Alan Lodge's Blog

Tom Hunter – photographer @ Manchester Art Gallery

Not sure why sticking ‘modern’ subjects in the frame of old masters works. But it does.

’tis then ‘art’.

Anytime I try to exhibit, I don’t say I’m an artist, I say I’m a ‘documentary photographer’. Suddenly I’m too political, and I never hear from them again. Strange eh?

Saturday 9 November 2002 – Sunday 26 January 2003

Free

Tom Hunter

http://www.manchestergalleries.org/html/mag/mag_exhib_detail.jsp?id=264&uri=/html/mag/mag_exhib.jsp

Tom Hunter’s sumptuous photographs are inspired by Pre-Raphaelite paintings. For this exhibition, he has created two stunning new works inspired by paintings in Manchester Art Gallery’s collection – Hylas and the Nymphs by John Waterhouse and Autumn Leaves by JE Millais. The show also includes four other works inspired by paintings in the collection, including The Hireling Shepherd by Holman Hunt.

Hunter re-uses existing compositions by Pre-Raphaelite artists but casts contemporary figures as the protagonists, set in a post-industrial wilderness. His subjects are travellers and squatters who have generally been viewed as outsiders in society, but Hunter celebrates their colourful lifestyles and gives them new dignity.

The exhibition is sited next to the Pre-Raphaelite display within the Gallery and offers new ways of looking at much loved historic paintings by seeing them through a living artist’s eyes.

Tom Hunter is a British artist who regularly exhibits internationally.

On a Photographer, Giving Away Pictures

So, I have found this quote below that really shows that I’m not alone, or, being greedy 🙂

* * * * * *

“Every professional photographer, at one time or another, has received a phone call or letter reading as follows: “Our organization would like to use your photograph in a brochure [or advertisement, or magazine, or audio-visual presentation]. We are a nonprofit organization that has no budget for the purchase of the photograph, and we hope that you will provide the picture without charge.” My standard answer is an emphatic “no.” I am tired of the exploitation of creative people by nonprofit organizations. You may think this a crass and overly commercial response, but let’s consider it for a moment.

What about the person who wrote that letter or made that call? Does that person get paid for his or her job as the editor or art director of the publication? What about the rest of the staff of that nonprofit organization? Do they get paid for their efforts? Does the paper company charge for the paper used: in the brochure or publication? Do the typesetter, color separator, half-tone maker, printer, and binder get paid? The answer is a categorical “yes.” So why should the photographer be the one who is asked to contribute the work without compensation?

My position is that if everybody is donating their services, and no one is getting paid for a project that is altruistic and idealistic, then, and only then, should a photographer ever consider donating the reproduction rights to his or her photograph.”

Chapnick, H. (1994) Truth Needs No Ally: Inside Photojournalism.

Columbia: University of Missouri Press. P334-335.

* * * * * *

Now, I’ll take advise from anyone, who can tell me what I can do about any of this ……

Bloody Students!

Get a lot of students asking for info/advice/help/work exp – you get the picture.

Anyway, I do try to help if I can but draw the line at writing their coursework for them. Got this yesterday:

“hi. i am currently studying A level photography, and as a part of my course i have chosen to do a in deph study on your work, which is original and of a very high quality. I would be extremly grateful if you could tell me a bit about yourself and your style of photography.

thank you for your cooperation”

hannah

Which I felt was a bit too close to “do my homework for me” and responded thus said:

“I don’t mind helping students but would ask that you narrow it down to specific questions, that don’t require an essay as a reply.”

>>>>>>

Ok, it’s a little brusque on my part I admit but even so I wasn’t expecting:

“forget it i’ll study someone who is less obnoxious and arrogant thanks”

Been a while since I was called ‘obnoxious and arrogant’ so I thought I’d share the moment.

>>>>>>>>

this is, of course, the sort of thing that led to a conversation on th EP-UK photo lists, lately:

From: “Alan Wylie”

Subject: Bloody ‘students’!

“Don’t ask for help or advice as a smack in the mouth often offends!” . Alan Wylie, Photographer

* * * * * *

He’s gone off about them asking for help, doing work cheap, for free, and sometimes, me thinks, he has a point.

