Author: Simon Perry
Hospice Withdraws From The Gazette
12:52 pm Tuesday, 23rd March, 2010, Isle of Wight
ShortURL: http://wig.ht/26Ik
Read More- Charity, Island-wide, News, Print
The Earl Mountbatten Hospice has decided to part ways with The Gazette.
When The Gazette launched about two years back, part of the offering was that when you picked up a free copy, you put a donation in the collection box, which went to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.
At the end of last week, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice made the decision to withdraw from the arrangement, “in order to allow another charity to benefit from the donations.”
We heard back from the Hospice today, when they sent us the following statement …
The Board of Trustees of Earl Mountbatten Hospice wishes to express its sincere thanks to everyone at the Gazette for their support over the past two years.
Since 2008, when the Hospice became the beneficiary of donations from Islanders for the Gazette, over £25,000 has been raised for the Hospice for the care of our patients.
We now believe that the time is right to withdraw from this arrangement in order to allow another charity to benefit from the donations. As a gesture to the newspaper and whichever charity will benefit in the future, we are happy to donate our newspaper stands and collecting boxes for use by that charity.
Graham Elderfield
Chief Executive
We spoke to Jason, who edits the Gazette, who told us, “We’re gutted to hear it. We’ve raised over £38,000 for the Hospice over the time.”
When we asked about the future, Jay told us, “We’ll be offering our support to another Island charity.”
Are we to conclude from this that beggars can, in fact, be choosers?
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Any one noticed the Gazette is not publishing this week because of “printing problems”
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Do you think the “Printing problems” are true?
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Maybe it’s problems ‘paying’ the printers? Or the curse of Pugh strikes again? The island Mafiosi can reach mainland printers!
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Of course, this has nothing to do with Pughgate and the letters in last week’s IWCP!
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Can’t say I’m surprised – when you rock the boat there are going to be casualties, it’s just a pity the Hospice didn’t have the guts to be honest, or am I reading the situation wrongly? Let’s hope it doesn’t stop the Gazette from being the maverick that it is and that it still continues to ask the questions that the CP fails to.
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Oh My God!! Its finally Offical!!
How can a Charity turn their back on people who have raised so much for them, very dissappointed with the puppets (Board of Trustees of Earl Mountbatten Hospice) and the puppet masters pulling their strings. This happens at the same time as IW Gazette is running stories on Council and its so called leader. Hmmmm!! :(. This needs reporting at the highest level and investigating. I will be saving my Donations for the hospice until Graham Elderfield has resigned his post (and please god, don’t pay him off with charity money).
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Its atotal disgrace and everyone should contact the Macmillan Trust as I have theres a very nice man who is responsible for Fundraising Issues that includes the isle of wight just go to the website and complain and he will contact you his name is Paul Morgan http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/Fundraising.aspx
Its been kept well under the carpet since Vectis Radio Broke the News last Friday when Jayson was a guest in the studio…
Im a supporter of the Hospice I always donate as much as I can so Im gutted by this …
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Freedom of speech is essential in a democracy. I would construe that a combination of Pughgate/ IoW Council and the IoW County Press played a major role in this decision.
I enjoy reading the Gazette, not just because it is free but because it is so refreshing than reading the the (Tory) County Press. You (not me) pay 70p for 10% of local news and 90% of advertisements; it reminds me of the Weekly Ad. with pictures.
Now that I know what the hospice executive’s salary is I shall be considering my options regarding my support in the future.
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What weasel words from Graham Elderfield, their £80,000 a year Chief Executive. Very obviously someone has been pulling strings. That’s it for me and the hospice. This is a terrible decision they have made. My kids and I will send back our walk numbers and support Sue Ryde instead.
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I shall walk the Wight with my children as they will be disappointed if we don’t,but I shall be senting our money to another charity.
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I’ll never forget the help the people at the hospice gave my mum.
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…and I will never forget the kindness and care that was given by the EMH to two of my dear friends and, as was their wishes, I will continue to support the Hospice, through one or more of the many other fund raising events, so as others may benefit from this wonderful care in the future.
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Sue Ryder – a national hospice charity
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Totally concur with this comment, the Gazette is nothing more than an editorial disaster, very biased in It’s reporting and containing nothing more than dross !, I’m not suprised Mr Elderfield has broken his involvement with this kind of Gutter Press !, who in their right mind would want to be associated with this “Freebe” ?.
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I Read the Gazette not because it is free but because it can write more or less what is wants.
Had the Hospice management given the real reason for the break-up I would have not been as offended.
Spineless comes to mind.
The hospice does a good job, but I shall now look at it more has a business than a charity.
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final nail in the coffin? terrible rag – it’s an embarrassment and visitors to the island must find it astonishingly backwards! Full of posers from nightclubs and very little news content, poorly written at that. Glad the hospice has made a stand as I feel the charity has always had a good reputation.
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An embarrassment that has raised over £30,000 for the hospice???
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Hey Starlight, if you don’t like it, then don’t pick it up and don’t read it. Simples.
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Would the hospice take money from The News of the World, Sun, Star or Mirror? All are downmarket rags.
This stinks. Elderfield has made a big mistake. You would think he had more important things to worry about. I hear from a volunteer friend that they have spent a fortune on an extension and building project that has been a disaster. They even upset and lost their best fundraiser – Julie Clifton.
Quite why the gazette should care I don’t know. I bet plenty of other charities will be happy to take £38,000 from them.
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This is a very short sighted decision by the Trustees of the Hospice. How can a charity say that they do not need (and here I will use Jasons figures) £38,000 over two years. It is all very well to say that it is time other charities benefitted however they have never thought of that in the past. Graham Elderfield leaves a lot to be desired as the public face of this organisation. I remember him well as a schoolboy going to Carisbrooke Grammer. You never saw such a miserable 12 year old on the bus. He is not a clever man, nor a man who makes wise decisions. This time it has backfired. I stopped giving to the hospice when Graham went there and then employed a fundraiser in place of Julie Clifton who knew very little about fundraising. This is a dreadful decision how can they possibly justify asking the public for money when they are turning it away.
Whether this has anything to do with David Pugh or not doesn’t matter, it is a bad business decision by the trustees and one must ask whether they are up to the job.
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Perhaps someone can report them to the charity commissioners? I can’t believe a properly run charity can refuse donations.
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well i for one,would like to suggest “haylands farm” as the new charity,after all,they are in need of support ….
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Great idea.
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I would like to suggest Isle of Wight MIND for the donations Im sure Paddy Noctor would not refuse any Funding Donated and a very worthwhile cause too…
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Better to give your money to haylands farm, or the riverside centre. From Pete.
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I would imagine they have thought long and hard about this, but probably saw the recent controversial article and found it distasteful and have separated themselves from it. To suggest they should stick with an association simply because it supplies them with funds is ludicrous. Taken to the extreme, would they take money from the BNP just because it was offered? Doubt it. I don’t think they had any choice.
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It is very clear Starlight, that you aren’t keen on the IW Gazette. But do you truly believe that the Hospice Board have done this due to an article in a local paper that has been reporting stories on the Council and its so called leader. If so, I rest my case, Elderfield and Pugh hand in hand. Also to compare Gazette to BNP, not clever.
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it’s you who is not clever – read my comment again and you will see I did not compare the two. I was just explaining why charities cannot just accept money from any source.
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Have you been clicking your own ‘I like this Comment’ again. tut tut!!
Your words:
“Taken to the extreme, would they take money from the BNP just because it was offered? Doubt it. I don’t think they had any choice.”
I must be thick then, still seems like you are comparing them.
Let the readers decide. Click ‘I Like This Comment’ for me, if you think Starlight was comparing them OR click Starlights previous comment if you agree with it.
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Wow im shocked!
Never again will I give them any of my hard earned money. I struggle through life on a low income but do understand how much money these places need to run
I made sure I popped a pound in everytime even though I can’t afford it, but thought they relied on donations to run. Now I see then turning down Gazette money I’m thinking why should I leave myself short if they have the cheek to refuse donations.
Never look a gift horse in the mouth EMH, you just lost my support :(
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I see my comment made it in the gazette :)
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Me no understand – can someone tell me what has happened for them to make this decision. Its an awful lot of money to loose!
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sorry but without proof, this will never make sense. you will have to read the comments and make up your own mind.
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They should have thought a little bit more about all those that rely on the hospice before turning their backs on thousands of pounds.
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I will also stop giving money to the hospice the family collection boxes add up to £200+ per year
plus other donations
Elderfield should be sacked for bending to political pressure at the expence of the patients
If pugh is behind this he should hold his head in shame
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STOP, before we all withdraw our support for the Hospice, please stop and think, none of this is the fault of the real workers or the patients who really need this money to help them. Its up to yourselves what you do, but I for one, will keep hold of all the money I would normally donate to the Hospice and WHEN Graham Elderfield resigns or is kicked out (without any pay off), then I will donate the money, plus some. Plus an extra bonus if Pugh goes from council as well.
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Wise words – the workers at the Hospice provide a fantastic service for people who really need it at a very difficult time in their lives.
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Some only give to the hospice because it makes them feel good and the rich boys with funny handshakes get prestige. Its good to support charities though, especially those that help our old people who have meagre pensions.Hospices are an important part of dealing with cancer and should be a service provided by the government and part of the NHS, of the highest quality and fully funded.
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NHS do fund part of the hospice.
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@Noraa Well said and I agree 100% with your sentiments lets start a FaceBook Campaign to get this noticed… People Power needs to be put into Action…
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Mr Elderfield needs to go right now, along with the whole Board of Trustees. One things for sure, I’ll never give to the Island’s Hospice ever again whilst any of them are still there. This is snobbery, meddling, stinks of Pugh and the Hospice is poorer for it.
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And guess what, none of this will be reported by the council friendy IW Radio and IW County Press. This story needs to get on TV, everyone who doesn’t listen to Vectis Radio or read Ventnor Blog, needs to know, its the only way to gather the number of people with the power to out Elderfield (& Pugh if it can be proved) and get people wanting to donate money to the Hospice.
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I take it back, County Press have the story on their website. The last bit made me laugh though, see below:
“The hospice said recent criticism over the way the Gazette covered the behaviour of council leader Cllr David Pugh at a charity ball did not affect its decision.”
Well that clears that up then!!
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This can quickly be resolved. Let the media have unrestricted access to all of Mr Elderfield’s e mail correspondence since the Pughgate story broke, as well as that of the IWCC Communications Department, dear old Cllr Pugh, Ms Bushby and the Gazette too. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear? Cue tumbleweed and eerie church bell tolling in distance
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“And the band played believe it if you like!”
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But its clear that a handshake did take place.
”We now believe that the time is right to withdraw from this arrangement in order to allow another charity to benefit from the donations.”
So 38k raised by Gazette in 2 years and then dropped.
and on the same day a press release goes out…
Isle of Wight chip shop Corrie’s Cabin, is launching their sixth annual fundraising event
Over 6 years the event has raised £5,400, which has been split between The Earl Mountbatten Hospice as well as other local charities.
So how come Corries has managed 6 years, raised £5,400 and Graham Elderfield hasn’t suggested that another charity should benefit from that donation.?
Comments like
”recent criticism over the way the Gazette covered the behaviour of council leader Cllr David Pugh at a charity ball did not affect its decision.”
Just get me back up and try and make out like we are thick over here. If it had NOTHING to do with David Pugh then Elderfield would not need to comment about that.
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Wonder if Mr Elderfield will be making up the £30000+ this (rumoured political? lodge made?) decision will cost the hospice in charitable funding over the next few years out of his very generous salary?
I doubt it.
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Guys, please don’t withdraw your support for the Hospice. Forget about the people at the top – the patients will need donations more now than ever and it would be terrible to boycott a charity that does such important work.
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To late I’m afraid. Just hope Pugh gets his wallet out after the damage he has done…. or just hope his family don’t need the great services provided by the hospice.
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Well if the hospice only accept donations from people who consider the council should be able to censor the press that rules me out in future I’m afraid.
The people making this decision are not fit to administer the donations in the first instance, which are made to the patients of the hospice not to them with their political agenda to satisfy.
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Hard not to believe dark forces are at work on the island. Cross certain people at your peril.
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I must admit it seems a shame that EMH should suffer just because it has got caught up in something not of its making (EMH that is NOT personalities invoved.)
Whatever their resoning it is appalingly bad timing and inept handling and does, I’m afraid, cast serious doubts upon the leadership of EMH.
Would’ve been far better to have waited and then quietly parted with the Gazette – this way they have given the hard working and dedicated staff and volunteers of a much needed and much loved Island service a slap in the face and given greater heat to the serious issues raised by this debate.
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Totally agree with what you say here but I have found that out the hard way and have reached an age now where I just dont care anymore I say what I think and campaign for all good causes…
I have instructions in place should I depart this world or have a bad accident…
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my reply was to Shobba post by the way…
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And ironically the local authority should, by rights, be funding the hospice in the first place.
Pughs disgraceful behaviour is having far reaching ramifications due to the way this Island is run.
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Let’s face it, this is another example of a Potter project going down the drain.
The Gazette is a mixture between the Weekly Ad, displaying mostly ads, and Facebook, with all the nightclub photos.
It is very controversial, and many a times I have picked it up, seen the front cover and thought ‘surely they can’t do that’ – i.e. ‘Pughnocchio’
Mr. Potter doesn’t know how to run a successful business, and has even in the past copied image content (iPlayer logo) from the BBC website, and claimed it as his own! Copyright theft, full stop, and he was reported to the beeb.
I only ever pick the Gazette up for the laughs.
Rant over.
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Ummm….Martin Potter has not been involved with the Gazette for a good 6 months or perhaps more now
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I thought he still owned it?
Jason came to the Island in July last year, did some photos of the Vestas situation and then started work for the Gazette…
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Nope. He sold his share back to William Smith last year and took back Island Life to his own personal ownership. There was an article in IWCP on it, but it isn’t on the site as far as I can see.
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There’s nothing wrong with a good rant as long as it is passionate. There is nothing wrong with the Gazette though and it’s a substitute for the CP monopoly that has faced a number of challenges lately.
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I think that pretty much sums up how I feel about the Gazette. It’s very much finding its feet, and I cringed at the appalling number of typos in the Pughnocchio edition, but the fact it’s actually challenging the CPs ‘ask no questions, get no answers” malaise can only be a good thing.
