10-22-2009 JAR2 asks that you please support the local population of Southend-on-Sea in their fight against the razing of the local market and the loss of a part of the town's heritage, dating back almost 2000 years .

Masonic Hand in Southend-on-Sea Market Closure? Is this Progress?

Closure of York Road Market, Southend-on-Sea
By Michael John Smith

        Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, based in Essex, a county in the UK, have made a decision to tear down half of the old historic part of the town, and to possibly replace it with modern buildings. The local radio station and the local newspaper are running campaigns to slow down the potential damage that is expected to be done to the town.
        The immediate threat is to the old Victorian covered market in York Road. The market traders were given only 3 days to get out of their shops and to vacate the premises. Many of these traders have been there for many years, and they are upset at the damage that is being done to their businesses and their futures. This is the response of the local government website. They claim that the market has become a hazard to the health and safety of the local resident's and even went so far as to commission a survey. However, the local government are responsible for the York Road Market, and they allowed it to deteriorate, deliberately, leading the inevitable demolition of the market.

        On 16 September 2003, the Council decided to restrict the leases of the market traders, so that they could be evicted quickly when a decision to demolish the market was taken. So it is clear that this plan has been in the works for quite some time.
        The Council is responsible for maintaining the market, but now, 6 years later, the Council have decided that "health & safety" issues mean that the market must be closed and all the traders thrown out onto the streets. I think this is only a trick. The real reason to to shut down the market is to enable the developers to make money.
        How many of the local Council are Freemasons, and have an interest with the contractors to make money out of the redevelopment of this part of the town? This is what the destruction of this old part of Southend really means to the Councilors - an opportunity to make profits for themselves.
       Another sad part of the story, and one the has international ramifications,  is that young Russian cadets, who regularly visit Southend-on-Sea,  from the famous sailing ship "The SS Sedov"  will be shocked to see that the Southend Council are tearing down this historic part of the town.

Local radio on the closure of the market

Responsible parties for the closure.  Are they all  Masons?

 

Photograph of the York Road Market a few hours before closure, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England October 17, 2009

The next day. The York Road Market Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England October 18, 2009