* * * * * *

This is what’s happening to me!

So, have now contructed the following response

“Yes, well, there you are!

I currently get between 70 – 100 messages a week asking for work for free. Students, mags, media and individuals, non-profit making organisations, all expect me to support everyone else’s projects. Very few have the thought on what might be involved for me to accomplish this. I just get told about their own problems.

I know no-one I’m likely to deal with has much money, but I resent the assumption by people, that I have! Further, because of my continued commitment to these subjects, means that I remain ‘unemployable’ in ‘ordinary’ work. This is all I get.

Further, my bank and suppliers are not at all interested in any of the above.

The first twenty years of my work, I’ve taken it on the chin, the last ten years, as this has continued, has been a downright pain. It is a shame that people cannot see the value of the work and what it costs me. Hence the liabilities remain with me!

‘Sustainability’ is a watchword of the environmental movement. I look for advice on how I should sustain my work, when I have liabilities to others:

· Equipment costs

· Equipment maintenance

· Photographic materials

· Processing

· Computing for scanning and the website

· Website maintenance fees

· Running of a small office

· Servicing of overdraft

· Still paying for my student loans from university

· A wish to continue supporting charities involved with travellers, their education, law and medicine

· My family doing without, ‘cos of the above.

So, in sum then, I quite understand your situation, but few understand mine.

The project has cost me thousands over time, I have borrowed and still owe (including my student loan). For being an expert in this field, I do feel poorly treated. Hope this explains the situation.”

* * * * * *

On sending the above, it usually means I don’t hear from them again ……. ! Shame really, since in many cases, in time, they will be in a similar situation.

Film and Materials

These are the specification of most of the 35mm film I use. Almost exclusively Fuji for colour and Ilford for Black and White. There are thousands of sensible materials, available for use. But, after some experimentation, it is best to settle down, and get to know a small selection, at some depth.

Fuji Film UK

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk

. . Fuji Provia 100F Colour Transparency

. . Fuji Provia 400F Colour Transparency

. . Fuji Superia 100 Colour Print

. . Fuji Superia 200 Colour Print

Ilford

http://www.ilford.com

Ilford Black & White Products

http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/bw.html

. . Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White

. . Ilford FP4 Plus Black and White

. . Ilford PanF Plus Black and White

Nikon Kit: the system I prefer to use and its specification

Nikon FM2n

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfmseries/fm2n/fm2manual/index.htm

An upgrade of the original FM2 in 1982 with refinement in its top sync speed from 1/200 sec to 1/250 sec. After the debut of the revised shutter design in the electronic Nikon FE2. It still holds an distinction as being one of the fastest mechanical SLR available. Further, the much advertised vertically traveled honeycomb pattern shutter curtain has been replaced with the textureless aluminum blade-type curtain in 1989/90. Thus, there are a total of three versions of FM2. It was indeed a long serving model within the Nikon SLR camera series that has sprung across the 80′ to the late ’90.

FM2n – ‘reference map’ here:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfmseries/fm2n/fm2manual/map.htm

Nikon Magazine Article – FM2n

http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/society/cousins/cousins13-e.htm

* * * * * *

Nikon FE2

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfeseries/fe2/index.htm

Also 1982, the upgrade of the earlier FE in 1978. It has all the basic essential elements to easily label it as a classic camera: compact, simple to use, features riched, flexible – most of all, extremely well made and a reliable companion. It comes with both black and chrome versions. It was the world’s fastest sync speed in a commercial production SLR during its launch. A set of three newer types of focusing screens. More significantly is its ability to handle TTL OTF flash exposure control with dedicated Nikon strobes, including multi-flash setups. It also provides with a fail safe M250 as mechanical back up in case of battery failure. In addition to that, It shared virtually all the system accessories designed for the mid-compact Nikon like motor drives, focusing screens, Databack etc. Despite after one and half decade since its debut, it is still an extremely attractive system SLR camera. I am a fan!

