I have not so far made comment on any of the posts I have seen so far on Mudcat but I think now I must after reading Richard Bridges post of 1 September 09 which I will come to later.

It is very regrettable to read such hysterical nonsense. First I need to apologise to Richard Bridge for playing my music too loud for him but let me correct him; it was not Metalica (I am not a fan); it was either Deja Vu by CSN&Y, Bayou Country by Credence Clearwater Revival or Desire by Bob Dylan or maybe even The Southern Harmony by the Black Crowes that was being played that day in September 2008.

What happened was that we arrived on the field and I turned up the music so I could hear it whilst setting up the tent, I did not think it was loud enough to carry to the other side of the field; it was not being played in total disregard of everyone else, maybe the wind was carrying it. Mick Ford came over and said someone was complaining about it so it was turned down. Richard Bridge could have approached me himself at the time or after and I would have said sorry but he never did.

That night in the marquee I was astonished to hear Richard Bridge launch a diatribe against "Chavs" or maybe it was "White Chavs" in which he proceeded to vilify a whole section of society, because, in my opinion, they have not been gifted with the same academic ability, educational opportunities or social upbringing as himself. Maybe the whole thing was clandestinely directed at me-I do not know.

The allegation of calling someone a "Diddy" is not correct. I am not familiar with the term Diddy or Dids and never said it. What Richard Bridge is referring to is the word "Pikey". What was said was not meant to be insulting or malicious. I innocently thought I was involved in a bit of light hearted banter with someone. The comment was said, as I believed, in a tongue in cheek jocular manner. I had no intention of it being anything other than that. It was never my intention of giving offense and had no idea that I had done so until after the June 2009 Knockholt when I first read the posts on Mudcat. At no time did Richard Bridge or anyone approach me about this in September 08 or June 09. I am truly sorry if this offended this person and I had hoped to make an apology and explain myself at Knockholt this September.

Had I really wanted to insult someone then I would have done it to the person, however I really am not the sort of person who does go around insulting people.

It is a shame that Richard Bridge could not have spoken to me about it but chose instead make the allegations public on the internet whilst giving me no chance of redress.

Subject: RE: BS: BNP: What would you do?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 May 09 - 04:29 AM

There is a person with whom I am acquainted who used to attend a folk ale to which I go.

Recently (ish) she has developed a relationship with a piece of scum on legs, and has even canvassed and stood for the BNP.

The scum and its spawn came very close to wrecking the folk ale - Mercedes with doors open and wireless blaring Metallica, homophobic remarks to a gay friend of mine, "Well you're all just a bunch of dids aren't you?" to a Romany participant (who scored well with the reply "When you can tell me what it means it may be worth discussing it with you").

I can't separate that behaviour from the person.



Richard Bridge as decided to act as Judge, jury and executioner. He has assumed much about me without ever speaking to me, he has presumed to tell everyone I am a BNP member although he has never been shown a BNP membership card by myself. He has even thought it appropriate to post theats of violence such as:

Subject: RE: Knockholt - This Is Summer! - June 2009
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 May 09 - 06:53 AM

The BNP members with the Mercedes aren't coming are they?

Soddit, I'll bring my chainsaw and axes anyway...

and

Subject: RE: Knockholt - This Is Summer! - June 2009
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 10:15 AM

Water, Lady Raffles? What do you want water for? I thought that pale liquid you drank was white wine.

(EDIT)
List: (of things to bring to Knockholt)

Kukri, Kris, and/or baseball bat in case the BNP turn up

With regards to Richard's post on 1st of September 2009 to Roberta; I hope he is not intimating that I was using the "P and N" words at Knockholt, if anyone does then it is a lie.

I can produce any number of black and asian people to testify to my character. I have a number of gay and lesbian friends and in the 1980's help nurse two gay friends whilst they were dying from Aids. I was also awarded a Royal Human Society award for risking my life whilst saving an African boy.

Roberta and I came along to Knockholt not as some sort BNP infiltration or right wing folk conspiracy but to listen to good music and to enjoy the company. I have not mentioned politics and have no wish to.

Whether I and Roberta are members of the BNP or not should not have been an issue and this nonsense should never have come to fruition.

What has happened is that Richard Bridge has out of his own personal spite decided to conduct a witch hunt against me for playing my CD player too loud and has attempted to rope in the rest of the Knockholt crowd against Roberta and myself under the Folk against Fascism banner. Royston was entirely right in suggesting keeping politics out of Knockholt. The whole thing has caused a lot of upset which was totally avoidable right from the start. I totally accept that my comment was wrong even though I had not meant it to be taken so and offer a full apology.

Ironically I found I enjoyed Richard's performances most of all and I was looking forward to hearing Richard Bridge again - even after reading his comments after the June Knockholt. Unfortunately I will not be there to see it, not because of threats of banners on the gate or tee shirts being worn or baseball bats but because the fun as now been taken from it for me. Hopefully Roberta will change her mind and go. It's been a sad thing to see this unfold and I don't bare any animosity to anyone, not even to Richard Bridge. I am not going to post any further comments on this site.

I hope that this can now be an end to this subject. I hope that everyone has a great Knockholt.

Ken