East Norfolk Health, St Andrews Hospital 13th March 1996
Was attended by a few members of the public and each one who spoke was angry and opposed to the idea. It was only by chance that KOHIN heard of it as the advertisement was inserted on one occasion in the newspaper, small ad size.
City Council and the Trust 10th April 1996 This was organised by the City Council and by the Trust. There was no publicity whatever from these two bodies. Each had assumed the other was responsible for it. In spite of this several hundred angry people turned up and spoke. The Trust impressively lost the argument on this occasion, although it was not a consultation exercise, rather a "this is what we are going to do" one. Malcolm Stamp's body language had to be seen to be believed!.
John Innes Institute 7th May 1996
Another lets tell the public what we intend to do occasion. Aranged by South Norfolk District Council and the N&N NHS Trust. No consultation. The lecture theatre was packed and again the overwhelming opinion was against the proposals.
Norwich Society at the Assembly House 20th May 1996
This was billed as a discussion to allow the public to air their views. The Trust declined to be present, the Norwich Society chairman was "disappointed". The whole mood of this meeting was against the proposal to move our hospital away from the city centre.
Planning Committee, Norwich City Council 6th June 1996
Half a dozen members of the public were there. Not allowed to speak. Good to witness the Council supporting an inner city site.
Michael Innes Demonstration City Hall 12th June 1996
Michael Innes gave a demonstration of his plan and thoughts about redeveloping the present site. Every member of the South Norfolk District Council Planning Committee and the N&N NHS Trust was invited personally. None attended or even sent an apology. ("Why should we?" was the response when questioned about this). The public was well represented. Michael Innes' plan was well received.
Cringleford Church Hall 15th July 1996
The hall was packed to hear the protagonists of Colney put their case. They lost the argument. No-one listened. Waste of effort on the public's part.
Labour Club, Bethel Street 5th September 1996
This was a discussion group headed by the (Old) Labour Party. "Hospital 2000" launched. Never heard of again.
Quaker Meeting House April 1997
This was arranged by the North Norwich Constituency. It was a "Question Time" format with a TV presenter in the chair. Both the Lib/Deml candidate and the Labour one told us much to everyone's astonishment that they were and always had been in favour of a city centre site for the hospital. This was a surprise to many of us, but it is what they said! The Conservative candidate at least was honest in face of a hostile audience and staunchly defended Colney. The Colney argument and vote were lost once again.
Blackfriars Hall May 1997
This was organised by KOHIN. Chaired by Professor Tim O'Riorden with a panel of the parliamentary candidates for Norwich South. The Conservative candidate had declined to come, but the others were there. The hall was packed, people were crowded into the lobby and many had to be turned away. Michael Innes repeated his demonstration and there was a wide ranging "question time". Charles Clarke famously committed himself on this occasion to having a "full public review as soon as a Labour Government is elected". Again the protagonists of Colney lost both the argument and the vote. (Charles Clarke either forgot his committment or was mandelsonned for we have heard nothing more of this full and public review).
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