It’s probably already run more articles challenging the status quo on the island than the CP has ever run in its entire history.
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The Pughnoccio idea was similar to a cartoon that I believe first appeared in the CP?
If it was good enough for one paper then it’s good enough for another.
Most people are snobs when it comes to tabloid red tops. I find them entertaining and let’s face it, they do often seem to get big stories. Compared with the lame and tame CP the Gazette is fun fun fun!
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It seems to have passed some people by that the Gazette is a “red top” and pretends to be nothing else. With the Gazette, CP and Ventnor Blog we have, at last, a vibrant and disparate fourth estate, this is a sign of a healthy democracy. To return to a one paper society would be a sign of a one party state. We’ve known that in the past and it ‘aint very good. So bring back Pravda if you must but don’t say you aint been warned!
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Very nicely put. It’s easy to snobbishly dismiss The Gazette, but those who don’t like it don’t have to read it.
You’re right about it adding to a more vibrant democracy, and I’d struggle to think why anyone would want rid of that. Most worrying of all, is that it appears certain councillors and some of the funny handshake brigade do…
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Are you comparing IWCP with “Pravda” a bit inappropriate since “Pravda” means truth.
{Mind you the common joke in the USSR was that “Pravda” contained no truth and “Izvestia” (means news) contained no news.}
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Spot on Zoiner! Правда зависит, где Вы сидите
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Боже мой…
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Какой Бог является этим
Now we are really causing apoplectic fits in the High St. Reichstag. Look out Sal the thought police will be knocking down your door. Bunch of Commies ‘aint we
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I have it on very good authority that at a very recent meeting of conservative councillor’s it was said that the hospice should refuse to take any further donations from the Gazette. I hope that someone asks each councillor in turn if this is indeed true? If it is true then I think it is shocking and sensational news. Dark forces indeed.
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I’ve heard the same rumour.
Absolutely disgusting if true.
It’d be nice to have the question asked, although I’m pretty sure there’d be a lack of straight answer.
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I have it on very good authority that the moon is made of cheese..
Rumour gossip and tittle tattle does not do anybody credit.
You should name your source,risk prosecution or just shut up
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To be fair, the rumours about Pugh throwing his toys out of his pram in a car park recently turned out to be pretty solid.
You know as well as I do that leaks aren’t going to be named, because as soon as they are they’ll be tightened up by the powers that be pretty quickly (and then we wouldn’t have any chance of finding out what really happens behind the scenes, just endless staged sound-bites, much like those this council and indeed all the political parties in our fair land have perfected).
And it really depends who told you the moon is made of cheese doesn’t it? If it was Neil Armstrong you’d probably listen…
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Well said Mr T, Took the words right out of my mouth.
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No 5 you really are in cookoo land
You should name yourself or shut up
Mr t is correct amyone who leaks anything will get the wrath of Pugh, unless it is of course him
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well continue your rumour and fantasy posts at will then.
Cuckoo land is where all of these second guesses, supposed rumours and lies are coming from.
I suppose this kind of gossip gives some peoples lives meaning…so good luck to you
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The wrath of Pugh….I almost fell of my seat laughing.
The wrath of pugh amounts to one swear word in a car park when drunk
The rest is just fantasy
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I see an old Chief Exec of the IWC is a trustee of the Hospice.
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@no.5.
OMG so Pugh was drunk too I hope he wasnt driving that car then or was it the official IWC car he was using maybe…
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Actually, the wrath of Pugh amounts to a bit more than this, as anyone who has known him for a while will be aware. But it usually takes rather more circumspect form than overt bad language. And it can’t be recounted here without prejuducing others.
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I am a little confused here, do I understand that the hospice does not need our help as it can afford to turn away this sort of money?
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This would have made a good question on todays radio quiz! Shame they ran out of time.
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The present Island Tories like to control and anybody that crosses them are crushed – these are not true tories but the backlash will be felt at the general election.
Hidden/dark forces you do not know the half of it, strings have been pulled to stop the hospice having any finacial donations from the gazette.
Pugh has a strong team behind him who will stop at nothing, if Turner fails to get in at the next elections then Pugh has won because he will become the next tory candidate in 4 years time.
Watch this space!!!
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I’d say they were pretty typical Tories..who are just typical politicians.
Never had a good name since Walpole
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In his dreams!!!!!
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@Norman
Andrew Turner doesnt have a hope this time all because of Pugh but then Pugh is just a puppet anyway also even if he stands for MP in 4 yrs time who would vote for him now…
We need a clean sweep now…
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With so many Tory councillors, (not all of them happy to keep quiet) things are bound to get out. Quite right too. If anyone at the council put pressure on EMH management over the Gazette then it would be disgraceful.
No5 you know things don’t really work like that.
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Everything comes out in the wash.
But this endless speculation is turning this into a circus and is doing the course of justice no good at all
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so what do you suggest, we wait for a statement from hospice or council telling the truth. or just wait for it to go quiet and get brushed under the carpet.
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Expect to hear far more of this story in days ahead. The paranoia inside county hall will grow. Without VB and the Gazette how much would be known about any recent events?
The council shut down their own message board long ago because they could no longer control it. If I remember correctly this was about the same time as the schools bombshell exploded. Proof if proof were needed that to them, control is everything. Keep posting, keep leaking. It’s about all we have.
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must be nearly matched by the paranoia on here.
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Clearly dissent and challenging view points are to be suppressed using whatever contacts and resources are at hand.
I read in the CP what appears to be an interview with a Local Government Officer called Rachael, saying David has not bullied me.
Strange!!!!!!!!, LGO`s are NOT allowed to speak to the press on Council related issues unless authorised by their Director or Senior Manager.
If authorised, this is a terrible decision, if not authorised, she should be up before the boss on a disciplinary matter. Given it is a standards board issue, is this not the same as `sub judice`.
This Council appears rotten to the core and in the `pay` of unknown agents. There are so many conflicts of interest sculling around and NO control and adherence to the codes of conduct governing their behaviour.
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Pete,
Indeed. Even if the car park events were not council business, the LGO’s comment were in relation to a council standards allegation which has ben refered.
How much deeper can they did the hole.
Simon/Sal – I’d hold out for a seven figure sum before selling the site to a mystery buyer’s agent.
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its all the work of the Illuminati and part of a world wide conspiracy..Pugh is the next overlord
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This decision looks to be seriously mistimed given Walk the Wight is just around the corner. Hopefully the majority of trustees will recognise the damage that this has done, and will continue to do, and promptly remove the instigating individuals for the benefit of the hospice.
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IW council chairman’s chosen charity? Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Probably just a coincidence then.
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No – to be fair (Why I should I can’t think) the boy leaders Dad is (was?) a very respected McMillan Nurse who helped an awful lot of people – so no surprise really.
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I wonder what he thinks of the behaviour of his son, ashamed I should think.
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Yet more vulnerable people suffer at the hands of this unscrupulous council…ruthlessly defending the indefensible
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So it’s complete and utter coincidence that in the middle of the “Pugh/Busby/Jason” saga the Hospice has decided to turn down the £30,000 it has only been too happy to take from the Gazette in the past.
Mmmm….let’s put it plainly people. Those entering the final stages of their life are £30,000 less well off cos Graham Elderfield says so.
Snobbery, political favouritism and down right selfishness seem to be winning. All of you past bloggers ( Kerri, Den, No.5 etc.) Do you still feel the matters which kicked this all off outside the Yacht Club that windy valentine’s night are still trivial?
If the Hospice board of trustee’s was worried “The Gazette” style of reporting was turning people away from donating then they should have approached the paper directly to find a resolution. A financial drop in support should be the only reason to leave the good will of the Gazette readership and not enough time has passed to make that choice. £30,000 is a lot of good will to stick two fingers up too.
Here’s my plan of action. No more £ what so ever to Hospice they clearly don’t need any more, no more CP it’s positively flaccid and my £ charity support goes to Haylands Farm & The Riverside Centre. Oh and the Sally Ann.
Oh and donate to Ventnor Blog, the true voice of the IOW people. Freedom of speech at it’s best.
Don’t bend to emotional pressure by those who say” please still give to the hospice, help patients to die with dignity”
Elderfield and the trustee decision means they are thousands of pounds further away from achieving that primary goal.
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absolutely and the fuelling of posts on here is also responsible..
Thats hysteria for you
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Time, for Elderfield to go! Didn’t he make a right mess at St Mary’s as well? Is was only a matter of time before the [this part of comment removed by moderator] would cock-up again! Let’s get rid of this person for good this time.
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It was reported on Vectis Radio that Graham Elderfield is on Holiday, may be back now. There is a email link in the Contact Us section of Earl Mountbatten Hospice Website. Here is a list of the Management and Trustees taken fron there Website.
Chief Executive – Graham Elderfield
Medical Director – Ian Cairns
Acting Director of Nursing and Education – Liz Arnold
Acting Director of Communications & Facilities- Erika Cambell-Burt
Acting Director of Finance & Performance Management – Cathy Tyler
Acting Director of Personnel & Voluntary Services – Hilary Foreman
Chairman: Mr George Lockhart Hibberd
Deputy Chairman: Mr Allan Munds
Trustees:
Dr Ilona Tobey
Mr Michael John Hardy Hammond
Mrs Sally Davies
Dr John Hellyar Rickard
Mr Simon Yardley
Mr John Makunde
Ms Kate Boyce
Mr Ian Palmer
Mr Felix Hetherington
Mrs Maureen Hicks
Mrs Lynn Bell
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Note what these people are – Trustees. The thing about Trustees is that they owe a duty of trust – a legal duty – to the beneficiaries of the Trust.
If the Trust is sloshing about with cash, then maybe – hust maybe -it might be reasonable to reject donations. However, if the Trust is undergoing ongoing fundraising activity, that would indicate that it does need to continue to raise money. In those circumstances, I would argue that rejecting any donation made out of resources legally arrived at amounts to a breach of Trust on the part of the Trustees.
A legal opinion might be helpful here – if such a thing happens, is the Trust entitled to claim financial restitution from the Trustees who made the decision to reject the donation?
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Looks like a ist of the usual suspects. Seaview / Bembridge / Ryde School / Tory party placemen and women. The island elite clearly know what is best for us and the hospice. Anyone have Sue Ryder’s number?
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He was let go by the hospital. Quite why the hospice then snapped him up at such a high salary is puzzling. A friend who volunteers there says they have bought a new building to house new admin offices. Mr Elderffield and the trustees seem to be turning it into a mini health service!
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This is an absolute scandal and stinks of local political skulduggery. It’s got to be independently investigated and resolved.
If there is the slightest whiff of political interference / pressure put on the Hospice by anyone, then not only must heads roll, people also need to be severely punished. This matter must now go national with no stone left unturned.
We get fed on a daily basis how much financial trouble the Hospice is in, and no ones money should be refused. How many people in the final stages of their life could be better relived of pain and discomfort or supported with that money from the Gazette?
Did anyone involved in that fateful Valentine’s ball fiasco, or who were associated with the black tie fundraising mob there ever consider the trail of devastation now caused by a drunken foul mouthed rant in the street and failed night of passion? By turning down the Gazette money, or any other money for that matter may see people die sooner than necessary, or without better pain relief, and certain people in my opinion have blood on their hands. Still find it funny on the 4th floor do we?
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The sad fact is that they probably DO find it funny on the 4th. floor. All this administration is concerned about is balancing the budget and they will do that at whatever cost – apart from any cost to themselves or their chums of course.
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A disgraceful move on the Hospice’s part. The reason they give wouldn’t convince the winner of Gullible Idiot of the Year.
The Gazette (which has brought me considerable entertainment over the last several weeks despite the quality of “journalism”) is doing nothing illegal (otherwise it would no doubt have had an injunction or law suit slapped on it by now – the boy king is more than happy to use the law when he thinks he can get away with it), and there is a strong argument that, by demonstrating a degree of preparedness to getting things out in the open – thinks which some would rather see buried and forgotten about – it is providing a valuable service.
The Gazette’s money is as good as anyone’s, and rejecting it – particularly for that idiotic reason, enhanced by the non-credible declaration that recent events had nothing to do with it – is a MAJOR lapse in judgement. It delivers one of two messages – either the Hospice does not need the large amount of money raised by the Gazette (surely not true, but if it is true then that shoud be made clear to the public), or else it does and it hopes to take support away from the Gazette by virtue of people maintaining donations to the Hospice but not via the Gazette.
This amounts to censorship by guilt and it is vile.
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I’ve been thinking about this on and off during the day, and the following thought occurred to me. The monies paid over to the Hospice by the Gazette are not money from the Gazette – they are donations made to the Hospice by members of the public. I’m not sure the Hospice is allowed to refuse them, or to pick and choose which members of the public it is prepared to accept donations from dependent on the intermediary through which they are made?
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they are allowed to decide where they will put collection boxes. As I understand it they are not turning down money that has already been collected, simply refusing to allow their collection boxes to be associated with the gazette. It would be interesting to see if collection boxes remain in the shops, but located at a suitable distance from the gazette stands.
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A charity with an £80,000 a year Chief Executive?
How can that possibly be justified, even if he hadn’t just made a blunder worthy of county hall themselves?
And how many people realised when donating their hard earned money that the £38,000 raised by the gazette would go towards paying this clown for six months?
Sickening!
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Looking on the Charity Commission website for
EM Hospice you will find `governance costs` listed in their latest return as £0.04million. So where is this £80,000 salary accounted for?.
Without any personal knowledge of the charity myself
excepting its profile on the island and the regard people hold it. I cannot comment upon its efficiency or not, so to speak. But, there does seem to be a bit of an Empire here looking at the figures returned to the Charity Commission. There may be more value for money to be had.
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Governance aint management! Ring and ask them. I dare you?
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Must be accounted for under `Charitable Activities` then………….
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The guiding rinciole in charity accounts is the SOFA which merely sets out broad headings to set out what the charity spends on “direct” charitable activities and what is spent on other things. Governance costs would include expenses incurred by the Trustees such as training, travel expenses etc. Elderfuels salary would be included in salaries. All charity accounts over £10000 have to be independently audited and any untoward expenditure or accounting would be highlighted in the auditors report. Here endeth the lesson!
