Bethnal Green Centre Support Group

Number 10 petition

2009-11-25T23:26:00.002Z

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveBethnalGreen/

Use this link to petition number 10 Downing street to save the Bethnal Green Centre

Anyone got any oxygen?

2009-11-17T22:07:00.006Z

Our wall of protest in the entrance hall at the centre has been removed by management as has almost every sign publicising the meeting.My facebook acount has been misteriously disabled, the social networking site says it cannot identify the content that broke its rights and responsabilitys clause due to "tecnical and security"reasons. This could have somthing to do with me inviting people to the meeting via the site. Management are determined that we do not hold a public meeting to publicise the plight of the Bethnal Green Centre. We are being denied what Margret Thatcher called" the oxygen of publicity " by a labour council
There are two oganisations that provide classes at the centre one is life long learning which is run by the council, the other is tower hamlets collage. The collage is in negotiations to move out of the building to Oxford house for an agreed period, to make way for school children from nearby Oaklands school while their school is refurbished. This is the same argument that was used nearly two years ago to dismantle our adult education centre. Once the school children move out the council will be left with a half empty building This is a clasic devide and concquer tactic and a stepping stone move to close the centre.Nine subject cordinators for life long lerning have already been given redundency notices
In a recent e-mail from Isobell Catermole , acting corprate director to Fazul Hoque the wards labour counciler she assures us that life long learning classes will not be affected and that there are no plans to despose of rhe building. This is trying to put the cat back into the bag as we have already uncoverd plans at a meeting under the freedom of information act to sell the building.This is also confermed in a letter from Kevan Collins to George Galoway.
This charade of the council trying to deny their intentions will not wash with people who have been lied to before.
Trying to get the council to revel their plans for the centre is like trying to get blood out of a stone see Mike Michells sterling efforts by googling "reports on the future of bethnal green adult education centre"
all the twists and turns and misinformation is all desighned to make our job harder sufice to say

THE BETHNAL GREEN CENTRE IS UNDER THRET!

SAVE IT!

Here we go again

2009-11-07T00:45:00.009Z

The Bethnal Green Centre is once again under thret from Tower Hamlets Council.
Come to the meeting with counciler Fazul Hoque THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER AT 5.30 at the Bethnal Green Centre, 229 Bethnal Green road (behind the post office)
The latest attack on dirtyhands classes such as woodwork and upholstery comes in the form of an"observation"in which tutors previously marked as outstanding have been said to be unsatisfactory. Teaching which dose not fit through the moving goal posts will be sudspended.One fixture built by the health and safety coordinator was said to be a hazard on health and saftey grounds.
Course fees have been raised, as has the minimum number of students required to run a course.Therefore courses have been closed due to lack of numbers.Marketing of classes remains woefuly inadiquate
One tutor has been thretend with suspension should they get involved in the fight back.(no suprise there then)
Counciler Hoque seems to have forgoten that we were at the hustings meeting before he was elected where he was arguing for the introduction of school children into the Bethnal Green Centre, now he seems to have changed his mind saying he would like to see it as a" community centre"
Show your support for this vital community recorce by coming on thursday 19th ,sighn the pettition or sighn up for a class.

GET INTO ACTION!

GET IN IT TO WIN IT!

COME AND SEE THE PANTOMIME!

2008-06-07T19:36:00.007+01:00

This is the picture that council management did'nt want you to see.
At 5.30 pm on Friday 25th April, the day before the demonstration, we recived an e-mail from management which said that if we were to publish images of muslim woman on the net, not only would we face diseplinery action but the women in question, and us could face persicution from their families and possibly harm from their inlaws.with this in mind we pulled the photo before the demmo took place.I once attended a demmo in Bradford where communitys had been spun against eachother and it was not pritty. At a further meeting with management I was given a"friendly" reminder that there have been honor killings.I must stress that this was a thret from council management and NOT THE MOSQUE.We are not and will not be devided along religious lines.I am not a religious man and the only time i've been in a mosque was to ask where to buy a decent pair of flip flops,but i know this.Islam is based on peace love and wisdom and as for the idiots of any reigion who kill and persicute in the name of what ever they call god I say,
THE WIZARD OF BOZ WILL NOT BE HIDING IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND,YOU KNOW WHERE I AM AND WHO I AM come and kill me.
We have published several pictures of women on the net, its difficult to know what religion they are from a photo none of which have caused a problem exept this one.It is interesting that the management thret came the day after we went to a hustigs meeting at St Hilders community centere where we distributed leaflets with this blogsite and potrayd a few feelings to Fazul Hoque the Labour candidate who won the seat.
In the original image two asian women are seen behind Clair Hawkins looking interested and attentive at what was being said.Ms Hawkins doesn't look so sure.