FE2 – ‘reference map’ here:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfeseries/fe2/map.htm

Nikon Magazine Article – FE2

http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/society/cousins/cousins14-e.htm

* * * * * *

MD12 Motor winder:

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfeseries/fefmshared/md12/index.htm

MC-12: Remote cord for MD-12

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfeseries/fefmshared/md11/md112access2.htm

Depending on the application, I have a range of Nikkor lenses:

20mm f2.8 : 24mm f2.8 : 28mm f2.8 : 50mm f2.0 : 85 f1.8AF : 200mm f4

Out of these, I use the 20mm most! It is great for fast focus – great depth of field. It is as useful, half way up a mountain, or in the street with riot or ‘public order’ situation.

20mm f2.8 lens:

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/speciallenses/20mm.htm

* * * * * *

More stuff on the Nikon system:

http://www.techphoto.org/photo/photo/equipment/nikon

[no use for the ‘digital types’, but for ‘proper photographers’, a good reference 🙂 ]

For those interested in a Nikon ‘history’, here is a description of some of the previous models

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/htmls/slrmain8090.htm

* * * * * *

Mecablitz 45 CL-3 Flashgun

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/7_service/m_pdf_prospekte/mecablitz/als_pdf/m_mb_45_cl4_english.pdf

As with all the Metz flashguns the first number refers to the guide number basically the power of the flashgun.

The flashgun is a standard hammerhead unit with the battery pack fitting into the handle, a rechargeable Nicad battery pack is available or you can use 6 AA batteries.

The flash unit can be attached to the camera using the tripod socket and the bracket that comes with the flashgun. The bracket attaches to the bottom of the flashgun by a bayonet type clip and a locking screw this enables the flash to be removed from the bracket quickly.

The Metz mecablitz 45 CL 4 is a powerful flashgun designed for both professional and amateur photographers.

The mecablitz 45 CL 4 and 45 CL 3 models are fully integrated in the SCA 300 adapter system and – in conjunction with an SCA 3000 C connecting cable – in the SCA 3000 system, thus supporting all leading cameras.

The Metz AF adapters of the SCA 300 system and the SCA 3000 C connecting cable of the SCA 3000 system enable the user to take full advantage of practically all functions of his AF camera and flashgun within a range of 0.45 – 9 m and in complete darkness.

Self Portraits: Using Digital Cam

Photographers & Video activists and the law

From Nick Cobbing:

Legal question and answer session at Doughty Street Chambers, 27th of November

It’s a legal briefing/ discussion about the implications of photographing in ‘public order’ situations in the UK. Earlier this year I was awarded damages against Thames Valley Police. Phillipa Kaufman and Keir Starmer QC were the two barristers who advised us, following that case I’ve persuaded them both to share their knowledge and take some (hopefully hard) questions from photographers.

I’ve given the Barristers these eight scenarios:

* Hand over the lens – obstruction of view by police or security

* Threat of arrest for obstruction

* Being asked to leave property under threat of trespass

* Being dragged or pulled from the job by police or security

* Forced to work from a designated area (press pen)

* Being detained with protestors surrounded by polic

* Confiscation of film/tapes -no arrest

· arrest but no charge

· arrest and charged

* Accompanying activists onto property with and without prior knowledge.

Please DO recommend working photographers cameramen/women and journalists that would benefit from this and offer personal experiences. I’m especially interested in those who work for Beeb, ITN, Channel Four, Reuters -please forward any contacts to me if you have them.

The date is now set for the 27th of November, hope you can make it.

Cheers

Nick Cobbing

nick@cobb-photo.com

http://www.cobb-web.org

also, check out:

Journo_hassle:

http://tash.gn.apc.org/journo_hassle.htm

Photo-difficulty:

http://tash.gn.apc.org/photo_difficult.htm

Legal assortment:

http://tash.gn.apc.org/legal_assortment.htm

Dealings With The Police And Arrests At Demonstrations

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2002_09_22_tash_lodge_archive.html#82114259

Breaking News: Police launch plan to control news

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2002_11_03_tash_lodge_archive.html#84116617

Bristol Party Attacked; Appeal for witnesses

Originally posted on DirtyCircus by Penelope Pitstop:

Ive been asked to post some more info about the police attack against party peeps on the 20th July at the Cumberland Basin, Bristol. Call for witnesses as injured partygoers sue police

Most of those on the receiving end of this “public order” policing in the early hours of 21st July 2002 were young women. Many were traumatised by co-ordinated police violence. Now several people are taking legal action against Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Several women have been approached by an Inspector Voisey of Portishead Police H.Q. He is part of the Police Complaints Authority and appears eager to arrange interviews. When one woman who received a bad beating on the night refused to meet him, he suggested maybe he could send round some plain clothes officers for a chat. He told another woman who declined to give him her files on the incident, ” We do have the power of seizure”. Hardly the language you would expect from the supposedly objective and understanding PCA. Could it be that the PCA are more interested in finding any words or ways to justify the actions of the riot police on 21st July? Perhaps Voisey and friends could consider a name change to Police Cover-up Authority.