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The hysteria on here is running wild.
Men with funny handshakes, secret meetings, people being got at
and now to cap it all idiots threatening to not donate to a HOSPICE FOR CANCER SUFFERERS because of this little game of chinese whispers, fantasy, distortions and lies.
Get a grip before we start burning crosses outside county hall
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I agree with No5 who seems to talk sense!
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No.5 and Starlight, what a world you must live in, I’m sure you will be wonderful together and have beautiful children. Where as the rest of us in the real world, have to put up with your rubbish!!
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A world where idle gossip is considered only that
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Sorry to heard that you were born missing the part of the brain that can connect the dots and see what is really happening. I believe the only truth/facts we will get from Council or Hospice will arrive by the pigs of the winged varity.
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YAWN!!
I agree with Suzi. You’re not worth the energy required to type th….
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Remember Councillor Win Mc Robert? She was a Tory whose husband was suffering from cancer.
If I remember correctly, she had a run in with Councillor Pugh soon after he took over. Her reward? She was removed, without prior notice at the first available full council meeting after she had been absent for just long enough to qualify. They didn’t warn her, she just got sacked because she was caring for her partner rather than turning up at County Hall.
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She wasn’t a tory when they sacked her, she walked across the chamber over the schools issue.
There’s more to this story than being sacked at the first available meeting, she wasn’t. She was sacked when the IWC did not have to call an election to replace her because the elections for the IWC were within six months. She was actually a few months over the time limit for attending meetings. An officer at County Hall took the blame but we all know where the sacking came from. The young pretender did not even thank her, he seems to be lacking in social skills. Win found the whole think highly amusing and her and Mac (her husband) had a good laugh over it.
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They are not the only ones who have had a good laugh at David Pugh. Unfortunately the circumstances are not funny and it seems to get worse with each passing day.
I used to believe in the Conservative Party but not any more.
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Are the Hospice accounts published? What level do their donations run at? Is this a decision by the full Board of Trustees? Was the decision minuted? Can we see the Minute? What do the other Trustees say – can we have quotes?
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Hospice accounts are published on charity commssion website
Type in the hospice charity number – 1039086 – and it will take you to the Hospice page where the accounts and other details are kept. Bear in mind they are historical – latest to year end 2009.
Also check out Hospice policy
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The Charities Commission should be able to answer any queries about the accountability of the hospice’s trustees and take any complaints.
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Nobody takes any notice of you any more No 5, your little game simply isnt working and is quite frankly getting boring
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what little game is that…countering hysteria.
Lets get back to reality and getting Pugh out of the council for the real problems he has created.
Not your rampant inaginations and fervent hate mongering
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Suzy – Of course you can speak for yourself, but not everyone.
Please take care not to let this slip into personal jibes – This is to all.
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Well said Suzy, I quite agree.
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The only thing boring is the ever increasing numberof victims of this witchhunt.
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The only victims here are those the Hospice helps who are now tens of thousands of pounds shorter in funding.
That was a decision made by a director on (by all accounts) 80K a year – frankly if he’s been swayed by this so called “witch hunt” he deserves to be sacked.
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I dont agree with everything No. 5 says, but I do here. Suzy, some people do take notice of what he says. You did, otherwise you wouldnt have posted that personal jibe there. If you dont like what he has to say, then either ignore him or prove him wrong.
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I agree – he’s perfectly entitled to his opinion.
The onus should also be on him to prove it right of course.
Not really sure what his opinion is actually, other than masons are harmless and don’t adversely influence decision making on the island at all (if they don’t influence decision making on the island to help fellow members out, what do they do exactly?), political parties always tell the truth (so there’s really nothing to be gained from listening to rumour), and that anyone who runs a charity is overpaid.
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Thats a fair point, he should prove facts right really. But then, if its opinion, so as long as its stated as opinion then thats fair enough.
He shouldnt have people telling him his opinion is wrong though unless they can prove he is wrong.
And certainly no one should tell him his opinion is less valid or boring.
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Indeed.
Although I don’t think anyone can prove him wrong, in the same way as I don’t think he can prove himself right. There’s no such thing as a right or wrong opinion is there? In my opinion all of this talk about opinions is going nowhere… ;-)
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Please prove your opinion right. In my opinion, an unproven opinion isnt an opinion at all, and I dont want to have to prove your opinion to be the wrong opinion.
:-D
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Mr.T,it is not me making statements that have no basis in truth, only rumour, soI have nothing to prove
I have made no statement whether I think they are right or wrong…to be honest I think this is all just a distraction away from the real problems the Island is having
The truth will come out in the wash and then it can be properly discussed.
As to Masons…I’ve never said they don’t influence things…of course they do…so do fellow trade union members, fellow chess club members etc…I just beleive the negativity of it is vastly over played by people with an axe to grind
Not sure where the ‘political parties always tell the truth’comes from…as I am a very vocal opponent of this council and the lies it has told.
Don’t know what Charity bosses should be paid,to be honest not sure what the job entails, just that the wage seems in line with what is being paid to other charity bosses…whether its too much I leave up to you
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I’m struggling to think of an effective trade union on the Island (let alone a chess group with such weight to throw around!) – has a trade union or chess group ever resulted in £30000 of charitable funding being refused on the Island before?
Or in your opinion does this sudden distancing of the Hospice from the Gazette have nothing to do with the recent pressure it’s been applying to Pugh and the council?
One of those things? A coincidence?
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As you wellvknow I wasvsimply making examples…I could make others more relevent, like Rotarians, Buffs, local councils etc.
In my opinion the circumstances require investigating properly..not subject to guess work and fantasy.
a mere week ago The Gazette editor was a victim of the witch hunt, with his ALLEDGED past being dragged up on here…now,the same people are his champions and somebody else has become the victim of the witch hunt..whose next?
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Ummm, the Gazette is a free paper (good job too IMHO) and the hospice money is donated directly by its readers. I am personally quite offended because the Hospice is not, in fact, refusing money from Martin Potter et al-but from us-the public donors!!
The Gazette is simply offering a collection box for them-do they refuse to accept the service of well meaning volunteers to help with on street collections because they disagree with their politics as well??
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This doesn’t seem to be chinese whispers to me. The hospice has acted disgracefully. To think for years my family have walked miles to raise money for the hospice to pay for an £80,000 a year boss is shocking. Discovering they pick and choose from whom they collect donations is also shocking. This may please someone at the council but it will upsent a lot of hardworking islanders who have supported the hospice through thick and thin. Never again for me. I hope a mainland hospice takes over and runs it in a more sensible way. I am writing to the trustees to express my disgust.
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I think you’ve hit the nail on the head Mo.
Whether or not people choose to acknowledge how much power the funny handshakers wield and abuse on the island (and, having had family members lose their jobs for opposing them in the past, I’d have to say it’s perhaps more than some seem to think) really isn’t the most significant thing here.
If Graham Elderfield really is on 80K a year that’s a truly revolting amount of money for a charity to be paying, especially when many questioned his competence during his stint at St Mary’s.
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Having just looked through several different charities advertising for directors £60-£80k as a starting wage seems very common
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Local charities?
Really?
Where?
Suspect many on here will be dusting their CVs down! ;-)
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No, national chrities (after all we are still in the UK) simple Google search of job vacancies for Chrity directors will show my source.
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The island hospice is a small local charity. You cannot compare Mr Elderflower’s £80,000 salary with national rates. In any case, couldn’t they manage without him? They seem to have quite a few board members who I would guess make the big decisions.
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Facebook PAGE has been setup, called “Please Take My Money Earl Mountbatten Hospice”. Well done to whoever did it.
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Perhaps the money from the collection boxes could be donated to a different charity every year. Fair enough, the hospice do good work and it seems madness to turn down that cash, but there are lots of other charities just as worthy. Perhaps a different charity every year would spread the wealth a bit and help others out too.
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I am struggling with this one,my Mother died in a hospice and had received fantastic care (Not on the Isle of Wight) but I support and admire the work the hospice`s do…however if the Director is truly on that salary then those who walk the Wight do so to pay his salary, in addition as has been so rightly said here, we, the public make our donation to the Island Hospice by putting money in the box when we pick up the Gazette, how dare they say they do not want our money because they feel other charities should benefit, this would only apply if they had sufficient funds to carry on without us donating…it is therefore obvious that they are disassociating themselves from the Gazette at the expense of the dying.
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Well I dont know much about the hospice and why theyve made this decision. I just think if the Gazette is going to continue collecting for charity and the hospice wont accept that money, maybe a donation to various charities is better than association with one particular charity. The hospice is a worthy charity but others are also worthy. The decision has been made and unfortunately probably wont change, so I think the best thing for the gazette to do now (Apart from some decent journalisim for a change) is to move on and perhaps associate themselves with a variety of good causes rather than just one.
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Fully agree with you Hazel. My wife passed away nearly 2 years ago at the EMH. The clinical and pastoral staff were excellent and we are still in touch today. Every Friday, my daughter (aged 12) go shopping and buy the CP and pick up a free copy of the Gazette. Why do we pick up the Gazette? Because we use it as an excuse to put a fiver in the charity box, not just in memory of mum, but for all the folk who will need the services of the EMH. Please tell me, that from next week, how the hell I am going to tell her that there will be no longer the opportunity to make that, personal and fun, donation to the EMH? “Raising funds for the Wroxall Donkey Sanctuary”, for example, just won’t cut it with her. Pugh and Elderfield….both must go! Sad and disappointed. x
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why not simply post them a donation every week? or put it in a jar and post them a larger amount each month or year?
Just because the hospice is no longer accepting money from the gazette doesnt mean people cant donate to them. And ok, a donation to the Donkey Sanctury might not cut it, but how about if the gazette donates to a disabled charity? Or a charity for the mentally ill? The hospice is not the only place that does good work, and if Jason has any sense he will spread the donations amongst a number of good causes.
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Jon. You are missing the point. Of course we could do what you say and, indeed, I have a direct debit set up to donate to the EMH each month. What my daughter does has become habitual. She feels like she is posting a note to her mum. It’s a physical act which helps her cope. Hope you can understand that? x
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Yes I can understand that, and its a fair point. But unfortunately I very much doubt anything will change. Perhaps the hospice could put up independant collection boxes in the various shops they currently have the gazette stands, but they probably wont. Im simply trying to suggest what can be done now for people to continue to support the hospice and for the gazette to donate its collected funds. Unfortunately nothing anyone says here will really change the decision, so people should come up with alternatives rather than worry about what cant be changed.
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Surely anyone who feels they wish to continue making donations to the Hospice can do so without having to pick up a copy of the Gazette. This so called ‘paper’ has certainly shot itself in the foot now and I would be very surprised if it is still on the streets at the end of the summer.
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How has the Gazette shot itself in the foot exactly?
By pointing out Pugh and his croonies are useless and not fit to be in positions of power?
Because a hidden handshake somewhere has resulted in a charity effectively having £30000 of funding withdrawn?
I’d politely suggest it’s not The Gazette that’s shot itself in the foot – quite the opposite in fact…
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I’d also point out that it’s the paper everyone’s talking about (whether the CP or the IWCC like it or not).
You might snobbishly consider it a rag, but at the moment it’s a red rag to a bull that’s been allowed to run amok and unopposed in our beautiful Island china shop for far too long.
I’ve actually caught myself checking The Gazette front page before the CP’s of late! Long may democracy and freedom of speech continue on the Island.
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So 38K of, mainly, spontaneous donations to the EMH should not be put down to “having to pick up a copy of the Gazette”. Get real…it was a hook, and a bloody good one! It drew one’s attention to a fantastic cause. Having collected for the the Red Cross for many years, the average collection box on a bar at your average pub, collects about 30 quid a year…if it’s not stolen! x
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It has been suggested to Jason that the Gazette set up a Trust Fund administered by the “great & good” that could make donations and grants to “desreving causes” Island wide. That would seem a fair way of doing things in my eyes.
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that sounds like a good suggestion, but who would be administering it and would that be voluntary or would they take a salary? I honestly think a better way to do it would be to donate all the donations to a different charity each month or year. Perhaps Jason could set something up on the Gazette website so people could vote on and suggest which charities to donate to.
Unfortunately, I dont think there will be many donations if people dont know specifically where their money is going, and I have to agree with Dubois that this paper is unlikely to be around next year. With the Hospice publicly withdrawing their association, I do wonder how many advertisers may do the same. Maybe Jason should publish some actual news in his paper. Its a VERY rare occasion when I read something in there that I havent already seen on VB or somewhere else.
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Jack the Hat – time will tell!!
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I, for one, am dropping out of this debate. Whether or not you like or dislike The Gazette, the bottom line is, that it has raised over £38k for the EMH. Yes, I agree, this is less than half of what Elderfield is being paid, but that is something, unfortunately, we will have to live with. Or do we? Perhaps there is someone out there who could take on the role at, say, for free? x
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Id do it for £15-20k per year. Cant afford to do it free, but I dont need any more than that to live on.
I doubt they would accept anyone offering a freebe or a cheaper wage though. They probably wouldnt have the ‘experience’ needed to run a charity. You get what you pay for apparently. Or maybe that only works up to a point, then your just paying extra because thats the going rate. If every charity decided to reduce salary by £20k, all these executives wouldnt have a choice but to take a lesser wage.
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That is the nub of the problem – “the going rate” how often do we hear that as the justification. Bankers, council chief executives, housing association chief executives and now charity chief executives.It just snowballs with people moving and hicking up their salary. Joe Duckworth a prime example. It’s obscene and it is just plain wrong. Bear in mind the Elderfield, if he’s paid £80,000 also has a fair bit added for his pension.
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Pension – bound to be a generous NHS gold plated job isnt it? And of course the employer must pay his N.I contributions, insurances etc.
I would assume Sue Ryder Hospices have bosses too, but I would seriously doubt our one little hospice needs a top gun costing this kind of cash. I hope people write to the trustees and express their disgust. I also hope the local media make a big fuss too. If the Daily Sport or Playboy were sending them money I think they should accept it. You don’t have to approve of the donor. Didn’t the Lib-Dems take money from a fraudster who had stiolen it?
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I wonder if The Gazette will now ask questions about the Hospice chief execs salary?
