Travellers Quest (5th June 2002)
Winchester cracks safe shopping (5th June 2002)
Jubilee Borneo (5th June 2002)
Bike Spoketacular (12th June 2002)
I was a Teenage Volunteer (19th June 2002)
Postal Disorder (19th June 2002)
The Show Must Go On (19th June 2002)
Farewell (19th June 2002)
Monkey See (26th June 2002)
Henging Around (26th June 2002)
Rumpus (26th June 2002)
Three Chairs for Val (26th June 2002)

Amy Jankowicz reviews the Fine Art Painting Degree Show at the Winchester School of Art.
The end of the 2002 Fine Art degree has had its disappointments and pleasures.
Granted, it’s nice to be able to wear something pretty instead of the plaster-and-paint covered charity shop ensemble I’ve been sporting for the last three weeks.
It’s nice not to regard getting up at six thirty in the morning as a lie-in. But now I’m feeling that weary, nauseous restlessness that all recent graduates, with nothing left to do, are said to have. Might be a hangover though.
Having been so closeted in my own degree-show-building world I’ve hardly noticed anything else, let alone what’s been going on in other departments, so I’m only really equipped to write about the Painting show. In my ‘completely impartial’ opinion I think we’ve come up with a damn good show.
One student, Jilly Evans, could probably describe her media as stitch, quilting and profanity.
Standing out in her show are two large patchwork quilts with ‘c***’ and ‘f***’ embroidered subtly into the pattern, making the viewer look twice, exposing our expectations that traditionally feminine tasks be both decorative and silent rather than profane and opinionated. I noticed a pair of not-so-sharp-eyed elderly women who also stood for a few minutes admiring the quilts. ‘Lovely, isn’t it?’ said one. ‘Beautiful,’ replied the other, ‘I’d love that for our Adele’s birthday.’
Equally popular with the private view crowd was Tamasin Fisher’s work; fashion images painted in simple colours onto layers of glass. Tamasin used the glass layers as a metaphor for the numerous stages of manipulation a fashion image goes through to create the ultimately seductive and utterly false sales tool we see in the glossies. However you want to look at them, they’re gorgeous paintings and Tamasin has already had some interest from a London art consultancy.
Ed Kluz’s work is a bit more difficult to take home in a carrier bag. He’s installed a moving white curtain onto which is projected a computer-generated video of a modern building. The curtain moves imperceptibly forwards, unsettling the viewer. Ed is interested in the architecture of Le Corbusier and wanted to illustrate the futility of his Utopian vision – structures which are too perfect for a human to feel comfortable in.
As much of the class has decided to go for installation as our medium, we throw away much of the commercial interest we might have had in our work and now that Tammy’s got people who just can’t keep their pens from their chequebooks I’m wishing I’d done something slightly more sellable.
My work, an 8"x8"x8" room wallpapered out with a giant image of the glamour model Jordan, is obviously meant to be a scathing feminist comment on the difficulties in avoiding a male-dominated sexual aesthetic. Obviously. Strangely enough, the usual comment I got was: ‘My teenage son would love that.’ Well, at £2,500 for the work, it’s yours… any takers? I’m thinking of doing a flatpack version.
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Henging Around (26th June 2002)

For the second year running Wiltshire County Council, English Heritage and the police were letting people go to Stonehenge last Thursday night (20/06/02) to enjoy the Summer Solstice.
About midnight myself and some friends armed ourselves with some Pigsqueal cider and off we went, arriving there at about 1am, as there did not seem to be much traffic bizarrely. Although the police allow the festival to take place , they seem very grudging about it, forcing us to park two mile away from the stones. This was no bad thing, though, as the car park and surrounding fields were full of hippies having a laugh. My particular favourite was the Rinky Dink Sound System, a whole P.A powered by some poor sod on a bicycle.
