Message sent to HRH Princess Haya, FEI President

[Rachel Mawhood]

Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:56
To: info@hrhoffice.ae
Subject: FAO HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, President FEI : 2012 Olympics


Office of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein
PO Box 111888
World Trade Center Complex
Convention Center Building, 5th Floor
Dubai
United Arab Emirates


Your Royal Highness

I am aware of how much unalloyed pleasure it gives you that at the 2012 Olympics equestrian sports will be, as you say, "at the heart of the Olympic Games" in Greenwich.

I feel bound to draw to your attention, however, the concerns of well-intentioned people about the safe capacity of Greenwich Park.

15,000
this is the independently assessed maximum safe capacity of Greenwich Park in normal times, with 9-10 Park gates open through which people could be evacuated in an emergency. This information has been readily available to event organisers for years past, in the Royal Parks own Guidelines for Event Organisers.

Occasionally, for an event taking place on only one day and lasting only a couple of hours in an otherwise empty Park, the maximum safe capacity is

20,000
eg for showing films

21,000
eg for the "red start" of the London Marathon.

http://www.uli-sauer.de/laufen/london/instructions_e.htm#11%20WHERE%20AND%20WHEN%20TO%20START

There is a widespread misunderstanding that all 35,000 runners in the London Marathon assemble in Greenwich Park at the start. They don't. The rest of the runners assemble outside the Park, on Blackheath.

Your Royal Highness, there have never been more than 21,000 people allowed in Greenwich Park at any one time, even when it was empty. In 2012 the Park will not be empty, I have seen the plans: it will contain the enormous temporary stadium, stabling for hundreds of horses, broadcast compounds, hospitality marquees, fuel tanks, waste tanks, toilet facilities for thousands ... How will even 1,000 people be fitted in around all that?

50,000
Yet LOCOG claim that they have already sold 50,000 tickets to the cross-country day in 2012. This is despite the fact that Greenwich Park will be a prime terrorist target, full of temporary structures as well as the cross-country course, and the exits will have been reduced essentially to about three (instead of 9-10) in a 4m-5m high security fence (possibly electrified at the top) that is to be erected all around the Park perimeter. Your Royal Highness, there will be a great many valuable horses and important people participating one way or another, as well as ordinary people who have been lucky enough to obtain tickets, and yet LOCOG's arrangements appear designed specifically to create a death trap in Greenwich Park.

Although the one fact that an event organiser should know is the safe capacity of the proposed venue, LOCOG appear to have sold about four times too many tickets. And yet their "planning target" is 68,000. (On 19 October 2011, at a meeting in Greenwich of the local authority licensing committee, when asked three times a direct question about the safe capacity of Greenwich Park, the venue manager Jeremy Edwards remained silent, and LOCOG's solicitor Mr Phipps evaded the question.)

You may wish to note that the relevant fire inspection authorities in London have distanced themselves from LOCOG's plans. This is highly significant, Your Royal Highness.

I am sure that, as you yourself are the mother of young children, you will have a lively awareness of the importance of keeping people safe so that they all return to their families at the end of the day. I know that you would feel terrible if your uncompromising insistence on Greenwich Park as the venue for the 2012 Olympic Games resulted unnecessarily in injuries and fatalities. I believe that the reputation of the FEI would never recover.

Yours sincerely
Mrs Rachel Mawhood
Resident of Greenwich since 1979

 

[perfect11s]

Sorry but its a bit late !! fait accompli and all that , its going to happen... maybe it is'nt the ideal venue and or a perminant purpose built facilty could have been built out of town with the money but lets be postive shall we and hope its a success !!!!

 

[Mithras]

Any chance you could give a brief summary of that as its not honestly that clear what you are saying in the long version? Do you really think they are going to stop one of the Olympic Events because you and a few others object to it? Or that they have not already conducted multiple HSAWA74 etc risk assessments and impact surveys? My apologies if your letter means something else entirely, but it was really hard to read.