Make a great headline…
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Unfortunately I suspect they now will. They wouldnt question that salary whilst they were associated with the hospice for fear of alienating the hospice and by extension the advertisers that pay for the gazette as Im sure many of those know their adverts are worthwhile due to the increase in circulation the gazette used to get from the hospice association.
Now they seem to have alienated the hospice anyway I suspect Jason will publish an ill thought out article asking several pointed questions about the hospice. As a result, I wouldnt be surprised if some advertisers question their association with the gazette, or already are. I would be interested to see how long Jason keeps his job if the gazette starts to loose advertising revenue because of articles that he has written or approved as editor.
Great headlines may sell papers, but the gazette is free and needs to concentrate on sensible journalism to retain its advertising share, not sensationalist rubbish avoiding libel by copious use of the word ‘allegedly’. Advertisers want consistent distribution, not a few headlines to increase publicity followed by a lapse back into mediocraty.
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The question of the Chief Executives pay is for the trustees to decide. IF the pay is in line with salaries of similar sized charities with similar incomes then OK, if not then perhaps they are not offering values for money. BUT, it is their decision.
However, the question over the severing of links with the Gazette is clumsy at best and politised favouratism at the expense of donations at worst.
I favour the latter, but it is the trustees who are accountable if donations diminish, especially in these more straightend times.
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How about
£80,000 a year Chief Exec says ‘we don’t need your money’
Yes, that would be a good one.
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To those who were requiring information about ‘Sue Ryder Hospice’ here are some links:-
Sue Ryder Care, 114-118 Southampton Row, London WC1B 5AA
call: 0845 050 1953 email: info@suerydercare.org
http://www.suerydercare.org/pages/fundraising.html
http://www.suerydercare.org/pages/support_us_online.html
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The thing is though Jon…..All this sensationalism mr Jay kay is bringing to the emerging paper would actually get a lot of advertisers thinking quite the opposite. Think how many extra editions were pressed for the Pugh Saga. I know I for one picked up a copy more eagerly.
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your right in the short term. Advertisers may well look at current distribution and see a good opportunity. But I dont think thats sustainable in the long term. I think the distribution will fall off and advertisers will start to wonder why they bothered. Jason cant have a sensational headline every week, and I think he will start to feel the pressure now that the initial story is past. Of course, having said that, he does have a reputation of creating headlines of his own such as when he was taken to court by Heather Mills, or when he was in court for trespassing on foot and mouth infected land, so maybe he can keep the sensationalism going, and perhaps he should change the appearence of the gazette to a red banner to emulate national tabloids.
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For sure, it is almost daily sport but I’m sure the Newport strip club could get a few ads in, how about the IW Jazz festival for good measure.. heheheh. lol
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Funny how some of you think this is about the gazette when it so obviously is about the stupidity of the hospice decision maker.
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Its surely about both. There must be some reason behind the decision and the gazettes articles are probably relevant to that. I would say that given the headline includes both the gazette and the hospice, comments on both are relevant.
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It’s about both.
I really don’t think The Gazette has done very much wrong at all though, and it certainly hasn’t run anything another local paper in a similar vein wouldn’t have published!
Jon makes a valid point about how some businesses will withdraw from advertising (although smarter advertisers will no doubt take advantage of its recent surge in popularity/notoriety – I’ve actually seen the Pughnoccio pics in people’s windows!) – those withdrawals will be made by businesses where pressure from County Hall counts – one would have to ask who is exerting this pressure, and why do they feel they have a right to exert it?
I’m still very very surprised a charity is refusing a charitable donation, and if the Chief Exec comes under scrutiny now because of his decision, and the fact this decision has now raised questions about his competence and salary, so be it.
The discussion will take place in public, as it should in a democracy.
Not behind closed doors.
Not by overpaid individuals who think what’s best for them is best for us.
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Does anybody think that the Hospices actions may be a precursor to future actions against the Gazette and its Editor and they they have been very sensible in distancing themselves at this time?
Just a thought…not even an opinion
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yes that is what I would presume too – pending libel case or something similar
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its possible… There clearly is a reason, and it seems to be one the hospice cant publicise for some reason. That would fit with a possible legal action.
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How would they know that, if things hadn’t been discussed internally somewhere?
It’s a good point though, although I’m not sure they’ve printed anything libellous.
Put it this way – if anyone sues, I hope they use their own money not the councils to pay their fees!
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If anyone was going to sue the gazette we would have heard about it by now. This is a red herring.
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I doubt you would hear about it if it was a pending case. Until it goes to court it wont be publicised, and court dates can take ages to come up. Its not a red herring at all, its a possibility. Incidentally, why do people say red herring? Why the hell would a herring be red, and how does that translate into a misleading piece of information?
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Yes but if no one knows until it goes to court Jon, how would the Chief Exec at the Hospice know???
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Oh yeah, Jay Kay and the gazette would really keep it quiet if Pughnoccio was taking legal action!
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Jason may not have a choice. There may be a gagging order already in place to prevent him publishing more. I was expecting an article with Busbys statement in, but it never materialised.
Pugh wouldnt have such an impediment and if he happened to mention it to someone, and it happened to get back to the hospice then, whoops, sorry, his mistake, but all he did was mention it. He didnt suggest they reject donations.
OR, just maybe it has nothing to do with Pugh at all. Maybe it is something else to do with the Gazette or its editor.
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Charitys can refuse donations from organisations or people that may lead to adverse publicity. If Playboy donated, and the hospice refused, I dont think people would be questioning it so much.
As for pressure from county hall, I dont think there really is that much. But some advertisers will choose to withdraw their advertising simply to save their reputations. A lot has come out about Pugh in the gazette, but also a lot has come out about Jason Kay, and I think this may lead to people disassociating from him, and hence the gazette, to avoid being tarred with his brush. Incidentally, it would be good to see someone do a report into Jason Kays role in events. Hes told his side of things, how about someone telling the other side? Maybe that would make it more apparent why the hospice has refused Gazette donations.
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I think, at present, the refusal is FAR worse publicity than anything Mr Kay may or might not have done in the past.
Not basing that on anything other than what I’ve heard on the street mind – my mum and her friends (who have friends the Hospice has helped) is disgusted with them turning their nose up at charity. Our phone call today was about how much its Chief Exec is on (“the mind boggles!”), not what a journalist she’s never heard of (despite him putting his photo next to every story he writes!) may or may not be guilty of.
Conversation soon turned to the storm though – we Brits like to talk about the weather!
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I would – what’s wrong with playboy? It’s a respectable magazine that happens to feature nude women. The hospice cannot point to the gazette’s content as the cause of its decision without saying what it actually took issue with. As it hasn’t they don’t actually have an excuse. The only suffering will be the people the hospice raise money for, certainly not the boss on 80 grand a year. I question their poor judgement. I think it’s time Sue Ryder or similar took over, a bit like the RNLI took over our struggling independent lifeboats.
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Jon – to put your mind at rest:
The idiom probably originates from an article published 14 February, 1807 by journalist William Cobbett in the polemical Weekly Political Register.[7] In a critique of the English press, which had mistakenly reported Napoleon’s defeat, Cobbett recounted that he had once used a red herring to deflect hounds in pursuit of a hare, adding “It was a mere transitory effect of the political red-herring; for, on the Saturday, the scent became as cold as a stone.”[7] As British etymologist Michael Quinion says, “This story, and [Cobbett's] extended repetition of it in 1833, was enough to get the figurative sense of red herring into the minds of his readers, unfortunately also with the false idea that it came from some real practice of huntsmen.”[7]
From WIKEPEDIA.
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In my opinion Jon, you clearly share the same feeling towards the Gazette and its Editor as Starlight and No.5. In my opinion it is clouding your judgement on this matter. Which is unfortunate as normally you talk a little sense. But on this matter, it won’t matter how many times you knock the Gazette and its Editor, I think most people can see what is going on. Wouldn’t surprise me if one or more of you actually worked for the council, communications team, maybe???
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as ive said many times before, I do not work for the council in any way, and I am not associated with any members of the council. Im sure people will beleive their own paranoia though so I wont bother saying it again.
As for the Gazette, no i have no ill feeling towards it or its editor. Im simply pointing out that others may have ill feeling, deservedly or not, and perhaps transparancy all round would reveal the truth behind why the hospice has rejected these donations. I dont think its knocking anyone to suggest that perhaps Jason is economical with the truth on occasion, and I think if someone were to publish the other side of the story then maybe we might all realise exactly why the hospice has rejected gazette money. Or, equally, maybe not. maybe there is no good reason.
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We’re just looking at the broad picture Shobba. It’s all relative and contributes to the discussion.
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Incidentally, how about the Gazette donating to some youth charities? Things like Scouts are always in need of funds.
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Good call.
There are loads of services the council are cutting back on too, and plenty of historical buildings in need of help.
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Really…what opinion do I have of the Gazette and its editor.
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NO.5, sorry my bad, i was wrong to include your name in that last post. Your comments were that this is all fantasy, rumour, speculation and hystria, we are both entitled to our opinions, i will try harder to respect others in future. hugs and kisses
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No problem..
Just I have never shown an opinion that is anti Gazette or the Editor…In fact I read it every week and it helps me identify what the staff have been upto over the weekends (they feature regulaly in the photos)
My comments are about posters on here who are thriving on melodrama and doing their best to carry it on.
I personally would not be to quick to allow your comments to be published…who knows what the next twist might be in this story and IP addresses can be obtained with a court order whatever name you use.
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Speaking as someone who used to work at the Gazette, I’m amazed the Hospice didn’t pull out earlier. The paper’s founder simply used them to persuade shops to stock it – emotional blackmail really. He had no time for the charity at all, and was personally abusive about the former boss, David Cheek. I’d advise other charities to steer clear.
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This may well be true despite your being a disgruntled former employee, but why not. The hospice needs money and the paper needed a launch hook.
Mr Cheek was a paid fundraiser not the boss. £35,000 a year I believe.
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Where does it say he was disgruntled…or just another leap of assumption
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I think if you read his post it is fairly obvious he was disgruntled. Fair play admitting it.
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well thats where your going wrong then.
Can’t see anything there that says this person is/was disgruntled..only that they have an opinion of an ex-employer…they could have been very happy there and left underperfectly normal circumstances
But don’t let that stop you jumping to conclusions…you’d have nothing to post about :-)
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You’re a very funny man. Saying your former employer manipulated the hospice, was rude to and had no time for Mr Cheek and should have withdrawn from the agreement earlier is of course exactly what you would expect from a happy contented employee? Yes, you are indeed highly amusing.
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Id love to see if the gazette publishes your comment… Somehow I doubt they will. I expect to see lots of comments that agree with their stance, and none that disagree. Id much rather see a balance.
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You were wrong Jon. Balanced I think, and well written. Have you got together with Mrs Shobba yet?
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We are planning to run an article in tomorrows paper about the hospice withdrawing from the Gazette, and would like to use some of the VB readers comments, would you be able to comment and let us know if you are happy for your comments to go in the paper
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I am more than happy for you to publish my comments…I cannot believe that the hospice which does such great work is turning down between twenty five and thirty thousand pounds a year which is raised by us the public not the Gazette, if they can afford to do this then clearly they do not need to ask us for contributions, if this is the Directors decision and based on the reports of the behaviour of the council chairman it is even more outrageous, we still live in a land of free speech, how can they justify turning down this sort of money and then expect us to continue to support them.
My Mother died in a hospice and I have the greatest admiration for the work done, I would suggest the hospice would be better served by getting rid of their Director as he has done them no favors and bearing mind his salary is somewhere around eighty thousand a year is an expense they can do without.
Anyone who believes this rejection is nothing to do with the council is naive indeed, are they really aboove critisism..it would appear so.
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OK by me!
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Please feel free to use my comments, You already read the story I covered today.
Look forward to reading your story :)
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If I’ve said anything worth repeating please feel free.
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Sorry to repeat myself, IW Gazette, you are more than welcome to use my comments. Noraa
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Your welcome to use any of my comments, and I hope you decide to use a balance of comments, not just ones that support you. Also, hopefully, everyone will be quoted in context…
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If this comment asking commentators’ permission to use their comments in the Gazette was left at 7.42pm Thursday, what time did the Gazette (out on Friday morning) go to press?
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Hi Wendy – It goes to press very late on Thursday night.
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Gazette, you are more than welcome to use my comments. Noraa
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No problem at all.
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Well done IW Gazette, well written and balanced article. I will be taking my donation to the hospice personally.
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Within charity accounts there are, what are called, restricted and unrestricted funds. Restricted funds are money that can only be spent on specific things as prescribed by the donor. Therefore if you made a dontion with the request that it only be spent on certain activities and NOT be spent on others – e.g. salaries, the charity is legally boun to abide by your instruction.
Just a thought for those of you in a moral cleft stick.
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So if everyone who makes a contribution to the Hospice started insisting the monies raised be used to help those treated, not pay the
Chief Exec, they’d have to use it for precisely that?
Very interesting bit of info that. Hope the Gazette run it next week so the majority of people know, because I suspect the majority of people would want their money used in this way.
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Oh and don’t forget to “Gift Aid” your donations if you are sending them in individualy. Any collected by Gazette and or tin are not gift aided. Gift Aiding adds 23% to the donation. So the Gazettes £30,000 would be worth an extra £6,900! See any charity site for details.
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Thought the IW Gazette article was very decent, and addressed many of things I’ve heard real islanders discussing this week. Certainly more interesting than IW Radio’s Pughcast today put it that way!
How about a poll in next week’s addition asking whether or not people think Graham Elderfield
should resign over this bizarre decision?(He won’t obviously. Sure he’s got a lovely charitable-contribution paid pension accruing).
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The article was well written, however I have to disagree with the comments being balanced. There was not one comment asking why the hospice has withdrawn their association, or asking what the gazette may have done to deserve it. As I expected, nothing critical of the Gazette at all. Only comments in support have made it in. The closest to an opposing comment is saying the sun, mirror etc are ‘rags’ and suggesting the hospice might accept their money.
Whilst the majority of the comments are about the hospice, and rightly so, I do feel that they should have published some of the comments on here asking what the gazette may have done, or at least included a link to this page so their readers could see for themselves.
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Not true Jon.
It was mentioned very prominently that the Gazette had asked the Hospice several times directly why they had severed ties.
The article could have been more balanced and no doubt would have been if the Hospice and Graham Elderfield had used the opportunity to tell the truth about their/his decision.
