ssp logo


Recent Posts

Slap-up Christmas meal for old folk's home protesters


Site Feed

SSP News Site Feed to view in your newsreader.


Radio SSP

Radio SSP: streaming internet radio



Search the Web
Search SSP News



Photos

justice for gordon gentle demo

Justice for Gordon Gentle Demo 30.10.2004

calton hill rally photos

Rally for an Independent Scottish Republic, Calton Hill 9.10.2004

nursery nurses demonstrate

Nursery Nurses Demonstrate 29.3.04

Anti Bush Demo, Edinburgh 19.09.03

SSP at Paris ESF demo

SSP at European Social Forum, Nov 2003 Paris | European Social Forum Demonstration

Socialism 2003 Pictures

Shut Down Dungavel demo 6.9.03

Anti-War demo at Scottish Parliament, March 6th

Pictures of February 15th Anti-War Demo, Glasgow

Pictures of February 15th Anti-War Demo, Glasgow

Pictures from the European Social Forum, Florence 2002

Anti-War Demo Glasgow 19th October 2002

Pictures of Sept 28th 2002 "Don't Attack Iraq" demo


Archives

SSP News Archives


Links

SSP Website
Scottish Socialist Voice
Scrap Prescription Charges
Scrap the Council Tax
Join the SSP
Local SSP Branches

Powered By Blogger TM

This site aims to comply with web standards and to be accessible for all. Thanks to glish.com. Best viewed in a browser that complies with web standards.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Slap-up Christmas meal for old folk's home protesters

Evening Times

Robert Toole, 75, and Annie Cardiff, 84, are part of a sit-in which has lasted more than three weeks at Leven Cottage in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire.
Council bosses want to close the home and most of the pensioners have been moved to alternative accommodation.
However, Robert and Annie are determined to stay put.
They arranged a three-course festive meal ... smuggled in by supporters of their protest.
The duo tucked into a fruit cocktail starter and turkey with all the trimmings, followed by chocolate gateaux and mints.
Robert and Annie were joined by a handful of supporters, who have been sleeping on the floor at nights for more than three weeks in a bid to keep the council-run home open. These include Scottish Socialist MSP Frances Curran and a local councillor.
West Dunbartonshire Council insists it will press ahead with plans to shut Leven Cottage though no closure date has been set.
A few workers continue to staff the centre in the meantime.
Councillor Jim Bollan said they had planned to cook Christmas dinner in the home itself but council bosses barred them from using the kitchen.
Luckily a good Samaritan offered to cook the entire meal in his home and then deliver it, ensuring Robert and Annie had a Christmas treat.
Councillor Bollan said: "It was certainly a memorable Christmas.
"There was a lot of Christmas spirit around. We had about 10 bottles of wine handed in by the public who are right behind our campaign and the Christmas meal was paid for by the GMB union."
Mrs Cardiff recently moved back to Leven Cottage after a short spell in another home in Alexandria.
She said she "missed her old home too much" where she had lived for 24 years.
Former shipyard worker Robert, who has lived at Leven Cottage for a decade, said: "This is my home and I'm not leaving. Our sit-in has gone well so far and there's no way I'm budging now."
All other residents have been moved to alternative care homes by West Dunbartonshire Council which says the home is cramped, has limited facilities and does not meet national care standards.
A council spokesman declined to comment on the home's Christmas party.
However, he did confirm Mrs Cardiff's return, saying: "A former resident has moved back in to Leven Cottage.
"There is absolutely no question of undue pressure being brought on any resident but Leven Cottage has no long-term future."