The Gerrard Chronicles 2003 - July & August

The June Charter 88 Council (link) meeting had been cancelled owing to the early death of Prof. Paul Hirst of over-eating. He had served since the starting days of the movement, had kept going while other great-&-good had dropped out & was one of our brightest members.

During all this time, Richard’s health problems had given much concern & it was only in August that we really managed to attract the attention of the system, after Avis had recruited our MP & managed to take part in the West London mental health review (because they had not been doing a good job). Ken has spent much time trying to sort out his finances. The situation is still not satisfactory.

Two more parties in August: the boys & Jason attended Avis’ 68th birthday, organised as a children’s party & we had a small 20th Wedding anniversary party.

While the party proceded, poor Hannah, who had been selling Avis' prints & Dina's pots, had the rug pulled from under the business she had been nurturing for four years. It appeared her landlord had let her the premises on a false premise & when Haringay Council discovered this (after 4 years...), they insisted she be thrown out. We all hope she can get started again.

Another August event. Thomas Widmer of the Swiss ‘Facts’ magazine (a bit like Picture Post & alas, no longer available on a link) sent a copy to Ken, as he had featured him in an article about the Alps on the Web, Ken’s site being now recognised as one of the most authoritative.