs to be carefully stage-managed.
Putting pressure on LBTH Council
On p16 [I think I lost a bit of this - Antony, can you remind me what
this document is?] there is a notice at the bottom of the page about
written questions to the council. It might be worth considering how
this can be exploited to advantage - John Griffiths or any
other 'safe' councillor might be able to advise. If different aspects
of the matter can be raised at every meeting it might promote the
impression of considerable local concern.
Getting people involved - things to do
start planning now if you can organise any of these...
* A petition should definitely be submitted - Pat Hannigan could get
you signatures of many of the users of the steam baths; others of the
swimmers and other users. If every user signed a petition of
objection it would be helpful. We'll need to be very clear what we
want and agree a form of words at the meeting.
* A Save York Hall Day - with ever user turning up at the hall on a
Sunday for a photo opportunity
* Angie might agree to an 'open day' when the whole facility is
freely available to everyone in the community so that those who do
not use all the facilities can come and find out what's there with
free classes &c. This is another newsworthy item.
Other things to think about
Frank Warren, if he is to bid for the premises, would improve his
chances if he rationalised his use of the premises to retain the
swimming and steam bath facilities, modernising them but making them
available to the local community as now - which would, after all,
give him an income as well as clout with the Council for any bid he
makes. Unfortunately he is likely to want commercial rates for the
services he provides.
The Cannon Group which manages Westminster's health centres at one
time proposed a capital investment into Marshall Street, which the
Council rejected, and the site has been empty for years
while 'feasibility' studies are carried out and other baths in the
borough (more convenient to council offices and its officers) are
developed. They might be able to give you background info - or be
interested in developing York Hall in some sort of arrangement.
There will be a public meeting at 07:00 PM Thursday 23rd January 2002
St. Margaret's House Old Ford Rd., Next to Gallery Cafe.
Top of the agenda will be an update on the closure threat.
Please pass on the message !
Thanks - Mark
Is it possible that users could put together a bid and apply to
various funding sources, such as the Lottery, and arrange a long-term
lease with the council and run the damn place ourselves, putting back
into the building and services provided all excess income over
expenditure. This kind of idea would land the council's own plans for
the place into quicksand, and such an idea would be seriously
resisted by the council and those who want to build luxuary
appartments on the land. What do you think of the idea and how do you
think the council could be persuaded?
Warren: Let's turn it into a Hall of Fame
By David Smith, Evening Standard
9 January 2003
Leading promoter Frank Warren plans to counter the threat to demolish
York Hall by transforming it into a Hall of Fame for sport in
London's East End.
Warren today revealed he is to seek an urgent meeting with Tower
Hamlets Council and offer them an alternative to tearing down the 73-
year-old building.
He wants to form a partnership with the council that could lead to
the renovation of the hall, retaining the unique galleried boxing
arena for regular professional and amateur shows, and incorporating
it within a sports museum that would become a major tourist
attraction.
Warren, one of the principal promoters, told Standard Sport: "I would
like the council to look at York Hall as part of the culture of the
East End. Boxing was, and remains, a very important part of that
area.
"In the past, the sport gave a lot of people a lot of enjoyment and
it also gave a lot of people a living.
"Boxing is now enjoying a resurgence of support and York Hall is an
integral part of that."
Warren is aware of the council's concerns but he believes that much
of the £600,000 annual repair bill is spent on the antiquated
swimming pool complex next to the main hall.
He said: "If the pool is a problem then maybe the council can look at
closing that down and building a new one. But we would like to keep
the hall itself and spend some money on it, providing we can agree a
joint venture on the right terms."
Warren is prepared to put his own money into the scheme but
said: "What I am not going to do is subsidise it. However, I believe
there are enough events that could be put on to make it a continued
success.
"There is no problem attracting an audience for boxing. Nearly every
show is sold out there. In fact, I've done a show one night and
another promoter has done a show the next night and we've both been
packed out.
"The reality is that York Hall is irreplaceable. As a venue no other
building is like it, the atmosphere just grabs you as you walk in the
door.
"And we're not just talking boxing. There are so many other
multicultural events that take place there. I believe the council
should look positively at what York Hall means to the local
community."
A council spokeswoman said: "We are talking to a number of people,
Frank Warren included, who have an interest in York Hall and we are
working to get a positive outcome to the situation."
Britain's most famous boxing venue is facing an uncertain future.
