Please advise - it's all gone SO wrong

WASHER

Angel, stick around, I am sure Mike will be online later and would love to hear your story.

I wonder if Mr bridle will be working in the morning on his next victims house, I think not!

Mike, you came across so well on tv, I do hope something can come out of this, although I didn't really like how Dominic Littlewood at the end said this didn't need to have happened if checks had been done and householders should withhold some monies, easy for him in the no, but not for the layperson.

psychopathbabble

Washer, I thought that too but forgot to say it previously. Also, when Mike first started out with the builder, the CCJs might not have happened!

SouthernBellE*

angell_delights wrote: »

I cannot believe that this has happened. Unfortunately I was working and unable to watch "The One Show", this evening, rest assured family and friends were quick on the telephone to let us know that Paul Bridle had struck again and had last been exposed for the evil crook he really is. I was unaware of this forum until tonight and I would like confirm that Paul Bridle has done exactly the same to me and my husband.

I have all his personal details and possibly even a photograph and like someone suggested I wished to brand him a criminal from every lamp post and newspaper in the southeast of England (or even worse) but this would not be the appropriate way. I have always hoped that in time I would be able to get some kind of retribution, well; hopefully this will be the start and give me the energy to pursue matters further - so far all I have managed is trading standards.

As I always say "what goes around, comes around" so watch out Mr Bridle of somewhere close to Horsham. It sounds like you may be just about to hit the fan, and about time too!

Angel so glad you found this thread but so sorry you have also fell prey to this vile man. Agree about discretion but please try to come back tomorrow and contact Mike.

If you get chance to read through the thread, you'll see Mike's had a tremendous battle on his hands. All the research & letters, court procedures etc. The whole damn system is a joke!

Time will tell as to whether more stories will be uncovered. Hope you stick around.

whisp

angell_delights wrote: »

I cannot believe that this has happened. Unfortunately I was working and unable to watch "The One Show", this evening, rest assured family and friends were quick on the telephone to let us know that Paul Bridle had struck again and had last been exposed for the evil crook he really is. I was unaware of this forum until tonight and I would like confirm that Paul Bridle has done exactly the same to me and my husband.

I have all his personal details and possibly even a photograph and like someone suggested I wished to brand him a criminal from every lamp post and newspaper in the southeast of England (or even worse) but this would not be the appropriate way. I have always hoped that in time I would be able to get some kind of retribution, well; hopefully this will be the start and give me the energy to pursue matters further - so far all I have managed is trading standards.

As I always say "what goes around, comes around" so watch out Mr Bridle of somewhere close to Horsham. It sounds like you may be just about to hit the fan, and about time too!

Hi Angell, so glad you found us, but so sorry to hear you've been swindled by this crook too :mad:

As SB says, if you have time do try to read at least some of this thread (I know it's long!) or at least Mike's original few posts, you're unfortunately not alone and he's put up one hell of a fight. Hope both him and you and your hubby finally get some justice, and soon!

If you have a chance, you can catch tonight's One Show on the BBC iPlayer for the next 7 or so days - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rtb8j/The_One_Show_30_03_2010/

Do come back to say Hi and meet Mike soon, we're a welcoming (if slightly odd at times!) bunch that have gathered around him :beer:

solventsoon

Hi Mike
Well, as I've come out of lurkdom now, thought I would post again today.

Watched the programme and thought you came over great. Well done for getting so far and getting this scummy builder the publicity he deserves.

Your house is lovely, I really do hope you get it the way you want it to be soon - but, tbh, judging by what you've achieved since you started this thread, I don't think there's any doubt that you will get there.

Will keep checking in now - want to keep up to date with your progress.

ss
x

niccatw

Wow Mike... I hope you've no major plans for the next few days... you've a lot of partying to catch up on! I hope you manage to switch off and get some sleep

Poosmate

Evening all, or should that be morning all!

Just checking in before bed.

Welcome to all you lurkers and new posters, stick around Mike has a fantastic sense of humour (as you'll already know if you've read the thread).