It/he didn’t.
If the Hospice don’t want to use the opportunity to explain themselves that’s up to them not the Gazette isn’t it?
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yes, the gazette may have contacted the hospice, and thats fine, but my comment was about the comments they have published from here. There is not one comment asking that question, or critisising the gazette in any serious way, yet there are quite a few of those on here. I dont beleive the comments are a balanced representation of what is actually on here. OK, maybe the gazette shouldnt have to publish things that may make them look bad, but I do think they should have published a link to this article so their readers could read both the sample of comments in the gazette, and all the comments on here if they wished. ie, Read More Comments At VentnorBlog.com.
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What like in the letter section of the gazette when people where complaining about the way jay covered the pugh stories?
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well we’re talking about the hospice article here, not letters. If some letters were published about the hospice article next week then fair play. Letters about Pugh articles arent relevant to the hospice article though, unless some of the wild speculation on here is correct.
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All I can say is well done to the Hospice. They have recognised that there are other Charities on the Island that are also in desperate need of peoples money. It takes a big man to step back and see the bigger picture. The hospice have clearly seen what a lot of people here can not. That the Island has a lot of people and charities in need. I will still be dropping my donations in every week.
Well done EMH.
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are you for real? If that was the case why has corries cabbin been fundraising for 6 years. Is there money better than mine?
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With all due respect, the duty of the Trustees of the Hospice is to act as Trustees of the Hospice, not to act on behalf of other charities as far as the detination of donated monies is concerned, and especially not as regards money donated to the Hospice! Donors alone should decide where thir money goes.
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SHAME ON YOU PEOPLE! Need I remind you that this money goes towards helping people at the time of their lives they need it most? And all you can do is bicker about the politics behind it all. I watch these people do their best to raise money, week in week out and I’m sure that WHATEVER the reason behind them pulling out of this deal it has to be a good one. So surely that means they need more support not less?? I for one will be buying 2 sunflowers at this years festival to show my support – and I’d suggest all their fundraisers do the same. One on the front to show their support, and one on their back to give the Gazette a good target to stick the knife in. Find me a person on the island who doesn’t know someone the hospice has helped… Great job you EMHers. Keep up the good work, as thanks to these guys, it appears your job just got tougher.
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I agree wholeheartedly with you – the Hospice still needs and deserves support.
I’d recommend people follow one of the suggestions made further above and donate directly though, insisting that the contribution be used to help those in need – nobody wants to raise money for charity and have it used to pay 80K to said charity’s Chief Exec.
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Jack i’m not sure why you or anyone else is bothered about this 80k wage. How much do you think Richard Branson is on?
Its all economy of scale. Do you get someone in for nothing that had no clue, someone in for 20k, that only brings in a bit, but maybe this Chief Exec on 80k might bring in millions.
So whats better to pay?
I would pay 200k if this person could bring in extra millions, and keep a family member of mine in comfort for longer.
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I think thats fair comment up to a point. But rather than having a set salary, I would put a cap of say 25k on it. If he then brings in 1 million he gets another 10k, and so on up to maybe a 100k limit.
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Couldn’t comment on your other post…
I have no idea how much money is raised by Graham after his salary but what I do know is if he is making millions for the EMH then he no longer needs our money anyway as it appears £2.2 million per year is required to provide these services.
Its not his job to decide if my money will be better off in the hands of another charity. that’s my decision!
”How do you know hes simply not decided that the gazette money is a relatively small amount that doesnt provide a massive benefit to the hospice and would provide more benefit to other charities?”
Because I would like to think he is not that shallow and remember he’s paid 80k by the EMH NOT other charities.
After all the chip-shop in cowes has made £5,400 over 5 years and has shared it between a few local charities.
I would say a % of £5,400 is a relatively small amount (no offence Mr Quigley) that doesn’t provide a massive benefit to the hospice compared to £38,000 from us working and lower class Islanders who happen to read the gazette.
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Firstly, to say that only lower and working class islanders read the Gazette is both insulting and inaccurate, and I hope you apologise for that.
Secondly, no one at the hospice is deciding they dont want your money. They are simply removing association with the gazette. If that makes it harder for you to donate then you will have to go to some extra effort to do so.
Thirdly, you mention the chip shop donations to support your argument, but this is one donation amongst many. If you could quote the total the hospice receives in one year from all sources, your argument may hold more water.
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sorry Jon If I hurt your feelings but I class ‘working class’ as someone who has worked in their lifetime and not people who claim benefits or accept handouts from rich family members.
Secondly ‘lower class’ is what I class as people on this Island working on not much more than minimum wage and struggling through life or the ones that are stuck in the crappy system relying on benefits (ie disability, JSA, Working Tax Credits etc etc)
If I have missed your class please let me know
I would ‘class’ myself as a lower class working person for the record. The only other class I see is the ‘fatcat class’ you know the ones who bleed our community dry and we all know there not the ones to read the gazette or VB – Unless of course there may be a story about them in it.
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I find your comments incredibly insulting not just to me but to anyone who reads the gazette. You are assuming that only people of a certain type read it. Thats steryotyping of the worst kind.
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Yes but he’s being paid £80,000 to decide my hard earned money is not wanted. So clearly he’s not making millions, and infact turning down tens of thousands of pounds of Islanders money
and if he is making millions then my money would be better in my pocket and spent on my family!
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you seem to have some knowlage of how much the hospice receives in donations. How do you know hes not making millions? How do you know hes simply not decided that the gazette money is a relatively small amount that doesnt provide a massive benefit to the hospice and would provide more benefit to other charities? Im not saying that is the case, and Im not saying your wrong. But if you explain how you know what you say is true that would support what you say. Or is it just assumption?
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What class am I missing, please let me know?
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well you clearly have your own system of classification, which is insulting in itself. It implies that you beleive some people are better than others.
The point Im making is that to assume that only people of a certain type read the gazette is incredibly insulting. You have no idea who reads it or why. For all you know, the Queen may read it. Clearly a ridiculous example, but you dont know that she doesnt, just as I dont know that she does. Its not just the class distinction I find offensive, its the assumption on your part.
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Wow your comments amaze me Jon
‘It implies that you believe some people are better than others.’
Not at all, but I do think some people are better off than others. Some of us are on the poverty line and some are not… simples
“The point Im making is that to assume that only people of a certain type read the gazette is incredibly insulting. For all you know, the Queen may read it. Clearly a ridiculous example, but you dont know that she doesnt”
Tell me what’s different from my comment and yours, you have just gone and done the exact some thing as me lol Why is that a ‘ridiculous example’? The queen may well read the gazette, after all i’m sure she has the internet in her luxury home.
Now your assuming that the queen is in a different class and wouldn’t read the gazette.
Lets agree to disagree :)
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well if you had quoted me completely, then maybe that would hold more water. Im not making any assumptions about the Queens possible readership of the gazette. Im simply using her as an example to show that even people who are better off may read it, and you dont know if they do or not. Yet you assume that they dont. Please dont try to turn your own assumtions back on me.
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Sorry chat, what the front line staff do is not questioned here. Indeed rightly they are praised highly be all the critics.
What is questioned is a highly paid boss deciding he doesn’t need to take much needed money from a source he simply disapproves of. That appears to be a crass decision. As supporters and fundraisers, we have every right to question this. I for one would rather our local hospice was run by someone like Sue Ryder. I cannot believe they would play local politics and refuse donations from a perfectly legal newspaper.
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He is paid a standard rate for the job he does…if he resigns, they will have to offer that much to replace him…( or even more if they have to pay travel and relocation)
Pointless,useless bickering and plastic socialism won’t change that..
This man runs a hospice successfully and is a professional. Macmillan is not some small time charity. People in his care are dying horrible horrible deaths that this man does his bit to ease. He managers a busines that provide care for up to 800 Islanders and does this on a budget of £2.2 Million
And you lot bicker about it. Then you accuse Pugh of sleaze.
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Sorry meant Mountbatten..was looking at McMillan comparisons ( he would be paid more to work there)
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Many people running a business with a similar turnover earn far less. Perhaps less than half the Elderfield salary package. You are of course again comparing his salary with NATIONAL rates, ours is a small independent charity, not a national charity.
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No 5, a cursory glance at the latest published accounts of the Hospice show that your figure of £2.2 million is way out. Salaries alone in 2008 were £2.4 million and in the Statement of Accounts it stated that “no employee was paid more than £60k” That implies to me that Mr Elderfield is being paid at least £20k more than his predecessor. I have no opinion on whether or not he is worth it; that is a matter for the Trustees.
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2.2 million was the figure off of the website and I think refelcts the minimum running costs
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Hello Graham.
Feeling the heat?
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@larry But the hospice CEO isn’t bringing in millions he is having his strings pulled and alienating many people who have been donating for years
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@Icaraus – How do you know this? All I can see is someone doing his job and looking out for the Island. Everything else is guess work, and media circus. Headline news! is it as sensational if you say “Hospice shares donations with island charities” or do more people want to read “Nasty Hospice doesn’t want money”?
Open your eyes people and take take things with a pinch of salt. Heads of companies do get paid well, as they are hard to run. Just look at the abuse the poor man is getting for doing his job. I don’t understand why people are being alienated? I would be more annoyed if they said bugger everyone else just think of us!
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‘Bugger everyone else and just think of us’ I think this is exactly how well run charities work. They have enough to do raising their own funds without asking you to give elsewhere. What a silly idea. I can just imagine calling the RNLI to ask where I miight send my cheque to be told ‘Have you thought about posting it off to a better cause?’
Laughable. The island hospice have made a stupid mistake. It will cost them far more than the lost donations that came via the Gazette.
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Yes ..thanks to your barracking
Pleased with yourself
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Oh it’s my fault? Sorry, it was of course me who called Graham Elderfield to say
‘Hello Graham, your old mate **** here, from IW Council. Now look here, this Gazette rag is beneath contempt, like that awful Ventnor Bog thing. Awful chaps both of them. They seem to allow any old nonsense. I really don’t think you should be associating with either of them. Any chance you could could cut the ties old chap? I know it will cost you a few guineas but I’m sure you can make that up – like they do their stories what-what!’
Yes – You got me, my fault.
The Gazette may be rude, offensive, disrespectful and care not who it upsets, but as a member of the public I think that’s exactly what constitutes a good newspaper. The more the powers-that-be hate it, the more I know we need it. VB too.
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Very short sighted. Can you tell me then why do big companies like Tesco’s change there Charity every year? As they see the bigger picture.
I’m just very glad that not everyone thinks this way. If you want to make a donation direct i’m sure you wouldn’t be turned down.
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There you go..off into fantasy land again.
You know nothing about the circumstances whatsoever yet are happy to slander the man behind a pseudonym and bait a converstaion where people are saying they are going to no longer donate to a charity that eases dying peoples pain.
Does that make you feel important?
I’m sure that if the editor made a donation without attaching it to a marketing ploy it would also be accepted.
After all the Gazette is a free paper paid for by the advertiasing and actually donates nothing. We do that in a charity box that carries his marketing..Good plan and good luck to him…but it is marketing nothing else. (Wonder if he gets tax breaks on it?)
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Think you’re well wide of the mark Larry. Well well wide.
If this was really about stepping aside to let another charity have the chance of some extra funding, don’t you think the smart (80K a year smart) thing to do would have been to help line up another charity to replace the Hospice before simply severing ties with the Gazette and vacating?
I’m sure there are plenty of charities that would have come forward and asked to replace the Hospice if given the chance beforehand, and it would have negated any (if not all) negative press.
It’s short-sighted and INCREDIBLY ineptly managed if nothing else.
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Ok not sure how I’m slander the “man”. I can see it from both sides.
Hospice: Want to step a side to allow others to also gain from the donations
Gazette: Want to help a charity.
I’m just not sure why the EMH should set up the next Charity. If it was my company and I was making donations to who ever and you came along to me and said oh now you are going to give to these people I’ve decided on, i would be quite put out. I’m sure that the money being collected today is still going EMH, until the Gazette pick a new and worthy charity.
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I think you’ve missed by point (again) Gra… Larry.
All the Hospice and Mr Elderfield had to do in order to avoid negative press was invite other charities to approach the Gazette to replace them BEFORE vacating.
That’s it. They don’t have to set anything up. Just handle the changeover in an adult and competent fashion.
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Theres no reason why the hospice should set up the next charity, nor should there be except that it would look better for them. It seems quite odd that no other charity has immediately stepped into the space and asked for this money. Perhaps other island charities are still considering if the gazette is suitable for association with.
I think perhaps the question that should be asked and has been asked is what has the gazette done to alienate the hospice? If it comes out its something petty like Pughgate I doubt the hospice will enjoy much good publicity. If its something much more serious such as (speculating here) withholding donated funds, then the hospice will be in the right. Those are two ends of the spectrum, im sure theres lots of other reasons why the hospice may have disassociated.
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@Mr T – Not quite sure why your so upset with someone else’s opinion but…
“We now believe that the time is right to withdraw from this arrangement in order to allow another charity to benefit from the donations.”
I read this as that invite…
Anything more than this would be insulting to the Gazettes management. Are you saying there should be one more line that said. “And we would now like to ask others to take our place?”
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Of course they don’t have to Jon.
They didn’t and haven’t.
I’m just saying it would have been the decent and more competent thing to do.
Anyone with half a PR brain could (and indeed should) have pointed out to Graham Elderfield that questions would be asked as to why the Hospice was refusing funding from a paper that has recently (finally!) started to try and hold both the council leader and the council accountable. I’m amazed that someone who’s being heralded by some as a decent manager on here didn’t realise this himself – bit of a schoolboy error for an 80K Chief Exec to make!
The consequences of his decision, and the way this has been handled, does make it look like it’s been refused in a petty fashion to many, because if it didn’t we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
Why withdraw it so suddenly if this isn’t about Pugh and the direction the Gazette has recently taken?
Why not just say to the Gazette “I think it’s time you gave another charity some funding – appeal for another good cause, and until you find one, we, and the good people we support, would be very grateful for your cash.”
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On an 80k salary the fool knows zilch about PR, or worse still he couldn’t really care less.
You suggest people donate by means other than via the Gazette, then maybe, just maybe, this bloated fat cat will condescend to accept charity!
