Just prior to the Ponds reopening post lockdown, a new campaign group emerged, separate to any of the Pond Associations, called Forum ‘71. This group is actively campaigning primarily for the reversal of ‘compulsory payments’ for entry to the Ponds, whilst trying to both maintain and preserve the ethos and integrity of these special places.
As Forum ’71 was campaigning for very similar results to the KLPA, at the start of the summer the KLPA committee decided to maintain informal contact with them. Two KLPA committee members, Harriet Wills and Lucy Zanetti, met with two members of Forum ’71 to create a direct channel of communication between the two organisations, to prevent splitting or misunderstanding and hopefully in the longer term trying to find a way to integrate our voices in a potent way. After several meetings this group grew, with Highgate Men’s Pond Association committee members Geoff Goss and Onur Teymur joining.
Invaluably Forum ‘71 continued to organise several protests, serving to keep the campaign alive in people’s minds and in the press. It was at this point we thought it would be important for us to find a way to come together more openly by forming an ‘umbrella’ protest, unifying to say ‘no to compulsory payments’ (allowing for a right to choose to pay). We developed the concept for the protest ‘Locked Out!’
Forum ’71 invite you to be part of this protest (see flyer attached here) on 20 September 2-4pm at the Boating Pond.
– Due to current regulations on such gatherings we are planning to break up into groups of no more than six people situated at various locations over the Heath in the hope to have a widespread impact. Social distancing will also be observed and we will be encouraging participants to wear and bring their own masks with a variety of pond related slogans.
– Bring placards of your own making, come along with a clear message and positive attitude to promote our cause and celebrate the ponds in our lives.
– We will be behaving respectfully at all times to Heath staff and members of the wider public.
We hope to see you there!
Should you need more details please contact contact@saveourponds.org (not the KLPA email address).