Brixton Splash continues to airbrush its founder from history

I've written a piece about how Pat Clark - the guy who came up with the idea of Splash - is still being airbrushed from its history:

http://www.urban75.org/blog/brixton...airbrush-its-founder-from-the-events-history/

I was doing First Aid at the European No-Car Day on CHL and Pat was so pleased with the event as something everyone in Brixton enjoyed and came up with the idea that day as having a sort of annual Brixton Festival. He then got the ball rolling.

I have to admit I was initially sceptical that it would ever be allowed to happen because it would involve closing CHL.

Me too. He worked hard to get this pushed through.

Ros Griffiths has been busy claiming the other half of the credit.

I don't think so. As I mentioned on another thread, it means he can't even mention it on his CV or it makes him look like a liar, which he most certainly is not.

So, it's more than just lack of acknowledgement, it impinges on his livelihood which is wrong.

Because Pat's job does move him around it's an important thing to be able to mention in CVs. He's never been a egotist, this isn't about bigging himself up, it's about being able to demonstrate on his CV what his experience is.

No. He's never had any kind of credit or even a subtle nod. As fas as Brixton Splash are concerned it was all Ros Griffiths' and Blacker Dread's idea from the start, which is simply not true. And they know that.

...because Pat approached Blacker Dread to get him on board, as I understand it.

In no way I am trying to downplay Ros and Blacker's involvement, commitment and sheer bloody hard work. They do loads for Brixton. I don't know Blacker personally, although I know him to have done loads for the area, but I know Ros and have huge respect for what she's done for Brixton, especially in terms of getting young people into employment.

Pat's job means, much as he'd love to have permanent roots in Brixton, his job moves him around every few years (he was 'parachuted' into a Brixton Pub from Aldershot by the brewery). Because he's not someone who has been involved in Splash year after year after year doesn't mean that his contribution should be denied. Especially from the point of view of his CV. It could be the difference between getting a job, or passed over.

Btw, Pat's inspiration for the day came after the Brixton Car Free Day in 2000/2001 which saw Coldharbour Lane being closed for the day.



http://www.urban75.org/brixton/photos/18.html

Video (blimey, it's like a different world)

Pat has tried and tried and tried and tried on that score.

Unfortunately because he's quite self-effacing he doesn't push himself forward for photographs so the mask idea has fallen at the first hurdle. Perhaps just as well, he'd probably be hugely embarrassed.

My blog article has already been read by hundreds of people, and at least Pat can now finally include Brixton Splash on his CV.

...and there is dated evidence of his original idea, so it's not something that is their word against anyone else's.

Who's "patting themselves on the back"?

For the record, I've written to BS several times and I've also got it into the local press next week. More importantly, Pat can now include it in his CV without people questioning his integrity.

No.
Well there was a woman, painted green, who stripped off. Her kid was completely freaked out and was close to Death By Total Embarrassment.

Plus there were a load of school groups there and Brixton Cycles had to detour a kids race round Rushcroft Road till the police made her get dressed or the teachers were going to take them all back to school.