Those of us who wish to contribute to the illusion of democracy can come and see the pantomime live at Tower Hamlets town hall,Mulbury place, London,E14 on 25th of June at 7.30 when we will be sending a delegation to decuss the future of The Bethnal Green Centre with the full meeting of the council.

CENSORD

2008-05-08T22:48:00.001+01:00

THE STICKER LOGO HAS BEEN REMOVED EXTERNALY FROM THIS SITE.
see it on fliker.oh its back again.strange that.

2008-05-01T16:21:00.007+01:00

Stickers with this logo turnrd up as the demmo.Pure magic!
Spike is a biker in a wheelchair who literaly can not speek for himself.
His class will be closed in September.The stickers said it all.

this is the coverage of the demmo in the East London Advertiser.The standard gives the councils side of the story,and the councils East end Life seems to have missed the fact altogether that 200 plus people marched up Bethnal Green road on Saturday.This publication costs the people of Tower hamlets over one and a half million pounds a year to run
and gives us their version of the truth.
click on the image to view East end Life coverage.
Tower hamlets collage staff,who share the building with life long learning, were offered redundancy yesterday.This is further confermation that Towerhamlets council plan to sell the building.

Watch this space for some very fun stuff to come!

2008-04-27T15:31:00.004+01:00

Check the new logo At " Save The Bethnalgreen Centre " on facebook.What do you think? Ask your friends around the world what they think!
HELP US RECORD HITS BY VIEWING COMPLEATE PROFILE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.THANKS

The best day of the year.

2008-04-26T21:58:00.008+01:00

our blood is red
our home is green
too close it down
would be obsene

they take the carrot
we take the stick
they want the profit
we dont belive the trick

2 .4. 6. 8 .to close us downs a big mistake

colins is a con man
colins is a con man
na na na na
na na na na

Please e mail us any good photos/vidio you have of the magic.

savebethnalgreencentre@hotmail.co.uk

news relese

2008-04-25T09:06:00.004+01:00

NEWS RELEASE
25TH APRIL 2008

GEORGE GALLOWAY AND EAST END COMMUNITY MARCH ON BETHNAL GREEN TO PROTEST AGAINST COLLEGE CLOSURE

George Galloway, MP for Tower Hamlets, will arrive in his routemaster tourbus and speak at a rally in Bethnal Green Gardens, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 at 11.30am, this Saturday 26th April. Mr.Galloway will then march down Bethnal Green Road with the community to protest against the proposed closure of the Bethnal Green Education Centre by Tower Hamlets Council’s Education department. He will be accompanied by teachers, students, local people and the Barking Batteria Samba band.

The community is marching to express a vote of no confidence in Tower Hamlets Council because the Borough recently published plans online to dispense with college classes at the Bethnal Green Centre (B.G.C.) this September, without first consulting the staff and students. Repeated requests for clarification of the council’s plans for the centre have been either ignored or answered inconsistently by members responsible for running education and Ideas stores in the borough.

In a letter published in the East London Advertizer this week (24th April 2008) George Galloway, MP for Tower Hamlets, says,

“The evacuation of the Centre for its temporary use as a home for Bethnal Green College sixth formers is clearly a precursor to the Centre being sold for redevelopment. Kevin Collins, who is in charge of education in the Borough, admitted this in response to an enquiry from me on behalf of users of the Centre.”

Roberto Foth, teacher at the B.G.C. and UCU union representative said:

“It’s an outrage that Tower Hamlets Council devised secret plans to dispose of the Bethnal Green Centre without first consulting staff and students.

“The Centre could be run by the 1500 plus people who use its 60 different classes rather than Mr. Collins who wants to use the capital for the development of a regeneration and housing project including a new Ideas Store."

