rally organised against pub’s non-existent kids’ drag queen event in se22

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

ovEr 100 counter-protestors opposed turning Point uK’s rally against a non-existent children’s drag queen event outside an East Dulwich pub.

Approximately sixteen members of the right-wing group were outnumbered by local residents and activists at the Great Exhibition pub on last Friday morning,

March 10.

Turning Point UK was protesting against a ‘Drag Queen Storytelling’ event despite the pub’s claims that no event was ever scheduled for Friday.

Turning Point UK, which says such drag queen events are inappropriate for children, claims the pub had planned an event but deleted the online post as part of a “cover-up”.

A Met Police spokesperson said 150 people attended and did not report any arrests being made.

It was the second such protest in recent weeks. The first was held by Turning Point UK on Saturday, February 25, outside the Honor Oak pub over their ‘Drag Story Hour’, which saw five arrests.

Local resident Annette Martin, 75, who attended the most recent protest as a counter-demonstrator, said: “It was very lively. There were. loads of counterprotesters. When I arrived there was a line of police between us and them.”

A spokesperson for Turning Point UK said: “We are very pleased with the result of our protests, as inappropriate Drag Queen Story Hour events have been trending in the media for the past couple of weeks.

“Our protests are focused on awareness, not actually physically preventing adult performers from reading to children, as that is for the government to legislate, or for the police to act when necessary.”

While there was no drag event on the day, the pub had previously held one in July 2022.

The Turning Point UK spokesperson said: “While the session today had been cancelled, we were happy to still protest the venue as they have not committed to age restricting future drag events they plan to host there, with other events still listed on their website.”

In a tweet, the Great Exhibition pub said the pub would open as usual and that it remained “committed to offering events at this pub that are magical fun, inclusive and appropriate”.

The Met Police confirmed that officers were deployed to the scene at 10am to respond to any disorder that might have taken place. There was minor traffic disruption in the area and Crystal Palace Road from the junction with Underhill Road was temporarily closed. By 1pm, police said the demonstrators had dispersed with Underhill Road reopened to traffic.

ExcluSivE

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

a dog-loving Bermondsey man is searching for the owner of an “Italian greyhound” pup he found dead on the Thames banks.

Paul Townsend, 52, a builder living on the Longfield Estate, found the dog on Rotherhithe Beach, a stretch of shore off Rotherhithe Street near the Mayflower pub, on Saturday, March 5. Sadly, the dog was not microchipped and has since been cremated - but Paul is still keen to find out who its owner was.

“I’d like to fill them in and let them know where it was found, and that I’d tried my best. I’m happy to speak to them if they get in contact,” he said.

Paul, who owns a seven-year-old Akita-German Shepherd cross, had seen people talking about the dog on social media and had to intervene.

“Me and my friend got down there and I spotted the dog straight away. It was right by the boat. I thought ‘it’s so sad to see’ it brought tears to my eyes”, Paul said.

He added: “I love dogs, I’ve had dogs all my life… I’ve ever never heard of a dog being found on the Thames.”

The pooch, probably an Italian greyhound, is described as white with brown-grey patches and roughly eighteen months to two years old.

Paul said the body looked as if it had been there for less than 24 hours.

He took the dog to the London Animal Hospital in Denmark Hill where it was checked for a microchip.

As of April 6, 2016, owners are legally obliged to get their dogs chipped in case they get lost.

The London Animal Hospital confirmed it had received a two-yearold dog marked as ‘stray’ who was not chipped, which had since been cremated.

But there has been an outpouring of thanks for Paul, with people praising his caring nature.

One social media user wrote: “Paul, so sweet of you and your friend. I’m so happy people do care about our fur babies.”

Another wrote on the NextDoor site: “Thank you so much Paul! I’m hoping