Tower Hamlets Borough Council is contemplating knocking down the York
Hall in Bethnal Green to make way for luxury flats. Frank Warren, the
promoter, called the plans a "travesty", but a statement from the
council said: "The building has quite simply outlived its lifespan."
York Hall faces knock-out punch from local council
Paul Kelso
Thursday December 19, 2002
The Guardian
The future of York Hall in Bethnal Green, one of the sport's most
famous and evocative venues, is in doubt after Tower Hamlets borough
council said it was considering knocking down the building.
The promoter Frank Warren said it was a "travesty" and Simon Block,
general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, said its
closure would signal the end of a rich tradition of London boxing.
"If the hall goes it will be a huge loss, not just of a boxing venue
but of an essential part of East End culture. It is appropriate for
all events, from southern area championships to world title fights.
In my 20 years' involvement with the sport all the great fighters
have fought there and the atmosphere has been unique."
The council, which is expected to make a decision early next year, is
considering demolition because of the high cost of maintaining the
hall's leisure facilities, which include a swimming pool, a gym,
Turkish baths and a sauna.
"Cost for maintenance and repairs currently stands at £600,000 a year
and is becoming a drain on council finances," said a
spokeswoman. "The borough has the highest birth rate in the country
and one of the poorest levels of health. It is vital its leisure
facilities provide opportunities for both sports development and
health improvement."
The council is understood to be considering two options, neither of
which would guarantee boxing's future in the East End. The "on-site"
option could see the building renovated or rebuilt, with the
galleried hall that stages boxing becoming a casualty. If it chooses
to build a new facility elsewhere in the borough, York Hall, which
was opened by the Duke and Duchess of York in 1929 and has a boxing
capacity of 1,200, will be knocked down and the site sold for flats.
'It would be like tearing down Nelson's Column'
John Rawling
Monday January 13, 2003
The Guardian
Local councils have been known to make some bonkers decisions. You
may well say it goes with the territory. But few can be as senseless
as the proposition now being considered by elected representatives
for Tower Hamlets in London, namely that the York Hall in Bethnal
Green should be demolished. Anyone who has ever walked through the
heavy wooden doors into the old arena to enjoy a night of boxing will
be appalled. The place may be dilapidated and outdated, but it oozes
atmosphere. For a fight fan, and there are still a great many in the
East End of London, it has a special magic.
There are only 1,200 seats, with a few hundred on a balcony so low
you feel you could reach out to touch the sweating fighters in the
ring below. Facilities may be basic but there is not a bad seat in
the house.
Spend $2,000 for a ringside seat for a world title fight in Las Vegas
and you could be 50 yards or more away behind the massed ranks of
commentators, writers and photographers, not to mention the
overdressed, bejewelled celebrities invited to provide the event with
a veneer of glamour.
Not at the York Hall. For £20 you can almost join in the effort and
the pain and, if you think it is necessary to question the referee's
parentage or spell out exactly how your man might win the fight, rest
assured your voice will be heard.
John H Stracey, a world welterweight champion three decades ago,
fought in the York Hall as a schoolboy, junior and senior amateur
before going through the ropes there as a pro. Stracey, who lived
only a five minute walk away from the arena, has probably had more
fights there than any other man.
Incensed at the possibility of the York Hall being pulled down,
Stracey is keen to make his views known. "It would be criminal if
they razed York Hall to the ground, it should be preserved as a
listed building," he said. "It has a unique atmosphere because the
fans are so close to the ring, and that's why everyone loves fighting
there."
Stracey would add that the Bethnal Green crowd is also one of the
most knowledgeable in the world when it comes to boxing, as was
proved a year ago when the place was packed to the rafters for the
British debut of Johnny Tapia, a boxing legend from the United
States.
There were no dancing girls, no fireworks nor flags to greet Tapia's
walk to the ring, just a good old-fashioned standing ovation. His
fight, against the Argentinian Eduardo Alvarez, was over in the first
round and Tapia was again cheered wildly on his short walk back to
the dressing room. Why? Because the York Hall crowd is a traditional
gathering of boxing fans, and they know the difference between real
fighting men and overhyped TV performers.
"The crowd was absolutely amazing," Tapia said afterwards. "I have
fought in many places for many years but that reception was
incredible and I would love to have the chance to fight here again."
But Tapia and Stracey are not only stars who would bemoan the loss of
York Hall. It is also an important testing ground for young talent.
There are numerous amateur nights and it is often the stage where
young professionals make their mark for the first time. Once they
would be seen at Shoreditch Town Hall or Hornsey Baths, Limegrove or
Manor Place Baths. Now York Hall is the only traditional boxing venue
remaining in the capital.
