St Pauls to close for the first time since WW2.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...gland-london-15406865

I wonder if a Mosque would be forced to close, because of EDL protesters?

I think the police would soon move them on.

[anotheoldgit]

Nice to see that most enjoy and appreciate our great English heritage.

[emmie]

thought it might be of interest.

St Paul's Cathedral never charges people who want to worship. Those attending our services do so at no cost. People seeking a place to be quiet and pray are admitted to the St Dunstan's Chapel free of charge. Admission on Sundays for all services is of course free and there is no sightseeing.

St Paul's receives little regular or significant funding from the Crown, Church or the State. We therefore rely on the income generated by tourism to allow the building to continue to function as a centre for Christian worship, as well as to cover general maintenance and repair work.

Most of our visitors, on understanding this, are only too happy to help support a place that is not only a centre for spiritual pilgrimage but also a part of our nation's heritage. The Dean and Chapter have the responsibility for caring for St Paul's both as a living and active church, but also as an heritage asset.
Are there any areas I can visit for free?

Yes, St Dunstan's chapel is open throughout the day for those who wish to sit quietly and say a prayer. Services are also free to attend.

[THECORBYLOON]

"I wonder if a Mosque would be forced to close, because of EDL protesters"

A few days ago, the canon chancellor of St Paul's, Reverend Giles Fraser, said he was happy for people to "exercise their right to protest peacefully" outside the cathedral.

[THECORBYLOON]

Were you planning on popping down to St Paul's aog?

[emmie]

and they have said the same on this evenings news, but the protesters have been there almost a week. If you lived/worked in the area, would you be happy for them to camp on your doorstep, i know i wouldn't.

[craft1948]

It costs £9.00 for tourists to go into York Minster, and an extra £5.50 to go up the tower..............

[emmie]

equally expensive, no wonder many Londoners can't afford to visit their historic buildings. I have been there, but it was some time ago.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Individuals

Adults £16.00
Concessions £13.00 (Over 18 students (on production of a valid student card) and 60+)
Schoolchildren (11 - 18 years) £6
Child under 11 free accompanied by an adult
Family £32.00 (2 adults and 1 child)
£38.00 (2 adults and 2 children)
+£6 per extra child
The first (chargeable) child with two adults - fr

[Zeuhl]

Yes, but the queues for the rides aren't too bad.

[Gromit]

The fire brigade say there are no safety concerns. Sounds like the Dean is after a few days off. A few peaceniks in tents is hardly the blitz is it. Have we really become so pathetically defeatest?

Not sure where the connection with Mosques and the EDL is. Maybe it is an obcession of the OP.

[emmie]

a few, have you seen them, them are spread out like a rash, only not so nice.

[rojash]

"The ironic thing is that the reason most of this lowlife scum can demonstrate is capitalism!"

I had to laugh at that one.

People are only allowed to demonstrate because of (to quote Merriam-Webster) "an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market"

[jno]

"i doubt that many have ever been inside, no matter what it costs."

Evidence?

The church authorities are worried that they are losing money, so have asked the protesters to leave. It is indeed extremely expensive, as Ankou says. (I recently visited Norwich cathedral - charge: nothing.) It is a tourist attraction, and if it is forced to close, tough. There are other literally dozens of churches around - some only 100 yards away - where people may pray.

[Gromit]

Rojash

The statement works if you believe there is only two states, capitalism and non Capitalism. Non capitalism is communism and/or dictatorship. Of course there are more alternatives to capitalism.

[jake-the-peg]

St. Pauls churchyard has a great history of social upheavial.

In the late medieval period booksellers came to sell their wares there and were joined by sellers of seditious pamplets and all sorts of trouble makers and rabble rousers.

I can't think of a more apropriate place for them to demonstrate

[Kromovaracun]

@rojash: I think the point that whoever it was was trying to make is that capitalism is the reason that we don't live under a feudal mode of production (to borrow Marx's terminology) anymore - in which legal equality doesn't exist (or to be more accurate, inequalities between people are structured into the law, whereas they aren't under capitalism) and 'rights' - including protest - as we understand it don't exist.

Now, that's true. But like you I disagree with it - just because you happen to be born into a particular era of civilisation, this doesn't mean you can't question it or find problems with it. In fact it can* actually show a degree of balance and intelligence to see what's wrong with a system from the point of view of other people even though you personally have benefited from it.

*Right-wingers please note: CAN. I'm not saying this is a particular characteristic of these demonstrators - I'm not really concerned with them in this post. In fact as many will know, I'm no incorrigible anti-capitalist. I just appreciate the sophistication and intelligence I've encountered in some people who are critical of it and think it deserves respect.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// Not sure where the connection with Mosques and the EDL is. Maybe it is an obcession of the OP. ///

I am sure you can Gromit, but if you are having difficulties, please let me spell it out for you with this scenario.

A group of EDL protesters are camped outside a Mosque for several days because of this the Mosque is forced to close it's doors for Friday's prayers .

But in reality this would never be be allowed to happen, because the police would have moved them on from day one.

No obsession Gromit, just a level playing field, that's all I ask.

[anotheoldgit]

em10

/// Concessions £13.00 (Over 18 students (on production of a valid student card) ///

Thought this rather ironic considering it is mainly students who have caused the doors of St Paul's to be shut.

[cathfromsaron]

if they prevent the place of worship from charging to get in for a day then maybe they have made their point!

[Old_Geezer]

Not that I've taken a great deal of interest in this news story, but the health & safety justification for closing the doors seems a little weak to me. The protesters are still there so any additional peril must still be too. It appears to be an over-reaction.