Sussex Community Blog

take responsibility or let things get worse

2012-02-27T13:30:00.002Z

For any incident that affected people, your choice is to 'take responsibility' or let things get worse: that's all there is.

Mediation Support Ltd are keen to work further in Hastings & St Leonards whenever an incident happens that if dealt with well will enable us to build a safer community here. Sadly, due to a large number of people who know about the pier fire NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY we still have a situation where the task of building the safer community -and modelling the behaviour we want from others- has not happened.

These are the questions that Mediation Support continually offers:

What happened?
What was it about for you?
Have you heard what it was about for them?
How do we learn from this & build a world that's safer for all?

Contact Us Anonymously
We welcome messages by text, phone, YouTube etc
-and if you find it hard to reach us this way, create an account to communicate anonymously about what happened on www.peoplesjustice.org.uk

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What happened here?

“The Fact” as we know it:

"On 5th October 2010 two young men, having jumped from a burning Hastings Pier into the sea were apprehended by Kevin Pearson, who was walking his dog on the beach in the early hours of the morning. They were handed over to the police, who established who they were. They were aged 18 and 19 and living in St Leonards. They were put on police bail for the months through to April 2011, when it was decided by the Crown Prosecution Service that there was not an adequate basis for a prosecution."

Do you reckon this “fact” is accurate?

As Mediation Support is working to support a "more caring and sharing" Hastings & St Leonards:

We want to know how you & those you know are affected by this happening?
If you were part of it happening, we want to know what that was all about?

Let us know this -by text, phone or YouTube clip.

YOU CAN STAY ANONYMOUS

Our job is to get them hearing you & you hearing them.

“Only if we hear each other will we be able to build a world that is SAFE for all”

Sussex Community Blog evolves

2012-01-16T07:49:00.001Z

See the new page of the blog which is describing the transition in the year of the establishment of The Hastings Community Justice Panel
http://sussexcommunity.blogspot.com/p/history-of-sussex-community-website-and.html

Hastings Community Justice Panel

2012-01-09T09:46:00.003Z

This blog post is about Hastings Community Justice Panel and "Ethical Outings"

For Friday 5th October 2012, the second anniversary of the pier fire, a team is preparing a performance of the "Ethical Outings in Hastings" play (http://ethicaloutings.blogspot.com)

I have begun to write a scene convening the first
Hastings Community Justice Panel :

Paul Crosland: Thank you for accepting my invite to consider joining this team committed to a deep sense of justice. I've head-hunted you as the people I'd most like to have disputes with over the issue of whether justice has been done in Hastings. We might annually review which matters in our two towns we most wish to see brought to justice. For the time being we start with Hastings Pier Fire.

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http://ethicaloutings.blogspot.com

Will 2012 be the year that the truth of the October 2010 Hastings Pier Fire comes out?

2011-12-15T22:09:00.006Z

"The Truth Will Out" in 2012 (some say). Perhaps we have to wait longer before people are sufficiently ready (and supported) to talk?

So meanwhile, here's some of the 2011 highlights with campaigning for a "more caring and sharing Hastings & St Leonards", some brushes with local celebs (notably Sue Coates) and some personal disclosure and opportunity to understand more of why getting justice in Hastings is so deeply linked to my own story and what I want for those who were on the pier that fateful/fortuitous night!

Here's a flashback to the night of the fire (with Jeremy Birch):

& here's a bit more background (again as The 'Man of Many T-shirts'):

And now I search for another 'Man of Many T-shirts' this is what I've found:

Community Engagement and Development ideas -as applied to Hastings Pier

2011-11-23T20:04:00.001Z

USING A STAKEHOLDER MAP
(Material adapted from that received on a course from the University of Sussex Centre for Community Engagement)

Community development workers and community activists involved in projects often feel that they are being pulled in several different directions - they seem to have to work with, and be accountable to, many bodies and have expectations placed upon them. It is useful, therefore, to map out where the potential tensions lie.

1. Make a Stakeholder Map:

Choose ONE issue e.g. the redevelopment of a pier and surrounding area with community regeneration aims:
Who are the active people already wanting to be consulted?
Who are the silent people whose views ought to be sought?
How much power do they have and what authority do they have to make decisions?
What is their level of concern about the specific issue
Is there a lead person or organisation who has responsibility for delivering the project?

Draw out your map as in the film above.
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The stages of group formation & function are reflected on below:

Restating the Paul Crosland personal mission statement & publishing what the Observer did not

2011-11-02T14:24:00.003Z

I give my service to generating a more caring & sharing Hastings & St Leonards.

In doing this I'm learning & practising inclusivity and happiness.

I moved to St Leonards because the arrestees after Hastings Pier Fire were from St Leonards; addressing all these wounds is a driving force for me.

I hope my work contributes to creating a town in which no-one wants to set light to any buildings.

In working towards this goal, I treat people ('arsonist' or otherwise) with respect and dignity.

Paul Crosland

(November 2011)

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Publishing what the Observer did not:
Dear Editor

My interest in the pier fire, which prompted me (and the organisations I head) to move to St Leonards, is not so much in finding someone to blame as in encouragaging the relevant young people in this community TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

It seems unlikely that those who were on the pier on 5th October 2010 will come forward to take responsibility until some combination of the following occurs:
1) A deeper understanding of why talking truthfully about what happened matters so much to a (growing?) number of us.
2) A conscience that recognises that a better way to deal with things is to "come clean".
3) An awareness that many others in this community model how to take responsibility (eg for things they "got away with" that have nonetheless left deep wounds) & that actually taking responsibility works well for all.
4) They stop using excuses about others' as a way to deny the need to take responsibility. (In Criminology these excuses are called the 4 techniques of neutralisation)
5) Hearing fewer voices from those who are only saying what they want FROM those who were on the pier (e.g. those who want further suffering as retribution)
6) Hearing more about what others want FOR those who were on the pier e.g. opportunities for a life that values your skills, determination and wish to live a meaningful life, living harmoniously within your chosen community.
7) Something that sufficiently addresses your fear of talking out about what happened, so that you take courage and do it before someone else reveals your painful secret.
Kind regards
Paul Crosland

CEO Mediation Support & the main blogger on (healing) the pier fire (here at www.sussexcommunity.blogspot.com)

Hastings Truth & Reconciliation Commission

2011-10-24T03:40:00.006+01:00

The HASTINGS TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION was an idea that came up around the anniversary of the fire; more of which can be found on http://agoodweek.info and on this most inspiring of 3 videos recorded on the second weekend of October 2010 without showing the face of my interviewee:

3)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tgL1OAesYo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Now, Here are some of the videos shown at the Public Meetings around the 1st Anniversary of the Pier Fire in Hastings. (The fire was on 5th October 2010 -see sussexcommunity.blogspot.com)

PAUL WELCOMES THE ATTENDEES & the two group introductions - a police officer and a foreigner from Hastings

The work being done in restorative Justice under the umbrella of "St Leonards Sharing" Consortium is sustainable if you register on the NatWest site and then click to support us.http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/5827

That address again for supporting "St Leonards Sharing" is http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/5827">here
1) Maria Arpa

2) Burning Bridges [The 35 minute film from the IIRP]

[& see http://sussexcommunity.blogspot.com/2011/01/screening-of-bridges-dvd-with-pier.html]
3) Discussing the viewpoint that "Restorative Justice is no alternative to Justice"

4)Jo Nodding on Restorative Justice

5)
6) Police Community Resolutions and the idea of a community bridging fund:

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The films recorded at the 5th October meeting:
Film 1 of 4 (at top of this page)
Film 2 of 4:

Film 3 of 4:

Film 4 of 4:

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And the first 2 films of Kier on the Pier
1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWbuOEGb0j8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

2)

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and a film I recorded 4 months before setting up the "St Leonards Sharing" Consortium:

Please now register your interest in "a more caring and sharing Hastings & St Leonards" here:
http://actionforhastingshappiness.blogspot.com/p/stleonardssharing.html

We need your votes to set up a Timebank (& run a Hastings & St Leonards Truth & Reconciliation Commission on the side)

2011-10-06T04:48:00.000+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWQ7VNrlePs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Booking to attend the 1st anniversary film and discussion on 5th or 8th October

2011-09-21T18:04:00.003+01:00

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Any problems with filling this in to book your place? Just phone or text Paul on 0780-70-66-202 or add a comment below. See you at the screenings/discussions.

