Poppy seller in England assaulted, robbed

[Kythereia]

Link: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/6112650.stm)

A man selling Remembrance Day poppies in a supermarket foyer has been attacked and his collection stolen.

The 74-year-old was in the Sainsbury's store on Cricketers Way, Pitsea, Essex, on Thursday evening, when he was pushed into a table by his attacker.

There's a special circle of hell reserved just for this. :mad:

[GorillaMan]

Yes, delightful people, down there in the arse-end of Essex.

(Geographic snobbery, me?)

[jjimm]

This story has upset me very much.

I want to find that poppy seller and let him know not everybody is a wanker.

Fucking hell.

[eleanorigby]

I had to think twice as to what a poppy seller was....my mind immediately went to Afghanistan and opium...


I don't know why there are such shits as this attacker was--I hope the older gentleman will be ok.


(poppy selling is not as common over here, although we do get cloth poppies for donating around this time of year. Sadly, I can't think of the organization that sponsors it.)

[Ferret Herder]

(poppy selling is not as common over here, although we do get cloth poppies for donating around this time of year. Sadly, I can't think of the organization that sponsors it.)
The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), I think?

[want2know]

The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), I think?
Yep. (http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.levelc&cid=127)

[yojimbo]

Because of our BS with the UK etc we don't really do the poppy thing in Ireland. 10's of thousands of Irish men fought in WWI but until recently the state never honour their personal sacrifice. This is changing as we enter a new stage of understanding.

That said this incident is beyond my understanding. ON every level I work on this is wrong. A old man selling remembrance items to honour the generation that was destroyed in a futile war and also making a few quid to help the widows and establishment that looks after past and present joe soaps who are affected by their leaders decisions.

I don't believe in hell or any form of afterlife but I hope these bastards are caught and punished to the maximum. Failing that I hope they experience lots of pain and anguish of some form or another.

Hopefully the old codger is all right and goes on to sell many more poppies.

[Iamonfire]

i think the robber thought he could get heroin from the poppies

[Malacandra]

This story has upset me very much.

I want to find that poppy seller and let him know not everybody is a wanker.

Fucking hell.

I'm guessing the Sainsbury's mentioned in the link know who he is - presumably the RBL cleared it with the store for him to go and sell poppies there? I'd chip in a fiver if you feel like getting a collection up.

[Rayne Man]

Yes, delightful people, down there in the arse-end of Essex.

(Geographic snobbery, me?)
No you're spot on. When I used to live in north Essex there was a proposal to declare UDI or join up with Suffolk. This was to get away from the wasteland that is south Essex.

[Carl Corey]

Could you describe how South Essex is so bad? I'm curious.

And I hope that the police catch the robber. Any news on how the poppy seller is doing?

[Rayne Man]

Could you describe how South Essex is so bad? I'm curious.

And I hope that the police catch the robber. Any news on how the poppy seller is doing?
It's full of ex-Cockneys for a start. The towns of Basildon, Greys , Pitsea, Southend and Canvey Island are dumps, full of uneducated people who operate just this side of the law. They have no taste in clothes, cars or women. Many of them work in the financial institutions in the City of London. Where their fathers and grandfathers used to own market stalls, they make their fortunes moving money around.

I think the worst place is Canvey Island. Is full of Cockneys who haven't made quite enough from crime to retire to Spain, so they settle there instead.

[Carl Corey]

Urgh.

Thanks for the info, Rayne Man.

[Honeydew]

Because of our BS with the UK etc we don't really do the poppy thing in Ireland. 10's of thousands of Irish men fought in WWI but until recently the state never honour their personal sacrifice. This is changing as we enter a new stage of understanding.

I'm Irish too but married to an English guy - we usually go to the UK around this time of year and always buy a poppy each. For me, I buy it to remember all the Irish men that did fight in WWII, as you say, but also for the English men that fought there too - they should be remembered, whatever nationality, because they gave us all the ultimate sacrifice.