 

[millimoo]

Yawn ... Zzzzzz

 

[amage]

The Olympics are not an FEI event. Yes the FEI will be involved but it is not an FEI championship so you are writing to the wrong person and to be honest that letter is a barely passable first draft. You don't make your argument, yes you do point out fire safety issues but are you really that naive as to think these issues have not been considered? You haven't allowed for the vast numbers of emergency personel inside the park which would deploy in the event of an incident. The fire safety capacities as advertised for other events would not take into account fire/police/ambulance being onsite and all roads around the park being closed bar to emergency vehicles. By all means write to Haya....it ain't gonna do anything though!

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

Sorry but its a bit late !! fait accompli and all that , its going to happen... hope its a success !!!!

Sorry but which part of the word "death-trap" do you not understand?

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

The Olympics are not an FEI event. Yes the FEI will be involved but it is not an FEI championship so you are writing to the wrong person

We are repeatedly told that Greenwich Park is the 2012 equestrian venue because the UK had promised a "compact Games". But Princess Haya is on record saying several times that it had to be Greenwich Park and nowhere else. Arabian princesses are accustomed to being obeyed.

and to be honest that letter is a barely passable first draft. You don't make your argument, yes you do point out fire safety issues but are you really that naive as to think these issues have not been considered?

I am certain that LOCOG have fouled up here.

You haven't allowed for the vast numbers of emergency personel inside the park which would deploy in the event of an incident.

I have. You don't know Greenwich Park as I do; and you have not been as closely engaged with LOCOG's preparations as I have been for the last three years.

The fire safety capacities as advertised for other events would not take into account fire/police/ambulance being onsite and all roads around the park being closed bar to emergency vehicles.

You evidently don't know south London.

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

Yawn ... Zzzzzz

Said the boiled frog.

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

Any chance you could give a brief summary of that as its not honestly that clear what you are saying in the long version? Do you really think they are going to stop one of the Olympic Events because you and a few others object to it? Or that they have not already conducted multiple HSAWA74 etc risk assessments and impact surveys? My apologies if your letter means something else entirely, but it was really hard to read.

The fire safety/inspection authorities have distanced themselves from LOCOG's project in Greenwich Park. Says it all.

 

[MeganLindsx]

I think i could try to begin where you are coming from (sort of) if the riders were novices and the horses were not used to big crowds but its the olympic games!!! Im sure all riders could control the horses better and the horses should be familuar to big crowds!

Also it just makes you look like a bit of a kill-joy!

 

[rockysmum]

I can understand that, as a resident of Greenwich, this whole event will cause you disruption on a major scale. I guess it will be a construction site for some time and take some considerable time to restore.

However the people of London wanted these games and I assume had the opporunity to put their feelings forward right at the start. I personally would hate it, all of the people and disruption, but then I wouldn't choose to live in London where these events are the norm.

As for the risk assessments, our local pub is assessed for 200 for weddings and such. However put up a couple of temporary marquees, extra toilets, the field next door for parking (with stewards) or buses and the assessment changes. I am sure that those in charge have followed the rules and reduced the risks as much as possible. As for terrorism, I cant see why this location would be any worse than any of the other Olympic venues.

Horses competing at this level are used to temporary stabling in unsuitable places, look at HOYS.

Good luck in surviving the next year but I also dont think your letter will do any good.

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

I think i could try to begin where you are coming from (sort of) if the riders were novices and the horses were not used to big crowds but its the olympic games!!! Im sure all riders could control the horses better and the horses should be familuar to big crowds!

It's not the horses and riders I am worried about. If you have read the national press recently - eg remarks by the MoD and the National Audit Office - you will know that LOCOG is now a bye-word for shambles, incompetence and irresponsibility.

Also it just makes you look like a bit of a kill-joy!

If LOCOG continue on this path, we will see who the kill-joy is, and it isn't me.

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

However the people of London wanted these games and I assume had the opporunity to put their feelings forward right at the start.

I don't know where you get the idea that the people of London were even asked. They were not asked.

I am sure that those in charge have followed the rules and reduced the risks as much as possible.

I promise you, they have not followed the rules.

As for terrorism, I cant see why this location would be any worse than any of the other Olympic venues.

The other Olympic venues have counter-terrorism defence built-in. Greenwich Park does not.

Good luck in surviving the next year but I also dont think your letter will do any good.