The argument against York Hall is that it has outlived its day.
Opened in 1929 by the Duke and Duchess of York, it houses a swimming
pool and steam rooms as well as its boxing arena. But where once it
was seen as a gleaming new attraction for the impoverished East End,
now we are told it is costing Tower Hamlets council £600,000 a year
to maintain.
So, the old building may be levelled to make way for a housing
development, or perhaps a new civic facility which would be more cost
effective. The building's long history and the fondness for it that
many feel apparently count for nothing.
The promoter Frank Warren has offered to invest in York Hall and has
suggested part of the building might be used to house a boxing
museum. "To knock it down would be crazy. We should be preserving
buildings of historical interest, not demolishing them," he
said. "There's any amount of space down in Docklands for new housing.
Boxing needs the York Hall and I would have thought most of the
people in the East End are outraged. If not, they certainly should
be."
My advice to the councillors and officers of Tower Hamlets would be:
go away, give your head a shake and think again. Or better still, buy
a ticket for a showdown there and rub shoulders with real people
enjoying a night out. Perhaps they might pick up a phone and speak to
John H Stracey, Charlie Magri or Nigel Benn, or any of the others who
have fought there and played a part in the sporting history of
Britain.
The American TV executive Jay Larkin, who has televised shows at York
Hall, was horrified that the venue's future should be under
threat. "Pulling down York Hall would be like tearing down Nelson's
Column." And he is right.
There may not be running water in one of the changing rooms and it
may be expensive to run. The bar is about as attractive as the
toilets at St Pancras. In fact, come to think of it, that's probably
doing a distinguished set of old urinals a disservice. And the
parking facilities are non-existent.
Yes, I hear all that. But York Hall is an important amenity which
should be modernised and redeveloped. As for the possibility of a
boxing museum, what a great idea.
Belatedly, Tower Hamlet council officials have agreed to discuss the
issue with Warren, and for the good of the sport and, you might say,
the East End in general, it would be good to think that they might
see sense, even at this late hour.
Rich heritage of York Hall must not be allowed to die
By Martin Samuel
ONE of my earliest memories is of my Dad and grandad getting dressed
up to go boxing at York Hall, Bethnal Green. Ringside seats, light
raincoat, collar and tie. These were the good old days, of course,
when every weight had only one world champion and even the casual fan
could name the holders of each British title.
Not that many Lonsdale Belt holders fought there. York Hall was a
place for up-and-comers; a unique arena with a gallery that put the
young fighter in contact with his public like no place on earth. "You
had to put on a show at York Hall because the crowd were right on top
of you," John H. Stracey, the former world welterweight champion,
said. "You could hear everything they said. I remember this one guy
giving me so much stick, when I turned round to go back to my corner
I thought he'd be sitting on my stool."
Anyone who is anyone in London boxing has a York Hall experience.
Ted "Kid" Lewis, Bombardier Billy Wells, Joe Bugner, Nigel Benn,
Chris Eubank, Charlie Magri, Lennox Lewis and Audley Harrison have
all fought there. Only the fabled St Nicholas Arena in New York comes
close to matching its atmosphere and in the 1950s, A. J. Liebling,
correspondent for The New Yorker, came to document the venue in his
classic boxing book, The Sweet Science.
Its relevance remains. A short while ago, when Terry Spinks, a local
hero and an Olympic gold medal-winner, was appointed MBE, the place
was packed to the rafters for a party in his honour. Opened by the
Duke and Duchess of York (later the Queen Mother) in 1929, York Hall,
with its swimming pool and slipper baths, is a cultural landmark for
anyone connected with the East End.
So naturally they want to tear it down.
Tower Hamlets council claims York Hall costs £600,000 annually to
maintain. "The building has outlived its lifespan and no longer
fulfils the requirements of a modern leisure facility," a statement
reads. "It is inaccessible for wheelchair users and many aspects
require modernisation."
One plan is to sell it off so that the site can be turned into
something far more useful for the local community: luxury flats that
they cannot afford.
I used to live in Tower Hamlets. Every now and then little men would
walk the streets putting up signs, with the self-aggrandising council
logo in an ugly, garish colour. At the time they were very keen on
the word neighbourhood.
Everywhere became a neighbourhood. This from the council that brought
draconian parking charges and zealous wheel-clamping teams into
operation all around London Hospital, so that a visit to sick
relatives became a constant shuttle run between car and ward. As
gestures go, it was about as neighbourly as High Street, Tel Aviv.