Last year, we bought our poppies in St Alban's and got talking to the man selling them, an elderly man just like in the article. He was so lovely, so totally pleasant and unassuming and yet I can barely imagine what he went through for his country. We went and bought him a small present (a little box of whiskey liquers I think) and brought it back to him just because we thought he was such a lovely man. To think he fought in the war so just little shits like that moron who robbed him could life a peaceful life... God help us if this is the society we've got to grow old in.

[chowder]

Further proof, as if it was needed, that our streets and cities are crawling with scum like the attacker.

But why did nobody try to stop the arsewipe

[NinjaChick]

Out of curiosity, why the hell is it at all relevant that he was selling poppies? Someone beat up an old man: that's a shitty thing to do. What the old man was doing is irrelevant.

I actually got scolded by a complete stranger today for either A) not wearing a poppy or B) not donating money/buying one, so I'm admittedly feeling a bit touchy on the issue right now. But, seriously, just because he's selling poppies doesn't make him better or worse than any other generic old man. If an old homeless guy selling The Big Issue* was assaulted, it wouldn't even be in the news, let alone get the morality police all worked up.

*The Big Issue, for non-Brits, is a not-for-profit magazine put together and sold by people who are either homeless or "at risk of becoming homeless". All the sellers are licensed and wear an ID badge showing as such - it's (IMO) a great program to put some money into peoples' pockets.

[jjimm]

Out of curiosity, why the hell is it at all relevant that he was selling poppies? Someone beat up an old man: that's a shitty thing to do. What the old man was doing is irrelevant.[/size]Yes, robbing an old man is a shitty thing to do.

But this old man was a) presumably a veteran, b) doing charitable works, and c) the money stolen was made up of donations for veterans and war widows. That makes it qualitatively a little shittier, I'm afraid.

I've seen those guys: they're geriatric but standing around (sometimes outside in all weathers) for six or seven hours. It's an honourable thing to do; they deserve better.

[jjimm]

More about the assault (http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/basildonnews/display.var.1005626.0.mugged_poppy_seller_vows_to_carry_on.php):"I was standing with my back to the foyer and I felt a hand on my back, then I was pushed and the man grabbed the poppy tin.

"As I turned around he dashed out of the door, I raced after him, but I fell."

Mr Terry added: "I didn't stop to think about the consequences, the man could have had a knife and beat me up.

"But it was my gut reaction. If you are the type to have a go, you will."Roy Terry, I salute you.

[Malacandra]

More about the assault (http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/basildonnews/display.var.1005626.0.mugged_poppy_seller_vows_to_carry_on.php):Roy Terry, I salute you.

Me too. That link contains enough information to find Roy Terry with the aid of BT Phonedisc. I'll be posting him a cheque for £5.00 payable to the Royal British Legion before the end of today. Anyone else in? Email me (see profile) if you want the address.

[hawthorne]

Yes, robbing an old man is a shitty thing to do.

But this old man was a) presumably a veteran, b) doing charitable works, and c) the money stolen was made up of donations for veterans and war widows. That makes it qualitatively a little shittier, I'm afraid.

I've seen those guys: they're geriatric but standing around (sometimes outside in all weathers) for six or seven hours. It's an honourable thing to do; they deserve better.I agree with NinjaChick. The rest is sanctimonious bilge. The war widows &c could be taken care of to an acceptable standard in the budget. You don't see the MoD or the Royal family begging. But it seems there is something that attracts voters to the idea of funding old soldiers to a less than acceptable standard so that we can take the pleasure of sometimes giving them our change out of pity. It makes us feel worthy to throw them scraps. That's why the old bastards are out there exposed to crime and cold.

Knocking over an old coot is low. The rest is down to us.

[Moirai]

Mmmmm... interesting point. Made me think. Thanks.

I'm gonna go grab my poppy now.

[Icecapade]

Email me (see profile) if you want the address.

You have email.

Oh dear, I've been saving my guest membership for when I had something intelligent to say. 3 years and counting, I guess this is as good as it gets.

Charlotte

[Rayne Man]

Just been reading about someone who walked into the BBC Lincoln office and a stole a poppy collecting box off the reception desk.

