Chris Morley of the target="_blank">Birmingham Mail provides an update on the upcoming rally in support of the Birmingham HP
Sauce factory. The factory which employs 125 people faces closure next year following the Heinz announcement
that the production of HP Sauce is to be moved to a facility in Holland.

Support for the rally (originally reported href="/2006/05/19/save-the-birmingham-hp-sauce-factory-rally-this-weekend/">here) has been gaining steady support since it was first organised by the Transport and General Workers Union earlier this month.

Local businesses, police and city council have worked together to help organise and support the rally. Birmingham police and council chiefs have supported a plan for a mile-long route for which people can march and voice a loud public outcry in opposition to close the historic Aston Cross factory. Aston Villa meanwhile is showing support by opening its car park at the Holte End and providing overspill parking at the club’s coach park in Witton Road.

It will also give Brummies a chance to show their affection for the wonderful brown sauce produced there, which has been described as a symbol of the nation. - Chris Morley

Accompanied by a marching band, the 125 strong HP workforce will lead the march from the park at 11:30 am. The HP employees will be flanked by Transport & General Workers’ Union leader Tony Woodley, Perry Barr Labour MP Khalid Mah-mood and Birmingham historian Dr Carl Chinn.

In a show of strength, Birmingham Mail staff will head the procession by holding high a banner proclaiming “Save Our Sauce”.

Protest march details are as follows:

Marchers will leave from the park and turn right on to Witton Lane, under Aston Expressway, and on to Queens Road. From there the route will turn right into Church Lane and on to Church Road.

At the A5127 Lichfield Road, the march will turn right and carry on all the way to the island at Park Lane/Rocky Lane before arriving at the gates of the HP Sauce factory. - The Birmingham Mail

The Transport & General Workers’ Union will also be flying 50 huge blue flags with various other placards. Other trade unions are also encouraged to fly their own banners in support.

Gerard Coyne, TGWU Midlands secretary, said:

“We need to send a message loud and clear to Heinz that this is not on and that this facility should remain where it has been for more than 100 years. Many are now saying that people have to get off their knees and start campaigning to save manufacturing in the UK - and this is where we start.”

Image courtesy of icbirmingham.co.uk

Chris Morley’s original article can be read here.

Would anyone be willing to provide me with photos, video and/or transcripts of speeches etc following the rally? The more feedback received the better! I would especially love to see photos of HP Foods employees shown together in solidarity, holding bottles of HP Sauce! I have afterall been looking for a suitable 200th picture for the HP Sauce Gallery!

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