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With PR like this you have to wonder if shares any PR staff with the council?
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For the record People
The money put into the collection box that where on the stand of the IW Gazette. We at the Gazette have or had no access to the money it didn’t even enter our offices it was collect by someone employed by the hospice. Who went around the stands and collected the donations. So there is no secret of where is the money gone !! TO answer the other question yes four or five other charities ave approached us for support. If you read the paper next week more on this
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is there any news yet on just why the hospice has disassociated itself from you? Would you care to give the reasons why you think they have?
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Good post newsdesk. But obviously not what some head in the sand posters here wanted to hear. Well done for your dignity and generosity. I would bet your new charity partners accept the money with slightly better grace than the hospice snobs.
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personally, I would like to hear why the gazette thinks the hospice has disassociated themselves. Im asking for their opinion, not fact. Theres been an awful lot of speculation on here, and the Newsdesk post answers some questions, but leaves others unanswered. If they can clear up some of the speculation with fact or their own opinion I think they should.
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So you want the gazette to clear up speculation with an opinion?
Jon, your not making sense to me!
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I would prefer they clear up speculation with fact, but if they dont have the facts I would be interested to hear what they think. They are at the centre of the story, so their opinion would be very interesting, as would any facts they may have.
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Jon what questions would you like answered?
Your welcome to email us or to myself jason@iwgazette.co.uk.
I will be happy to answer to them or by blog post a reply to them on Ventnorblog.
A thank you to the people who agreed for the quotes and posting to be published in this weeks gazette.
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Jason, the questions are in my comment above, and a further one in my question below. But since you so kindly offer to answer my questions directly, may I ask if your real name is Jason Kay or James Parfitt? Ive found you referred to as both in various articles about you.
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and incidentally, thanks for the offer of emailing you, but I would rather you posted the answers here for all to see.
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No offence but whats his name to do with you?,
people are legally allowed alias so long as its not used for acts of fraud. (and so long as you fill in the bit on council forms – other names you have used.)
I have a few names I use myself. Protects me when i’m working on-line.
What’s your full name Jon?
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His name is nothing to do with me. But I have seen both used and simply wonder which is his real name. If he chooses not to answer, fair enough. But he did offer to answer my questions directly, and so far has not done so.
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I’m prepared to bring a couple of things to the table the hospice say there is no link with the council but yet the chairman of IW council charity this year is the hospice!! need I say anymore do boots sell condoms! Hope that may clear up the matter
Its not the gazette money that the hospice has refused its the islanders who donate to them
During the week I looked up on the hospice web there mission statement it is pasted below
http://www.iwhospice.org/news/default.aspx
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so you think your reporting of the IOW Council and its leader may have had some impact on this decision?
And just to be clear, have the Hospice implied that at all?
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Well what can you say to that…
You are a newspaper thats trying to get headline. What should we read into that! Even you at the iwgazete are implying!
The only people here taking the higher ground are the EMH!
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the only communcation we have had out of the blue was an email with the attached
Dear Jason
Please find attached a copy of a letter being forwarded to you in the post today from Graham Elderfield.
Regards
Pauline Hull
PA to Chief Executive
Earl Mountbatten Hospice is a registered charity, No. 1039086,
and a company limited by guarantee, RCN 2929267.
Its registered office is at Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Halberry Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 2ER.
Disclaimer added by CodeTwo Exchange Rules
http://www.codetwo.com
here is the letter that was attached
Mr J Kay
Editor
Gazette
Unit B18
Spithead Business Centre
Newport Road
SANDOWN
Isle of Wight
PO36 9PH
19th March, 2010
Dear Jay
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, I write to express our sincere thanks for the efforts of everyone at the Gazette since 2008, when we became the beneficiary of donations for the Gazette from Islanders. In almost two years we have raised over £25,000 for the Hospice and the care of our patients.
We now believe that the time is right to withdraw from this arrangement in order to allow another charity to benefit from the donations. As a gesture to the newspaper and whichever charity will benefit in the future, we are happy to donate the newspaper stands and collecting boxes to you. I will ask Steve Read to collect the boxes after his next distribution round next week and then you can have them for the next charity to use.
Once again many thanks to you and the Gazette for your support.
Yours sincerely
Graham Elderfield
Chief Executive
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A nice letter which doesnt say much at all there.
Although it does make me think of another question. The hospice claim £25k has been raised, the gazette £38k. How does the gazette know how much has been raised if they did not have any access to the collecting tins? How do they come to the figure of £38k?
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What a complete idiot.
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Can ask something that no one has picked up on yet.
Why would any charity want to work with the Gazette, when the second they ask “politely” they are splashed across the headlines.
That also poses the question someone brought up before, did the gazette strong arm the hospice?
Its worth asking as this is the reaction they got when asking to leave! @newsdesk@iwgazete.co.uk?
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Thats a very interesting question. I doubt you will get an answer, Mr Kay doesnt seem to be in the mood for answering difficult questions tonight. Maybe we can all shame him into replying to some of these questions about him and his paper rather than just making comments that seem to undermine the hospice and the council.
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They were hardly ‘splashed across the headlines’ the big front-page story was about the body in the freezer.
I think it was right for them to cover the story. After all I wanted to know why they didn’t want MY money and what better place to hear it from.
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I would think any other place would be a better place to hear it from. An unbiased outlet would be a much better place to read about it. And please dont say the gazette is unbiased, they are part of the story, of course theyre biased. Its a story which directly affects their reputation.
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This is the third time you have contradicted yourself tonight Jon.
If that’s the case why are you asking for gazettes comments to clear up the speculation on here.
Just wait until next weeks county press is out, I’m sure they will give you much better answers. And unbiased ones :)
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why am i asking for Gazette comments on here? I would have thought thats obvious from how I asked it. They are part of the story, and if they can clear up speculation then great. If they can give their opinion then great. But it is still only one side of the story. If the hospice wanted to post here, even better.
But this comment isnt about them posting here. Its about their article being biased and there being no way anyone can claim its not since they are part of the story. I would love to see them answer some of the questions here, but I wouldnt trust those answers compleately unless they could provide some evidence. The letter to the gazette from the hospice is a very good start, but since he offered to answer questions directly, I think Jason should do so.
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@ Jason Kay, or newsdesk@gazette:
Its half hour since you posted anything. Im sure youve had time to read the questions I and others have posted here. How about the replies you promised? Or do we have to email you because your too scared to answer them in a public forum?
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In fairness, he does say ‘on behalf of the board’ so perhaps it was board members who were got at? Either way, it’s the hospice that have made this awful crass decision.
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not at all scared was just traveling from the office to home so fire away in the question front to clear up the amount raised we get the amount from the hospice every time the boxes are emptied. The gross collected was 38,00 but they are using part of the funds to pay people to collect and empty the boxes and have taken away an amount for some stand that they purchase to increase the number of outlets that stocked the gazette. Any editor is going to put headlines on the front of newspapers to tease people into piking it up. There aren’t any questions that are difficult to answer Jon fire away
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Do the hospice get anything for nothing? They pay £80 grand a year to Elderfield, thousands more to get the boxes emptied and heaven knows what for stands. They spent £13,000 to collect £25,000. Who would call this sound management?
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The story reported in the gazette was facts and comments from people on this blog. The county press too great joy in using it as there front cover story on there web site which was some what confusing. You ever see The Sun write about the The Mirror. If we don’t run the story it would of been wrong people would have said we have something to hide and when we ran it we are said to be biased so Jon we could win either way. It was talk about there there was legals going on behind the scenes with the paper and the council this is not true nor with the hospice either its business as was> We are bring story to island people like we have done since I arrived on the island. Its freedom of choice if you don’t want to read don’t pick it up but one thing I will say is we are getting bigger and that is what is worrying others.
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I’m sorry but you make the decision on “Spin”.
You talk about council puppets. Well you had the choice, to say the hospice had stepped aside to allow someone else to benefit from the great job you do, or to flame them by saying they are throwing it in your face. You chose to sensationalist the story.
Personally I think you have made this what it is.
Shame… you seemed to have a nice relationship. Still I would be worried if I was the next charity.
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Larry
The Gazette supported the hospice in many way with the collecton boxes on the stands and we gave them free space in the paper every week to promote the hospice News. There was no spin put on the story in anyway it was fact Hospice turns it’s back on gazette. The island has a right to real news!
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I’m sorry but where exactly did they “Say No to YOUR money” They said “We now believe that the time is right to withdraw from this arrangement in order to allow another charity to benefit from the donations.”
That right there is spin… I agree a right to know, but don’t hide behind we tell the truth. Thats exactly what a bully does.
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Jon
Where are you with your public questions I’m here to answer I don’t think its very nice to say i’m not in the mood to answer hard questions what questions have you got that you want answering?
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im sorry i got tired of waiting. there were a number of questions asked that you didnt answer and as far as I can see, still havnt. Youve chosen which questions to answer, and given answers which support your article, which is fair enough, but maybe you should try answering some questions which maybe make you slightly less comfortable. You ask where my questions are, and Ive told you twice now that there are questions in the comments above, yet you still havnt answered them. Im not going to waste my time and yours reposting them, scroll up and read them for yourself.
As for bias, of course your article was biased. Your part of the story so its to be expected, and to be fair at least you asked the hospice for a quote. In this case, I dont think you being biased is a bad thing, its just simply a fact. Youve given your side of things, and the hospice stuck by their original statement.
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Who are you saying is a bully Larry? The hospice has been bullied by someone somewhere!!
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Yes, by your actions you are causing harm.
They merely said they wanted to hand the batten to someone else to help share the wealth around the island. You have then Spun the story, causing things like this thread.
Where is the Hospices right to reply? Where is there side of the story, bar the letter? Why do it in the first place. Just move on and pick a new charity.
If I was a charity, I would go near you, from fear that you would turn on me.
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I don’t agree Larry
We approached the hospice three times for a comment and quote and also a statement as did others and they stuck by the letter don’t with to comments as per the quote.
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well you wouldn’t. How about a comment on the other elements.
Even if they put a quote in, who’s to say you wont spin it, or put comments around it?
How about answering why the hospice that you supported for 2 years, why you have turned on them and are now causing them harm? Thus the bullying?
I will be setting up a direct debt with the hospice just because I think this will stop people giving aid. The very thing you set up to help them do.
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Your the one doing the spinning Larry, the way I see it is that people who have been donating money they can barely afford have had that thrown back in their faces by certain elements that appear more interested in pursuing their own agenda than attending to their responsibilities
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@Icarus – Sorry where is my spin. I am stating Facts. What the letter said, and what is printed. Facts. The rest is my opinion. You are very naive to think that there are no politics on the other side. A paper that has no agenda now there would be something new.
Try to look at things from every side.
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I’m very please if the story wasn’t reported it would of been big bad gazette cuts ties with hospice!
The way forward will be to everyone benafit !! We are going to be the islands people’s paper!!
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You seem to have the worst case scenario from both sides here. Maybe that is why you printed this the way you did. If you want you both to benefit, take the middle road. What is best for you both.
I look forward to seeing how this continues to pan out in the papers. I hope The way forward will be to everyone benefit. I hope you are going to be the islands people’s paper!!
We shall see…
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Yes we shall see. i can see this paper going forward in a big way, its a non controlled paper that the torys cant control
let just hope they build a decent website soon ;)
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@newsdesk@iwgazete.co.uk слава Богу Comrade
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I want to put a body together with people
from all walks of life to help award the funds
I want the island public to choose where they want there money to go to. So everyone now get a chance to have a bite of the funds that are collected !! people will be able to follow it every week in the paper how much had been collect who wants and who as been awarded!! The gazette isn’t going any where!! apart form getting bigger
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Maybe thats part of why people question what you say in your paper. Your too eager to get bigger and as a result are sensationalising headlines. Personally I would much rather see a paper that reports the facts and then make my own mind up instead of reading allegations that may or may not be true, but either way serve your perpose of stirring up as much sh*t as possible.
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I think anyone with half a brain can see what’s happened here and it doesn’t look like spin to me.
Possibly under pressure, after collecting £38,000 worth of donations, the hospice decided to dump the Gazette.
We do know that prior to taking this action our Tory councillor’s met and said ‘the hospice should disassociate itself from the Gazette’
Coincidence? Perhaps. But whatever their justification, it was a dumb thing for a charity spending £2 million a year to do.
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Im sorry, how exactly do you know what tory councillors have been saying? Ive not seen that reported anywhere. Is it something Ive missed? Or just wishful thinking?
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It’s been posted here on VB Jon and is an open secret. No-one at the meeting has denied it, they cannot since it happened.
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oh i see, its what someone posted on here? so not an official piece of reporting at all then? an ‘open secret’ is by any other name a rumor. Why would they deny chineese whispers? If a serious news outlet was able to confirm it I would be happy to know it, but a rumor? why bother. Rumor mills often get things wrong, and because someone hasnt denied a rumor doesnt make it true.
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On behalf of (Lots and lots of people) on the Isle of Wight, we would like to say to the Board of Trustees of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, we believe that the time is right to withdraw our financial support/fundraising from your charity unless you sack Graham Elderfield immedietly.
As a gesture to the hospice we will donate you any spare copies of the Gazette and we will ask a member of the public to collect the papers incase you need them to build a bonfire to keep everyone warm when you have run out of money as a result of Graham Elderfield’s total stupidity!
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This is contemptable
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Jo I have looked at the post about tHe questions I can find what you want answered pls re post so I at least have a chance to answer there is nothing to avoid
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Jon we do report the facts and as for the pughdate does that effect the hospice to say no from readers making donations to hospice via the collection boxes
You ask if the hospice has give a comment for cutting ties because of the report no jon they have not isseued a further comment apart from the letter and a verbal quote as per the report In the gazette
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Jon just needs to get out more…. humour him!
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Peter, leave off the personal comments. I havnt made any about you, so please dont make any about me.
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Jason, I dont deny you report the facts. But you also report lots of alleged stuff that may or may not be fact, but does attempt to influence the readers opinion. As for pughdate, no I dont think it has any relevance to the hospice story, and I havnt said it does. I have asked if you THINK it does, so maybe you could answer that and the other questions here.
One of my questions was why do you think the hospice has disassociated from the gazette? What is your opinion? I know what youve said in a very careful way, but what do you think is the actual reason if its not as they say in their letter?
