Dawlish Discussion

Hello All,

I wondered what you guys make of this?

My Father has written fiction on and off for years.

He has two existing books, and is working on another two.  

Because he has always done it for the love of writing, he decided he would approach a local Dawlish Charity and offer them ALL the proceeds from ALL his books, existing and future.  He offered, in writing, to do all the leg work, posters, arranging book signings etc.

Having being furnished with a copy of the most recent book, the Charity initially was positive in their response.  

However, some two weeks later, he received a phone call from the Charity, telling him that the content of his book was not suitable because "we're not in the business of upsetting people".

In this day of '50 Shades of Grey' being appropriate to read on the bus, I was gob-smacked.  

Surely a Charity wouldn't turn down donations because the book is written for an adult only audience?

So?  

Are they: a) trying to censor what people read on moral grounds? b) narrow-minded c) homophobic?

Initially disheartened, my Father has now joined forces with the Snooky Trust and is currently planning his first fundraising event for them.

Over to you guys!

What's the book about? Who is it meant to upset?

The book is set just after the Second World War when the Black Market was rife and homosexuality was illegal.  It's called 'In the Roots' by Bob Chapman.  It is on Amazon, but the Snooky Trust will have it in stock soon.

As for who it's meant to upset - your guess is as good as mine.

Sounds like an interesting read.

More likely to be both narrow mindedness and homophobia.

You should ask them to clarify what they mean in writing.

I'd like to know which charity shop it is.

It's not a Charity Shop, it's the Friends of Dawlish Hospital.  

Get something in writing, they need to acknowledge it and it needs clarification. It's a shame they didn't write a letter or email with "we're not in the business of upsetting people".

I doubt very much if anyone would be daft enough to put their real reasons on paper.

Just for clarification, as my Father is hard of hearing, he always has the phone on speaker phone.  I heard the conversation myself and the phrase 'we're not in the business of upsetting people'.

If anyone would like to challenge the Friends of Dawlish Hospital as to why they turned down funds, please feel free.

I certainly don't intend wasting anymore effort on them but am glad of the opportunity to name and shame them.

The Friends of Dawlish Hospital do a fantastic job in raising money throughout the year. Last December for instance they raised £6000 to provide a new motor-assisted chair for patients here.

I would suggest the answer to you original question OLB is none of the above. It is a pity that the charity has, despite the words you have overheard, upset one person at least - however I am sure that the tie up with The Snooky Trust (the enterprise that gave us the viral hit 'Dawlish is Happy') will be a successful one.

It is the FoDH who I believe are organising tomorrow's coffee morning at Luscombe Castle. I would hope to make this very popular event and if the opportunity arises I will ask them why their answer was no (which of course is their prerogative).

In the meantime, as we are on the eve of what is shaping up to be a fantastic weekend of planned events in Dawlish, perhaps I can leave posters and visitors to this thread with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwfikB4h7Qo

Without doubt the Friends of Dawlish Hospital do a great job.  Their work in particular regarding dementia awareness is what attracted my Father in the first place.  My Mother has suffered from vascular dementia for the last four and a half years and so it was the Charity of his first choice.

However, seeing as they wanted his book written for children, and not the one with the gay storyline, speaks volumes.

Yes, it is their choice and their right to say 'No', but if their fund raising activities don't move with the times, it is Dawlish Hospital that will suffer.

@ Ol Lady Biker.

If they have verbally told you 'they're not in the business of upsetting people' then that needs some sort of clarification.

If they are stupid enough to express those views verbally, they may be stupid enough to confirm them in writing.

At the moment it's your word against theirs and it'll be hard naming and shaming them.

Intrigued about the contents of the book 'In The Roots' I have just returned from the Snooky Trust shop with the last copy in stock.

I like how the author's book and his circumstances are described on the back cover:

"Bob Chapman's gritty look at a post World War II Britain is both riveting and disturbing, based on the truth, it is not for the prudish or faint hearted. 

"Bob Chapman now exiled to Dawlish, in Devon, hails from Bristol where he sometimes attended a grammar school. He left an acedemic dunce, with the headmaster's remarks ringing in his ears: 'Always play with a straight bat, eat plenty of brocolli and avoid women at all cost.'

"Bob's chequered career including such jobs as salesman, axe man, taxi driver, private eye, steel fixer, undertaker's assistant and an escort for a strip-o-gram and call girls.