I work a couple of days a week in an Oxfam bookshop. We have a collecting box on the counter but its fixed to a strong chain to prevent any low life from stealing it.

[Malacandra]

I agree with NinjaChick. The rest is sanctimonious bilge. The war widows &c could be taken care of to an acceptable standard in the budget. You don't see the MoD or the Royal family begging. But it seems there is something that attracts voters to the idea of funding old soldiers to a less than acceptable standard so that we can take the pleasure of sometimes giving them our change out of pity. It makes us feel worthy to throw them scraps. That's why the old bastards are out there exposed to crime and cold.

Knocking over an old coot is low. The rest is down to us.

I don't know about not seeing the MoD begging, since I've also just chipped in to a collecting box to send soap and stuff to the troops, which I'd have liked to think went out in 1917. As for the Royal Family, they probably cost me about what my annual poppy costs. The crap about voters being all for underfunding old soldiers so we can feel good about tossing them a crust is something you can bake to a crisp and shove up your Hershey highway, cobber.

Off to check email for someone who apparently wants to do something instead of spout political crap. :rolleyes:

[Kal]

Just been reading about someone who walked into the BBC Lincoln office and a stole a poppy collecting box off the reception desk.When I ran the Oxfam shop in Nottingham city centre, we had someone try to take the big collection box (one of those ones where the coins swirl 'round and around before dropping into the bottom). Fortunately, we had the foresight to have the bugger chained to the wall.

It was quite funny to see 'em fall down when the chain pulled tight as they headed out the door.

[elmwood]

It's full of ex-Cockneys for a start. The towns of Basildon, Greys , Pitsea, Southend and Canvey Island are dumps, full of uneducated people who operate just this side of the law. They have no taste in clothes, cars or women. Many of them work in the financial institutions in the City of London. Where their fathers and grandfathers used to own market stalls, they make their fortunes moving money around.

The equivalent of upper-middle class rednecks, like one would see in Ocoee, Florida; Kernersville, North Carolina or an=y exurb where people can afford to spend a lot of money as Bass Pro and Cabela's?

[elmwood]

BTW, the poppies I buy from the Amvets always fall apart in a few minutes. There's a lot of Canadians in town this wekend for a curling bonspiel, and they all seem to have solid, durable poppies that would last through a harsh Nunavut winter.

[Rayne Man]

The equivalent of upper-middle class rednecks, like one would see in Ocoee, Florida; Kernersville, North Carolina or an=y exurb where people can afford to spend a lot of money as Bass Pro and Cabela's?
Not quite. There are more working class with pretensions. Many of them live in towns built after WW2 to house people from the slums of East London and they still carry this folk memory of their original background . Although they have more money now it hasn't improved their taste . Another aspect of them is that many of them are very right wing and xenophobic in their politics . A whole group of the fascist British National Party councillors were voted into one South Essex council earlier this year.

[GorillaMan]

No you're spot on. When I used to live in north Essex there was a proposal to declare UDI or join up with Suffolk.
Heh, you think we'd have had you? :p

[NurseCarmen]

What? No South Essex Girl jokes?

[Malacandra]

When I ran the Oxfam shop in Nottingham city centre, we had someone try to take the big collection box (one of those ones where the coins swirl 'round and around before dropping into the bottom). Fortunately, we had the foresight to have the bugger chained to the wall.

Thieving gipsy bastards. :mad:

:p

Kal! Thought you'd cleared off. Good to see you, dude. :cool:

It was quite funny to see 'em fall down when the chain pulled tight as they headed out the door.

:D

[hawthorne]

Malacandra
Thieving gipsy bastards.
I stand by my point. I wasn't "spouting political crap", but don't think I need to defend myself against Malacandra.

[Kal]

I stand by my point. I wasn't "spouting political crap", but don't think I need to defend myself against Malacandra.The line you quoted was a joke aimed at me. Probably not wise for him to have posted it, but it made me laugh.

Should have capitalised 'gipsy', mind.