The banner I intend to arrange to be hung on the pier:

2011-09-07T18:43:00.000+01:00

The banner I intend to arrange to be hung on the pier:

"St Leonards Sharing" Consortium asks:
What does the pier, as it is at present, symbolise to you?

To us it symbolises a deep wound in the creation of a more caring & sharing community.
www.sussexcommunity.blogspot.com
& www.stleonardssharing.info

August Riots & Hastings Faith in the Criminal Justice System

2011-08-21T16:14:00.008+01:00

Hastings & St Leonards didn't have a riot in August this year, as far as I am aware. Perhaps we had one on October 5th last year?; we won't know until we know what the intentions were of those on the pier that night. The 5th October 2010 was, in the words of one contributor to this blog, a night when "the heart was ripped out of Hastings".

Does using a word like "riot" really help anyway?
How many people does it take to start a riot?
What kind of attention does a riot get?
Is the attention that riots get the kind of attention that addresses the underlying rifts in the society or not?

If 5th October 2010, for all it's excitement, wasn't a riot, I wonder whether it's the closest thing that Hastings has had to a riot, in that it is a focus of much public concern and calls for justice.
(The Hastings Justice Facebook Group is here)

Some people like to save the word 'conflict' for situations of intense physical violence whereas I find it a useful word whenever someone does something I don't like - a conflict of some sort now exists between what I want and what they did that was contrary to that.
The August Riots in London, Birmingham and Manchester are important conflicts, just as 5th October 2010 looks to me like an important conflict in Hastings' history.

What prompted me to make such a controversial link between the August riots and the fire on the pier? It was this email that I received that prompted me in making this link between the two. The correspondent wrote:

"The nation is divided on the rights and wrongs of punishing the rioters. My mother in law apparently nearly came to blows over it. Once the names and pictures of the pier arsonists are published I will begin to regain my faith on British Justice and not before."

My view is that one of the things that matters greatly, both for the future of Hastings & St Leonards, and for the future of the cities of London, Birmingham & Manchester, is that in the wake of these conflicts we learn something about the underlying causes and, as responsible citizens, each become part of the solution.
How we do this will be discussed on the anniversary of the Pier Fire (Wednesday 5th October 2011 at 7.30pm, (venue to be announced) & again on Saturday 8th October. Further enquires about attending these opportunities to become part of the solution via the Mediation Support Ltd contact form please (Here).

Here's the link to the Panorama programme, the intro to which is as follow "The worst civil unrest for decades has led to tens of millions of pounds of damage, dozens of injured policemen and wide-scale looting as gangs of youths have rampaged through London and other major cities. Panorama tells the full story of the August riots and asks what has led a generation to violence.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b013xy9t/Panorama_The_August_Riots/

The most important part of this film was perhaps the brief account of how the riots ended:

These days I find myself singing to myself this old song called "Riot on Eastbourne Pier":

Addendum (7th September): Sense with hindsight:

The link below is to the most encouraging article I've seen about criminal justice reform for years; especially if people realise that it implies that a Restorative Justice system comes first, and the criminal justice system is residual and just supportive of that. AND ALL THIS IN THE LONDON EVENING STANDARD!

London riots were a wake-up call for criminal justice system

Amber Rudd (MP), Jon Djanogly (Minister for Courts) & pier fire anniversary events

2011-07-19T13:19:00.002+01:00

I'm now sharing two letters (on two consecutive days a month ago) from the local MP, Amber Rudd, about the process of getting a community justice process in Hastings for those on the pier on 5th October last year.
It is hoped that at least one of those on the pier last year will write a letter to at least one of the 'victims' of that fire, so that it can be read out at the anniversary meetings:

Wednesday 5th October 7.30pm-10pm*
Film: Burning Bridges
(Followed by a discussion on what community justice looks like in Hastings/St Leonards)

SAME AGAIN; ONLY DIFFERENT
Saturday 8th October 7.30pm-10pm*

Film: Burning Bridges

(Followed by a discussion on what community justice looks like in Hastings/St Leonards)

"Some years before I became a Criminologist, with a Masters Degree in Criminology from Cambridge University, I was a foolish young man at Oxford Polytechnic, where, amongst other things, I threw away my would be degree in Business Studies; focussing instead on political activism. Also politically active there was Jon Djanogly, now the minister for courts, so it will no doubt be an interesting set of correspondence or meetings that I have with him to advance the mediation process in Hastings / St Leonards in relation to the pier fire." (Paul Crosland, CEO, Mediation Support Ltd)

Jonathan Djanogly's much appreciated initiatives in advancing mediation in divorce law are reported by the BBC here; the main issue I have here though, is the exclusion of mediation work in Domestic Violence cases.
Here I disagree with the non-Domestic Violence view expressed by my colleague Maria in this interview on the Vanessa show:

To understand what role mediation can play in generating safety (& clarity) for family members in Domestic Violence cases may require a longer period of time than a TV programme like this can give it, and the case for mediation for all conflicts (other than those where 'the protective use of force' is required urgently) may better be progressed a stage at a time.

*Venue for both events to be announced in accordance with bookings

They've got away with it?

2011-07-15T06:36:00.000+01:00

Someone said to me that those who were on the pier last 5th October have got away with it. I seriously don't believe this for a second. I reckon they are suffering what we all suffer when we don't process our conflicts.
Another response to "they've got away with it" is that "No, Hastings & St Leonards communities simply haven't yet agreed a plan of action about how to get the justice they want."
Join in that process here, via the blog http://hastingsjustice.blogspot.com, at www.peoplesjustice.org.uk and/or via the Hastings Justice Facebook page.

restorative justice update for the HPWRT in June 2011

2011-06-15T11:10:00.000+01:00

Restorative Justice update for the Pier Trustees -June 2011
(written by Paul Crosland, Mediation Support Ltd)

In brief, restorative justice seeks to:

Repair harm
Restore dignity of individuals
Re-integrate all into peaceful co-existence

The restorative processes that enable the best outcomes are when people communicate
1.what happened?
2.what they were trying to do when it happened?
3.how they can see ways in the future to improve the safety and well-being of all individuals whom those in communication actually care about.

The process of communication can be expected to widen the range of people whom those participating care about and to be a source of creative, unforeseen, ways forward, which build a stronger community and less chance of others' “victimisation”.

All organisations and ad-hoc gatherings of people have a way of doing justice. Restorative Justice here in Hastings opens a wider enquiry into what justice means to each of us, how much of it is delivered in community and how much is provided by the state. With no-one being charged for the pier fire, clearly there is a sense that the state's provision of justice has let the community down.

The 3rd June 2011 Hastings Observer, on page 20, reported Cllr Godfrey Daniel suggesting that
"if a witness statement about the impact of the crime on all those affected was taken, it would be 'longer than most books in the universe'"
In the 10th June 2011 Hastings Observer, my reply letter: ”We need to act if we want justice” reported that I have been actively collecting victim impact statements. Ray recorded his as well and it is posted at http://sussexcommunity.blogspot.com/2011/06/longest-book-never-written.html

(NB To see the full text of the 10th June Observer letter, you get this automatically sent if you subscribe to the free Mediation Support Ltd email newsletter: www.mediationsupport.info/subscribenewsletter.html )

What happens in Hastings in the wake of a collapsed case of prosecution has potentially wide implications for other instances of collapsed legal cases elsewhere in the UK. I have met with Amber Rudd and written to get clarity, amongst other things, about the legal status of information passed to mediators.

My sense is that the justice story around Hastings Pier could, over the coming years, be a key part of the education that that pier provides. There may yet be a great story to tell, particularly if more conversations start happening in these towns about effective ways of processing a sense of having been harmed by someone else's actions.

The wish for justice could be expressed by more people modelling the change they want to see. If they want those on the pier 5th October to take responsibility for what they did, I am suggesting that we each take responsibility for something we did in the past. A weight will lift from the town if more people work through their repressed conflicts. In the simple words of some material from the new organisation with a strong local group: 'Action for Happiness' -”Say sorry; you know who to!” That could be a message emanating from the pier across town.