3 PEOPLE STILL FACING SERIOUS PUBLIC ORDER CHARGES FROM POLICE RIOT AT FREE PARTY (21ST JULY). INJURED PARTYGOERS ARE SUING AVON AND SOMERSET CONSTABULARY. WITNESS STATEMENTS NEEDED.

REPETITIVE BEATS

July 21st, Cumberland Basin, Bristol. A free party organised by the Mutant Dance collective began just after midnight. As people arrived from all directions, many from the Ashton court festival, there was no sign of trouble. The site has been used for free parties for years without any problems. Half a dozen cops stood by, talking into their radios and watching the partygoers arrive. The crowd quickly grew and the atmosphere was friendly. People were up for a laugh and a night of dancing. At around 1 am over 10 riot vans appeared and hoardes of cops began putting on their riot gear as the police helicopter circled overhead. Attempts were made by several partygoers to communicate with the police and to prevent any aggro. One organiser offered to move the party elsewhere if there was a problem with this site. He was arrested for “Conspiracy to cause a public nuisance” (charges later dropped). The only responses given to partygoers asking about police intentions were “Go away, I have nothing to say to you”, and “If you’re down there you’re going to get hurt”. There was no attempt by officers to address the crowd and at no point did they make it clear that the party was illegal. Instead, at 2am, around 30 officers in full riot gear came to attack the party. By this time word had gone around, and many people formed a human chain around the DJs and sound systems to protect them. Many officers wore masks and no I.D. numbers – no comeback for cracking heads. They drew batons and assaulted a few people but did not break through the lines of people standing their ground. The strength and unity of the crowd was impressive in the face of unprovoked police aggression. But one person was dragged away, under a rain of baton blows as people shouted at the police to leave. After a stand off the order was given to withdraw, and the crowd cheered.

People were shaken up but the party continued until sunrise. Then the police came back, en masse and with dogs. This is when the worst attack began. Cops came from both sides of the party and began trashing the sound system and indiscriminately beating people. One eyewitness recounts :

“The police charged at everyone hitting them with their truncheons and trampling anyone in the way.

I saw at least 15 people being hit with truncheons, some were young females doing

absolutely nothing. I saw one young female around 18 years old being hit while on the floor by at least 5 police officers with truncheons”

Injuries ranged from bruises and bleeding noses to neck injuries, fractured wrists and broken arms. Most of those on the receiving end of this “public order” policing were young women. Many were traumatised by sickening police violence. Some are now taking legal action against Avon and Somerset constabulary. Several women have been approached by an Inspector Voisey of Portishead Police H.Q. He is part of the Police Complaints Authority and appears eager to arrange interviews. When one woman who received a bad beating on the night refused to meet him, he suggested maybe he could send round some plain clothes officers for a chat. He told another woman who declined to give him her files on the incident, ” We do have the power of seizure”. Hardly the language you would expect from the supposedly objective and understanding PCA. Could it be that the PCA are more interested in finding any words or ways to justify the actions of the riot police on 21st July? Perhaps Voisey and friends could consider a name change to Police Cover-up Authority.

A big benefit night in October raised enough money to replace the damaged sound kit. Clearly, people refuse to be intimidated and will carry on partying. The party crews will continue to regularly organise unlicensed, free gatherings. Bristol has a strong network of sound systems up for organising entertainment on our own terms, without profit and controls. It is widely believed that this police attack was planned as revenge for failing to stop a massive free festival which took place in the summer at Steart, near Bridgewater. Police were powerless to stop thousands of up-for-it people and around thirty sound systems converging for a huge all-weekend party. Plenty more where that came from!!