In other news; yeah, I was away for about 18 months, Mal'. You can blame jjimm for my returning.

[Malacandra]

I stand by my point. I wasn't "spouting political crap", but don't think I need to defend myself against Malacandra.

Yo. Please note that the guy who is perhaps the Dope's most-cited and readable authority on all matters relating to Rom and all other travelling peoples understood very well that the intent was to tease him. Why don't you give up being offended by proxy? (Kal has licence to one (1) use of calling me a gorgio twat any time he likes by way of payback.)

Whatever the reason why, Kal, it's good to see you about the place again. :cool:

[Rayne Man]

What? No South Essex Girl jokes?

OK just one.

"How does an Essex girl turn off the light after she's had sex?"

"She shuts the car door"

[GorillaMan]

OK just one

Make that two...


How does an Essex girl fake an orgasm?

She drops her handbag.

[hawthorne]

Well, fair enough then. I probably should've remembered, but didn't. Thanks to the both of you. I'll return to reply to Malacandra's post later, then. It's past my bed time.

[George Kaplin]

What does an Essex girl use for protection?

A bus shelter.

[eleanorigby]

Make that two...


How does an Essex girl fake an orgasm?

She drops her handbag.

Ok, the other two are funny in a dark twisted way. But I dont' understand this one. Does handbag have a double meaning in UK?


<Yank vowing never to even visit South Essex upon next visit>

[Malacandra]

Ok, the other two are funny in a dark twisted way. But I dont' understand this one. Does handbag have a double meaning in UK?


<Yank vowing never to even visit South Essex upon next visit>

No, I think what we're saying here is that the Essex girl's typical sexual experience occurs standing up in a dark alley, and she doesn't let go of her handbag throughout the entire act - unless she either has an orgasm or fakes one. :D

[Capt. Ridley's Shooting Party]

There are more working class with pretensions. Many of them live in towns built after WW2 to house people from the slums of East London and they still carry this folk memory of their original background .


Good God? Working class? Scum!

[GorillaMan]

Good God? Working class? Scum!
Plus they form a large part of West Ham's fanbase.

[jjimm]

How does an Essex girl fake an orgasm?

She drops her handbag.How do you know when a Sloane is having an orgasm?

She drops her accent.

[Kyla]

In other news; yeah, I was away for about 18 months, Mal'. You can blame jjimm for my returning.

[complete hijack]Kal! It is so good to see you about...I have a number of Roma students and often think of you and what you would think of what goes on in my classroom...and the teacher's lounge. Lovely to spend your break listening to your colleagues complaining about those damned Gypsies. *sigh*[/complete hijack]

Anyway, yes. Knocking down old men, very very bad. Any news on whether the culprit has been aprehended?

[Malacandra]

Update via today's mail:
Dear <Malacandra>,
I would like to thank you for your kind donation and <someone else cloaked by anonymity>. As a result of donations such as this we managed to recover way above what we believe to have been stolen.

Once again on behalf of the British Legion and myself, thank you for your generosity.

Nothing about the scummy tea-leaf, but apart from that, all's well that ends well.

[Shirley Ujest]

A little late on this thread...



1. Poppies are sold by Veterans of WW1. Background Story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6133312.stm)

The red poppy worn around the world in remembrance of battlefield deaths has nothing to do with the blood shed in the brutal clashes of World War I.

Instead it symbolises the wild flowers that were the first plants to grow in the churned-up soil of soldiers' graves in Belgium and northern France. Little else could grow in the blasted soil that became rich in lime from the rubble.

Their paper-thin red petals were the first signs of life and renewal.

Also, poppies are a pistol to establish and can lay dormant for years. The significance of these beautiful flowers springing about after such carnage was not missed on the survivors of a bloody battle and are such a poignant reminder for all the sacrficies made for freedom.


2. Kal! Where the heck have you been? We need updates on yours and Washte's lives and that little one ( who's name I've plum forgotten sorry!



3. I thought most of England had the CCTV everywhere. Were the perps caught on tape. I hope they are caught and face the public humiliation of such a lowly crime ( and punished too.)