http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/09/barabara-ellen-trudie-styler-big-issue
Dear Editor,
Barbara Ellen says if she was selling The Big Issue guest edited by Trudie Styler she might be tempted to burn them. Why? Because Ms Styler has 6 homes and has the temerity to be married to a famous man.
If Ms Ellen was forced by a change of circumstances to have to end up selling the Big Issue she would more than likely relish the chance to sell an issue full of well known contributors. Because, as has been proved Big Issue vendors income increases when the well connected get on board of The Big Issue. Of course Ms Ellen, in desperate circumstance might choose to beg to survive, or steal and get caught up with the police. Or even offer her body in return for money. But sure as eggs is eggs she would not choose the cavalier destruction of her only legitimate means of income.
Ms Ellen has actually missed the boat. The person who gave me, John –one home- Bird , the chance to start the Big Issue was a multi homed Gordon Roddick. Who with his wife Anita had not been homeless, ever. Should we have refused their multi homed support?
I appreciate the moral guidance, but please don’t demean those that have to live by their labours, and who have not the chance to make a funeral pyre out of their living. Please Ms Ellen don’t behave so spoilt by your choices and impose those on others who have none. They are there to make money, not to pass judgment on the over provided for.
John Bird, Founder, Editor in Chief,
The Big Issue.
The Big Issue 1-5 Wandsworth Road,
SW8.
I like to suppport the Big Issue but am not very interested in buying the magazine. Sometimes I give a new copy of ‘How to change your life in 7 steps’ to Big Issue sellers. I wanted to buy a copy for a Big Issue vendor recently in Norwich. However, when I went to Waterstones and Jarrolds to buy a copy they were out of stock. Also, quite incredibly no Big Issue vendor I have met in Norwich, London and Bristol are aware that John Bird’s book exists.
From a personal viewpoint I think the book is marvelous and I read it over and over again.
Sarah
I found a copy of the book in wales last year july 2011 when i took my kids out for the day to a old mine,it was actually on sale in there seating area along with hundreds of other used books,i bought it for £2!the next day while out sightseeing in Colwyn Bay i met a woman selling the Big Issue,bought a issue of her and told her about the book i had bought the previous day, she knew that John Bird had wrote a book and had always wanted to read it,i took her address and said i would send it on to her once i read it,so far have not done so,as i am reading it for the second time round!
Valerie
Sarah, Valerie, Hi, we will look into getting more books, you’re right there should be more out there! Best, JB