URGENT WITNESS REQUEST

There is an urgent need for witness statements about the police attack on the free party. Police are attempting to deny charges of brutality, claiming that they were attacked by ravers. 3 people are still facing public order charges and could face prison sentences. We can’t let the authorities make an example of these people to the rest of us. For legal action to be effective, we need as many detailed statements as possible. If you or anyone you know were assaulted or arrested, or witnessed police attacking or arresting anyone else, we need to hear from you.

Writing a statement might take just 20 minutes of your time. It could be crucial for anyone facing charges or with a case against the police. By sticking together and looking after each other, we can expose the truth of the police violence, prevent police fit-ups of partygoers, and make Avon and Somerset Constabulary pay compensation. So we need as many statements as possible from people at the party.

We encourage people to go through the police complaints procedure. This will make stronger cases for those suing the police. We are in touch with solicitors who specialise in suing the police. You or someone you know may have a good case against the police and you’re not alone, as others are determined to take legal action.

We cannot let them get away with this violence. If we do nothing and resign ourselves to it all, the police will have carte blanche to attack more free parties. Also, when they have to pay out thousands of pounds, it is likely to make them a bit more sensible and open to negotiation next time. Please contact us with any information. Send witness statements complete with contact details to disruptive@dangerous-minds.com. PARTY ON. STAY SOLID.

Police violence against free party – an account from a woman on the receiving end of “public

order policing”

Account from woman beaten up by police at the free party on 21st July.

Got to party around 1:30 -2am. Walked from Coronation Road to Hotwells under the motorway. On arrival seen police on top of motorway but as they were at a distance I did not pay much attention to them. As the day had been very chilled and relaxed at Ashton court I decided to totally enjoy myself and went straight to the sound system for a dance. Shortly after arriving at the party someone said the police were going to come and take the sound system. I stayed dancing and didn’t see any police so I presumed the party was allowed to go ahead. Very pleasant evening. Nice people. Nice music. No trouble. As it was getting bright word had it that the sound system was going to be taken. I didn’t pay much attention again as rumours had been going around all night. Then all of a sudden they were everywhere. I was standing behind the system. A police man came up and told me to get out of the way. I ignored him and stayed standing where I was. He pushed me and I fell to the ground. Then two of them began hitting me on the legs with their batons. This made me extremely angry. Even though my legs were aching I stood back up with the rest of the crowd. At this point I was quite loudly saying stuff like ” You can’t make me stop dancing”, and just dancing while the police began to retreat. They backed away down to one corner of the park which the motorway runs over. At this point I thought they would just leave it but they didn’t. Instead they charged at the crowd. I don’t remember much apart from being knocked to the ground and repeatedly hit on my calves, thighs, stomach and chest. As I was at the front of the crowd I did not see what happened to other people, but I do remember standing up and seeing a girl near me on the ground getting the same treatment. I was in shock at this stage so I wasn’t paying much attention to what the police were doing after this.

My feelings about the incident are not good. I do not think I posed any threat and definitely did not deserve the beating I got from fully equipped riot policemen. I am eight and a half stone and it should not take three heavy weight policemen to control me. If I was doing wrong why didn’t they bundle me into a police van and place me under arrest. As far as I could see they were determined to give people a beating. They were not civil and they weren’t doing what we pay them to do, which is supposedly to protect us from danger.

TACT – Temporary Anti-Capitalist Teams

Have just sent some pictures, as a contribution to this project. Thought you might want to know about it:

TACT – Temporary Anti-Capitalist Teams, are a powerful way to make dynamic networks of support and communication within the anti-Capitalist movement and to connect the local with the global. TACT is not an organisation, its an idea. No-one has to leave their existing group to join in. TACT is a network of self-organised groups willing to work together as equals, in a way which celebrates the diversity of our anti-Capitalist action and gives a clear voice to our resistance.

People all over the world fight back every day in their own ways, with their own reasons to struggle. Sometimes those struggles coincide with others and a more effective challenge can be made – individual refusal broadening out into a genuine and fundamental challenge.

Part of the fight against Capitalism is to generate awareness that these everyday struggles are part of a greater whole, breaking the bonds of isolation by relating local action to a wider worldwide movement and lending practical and political support and resources where its wanted.