Not only was he keeping the music and a film screen going, he even had the puff left to mc over the top, exhorting us to love one another, the moon and the stars!The walk to the stones themselves was very dark, but luckily some fellow who introduced himself as 'Gandalf from Cornwall' took us up to them. Of course, as we arrived at the stones we had to have the 'how the **** did they get here' debate. Then we went and stood in the middle of them, and they are fantastic. Although they did not fill me with a desire to ululate madly and dance at the moon, the feeling of history is quite immense, and the revellers were certainly getting into it.
I spotted Rob Roy, Robin Hood and at least 30 druids dancing away cheerfully to the bongo drum beat, and some Hare Krishnas were keeping themselves happy in the corner too.
The police and security seemed friendly enough, and the expected antagonism between travellers and police did not seem to materialise.
As we were leaving it seemed like the rest of the world was coming over the top in a blaze of headlights to celebrate the official dawn, which was predicted for 5.07am. A great night out, and to the people dancing on the stones, looked like fun, but remember, any more of that malarkey and there won’t be a next time for anyone.
By Max Jones
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Rumpus (26th June 2002)

Winchester & Mid-Hampshire Observer Society as compiled by Maximillian Upton-Jones
A beautiful June afternoon saw hundreds of friends and family gather for the wedding of John Privett and Hester Sarson.
West Dean gardens near Chichester was the venue for the ceremony, and what a setting it was. Sweeping gardens, walled enclaves and a manor house paid fitting tribute to the groom and the blushing bride.
The wedding itself was officiated by the Reverend Charles Mitchell – Innes, the conductor of Eton College. It took place in a stunning twelfth century chapel, and the bride looked radiant in a blue dress designed by Winchester’s very own Eleanor Thomas. The ushers were the brothers of the bride and groom, Cosmo and Alex Sarson and Guy and Rowland Privett, as well as Tom Matson, Bryn Davies and Oliver Gates. The best man was Matthew Hellyar.
The assembled joined in the hymn Sing Hossanah with great gusto, and the second hymn was Lord of the Dance. We all particularly liked the line that proclaimed it is ‘hard to dance with the devil on your back!’ Hugh Gleeson gave a reading from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, and the Reverend gave praise to John, who he has known for years. A lighter note to the proceedings was when the Reverend asked if anyone knew of any reason why the couple should not get married. We all thought that Isobel Ellis might know someone when her mobile telephone went off!
The assembled then moved off to the reception in a marquee in the grounds. The vista was incredible as we all enjoyed a buffet lunch and plenty of champagne, and everyone laughed at the antics of the (perhaps over enthusiastic) photographer as he moved the happy couple from one place to the next. At seven o clock Hester and John drove off to their night in Brighton.
They will not be going on Honeymoon until after they have finished their respective college courses. Guests were then invited to join a barbecue in the grounds. As the different groups from around the country met, the drinking, clinking of glasses and merrymaking went on into the early hours. Perhaps in the future we will be raising a glass to one or two of the merry couples who met that night. Good luck John and Hester!
A sunny Wednesday afternoon saw the ‘Eclipse set’ celebrating one of their number’s birthday in their usual heady fashion. Chris McVee was ‘21 again’ and the Stella and Cognac flowed throughout the early evening.
Everyone was happy to see Paul Gajos and Hannah Marriot, who popped in to pay their respects. The Winchester & Mid Hants Observer was out in full force, with Editor Pete Harvey and Richard Williams joining your correspondent.
Amanda Murray and Ollie Dixon added their own inimitable bohemian touch to proceedings, and even the mighty Steve Shakeshef turned up. All in all a lovely afternoon for all concerned, and may there be many more birthdays to come Chris. Hurrah!
The Cathedral grounds were the setting for one of the periodic ‘Cava and Carlsberg’ evenings enjoyed by the group often referred to as ‘Winchester’s Rat Pack.’