Staff are pushing for the Council to come clean about its plans for the Bethnal Green Centre. They want a proper meeting with Councillors to establish clear proposals for the Centre’s future, and to:

· clarify the Council’s plans regarding Bethnal Green Centre in the medium and long term.
· assure staff and students of the Council’s commitment to keep Bethnal Green Centre as a place for adult learning in the short, medium and long term.
· outline the arguments for using Bethnal Green Centre as a temporary decant for 2 years, for Year 10 & 11 pupils from the nearby Technology College, displacing adult learners in the process, rather than another alternative venue.
· provide solid assurances to ALL staff (i.e. teaching and non-teaching staff) and students on current courses that their courses will run beyond next term at Bethnal Green Centre without any reductions in terms of hours and scheduled at times suitable for adult learners.
· give cast-iron assurances to crèche staff and parents that the crèche will continue in its current form beyond July 2008.

Notes to Editors

· For more information and interviews, please contact: Jemima Broadbridge, Press Officer, Mob: 07770 648 139

· The Bethnal Green Centre is based at: 229 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 6AB

· For more information about the Bethnal Green Centre see: http://bethnalgreencentre.blogspot.com/

· For previous campaign coverage in the East London Advertizer, see:
http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/content/towerhamlets/advertiser/news/story.aspx?brand=ELAOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsela&itemid=WeED04%20Apr%202008%2022%3A42%3A35%3A433

Background

Factsheet

The situation: Teaching staff at the Bethnal Green Centre were informed in February 2008 that, from September 2008, the majority of weekday daytime classes offered there will have to move out to accommodate year 10 and 11 students from Bethnal Green Technology College. The Council says the move is necessary because the school is being redesigned through the Building Schools for the Future programme, with building work at the school scheduled to start in January 2009 and run for two years.
The decision was announced on the Council’s Idea Stores website, without prior consultation or notification to staff and students. See link to store: http:ideastore.co.uk/index/pd/718

In their efforts to halt the Council’s underhand plans, staff at the Bethnal Green Centre have obtained confirmation of the threat posed to the college in a document obtained under the Freedom of Infomation Act. The document is a record of minutes of a meeting (December 18 2007), at which Tower Hamlets Councillor Clair Hawkins was present. The minutes state

"It is now clear that: there is an expectation that the site would then be sold, with the proceeds placed within a general capital resource."

Kevin Collins, Corporate Director of Children's Services for Tower Hamlets, states in a letter to George Galloway (10 March 2008), "Yes there are plans for the future use of the Bethnal Green Centre and for the eventual disposal of the building.”

In a recent letter (Spring 2008) to studens Mr. Collins contradicts the content of his letter to George Galloway when he writes that, "Any suggestions that there are definite plans for the building to be sold are inaccurate.”

Mr. Collins also says that, "No life long learning classes will close" and goes on to explain how classes like upholstery, woodwork, silver jewellery making and stained glass work will be squeezed into the evening and weekend slots, effectively reducing their hours by two-thirds.”

Kevin Collins then details how classes are to be split up into satellite locations within the borough, thereby gradually removing the focal point or hub that the college provides for the community in E2.

Don't talk to me about China,I live inTowerhamlets!

2008-04-22T23:56:00.005+01:00

Council management have said tutors that are seen on the march,or talk to the press will face disciplenery action.
Er....see you on Saturday.

savebethnalgreencentre@hotmail.co.uk

2008-04-12T23:48:00.011+01:00

This is a recent picture of whats left of the berlin wall.The good things in life are not things they are people.Berliners did not change their city by writing to their council.
Please forward details of this site to your contact list,and join ours by e-mailing savebethnalgreencentre@hotmail.co.uk

thanks

2008-04-12T23:24:00.002+01:00

listen carefuly I will say this only once!

2008-04-08T02:49:00.011+01:00

We do not have democracy in tower hamlets...there I've said it.
I come from the Billy Connely school of politics which says" don't vote it only encorages them" or "who ever you vote for, the government always get's in" or "if voting could change anything it would be ilegal".