My request of the trustees is that you each phone me within the month & arrange to meet to discuss the impact of the fire, and possibly record a film or a message to one or more members of the community which, I suggest, has yet to find an effective way to move on from a sense of injustice.

Arranging a group viewing of the film 'Burning Bridges' sets the tone well for a discussion of the community-building process that can come in the wake of such a fire.

an open invitation to clear your names

2011-06-14T08:48:00.000+01:00

The following comment was added to this blog:

"Why not offer the two 19 year olds an open invitation to clear their names on this site? 'My six months of hell as an innocent man', 'At last, a chance to share in the town's grief for the loss of its historic heart.'I know that if I was innocent of this sort of serious charge, I'd be setting up a website myself to set the record straight."

Your opportunity to talk about that is here; add comments or send YouTube web link. The coverage could have your face in it, or not, as you prefer.

the longest book never written

2011-06-08T16:06:00.004+01:00

The 3rd June 2011 Hastings Observer, on page 20, reported Cllr Godfrey Daniel suggesting that

"if a witness statement about the impact of the crime on all those affected was taken, it would be 'longer than most books in the universe'"

We live in an age whereby as well as writing statements, anyone affected has the option of recording YouTube videos (anonymously or more publically); so my questions are:

Where is the material for those who were on the pier to watch or read so they can get a sense of what the impact was?
What we can all do to move on in our lives, once the harm has been acknowledged and justice done?

Having shown the pier trustees a film called 'Burning Bridges' (about community meetings to deal with the consequences of an arson on a historic wooden bridge) in January 2011, by April (and before the lottery decision and the Crown Prosecution System's decision to drop the case against two individuals) Ray Chapman, chair of the Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust, recorded a video for those who were on the pier on the night of the fire. (That video is stored privately).

Now that Mediation Support Ltd (whose CEO, Paul Crosland, edits this blog), have moved into the Southwater Area Community Centre, Ray Chapman called in to record this public film about Hastings Justice:

If you want to see the words from Ray Chapman's YouTube video in print, here they are:

"Hi, I'm Ray, the chair of trustees of the Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust and this is a communication to those of you who were on Hastings Pier on 5th October 2010.

Some of our trustees have been involved in the Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust for over four years in preparing the business case for the Heritage Lottery Foundation, in partnership with the Hastings Borough Council and English Heritage.

We have obviously heard repeatedly from a number of sources particular names and also a rumour that there may be more than two of you who were on the pier that night. If you were on the Pier on 5th October 2011, we have a conversation to have, its is in the interests of our community that we get a clear understanding of what happened on the pier that night. Many people were effected and want to live in a community without buildings catching alight under mysterious circumstances. The key is now for the town to get the pier up and running again as soon as possible. I hope that you'll be able to engage with the community and build bridges.

I've seen a film made in America called 'Burning Bridges' where six young men burnt a heritage bridge and they met with the community and got a deeper understanding of how everyone was affected. The community supported them to carry on living in that area and contributing to get them involved to repair the bridge. Who knows what the community will have, or even you will have, for us all to have a better future in Ore, St Leonards and Hastings? We learned, sadly. that not 'everyone loves the pier'. However some of the ideas from the recent consultation include concerts, raves, music, theme park rides and scoring most boat trips, cruising, lagoon, fishing, angling and green energy encompassing our heritage and also engineering and tourism for our local education providers. What do you think?

I am aware that other members of the community will be watching this and will have been affected by the pier fire. You too can also voice an opinion publicly or privately that will be passed on in due course to those people whose names we have been given.

The way we are doing this safely is through the -website www.peoplesjustice.org.uk "

If you care to help this process, then please add a comment to this blog post. Alternatively, submit words and video eg via www.peoplesjustice.org.uk or just straight to YouTube, and drop a line to the mediation support ltd email or the peoplesjustice email so that I can put your message on this page.

pier hits jackpot

2011-05-13T17:45:00.002+01:00

This is quite a long video which sometime I intend to replace with a 'Take 2' version.
In brief I am saying: Who is to judge whether the pier fire was 'a bad thing' for Hastings?; look what it led to?. Who is to judge that getting lottery seed funding is 'a good thing'?; it may lead somewhere that is not seen as so good, as the struggle for enough money to complete the job continues and many want other things attended to as higher priority in Hastings.

Paul Crosland reflects on whether 'Pier Hits Jackpot' is good news or not. Maybe so, or maybe this is like the man who was sure what news was good and what news was bad and ended up learning that things don't turn out as you expect. When the pier burned down this was seen as 'a bad thing' but now the pot of gold has arrived and this is being seen as a good thing. It may yet lead to a broken leg, as in the story told.... And remember, you always have the option of getting involved in finding the truth in relation to the fire: www.peoplesjustice.org.uk and/or the Hastings Justice facebook page.

Links referred to in the clip:
http://actionforhastingshappiness.blogspot.com

Home page of the Sussex Community Blogspot:
http://sussexcommunity.blogspot.com

"No charges for pier arson" -re-victimisation and "the truth will out"

2011-04-28T18:55:00.002+01:00

More news will be found on the three other main other channels I use, so subscribe (or just read) 1-3 of these:

YouTube Channel: Toothpaste007
Twitter Stream: www.twitter.com/paulcrosland #HastingsJustice
"Hastings Justice" Facebook Group
Hastings Justice blog

(Transcript of this interview on this Restorative Justice home page)

Who decides what justice is?

Other pages on this blog:
Home
Mediation Support at Southwater Community Centre
Action for Happiness -A Good Week
Paul C -AKA Lend-It-All Man
Why Move to Hastings?

HPWRT-Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust-communcation

2011-04-22T06:51:00.001+01:00

This morning I sent the following to the -Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust:

"Just wanted to let you know about the latest blog for Justice in Hastings:

http://hastingsjustice.blogspot.com

I'm keeping the Hastings Justice blog much simpler than http://sussexcommunity.blogspot.com;

I hope you'll promote it and the Facebook group "Hastings Justice";

both of which will enhance the letters being sent to the Attorney General.

Kind Regards
Paul
0780 70 66 202
http://sussexcommunity.blogspot.com/p/mediation-support-ltd-at-southwater.html

http://additionalinfo.blogspot.com/2011/04/sometimes-free-iphone-from-freelender.html

Press release about not pressing charges in relation to the fire

2011-04-21T14:29:00.011+01:00

"The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that no charges can be brought against either of the two men arrested on suspicion of their involvement in a fire at Hastings Pier in October 2010.
Tim Thompson, head of the CPS Brighton Trials Unit said: "Sussex Police arrested two suspects in connection with this fire. The focus of the police investigation has been to establish what happened and who was responsible. The case has been carefully reviewed by the CPS, in consultation with the investigating officers.
"The nature of the structure and the extent of the fire combined to make this a particularly difficult crime scene. There is evidence to place both suspects, as trespassers, on the pier at the material time. There is evidence that a fire started through some human act at the time they were on the pier. We are left in the position where we cannot show how the fire was started and cannot show that the human act must have been a criminal act.
"We cannot show that there was or must have been any kind of joint plan. We have no admissible evidence to show which of the two suspects might have been responsible. We cannot prosecute on the basis that one or other of the two suspects might have been responsible; we can only prosecute where there is enough evidence against an individual.
"All reasonable lines of enquiry have been pursued and I have concluded that the two suspects should be told that they will not be charged. The decision has been taken on the evidence and information available to us. If new information comes to light the case will be reconsidered.
"I appreciate there will be concern that no one is being prosecuted. It is disappointing that we are not able to mount a prosecution in a case that is of considerable local interest but it is our responsibility to only bring prosecutions where there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction."

********
Here's a sideways response from the top of a hill:

The above response is by the incorrigible Imperfect Idealist,who has experienced a thing or two in relation to growing by facing up to what he's done.

