Connor PR expert in launch PR
Connor PR working with Shirley Oaks Survivors Association (SOSA) on the ‘Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine’ campaign
CHILD ABUSE SURVIVORS UNITE IN MUSIC VIDEO TO RAISE AWARENESS OF HISTORIC HIGH POWER PAEDOPHILE RING & CALL FOR A REINVESTIGATION INTO HANGED BOY, PETER DAVIS’, DEATH
LONDON, 24th November 2015: The victims of one of the world’s most horrific and high profile cases of child abuse will today unite to appear in a music video as part of a landmark venture to try and raise awareness of the high power paedophile ring, which included politicians, celebrities, scout masters, members of the Catholic church, that infiltrated more than 20 children’s homes in the Lambeth area from 1950’s – 2000’s. The “Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine” campaign aims to bring justice to the hundreds of victims that suffered at their hands, 12 of whom committed suicide, and lift a 100 year access restriction order on the victim’s files. Award winning author and chair of the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association (SOSA), Alex Wheatle MBE, himself a victim of abuse at Shirley Oaks and now seeking justice, is hoping that the campaign will encourage more witnesses to come forward enabling police to reopen an investigation into 15 year old Peter Davis’ death, who was found hanged at Shirley Oaks in Croydon in 1977.
Written by music mogul, Raymond Stevenson, who discovered Jessie J when she was 15 and was himself physically abused going on to become the founder of SOSA, with input and melodies by X Factor / Alien Uncovered star, Temple Praise, the track is entitled ‘Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine’ and will be released in early December this year. The track features haunting testimonies from the victims. The video will tell the story of the true horror suffered by vulnerable young children during decades of abuse at Shirley Oaks and aims to encourage more people who have any information to come forward and speak out, so that police investigations can be reopened and Government can lift the 100 year access restriction on files for former Shirley Oaks residents. The video will be made available to download from the first week of December 2015 (date TBC) with all funds going towards helping SOSA track down victims from across the UK and around the world.
Raymond Stevenson, SOSA founder, said: “I have done many campaigns and they have always been motivated by personal circumstances and issues that blight communities. Maybe because I survived the hell of Shirley Oaks I believe it’s my duty to help others. I say this not just because I was a victim but there can be no greater crime levied at humanity than paedophillia. Then add that these were abandoned children in the state’s care already unloved and frightened, some already victims and others whose parents died. Then add the lies, the cover-up, the conspiracy and now we learn that this could have all been prevented. This video will enable victims to tell their story through a medium that cannot be tampered with or edited. The chorus in the song simply says, ‘you don’t know what they done to me’. The video will show the fear horror and abuse through art. A line in the song that asks the question, ‘what happens if it was your child?”
Amongst the alleged abusers are Jimmy Savile, as well as former Lambeth Labour councilors, Toren Smith and Susan Smith, who have been convicted. There have been two major police investigations into abuse at children’s homes in South London and a total of three people have been convicted of offences; one relating to Shirley Oaks, swimming instructor, William Hook, and the remaining two including Michael John Carroll who ran Angell Road children’s home and Les Paul from South Vale Children’s Home.
SOSA is demanding answers for one very specific matter – the sudden death of 15-year old Peter Davis in 1977, found hanged in a toilet with a cord around his neck. Following signs of sexual acitivy, a coroner ruled “death by misadventure“, but friends who grew up with him believe he was the target of paedophiles. Peter was the chief witness in a rape trial at the Old Bailey two years before he died where he gave evidence in regard to both his and his sibling’s rape. When the BBC looked for court documents from the time, they found that in 2003 they had been made secret for 100 years. Former senior detective Clive Driscoll said reopening the case would be a “great opportunity for detective work”.
Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham, who has constituents who are Lambeth abuse survivors said: “This is an important step for the campaign. I hope the excellent work that the survivors association are doing will help other survivors feel able to come forward and speak out. By the police’s own admission, previous investigations were ‘of the time’ and did not meet the standards we would apply today. The police owe it to the survivors group to reopen the investigation into Peter Davis’s death.”
The Metropolitan Police said officers looked at available material relating to Peter’s death in September 2014. A statement said: “In the absence of further new witnesses or new lines of inquiry, the matter remains closed. If new witnesses are identified who are prepared to provide police with statements that challenge the recorded decision then an assessment of that material will be undertaken.”