We now have confirmation in the form of a document obtained under the freedom of infomation act (by our friendly london cabby)of minutes of a meeting held on December 18 last year at which Clair Hawkins was present which states "It is now clear that:there is an expectation that the site would then be sold,with the proceeds placed within a general capital recorce." funny claire forgot to mention that at our meeting with us(see blog archive)The council has us at a bit of a disadvantage here, as the only way we can prove they're going to sell the building is...when they've sold it!

Kevan Collins,corprate director of children's services,in a letter to George Galloway on 10 march wrote "Yes there are plans for the future use of B.G.C.and for the eventual disposal of the building".In a statement to a student yesterday he says "any suggestions that there are definate plans for the building to be sold are inaccurate". even journalists say he's playing with words,and they should know!Collins also says that"no life long learning classes will close"then goes on to explain how dirtyhands classes like upholstery, woodwork, silver jewellrey making,stained glass will be squeezed into the evening and weekend slot,effectively cutting them by two thirds.He tells us that classes are to be split up into satalight locations.this will make them easyer to pick off one by one until there are none left.Those of us who have fought for our communitys before know the old"devide and conquer"chestnut when we see it.The full version of collins incoherent ramblings can be found by the noticeboard in the canteen at B.G.C.Which is where you can sign up for these courses possibly for the last time if L.B.T.H.has anything to do with it
When are we going to stop these clowns running our lives and do it ourselves?The bethnal Green Centre could be run by the 1500 plus people who use it's 60 diferent classes rather than Mr Collins who wants to.... "use the captal receipt for the development of a regeneration and housing project including a new ideas store"
AHH! regeneration where have we heard that one before?
I lied ,I'll say it again....... WE DO NOT HAVE DEMOCRACY IN TOWER HAMLETS.

New Slideshow Video!!

2008-04-03T19:10:00.007+01:00

Here is a great slideshow of all the great times we have at the Bethnal Green Centre. The song is Only yesterday by The Carpenters.If we gave it a chance GOOD WOULD WORK!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k--ub2P2NHY

or go to youtube and type save the bethnal green centre

We now have it in black and white

2008-04-03T03:56:00.005+01:00

we now have confermation, in the form of a letter from the Council to George Galloways office that they intend to disband the Bethnal Green and sell the family silver.Councilers come and go but that building belongs to the people of tower hamlets who do not.... COME AND GO!

March and rally Sat 26 April assemble 11.30 at bethnal green gardens

2008-04-02T22:21:00.004+01:00

near Bethnal Green tube ,march down Bethnal Green road for a rally at the bethnal Green centre.Celebraty and union speekers amongst others
LETS MAKE SOME NOIZE!