How this has been reported in the national media:

Local Press:

The Argus (Brighton)

More news will be found on the three other main other channels I use, so subscribe (or just read) 1-3 of these:

YouTube Channel: Toothpaste007
Twitter Stream: www.twitter.com/paulcrosland #HastingsJustice
"Hastings Justice" Facebook Group
Hastings Justice blog

What I did that led to Hastings Pier Fire

2011-04-05T16:02:00.009+01:00

I offered earlier (here) to share my theory about how I let Hastings & St Leonards down in 2010 in the run up to the 5th October fire. Many of us probably did something that impacted on which building caught fire that night; it's just that the links between our actions and those of some identified (yet anonymous) youths from St Leonards are not so easy to see.
I was nervous about posting this video, and the reactions I've got have justified those nerves. Am I too far out on a limb here in what I'm communicating with the community I've chosen to move into as a result of the 5th October fire?
Some would say that when I say something that doesn't go down well, I should stop digging a hole for myself:

I suggest that the best I can do is carry on in my imperfect way (my AKA is 'The Imperfect Idealist') doing all I can to share.
(My other alias is 'Lend-It-All Man':

Having worked part-time on sharing initiatives since summer 2007, when I co-founded a 'transition group' in my local area, my work has been recognised by environmental and business innovation think tanks i.e.on the importance of sharing, and the innovations that will make it happen.
Now my recommendation is that people use www.streetbank.com and that Hastings/St Leonards (where resources are scarcer than many other places) becomes a model of sharing for the rest of the UK.

Anyhow, here's the video I offered in December; I'm keen to hear what events you connect together as the deeper story of this sea-side town getting to this place of pier destruction:

Other pages on this blog:
Home
Mediation Support at Southwater Community Centre
Action for Happiness -A Good Week
Paul C -AKA Lend-It-All Man
Why Move to Hastings?

Are you sure you don't want to speak to the fire-starters?

2011-03-24T19:13:00.002Z

Are you sure you don't want to speak to the fire-starters?

When I approached people after the fire and asked if they wanted to say anything to those who started it, most were camera shy. Not surprising really, as we live in a society that isn't used to communicating with the strangers who have impacted on our quality of life.
Once you consider the greater safety for our community that can be gained by having the difficult conversations with strangers, it makes sense, and then the question is how to have the communication.

There are at least three community views about the pier that could be put to those who burned the pier down:
1) the negative impact of the fire on many people...
2) the positive impact of the fire for some....
3) the suspicious
If you hold a different view from some combination of these three, please comment below. And if you hold any of the above views, please contact me so that your view can be included in the dialogue.

Without all views being included in the dialogue, the Hastings community will carry on divided, with little healing of the underlying issues. A community that doesn't work with difference doesn't work.
Other pages on this blog:
Home
Mediation Support at Southwater Community Centre
Action for Happiness -A Good Week
Paul C -AKA Lend-It-All Man
Why Move to Hastings?

Background information provided to the Pier Trustees on 7th February 2011

2011-02-16T09:36:00.004Z

“Benefits from mediated/facilitated victim-offender communication:

Victims have the opportunity to:

Learn about the offender and put a face to the crime
Ask questions of the offender
Express their feelings and needs after the crime
Receive an apology and/or appropriate reparation
Educate offenders about the effects of their offences
Sort out any existing conflict
Be part of the criminal justice process
Put the crime behind them

Offenders have the opportunity to:

Own the responsibility for their crime
Find out the effect of their crime
Apologise and/or offer appropriate reparation
Reassess their future behaviour in the light of this knowledge

Courts have the opportunity to:

Learn about victims’ needs
Aid reparative purposes in sentencing

Communities have the opportunity to

Accept apologies and reparation from offenders
Help reintegrate victims and offenders”

(Crosland & Liebmann's “40 Cases: Restorative Justice and Victim Offender Mediation”, 2003,pvii-viii; this book is freely available at www.restorativejustice.pbworks.com )
In relation to the burning down of Hastings Pier it would be easy for a group of trustees working with an experienced Restorative Practitioner to identify a string of further possible benefits from a restorative process, possibly impacting positively in relation to the wider issue of fires destroying cars and buildings in Hastings.
In Case no 22 of the 40 Cases book:

“The editor of a regional newspaper that featured the story wrote:
‘It is tempting to say to the two boys who have publicly apologised for burning down [the village school] 18 months ago that it’s a bit late now. But they do deserve credit for having the gumption to say sorry in a regional newspaper that circulates in the village. The two secondary school pupils who set fire to a wheelie bin with disastrous consequences also say they are trying hard to put right the harm and damage caused. The signs are that some good is emerging from this episode – and that is due in no small measure to the enlightened way in which these young offenders have been dealt with by their own community, not least the school by head teacher herself.’ (NB Neither of the boys has re-offended.)”

Total time commitment of 4-8 hours suggested for one Trustee to initiate a restorative process:

1.5 hour's familiarisation with 3 other restorative cases after a fire:

a) Watching “Burning Bridges DVD” (35 mins)
b) Reading the 3 pages of Case 22 in “40 Cases” on-line book.
c) Reading the 8 pages of Case 33 in “40 Cases” on-line book.

1 hour in communication with an experience restorative practitioner about:

a) the choice to let the suspects know that you want to communicate with them
b) the timing & method of communication
c) the relationship of this communication to criminal justice processes
d) the (emotive) content of the communication

1 hour consultation (supported by an experienced restorative practitioner) with whichever criminal justice agency/(practitioner or solicitor) is most relevant depending on the outcome of the hour's preparation above

1 hour spent on www.peoplesjustice.org.uk and ending up with a letter or three minute webcam/audio/film recording of a message to the two 19 year-olds.

Up to 3 hours (as per case 22) to be reserved for a possible meeting with the two 19 year olds &/or others representing them.

Up to 1 hour to be reserved for a review meeting eg 3 weeks later to see if people are satisfied with actions that came out of the trustee meeting the 19 year olds &/or others representing them.

The risks of not progressing with restorative processes at this stage include:

Losing an opportunity because the likelihood of engaging people once they've been sentenced can be lower than at a point whereby it can serve their interests in being able to demonstrate remorseful actions to a court
The delay in the whole truth coming out. (Note that restorative processes bring out a different kind of truth from the kind of facts involved in 'legal truth' which may enable a conviction, yet leaves many questions unanswered eg about why the people involved did what they did and what understanding they have of the effects and the possibility of taking responsibility).
That which fills the void of truth is a significant number of members of the community being misinformed and disengaged; maintaining views such as “it ws an insurance job”. Alongside this breeds mistrust of the HPWRT and HPWRT initiatives for the new pier.

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Why Move to Hastings?

HPWRT Trustees 'Burning Bridges' report

2011-01-18T12:37:00.008Z

This blog post is a report back on the 15th January 2011 screening and discussion about the 'Burning Bridges' DVD; about which more is written lower in this blog. This DVD is also recommended to all who have started fires!
The screening was attended by:

two HPWRT trustees
two members of Hastings and Rother Mediation Service
the only Hastings resident known by me to have recorded a video to the 'arsonists' for YouTube
the only Hastings resident known by me to have recorded a video on the "non-arson theory" for YouTube
Paul Crosland, CEO of Mediation Support Ltd (who uploaded the filming to -YouTube Channel Toothpaste 007)

I saw this as a key event in determining the prospects for the HPWRT Trustees to get the information necessary to make an informed choice about how restorative processes can bring out the whole truth and bring community engagement and healing in ways that the Criminal Justice System alone does not.

Insurance Job!!! The building was uninsurable and their was no Insurance and no ownership by the Pier Trusttees yet, so they tell me...

I have asked the Chair of the Trustees to approve my posting on here the advice I passed on and the date at which the Trustees collectively will be making a decision. Anyone who wants to move things on quicker is, as always, free to use www.peoplesjustice.org.uk and search for the truth by putting whatever question they want to whoever they want.

Invite me (Paul Crosland, Criminologist and CEO, Mediation Support Ltd) to screen the Burning Bridges DVD at your house or community centre and I'll facilitate a discussion about this 'crime' and what we can do about it by engaging in Sussex People's Justice. email Paul Crosland here
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Why Move to Hastings?