"Always mindful of his headmaster's words, he says, 'Two out of three ain't bad.'"

So firmly in the top shelf adult fiction category it would seem, OLB.

But I am a slow reader (something to do with not eating much brocolli perhaps?) so rather than wait for this copy to get 'recycled' are there other outlets where people can go to buy this book new (and have the proceeds donated to charity)?

It's breach of copyright to reproduce a part of a book Gary Taylor, but I'm glad you did. It sounds like my kind of book, so I'll buy one and fair play to Bob Chapman to support The Snooky Trust.

Nobody's questioning the fund raising capacity of FoDH or their contribution to Dawlish Hospital. And yes it does sound like a good read.

However the crux of the matter concerns LGBT awareness in a local charity.

@Ol Lady Biker, I agree. I think their refusal of a book with a gay storyline does speak volumes.

@Gary Taylor suggesting the answer to the original question is none of the above is pretty dismissive. not sure how you've come to that conclusion.

Or are FoDH worried about upsetting people who are offended by the existence of a wartime black market? Shock-horror.

Good luck asking the FoDH if they're homophobes over a cup of coffee!

And plugging a FoDH coffee morning and the weekend event in Dawlish on this thread shows you don't take LGBT issues seriously at all.

'In the meantime..' Seriously? WTF!

I'm sure you'll be a champion of equality when in 'councillor mode' though.

I did look at the small print lordDC, before typing the text on the back of the cover into the posting. 

It says in the book: "No part of this book may be reproduced by photocopying or any electronic or mechanical means..." so I guess I am in the clear (not just for the back cover text but also for reproducing the information about what may not be reproduced).

Yes, fair play to BC and to the Snooky Trust. I hope both parties enjoy the fruit of his labours.

BTW, for those with better knees than mine, here's the 12 inch disco version of 'Dawlish is Happy' (courtesy of the Snooky Trust).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9fESDfXxvE

Dawlish is Happy?? Unbelievable. What as long as you don't mention gays?

This looks to me very much to me of reproduction by electronic means, Gary Taylor, or am I missing something?

Never has the phrase "get a life" ever been more apt! Good grief have a look at yourselves. 

When it comes to the phrase 'we're not in the business of upsetting people', three people heard the whole conversation, as previously stated, Father is hard of hearing and always has it on speaker phone.  It is not my word against someone else's.  

Perhaps someone from the FODH committee would like to make their position clear on here?  

'In the Roots' can be obtained from Amazon, or alternatively, the Snooky Trust will be taking delivery of more books within the next day or two.

All proceeds from the books basically means any royalities/profits go to the Snooky Trust.  Expenses such as printing posters for book signings etc will also come out of any proceeds.  We are currently looking for a local printer who may do it either free or very cheaply so the Snooky Trust gets the maximum funds possible.

Other venues within Dawlish where you will be able to buy the book/s are also being investigated so if you know of any shops/pubs etc who might like to keep a small stock, please ask them to private message me.  

Thank you for all your views and input.  

Looks like you and your old man lady biker have upset The Half Arsed Toffs Club, How refreshing.

  And that's rich coming from you Morty with your track record .

My track record is 5,000m in 21:58 mins. It was a while ago mind. Before I got myself a life. 

What a fuss about nothing Monty is spot on people " get a life" and be realistic in spite of all the legislation nothing has changed, folk just watch what they say in public so they don't get branded as homophobes.  Well thats my say i am now off to North Devon for a few days to chew the fat with a old army pall and put the world to rights.

@Ol' Lady Biker. It is different if 3 people overheard. The Intercom Trust would be able to offer support and advice.

I think Dawlish.com contributors inadvertentaly confirm that b) and c) are very likely.

Thank you everyone for your comments.

@Neoliberal Democrat, thank you for the information, i will make my father aware of it and see how he wants to proceed.

I understand why so many of you are saying 'get a life - nothing will change'.  And in the short term, I'm sure you're right.  I can't and won't turn a blind eye to such things.  

Where do you draw the line?  Is it OK to turn a blind eye to racist behaviour? Or sexist behaviour?  Obviously not.

I just hope that this thread and the comments made here will make the FODH think twice next time.  That's good enough for me.

Well said olb, I notice that Gary Taylor hasn't told us what Friends of Dawlish Hospital said or that they have come forward and  justified  their remarks.

