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Homeless man told not to pitch his tent in Brighton park

11:40am Monday 1st November 2010 in News By Ben Parsons

Homeless man told not to pitch his tent in a Brighton park Homeless man told not to pitch his tent in a Brighton park

A homeless man has been told he cannot pitch his tent in a Brighton park.

Ray Slater – whose struggle to find work and open a bank account was highlighted in The Argus last week – has been served a notice from a park ranger telling him he is breaching a bylaw and trespassing.

The Liverpudlian, who has lived in Brighton since August, returned to his canvas shelter on Tuesday to find a notice saying no-one can pitch a tent in a park or open space in Brighton and Hove under the city council’s rules.

He is investigating whether he is inside or outside the park’s boundary, and whether the wooded area where he is camped is an open space.

Mr Slater, 48, said: “I keep it clean and tidy, I take my rubbish with me, and I’m basically invisible to the rest of the park.

“I’m just getting on in my little way, a humble, simple person, not trying to be a burden on anyone."

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “The bylaw covers both parks and open spaces and the council also owns all the public open space in [the area where Mr Slater is camped], so this is trespass. Even if there were no bylaw, the council could seek a possession order.

“The Cityparks team has ensured that Mr Slater has all the relevant information, together with contact details of services that can help him to support himself in the future.”

Comments(35)

Burgess901 says...
12:12pm Mon 1 Nov 10

I am sure B&H council would much prefer people sleeping in shop doorways or squatting instead.

As he says he is just trying to get by without encroaching on anyone else, doing no harm and does not want to be a burden.
Ironic that if he was the complete opposite he would probably get lots of help from the council in one way or another.

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nocando says...
12:30pm Mon 1 Nov 10

if only the council were as rigorous in their dealings with the travelling community, they might not portray themselves as being quite so pompous and ineffective.

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HJarrs says...
12:31pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Sadly, when you are at the bottom Ray you just keep getting a kicking. But I can't see what the wardens can really do as you have no assets other than offer you a nice warm cell and 3 meals a day, which is no deterent for you! I remember the tented city in Lincolns Inn Field in London, where loads of posh law firms are based or at Waterloo in cardboard city. Really put homelessness in the public eye. Perhaps thats what you and others should do. Move to somewhere prominent. Good luck.

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cheezburger says...
12:37pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Wondering why he came to Brighton. Surely with Liverpool being a bigger city it will have more job opportunities.

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Granny says...
12:45pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Pity the council do not deal with the travellers who seem to be allowed to pitch camp whenever and where ever they want. I wonder if this would have happened if the homeless man had not had the publicity in the Argus. Perhaps they can find space for him at Hollingbury.

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Betty Blue says...
1:12pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Brighton seem to attract these people. Is he after sympathy?
He is like the woman selling the Big Issue in Western Road, I believe she lived in a tent, but got a council flat in the end. They don't want to work but have enough money for Special Brew and cigarettes.

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Ballroom Blitz says...
1:47pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Why doesn't he go back to Liverpool? He had a housing association flat there that he foolishly left to go travelling.
Liverpool is his home town, and he is far more likely to get housed quicker up there than he is down here in Brighton.
It may seem petty in this case to tell him he is breaching bylaws and trespassing. It would seem a whole lot fairer if all the travellers that illegally set up camp in the environs of our city were treated in exactly the same way. But they are not. Picking on an easy target, perhaps?
Why not apply the same rules to the travellers off the Ditchling Rd by the golf course that have been there for about 3 months without being moved on. Hell, they even have their own refuse collection now - presumably we are all paying for that as well.

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cheezburger says...
2:02pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Ballroom Blitz wrote:
Why doesn't he go back to Liverpool? He had a housing association flat there that he foolishly left to go travelling.
Liverpool is his home town, and he is far more likely to get housed quicker up there than he is down here in Brighton.
It may seem petty in this case to tell him he is breaching bylaws and trespassing. It would seem a whole lot fairer if all the travellers that illegally set up camp in the environs of our city were treated in exactly the same way. But they are not. Picking on an easy target, perhaps?
Why not apply the same rules to the travellers off the Ditchling Rd by the golf course that have been there for about 3 months without being moved on. Hell, they even have their own refuse collection now - presumably we are all paying for that as well.
If he left a housing association flat to come to Brighton knowing he would be homeless then he shouldnt really be surprised.

