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Actor Lee Montague with the offending poster flanked by
Friends member June Grune left, and New Journal feature
writer Ruth Gorb, right, who also help organise events.
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Library supporters told: Your tree posters
break the law
VOLUNTEERS who have raised thousands of pounds to
help keep a library open were threatened with legal action and
a fine of £2,500 for taping posters advertising their
events to trees in Hampstead.
But the Town Hall withdrew its threat after the intervention
of the New Journal.
The Friends of Heath Library, who ran a campaign to stop the
library being closed 12 years ago, hold monthly talks by well-known
faces to boost the Keats Grove institute’s coffers.
Actor Lee Montague, who helps run the talks, said he was shocked
to receive a letter from a Town Hall street enforcement officer
threatening court action over a poster advertising a discussion
with the actor David Hare.
He said: “I received a letter warning me about putting
posters on council furniture.”
The group put up around 15 posters on trees in Hampstead and
South End Green each month. The letter added that the posters
were contravening part 132(1) of the 1980 Highways Act –
which carries a maximum fine of £2,500.
Mr Montague was given seven days to respond before the council
instigated legal proceedings.
The group has raised cash to restore the foyer and the roof
of the library – and has helped Camden Council save money
on book stocks.
Mr Montague added: “We use tape so we don’t damage
the tree in any way, and we also take them down again after
the event.”
Recent speakers at the library events have included former Monty
Python star Michael Palin, broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, author
Margaret Drabble, actor Emma Thompson and opera director and
philosopher Jonathan Miller, who have all given their services
for free.
A Town Hall spokesman said: “We were explaining that there
is an act that says this is an offence. But we are not going
to prosecute them. However, people putting posters up need to
let the council officers know where they are going.”
Two years ago, Alan Walter, a campaigner for pressure group
Defend Council Housing (DCH), was threatened with a criminal
prosecution after he put up posters advertising public meetings.
After pressure from Labour backbenchers, the council backed
down. |
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