The opportunity didn't arise, lordDC. In any case no books were being sold.

Had a lovely chat with Caz on the Snooky Trust stand though.

@Ol' lady Biker. You're welcome. And in short - No it's not okay. You're justified to bring this to our attention. I'll contact FoDH myself.

Anyone see the Beeb's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream that was on the box last night?

Why is there a planning application gone in that we don't know about?

It's Shakespeare on about, amongst other things, sexuality and (in)appropriate relationships.

We have a man (Bottom) turned into an ass who Titania, Queen of the Fairies, takes to her bed. 

And we have relationships between higher ranking mortals with lower ranking ones (which apparently would have been a big No No in Shakespeare's day.)

And last night's production ended with a deffo lesbian and gay slant.

So I was just idly wondering, given earlier postings on this thread, if Shakespeare had offended people in his day. I was also just noting to myself how what is and what is not deemed to be an appropriate relationship can change over time.   

Yes, watched it. Shakespeare very nicely done for a digital age audience. This from, er, The Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/may/31/a-midsummer-nights-dream-review-russell-t-davies

Good to see also Lynne, that depite your prodigeous output on this website, you still have time to idly wonder. What's your secret?

Time.

It's fair to say that Shakespeare has had some difficulties in his time. Thomas Bowdler produced his 19th Century Family Shakspeare, expurgated to be suitable for women and children.  Thus, his name entered the English language in the word "bowdlerise."

I studied Macbeth for O level English Lit.

What I and the other students didn't realise was that it was an edited version.

We only realised it was an edited version when we went to see a production of Macbeth at

the Bristol Old Vic and witnessed the porter scene.

The porter talks about drink and its effects including words along the lines of 'drink gives a man sexual desire but takes away his ability to do anything about it" 

I remember the scene well.

I think all of us 15 & 16 year old girls did..........

The actor playing the porter made it quite obvious what Shakespeare was talking about.   

Women and children having to be 'protected' from Shakespeare eh?

Well, well, fancy that.   

I studied Romeo and Juliette, Lynne. Been a hopeless romantic ever since. At least, that's what my wife tells me.

A play about two young people in love. Sex hormones raging.

Does the play R&J have sexual innuendos and bawdiness - yep!   

@ Gary, yes you are right, we were unable to get sufficient stock in time for Caz to be able to take them to the Luscombe event.

I am now happy to say that the Snooky Trust now stock 'In the Roots' and will also have 'Visitors' (written for children) in stock soon.

My Father has bulk purchased both titles direct from the publisher so as to get a lower unit price - thereby increasing the amount of donation per book.

I am sure my Father would be delighted to be compared to Shakespeare!  I think I see the thrust of your arguments tho, what is deemed appropriate over time does change.  In this country our legislation underpins what 'Society' says is acceptable (whether you agree with it or not).

At this present time, there is legislation to protect the rights of the LGBT community (and I make no comment on its effectiveness or the rights or wrongs  etc).  

Therefore with that in mind, the actions of FoDH seem, in the absence of any other explaination, to be out of step with 'Society'.

Thank you for the information on this Shakespeare fellow  Lynn, I'm afraid I'm not familiar with him, but I am with Bob Chapman.

@Lynne, i have been informed you are something to do with fodh?  can you confirm or deny please?

I've just finished reading 'In The Roots' and yes it is raw, but it tells you that on the back. I found it to be a very good story that kept you wondering what was going to happen next. The ending has a double whammy which no one would see coming. I think that Bob Chapman's book is a winner and that The Snooky Trust are fortunate  that he is benevolent.

@ 'Ol Lady Biker If fodh = friends of dawlish hospital then what you have been told is incorrect.  

@Lynne, sorry, i had been misinformed.

@lordDC, wow!  glad you enjoyed it.  my father is delighted with your review.

I bought my copy of In The Roots from Amazon a while ago and I must say it's an interesting read. The end was very entertaining to me. Though the FODH are "not in the business of upsetting people", that doesn't make it any less of a fantastic book. A great effort from Bob Chapman.

Quick update: The Snooky Trust now have ample supplies of both 'In the Roots' and 'Visitors'.

Thanks for all your lovely comments

Regards

The King of rock and roll has just finished reading In the Roots, what a cracking story and what an ending.  You've shot yourselves in the foot FODH.  Your loss.

