Boatman's lone picket (From Penarth Times)

Boatman's lone picket

THE man whose family's houseboat was evicted from Penarth Marina is keeping up his fight against corporate giant Crest Nicholson.

Vince Shalom formed a one-man picket at the Business in the Community (BITC) Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner at London's Albert Hall on Tuesday evening, where the firm was represented.

Mr Shalom carried out the picket in protest at the court order which resulted in his family's houseboat, the MV Picton, being evicted from the Marina and subsequently seized by the authorities and taken to Avonmouth.

The eviction order was based on the vessel not having the necessary insurance.

Mr Shalom maintains that he was unable to get insurance because of damage caused to his boat after an accident for which he says Crest Nicholson was responsible.

Vince and Marie Shalom and their five daughters now live with family and friends in Cardiff.

Mr Shalom said: "We had insurance cover up to January 10, 2003, but were unable to get it renewed after the accident.

"The gates of the marina were unexpectedly opened without us being informed. As a result damage was caused to our boat which left it uninsurable."