Michael Edwards and his cohorts are known for their drinking and high jinx, and, when those corks get popping, boy does the fun begin! Everyone enjoyed the jokes and quick witted repartee between Gareth Lewis and Neil Watt, and, luckily, Stewart Morris was on hand to regale us with tales of World War 1. It was fortunate that Hilary Smith was there to temper things a bit, so the boys antics could not get out of hand. After leaving the Cathedral grounds, the lads went to slake their Herculean thirsts at the Eclipse, with beer being served by the delightful Jane.
It was touted as the party of the decade, and by golly it was. Locals, tourists and passers by could only gape enviously as the gliteratti from the worlds of cable laying and carpentry gathered at the Earl of Lonsdale in London’s swinging Notting Hill.
They were there to celebrate the birthday of Clare Upton, and the exclusive back room venue played host to a veritable who’s who of Kettering and Winchester society. Jeremy Goodfellow represented the cable laying community of Kettering, and, such was the atmosphere there that he could hob nob with an accountant from Winchester. Quite an evening!
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Three Chairs for Val (26th June 2002)

During my time working at the Winchester and Mid-Hampshire Observer, probably the hardest thing I have had to do is to interview my own mother.
Val Drayton (40) has been studying at Winchester School of Art for 3 years to obtain a Degree in Fine Art Sculpture.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the course” said Val. Contrary to popular belief, Val found her time as an art student “intellectually rigorous and physically demanding”.
The main difficulty for Val was finding the right balance between time spent at home and time spent at the college “I often felt left out of the social side of college life when I had other commitments to my family”.
The students have spent three years working together in the same group “Getting to know each other is really important” explained Val.
Val said that her family has helped to get her through the course by providing support and given her the chance to take her mind off the work. “Having a family definitely helps to keep your feet on the ground!” she added.
Next year, Val will go on to study for an MA. She is looking forward to it and says, “It will be nice to carry on at the college in a much more intense course. It gives me another year before I have to think about what I really want to do!”
By Holly Drayton
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Postal Disorder (19th June 2002)

Hundreds of postal workers in the area are set to lose their jobs in the next three years as Consignia ‘restructure’ the postal network.
To you laymen out there, Consignia is the name that was adopted, at vast expense, for the Post Office network a couple of years ago. Postpersons whose job is on the line will be no doubt pleased to learn that, at a cost of 1 million, Consignia is to be renamed (you’ve guessed it), Royal Mail P.L.C. As part of their ‘recovery package’ Consignia need to recoup some of the 1.2 million they are losing every day. The problem is that the cost of posting a letter is actually more than the 27p price of a stamp.
Some letters to places such as the Scilly Isles or the Shetlands can cost as much as 7 pounds! Also, increased competition from other parcel carriers has not helped.
A spokesman for Consignia told me that they had approached government regulators asking if they could raise the price of postage and had been told that they could not and they ‘should cut costs.’ Well, they are certainly doing that, with the three year plan expected to save over 2 billion. This is no consolation to workers worried about their jobs, though.
One Winchester postman, who did not want to be named, said “I work hard in all weathers, and it is not as though I get paid an awful lot for it anyway. To lose my job when there has been millions spent on the sodding name just seems unjust. Management have admitted that they have made mistakes, and yet they are not getting the boot. Typically it is the people at the bottom of the food chain who get done over.”
There is also concern over the fate of sub post offices, but in rural areas such as Hampshire this is not so frightening. Realising that Post Offices can be the backbone of a village, Consignia are only planning to close down units in town. The owner of the Post Office in Broughton, near Romsey, said “we employ ourselves so we hope to be OK. Government plans to pay benefits straight into bank accounts will not do us many favours though.” Masterful understatement.
Losing commission from benefits is set to cost independent Post Offices over 400 million a year. All in all, not so good for Hampshire’s postal workers. However, Richard Sellars, who runs Twyford Post Office and stores, says “there would be an uproar if they closed down rural Post Offices and shops, so we are hoping that those in trouble may get funding. It is very sad that all the jobs are going. It is a fact that Consignia priced themselves out of the market.” Richard believes that people would not object to paying one or two pence more for a stamp, saying that it would only cost the average family one or two pounds more a year. This infinitesimal amount would have been enough to stop all the problems in the first place.
