20 September

ALFRED - TUESDAY. 20TH. SEPTEMBER.

To-day is a very significant day, and it is the visit this afternoon. I think it was as I came in from morning exercise in the yard, that I was told of a large protest, outside the gate. I think it was a prison officer who told us, and that it been reported by the guards, who are stationed near the reception area. It was mentioned on Milton Keynes' local radio, and I believe on independent television. Una had told me that it was being organised by John, who lived in the town, and was a member of the Milton Keynes Pensioners group. This group is sponsored by a trade union, like several other groups. The National Pensioners Conference, also sponsored by the trade unions had recently met with the T.U.C. in Brighton. Word had been passed that Sylvia Hardy was coming to Woodhill to see me, before she herself went to Exeter Magistrate's court for withholding a small portion of her council tax. The Devon Pensioners are very strongly protesting for a much fairer tax, with a strong element of 'ability to pay'. Albert, the leader is a very good leader, and supported his group with determination. The group is also sponsored by the unions.
When Sylvia and Albert came to the visiting hall, they said that the crowd had been waiting for her, and given her a great reception. It is a long way to come from and return to Exeter, and I learned that a TV company had supplied them with car and driver. Sylvia had been a social worker until her retirement, and had a flat in her city. She is a determined lady, and had decided, as I had to pay the previous year council tax plus a 2.5% for the rise in the cost of living, instead of the full demand. Devon's council tax is one of if not the most expensive in the country. She, like me, had been denied the right to pay by the ten instalments, after two three months, and told pay the whole amount at once. However she continued to pay her instalments, whereas when this happened to me, I just stopped paying. That is why she is being taken to court for a much smaller amount than I was. (After my time in prison, when I was speaking to the finance manager at South Northants Council, I asked that if I had continued to pay the instalments, would they have accepted them, he replied yes.) Albert's wife is a very sick woman, and he had looked after her, but she had got worse, and he was no longer able to look after her, and the doctor insisted that she should be in a care home, which he was most loathed to do, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Also I think his own health was not that good. Both Sylvia and Albert were most anxious that I was coping, and I was able to assure them I could, and told them of the support within prison, especially by the inmates, and their willingness to help in any way. I told them of my greeting, and goodwill on arrival, and that I felt she would experience the same in a women's prison. I was really hoping, as I have no knowledge of what they were like. I wondered if the court might shorten or in some way soften it, as she a woman. The point I felt was that I had made the first protest, and that she being the second, would make less impact. But she was determined to do the whole sentence.
We had heard, on last night's news, that the government had deferred the implementing of the revaluation of homes, and therefore the effect that would have on council tax. Though it may not have been because of the growing protest over council tax, I would like to think it did affect the government’s decision. Also Sir Michael Lyon' Review was also put back for another year.
Both the Government and the Opposition, according to Mrs, Spelman of the Shadow Cabinet, at a meeting we had with her, said that it would be based on property, as houses do not run away. The fact that homes neither vote or pay, but people do was not to be considered. As we have heard since the amount of uncollected council tax runs into millions of pounds, or even possibly billions of pounds. And who pays for it? You and me, as the difference is included in our demand. Just how stupid the whole business is, and just how unfair. I hope that many many more people will withhold part of their tax, and force the government to make a complete and utter reform of this terrible tax.
I hope both Sylvia is strengthened by her visit here, and that Albert, all being well, will feel encouraged to fight on. Our daughter Anne lives in Devon, so we are very well aware that it is an extremely high council tax. I feel that maybe not this year, but next or the one after, that the main protest will come from that part of the country. It will take a good number of protesters, up to a hundred or so, to really drive the authorities into action. There will not be enough room in the prisons of this land for them. Anyway it a very expensive way to do things. I believe it will cost the country about £3,000 for my 28 days behind bars. I have had my rant, and I do not suppose that I will do it again.
It also heartened me to see these two here, and I wish them both God's Blessing, and gave them my thanks for coming to see me. Some little time later, as I was walking from the visiting centre, across the park, I actually heard the protestors outside the prison, cheering them as they left. It was only in the distance, but distinct.



UNA - SEPTEMBER 20TH 2005

It was one of those sleepless times which found me downstairs at 3 a.m. reading " Life of Pi ", a Booker Prize winner. I saw so many people reading it on the trains and tubes as they made their journeys. And I wondered what it was about: a mathematical exposition, a therapy discourse? When I came to read it I was completely captivated by its slow pace and amazing ideas of an unexpected adventure written so simply and engagingly. At 3 a.m. it took me away from reality and gave me a sense of calm.

We were now half way through Alfred's Prison sentence. Fourteen more days to go.