As a member of the Friends of Dawlish Hospital I voted against getting involved in this project for the reason that we were expected to find the outlets for the book. We don't have any outlets ourselves, nor any direct connections with any suitable outlets, and very short of committee members to be able to go out finding outlets. I would have advised going to the Snooky Trust which is in a much better position to sell books, and with whom we have a good relationship - we were quite happy for the author to come to the coffee morning. I have not read the book, nor indeed seen it - but have just ordered a copy. If anyone would like to get involved with the Friends of Dawlish Hospital we would be very happy to welcome them.

@HowardAlmond

You were not asked to sell the books directly

You were not asked to find outlets

You were asked for any contacts you may have had in regard to promotion and sale of books

Your meeting was due to be held on Monday 9th May

FoDH turned the Author down on Tuesday 3rd May, stating 'we're not in the business of upsetting people'

Yes, the Author was offered to attend your Coffee Morning as a placatory gesture

I have attached two screen shots taken directly from the Author's email that completely contradict your post.

I am not in the habit of lying and I would urge all interested parties to read the screen shots below and draw your own conclusions.

OLB

I've drawn my conclusions OLB and it is apparent that Mr Almond is attempting to cover his tracks. Didn't work though. 

Its a bit of a storm in a tea cup is it not i honestly dont see what the fuss is all about.

Well I do,  you have a leading Dawlish charity that has had a very generous offer made and by their homophobic attitude have rejected it.

@lordDC

WHY exactly are they homophopic. Have they come out directly and said they are or is it that you and others on here 'assume' they are as that happens a lot on here?

Could it not be that they (FoDH) have certain guidelines in what they can/cannot do and have to adhere to those guidelines regardless?

The homophobic/racist 'card' is played all to easy and far too often these days, and most time, without cause.

In a few weeks, I am having a garden party where approx 20+ people are invited.

NOT one of them are of the LGBT ilk OR coloured.

Does that make me (A) a Homophobe, (B) Racist, (C) Non PC?

Oh dear, somebody has been telling porkies and it isn't OLB.

@Carer. if they have the guidelines that you suggest, then they would have pointed them out.  I notice that you have no friends that are lgbt or coloured, I believe that says it all.

@lordDC

Exactly WHY does that say it all?

Come on, you have labled me a homophobe & a Racist so on WHAT grounds?

Or are you one of the 'blinkered' minority and go with the flow?

@Carer, using the derogatory terms such as ilk and coloured, you've labelled yourself.

@lordDC

Dictionary. Ilk. A kind of person.

HOW/WHY is that deragotary?

Or even referring to a person as Coloured?

Any more libelous remarks that you would like to make about me?

Just goes to show what a small minded ignorant person you really are.

If you say coloured or LGBT ilk then you might not be racist or homophobic but you are ignorant and probably the other side of 60

I take it that I won't be invited to your garden party then? 

PS these days we have barbeques, hope it rains. 

I'm coloured, queer , dress in women's clothing and go cottaging. Can I come to your garen party to maintain the status quo? I'll bring an umberella.

My invite to Carer's gay orgy, I mean, "garden party" arrived this morning. 

Some of these later posts demonstrate the insidious nature of predjudice.  Many people don't even realise the language they use can cause offense.

What I'd really like to see is a response from FoDH, giving the real reason for turning down 'In the Roots'.

Don't hold your breath OLB. You've got them bang to rights and their silence is deafening. Nice try carer, didn't work though. 

I know according to Gary Taylor that he's a slow reader, but I would've  been interested to know what he and Howard Almond thought about , In  the Roots . 

To be honest lord DC, I've found it difficult to get into. Not that that is any fault of the book, you understand.

@GaryTaylor, well you have had a lot on your mind of late.

There is a book signing by Bob Chapman at the White Hart pub, tonight, starting at 5.30pm.

Come along and see what all the fuss is about!

"In the Roots" and "Visitors" will be available to purchase for £7.99 each.

Book signing tomorrow night, 25 Oct, at the MARINE TAVERN - 7pm onwards.

Bob Chapman will be donating all profits to The Snooky Trust.

I have been informed today, in a letter from The  Trutees of The Snooky Trust that they will be winding their operation down at Christmas. I will be lookng for another charity, preferably local,  to support  from the sale of my books,  "In the  Roots" and "Visitors".  I have   two  more being published soon.  All suggestions  will be considerd.