By Max Jones
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The Show Must Go On (19th June 2002)

Members of Bishops Waltham Rotary Club put on a brave face and their brand new bright yellow polo shirts to drive the dark clouds away from this year’s Bishop’s Waltham Carnival
The Carnival procession stepped out for its jaunt through the town to the music of the Romsey Old Cadets Show Band - dressed this year as fluffy chicks and led by a fox! Leading them off as Carnival Marshall was veteran Les Powell – celebrating his own Jubilee, having filled this role at Bishops Waltham every year since 1977.
Being a Royal Jubilee parade, there were plenty of Queens taking part – Pat Gover as the ‘Jubilee Girl’ in St Peter’s Church parade of Commonwealth representatives; Queen Liz Smith with the Bishops Waltham Guides entry; 12-year old Chloe Wort as a Postage Stamp Queen; a young Queen in a speedboat redubbed ‘Britannia’; plus a mass of crowned and cloaked miniature Kings and Queen from the Bumbles Playgroup.
The most imposing float was the 20ft model of ‘Mary Rose’ made and decorated by the Kidz Wave from Kings Church and the most impressive finger-work was by the young Spencerette Baton Twirlers.
After watching this spectacle the thousands of spectators queued to fill the Palace Grounds for the Carnival Fete, where scores of stalls, stands and displays awaited them – all prepared to raise funds for the local groups running them, or for the Rotary Club’s Charity Fund.
The Rotarians had already dedicated £3,000 of the Carnival proceeds to pay for a special emergency box for use by the Bishops Waltham First Responders group. The Carnival and Fete raised over £2000 towards this project, leaving the balance to be raised by the Fun Run and Road Race on June 23.
Publicly presenting this box, Rotary President Alan Hansford said he was pleased to be able to help the First Responders in their voluntary role of attending emergencies and accidents to assist victims medically during the crucial minutes before an ambulance arrives. Receiving the box, Roy Marsh thanked the Rotary and the community for supporting the First Responders in this way, helping them to provide a valuable service to local people when they were at their most vulnerable.
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Farewell (19th June 2002)

Sir Peter Blake has been described as the greatest yachtsman who ever lived.
A tall, rangy New Zealander, he adopted Hampshire and lived here for several decades before his untimely death late last year. The yachter, who had led his native country to two Americas Cup victories, was killed in South America in December.
For a man who had tackled polar bears, icebergs and 70 knot winds in his career, the sleepy Brazilian backwater of Balnieario da Fazendhina did not seem too dangerous. On a mission around the world to promote environmental awareness, Blake and his crew of were moored up overnight, relaxing and drinking Caninha (Brazilian rum).
The temptation of the million dollar yacht and all the riches contained thereon proved too much for six young men from the town. They paddled out under cover of night, guns drawn, with the intention of robbing the crew of watches, cash, and anything else they could get their hands on. As the robbers approached the boat, stories differ as to what happened next. Most of Blake’s colleagues say that the captain came out from below decks like a Boy’s Own hero, blasting away with a shotgun, furious that anyone could threaten his crew. He was shouting “get off my f*****g boat.” Two crew members were wounded in the attack, and one of the assailants had his fingers shot off.
One of Blake’s colleagues, Mark Scott, has gone on record as saying that coming up blazing away did nothing apart from to enrage the attackers, putting everyone else in danger. However, other crewmembers have poured scorn on Scott, saying that he was the drunk one himself and went totally to pieces. The robbers themselves say that Sir Blake was drunk and high on cocaine, and that they had no intention of shooting anyone until they were fired upon themselves.