As soon as the shops were open I was off to the photocopiers to collect my purse that I had left there the day before, and to order more copies of the Isitfair Petitions to distribute around the Towcester shops while I was in town. Everyone I asked was willing to help by displaying them to get signatures, especially the Bookies', Flair's dress shop and Gi's Hairdressers, who promised a free cut for Alfred when his ordeal was over.
Immediately, when I set foot in the house again, Joel phoned to ask a favour. His repaired and precious laptop was repaired and ready for collection. With æÃ120 cash in hand I returned to town to collect it before I forgot,

I also dealt with the post at home. Two beautiful cards were amongst the pile, from Clare Pomfrett, one for each of us. Mr Piliner, who had promised to send £10 to buy a bottle of wine to welcome Alfred home, had kept his word. So much generosity, and from it flooded the energy needed at this time.
The " Mature Times " newspaper had shown keen interest in Isitfair's campaign for quite a while, but they were getting facts wrong over the Council's attitude to our Council Tax debt. The situation seemed to be difficult to understand and I tried sorting out the details with the Editor. In the end I was roaring at him. This particular subject was new to everyone and we all seemed to have preconceived ideas of how it worked. Keep reading the section relating to it in the Council Tax Enforcement Law of 1992 to gain clarity.

" You and Yours " of Radio 4 want to interview Alfred on October 5th. Made a note in my diary.

I was pleased to hear from Christian Dysin of the Mail that he too was following up the internal workings at the Council, relating to our case, and would make contact again in a couple of hours.

By this time it was nearly 12 p.m., which meant that Sylvia Hardy with Albert Venison must be getting close to Milton Keynes' Prison. I planned to watch the news to see their arrival or departure or both.

What I did see was an interview with Sir Michael Lyons in conjunction with the startling news that the Government had just announced the deferment of their revaluation of properties in England. This would explain why his brow was so furrowed as he talked.
He said that he was very keen that the public should be educated and informed about how the Council Tax system works and how much local services cost.
He made no reference to changing the property based Council Tax system that we endure, to a base relating to the ability to pay from earnings
He was reluctant to acknowledge there had been rises in Council Tax due to revaluation of properties. He preferred the word " changes " to " rises ". It was obvious that he was trying to bring the discussion down to a milder temperature. It had become quite heated.
It was difficult to assess Sir Michael Lyons. Was he a "smoothes " or was he very much under Government pressure?

To steady me I set about making Christmas puddings! I always try doing this in September anyway, so that they are well-matured by Christmas. The 17th century recipe comes from Northamptonshire, given to me by a country lady when we first came to live in this county, almost forty years ago. Making them today took less time than usual. Was this due to the pressured time I was living in? I imagined Alfred meeting with Sylvia and Albert and how they would feel inside this top security Prison.
It is a unique happening when these two protestors are highlighted by the media today, rather like the Stanley meeting Livingstone quality. Both of them are responsible for drawing public attention, never before achieved, to the flawed Council Tax system. The public can decide how to react in the coming days as the topic continues being debated.

From 3.30 - 7 p.m. I went into the world of teaching and enjoyed everybody very much except one who hadn't practised enough. When this happens I am disappointed because it is impossible to teach on and progress is delayed. Of course, what is more important is to understand why this happens. No student can deliver 100% all the time, or even 55%!

There were 6 messages on the Answerphone. Trevor McDonald's programme were interested in our story. This programme apparently reaches 7 million people. What an opportunity they have given us!
Dianne Taylor offered her help again. I really appreciate this. She and Rosemary Saint are part of my support system which makes me feel rich indeed!
I learn that Christian's article will appear in Thursday's Daily Mail. He plans to phone tomorrow.

So far I have not caught any coverage on Sylvia and Albert at the Prison. But Wayne, the local reporter, called to say how impressed he was with the support shown to Sylvia and Albert.
This means that John Burnett is owed many thanks for organising a successful welcome to underline the importance of this visit.

One of the Answerphone messages was from Alfred sounding disappointed that all he heard was the engaged signal on our phone. He had tried twice. Apparently others were having a hard time getting through too, but it's worse for Alfred because his opportunities are limited. I at least heard his voice but he did not hear mine.

Then I heard Albert's voice telling me that he thought he and Sylvia had cheered up Alfred. I felt so pleased to have this message. It had been a very long day for both of them, travelling from Devon and back, as well as spending two hours dealing with Prison security procedures. All this in his eighties! He is such a remarkable man and I was very pleased that he had tried to get in touch.

Later both Joel and Anne called and we had lovely chats catching up on what was going on in our lives. This freedom we have to choose when and what we do, contrasts sharply with the restrictions of Prison Life. Most of the time we take freedom, our daily way of life with its choices, very much for granted.

The last answerphone message was from the number two of the Diocesan Bishops, who requested a visiting slot to see Alfred. He would try again tomorrow. I am glad to hear of this effort and wondered if the plain words spoken to Derek Williams had had an effect? Anyway. I am sure that both he and Alfred will gain from such a meeting. That matters most.