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Put Up or Shut Up - Back Us or Sack Us

June 1999

And finally, Where were you? Yours truly gets it off his chest.

Dear SUN,

The other day, as I returned from my last swim of the day to begin clearing up, I found an intruder in my space. This person, on observing my return, said "On your own, then?"
"Yes, that's the way I prefer." I replied.
Undeterred by this fairly overt snub, the person began asking questions: "Is that your SUN flag?" 
Answer: "Yes, I am a member of SUN."
Question: "Why do you fly the flag?"
Answer: "It's an act of defiance"
Question:: "Against who (sic)?"
Answer: "The National Trust"
Question:: "If it's an act of defiance, why aren't you outside the red posts? To fly it inside the red posts is an act of compliance, not defiance."
Answer: "I'm down here for some peace and quiet."
Question:: " So am I, but if you're defying the National Trust you should be outside the red posts, not inside them. Why don't you defy them outside?"
Answer: "I camp here because it gives me protection from the weather all the year round. It also gives me easy access to the sea, and if I want to go for a walk I can do so."
Question:: "I joined S U N last year. I expected to find more friendly and assertive members, camping outside the red posts and defying the National Trust that way."

Well, tough. Where were you, whoever you are, on our action weekend on June 5/6? Why weren't you at the AGM in November 1998? We work our backsides off behind the scenes - on the action weekend in June, our Trustee Pete Dangerfield turned out DESPITE having already suffered three heart attacks and knowing that he needed bypass surgery. If we want to spend a little time in peace and quiet, enjoying the Studland that we are all fighting for, then who the hell are you to criticise us? We fly the flags to attract enquiries from prospective new members, and to let the National Trust know we are still here. If existing members approach us, we are willing to talk - but we are NOT prepared to be slagged off by anyone who is not prepared to put his or her physical presence where his or her mouth is, and not just for a couple of days a year. WE are the ones whose names and addresses are known to the National Trust and the police: WE are the ones who are vilified, slandered and denigrated by the National Trust, the police and the Mrs Grundys of Studland Parish Council, not to mention the grovelling time-servers of CCBN, who are beneath contempt.

In short, put up or shut up, back us or sack us.

Colin James

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