If my letter does not do "any good", it is not I who will pay the price.

 

[quirky]

RM - Having done a quick Google search, you have been banging on about this since 2008 from what I can see.

If they didn't listen to you then, then I fear you're flogging the old proverbial.

It's going to happen, get over it and think this time next year, it will all be a distant memory

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

If they didn't listen to you then, then I fear you're flogging the old proverbial.

The discovery, that LOCOG has sold 50,000 tickets to a venue that can safely hold - for a couple of hours on one day, in an otherwise empty Park - only 21,000, is a recent development.

It's going to happen, get over it and think this time next year, it will all be a distant memory

There's none so blind as will not see.

 

[Mithras]

Sorry but which part of the word "death-trap" do you not understand?

Your propoganda part?

 

[rockysmum]

I don't know where you get the idea that the people of London were even asked. They were not asked.
.

Well I think that is something to take up with whoever wrote the bid. I cant remember, was it done by London, or by the government. Because I for one consider that they have been sold as "The London Olympics" in other words nothing to do with the rest of us.

 

[quirky]

There's none so blind as will not see.

A nice Biblical quote at this festive time of year but I fail to see the relevance in this case.

The Olympics will go ahead, regardless of you banging on and on and on, so I am blind to nothing.

Quite frankly, I am astounded that you have registered with a site that you think is populated by people who partake in an "elitist sport" to quote yourself.

You only have to look around this site to see that is not the case, there are people from many walks of life on here. Some can afford the very best of everything for their horses, others scrimp and save to give them the best they can. Without doubt, we all love our horses and spend a great deal of time enjoying them.

If having the Equestrian element of the Olympics in Greenwich Park inspires anybody to take up horse riding, then that is a successful outcome.

If you are so bothered about having it on your doorstep, maybe consider taking a long holiday for the duration of the Games .

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

Your propoganda part?

You can look at the facts, which are all in the public domain, and judge for yourself. Or you can remain in denial. I don't mind which you do.

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

A nice Biblical quote at this festive time of year but I fail to see the relevance in this case.

The Olympics will go ahead, regardless of you banging on and on and on, so I am blind to nothing.

This whole comment is a non-sequitur.

Who said anything about the Olympics not going ahead?

Quite frankly, I am astounded that you have registered with a site that you think is populated by people who partake in an "elitist sport" to quote yourself.

You only have to look around this site to see that is not the case, there are people from many walks of life on here. Some can afford the very best of everything for their horses, others scrimp and save to give them the best they can. Without doubt, we all love our horses and spend a great deal of time enjoying them.

International competition equestrianism is an elite sport, nothing to do with people loving their horses.

If having the Equestrian element of the Olympics in Greenwich Park inspires anybody to take up horse riding, then that is a successful outcome.

One person takes up riding, and everything says: phew, £60 million well spent, then. A Royal Park has been trashed. Vital earnings from tourist revenue for the whole of 2012 lost (the tourism industry says that bookings to London are already 90 per cent down), the massive disruption to people's lives and livelihoods (with some people being laid off). But, hey, one person took up horse riding.

If you are so bothered about having it on your doorstep, maybe consider taking a long holiday for the duration of the Games .

This is not about me.

 

[cefyl]

The Olympics are not an FEI event. Yes the FEI will be involved but it is not an FEI championship so you are writing to the wrong person!

Olympics and the FEI are interlinked to the extent that Princess H has enough influence to dominate decisions regarding the equestrian events. Look back to Hong Kong and her record of rule over everything including last minute course changes even overriding people far more qualified than she to make judgements on safety.

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

Well I think that is something to take up with whoever wrote the bid.

Cherie Blair, if Tony Blair's autobiography is to be believed.

I cant remember, was it done by London, or by the government. Because I for one consider that they have been sold as "The London Olympics" in other words nothing to do with the rest of us.

It is the "London Olympics" because the host city is London. It would have been the Paris Olympics, if France had won. Which they should have done.

Did you know that all the bidding cities had to sign the hosting contract BEFORE they heard the outcome of the bid? I'd love to know if any of them refused.

