George Shaw Part 2

As is usual this posting is a matter of allegations, rumour, anecdote, observations and historical memory/fact.

At the end of part 1 we had informed you that there appeared to be a problem with the electrics at the farm and that some workers and volunteers had been electrocuted while working although thankfully none of them were seriously hurt.

While all of this was going on following the departure of the previous manager had taken over she had the very full support of George Shaw so much so that George would not accept any criticism of her at all. The management committee were pushing for the job to out to advert, but, George did not want that he is reported as saying that he did not want any intellectuals applying so as you can guess the temp manager got the job. She soon fell into line on just how George wanted things done, but, there were serious problems on the horizon, on of which was the electricity.

We understand that a very fiery meeting of the management committee took place to discuss this very serious issue. As any responsible person would expect there were requests that this matter be taken seriously, that a qualified electrical surveyor (possibly from the council) be called in to find out exactly what the problem was, and then for this surveyor to report to the MC how it could be fixed. George Shaw was having none of this, he demanded that the new manager be allowed to get on with fixing it as she saw fit. George it would seem had been in discussion with the new manager and it was a case of she knew a friend of a friend who could fix it.

With his usual manner of browbeating and bullying he forced the resignation of several members of the management committee and got exactly what he wanted total and absolute control with now no one to challenge him. From the investigations we have managed to carry out we understand that the situation with the electricity was never put right and safe, but, this did not seem to worry George because he was very much aware that there were other problems on the horizon.

It seems that the finances of the farm were not what they should have been, invoices and bills not being paid. The Council had stated it wanted a Business Plan ready before the next allotment of Grant funding was due, but George had stuck his head in the sand, he was obviously working under the principal that all he needed to do was talk to Grants officers in the council and everything would be OK, but this is where things started to change.

Over a period of time the new manager had grown into her position, and was increasingly speaking up for herself and putting forward her own views on how the farm should be managed, how money should be spent etc. Of course as with others before her this did not go down well with George Shaw.

The very real and very sad outcome of George Shaw's need for revenge on this one is that it has had a major impact not only on the community in Thames ward but for children all over the borough.

George decided that the new manager had to go, but, in doing this he also took the decision that the farm should go as well, don't forget George was due to come off the council, he would no longer have the automatic place on the management committee, so he just did not care how much damage his poisonous venom did.

We understand in the end that the Council took the decision that it could no longer fund the City Farm, which we suppose they the Council had had a good look at the books etc and come to that decision on a financial level, but, no one was in place who could ask George Shaw just what he had spent the money on, he was the Chairman the responsibility was his, but as is always the case with George the farm was dead to him, he just walked away leaving a trail of devastation behind him.

In Part 3 we will inform you of the damage done by George Shaw to a very professional Headteacher.

As always this posting is a matter of rumour, observations, allegations, anecdotes and historical memory/facts.