Although we may never know the true story, one person who can empathise with Sir Peter’s actions is Oliver Maltby, from Bishops Waltham. A keen yachtsman, Oliver has been boating all of his life. Three years ago, Oliver and some colleagues were also sailing around South America. Some local robbers came over to the boat in the early hours of the morning. With guns and machetes drawn, they relieved Oliver and his friends of all their money, beer and travellers cheques. “They took our passports, our credit cards and the global positioning system we had,” said Oliver. “They also took the gun we had for just such an eventuality.” Absolutely terrified as he was, Oliver had been contemplating having a bash with the gun when the robbers burst into his cabin and took it anyway! “Although I thought about fighting back, in the end we simply prostated ourselves before the robbers, prayed and were frankly relieved that we got away with only goods being taken. Maybe if I had fought back then I would not be here telling the tale. That aside, it does not make Peter any less of a hero. He was always a hero of mine anyway, like someone from a bygone era, and I would not have expected him to go any other way.”
By Max Jones
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Pedal-power comes to the city this weekend with the launch of Winchester Bike Week, which runs from 15th to 23rd June and promises to be a saddle-tastic celebration of all things revolutionary.
Included in the many events is the 7th Annual Bike Fair and Cavalcade, which will be launched this Saturday in the High Street at 10am by the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor John Steel.
Also featured are a Mountain Bike Aerial Display by the Buttercross and VC Venta’s ‘Cycle Slalom’ at the River park Leisure Centre.
All the events during Winchester BikeWeek are supported by Winchester City Council and are aimed at raising awareness of cycling and its all -round benefits, not only to the person doing the peddaling, but also to the environment and the economy. Rosemary Crane, well known on BBC Radio Solent’s breakfast programme for her good advice on nutrition and healthy eating will turn up on a tandem in Winchester on Saturday 15 June to help draw attention to a week-long series of cycling events during Winchester BikeWeek.
The annual Winchester Bike Fair & Cycle Cavalcade will be opened by Rosemary Crane with the help of the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor John Steel and the Town Crie, at 10am in the High Street (outside Marks & Spencer). New exhibitors at the Bike Fair this year include Cancer Research UK, who have teamed up with the national BikeWeek liaison group on Bike2Work Week, Powabyke with electric bikes, St Michael’s Hospice who will be promoting the Basingstoke Big Wheel 8 Bike Ride, as well as Cotswold Outdoor Ltd and YHA Adventure Shops plc with a range of outdoor clothing and equipment for cyclists.
Other exhibitors also include Halfords who have teamed up with 107.2 WinFM on a bike competition (you could win an Apollo Vendetta suspension bike worth £200) and Portswood Cycles. Lots of information will be available from cycling clubs such as the CTC and the Tandem Club, Sustrans on the ‘National Cycle Network’ and other organisations involved with leisure cycling in the area. And look out for some old fashioned bikes on the streets as the Solent Veteran Bike Club makes a welcome return this year.
Bicycle bells and water bottles will be given away free to participants in the Cycle Cavalcade which is being sponsored again by NTL Broadcast, the Crawley based telecommunications company.
The Cavalcade will be started by Rosemary Crane and the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor John Steel. Rosemary a keen cyclist who has taken part in many charity rides both here and abroad, will be riding in the Cavalcade on a tandem supplied by the Tandem Club, apparently this will be a new experience for her!
The Cavalcade will appeal to cyclists of all ages – the pace will be set by family groups - it’s a leisurely group ride around the city centre lasting about 25 minutes which sets off at 11 am from The Broadway. Cyclists will start to gather for this under King Alfred’s statue from 10.30 am. The Cavalcade route will be slightly different this year as it will divert into the Cathedral Close before going on past Jane Austen’s House, Winchester College, Wolvesey Palace, the River Itchen and the City Mill. Those completing the ride will also be able to collect a certificate afterwards to confirm that they have taken part.