Get TACTile – you don’t need to join, just join in! Be a part of something big, part of a larger movement that needs your support and will in turn lend support to you.

tact1@temporary.org.uk

http://www.temporary.org.uk

TACT1

c/o BCM Box 3328,

London WC1N 3XX.

TACT: Temporary Anti-Capitalist Teams – a discussion document

http://www.red-star-research.org.uk/tact/TACT1.pdf

TACT flyer as a PDF

http://www.red-star-research.org.uk/tact/tactflyer1.pdf

more/latest info at

http://www.guilfin.net/database/showevent.php3?ev_id=evINET1900

I had previously contributed to an ‘alternative’ exhibition in Manchester. Do check out:

Northern Arts Tactical Offensive – NATO

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2002_09_15_tash_lodge_archive.html#81885822

Being notified of Blog changes: Weblogs.com

Have mentioned before, various ways of notify those interested of when a blog is ‘updated’.

There is also a manual method of notifying Weblogs.com that my site has been updated.

After I updated one of my blogs, I’d can go to the ping site form of weblogs.com at:

http://newhome.weblogs.com/pingSiteForm,

fill it in, and the site would be added to the RSS feed. Thus readable by Feedreader and the like.

For other methods, please see “Being notified of Blog changes: Blogarithm” at:

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2002_11_03_tash_lodge_archive.html#84192179

also

Working the web Newsreaders – Guardian 29aug02

http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,781838,00.html

Ben Hammersley – Content Syndication with XML

http://rss.benhammersley.com

Weblog.com: Recently Changed Blogs

http://www.weblogs.com

Battle of the Beanfield: incident near Stonehenge on BBC Radio4

You might be interested to know that I’ve contributed to a Radio 4 program recently on the Battle of the Beanfield. It is part of the ‘In living memory’ series that has just started on wednesday mornings.

The show on the Beanfield, events back in 1985 will be Transmitted on:

BBC Radio4 on the 27th Novemeber at 11.00am.

You might find it interesting. Below are a shed-load of links, that informs the background to these events.

an earlier entry on blog at:

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2002_07_21_tash_lodge_archive.html#79296253

and the festival in particular:

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2002_10_13_tash_lodge_archive.html#83034092

For further background on all this, check out:

The story so far – history in context

http://tash.gn.apc.org/history.htm & http://tash.gn.apc.org/history.pdf

summary of beanfield bit

http://tash.gn.apc.org/sh_bean.htm

My ‘cell notes’

http://tash.gn.apc.org/sh_bean-notes1.htm

Photo-gallery of the day in field

http://tash.gn.apc.org/gal_beanf1.htm

diary I kept of my operations later year

http://tash.gn.apc.org/shenge_diary1988_1.htm

Assorted legal hassle, [for context]

http://tash.gn.apc.org/legal_assortment.htm

So much more on my main website at: http://tash.gn.apc.org since this was not an ‘isolated incident!’

Self Portraits: 35mm strips

Me: self portrait in car mirror

Since we’re on the subject of mirrors …..

He’s me, on the way home, and using up the end of the film

Sky Mirror: Nottingham Playhouse

This stunning sculpture is situated outside the Playhouse Theatre, providing the centrepiece for the re-development of the forecourt area. I thought I would take some pictures of it yesterday.

http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/skymirror

Facts & figures

Sky Mirror is nearly 6 metres in diameter and weighs nearly 10 tonnes. Blimey!

A smaller sculpture was made to test the manufacturing process. The safety of both any reflections and it’s strength in adverse weather conditions have been checked.

The stainless steel for the sculpture is from Sweden and Sky Mirror was manufactured in Finland through a process of cold forging. It was then taken to Wellingborough for final polishing to create the highly reflective surface.

The forecourt re-development uses 900 sq. metres of granite paving. The grey granite for the forecourt was quarried in South Africa, the water feature granite quarried in Zimbabwe.

The granite was cut and finished in Germany and installed by specialists from Portugal.

150 cubic metres of concrete was used for the forecourt with 10 tonnes of steel reinforcement.

