I personally did NOT attend the meeting and not for the want of trying, I might add. However, I've decided to do a post about it anyway mainly because, no one who was there (except Mr Rosthorn) will. I've had some information from him and other attendee's and that is what I provide. I admit it's hearsay, but it's all I have at the moment because no one bothered to record it.
Firstly, here's WHY I wasn't there
And here's what was being tweeted LIVE from the gig
It seems Meirion was a tad unnerved at the thought that not everyone in the audience, agreed with behavior since October 2011. Another blogger has posted intention to show up and ask him a few question's, presumably regarding her old school, Duncroft.
The evening began with a woman thanking Jones for giving her the incentive to report her rape twenty years before. I have no idea how she came to be at the event. But she is in business now as a life coach and very good luck to her.
Here's how the first published report described the beginning
The local reporter continued describing how Manchester played a major role in the Saville cover-up' Her spelling mistake not mine !
And, not only the Manchester Police, but journalists and the Police in Leeds. Oh, and not forgetting the BBC and the editor that "derailed" his Newsnight story. His 'Brave Choice' was to disagree with management and his defiance cost him his job !
http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/211175036-he-has-presence-here-manchester-implicated-savile-scandal-journalist
The above was published two days after the show. The reporter did NOT detail any of the questions asked of Mr Jones. We had to wait for a real journalist to do that ! Sorry Kayley
Phil Brisk introduced us to 'Jennifer', a historic rape victim who reported the crime after twenty years: “I was one of the lucky ones. The man who raped me is now serving time.”
Then, after an appeal against disruption and an unexplained further request, “Do not attack my family. Attack me”, Meirion reminded us that “Jimmy Savile met Ray Teret round the corner from here.”
Jones did not explain WHY he made that appeal not to attack his family. Personally, I have not heard of any references to his family, except for the time he lashed out at members of his profession for daring to call at his house to ask him a few questions back in 2012.
Whatever, Rosthorn nicely sums up the composition of the audience
Fireproof seemed appropriate when it transpired that the audience of ninety Anotherway Now groupies included rape victims and sex abuse survivors sitting shoulder to shoulder with the very barristers, solicitors and self-appointed investigators of moral panics who insist on challenging the accuracy of Meirion’s story.
Jones was applauded when he answered one question put to him after his speech
Meiron was applauded for his resolute answers to an adversarial question from the barrister Barbara Hewson who wanted to know what training or experience he or his fellow reporters possessed for dealing with vulnerable claimants.
It's not in the article, but Mr Rosthorn has told me that Jones' answer to that was that he simply said that he was an 'investigative reporter' This strangely contradicts what he put forward to Pollard, as one of his explanations for hiring MWT in 2011.
I'm sure there were lots of other questions put to Mr Jones. The live tweeter's and fans of brave Meirion, told me all I needed to know
Someone even dared to suggest than any sex that might have taken place was consensural
And when some of us non-attendees dared to respond via twitter
But, let's get back to someone who was there. For in Mr Rosthorn's piece was a reference to a play which I'd never heard of 'til now.
The new play about moral panic over sex abuse, Madra by Frances Poet, daring to suggest that Jimmy Savile might not have assaulted any girls at Duncroft, had been short-listed for Britain's most valuable playwriting prize and featured at last Tuesday’s awards ceremony for the £16,000 Bruntwood Prize.
Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street between 1998 and 2014, acted the title role of Madra in a scene where a mother is horrified to learn that her mother-in-law has allowed a stranger to take her little boy to the lavatory in a McDonald's restaurant.
Most members of the audience were unaware of the references in Madra to Savile and Duncroft, as they appeared in unperformed scenes. Prince Edward was seen discussing the performed script with the playwright after the awards.
So much for freedom of speech and expression ? I wonder why no one ever explains or seeks to understand WHY so many voices are being silenced in this way. Funny, that Coronation Street has a 'presence' in Manchester too !
Link to Andrew's article
http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/news/jimmy-savile-haunting-manchester
Anyone who has any information to add to this blog, please feel free especially anyone who was there ! I'd really like to know how he responded to those questions that so rattled his fans.
Update 28th November
A few more quotes from Jones on the night
"Seen abusing a disabled 13 year old at the BBC in Leeds"
"The BBC criminally wiped all the material on videotapes. But we found Clunk Click in studio with Jimmy Savile... really good corroboration."
Corroboration ? the fact he "found" a tape od Clunk Click ? Give me a break ! As for that 13 year old in Leeds ? This would be the Sue Thompson story ? What 'corroboration' did he find for this ?
So many question's - glad I wasn't there !