Sunday, March 06, 2005
National Trust
The National Trust
Today the Shields Gazette reports that Peter Collins, the National Trust warden for the Leas, South Shields has been suspended from his post for three months and informed that he will be no longer required following his suspension - sacked!
His misdemeanor, "apparently", was answering questions from the press after the contents of High-Point Rendell's draft report about the pollution in Trow Quarry were reported in the Shields Gazette back in December of last year. If the National Trust has it's way, (something which he intends to resist), then perhaps the end result will be seen as inevitable; however, the National Trust must not view itself as being blameless and devoid of responsibility to the public on this issue.
As the owners of the land they ought to have been open and honest with the visiting public as soon as they were aware of the contents of High-Point Rendell's draft report. Even now, since the report is in the public domain, they have singularly failed to protect the safety of site visitors in as much as they have failed to act on their commitment to erect safety fences to prevent access to the most vulnerable area of the site, the seaward facing edge of the former landfill area.
Peter Collins spoke to the press to raise public awareness of the environmental problems at Trow Quarry, his personal priority was to warn of the dangers of the toxicity of materials being exposed to the general environment. He has now lost his job and his home (it was a "tied cottage") for the crime of speaking out about something that was clearly in the public interest, an interest, which it seems, his employers were doing their best to ignore.
Let us not forget the Shields Gazette's interest in this story, it made fullsome headlines for them and they made a lot of mileage out of it, it is still a major story three months along the line.
Perhaps the editor has a few contacts throughout the North-East who he could talk to in an effort to help find a new job for Peter Collins, he owes him that - at the very least!
_________________________________________________________________
Today the Shields Gazette reports that Peter Collins, the National Trust warden for the Leas, South Shields has been suspended from his post for three months and informed that he will be no longer required following his suspension - sacked!
His misdemeanor, "apparently", was answering questions from the press after the contents of High-Point Rendell's draft report about the pollution in Trow Quarry were reported in the Shields Gazette back in December of last year. If the National Trust has it's way, (something which he intends to resist), then perhaps the end result will be seen as inevitable; however, the National Trust must not view itself as being blameless and devoid of responsibility to the public on this issue.
As the owners of the land they ought to have been open and honest with the visiting public as soon as they were aware of the contents of High-Point Rendell's draft report. Even now, since the report is in the public domain, they have singularly failed to protect the safety of site visitors in as much as they have failed to act on their commitment to erect safety fences to prevent access to the most vulnerable area of the site, the seaward facing edge of the former landfill area.
Peter Collins spoke to the press to raise public awareness of the environmental problems at Trow Quarry, his personal priority was to warn of the dangers of the toxicity of materials being exposed to the general environment. He has now lost his job and his home (it was a "tied cottage") for the crime of speaking out about something that was clearly in the public interest, an interest, which it seems, his employers were doing their best to ignore.
Let us not forget the Shields Gazette's interest in this story, it made fullsome headlines for them and they made a lot of mileage out of it, it is still a major story three months along the line.
Perhaps the editor has a few contacts throughout the North-East who he could talk to in an effort to help find a new job for Peter Collins, he owes him that - at the very least!
About Me
Curly Born in 1956
Sanddancer
Sunderland fan
Male
Retailer
Former Borough Councillor
View my Profile
Contact
Email Curly
south-shields AT
blueyonder DOT co DOT uk
Got a story?
Got a tip off?
Got some scandal?
Let me know!
07941386870
Search
Search this site
Comments
How do I make a comment on this blog?
Links
Curly's Corner Shop website
Curly's Photoshop
My Message Board
Shields photo gallery
RTG Message Board
Sunderland AFC Blog
Site Feed
Blogroll Me!
Past
December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007