Save Twickenham Riverside

Response to  Cllr Lourie “Tory and RUG lies” LibDem website Oct 21 2009, Letters to Rich & Twick and Informer Nov 13

The allegation of “lies” by RUG and/or companion groups is yet another repeat of a well-worn theme.  SOR has previously been accused of lies on several occasions.   Following three such, I politely asked the accuser for chapter and verse.  Twice (Mr Gutch RTT 12 December 2008) and Jack Betteridge (RTT 12 June 2009) I did not receive any reply.  The third incident involved the Environment Trust, where Angela Kidner, at my request, produced several cases of what she called “misrepresentation” by SOR.   However, I was able to show that the statements made were either true or had been either misquoted or not made, and I heard nothing further from her.

Cllr Elengorn cross-examined me following my presentation to Cabinet 27 April 2009, concerning our statements about “development across the site” and “the café will close in June”.   My rebuttal  of his accusations is available in the form of a copy of my verbal submission.

Specific allegations

“They said the café would close”.  This is a TRUE statement.   First, it did close in June/July this year, while the Sunshine Café was fitted out.  Second, it is surely obvious that it will have to close when work starts on the site.  We have heard rumours that it is to become the Site Office.  There will be no café then until work is complete, ie a break of at least 80 weeks (see App 3 of Report to Cabinet April 27 2009).

“They said the land was given to the old Twickenham Council for pleasure grounds”.   This is a TRUE statement.  On July 26 1923 Council resolved “that application be made to the Ministry of Health for sanction to borrow the necessary loan for the acquisition of Richmond House, King St, Twickenham in connection with (1) works of widening, opening, enlarging and otherwise improving certain streets, and (2) provision and laying out of public walks or pleasure grounds”.   It was confirmed in a Minute dated 17 January 1924 that this loan had been agreed, to be repaid over 60 years. (see Council Minute books)

There was a sensation at the council meeting on Tuesday 20 October. Two hours in to the usual boring procedures, Cllr Lourie got up and announced in very quiet voice that he had decided, in view of the state of Countryside/Copthorn accounts, to wait until next summer to sign a Contract. Next summer is, of course, after the local elections in May.

What caused this about turn, we do not know. Was it Boris Johnson saying he may intervene? Are Countryside/Copthorn's accounts really in such a mess (if so, why didn't the Council realise in April when they decided to go with Countryside?)? Has he at last listened to the rising ground swell of public opinion? Has the pressure applied by SOR and our sister groups for the past 18 months finally had an effect? Perhaps a bit of each.

Anyway, the situation is that now we have got what we have been aiming for - a reprieve until after the elections. We can now regroup and work out a strategy. I am sure there will be a lot in the local papers;  reporters from both the Richmond & Twickenham Times and the Informer were in the council chamber last night, and witnessed this extraordinary event. Well done everybody. Your support has kept us going, many thanks - but it is still needed in the months ahead.