2008-03-27T04:07:00.003Z

2008-03-27T00:58:00.003Z

2008-03-27T00:40:00.002Z

why you should come on friday

2008-03-26T19:07:00.005Z

The council introducing school children into the equation of the debate over the future of The Bethnal Green Centre is a cynical, transparent and futile attempt at diversionary tactics. Council property development officers get paid £56,000 a year, for this sort of money we can expect them to come up with some clever ideas of how to get their hands on a site worth millions. This is presenting Hobsons choice at the last hour.
To say we need to close classes at the Bethnal Green Centre to make way for a school for two years is a bit like saying we need to close the Fire Station to make way for the Ambulance.
The Bethnal Green Centre provides people with learning mental and physical disabilities with equality, empowerment and skill. Pensioners who remember spitfires in dog fights over Bethnal green, mix in workshops with pregnant mums and people from all races and classes in a friendly and safe environment which occupies their hands and minds and encourages community and unity.
Clair Hawkins cannot possibly have expected the tirade of furious anger that met her from the packed canteen of over 120 tutors and students at the Bethnal Green Centre last Thursday. One student, when pressing it’s importance said she couldn’t read before she came there. Wheelchair bound biker ‘Spike’ said via his Steven Hawkins style talking device that he “would be very upset if his class closed”. He brought along a beautiful carved wooden motorcycle as an example of his humbling skill and staggering patience.
Management have warned tutors they will face disciplinary action if they talk to the press without going through the council press office which will only give their side of the story and to keep secret from students the planned class closures in September . As tutors are on temporary contracts which say we musn’t bring the council into disrepute this is tantamount to intimidation and restricting freedom of speech, centre security have been told not to admit the press which is why I have put pen to paper and forwarded photo’s from students.
When students asked why the school children couldn’t be housed in the ‘Rich Mix’ centre, Clair Hawkins replied that there were ‘management problems’. It’s funny that Clair feels the management of the Rich Mix Centre are more important than the people who have made the Bethnal Green Centre their home. What’s wrong with the building opposite Rich Mix about to be demolished to make way for the 25 storey office block the council have approved. Clair also said she would hold regular meetings with the people of Bethnal Green Centre and that there were no firm plans for the sight once the school children had moved out. This smacks of either incompetence or fiction, as the building has loft apartments written all over it.
Some might say that funds should be made available for the rescue, expansion and preservation of the Bethnal Green Centre as the community centre that it is. And run properly by people commited to it rather than those who claim to manage or represent us. The Bromley by Bow Centre is an example to look at for inspiration. Current management forget to pay people, get the address & telephone number wrong in the course guide and vital health and safety equipment takes months to arrive. It’s a little known fact due to lack of out reach, that young people,under 19 can go to B.G.C for free, to harness their creative rather than destructive talents. Would we rather they were in B.G.C taking car maintenance, stained glass and weight lifting classes? Or on the street stealing cars, smashing glass and weighing out crack.
When the people of Bethnal Green talk about Brown, they’re not refering to the prime minister or the Stone Roses front man, they’re using the slang term for heroin, which has exploded in our community (see the councils own report “Heroin the Drug of Choice”)
Tony Blair told us “Things Can Only Get Better” yeah right! We’ve got Brown at the top and Brown at the bottom. They take the carrot and we take the stick.
This isn’t Bob Geldof trying to save Africa, we can win this one so act fast! spread the word!
In order to maintain anonymity, I must sign myself,
The Wizard of Boz

THE BETHNAL GREEN CENTRE SUPPORT GROUP
PUBLIC MEETING @ THE BETHNAL GREEN CENTRE 229 BETHNAL GREEN ROAD(BEHIND THE POST OFFICE) FRIDAY 28 MARCH 12.15

One of the Oldest Adult Education Centres in the UK Threatened with Imminent Closure

2008-03-25T18:27:00.003Z

The adult education centre based at Bethnal Green Road is being threatened with closure by Tower Hamlets Council. We, i.e. the students organised in "The Association of Dirty Classes" such as woodwork, pottery, upholstery etc., as well as members of staff and the public using Bethnal Green Centre, understand that the council wants to sell the property to change it into luxury apartments. We are protesting against abandoning the building and, with it, many existing courses which have been housed at this centre for over 40 years.

Some students still have memories of the courses offered after World War II, although the beginnings go back to the years after World War I, when the Bethnal Green Centre was used to re-educate and integrate returning soldiers with their local community. The centre is still to this date dedicated to adult learning. For example, many students use the service to re-establish links with their local community in addition to furthering their education. The service is utilised by adults with specific needs, young mothers embarking on training, older members of the community, adults learning English as an additional language (ESOL) or wishing to improve their literacy and numeracy skills, in addition to professionals who wish to take up an interesting hobby.

Among its more illustrious former occupants and students, Bethnal Green Centre can count a number of championship weight lifters, the Repton Boxing Club with its history of consistently producing local, national, international and Olympic level boxers, actor Jimmi Harkishin, better known as "Dev" from Coronation Street, and celebrity photographer David Bailey.

Some of the courses which are at risk now require specialist equipment and premises: woodwork, upholstery, silver jewellery, stained glass and pottery, all in addition to ESOL, literacy and numeracy offered by Tower Hamlets College. These are essential courses in our multicultural society and the people who will suffer are from impoverished communities, disadvantaged backgrounds, and are simply trying to improve their education and involvement in a vibrant society.

Some classes and students have been told they have only ten weeks left and then the future of their service is unsure. Immediate action to save Bethnal Green Centre is therefore required, and we call on Tower Hamlets Council to maintain Bethnal Green Centre as an adult education centre in recognition of its value to the community and outstanding historical record as being the first Adult Education Centre in the country.

The Bethnal Green Adult Education Centre is located at 229 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 6AB, behind the post office.