SOSA and Urban Concept’s1 research and on-going investigation is focused specifically on 1965 onwards when Lambeth took over the controls of Shirley Oaks. There have been multiple inquiries, most recently by the Metropolitan Police and Lambeth Council from 1998 – 2003, which cost millions of pounds, and resulted in the arrest of one paedophile from Shirley Oaks and two other paedophiles from other south London children’s homes. In the first eight months of interviewing over 300 children who attended Shirley Oaks and other South London Children’s Homes, Urban Concepts1 uncovered more than 16 paedophiles. When they discussed this with the Police their response was dismissive. A few weeks later Urban Concepts discovered a document produced by the Police and Lambeth Council which stated that 16 paedophiles died before or during the Police operation. This included one suicide during the trial in March 2003, 19 cases the alleged paedophile could not be identified and one case where the victim died before being able to give evidence. In some 11 cases the CPS took no further action and one case fell through after the suspected paedopile committed suicide during his trial.
Singers for the “Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine” campaign include 23 year old Millie from Essex, 21 year old Sophie from West Sussex and 21 year old Royal Opera House ballet dancer, Lucy from Stoke. The group known as ETHAMIA were selected based on their suitability to understand the subject matter and to empathise with the victims. When Urban Concepts1 played the track, the girls burst into tears and demanded to be part of the project. Taking their roles as ambassadors for victims seriously, the girls did their own research and went to Shirley Oaks and also accompanied the victims as they made a presentation to Lambeth council.
Principal crew for the music video will include: director, Giles Borg (Flutter, 1234, Home) with over twenty years of experience in music, film and television directing music videos, full length feature films, commercials and TV programmes; Jospeh Crone, a multi-talented fashion stylist and costume designer with a diverse list of clients and credits in the music, commercial and film sectors of the industry, from James Blunt to Dizzee Rascal, Investec to Innocent; and Ryan Jenkins, one of the UK’s most sought after choreographers, recently appointed creative director by UK government to represent and create work for Great Britain National day at Milan Expo 2015.
Choreographer, Ryan Jenkins, said: “This project has opened my eyes to the unimaginable pain and torture these people have experienced. It makes me so angry to know that nothing substantial has been done by those in authority. I want to help bring justice for these people. This is a story that needs to be told and the time is now.”
The Shirley Oaks campaigners are part of a wider phenomenon – a “survivor” activism that is changing the balance of power in relation to child abuse. Where once victims were ignored or silenced, now they are coming together through social media, forming support groups and building a crescendo of noise that the authorities are forced to acknowledge.
Lambeth Council is supporting the Shirley Oaks Survivors’ Association in their campaign to identify further victims and offer counselling to those who have not already received it but feel they would now benefit.
-ENDS-
Join in the conversation @ShirleyOaksSA / #ShirleyOaks
**CAMPAIGN AMBASSADORS, RAYMOND STEVENSON AND ALEX WHEATLE MBE, ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW UPON REQUEST**
Connor PR working promoting Shirley Oaks Survivors Association’s latest campaign, Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine”
CONNOR PR LAUNCHES THE LOOPY SHREW
THE LOOPY SHREW OPENS ITS DOORS
Your Home from Home…
Offering local farm to table, Modern British classics in a casual yet charming space to wine and dine, work, relax and celebrate
The team behind Porterhouse.SY1 have announced the launch of The Loopy Shrew, a restaurant and wine bar with boutique rooms; offering locally sourced seasonal food, fine wines and local beer and ales.
This new venture is headed up by entrepreneur Danielle DiTella, business partner Luke Jenkins, Executive Chef Daniel Smith, Ann DiTella and Partner Mark Davies, all working together alongside an amazing team transforming The Bellstone into a new and exciting venue that showcases their love of all things food and drink.
The official launch party was held last night and the evening was used to showcase what The Loopy Shrew has to offer. Tastings of the new menu, samples of the wine list and viewing opportunities of the refurbished hotel rooms, meeting and private dining areas were on offer. The Loopy Shrew will be open for business from today.
LA-born and Shropshire bred Danielle DiTella has gained a wealth of restaurant experience. Through the years herself and the DiTella family have made a name for themselves opening the current Porterhouse.SY1 and formerly owned the very popular and busy The Mytton and Mermaid, Mad Jack’s and Cromwells.
Danielle said: “We love Shrewsbury; what it has become and especially its future potential. The vision of our new venture is to be a hub of Shrewsbury activity, supportive of all things local, quality, fresh and sustainable. There’s been lot of recent debate over the pronunciation of Shrewsbury V Shrowsbury which has always made us smile and in turn inspired the name of our new venture, alongside the beautiful loop of the river that encircles our quirky, original and vibrant town. THE LOOPY SHREW“
The restaurant will be opening during the day and evening, seven days a week for breakfast, coffees, lunch and dinner. There is space for up 80+ covers and facilities for private dining, celebrations, meetings and large parties as well as an outside terrace.