So it should come as no surprise that in Bethnal Green, the home of
York Hall, the culture, history and traditions of its working-class
inhabitants are again being utterly ignored. Strange then, that west
from there, in Brick Lane, a successful council-backed initiative to
promote the area has taken place. Seizing on the colourful cultural
opportunity presented by its large Bangladeshi community and many
excellent Asian restaurants, the council has renamed the district
Banglatown.
According to its literature, "Brick Lane is known for its curry
restaurants . . . with its culture and cuisine the Bangladeshi
influence gives a cosmopolitan feel to Spitalfields . . . so striking
that the area has been renamed Banglatown."
Helal Abbas, the council leader, should appreciate the benefits of
such a policy more than most. Particularly as, in his declaration of
interests, he cites a business called Café Bangla UK Ltd at 128 Brick
Lane.
Yet, to borrow a phrase from the first immigrant inhabitants of the
area, it seems to the council that York Hall might as well be chopped
liver. No attempt is being made to celebrate the culture of the many
black and white fighters that have walked through its doors. There is
no recognition of its place in history or in the eyes of the local
community, their standard so often carried around the world by the
young men of Repton Boxing Club, including Harrison, Britain's
Olympic gold medal-winner.
Fine use could be made of a properly renovated York Hall. If
wheelchair ramps can be incorporated in Victorian council buildings
all over the country, they could surely be built there. Frank Warren
has discussed turning part of the building into a museum of boxing.
Events in other sports, including snooker and wrestling, have been
held there. So, for that matter, was a Somali cultural celebration in
June. My wife tells me that she won a swimming gala at the baths. The
idea that York Hall is of no use to a multicultural community is
laughable.
Of course, it needs an overhaul. This is a 74-year-old building and,
in parts, looks it. But Brick Lane was a grotty little thoroughfare
around the back of Shoreditch until its reinvention as Banglatown. Or
does the neighbourliness of Tower Hamlets council only extend to the
folks on one side?
Closely following news of the threatened closure of the Turkish Baths
at York Hall in London's Bethnal Green, we hear that the Turkish
Baths at Northumberland Road (Bath Road) are also threatened with
closure.
A recent article in The Journal,* notes that 'Newcastle City Council,
which owns and manages the Grade II listed [City Hall] building and
the Northumberland Road swimming and Turkish baths next door, has
invited tenders for "an outstanding development opportunity" on the
site of the concert hall and the baths.'
Like the baths in York Hall (which were opened in 1926), the
Newcastle baths date from the same period, opening two years later in
1928. But unlike those at York Hall, the Newcastle Baths stand on the
site of earlier Turkish baths, one of the first in the country,
opening only three years after the first Victorian baths opened at
Blarney.
If these Turkish baths are demolished it will bring to an end nearly
150 years in which the former Bath Road provided Turkish baths for
its citizens.
No plans have been mooted for Turkish baths within the proposed new
development. We will try to keep you informed as we find out anything
further.
* 'City Hall decision looms' / Neil Mckay The Journal
(2 Jan 2003)
An announcement from the London Borough of Lewisham Council issued on
21 August 2002 says that,
Due to unforeseen, essential remedial works, Ladywell Leisure Centre
will be shut until further notice.
We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause.
For further information, please contact the help desk on 020 8690
3424.
No specific reason was included in the announcement and we can only
hope that this isn't another situation where it becomes "impossible"
to re-open a Turkish bath.
Taken from
The Victorian Turkish Bath: its origins, development, and gradual
decline
A website for the exchange of information, created and maintained by
Malcolm Shifrin - See links section on Keep Yorkhall Steaming site
In a recent article in the Guardian,* Paul Kelso wrote that the
future of York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, was in doubt 'after
Tower Hamlets borough council said it was considering knocking down
the building . . . The council, which is expected to make a decision
early next year, is considering demolition because of the high cost
of maintaining the hall's leisure facilities, which include a
swimming pool, a gym, Turkish baths and a sauna.'
The baths were opened in 1926.
According to Kelso, the council is said to be considering two
options: renovation or rebuilding on the same site, or building a
leisure centre elsewhere and selling the site for the construction of
new flats.
It seems to us, judging by similar situations elsewhere, that a
Turkish bath is unlikely to be included in any replacement for York
Hall.
We will try to keep you informed as we find out anything further.
* 'York Hall faces knock-out punch from local council' / Paul
Kelso Guardian
(19 Dec 2002)
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