What I did that led to Hastings Pier Fire

2010-12-10T15:37:00.003Z

In 2011 I'll post a YouTube video entitled: "What I did that led to Hastings Pier Fire".
You'll be able to find it by searching on that phrase.
If anyone else sees how what they did led to the 5th October fire, feel free to post on YouTube.
If you don't want to go public with it, why not ask for the communication to be managed privately by mediators who work in Criminal Justice and related fields:
http://peoplesjustice.org.uk

And if you are suspicious of the circumstances around the fire, here's some company:

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Why Move to Hastings?
Other pages on this blog:
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Paul C -AKA Lend-It-All Man
Why Move to Hastings?

What are you waiting for?

2010-12-10T15:10:00.004Z

Some Hastings Residents now think that the Pier Trust is not for them to support yet.
What are you/they waiting for?

Waiting for an end to rumours about the fire being 'an insurance job'?
Waiting for clarity about who is paying for the post-fire demolition work on the pier platform?
Waiting for the end of the winter storms & more structural reports?
Waiting for the completion of the competition for the design of the new pier?
Waiting for lottery funding to the tune of £11million?
Waiting for the completion of the compulsory purchase order?
Waiting for Godot to appear at The White Rock Theatre?

To get the above issues progressed all requires funding now and on-going commitment.

Back in October, the Sunday after the fire, I interviewed the first passer-by for her reaction.
I found that she said she was going to begin supporting the Pier Trust.
If she has, great.
If not, wouldn't you wonder 'why not?'; what has impacted since October that means a change of plan?

Relevant links:

Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust (HPWRT) website

Hastings & St Leonards Observer

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Why Move to Hastings?

Taking responsibility?

2010-12-10T14:50:00.002Z

A theme that will be developed on this blog in 2011 is the taking of responsibility.
Mutual understanding of what other chains of actions led to the event eg Hastings Pier Fire about which someone feels sad and hurt is something this. What acts by you or others, things you did, or things you didn't do, made the fire of 5th October 2010 more likely?
For what are you willing to take responsibility?
I wrote on http://twitter.com/paulcrosland (29th November 2010) that when the truth comes out about #hastingspier fire on http://peoplesjustice.org.uk, perhaps you will also say "I'm Spartacus!" & you'll value, as I do, the opportunity to take some responsibility in this town we love:

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Why Move to Hastings?

How's your inter-generational communication?

2010-12-10T10:12:00.008Z

Below is an example of how some understanding was built between two people of different generations who've never met and yet who have impacted on each other's lives.
First there was the 5th October 2010 Hastings Pier Fire. Then there was their communication about how they were affected. If you were affected too:

How have you been communicating about it?
What's happened as a result of your communication?

If you haven't communicated your feelings on the web yet, by all means start here, by commenting below this blog post.
How would you respond to someone making fun of your sadness and tears? The Level 1 response might well be frustration, rage, hatred and/or withdrawl/depression? The response that might come beyond that (Level 2) might be a wish to have yourself understood. Is it likely that you will get that understanding from them?
One way that is more likely to get that understanding is the Level 3 response - by seeking to understand first
what is going on for the other.
Getting to Level 3 - Mutual understanding - enables many possible Level 4 outcomes; commitments to make things better in the future. For example, you may want to live in example, a safer society and to create a more "caring and sharing Hastings" etc.
By learning about what lay behind people's actions you get the opportunity to create whatever you care about that depends on the behaviour of all involved. Level 5 goes beyond making commitments; it tests those commitments over time, bringing the people who made them back together to check out that the plans are working for people and creating what they wanted to create. Sometimes adjustments are necessary to the strategies we have been following; others can help us get real in how we make our dreams of what we want where we live come true.
To seek to understand what motivated an action is not to deny or excuse anyone their responsibility for what happened.
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Why Move to Hastings?

Even those who started the fire may have loved the pier

2010-11-29T13:30:00.006Z

-is that possible?

Black Tide; poem by CVG, St Leonards-on-Sea, 9/10/2010

Black Tide

A black tide has rolled in,
A black tide of starlings,
A black tide of rats’ bones, charred,
A black tide of timber, plastic, glass and twisted metal:
The sea-claimed refuse of the night of flame.
‘You can save me’ read the banners.
‘Everyone loves the Pier’ said the poster
You trampled as you scaled the railings
To tear the heart out of the town
And release the black tide

(Photo is of blog author, Paul Crosland)

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A circle of people (including Pier Trustees) are due to watch this video together on 15th January

2010-11-24T09:17:00.010Z

& as the Trustees already have the Burning Bridges DVD & are arranging the venue, screen and sound, all I have to do is turn up and join in the discussion at the end:

To arrange another screening of this film email here)

More on Restorative Justice as I see it, here:

and yet more on restorative justice as I see it, on my YouTube Channel

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My glib phrase: "Creating a more caring/sharing society in Hastings requires no external money and will see us through to 80% of the Improvement"

2010-11-23T13:03:00.003Z

When I write that I want to be part of the (re?)building of a more caring/sharing Hastings, what does this glib phrase mean?
Caring:
I guess it means a place where people care eg when a crime has been committed about what they can do to create the conditions whereby it is less likely to happen again.
In Hastings, have I done enough to show I care?
Not yet; I've started though. Thus:

I spend two months wages on creating (within a month of the fire) the People's Justice service: http://peoplesjustice.org.uk

In Hastings has Tescos done enough to show they care?

Well, I wonder how the community feels(?) about the fact that a tenth of the money raised so far (ie £1K of £10K) has Tescos name on it as the benefactor of http://hpwrt.co.uk

Sharing:
In Hastings, what do we share?
I speak for myself below:

I'm planning to share two garage-loads of (mostly) useful stuff, or what might grandiosely be called 'community transformation stuff' -we all it; we all have possessions and skills; all this is the seed-corn for growing a trusting, resilient community.

Earlier, I set up (with friend and fellow-transitioner Edmund) the Freelending Community Interest Company and associated freelender.org website which got the attention and some much appreciated pages of write up in The Moneyless Man (published 2010 and now being re-published in Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, German, Turkish, Portuguese (for Brazil), & Japanese too)

Then, following the lead of Mark Boyle as The Moneyless Man, I experimented with re-labelling myself The Lend It All Man ; so that Hastings will have at least one resident willing to share everything he owns.

I wrote to a Hastings correspondent the following this morning, and welcome back your comments:

‎"Much as a value criticism as a fuel and way of modifying my plans, I'm particularly intrigued (from a series of emails from you) by the tone / sense of some annoyance with my plans and or my assumptions/ways of working.

I'm also intrigued by the extent that you believe the issues in Hastings are around lack of money, rather than that 80% of the improvement is possible without government money; just by creating a caring/sharing society there (which is my hypothesis)."

Please add a comment below:

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Why Move to Hastings?

Spirits of Hastings Pier; the most disturbing viewing to date; showing how many thousands of miles what we do in Hastings reaches!

2010-11-23T12:41:00.004Z

"Spirits of Hastings Pier" is, without doubt, the most disturbing YouTube film I've seen. Part 1 is 14-odd minutes long; Part 2, 12-odd. The film shows how one Kentucky guy whose mental health is a concern to family (after two months in an asylum) saw a "Hastings Pier Fire" YouTube video by Maybrick44 (a Facebook friend of mine) and then after a series of transportation difficulties at the US airport and at Victoria/Ashford, made it to Hastings and either did or didn't genuinely believe he met a Victorian Spirit. Spooky.

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Why Move to Hastings?

Only £10,000 pounds raised when £250K needed for emergency repairs!