Do you think your reporting of the IOW Council and its leader may have had some impact on this decision?
And just to be clear, have the Hospice implied that at all? – I think youve answered this, if not directly.
Another question was what is your real name? A number or stories about you refer to you by different names, Ive seen both Jason Kay and James Parfitt. Perhaps you could clarify if you use an alias or not, and if you do, why? Again that may be none of my buisness so feel free to refuse to say what your real name is, but I would like to know if you use an alias as I beleive it has some bearing on the degree to which people can trust your reporting.
A question someone else asked, which I cant see an answer for:
That also poses the question someone brought up before, did the gazette strong arm the hospice?
Not entirely sure what thats about, but maybe you could answer it as best you can.
A further question while your on here. Do you forsee any other companies, charities, or other bodys dissassociating with you? Ie, advertisers?
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Jon, give it a rest. Do you think anyone reads your comments and actually cares or listens to you. Appart from your little gazette hating fan club. I know it’s your opinion but it got boring days ago, and guess what, it still is. Looking forward to you trying to get last word in AGAIN.
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“HERE HERE” Noraa…. Huge cheers from the crowds! :-D
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I have nothing against the Gazette and believe these latest marketing gimmicks are pure genius.
However idiots like Peter stating he is speaking for the Isle of Wight and that we will be let peoples relatives die because they dropped a free newspaper who used them in a marketing campaign is beyond contempt.
You don’t speak for me fellah…nor any of the relatives of the 800 people they are currently caring, for who are dying.
What a sad bunch of people
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800 people. Where do you get this ludicrous figure from? If this hospice organisation didn’t exist we might have one run properly, non politically by Sue Ryder or someone. No-one would suffer. I would argue more people would support a well run national charity that didn’t play silly local games.
That they spent £13,000 collecting £38,000 from boxes on the island suggests to me the most terrible inefficiency.
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from a their website
I’m glad to see you admit to having half a brain Mr or Mrs Shobba
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Noraa if you dont care what i have to say, dont read it. Feel free to ignore me. As you say, its my opinion, so feel free to agree, disagree, or not to comment on what I have to say, but please dont tell me or anyone else to give it a rest. Its entirely up to me how often I comment on here, and what I say. Its not up to you.
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It doth strike me as somewhat ironic that someone hiding behind a pseudonym is getting all het up by somebody changing their name.
Oh and before anybody starts ranting my name really is Gruntled and I do live in Bembridge (not).
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Time to reveal yourself Jon? Who knows, someone may even offer you a job.
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Jon
Right let’s answer these questions as best as I can
Do I think gazette strong arm the hospice. I wasn’t here at the start of the paper so I don’t think I can answer the question fully. I think both the newspaper and the hospice benafited from the relationship we had. Do you think these links should have editorial control over what is printed no none at all. My name is what is printed in the paper the names that are in the public domain wheree used when I was younger and I stepped the other side of the law does that have any bearing on what choices the hospices make no I don’t think it does nor should itm
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well thats some of the questions answered. there are some more there. You havnt said why you think the hospice has withdrawn its association, and you havnt said if you forsee other organisations such as advertisers withdrawing also. If you dont want to answer those fair enough, but you could at least tell us why you dont want to answer them.
As for your past on the other side of the law, Ive found an article from 2007 about you trespassing on foot and mouth infected land. Thats only 3 years ago, so I do think it has some impact on whether people can trust your reporting. Also the story about you impersonating a journalist, which was, fair enough, further in the past, I would guess in your youth. These may not have any bearing on the hospice, but then again maybe the hospice has looked at your record and thought twice about things.
As for strongarming, that is someone elses question, and i think directed at the gazette in general, not you. I just noticed it didnt have an answer.
Your name, I really couldnt care less about, I simply wanted to confirm that the name you use now is not the one your parents gave you. It may have no bearing, it was more something I was curious about. If youve changed it, fair enough.
As for the hospice having editorial control of any sort, which i didnt ask about but is an interesting point, I agree, they shouldnt.
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Incidentally, one further question. Do you think its right that people should question your role (both the gazette and your role personally) in events on which you report? Specifically, the hospice, but also other things.
And do you think there are occasions when the editor of a paper should not write an article and should not edit it either, but should hand off control to someone else just for that article?
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The article from 2007 involed the breaking of foot and mouth that hit every national newspaper that was about doing the job you are paided to do I went to court and it was quicker to hold my hands up than risk legal bills of 20000. The journal was an other story that was out like that’s because of what thw job was about I was working for a paper but said I wasn’t because of the circumstances that I was in
As for the content I feel the stories that the gazette cover are what the island people want to read and we cover them well giving both side when available and let the reader make up his or her own mind
As for having an opion whatdoes my opion count for maybe there where handshakes just the same as when I arrived on the island someone hinted the people on the fourth floor run this island well take note forth floor people make sure you run it well as when u mess up ill be there to report it regardless to how much u try and throw at it to try and make it go way
Do I think I should write yes as I feel it help give the paper the structure and the style. That I want for the paper
Has the advertisher pulled away I think regardless to what you run some will pull away and the ones you lose. Other you gain.
The island neeed media that will report what people deserve to read
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So hang on a minute, you think it was your job to walk through a foot and mouth cordon and risk spreading the infection? Fair play for admitting it in court, but why do it in the first place? Theres lots of journalists that managed to report on the outbreak without breaking the law in the process.
And equally, why not tell the truth if your working for a paper, why risk a prosecution?
As for your opinion, I think it matters a great deal when you are writing or editing an article, but in this case Im interested to hear what you personally think. Do you share the traditional Island paranoia about the council hiding things and trying to influence things they shouldnt? I think perhaps youve already answered that with your comment about the fourth floor.
And of course you should write. But do you think personal involvement in the story should stop you writing the article, or mean that you should hand the article off to someone else?
You do seem to be answering the aspects of the questions that you want to in places, and ignoring the real question. With the question above, you chose just to say you should write, but not answer the question about handing the article off. Thats why Ive asked it again.
Incidentally, perhaps you could comment about using other peoples photos in the Gazette without their permission, as Island Pulse have noted:
http://www.islandpulse.co.uk/b2/iw-gazette-editor-out-of-focus/
and also selling those photos without permission through your MediaSouthUK company.
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Thought I’d sneak a look at VB before bed – wow… someone’s been busy!
Jon, for someone who’s told people off in this (and other) threads for bringing up Cllr Pugh where it’s unnecessary, you do seem to be bringing up a lot of unnecessary stuff here.
Jay might well have made mistakes as an over enthusiastic young journo in his youth but I know a fair few, and when they’re starting off there’s a hell of a lot of competition and plenty take some (in hindsight) pretty daft risks.
If you want to take Jay to task over certain things that’s fine if he’s willing to talk with you about it, but I’m failing to see what 90% of the stuff you’re now talking about has to do with the Hospice.
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absolutely, some of it isnt relevant to the hospice at all. But while jason is here, Im taking the opportunity to ask him about a number of things.
As for mistakes in his youth, Im more concerned about more recent mistakes such as that in 2007, where he seems to be justifying breaking the law as his job.
Also, may i say this article isnt just about the hospice, its about the gazette. Jason is the editor, so I think a lot of what Im asking is relevant to at least the gazette side of this article, if not the hospice. Some of it may have had a bearing on the hospices decision.
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Christ, no wonder no-one wants to give this man a job.
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Jon
To clear up the questions in respect of the pictures being sold through mediauksouth. That is my company no pictures from third parties where or are being sold what we tried to contact island pulse they refused to speak to us so that was a one sided. The picture in question we did seek to use was one of a child from Shanklin I made a decesion to use it a message was sent to the owner for agreed that we could use it but after or print dead line. I pay attention to facts not what the walls of county hall let out I am working on a few stories that may spring some light on to this whole secret sol within the council watch this space
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If you insist on interviewing Jay here, maybe you could round it a little, as it is coming across as a bit of a diatribe at the minute (and I don’t think that’s actually doing your cause any favours)?
Perhaps ask him why he thinks The Gazette might help democracy flourish on the island etc?
As one of the people who have been told by a very good source as to why the Hospice has withdrawn its support (a meeting of senior Tory’s – yes, I know this means nothing to you, but it’s a source I trust, not just something I’ve read here) I think you might be barking up one tree and forgetting the bigger well-rooted one right next door to it.
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Absolutely. Jason, theres another question to answer.
As for interviewing him, thats not my intention. I started with one or two questions about the hospice and every answer he gives seems to bring up further questions, so I began to include other questions that I have seen in places on VB, and other questions that sprang to mind as we talked.
Hopefully, he will see that Im not trying to have a go at him, simply to try and see if perhaps he can answer some difficult questions about himself. His job is to ask questions, it would be nice to know he can answer them too. Some of what hes said has certainly increased my faith in his journalism, just as some has made me question it. Hopefully others will see that whilst his reporting may cut straight to the issues, maybe some of his other activities, both in the past and more recently, might suggest he is a person the hospice may do well to avoid association with. Or maybe his answers will improve his standing on the Island. I hope the latter, but fear the former.
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Interesting points.
I stand by my rubbish tree allusion though ;)
I think the Hospice is already VERY heavily associated with someone who, by your own definition of poor character, has made decisions which have damaged its reputation infinitely more than any association with Mr Kay might.
Now I really am going to bed!
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It’s being said that last year the Gazette were thrown out of Carisbrooke Castle on Walk-the-Wight day. It was the Hospice fundraising department that ejected them. Could Jay confirm this?
For some inexplicable reason this astonishing story was not reported at the time. There has never been any love lost between the Gazette and the Hospice but it seems it took their coverage of the Pugh debacle to finally provoke them into severing all ties.
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Oh come on! Still string are we.
Look at that… I posted under your name, or another name should I say! How would anyone but the Hospice or the Gazette know this. Nice try with that one!
But we’re not sensationalising that inexplicable, and astonishing, bit of information. Bored now!
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Well now Jon has interrogated Jason its not yet clear whether he has actually given his seal of approval, which we a are all striving to obtain, but when exactly do we get the opportunity to question the Hospice, yet alone Pugh to add balance to this debate? Never, I would imagine is the answer to that one.
By the way Jon this “traditional Island paranoia about the council hiding things and trying to influence things” you speak of, where is your evidence that this is paranoia? or is this just another of your many opinions?
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Jon I have read all your postings and come to the conclusion Im sick, if Elderfield and his cronies had not shut Wightcroft I could have applied for asylum
I cant figure out if you are just thick or acting like a lovesick teenager as you gaze and defend Pugh and his wrongdoings
I was trying to think where else on the Island Ive come across someone who loves the sound of there own voice, generally talks rubbish and falls at the feet of our leader admit it tell us who you are, be brave Roger
ps Im ex directory
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As the real Mr J, I can tell you there were many people looking on in astonishment. I was very surprised the Gazette didn’t report on it at the time, I assumed this was because it embarassed them?
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guys
I took over in August so I wouldn’t know what happen at walk the wight last year sorry
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True, but has no-one ever mentioned it? Ask those who were there and get back to us please.
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If we had been removed at the time I would of reported it as it is island news you can’t pick and choose is all or nothing or your readership will feel sensorship etc we are the free paper with free speech. I believe there was a deal done with CP and IW radio of exculsive right over thing to do with walk the wight so I believe the story is correct hope this answers your question
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An exclusive deal done with the County Press and a radio station?
What kind of charity is this? Surely the more press and media covering this major event the merrier. Would they have turned away Meridian TV or the BBC?
Further proof the hospice bosses lost the plot. Maximum media exposure means maximum money.
Incompetence is the word I would use to describe the managers of this hospice.
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Sal & Simon….just doing a bit of fag packet maths on comments relating to David Pugh’s outburst and the resultant effects. Had you realised that there are now over 1500 comments about it on VB??!!
Maybe it is now time for you guys to issue your own press release to BBC and ITV about islanders views on this odious child as they are media outlets definately beyond the control of our inward looking, inept county council. Personally I think we should just throw in the towel and ask Hampshire CC to take us over!
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Not really, Paper Tiger. It’s always a worry with blog comments that once they start flowing in a particular direction, it’s hard for anyone with a different view to chip in without feeling they’re entering the lion’s den, so they might then not to comment at all. It’s very self-selected, not an opinion poll.
Though it’s off at a tangent, this piece by Hadley Freeman in The Guardian sums up some of the worst aspects of social media and how a discussion can turn into a lynch mob. She’s talking mainly about facebook, but the same can go for blog comments.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/10/facebook-groups-internet-hadley-freeman
Personally I like to see balanced debates, and don’t like comments to become personal.
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Personal comment eh?
Well I find DP’s conduct affecting me very personally. He personally is affecting my children’s school (possibly closing them) my employment and therefore my families well being (I’m a teacher….for the moment) His policies could possibly damage the weakest and most vulnerable in society and to cap it off the IOW is represented by a 30 year old bloke who can’t hold his tongue when a night of passions doesn’t go his way, and this display of anti social behaviour is on YouTube for the whole world to see.
Perhaps you can see why some people are taking it personally.
What kind of a world do you think we live in Wendy V? This is not a Coke advert where the multi denominational family of the world join hand and sing in brother hood. The UK population have been betrayed by successive political miss management from across the political board. Sleaze, poor financial management and recession. We are donkeys led by lions. Politics is sick; Pugh is just the rash it has come out in.
Post away and say what you like, do worry if others disagree (as I have) you must speak. I just thank God we have the blog sphere to do so, even if it does get a little personal at times. I’ll take what ever personal slurs anyone offers, if that’s the price of free speech.
Don’t follow the likes of “Den” who clearly can’t stand the heat so have crawled off to the CP where no response of any weight will be published.
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Just to be clear, I was responding to the suggestion that 1500 comments should form the basis of a VB press release about Islanders’ views on Pugh. I’m not passing judgment, or denying that they are heartfelt, just saying you can’t assume they’re representative of the whole island.
I know a lot of people who read Ventnor Blog but never comment. Sometimes that’s because they read the original article then scan down the comments and feel their opinion doesn’t “fit” with the comments already made. It’s a general point about the way a thread can go once it picks up momentum. As it builds up pace it becomes harder to introduce a different viewpoint.
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This fairly minor incident does seem to have been the making of VB. Congratulations.