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nocando says...
2:40pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Liverpool's a brilliant place, i had reason to spend some time up there recently. Having never been there before I had all sorts of misconceptions about the place but i couldn't have been more wrong. Apart from the weather, I'd just as fancy trying to make a lfe for myself up there as down here, its got some some good stuff going on. Better camping prospects on the south downs though.

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oneflewoverthe says...
2:52pm Mon 1 Nov 10

another sign of madness from the Council, he is already homeless now they want to make him sleep in door ways, it won't be long before there will be lots more made homeless, what are they gona do stick notices everywhere advising people Brighton is not for the homeless go around the Council offices and you will see signs saying no rough sleeping and that just after getting a leaflet advising about rough sleeping after effectively being told to go away when seeking assistance with housing and thats what you get for being from Brighton, let him be its cheaper for the system than the 2 or 3 hundred pounds a week the Council charge for one of their hostel rooms.

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oneflewoverthe says...
2:53pm Mon 1 Nov 10

another sign of madness from the Council, he is already homeless now they want to make him sleep in door ways, it won't be long before there will be lots more made homeless, what are they gona do stick notices everywhere advising people Brighton is not for the homeless go around the Council offices and you will see signs saying no rough sleeping and that just after getting a leaflet advising about rough sleeping after effectively being told to go away when seeking assistance with housing and thats what you get for being from Brighton, let him be its cheaper for the system than the 2 or 3 hundred pounds a week the Council charge for one of their hostel rooms.

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Jimthefirst says...
3:29pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Think it through, if this man is allowed to camp in our parks then its only a question of time before a village of tents go up on our open spaces.
Summer time next year would be a problem for those who want to use the park but are unable to do so due to campers and in some cases their pets.
The Council have given him suitable advice and he must choose his option.

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Sussevingian says...
4:02pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Ironically, without the publicity from the Argus, he might still be settled in undisturbed. I don't know much about him but I wish him good luck wherever he goes.

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Morpheus says...
4:45pm Mon 1 Nov 10

If the council has taken to enforcing Bylaws perhaps they will now do something about the cycling on the Undercliff Walk.

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ShorehamBeachcomber says...
4:55pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Not trying to be a burden on anyone...so he claims not a single penny in benefits does he?? Or is he like the other 69,999 scousers that claimed for the entire 10 years of the last gov I wonder?

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stan bailey says...
4:57pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Strange travellers have been up on Ditchling Road for months and no one has moved hem on. Maybe he is an easy target

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sussexladybabe says...
4:58pm Mon 1 Nov 10

I can never understand why B&H attracts drifters like this chap. Really he should go back home and let Liverpool council help him. Then again Hastings has become a place for the undesirables of London. The law should be changed so that if you are homeless within the first year of arriving from another place you should have to return back to get help. B&H would be a far better place today had this not been the case 25 years ago!

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annibelle says...
4:58pm Mon 1 Nov 10

poor bloke ....why cant people just be nice...if i had a garden he could camp there ...stupid people

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boblat says...
5:00pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Let em get their possession order mate....When they enforce it you can just pick up your tent and move. Waste some more time B&H council, why don't you?

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Lucky7 says...
5:03pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Betty Blue wrote:
Brighton seem to attract these people. Is he after sympathy? He is like the woman selling the Big Issue in Western Road, I believe she lived in a tent, but got a council flat in the end. They don't want to work but have enough money for Special Brew and cigarettes.
That Big Issue seller is legendary! Every day I get a synopsis of the weather and a forecast! She's better than the BBC!

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eee says...
6:00pm Mon 1 Nov 10

Poor Bloke, he seemed genuine in the Argus video the other day. If he contacts me he can pitch up in my back garden as long as he does not make a mess.

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anonymous coward says...
8:46pm Mon 1 Nov 10

@Betty Blue

I kno, rite! And they eat our swans!

