The Family seeks direct help from the directors of BITC as the organisation sets out its vision of , “simplicity and clarity” for the year ahead.

The full text of the Appeal to BITC Directors is provided below:

1st December 2005

Michael Rake Chairman BITC
Mike Clasper, Chief Executive, BAA plc
David Jackson, Company Secretary, BP
Amelia Fawcett, Morgan Stanley
Charles Allen, Chief Executive, ITV plc
Julia Cleverdon CVO CBE Chief Executive
Business in the Community,
137 Shepherdess Walk,
London
N1 7RQ

Delivered by Hand at:-
Business In The Community Annual General Meeting
Wilton's Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB


The Shalom Family Campaign for Social Justice

Crest Plc / Corporate Social Responsibility


Dear Gentle People,


With reference to the above and the documented record, we again respectfully bring to your attention the immoral and unethical conduct of house building firm Crest Plc, based in Weybridge Surrey.

We are aware from Julia Cleverdon CVO CBE Chief Executive of Business In The Community (BITC) that Crest and/or its subsidiary companies are ‘on a journey’, of seeking accreditation from Business In The Community.

We understand and accept that under the Presidency of HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, that BITC is an organisation, which promotes ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ and ‘Responsible Business Practice’.

We respectfully draw your attention to the following public internet website at  http://www.mvpicton.co.uk where you can learn the full disgrace of what this organisation has actively approved to be done to our Family, our Home, our ‘way of life’, and our personal and private possessions. All of it done in the name of ‘Corporate Beauty’.

As we approach yet another Christmas of despair, please let there be no doubt in your minds, that, conclusively, with our five daughters, we have suffered an overwhelming loss and an unnecessary experience of corporate bullying and domination at its worst.

We believe that BITC would want to distance itself from any corporation, which displays such utter contempt and total disregard for human life. We believe that not to do so, would seriously discredit your organisation.

Accordingly, we again kindly ask BITC and each of you in equal measure, please explore every possible avenue of opportunity, to directly intervene, and / or help us, in our Family Campaign for Social Justice from Crest Plc.

May we take this opportunity of wishing you and your Families a very Happy Christmas.

Kind regards,

Vincent Shalom
Marie Louise Shalom

Letter Ends
----------------------

Business in the Community, acts under the presidency of HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. It is a registered charity, sponsored by the likes of the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister and HBOS (incorporating Halifax and Bank of Scotland) Plc.

BITC takes great pride in promoting 'Corporate Social Responsibility' and 'Responsible Business Practice', both among its members and those who seek to obtain full membership. The Family with five young daughters, aged between 5 and 14 years old, have previously invited BITC to become aware of the disgusting bullying, degrading and immoral treatment which they have had to endure from house builder Crest Plc, and/or, its former subsidiary company, Crest Nicholson Marinas Limited.

Ms. Julia Cleverdon, CVO CBE, Chief Executive of BITC has already acknowledged  http://www.mvpicton.co.uk/julia_cleverdon_business_in_the_community_response.htm
that although Crest Plc are not members, they have taken part in the BITC Companies That Count Index. Ms. Cleverdon notes, "You can see from the supplement (as published in the Times) that Crest Nicholson are on what we term, a 'journey' with more work to be done in many areas".

Ms. Cleverdon also points out, "If they (Crest) were a member we would discuss your situation with them and deal with it through the appropriate account management channels."

In any event, Crest Plc is listed on the United Kingdom Stock Exchange. Among Crest's listed shareholders are institutional investors, HBOS Plc, and the Legal & General Group. Both of these organisations are full members of BITC. It is also noted that Lloyds TSB Bank, are full BITC Members, but only recently disposed of its 'notifiable interest' with Crest Plc.

Nevertheless, the Family acknowledges that Lloyds TSB Bank were instrumental in 'backing' the formation of a 'new' marina company. It was built upon Crest's former subsidiary marina company, the same one that undeniably caused a night-time grounding and toppling incident to their Family Home. The whole Family were aboard and Ms. Shalom was eight months pregnant.

The Family Home developed a leak subsequent to that grounding and the Shalom Family’s insurance company insisted on a ‘vessel lift’ at site, in order to fix suspected damage. The vessel could then be insured but the marina company would not give the Family permission to take their Home out of the water at Penarth Marina, in Cardiff Bay, Wales.

