Good luck with the article Dan. You might want to talk to the many scooterists who have knowledge of Gavin Frankland while he was in Merseyside, or who have had dealings with him from his various memorabilia sales.
Meanwhile, just a quick update.
At the same time as I posted the JetSet article on this thread yesterday, I also opened a thread on my FB page, posting pretty much the same message.
I asked anyone reading the thread to share it as widely as possible. Gavin Frankland himself came on to my FB page and briefly engaged in open debate on the issue with myself and others. He was offered the chance to say whatever he wanted, with no censorship or attempts to bar him.
Yesterday evening, however, I discovered that I'd been banned from accessing the BLOA page on FB. Fair enough, you might think, after all, I am a critic of Gavin Frankland's actions and I had also attempted to post the Jet Set article on the BLOA page (that lasted about 2 mins
). Slapped wrist.
But what followed is much more bizarre. Overnight, more than 65 other people were also barred from the BLOA page.
Their crime? They had the temerity to share my post among their friends. Did they say anything hostile towards Gavin Frankland at the same time? No, the vast majority (55 or so) did not contribute at all to the discussion on my page at all. I repeat: they simply shared a post.
To my certain knowledge more than 85 people who simply disagree with him - never mind say anything negative -have been barred in recent weeks from accessing the FB page he set up. I don't keep a running tally, so the figure could be even higher.
What Gavin Frankland is doing is extraordinary. He is hoping to hermetically seal his Facebook page - North Korea-style - from anyone who he suspects is even mildly critical of what he is doing.
Did he consult with his little band of cheerleaders before barring so many people overnight? Is this official BLOA policy? It would be interesting to know. Somehow, I doubt it.
He is happy to take the opportunity - freely offered by me - to debate on my FB page, but when his minions post lies about the LCGB on his page, he stops people like me from contributing. One thread was closed down after 10 replies, presumably because it didn't go the way that was intended.
I want to thank Dan for his patience - against his better judgement, probably - in hosting my comments on this topic on Scooterotica. My FB page will always be open
also to anyone who wants to engage in debate on the topic. No censorship, no bans.
I also have to say to Gavin Frankland and those who have chosen, for whatever reason, to support his attempt to take the BLOA name from the LCGB: scootering is not about living in your micro-bubble, trying to keep away from facts that make you feel uncomfortable. You can't stop people talking - and the truth will always come out.