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

Olympics and the FEI are interlinked to the extent that Princess H has enough influence to dominate decisions regarding the equestrian events. Look back to Hong Kong and her record of rule over everything including last minute course changes even overriding people far more qualified than she to make judgements on safety.

That's true.

 

[amage]

We are repeatedly told that Greenwich Park is the 2012 equestrian venue because the UK had promised a "compact Games". But Princess Haya is on record saying several times that it had to be Greenwich Park and nowhere else. Arabian princesses are accustomed to being obeyed.



I am certain that LOCOG have fouled up here.



I have. You don't know Greenwich Park as I do; and you have not been as closely engaged with LOCOG's preparations as I have been for the last three years.



You evidently don't know south London.

And you evidently know sfa about what you are talking....the olympics ARE NOT and FEI event! You're ridiculous statement about Arabian princesses accustomed to being obeyed is testament to how little you know.She is not president of the FEI because she is a princess. You claim that I evidently don't know south London....maybe not but I have been involved in major equestrian events for years and know the way they shut down streets etc. The Olympics are not a new thing...surprising as you might find this they have been held in major cities for centuries and it's not a new crew who run it everytime. People have full time jobs running the Olympics.

 

[rockysmum]

It is becoming increasingly obvious from your posts that this is not about Health & Safety. You obviously have a lot more issues with the Olympics.

I think you should take your argument somewhere else.

I feel its a case of nothing else has worked, so you will get us all concerned about the safety of ourselves and our kids.

 

[Roody2]

International competition equestrianism is an elite sport, nothing to do with people loving their horses.

This is not about me.

Woah!!! That's a bit strong, yes it's a sport but most of the top riders are very passionate about their horses!!!

Vital earnings from tourist revenue for the whole of 2012 lost (the tourism industry says that bookings to London are already 90 per cent down), the massive disruption to people's lives and livelihoods (with some people being laid off).

Can you provide the evidence for the 90% drop in bookings?? I find that very hard to believe!!!
And why/how have some people been laid off due to the olympics?

 

[millitiger]

So the enviromental angle got no support and nobody took any notice of you, therefore you come back with the safety angle?

You aren't at all bothered about the safety of the spectators, you are just clutching at straws and trying desperately to find something which will stop Greenwich Park being used for equestrian disciplines in 2012.

Don't try to dress up your selfish views and aims with false worry about the safety of people who support these 'elitist' sports.

 

[perfect11s]

Sorry but which part of the word "death-trap" do you not understand?

Not sure what you're agenda is?? sadly it comes across like like a batty old bint with a nimby attitude , im sure your a nice genuine person thats genuinely upset by whats going on but this is one battle you wont win it will just make you ill, best to let it drop , keep an eye on what's happening and hold people to account if things go wrong... its too late in the day, best to be humble in defeat, we tryed hard to stop a football complex being build in open farmland it was passed now we have a load of yelling chavs playing under flood lights most nights 100ish yards from our boundary!!! at least you have a civalised sport on a temp arangement with plenty of money to reinstate the park afterwards, like others have said have a few weeks away tuscany is very nice!!!!

 

[Rachel Mawhood]

So the enviromental angle got no support and nobody took any notice of you, therefore you come back with the safety angle?

Not sure what you're agenda is??

Helloooooooo - both of you - selling 35,000++ more tickets than your venue can actually safely hold is

1. illegal and
2. fraudulent, and puts LOCOG
3. in breach of its insurance policy conditions.

If you have tickets to the cross-country day, I suggest you take advice on where you stand.

 

[millitiger]

If it is illegal why don't you mount a legal challenge though the courts rather than on forums and sending letters to people who have no say in whether the venue could be changed?

I would rather people were just honest about their intentions- I totally understand people living in Greenwich not wanting the equestrian sports there for purely selfish reasons as it will be a pain in the ar$e if you aren't actually interested in the sport or gaining any benefit from renting rooms etc.

I object to people with the above views dressing up their concerns with false worries about grass species and now about the safety of people they don't want there in the first place.

And I don't have tickets for the Olympics- I will be watching from home as couldn't stand the thought of having to fight my way through London to get to the venue and sod's law it will be raining that day and I would rather watch from the comfort of my sofa