Danielle added: “We will make sure our customers feel welcome at any time of day, whether it’s to have a breakfast meeting, quick coffee and cake, after-work drinks or to indulge themselves in a an evening of fine wines and great good. We’ll be offering Host your Roast on Sundays and alongside our main menu a host of sharing dishes and boards. Luke, myself and the whole team can’t wait to welcoming our regulars, local businesses, friends and family and look forward to meeting our new neighbours and customers”.
-Ends-
The Loopy Shrew
Wine Bar, Restaurant, Boutique Rooms
15/17 Bellstone, Shrewsbury SY1 1HU
www.theloopyshrew.co.uk
Media enquiries
Please contact Siobhan at Connor PR Siobhan@connorpr.com
Tel 07966 177025
Connor PR making the cover again in the Shropshire Star
***PRESS RELEASE***
Qbees – Giving tweens the ultimate in product personalisation
London, 24th November 2014: There is no place for standardisation in the tween world today – being told what to like, wear or share simply doesn’t roll – it’s all about choice, creativity and being unique.
The latest craze to hit the UK is all of those things and more – it’s fun, highly collectable and inexpensive to boot. Qbees are fashion accessories that snap around headphone cables, giving tweens and teens the opportunity to decorate and accesorise their look.
Jason Palmer, Qbees Creator said: “Young people have so much passion and creative drive so why not let them be a part of designing the accessories they choose to wear. We want to champion young artists and commend creativity and this product does exactly that. And for those who prefer to choose ready-made designs, they can choose from a fantastic selection created either by our designers or their own peers.”
Qbees are made up of mini plastic snap-frames and interchangeable images (called Qubes) that sit inside, and they cost a mere £3 for the pair, regardless of whether you choose to upload your own photo, use the word editor or choose from the Qbees fabulous range. They allow the user to transform their boring headphone cables into works of art, message boards or personal statements. The product is so versatile it provides an ever-changing platform for young creative minds.
The concept was born during a ride on the London Underground when Jason noticed the people sitting opposite all had the same white cables hanging down around them. ‘How boring’ shifted to ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if they were more individual and colourful and interesting to look at’ and with that, the brand was born.
Not content with simply providing a variety of fun shapes, colours and images, the team behind Qbees have opened the doors to a new kind of product – offering people the chance to become Qube designers by submitting their ideas online. Winning designs will bag the artist £50 and they will get to watch as their Qube moves up the trending wall!
Move over playground trends, this craze is all about the wider world and letting tweens put their own stamp on it, literally…
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Media information: For all media enquires please contact Connor PR www.connorpr.com
siobhan@connorpr.com Tel: 07966 177025
lisa@onewomanworkforce.com Tel: 07970 727801
Join the conversation
Twitter handle: @LoveQbees
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveqbees
Website: www.loveqbees.com
About
Entrepreneur Jason Palmer lives in Barkingside, Ilford, with his wife Sue and children Max and Ellie. With a history in the travel industry, Jason has invented and developed Qbees with a creative and passionate team of people who are intent on developing an environmentally friendly, cost-effective product. They believe in hard work and producing products that make people smile! If you want to know more about the T&Cs, please click here.
Platform Inspiration
Platform Inspiration Limited was set up in 2014 by Jason Palmer as the parent company for the Qbees range of products, Platform Inspiration Limited is registered In England No.8589869. Trading will initially be via Platform Inspirations e-commerce website www.loveqbees.com
***PRESS RELEASE***
Qbees – Giving tweens the ultimate in product personalisation
London, 24th November 2014: There is no place for standardisation in the tween world today – being told what to like, wear or share simply doesn’t roll – it’s all about choice, creativity and being unique.
The latest craze to hit the UK is all of those things and more – it’s fun, highly collectable and inexpensive to boot. Qbees are fashion accessories that snap around headphone cables, giving tweens and teens the opportunity to decorate and accesorise their look.
Jason Palmer, Qbees Creator said: “Young people have so much passion and creative drive so why not let them be a part of designing the accessories they choose to wear. We want to champion young artists and commend creativity and this product does exactly that. And for those who prefer to choose ready-made designs, they can choose from a fantastic selection created either by our designers or their own peers.”