Angell Delights, thank you so much for posting although I'm sorry it's not under better circumstances. Please could I ask you to maybe contact The One Show through the BBC to let them know you have been through the same. Maybe it will encourage them to do a follow up and maybe chase him down a bit more. I know it's a big ask but we'll all love you forever!

Once again Mike, you played a blinder! I'm thinking of you tonight, our very own tv star!

Sleep well all and take care.

Poo

lisawaters

Hi

I am speaking to you this evening from a pile of rubble in Littlehampton... but I am smiling and I feel amazing.

I got in a while ago (couldn't stand being away from the thread actually) and I have to say I was blown away by the posts here.

I'll write more in the morning probably, and in the weeks and months ahead. This is just starting but tonight was a rest stop to look back, celebrate an immensely important day for all of us, and have a giggle. And we did!

I thought when I started this I might get a few posts then it would all go cold. Something we've all created has clearly touched a lot of people, not just the victims of this or any other builder, but everyone who just does the right things because they're the right things and it's how we were brought up and how we'll bring our children up because it's fair and it works. We don't get thanked for it, or for looking after our affairs and our kids. Paul Bridle saw that he could do whatever he wanted and nobody could touch him. So he did it again and again. He must have realised tonight what the country thinks of him - that he's a grubby, stupid little man who's been caught stealing.


Two things have happened to me tonight: someone has finally taken my side in the battle I've had with this berk. I think something will come out of this. The programme is about the pointlessness of the CCJ and the Orders which we dutifully collect like litter because the law says we must. The law is wrong.

The other is to acknowledge here that the fun and kindness and thoughtfulness of everyone who has read or posted to this thread is what's made possible the changes that are coming for me and my sons, Jack and Sam. They've felt the effect of every empty promise and lie Bridle has made to me, they've seen me very low when I have been conned. They lost their dad for a while when I was unable to do the usual stuff. Even when things looked hopeful, they felt what I felt when things continued to go downhill. They lost some weekends here with me because I didn't have enough money to go and get them and feed them. They shared my enthusiasm for a 'no expense' Christmas a few months ago. We had fun but they felt so sorry that another year had clicked round and I was still battling alone against the system, against depression, and it often seemed like I might not win after all. They love the cottage, love the beach, and love me. They are the only thing that didn't desert me or break or become beyond reach. They understood maybe better than I did that the shiny things were fun when we had them, that we have the photographs still, and that good times will return. It's been incredible seeing how they made the best of things and made me understand that an inflatable mattress on a dirty chipboard floor, and everything covered with dust and a cold tap in the garage was still better than it could have been. Can you salute your kids? Well I will.

I can't say thanks to every poster tonight - far too many. So I'll have to make a few words convey what I am thinking and feeling. I hope I have and that everyone feels included.

Not many of you know me, or anything about me. You've come along for the ride because it was fun, or it helped you to realise something about your own life, probably nothing to do with any of this buildery stuff. Believe me when I say I am the least well qualified person to lead any group forward. I'm dead ordinary, and have never wanted to make much fuss. If I've done anything it is probably to act as glue between the blocks you've put into the thread. Yeah, I can spell and find funny pictures. And other people could say what I've said in far fewer words. But I have done what I can and you have no idea how much I have enjoyed being part of this, how it has honestly stopped me doing something silly. Anyway, that's hopefully all behind us. And I really mean us.

Sorry to have gone on a bit. I just felt a couple of things needed to be said. If this feels like a speech, then accept it as such, to help mark the milestone. Please also let me thank a few people who forced me to accept their help. They know who they are and probably don't want to be identified. I have learnt that accepting help is sometimes what other people need you to do to make them happy. I never realised this.

Today was one of the best days of my life.

Mike
The Dolls' House


March 30, 2010.

lisawaters

niccatw wrote: »

Wow Mike... I hope you've no major plans for the next few days... you've a lot of partying to catch up on! I hope you manage to switch off and get some sleep

What, like you? 1.30... Away the noo tae yer bid, hen.

x

Poosmate

I knew it was going to be an epic speech!

Really good night all!

Poo

P.S. You made me stay up and now I am crying because you are such a nice bloke!