2010-11-20T18:37:00.007Z

(20th November 2010)
Am I the only one who is deeply disappointed to learn today that for all the work of the Pier Trust and others only about £10,000 has been raised since the 5th October Hastings Pier Fire?
On October 18th the Pier Trust update said:
"If we can raise about £250,000 before the winter sets in we can do emergency works ,one of the vital works is to fuse the pier like they did in the war. Taking out a section of metalwork. It was replaced after the war with mild steel so we need to take this part down, once we achieve this when the bridge section collapses it will not effect to front two sections of the pier"
I'm noting in the wording above "when the bridge section collapses"; not "if the bridge section collapses". My vested interest is in the pier surviving the winter, then the lottery grant and compulsory purchase going through as wished for next March. My wish here is to support (or even lead) a door-to-door fundraising campaign in East Sussex; aiming for people to make a regular financial commitment by standing order. For the fundraising booklet, I found a graphic designer yesterday of the calibre /international reputation that suits, and some weeks back found a photographer with a canvas of the the substructure of Hastings Pier on his wall -and other suitable photos in his portfolio. Please may the sea be kind to the pier this winter. Or is better to let it go?
(For more clarity on how I'm adjusting my plans to put energy and resources into Hastings see http://additionalinfo.blogspot.com)
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Tour of how your private messages for Hastings "arsonists" & other "criminals" are handled; not just for people from Sussex!

2010-11-20T18:34:00.005Z

Here's a YouTube video of the website which has the start of a private video-diary to the 'arsonists' on it. The first user was a 45 year-old Hastings resident who, at the right time, would like also to express what losing the pier means to him; expressing this face-to-face with those who burned it down if the Probation Service obliges.
The 18 & 19 year old fire starters, who I expect to be supervised by the probation service, will be due back in court in the first week of December for their bail to be renewed or a trial date set.
This time schedule doesn't however determine when the right time is to have the dialogues that gets the truth out so that the community response can be properly informed.

If you've got something to say to someone who committed a crime that affected you, say it privately to them on http://peoplesjustice.org.uk
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First People's Justice video message sent to the 'arsonists'; watch it on YouTube, then join the private conversation on http://peoplesjustice.org.uk

2010-11-07T21:09:00.004Z

(Sunday 7th November)
A video-message has been made for those who started the 5th October 2010 Hastings Pier Fire (being called Was19 and Was18) from Was45. Though permission has exceptionally been sought for this video to appear in public cyberspace (YouTube etc), you can reply to this message privately via http://peoplesjustice.org.uk.
You don't have to be a fire-starter to reply.

Ask for a Sussex Peoples Justice Account and you can also record (on a web-cam etc) or upload your videos or text messages which will privately go to those who started the fire and/or to their representatives.
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Bonfire Night 2010; a month after the Hastings Pier Fire; Open an account at People's Justice and have your say

2010-11-05T13:55:00.003Z

The People's Justice website is launched today; how does it work?

If, for example, you simply want to open up a dialogue with eg the Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust you can use the site and type some words, record some comments with a web-cam or upload a video. You can stay anonymous if you prefer; your email address will be kept confidential to the moderator of the messages at Mediation Support Ltd.

If you choose to address your message(s) to individuals or groups who are in the midst of a criminal justice process, Mediation Support Ltd will liase with criminal justice staff before passing on your messages and you will be contacted again about the progress of this. At this stage -as at any other stage- you may choose to remove certain messages from the video-diary or messages that you have put privately onto the People's Justice website.

If you don't have access to a camera to record a film to upload and don't have a web cam either, web-cams can then be borrowed for free via freelender.org

The Mediation Support staff and trained-volunteers will invite a response to your concerns. This may come from:

the person or people you are addressing
someone who represents them in some way
someone who has done something similar.

Typed words or video will be used to record their responses to your concerns and Mediation Support Ltd will let you know when this is ready for you to view on the People's Justice site.

Maybe you want more than just being heard and getting answers. If you want to suggest what people could do to improve things in the Sussex Community, ask people or offer to start something that improves the situation.

Through People's Justice, you can work towards whatever it takes to get that justice that respects everybody and that is more than what the criminal justice system provides to bring about justice.

Open an account at the People's Justice website and be part of the dialogues that make a difference.
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Why Move to Hastings?

A Telling Time in Sussex

2010-11-02T14:57:00.004Z

Today (2nd November 2010) is the day when the 18 and 19 year olds from St Leonards who were arrested after the fire are due to have their bail renewed today in court, or not. Do add comments below this post, and please do not put their identities in your comments. 'Was 18' and 'Was 19' is what I'm calling them on this website and on the People's Justice website being launched this week for you to communicate with the "arsonists".

My focus is on providing a way for privately recorded videos and text-messaging for those who have something directly to say to 'Was 18' and 'Was 19', their representatives, or others.

I am amazed and greatly heartened by what one local resident in particular wishes to record and communicate to them on an appropriate timescale.

For clarity, I am in no hurry to establish the direct contact with the arsonists, even though I know someone who knows them. Rather, I will prudently be involving individuals employed in the criminal justice system to moderate/mediate communications which do go to 'Was 18', ''Was 19'.
Communication on "The People's Justice" website will also be for anyone else who is charged in Hastings with offences involving criminal damage, especially by fire. (eg Hastings Observer, 29th October, p3 -"A teenager has been arrested after a spate of car fires.)

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Hastings Pier Fire - the non-arson theory

2010-10-31T12:35:00.001Z

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Intro to this blog & ACT Hastings! (Actively Changing Things in Hastings!)

2010-10-26T14:10:00.008+01:00

You are invited to read this blog and then to write for this blog. Comments on the pieces here are not moderated (until abuse occurs) and if you want to write new posts, phone me and I'll enable you to do so, just as I have for the activist, Scott Ellis, who published his letter in 8th October's Hastings & St Leonards Observer to say that "Maybe the destruction of the pier is the boot up the backside we need."

Last Saturday's meeting arranged by "kick up the backside" Scott Ellis has led to the formation of a group of 25-30 people (at present) under the name ACT Hastings! (Actively Changing Things in Hastings!). Other contact details and information on the areas of work being undertaken to improve Hastings will follow.

The pier fire is certainly what 'fired me up' to volunteer in the Pier Shop at 34, White Rock. I'm also moved by the community I see to move to St Leonards in 2011. A friend there says that the heart has been torn out of Hastings; yet I've seen it beating more strongly than ever. Personally, I put much of my heart and soul into providing web-based services to access people committed to offering their best and creating better communities. My mission: "That Sussex becomes somewhere where no-one wants to set light to a pier".
On bonfire night, a month after the pier fire, the "Sussex People's Justice" service is to be launched via this blog:

Who am I to use web-sites to engage communities in this way?

Co-director of Freelending Community Interest Company
Director of Mediation Support Ltd,
Personally invited to 10, Downing St to be thanked by the PM for my work on behalf of victims of crime.
Former Head of Restorative Justice, Mediation UK (2001-2006)

For the time-being I am not in contact with the “arsonists”, though I know someone who knows them.

First contact might be made with their:

- friends/family

- those in the criminal justice system who in some way “supervise” them.

Somewhere down the line I hope that the words & voices of the community recorded on the people's justice website will lead to a dialogue with whoever comes forward as a representative of the “arsonists”. It may be that other 18 & 19 year olds, or other (ex) “arsonists” offer to talk to the wider community in the first place.

Whatever you would want to ask or tell to each of the arsonists, type it or record it here or on the one-to-one video-messaging site to be announced here on 5th November.

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Why Move to Hastings?

Thanking an HPWRT Trustee for offering to arrange a screening of the "Burning Bridges" DVD

2010-10-25T12:02:00.003+01:00

Thank you for your work in getting a screening opportunity for 'Burning Bridges'. Before this is shown to a large group, I'd really like there to be a showing or two to not more than twelve people. Holding a discussion in a circle afterwards is a key component of the community process which I'd like to see. Only when the community has had it's say and framed some questions do I want to offer my experience for what it's worth & similarly offer my views and choice of ways forward (to be discussed).
It matters to me that a pier trustee, such as yourself, is setting this in place. I'm lacking in 'legitimacy', time and support than do more at present than:
-make myself available as per my calendar gaps (www.paulscalendar.pbworks.com)
-visit Hastings and listen to people as much as I can
-maintain www.sussexcommunity.blogspot.com
-launch the "People's Justice" website on 5th November.

Best wishes
Paul
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Sussex People's Justice -launched 5th November - will be based on the winning idea at the 2010 Social Innovation Camp (www.jailbrake.org)

2010-10-20T13:11:00.002+01:00

At the 2010 Social Innovation Camp, the team I was in, led by Aleksi Knuutila, won the competition for the web/mobile phone based idea most likely to reduce youth offending/ youth custody.
The judges of www.jailbrake.org were from:

The Youth Justice Board
The Prison Reform Trust
The Police Improvement Agency
Foyer Housing Foundation

Jailbrake 2010 from The People Speak on Vimeo.