In view of these circumstances, the Shaloms could not secure insurance cover for their Home and Crest seized upon an opportunity to ‘legitimately’ accuse the Family for breaching their marina contract, of not having sufficient minimum insurance. Some have described this action as a total shafting!

Quay Marinas Limited was formed as a result of a Crest Nicholson Marinas Limited management buy-out, when Crest Plc decided to rid itself of its clearly documented, ailing marina operations, but this was just three months after overseeing the seizure of the Family's Houseboat Home of 14 years (with all their possessions aboard), from Cardiff Bay, Wales.


In view of Ms. Cleverdon's comments, the Family hope that BITC will discus this situation with HBOS Plc, Lloyds TSB Group Plc and Legal and General Group. This would be especially in terms of their respective ethical investments, and/or, associations with Corporate Crest.

Throughout their Campaign for Social Justice from Crest Plc the Family have argued that poor communications and deliberate misrepresentations have been abundant, at every level throughout the Crest Nicholson-documented record of events. Only just recently Crest Nicholson have confirmed to the Family Campaign for Social Justice that company records and presentations of Crest Plc, held at Crest House in Weybridge were, in fact, “out of date”. The Family believe this is just another example of how Crest Plc are not immune to making mistakes or getting things seriously wrong. The company also admits as much, "we were wrong", in allowing the Family to set up home in Penarth Marina in the first place.

On the matter of good communications it is duly noted  http://www.itvplc.com/itv/about/board
that BITC Director Mr. Charles Allen, who is Chief Executive of ITV Plc, shares an ITV Plc boardroom position with Mr. James Crosby, Executive Director of HBOS Plc.

The Family have invited BITC to see the full accounts of their dealings with all parties concerned which includes Crest Plc, Crest Nicholson Marinas Limited, the Health & Safety Executive, Cardiff Harbour Authority, The High Court Sheriff, South Wales Police, the Vale of Glamorgan Council, and their local MP Mr. Alun Michael. BITC has yet to respond to this invitation.

BITC says that Chairman Mike Rake sees the challenge for the organisation as one of simplicity and focus. Furthermore, that the combined strength of the board and membership is unprecedented and demonstrates the increased commitment from business to drive this movement in the UK.

The Family believe that this case is a simple matter to understand… a comprehensive corporate shafting! They kindly request that those in authority or in positions of influence should immediately encourage Crest Nicholson to focus upon, and review this matter urgently.

In losing their Home, their personal private possessions, the Family's 7 pet goldfish and a beautiful way of life of 14 years, the Family believe that they have been seriously wronged and have suffered enough. Perhaps it’s time to do the right thing? With BITC help, that might just be possible?

End
--------------------------------

Contact:-
The Shalom Family Campaign for Justice via website

Business in the Community,
137 Shepherdess Walk,
London N1 7RQ

Tel: 0870 600 2482
Email  information@bitc.org.uk
-------------------------------

Other indy media news links articles:-

Lloyds TSB Group Plc Drop Shares In Crest Nicholson Plc
 https://www3.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/11/327097.html

Crest Nicholson Plc Evicted Houseboat Family Open Letter of Appeal
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/london/2005/10/326210.html

Halifax (Bank of Scotland) and Lloyds TSB Bank Targeted at Guildford
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/325211.html

Protest at Centre Parcs Director John Matthews/ Chairman of both Crest Plc, Regus Plc, and director at Diploma plc, SDL plc and Rotork plc.
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/westcountry/2005/08/320790.html

Family Petition HRH Prince Charles Business In The Community
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/07/318335.html

Schroders London Boat Show Protest
 https://www1.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/01/304204.html

Claridge’s Protest London
 https://www1.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/04/308474.html

Crest Nicholson AGM Protest at the Runnymede Hotel and Spa Surrey
 https://www4.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/04/309486.html

HBOS Protest National Boat Caravan and Out Show NEC Birmingham
 https://www1.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/world/2005/03/307747.html

Various Photo Story Board links:- Broadband advised for slide shows.
 http://aol.photobox.co.uk/public/customer.html?customer=191568

END.