Sky Mirror is attached to the water feature by 18 stainless steel bolts, each 1.6metres long.

Contrary to rumour the Sky Mirror does not pose any danger to pigeons in the form of a barbecue ray. Boffins have plotted the sun’s movement and erected a temporary sun screen on the roof of the playhouse to prevent direct sunlight hitting the Sky Mirror for two months each year.

Some have dubbed the six-metre sculpture “a giant shaving mirror”.

MI5 – Some of my own adventures

There is some accountability, a commission to oversee the investigation of complaints about surveillance by these services. Should a complaint to this tribunal be made, an individual would not be told whether or not they have actually been the target of MI5 surveillance. Under current procedure, they are only told if the tribunal considers MI5 to have acted wrongly. In effect, filling in one of the complaints forms, available from most police stations, simply alerts the security services to the fact that the individual suspects they are being watched (or perhaps, therefore, should be!!!).

On being Watched: http://tash.gn.apc.org/watched1.htm

Photo-Jounalist ‘Hassle’ list: http://tash.gn.apc.org/journo_hassle.htm

Difficulties in taking photographs: http://tash.gn.apc.org/photo_difficult.htm

Some of my ‘assorted legal hassles’ : http://tash.gn.apc.org/legal_assortment.htm

and earlier on this blog at:

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2002_11_03_tash_lodge_archive.html#84117787

This is a copy of the request I made as a ‘Subject Access Request’ to the Security Services. This was done under the powers of the Data Protection Act.

The Enquiries Desk

The Security Service

PO Box 3255

London SW1P 1AE

Sir,

I have become aware of an article in the Guardian titled: ‘Test case allows ‘right to know’ on MI5 files ‘ Richard Norton-Taylor. Tuesday 2nd October 2001.

It appears that the article was written, after a case was argued that members of the public might ask what information about them is held by the Security Services and its various subsidiaries.

As a first enquiry then, I would like to ask you for advice on the proceedures to follow in making such a request.

I believe that the service is comprised of many related organisations, such as Special Branch, National Public Order Intelligence Unit and others. Would you further advise if it is necessary to find and then contact each organisation individually, or, would one enquiry be sufficient to raise such personal information?

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‘Test case allows ‘right to know’ on MI5 files ‘ Richard Norton-Taylor Guardian Tuesday October 2, 2001.

The government’s blanket ban preventing anyone from knowing whether MI5 holds files on them is unlawful, it was ruled yesterday.

In a landmark decision, a special panel of the new information tribunal quashed a claim by Jack Straw when he was home secretary that MI5 should never admit to holding files on an individual, even when the disclosure would not damage national security.

The test case was brought by Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes .

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4268111,00.html

I am grateful for any assistance.

Regards

Alan Lodge.

* * * * * *

This is the response of the Security Services to my ‘Subject Access Request’ that I had made under the Data Protection Act.

So basically, in summary, they may have a file on me, but then again, perhaps not 🙂

However, after asking if they have, no doubt they find this request, ‘interesting’.

I recommend this as a ‘ripping read’. and ask you to consider your position, and make your own personal requests. As the title of the last of BBC series states: “It Could Happen To YOU !!”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4268111,00.html

&

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/true_spies/default.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,817849,00.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,817133,00.html

True Spies BBC2, after-show internet discussion .RAM

In the True Spies series award-winning reporter Peter Taylor reveals how the British “Secret State” – MI5 and Special Branch – has spied on citizens for decades, including trade unionists.

But does the personal freedom of each citizen need protecting as carefully as the security of the state itself?

Could there be files on you? Should the “Secret State” have the right to spy on people perceived to be a security threat?

How did Peter Taylor persuade agents, and their handlers, to speak out on camera?

The debate will be broadcast on Sunday 10 November at 2200 GMT, immediately after the final episode of True Spies.

You can watch the debate from:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/cta/progs/02/forum/true_spies/07nov.ram

[Real Player required]

more at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/true_spies/default.stm

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2002_11_03_tash_lodge_archive.html#84117787

Nottingham Remembrance Day Parade

I try and attend a public act of remembrance most years. Am in a bit of a minority in my own scene, in thinking that this is important. Not just ‘history’ either, since more of the same, seems just around the corner.