Former Scientology London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross broke the news as we were recording last night’s episode of our Group Therapy podcast (which goes out to subscribers today at noon Eastern).
He said that new photos show Scientology clearing the ground and beginning construction that will end up with its annual giant tent — what they call a marquee in England — for its International Association of Scientologists gala, usually held in October.
It’s one of the biggest events of the year for Scientology, where church leader David Miscavige comes over from Florida, his best pal Tom Cruise usually shows up, and over three nights a few thousand Scientologists celebrate the IAS, Scientology’s membership organization, and its biggest donors.
After a break for the pandemic, Miscavige resumed the tradition in 2023, and he and Cruise showed up for it both of the last two years. But so did Barnes-Ross, who held protests outside the Saint Hill Manor complex where the tent is erected. And as part of his efforts, Alex noticed that Scientology was not following local ordinances and had not sought a permit from the Mid-Sussex District Council for the giant temporary structure.
Scientology tried to get around that this year by arguing that it had put up the marquee so many years in the past, it should be considered a permanent structure that doesn’t need a permit. But the council didn’t buy that excuse. So Alex, and some of our readers, have been watching closely to see if and when Scientology applied for a permit, with time running out for this year’s event.
Patty Moher reminded us during the podcast recording that she had predicted Scientology would go ahead and start building the tent without seeking the permit, and assumed it could just bully its way through.
And now, with these images Alex sent us, it appears that this is Scientology’s plan.
“The ground has been cleared and the trackway is being laid: This year’s IAS tent is officially under construction, despite Scientology’s failed bid to secure a ‘Lawful Development Certificate,’ and lack of planning permission,” Alex says.
“This is yet another example of Scientology’s audacious, ‘holier-than-thou’ mentality. The Council have made it very clear that they must apply for permission before starting work on this year’s marquee, but that hasn’t stopped the so-called Church from going ahead regardless.
“I can only see this adding further unnecessary strain on their relationship with Mid-Sussex District Council and it’ll be interesting to see how local officials will react in the coming weeks.”
Scientology is back at Sand Cay
Our same tipster who alerted us last year to a Scientology beach party at Sand Cay for the folks at the Flag Land Base let us know that this weekend the Scientologists are back.
“I’m told that people are being bussed in from around the state,” he says. “Interestingly, a black church is having a party in the next picnic area and the picnic goers are curious why there are no black Scientologists.
“It’s kind of funny to watch. The Scientologists don’t even seem to like the beach, they just stay in their little picnic area.”
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Source Code: Actual things founder L. Ron Hubbard said on this date in history
Avast, Ye Mateys: Snapshots from Scientology’s years at sea
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If the original code of conduct draft for CoS that was half 'please follow existing laws and regulations' was adopted this means they would have already broken it. Not surprised here, but good grief. Did they put up a hedge barrier again too?
Come on Council - take it down and fine them big time!!