More cycling activities are taking place on the same day at the city’s River Park Leisure Centre. There is a Mountain Bike and BMX skills session for young people at the skatepark and VC Venta’s ‘Cycle Slalom’ for children under 13 years on the outdoor basketball court. Both events will run from 10 am until 3 pm (there is no charge - just turn up with bikes and helmets).
And if you still have some energy left then the CTC has organised a ‘Post Bike Fair Perambulation’ which starts from their stand at the Bike Fair at 2.30 pm. It’s a ride with some easy off-road sections for all-comers lasting about an hour and a half.
With stunts at a mountain bike aerial display at the Buttercross and street entertainment there will be plenty to see and do.
A number of other events have been organised in and around Winchester to coincide with BikeWeek.
Bishops Waltham Impromptu Bike Club has a family cycle ride of 15 miles starting at 2.00 pm at the Jubilee Hall car park in Little Shore Lane, Bishops Waltham on Sunday 16 June.
On Wednesday 19 June adults can build their confidence at the ‘Back to Biking’ refresher session for adults which starts at 6.00 pm at River Park Leisure Centre. To book your place contact John Edwards on 01962 867242. All-comers can join in the CTC’s Evening Cycle Ride – there is a range of distances from 5-25 miles and it is suitable for any bike. Cyclists should meet at 7.00 pm at King Alfred’s statue in The Broadway.
The Winchester & District Cycle Forum meets at the Guildhall in The Broadway on Thursday 20 June between 7.30 and 9.00 pm. It is an open forum to discuss cycling issues and all are welcome.
Two events bring BikeWeek to a close on Sunday 23 June. The Bishops Waltham Impromptu Bike Club is organising a 40 mile circular ride. Cyclists should meet at 2.00 pm at the Jubilee Hall car park in Little Shore Lane, Bishops Waltham.
In Winchester the CTC’s Winton Series offers a choice of three rides starting and finishing at the Jubilee Hall, Kings Worthy. Open to all, the two shorter rides (30km and 60km) will be fully way-marked with a few ups and downs, but nothing too serious whilst the longer ride (100km) is more challenging and takes in some of Hampshire’s most attractive countryside in the north of the County. For entry forms contact Sue Coles on 01962 864479.
The events during Winchester BikeWeek are supported by Winchester City Council and are aimed at raising awareness of cycling and its benefits.
Visit the website: www.bikeweek.org.uk for details of all national events during BikeWeek.
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Jubilee Borneo (5th June 2002)

A special outdoor Jubilee Concert in Otterbourne will be the highlight of months of fundraising by Peter Symonds College student Rob West (18) of Chandlers Ford. The evening’s entertainment scheduled for Sunday 21st July is being arranged by Rob’s Mum, Janet West, and his aunt Marianne Temperley.
Janet used to sing with the d’Oyley Carte Opera Company, whilst Marianne is an accomplished professional singer who was once a member of the English National Opera Company. She currently acts as musical director for several local amateur operatic societies and conducts the Compton and Shawford Festival Choir. “We will be singing some light opera such as Gilbert and Sullivan as well as pieces from Handel; and other well-known composers, all with a royal theme,” says Marianne. The audience are invited to bring along chairs/rugs and a picnic.
Rob, formerly of King Edward VI School, needs to raise over £2000 to help with his gap year trip to the rainforests of Borneo where he will be a voluntary helper with projects encouraging eco-tourism.
“I have always wanted to go to Malaysia and Indonesia,” says Rob. “In January 2003 this ambition will be realised, as long as I can raise the funds. I shall be heading off to Borneo with Trekforce Expeditions for 2 months, to work on a feeding platform in the Orang-utan Sanctuary there. This will be part of an eco-tourism project to help maintain the sanctuary. We live in the jungle for the whole 2 months, so I’ll be a dab hand at using a hammock and mosquito net by the time the project is over.”
