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LONG, hard fight... Jason Addy with his ‘Alan’ award for his work in a two-year campaign.
V is for victory as TBA fighter scoops honour
21/ 7/2006
A CAMPAIGNER, who is leading the fight to stop houses being built on an old asbestos factory, has won the health and safety equivalent of the Oscars.
Save Spodden Valley's Jason Addy scooped his 'Alan' at a Manchester hazards conference, in recognition of the group's battle against a 600-home plan for the old Turner's site.
The national trophy is dedicated to author Alan Dalton, who once admitted he 'enjoyed getting under the skins of asbestos companies' during three decades of dogged campaigning. His cussedness is reflected in the design of the award - a two-fingered salute.
Mr Addy has also been catapulted into a fight which has turned into a full-time unpaid job, taken him across the UK and Europe and won backing from the likes of Terry Waite and Gordon Brown.
The non-practising barrister described how he found it impossible to turn away when there was a surprise knock on his door over two years ago.
"It was about 7am on a Saturday and I was told trees had been felled at Turner's," said the 37-year-old, of Rooley Moor Road.
"It was bad luck for the developers that this had happened on the doorstep of someone with a legal background, who had lost his own granddad to the asbestos-related cancer mesothelmioma.
"I am nobody special, but I have known too many people in Rochdale and elsewhere die because of asbestos.
"I couldn't face people in 30 years' time knowing that I might have been able to make a difference but didn't."
The 'Alan' award is the latest feather in the cap of the group, which has gone from strength to strength since the trees were chopped down at Turner's in May 2004.
The campaign has become a hot topic among politicians in London and Brussels, is regularly featured in the Observer and national publications and has even resulted in the group erecting the first memorial to asbestos victims in Rochdale.
Mr Addy added: "I am very pleased to receive this award.
"But there are also many people who work behind the scenes on this campaign and don't receive the recognition."
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
Just a correction, Jason was given his 'Alan' at the 17th national Hazards Campaign conference, Hazards 2006,which was held in Manchester this year.
This is national event, the largest conference for safety reps in the northern hemisphere. I would not want your readers to get the impression this was only a local event!
Hilda Palmer Chair of the national Hazards Campaign
23/07/2006 at 14:01
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Great story and Jason & Save Spodden Valley areworthy winners of the third Alan to be awarded. Just to correct an impression that may have been given that the conference was a local,Manchester event. Wrong!! It was the 17th national Hazards Campaign Conference, which is the biggest event for safety reps in the northern hemisphere.This puts Jason & Save Spodden Valley win in national and international perspective.
The award is a sculpure which has two messages, the famous two fingered salute and 'V' for victory which is appropriate today as the Atkins Report is published and vindicates the stand taken by SSV,GM Hazards and all campaigners for safe development.
Hilda Palmer Chair of national Hazards Campaign
24/07/2006 at 22:08