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bob loblaw's law blog says...
8:54pm Mon 1 Nov 10

I don't want to see him pitch a tent, dirty man.

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jeremy radvan says...
1:01am Tue 2 Nov 10

sussexladybabe wrote:
I can never understand why B&H attracts drifters like this chap. Really he should go back home and let Liverpool council help him. Then again Hastings has become a place for the undesirables of London. The law should be changed so that if you are homeless within the first year of arriving from another place you should have to return back to get help. B&H would be a far better place today had this not been the case 25 years ago!
Not to worry, with the Collaboration in power the return of the itinerant poor is at hand. Although I understand that there is a proposal to bring in a law that allows the wealthy to house people in their garden sheds as long as they are not British citizens. So they will still have people to hand when they are needed to look after their children and feed their elderly relatives.
Why do you have the word "Lady" in your alias?

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another village idiot says...
6:51am Tue 2 Nov 10

Betty Blue wrote:
Brighton seem to attract these people. Is he after sympathy? He is like the woman selling the Big Issue in Western Road, I believe she lived in a tent, but got a council flat in the end. They don't want to work but have enough money for Special Brew and cigarettes.
It is unbelievable to me that there are still people as small minded as you left. One day, you'll have bad luck and may find yourself in the same situation. Have some sympathy, people will like you more. I expect you have a problem with that.

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Lulu Devine says...
10:16am Tue 2 Nov 10

On Friday, The Argus published a story about a local man made homeless through circumstances beyond his control and who has been living under canvas since March while the so-called authorities do zero to help him. Apparently not one single person in the whole of Sussex called or emailed to help.

Could I ask you to please read this:

http://bit.ly/aJyMQX

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lornadoon says...
10:25am Tue 2 Nov 10

another village idiot wrote:
Betty Blue wrote: Brighton seem to attract these people. Is he after sympathy? He is like the woman selling the Big Issue in Western Road, I believe she lived in a tent, but got a council flat in the end. They don't want to work but have enough money for Special Brew and cigarettes.
It is unbelievable to me that there are still people as small minded as you left. One day, you'll have bad luck and may find yourself in the same situation. Have some sympathy, people will like you more. I expect you have a problem with that.
Well I agree with Betty Blue and I am not at all small minded.
I have every sympathy with homeless people, and if selling the Big Issue helps them get back on their feet, then why not.
I do however have a problem with people who sell it in order to keep themselves in Special Brew, tobacco and drugs.
In fact I also know of someone who sold it all summer in order to spend the winter in India.

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Cass says...
10:48am Tue 2 Nov 10

Brighton & Hove C C being it's charitable self again, what is wrong with them? Perhaps those choosing to pick on this guy would do well to remember that there are going to be plenty of job cuts in the near future, it could be them who are in need of assistance. Personally I hope it is then they can feel as intimidated as they feel obliged to intimidate others. B Jobsworths. Leave the guy alone.

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LimpWristed says...
12:45pm Tue 2 Nov 10

The only tent I'm going to be pitching is in my pants!

On a more serious note, I don't feel comfortable with the idea of Scousers lurking around in the woods. I'm going to feel the need to keep checking my wallet is present!

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KarenT says...
9:13pm Tue 2 Nov 10

It's never been explained, and I've wondered why he made himself homeless by letting go of his housing association flat in Liverpool and came to Brighton? I do feel sorry for this man and the circumstances that he is now in, but why did he make that seemingly crazy choice? So many people from all over the country seem to come to Brighton, as though it is some sort of mecca for the dispossessed. There obviously is homelessness everywhere in the UK, and particularly right now given the state of things. But Brighton does seem to have a huge proportion of homeless people. I was sat outside some caff in the North Laines the other day, and in the space of 20 minutes we were approached by about 8 different people asking for money and saying they were homeless. Scots, Geordies, Northerners, Southerners, people from all over the country. What IS it about Brighton that is such a draw?