Qbees are made up of mini plastic snap-frames and interchangeable images (called Qubes) that sit inside, and they cost a mere £3 for the pair, regardless of whether you choose to upload your own photo, use the word editor or choose from the Qbees fabulous range. They allow the user to transform their boring headphone cables into works of art, message boards or personal statements. The product is so versatile it provides an ever-changing platform for young creative minds.
The concept was born during a ride on the London Underground when Jason noticed the people sitting opposite all had the same white cables hanging down around them. ‘How boring’ shifted to ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if they were more individual and colourful and interesting to look at’ and with that, the brand was born.
Not content with simply providing a variety of fun shapes, colours and images, the team behind Qbees have opened the doors to a new kind of product – offering people the chance to become Qube designers by submitting their ideas online. Winning designs will bag the artist £50 and they will get to watch as their Qube moves up the trending wall!
Move over playground trends, this craze is all about the wider world and letting tweens put their own stamp on it, literally…
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Media information: For all media enquires please contact Connor PR www.connorpr.com
siobhan@connorpr.com Tel: 07966 177025
lisa@onewomanworkforce.com Tel: 07970 727801
Join the conversation
Twitter handle: @LoveQbees
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveqbees
Website: www.loveqbees.com
About
Entrepreneur Jason Palmer lives in Barkingside, Ilford, with his wife Sue and children Max and Ellie. With a history in the travel industry, Jason has invented and developed Qbees with a creative and passionate team of people who are intent on developing an environmentally friendly, cost-effective product. They believe in hard work and producing products that make people smile! If you want to know more about the T&Cs, please click here.
Platform Inspiration
Platform Inspiration Limited was set up in 2014 by Jason Palmer as the parent company for the Qbees range of products, Platform Inspiration Limited is registered In England No.8589869. Trading will initially be via Platform Inspirations e-commerce website www.loveqbees.com
***PRESS RELEASE***
Qbees – Giving tweens the ultimate in product personalisation
London, 24th November 2014: There is no place for standardisation in the tween world today – being told what to like, wear or share simply doesn’t roll – it’s all about choice, creativity and being unique.
The latest craze to hit the UK is all of those things and more – it’s fun, highly collectable and inexpensive to boot. Qbees are fashion accessories that snap around headphone cables, giving tweens and teens the opportunity to decorate and accesorise their look.
Jason Palmer, Qbees Creator said: “Young people have so much passion and creative drive so why not let them be a part of designing the accessories they choose to wear. We want to champion young artists and commend creativity and this product does exactly that. And for those who prefer to choose ready-made designs, they can choose from a fantastic selection created either by our designers or their own peers.”
Qbees are made up of mini plastic snap-frames and interchangeable images (called Qubes) that sit inside, and they cost a mere £3 for the pair, regardless of whether you choose to upload your own photo, use the word editor or choose from the Qbees fabulous range. They allow the user to transform their boring headphone cables into works of art, message boards or personal statements. The product is so versatile it provides an ever-changing platform for young creative minds.
The concept was born during a ride on the London Underground when Jason noticed the people sitting opposite all had the same white cables hanging down around them. ‘How boring’ shifted to ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if they were more individual and colourful and interesting to look at’ and with that, the brand was born.
Not content with simply providing a variety of fun shapes, colours and images, the team behind Qbees have opened the doors to a new kind of product – offering people the chance to become Qube designers by submitting their ideas online. Winning designs will bag the artist £50 and they will get to watch as their Qube moves up the trending wall!
Move over playground trends, this craze is all about the wider world and letting tweens put their own stamp on it, literally…
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Media information: For all media enquires please contact Connor PR www.connorpr.com
siobhan@connorpr.com Tel: 07966 177025
lisa@onewomanworkforce.com Tel: 07970 727801
Join the conversation
Twitter handle: @LoveQbees
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveqbees
Website: www.loveqbees.com
About
Entrepreneur Jason Palmer lives in Barkingside, Ilford, with his wife Sue and children Max and Ellie. With a history in the travel industry, Jason has invented and developed Qbees with a creative and passionate team of people who are intent on developing an environmentally friendly, cost-effective product. They believe in hard work and producing products that make people smile! If you want to know more about the T&Cs, please click here.
Platform Inspiration
Platform Inspiration Limited was set up in 2014 by Jason Palmer as the parent company for the Qbees range of products, Platform Inspiration Limited is registered In England No.8589869. Trading will initially be via Platform Inspirations e-commerce website www.loveqbees.com
Connor PR promoting Qbees, Connor PR expert in launch PR, Connor PR expert in youth PR, Connor PR expert in tween PR, Connor PR and Siobhan Connor,