Rob’s fundraising is going well so far. He has received a Mercers’ Company Bursary from the college and has also been pledged funds by his previous school. He has also organised a raffle at the college and a disco at Winchester Rugby Club, where he played for Hampshire U16’s (he was in the Peter Symonds College 1st team too) as an able rugby player before being forced to retire due to a sports injury.
Tickets for the Jubilee Concert being held at 120a Pitmore Road, Allbrook can be bought in advance from Janet on 02380 255491 or Marianne on 02380 273398. Priced £5, they will also be available on the gate, which open at 4.30pm for 5.00pm start, picnic at 6.00pm. Refreshments will be available.
If anyone is able to offer an alternative undercover venue in case of adverse summer weather conditions, please would they contact either Janet or Marianne.
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Winchester cracks safe shopping (5th June 2002)

Winchester has become the first place in Hampshire to receive a Safer Shopping Award at a presentation on Wednesday (29/05)
The Safer Shopping Award scheme is run by the British Retail Consortium and promoted by the Home Office. It has been awarded to 40 cities and towns throughout the country in recognition of the work done by local partnerships to reduce retail and associated crime in shopping areas.
The Winchester partnership, comprising Hampshire police, ShopWatch, Winchester City Centre Management and Winchester City Council, has been working towards to the award with a number of initiatives, including radio and CCTV links, sharing information on known criminals and exclusion orders prohibiting certain individuals from the city’s shops.
Superintendent Bob Rose of Hampshire Police said: “The partnership is the way forward for continuing to reduce crime in the city.”
The Award was presented to the Mayor of Winchester Cllr John Steel on behalf of the city by Mike Schuck of the British Retail Consortium.
The Mayor said: “I am pleased to be accepting this award on behalf of the city. I have long felt that Winchester is a premier shopping location in the county and this award is a tribute to all those who have worked towards this.”
Mike Schuck added: "It is a great achievement for a small partnership to achieve this award. We feel that these partnerships are the most effective way of dealing with the retail and associated crime that occurs in towns and cities. Safer towns and cities encourage people and encourage business and that makes everyone happy.”
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Travellers Quest (5th June 2002)

Observer fans will remember Jerry Middleton from last March, when he won the ‘touch a truck’ competition.
But what has he been up to for the last 14 months? Well, after winning the contest, Jerry promptly sold the truck and used the proceeds to start a political party.
He called this the Unrepresented People’s Party, and the ethos is to catch the 17 million people who did not vote in the last election.
“I am aiming for the young and disaffected,” says Jerry, who lives and travels in a beautifully bedecked bus. “I think it is important that someone gets the young before people like the BNP do,” he adds.
Jerry stood in the last general election, and plans to stand in the next one. “With the money from the truck I paid £250 to register and £500 to run in Winchester,” says Jerry, who believes that the city of Winchester should have more of a say in national politics, “we were the first capital of England after all, and historically we used to run things, and now we are ignored,” says Stanmore born Jerry. Jerry stands on issues such as understanding different cultures, welcoming economic migrants and having more respect for travellers and other subcultures. Having spent a year in Europe, predominantly Holland, but Germany, Italy and France as well, Jerry says that the subcultures of squatting and travelling are a lot more structured over there.
“As these ways of life are more understood over there, it leads to a lot more vibrancy and creativity.” However, Jerry’s party believes that there are more important things in the world now. “There is no point travellers having somewhere to park up if we are all wiped out in a nuclear war.” His party believes that immigration should not be such a taboo subject, saying that discussion of it should be allowed with out connotations of fascism. “Pim Fonteyn (the Dutch politician assasinated recently) was portrayed as a fascist over here, yet he wasn’t, he just wanted debate. We are one of the most powerful economic nations in the world, and we should be helping other economic migrants.” Although only a flying visit this year, Jerry is planning on coming back to run in the next general election as the candidate for Winchester. The website for his party should be up and running in about a month, and can be found on www.upponline.com. Good luck Jerry.
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