NB I introduce my passion for Restorative Justice 2 minutes and 44 seconds into the above video, and go on to summarise some of the personal experience that led to that passion and my time as Restorative Justice Co-ordinator working in HMP Bristol; a job which I took up after a lovely holiday spent in Hastings in 2007.
More information about how People's Justice will work in Hastings here.
What I see myself as doing in Hastings is showcasing the idea that anyone can start a conversation about a crime, or other incident in which they have been embroiled and that the outcomes of such conversations will be unexpected and usually beneficial to a number of people. Time will tell if the service due to be launched on Bonfire Night proves this process and it's benefits in a Sussex town.

HASTINGS PIER EMERGENCY FUND

2010-10-15T14:09:00.000+01:00

Lesley writes:
We want to see a community-owned 21st century pleasure pier serving residents, visitors with a year-round offer of leisure, pleasure, education, entertainment, arts, business & job opportunities”

The Emergency Fund will be used to stabilise the bridge and central section Pier to mitigate against the risk of collapse during the Winter Storms.

You can pay money in at any HSBC Bank in the country. Just pick up a paying in slip enter the following information and hand to the teller.

Sort Code 40-23-18 Account 12249871

This service is free

Please pass the above information on to as many people as you can

Hasting Pier and White Rock Trust (HPWRT) Adopt a Plank

2010-10-15T14:04:00.001+01:00

Here is a link to some downloadable community information.
Click below the picture to directly download the 'Adopt a Plank' form:

http://restorativejustice.pbworks.com/f/ADOPT+A+PLANK+Order+Form.doc

Here, in the midst of this video, is someone in the Pier Shop, 34, White Rock adopting a plank:

Here is the main HPWRT website.
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WANTED: Garage-sized storage space in Hastings (or preferably St Leonards)

2010-10-15T13:39:00.007+01:00

At the end of October 2010 I moved a library of community resources into two garages in Bexhill, which will from Spring 2011 onwards gradually be offered on www.freelender.org

Ideally, I'm looking for a garage worth's of storage space to the West of London Road i.e. in St Leonards. This will largely be to bring the library closer to Hastings, The themes of this library are:

Mediation
Management that serves
Transition
Transformation

The abbreviated name of this community resource is to be the MMTT library.

If you have any books & DVDs etc which you are pleased to offer to trustworthy people who will come round at a convenient time and borrow, then return the items as requested then please add these items to www.freelender.org
(By all means consider asking for deposits when you lend using this service)

For more on freelending & this library see:
http://freelenders.blogspot.com
& The Mediation Support Ltd Mediation Library
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Seeking to make up for the 'justice deficit' that gives 'victims' of the fire little say.

2010-10-14T13:26:00.004+01:00

There are two aspects to justice; that by the state, and that which involves the victims and communities more directly. In societies that have lost the engagement that is characteristic of true community, justice is left to the state to perform on our behalf, and a massive loss, or 'justice deficit', follows.

If you want the full picture as seen by an early visionary in the field of restorative justice and regenerating communities, please read Nils Christie's "Conflicts as Property".
The article can be downloaded from the 'Restorative Justice Resources' website (the file is here)
Please note that this article was written before the term 'restorative justice' was coined.

(I write this posting as a criminologist, or ex-criminologist, who was employed at the Institute of Criminology in the Faculty of Law at Cambridge University (1997-2001). In 2001 I took a job enabling me to influence the on-going development of Restorative Justice in England & Wales. Whilst still working to that brief, I live now as a community activist wanting a deeper form of justice than that which we are usually offered, and moving to live closer to friends, family and the community I see in Hastings/St Leonards in September 2011.)

Nils Christie is my favourite criminologist. He writes about why our conflicts are valuable to communities and how we (or our predecessors) have handed over one of our most valuable resources, conflicts, exclusively to the Criminal Justice System. This handing over of our responsibility is our loss.

Nils Christie's latest UK lecture -see this University of Oxford News Item, with a link to the talk - challenges many views and includes:

a view of the Welfare State as unsustainable & damaging
concern at an 'apartheid' to be addressed between youth and adults (30 minutes in)
arson prevention strategy in Swedish schools (16 minutes in).

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Your invitation to record a message for the 'arsonists' here; public or private

2010-10-14T07:06:00.006+01:00

In response to the Hastings Pier Fire, the "Sussex People's Justice" website will be launched before bonfire night (a month after the fire) by Paul Crosland, former Restorative Justice Co-ordinator in HMP Bristol). This site offers Restorative Justice across Sussex, for all who have grievances and things to get off their-chest, firstly in relation to the 5th October pier fire.
From 5th November you will be able to send:

text messages to the 'arsonists', aged 18 & 19 from St Leonards on Sea
audio messages to the 'arsonists', aged 18 & 19 from St Leonards on Sea
video messages to 'arsonists', aged 18 & 19 from St Leonards on Sea

What do you want to ask them? What do you want to tell them? Will this best be handled by mediators or is it a public message/question that you have for them?
If, instead of private communication, you want your words to them to be public, please use the comment option below this blog posting.
P.S. In the longer term, I will endeavour to make the "Sussex People's Justice"
service available in all Sussex Prisons, as part of my long-term Restorative Prisons work.
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Alleged 'arsonists' due to have their bail reviewed in court on 2nd November; after that let's watch this documentary together?

2010-10-12T14:25:00.002+01:00

Bail was renewed until 1st & 2nd December 2010.
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October Meeting for Residents that want to do something about the town of Hastings

2010-10-12T13:54:00.004+01:00

Scott Ellis has just phoned, in advance of emailing to 15 supporters of his letter, and has called a meeting.
This will be held on Saturday 23rd Oct 2pm at The Stag, All Saints St in the Old Town.
He wrote in a follow-up email;
"please encourage any friends or family to come along too if they are interested in getting involved."
(Scott received 15 responses, all supportive, in teh four days following publication of this correspondence in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer, 8th October)
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Is this Blog welcome in Hastings?

2010-10-11T10:08:00.004+01:00

Below these four YouTube videos which I filmed in Hastings/St Leonards over the weekend is a troubling letter which I've received (indirectly) and which I share particularly with Hastings residents for your feedback please?

Relevant links:

Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust (HPWRT) website

The Tragic Battle for Hastings (Sunday 10th October 2010 Observer article)

Hastings & St Leonards Observer

Relevant links:

Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust (HPWRT) website

Hastings & St Leonards Observer

After filming the chip shop clip above, a Pier Trustee rang me and said there was no insurance.
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Sussex Community: "Boot up the backside was what we needed"

2010-10-11T03:01:00.001+01:00

Sussex Community: "Boot up the backside was what we needed"
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"Boot up the backside was what we needed"

2010-10-11T02:59:00.001+01:00

News update: Scott Ellis co-ordinates an October meeting for residents that want to do something about the town of Hastings.

From Friday 8th October's Hastings & St Leonards Observer, the letter that grabbed my attention the most was the one given the headline:"Boot up the backside was what we needed".
I quote the beginning and the end of that letter and then copy the correspondence since with Scott Ellis of Homesdale Gardens:
This town has become an absolute disgrace.Ithas become a breeding ground for The Jeremy Kyle Show. Surely now, after the defacing of the Banksy and the burning of the pier, it has to be the final straw.
...
We need to at least be on par with decent seaside destinations both here and abroad to attract the right type of visitors to the town.
Maybe the destruction of the pier is the boot up the backside we need. Let's force boring councillors to give their decision making over to a local team of talented, passionate, creative and visionary individuals with backbone, drive and clout, who can then spend a few years moulding Hastings into the aspiring seaside resort it once was and should be.
Anyone interested in ruffling some feathers and forming a group to discuss this further please mail me at scott@rockettmedia.co.uk

I wrote to Scott as follows:
Dear Scott

Out of all the letters in the Observer yours was the only one I wanted to re-publish.
Permission to blog your letter & email address, please on www.sussexcommunity.blogspot.com ?

