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Friday, September 23, 2011

RE: Fair Pint founder Dodds to be evicted on Friday

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Hot-topics/Pubcos-Beer-tie/Fair-Pint-founder-Dodds-to-be-evicted-on-Friday

I suppose the bailiffs are there now. Gave keys to Scottish & Newcastle yesterday so they wouldn't have to do a forced entry into the shell that I left finally at 4am this morning.

Sincerely many, many, thanks to those who've posted here, it's been very comforting to see your marvellous support, and thanks to everyone who sent messages. It's been a truly humbling experience; and I don't mean a la Rupert Murdoch and I don't have a million quid to offer to charity either.

It's been emotional, there's been a lot of tears, but I have to say that, apart from the very sore back today, I'm utterly relieved, lightened and liberated by the situation. The last time I felt like this was the best part of two decades ago.

As many other people who've been through a version of what I'm experiencing now (being left with no assets, savings, pension, job or home and being made bankrupt) have said on this forum before - once you let go it all becomes a LOT better. Already I can see a future where for the last sixteen years (and I mean it, almost since the first month) I could only see a black end.

Well, that black end is here today, the fear of which led in 2007 to my breakdown during my astonishingly long rent review which ultimately led to this point now, and I can tell you that actually, really and absolutely truthfully it's MUCH better than working like a rat being poked on a wheel seven days a week.

I've been fighting the Spivs, Scammers, Sleight of Hand Merchants and Small Time Hoodlums of the pubco ever since just after I signing my lease - their disrespect and utter neglect begins the moment you sign - well over a decade ago and stepped it up with helping bring together the Fair Pint Campaign.

We closed the pub at the weekend after two fantastic parties and reopened on Tuesday night for a long pre-booked private function - because it seemed churlish that we should turn away people who'd booked far in advance just because I was about to be locked out of the pub three days later.

Never guess who came to tea? Valerie Shawcross; Ken Livingstone; John Healey and Harriet Harman who were all fascinated, interested and appalled to find this was the last time Last Orders would be called at The Sun and Doves.

The timing and findings of the Select Committee's publication which I was able to cite directly that evening to assembled guests and draw into sharp focus the reality of the pub's closure THE LAST NIGHT OF TRADING WAS THE PARTY THEY WERE ATTENDING - was just joyous and ironic and delicious Serendipity in the extreme.

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