If DP had just quickly admitted his error and told the truth, I have no doubt we could all have moved on quickly the morning after the night before.
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You’ve hit the nail right on the head
Say sorry? It’s beyond him. Every problem, no matter how minor, is met with spin and skulduggery. It’s how political cowards operate these days. The young lad needs to grow a pair.
Had he the next morning said something along the lines of “I got a bit drunk last night, mouthed off a bit, was hoping for a bit of action afterwards, it didn’t happen” I’m very sorry for being silly, but here’s what I paid for that dress and I’m giving it to the Hospice today”, then none of the outrage quite rightly expressed would have been printed here or in the Gazette. The IWCC legal department wouldn’t have been involved, possibly at our expense, the Hospice would probably still be associated with the Gazette receiving thousands of vital pounds, the boy would now be a man with respect, and his friend Den wouldn’t have to try and defend him or write the incident off as he tried to this week in the CP.
How do they sleep at night?
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I just got in from meeting someone about another matter. They quickly started talking about the women’s refuge centre. They really believe the loss of council funding will close them down within months.
Surprise surprise, like the Riverside Centre – they say they have had no communication or meetings with anyone from the council. The first they heard about the cuts was reading it in the paper.
This seems to me classic in the bubble bunker politics. Cowards who are happy to lead us in any direction they choose, as long as they don’t have to face anyone and explain their actions.
The loss of the women’s refuge will be a major blow to women suffering abuse. Ironic really, in light of recent ahem, so called romantic events.
The cost in personal terms to women and children is shameful. They really don’t get it do they?
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Shobba you are absolutely correct. Ironicaly the council had just commissioned a very good strategy for domestic violence – what a bl**dy shower of incompetent no-hopers.
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The Hospice is headed in the same direction as Age Concern then….. Who gives them money??? People will vote with their hands on their purses…Bye bye.
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Any word yet from Graham Elderfield? My hospice insider reckons the salary of 80,000 has increased substantially. They really must be awash with cash.
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Seems counterproductive by Elderfield and surely contrary to the public fundraising aims and objectives of a local and national public chatrity.
surely, this and the associated political inferences occasioned by this decision seem odd-
any outside intereference including a listing of his other memberships,clubs and affliations should be brought to light given possible public ramifications for a deservedly popular island and national charity?
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I hope some of you writing here bothered writing to the hospice and the county press. I really do believe this is a scandal that should cause the managers of the hospice to think again.
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time for elderfield to do the honourable thing and resign…. Fat chance! Dont support them. I just pulled my team out of the its a knockout.. on their behalf.
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or just trying togive Shobba a leg up
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I will put one in then
stupidity is best countered
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Do you have that many friends No5?
I gather Mr Pugh’s Dad is a nurse at the hospice. What an astonishing coincidence.
Anti social behaviour? Not on our island.
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Ah..your back!!!
Missed you :-*
currently 300+ on Facebook (and I’m discerning)
Generally number of friends goes up around Festival times with people who want tickets and again around the August Bank Holiday for the same reason.
IF I was forced to put a number on it,I would say about 2000 worldwide who I am proper friends with and probably double that on first name basis (outside of ‘on-line’ communities)
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Do you think you could be a tad delusional?
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You might thinks, but then you are a very negative person.
But I may have underestimated and I have left out family ( and I’ve just re-discovered my long lost half brothers and sisters and their families after 30 years)
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Anyway…I know it hurts not having many friends..I’ll be your friend, I’m very tollerent and very happily married..so no fears there.
And I can get you on various guest lists!!!!!
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I am a very popular woman and have no desire to join you at any function attended by the island’s great and good. After all, you just never know when it may kick off again.
Anti social behaviour? Not on our island
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So popular No 5, and seemingly driven by a compulsion to persuade others of it.
I always though you could count your true friends on one hand, I don’t think facebook actually counts you know, its a tad shallow :)
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merely answering a question dear boy, no intention of convincing anybody one way or the other.
You probably can count your ‘true’ friends on one hand..but Shobba didn’tmention ‘true’ friends
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Ohh, you were including untrue friends.
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hahahahahaha..no just friends
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Oh for heaven’s sake children, stop this silly tit for tat, it is getting out of hand and adds nothing to any debate. What’s more, it is a turn-off when logging on to VB.
GROW UP!!!
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Sorry Mr Beynon Sir.
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Ok Icarus, off the Naughty Step and behave from now on.
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Has anyone noticed Page 47 of this weeks County Press. A picture of David Pughs Dad I would assume?
He works for the EM Hospice.
Are they still actually asking us to believe the refusal of donations and the IW Gazette report of the evening are unrelated? If so I don’t.
I also feel it’s a bit mischievous of the County Press to put the story above the picture with a headline ‘Jealous IW man hit partner after her evening out.’ The story is not related to the picture beneath it. Funny thou. Maybe the County Press does have a sense of humour?
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Perhaps the council have instructed the county press to stop making it so obvious they are pulling the strings and this has been included to throw us off the scent.
Cunning plan eh, so all that money that’s been ploughed into the Comms dept hasn’t been wasted by the looks of it :)
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“Perhaps the council have instructed the county press to stop making it so obvious they are pulling the strings”
Alternatively, they could just stop pulling them, and get on with their real job, instead of spinning everything to make it look that way.
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I think recent events prove that you are unlikely to keep anything secret on the island for very long.
If the hospice, or any other charity makes poor decisions then we will all soon hear about it.
The loss of confidence in the hospice administration is completely self inflicted.
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What loss of confidence..entries for walk the wight already up on last year and another £50K input secured.
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So the current most contributed VB topic has attracted around 360 postings. Now let me see, these are made by about 70? different people due to duplication of posters. The population of the Island is around 140,000. If 1% of that is 1,400, what percentage is 70? Even if a bit higher it is still not really worth calculating is it?(.00005%)
Frying an egg on Mr. Kay’s (leased?) Jaguar front end would probably shape the world as much !
If you extrapolate all the different topic postings by usually the same number of posters, it ain’t as John Wayne famously said “worth a hill of beans”!
Still if it keeps you happy! Hang on a minute, it doesn’t even do that judging by the frequency of negative comments and put downs when someone has the temerity to post a fair or supportive comment against the more vociferous and outlandishly critical moaners.
Dream on!
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Why have you not posted this comment (number 107)from 6/4? Maximus
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As we have now received official confirmation from Roger Mazillius, county councillor for Cowes South and Northwood that all the posts under the username ‘mazillius’ and ‘maximus mazillius’ were made by him, those comments waiting in moderation have been approved.
We’re very pleased to see that Councillor Mazillius has changed his view of VB, following the report in the County Press that during in a town council meeting he referred to VB as a ‘rant’ and has subsequently refused to speak to VB on council matters.
We look forward to being added to his Christmas card list.
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Well Rog… a couple of things spring to mind after reading your “rant”
It is difficult to make an informed comment on the effect of VB due to number of postings as I know large numbers of people read VB but don’t or infrequently comment. Even if it is a small percentage of the population I feel a lot of comments here are exactly what the IOW is feeling. It’s a shame a Councillor doesn’t encourage free speech and expression and see fit to try and humiliate those who do. Aren’t you elected to represent all views? Obviously not, only those YOU deem fit then? Nice. But what do you expect from a Pugh lap dog but a woof. Of course of you think VB is naff well….don’t read it or comment. We’ll all try to struggle on with out you….somehow….
Further more I won’t be lectured nor validate anything you say as your political affiliation seems to change as much as David Cameron’s ties colour. Tory, then independent, now Tory I think? What a pathetic joke. We had better hope when your head stops spinning that your face (which ever one it is at the time you wish to use) is at the front. You are the worst kind of politician drunk on your own position, contemptuous of any view other than your own and vacuous of any worth as depicted by your inability to have a defined political stance. Nice one Rog, up the workers!
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Maximus Mazillius!?
And you want to be taken seriously?
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To be fair..I coined it for him
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Steve, didn’t the penny drop old chap? It was a return wind up to No. 5! Oh dear, humourless or what!
Cabin Boy, I am sorry to say that you fell for it too, but then that is I suppose par for the course for you ranters. It is of course the old story, you guys love dishing it out but can you take it – oh no!
Sal, why did it take you two weeks to verify M.M.?
You always had my correct email address and as your emails to that address were not returned, surely that is your main assurance that the email address is correct as is the identity of that user? If not, what is the point on insisting on an identifying email address?
Anyway, that is enough fun for me, I am off to do something useful.
BYEEEEE! M.M.
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I wonder if you’d be so quick to take up the soubriquet I have in mind for you. It’s alliterative, five letters, ends with ‘n’.
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Why did it take so long? Because you didn’t reply to our first email and we had to write again.
Surely better that we double checked it was you and not someone trying to impersonate you?
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Some weasel words from the Hospice board today in the County Press letters. No explanation to the little people of course, why should they? But now we know it was not their £80,000 a year Chief Executive wot dun it, it was all of them.
Great letter from Julie Clifton too, wise words.
In fairness to Elderfield, the London Marathon boss gets £240- 250,000 a year. Not bad for a charity is it?
The RSPCA and NSPCC bosses struggle by on about 100 grand less.
Last time any of them get a penny from me.
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What do you want a pat on the back..
Glorifying in your own negativity
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Yes! Enough is enough.
I have cancelled all my standing orders in favour of all charities I have supported, including the one I have had with the IoW Hospice for some time.
I wrote to the CEO at the Hospice making a complaint several weeks ago. I have received no reply, such bad manners.
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Have you all lost interest in this prima-facie scandal?
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Quite honestly I have begun to run out of energy with the whole thing…. I am however doing some “Practical” things… I have withdrawn our team from the Its a Knockout (Should be re-named Its a Coc-up) And have refused to Walk the Wight, as have lots of other people we know.
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They must be worried to have written to the paper. I note they had a dig at VB. If they were honest I would reconsider, but as long as they treat us fundraisers like idiots I cannot support them. I know a lot of people who feel the same way. I also know of a few people who wrote to the CP and didn’t get published.
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I did note that above the letters on the topic it a photograph showed some of the elite at the hospice enjoying a tipple.
I wonder if the CE paid for the round?
The CP should be ashamed of itself for stifling debate on popular topics.
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I too loved the CP photo of the Board and Graham glasses in hand. Was it wine of champers? They do have a sense of humour at the County Press, as they did last week with the placing of Mr Pugh Snr below an ”outburst” headline not connected with his rude and aggressive son.
I was in Newchurch earlier, it was a lovely day but I didn’t see many people attending the hospice flower fundraiser. If it was poorly attended I sincerely hope they ask themselves why.
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I have no doubt that Graham will be getting the CP to voice “How successful the weekend fundraising events have been”… “Best year ever for donations”!!
Yawn Yawn… very predictable.
:-)
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Well done to everyone at EM Hospice. They raised £2,000 at the weekend from the Newchurch flower festival. I wonder how much it cost them to get the money back to Newport?
Only another £36,000 to go and they’ll have made up for the loss of the Gazette donations.
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Gazette never donated anything..and the collection boxes where in all the supermarkets as normal over the weekend. Entries for Walk the Wight already up and care for dying people secured for another year. (no thanks to you lot)
Now the wind has blown out of this tittle tattle, can we get back to the serious issues like Little Boots at the IOW Festival.
Wonder if DP has been instructed to take a holiday in the run up to the election, or is he just keeping out of trouble?
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Very pleased to see last Thursday that Morrisons,Sandown were supporting the EM Hospice by placing collecting buckets at the tills. So all is not lost!
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It never was lost…only in the minds of the self righteous
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There is no doubt in my mind that this damaged the hospice and will result in less being collected. A shameful episode in the hospice’s history. Let’s hope it’s soon forgotten.
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I timing cock-up..but ditto
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I hear one hospice on the mainland is closing. Let’s hope the same fate doesn’t afflict ours as a result of this one mistake.
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I think there are a lot of stupid, ignorant comments regarding the Hospice. They almost certainly need our public money for sure.
If you google Jay Kaycappa (editor of the Gazette) and Heather Mills McCartney (these are public domain articles)you may reconsider your comments differently.
You have to ask yourself the question – would you accept money from an editor with a dubious past?
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Steve R you have to ask yourself the question do you accept having a leader of the council with a dubious past
Perhaps Jay was naughty in the past that does not make him bad now
Can the same be said about our leader
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However can you compare DP’s past with Kaycappa’s??
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Quite honestly Steve R, there are thousands of people who would love the opportunity to slap HMM across the chops…. so I am more inclined to think that Jay Kaycappa would be hailed a hero!! :-D
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What a small minded, cynical, unintelligent remark – you obviously endorse violence on a person who has committed no crime and support a person who has committed a violent crime as a hero. A coward rather than a hero I think. You should be ashamed of that comment!
At the end of the day the negative comments regarding the hospice are counter productive – many of you have seemed to have been forgotten that its the patients that come first – one day many of us will have to go through the trauma of visiting loved ones seeing out their last days.
The nurses and staff are completely committed and compassionate into making their last days as comfortable as possible and to be able to continue to do that – they need our money – irrespective of certain senior board member salaries (all organisations large or small have to pay a premium for expertise so that they can run that establishment efficiently).
Do you really think that the Hospice would end a relationship with another company without good reason (commercially or ethically). I believe they would not haver taken this decision lightly and perhaps some of you should take that into consideration.
I will continue to support the hospice and their staff and keep donating irrespective of any outside influences because its the patients who come first and one day my closest loved ones and friends will almost certainly need to use the Hospice facilities – they do a fantastic job.
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Steve R… clearly “Elderfield” in disguise.
Do get down off your rediculous high horse and be realistic! …. No-one is suggesting that the Hospice offers anything but a wonderful service, but sadly the decisions being made by the CEO cannot continue without there being massive implications for the charity.
As for violent crime against HMM… Oh yes…. that would be her false eyelash falling into her wine glass! Ghastly offence old boy!…. Quickly… who can we sue for damages… £££££ signs everwhere!
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I am not GE in disguise (see David Icke website for conspiracy theories).
The fact is you indicated that HMM deserves a slap and that JK is a hero for doing it – you are therefore supporting violent crime – would you like the same done to you – if no don’t make stupid comments!
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Billy Smith pulled the plug on the gazette but I think it’s a goer again any news JK.
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