Please also vote on whether you want £500k to be spent on incarceration of those who burned down Hastings Pier:
www.sussexcommunity.blogspot.com

Restorative Justice, to me, is the creation of a quality of connection where everyone's needs matter, pain is allowed expression and dreams are at least shared, whether or not they are subsequently enacted, together or apart.
Best wishes,
Paul

Scott replied:

Please feel free to publish my letter and anything in this email. It's the first time I've ever written a letter to a newspaper, but it got to the point where enough is enough. I've had lots and lots of mails in support and will probably be holding a meeting next Saturday early afternoon for all those who want to get involved. Time and place to be arranged, I'll let you know via email in the week. I hope you can attend, the aim of the meeting is to try and formalise things a little and discuss what direction the group will take. Of course the pier is in all our interests to get rebuilt to the highest standard, but for now I think it's best to focus on a shorter term plan to try and make Hastings a nicer place for residents and visitors, then we can add our weight to the bigger money projects (ie the pier, ice rink, bathing pool) as we grow. I've pasted below a response I've sent out to many of the locals who have shown an interest....

My plan really is to get some ideas together from people like yourselves and condense them into a shortlist which everybody who's shown an interest is in agreement on.

Once these are identified, then arrange for us all to meet in a week for a chat and try and set something a bit more formal up for a further meeting with some of the councillors and others who may have some clout.

Whether the councillors be willing to come and get an earful from us remains to be seen, but where there's a will there's a way! We'll have to hijack them at their offices if not. All we need really is to convince them that our ideas are good for the town (which they will be) and get them to show a bit of interest and backbone in getting them implemented.
Surely it's in these councillors interests to do this to make a bit of a name for themselves(?)

I think the ideas generated should be for short to medium term practical things that won't cost the council too much to put into place. As money can't be the reason for them not to act, we can put some pressure on them immediately to get the ball rolling.I've listed a few below to give you an idea on what I'm thinking, and would welcome your input from any additional thoughts or views/improvements you might have.

Re the Carnival. Get the whole thing properly co-ordinated and add some eye candy for excitement (ie stilt walkers, fire eaters, ridiculous costumes etc). We have lots of design degree courses running in Hastings and Brighton, lots of artists and creative people living in the town. Let's get them properly involved, have a group heading things up and co-ordinating, run some design competitions with local secondary schools/college/university etc. Arrange some local workshops with the costume and float designers who are involved with Notting Hill/Mardi Gras(Brighton). Anything has to be better than the crap we have already.

Any scruffy properties on roads in Hastings and St Leonards within 1mile of the town centre or seafront to be given 12 months to give them a compulsory lick of paint and a tidy up. This would make it look like there's a bit of pride about the place. Maybe some kind of monetary incentive like reduced council tax(and maybe some of the herberts doing community service could also get involved in painting and/or improving communal areas)

Old Town Licensing. Extend the noise curfew until later and encourage a more European approach to things. (A few moany residents in George St are suffocating the place). 'If you don't like noise then don't move to an area full of pubs, bars and restaurants'.

No taxis or vehicles allowed on George St on Fri or Sat evening.

The fountain roundabout needs sorting out. The edges of it are broken and scuffed from lorry wheels and years of neglect. It needs knocking down and rebuilding. Maybe a big stunning piece of artwork or sculpture in the middle, properly lit up so that it becomes a talking point and a landmark. (The television was invented in Hastings, maybe a tribute to the evolution of TV or a John Logie Baird or something?)

Strictly enforced bigger fines for dog owners who mess the place. Three strikes and you lose your dog. (Maybe that's a bit extreme but you know where I'm coming from!)

Proper encouragement made to replace tacky and cheap looking signage above shopfronts and in shopwindows with something classier and a bit more fitting to a stunning seaside location. Brighton, Bournemouth don't have this problem, it's made Hastings look cheap and nasty for years. Time to inject a bit of quality and style...

Any empty shops in the town centre or seafront to be used in a constructive manner (ie free display area for local students/artists, small business, entrepreneurs) until they find tenants. This should be compulsory.

A serious attempt be made and proper incentives given to attract a big 4 or 5 star hotel chain to look at opening in Hastings to start raising the profile of the place a bit.

The town website is rubbish. This needs to be a million times more attractive as it's the Hastings shopwindow to the whole world. And promoted properly online too to attract the right clientele.

Obviously these are just ideas at the moment and can be elaborated on or sidelined depending on the interest from within the group. I hope you both find them of interest, I'd be keen to hear your thoughts.

Kind Regards,
Scott.

Hastings Pier Fire - Sunday Morning

2010-10-10T18:13:00.002+01:00

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Hastings Pier Fire - The Pier Shop Window

2010-10-10T18:10:00.001+01:00

34, White Rock, Hastings:

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Hastings Pier Fire - The Phoenix Series - Keir Interviews 1, 2 & 3

2010-10-10T18:07:00.004+01:00

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Hastings Pier Fire - Phoenix Taxis

2010-10-10T18:06:00.001+01:00

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What is the problem in Hastings?

2010-10-09T09:12:00.001+01:00

RE hastingspier - just received a call saying "Hang on, the pier isn't the problem we've got in Hastings". What do you think the problem is?
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How a "modest" door-knocker could raise £500,000 for HPWRT

2010-10-09T07:56:00.000+01:00

The HPWRT YouTube videos builds my confidence in HPWRT as an organisation I'm willing to raise £500k for through doing a year's door-knocking, supported by a booklet of the same quality as that which karuna.org use. How come £500k; that's the five-yearly income based on people signing up for £10/month and I reckon I could get 5-6 sign-ups per night going out to about 3000-5000 selected Sussex houses over 200 days between October 2011 & October 2012.
UPDATE TO THIS BLOG POST:
PLEASE NOTE THAT I WROTE 'SUSSEX HOUSES'; many of the standing-orders will be signed by people outside Hastings & St Leonards, I reckon.
Nonetheless I have received the following feedback:
Paul, I've just read your blogspot on fundraising...

The HPWRT YouTube videos builds my confidence in HPWRT as an organisation I'm willing to raise £500k for through doing a year's door-knocking, supported by a booklet of the same quality as that which karuna.org use. How come £500k; that's the five-yearly income based on people signing up for £10/month and I reckon I could get 5-6 sign-ups per night going out to about 3000-5000 selected Sussex houses over 200 days between October 2011 & October 2012.
....please remember that Hastings/St Leonards is the poor end of East Sussex; 40% of E.Sussex's unemployed are resident here. In fact Hollington (north-end of St Leonards), is apparently the 6th poorest ward in the country, Social services have relocated long-termed unemployed from the London Boroughs (because of cheap housing) down here over the last 20-30 years.

What I am trying to say is that you are unlikely to get people to donate to the extent that you are suggesting above, particularly in such an area of economic disadvantage, and that's to say nothing of the economic climate generally at the moment and the forecast for the medium-term. If it was Brighton, a well-heeled town, it might be different. I'm only saying this as I don't want you to waste your time and energies - they might better be directed elsewhere - sorry to sound like a killjoy.

message to the "arsonists"

2010-10-09T05:40:00.003+01:00

There are a number of ways to send messages to the two individuals accused of the 5th October 2010 Hastings Pier arson. One very public way is via YouTube; tagging your video: "A message to the Hastings Pier Fire 'arsonists'". The more private way, based on award winning* work by Restorative Technology Ltd will be launched here and on my twitterstream (#hastingspier) by the end of October.
*www.jailbrake.org - see the video of our winning Restorative Justice Messaging work there.
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Paul Crosland's master blog

2010-10-08T13:08:00.002+01:00

The blog where I summarise all my activities -and have more on Hastings & Restorative Justice- is:
www.additionalinfo.blogspot.com
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Mission Statement

2010-10-08T11:59:00.002+01:00

- Support the (People's) Pier
- Build a Community that really shares & cares
- Generate a deeper justice in Sussex

Community Resources:

Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust
Lets All Share
freelender.org
Sussex Community Blogspot
Sussex: Telling Time (Restorative Justice & mediation on-line)

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