Please advise - it's all gone SO wrong

lisawaters

I made contact again with the producers of Cowboy Builders today. They have finished filming the new series which is about to air. They have said that as there is now a lot more info about Paul Bridle's nasty habits and we know who many of his clients are, they will reconsider me if the sow is recommissioned.

Can't ask for more than that really...

lisawaters

never-in-doubt wrote: »

Morning Poo - Hope all is well...

Remember to take nicca's advice and look over your shoulder next time you bend down for that "pound you found" :whistle:

You're right, my post was indeed to merely point out that it *may* be easier asking them to make a one off documentary about Mikes case, i.e. one that they produce and then commission to a channel.

Or the alternative, consider one of the Sky channels, such as Home Channer or whatever they are (I know they start at channel 240 but that's about it).... Challenge Tommy Walsh was an "easier" programme to get in on, but to be fair i'd rather have an actual cowboy that big lump of tea drinking pork but hey, that's just my opinion!

Its a weird one, I know a few small production companies but they may not be interested in this, moreso due to the obvious risk of libel/slander - but then i'm not sure of the ins-and-outs to be able to establish whether they would consider this as a production then commission it to a channel.

Maybe contact Sky direct - http://sky1.sky.com/show/commissioning-production

Then from this link, click on the boxes such as Acquisitions / Production Team etc etc

Great suggestions, and will be pursued. My immediate preference is for a consumer/DIY programme where they embarrass the builder while putting right the building work. I'm planning my attack on a couple today and may need the email flashmob on standby in the next few days!

x

lisawaters

OK FOLKS! HERE'S YOUR BIG CHANCE!

I sent the letter below to the producer of DIY-SOS this afternoon.

If you'd like to add your voice to the programe's democratic decision-making process, please email Mr Simon Knight directly at info@knightandknight.com, AFTER 4PM TONIGHT and CC a copy to me at onthecoastnow@live.co.uk so we know how many people have done so. Send a message every couple of hours tomorrow if you wish...it's up to you! When he lets me know I have his full attention, we should stop immediately.

Here's what I'm sending. Your message only needs to have something relevant in the subject line, and maybe a few words saying what you want him to do.

Keywords are MIKE... THE DOLLS' HOUSE... THE BIG BUILD Be creative! And THANK YOU! You might even get to meet Nick Knowles (or the bald one, surbybird...!) Get your friends to mail him too if you can, or people at work...

Mr Simon Knight
Producer
The Big Build

info@knightandknight.com


April 9, 2010


Mr Knight,

You may have seen the report on CCJs on The One Show last Tuesday which featured the problems I had with Horsham-based builder and conman, Paul Bridle, who wrecked my 18th century cottage in Littlehampton and stole £22,000 prepaid to him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CSOrwFqVrs .

I submitted a ‘take part’ webmail to you as you requested some weeks ago asking to be part of the programme. Since then the number of CCJs against Bridle has increased. I have a CCJ and a charging order against him but he has no intention of paying me or any other creditor the money. I am now preparing to request an order for force of sale but you will appreciate these rarely are ordered by judges. I am now desperate for help.

The One Show airing of my situation threw up a number of interesting contacts, and one was a Pulborough woman who was also a victim of this crook. Her losses were heavy. I have the details and amounts due to the other creditors and have spoken with several of them. All describe him as a conman and thief.

The night the programme went out, Bridle was Googled 10,000 times. I had almost 200 emails from people in the following three days who had been similarly conned by him and other builders. I'd always thought that I was the first and probably only person he conned, but that is clearly not true. He has been deliberately conning and stealing from householders for at least a year before I was introduced to him. I believe he is currently still quoting for work in the area.

I appreciate that your programme is not focused on 'rogue builders', but there is unfortunately a strong back story. I have been off work due to depression for almost two years, and am not in great health. Prior to this business I was a graphic designer quietly getting on with life with no financial worries. Now I have an unsellable house and I'm in debt through being too ill to work. I have done our homes up in the past and have the skills, but am physically unable to do much.

The potentially beautiful house near the beach I bought for my sons and myself was wrecked. I’ve done what I can and used my whole life savings to make it basically habitable but my sons still cannot stay here regularly because I cannot even afford the petrol and food to have them here for their weekends. Sam, my 16-year-old, was seriously ill last weekend with a rare asthma attack which meant calling ambulances and doctors at 4am. This is Paul Bridle's legacy and he could not care less. He is still working and continues to evade the courts, despite lying under oath.

Please give this case your consideration? It clearly is something many people have had experience of with other crooks, and the legal process is useless. The programme named and shamed him, but for me the nightmare goes on day after day. I have had two winters effectively camping in the shell of the house, and am dreading more bad weather. Ironically, I won a prize for my hanging baskets in the town’s flower competition last summer, which is so at odds with the mess inside the house. He initially left no water, gas or electricity and I had to shower at the local pool. I now have one hot tap but electricity is still only available through four live sockets in the garage.

All structural work has been done and it's a matter now of cosmetic finishing, second fix electrics and plastering, plus a kitchen and French doors. It's a potentially beautiful cottage, famous locally because it's so tiny and pretty, and I am desperate for your help!

My problems with him and the devastating effect all of this has had on me and my family has been documented in a forum on MSE. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2280981 This has acquired a life of its own and might make interesting reading for you. 92,000 people have looked at the forum, and posted more than 2,000 messages since February. I would never have believed so many people would identify with my problems or be so supportive. If you cannot face reading the whole thing, pages 71 to the present are quite emotional.

I understand that a few people who subscribe to the thread would like to add their support by writing to you asking you to consider my application favourably. I'm not sure how many will do so, but if you let me know you're thinking of doing a programme about me I will of course ask them to stop! I'm sorry - they are really keen to help...


Thanks

etc

SouthernBellE*

Great letter Mike!

Keep your thread bumped & put something on your intro maybe? Will compose the best letter I can muster!

I like pages 1-20 something. Best shows your struggle and determination!

lisawaters

SouthernBellE* wrote: »

Great letter Mike!

Keep your thread bumped & put something on your intro maybe? Will compose the best letter I can muster!

I like pages 1-20 something. Best shows your struggle and determination!

Whatever you feel's best.

Thanks. x

(SouthernBellE*'s going to let any former posters we haven't heard from for a while know what's happening...)

lisawaters

And if anyone has Twitter, the producer is there as helgazee .

Nick Knowles is @MrNickKnowles

Maybe someone could arrange to have their Twitter inboxes flooded with messages too? The more contacts we can generate with them, the more they'll look into why everyone's doing this!

lisawaters

Mike's Mob - your time has come...

Jackoriah

I'm on it.

BILLIE

OMG:eek: I have sent my email - how scarey is that and of course you will now know the real me Mike, although as I sent it from work took the disclosure etc off the bottom. And of course have just thought you will probably not realise it's from me cos it's not signed Billie, but my initials are AP. I really hope this work and that Mr Knight, or one of his team, will give you the opportunity of coming to look at the Cottage to see for himself/themselves. Off to job No 2 but will be logging on later to see if 'Mike's mob' have a result. Thinking of you all - Billie xx

lisawaters

You guys are the best! Keep them coming (exclude me if you prefer). Just make sure you send them to Simon Knight!

GO GO GO!