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oneflewoverthe says...
4:09pm Wed 3 Nov 10

Its is shamefull how some people treat and talk about ourpoor homeless people as if they are 3rd class citizens, how many of you are in cushy public sector jobs or on nice fat pensions, what is being done is criminal our councils accross the country all and I mean all try harder to look for reasons they have no responsability to house they they do actually housing, we have scores of agencies to help people but we have ingnored the real problem and that is we have not built enough social housing for years ever since the tories right to buy, it is estimated that £50 billion is needed to build enough homes to supply demand I suggest we start now at £10 Billion a year for 5 years or simply allow our parks to be used by the homeless, stick 2 fingers up to the privateer landlords at the same time.

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Brighton_Toffee says...
8:02pm Wed 3 Nov 10

There are so many comments above from which I could extract quotes but I am unsure how to make multiple extractions.

To address some points, however:

1. People are attracted to Brighton & Hove for various reasons: it is by the seaside, it generally enjoys better weather than the North and its reputation as a fun place to be is legendary
2. Like many others, however, I find it bizarre that Mr Slater would give up accommodation in Liverpool (also my town of origin) to travel several hundred miles to live in a tent.
3. The council are quite right to invoke the bye-laws but, ironically, there are many more examples of "illegal" tent-dwellers that have escaped their attention because they (the tenters) have not had their exact location identified by The Argus
4. Please do not get me started with Big Issue sellers! The money they make is supposed to provide to its sellers (according to TBI's mission statement):

•somewhere meaningful to call home
•access to a doctor and equality of access to health care opportunities
•the essential support that is needed to overcome addictions
•direct help with their sales skills to maximise their independent earnings
•the crucial personal identification that opens so many doors
•access to additional financial support and secure saving opportunities
•the opportunity to re-connect with family members and loved ones
•provide a national voice for people ignored by so many

Just take that first statement: how many Big Issue sellers use their gains to achieve that?

This is probably too long already so I shall leave now but, almost like MacArthur, I might return...

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Brighton_Toffee says...
8:46pm Wed 3 Nov 10

The worst example of Big Issue abuse that I have encountered personally:
whilst waiting for a bus on North Street, I was approached by somebody trying to sell me his "last one".

I declined.

I then watched him make the same offer to several passers by, all of whom made a donation without actually taking the magazine.

He then procceded into one of the seemingly ubiquitous all-night off licenses and emerged with a bag containing several cans of booze.

Magazine still in his possession, he wandered happily towards The Quadrant.

If you are ever approached by somebody trying to flog their "last copy" of BI might I suggest that you pay the cover price, accept the magazine and move on (even if you bin it)

It is also worth noting that the selling of the Big Issue is illegal unless you are carrying an authorised ID card and are within a certain number of feet from one of the many "Big Issue Selling Points" so meticulously painted on the pavements of Brighton and Hove

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Ballroom Blitz says...
9:18am Thu 4 Nov 10

Brighton_Toffee wrote:
The worst example of Big Issue abuse that I have encountered personally: whilst waiting for a bus on North Street, I was approached by somebody trying to sell me his "last one". I declined. I then watched him make the same offer to several passers by, all of whom made a donation without actually taking the magazine. He then procceded into one of the seemingly ubiquitous all-night off licenses and emerged with a bag containing several cans of booze. Magazine still in his possession, he wandered happily towards The Quadrant. If you are ever approached by somebody trying to flog their "last copy" of BI might I suggest that you pay the cover price, accept the magazine and move on (even if you bin it) It is also worth noting that the selling of the Big Issue is illegal unless you are carrying an authorised ID card and are within a certain number of feet from one of the many "Big Issue Selling Points" so meticulously painted on the pavements of Brighton and Hove
Or do as I do - never buy the Big Issue from anyone, and never give any money to anyone begging.
If we all did that, Brighton would be miraculously free of all the scroungers and deadbeats that arrive from all over the country thinking they'll get an easy ride here.

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Heckler1974 says...
11:01am Thu 4 Nov 10

Morpheus wrote:
If the council has taken to enforcing Bylaws perhaps they will now do something about the cycling on the Undercliff Walk.
Yes, because enforcing an archaic little known by-law with a maximum of a £5 fine is an excellent use of council resources isn't it?

Or perhaps Morpheus you could just learn to share the space as most other people seem to do without incident?

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