Uncharted Thoughts.

There are many scars on the face of the BBC, scars that have shaped the nations psyche, but non loom over the journalistic juggernaut quite like the dreadful, paedophile Jimmy Savile.

While I was lucky enough to never consciously become aware of this once ‘national treasure’, and I say that through gritted teeth I hope you as a reader are able to understand the level of power, and influence this monster once had over and entire nation.

I didn’t know who Jimmy was until he was dead and buried in a golden coffin at a 45 degree angel facing the sea. I suppose on that notion, I was much like everyone, besides his victims and those complicit in his crimes, the truth is no one knew exactly who Jimmy was until he was dead.

So I never had the same attachment most people had towards this creep. He died one day, the next he was a monster to me.

He got away with it. He died a free man, although I struggle to imagine the weight upon his soul, if such people are to have one. He left behind a legacy of grandeur, a legacy, that was shattered within a year.

It is speculated that there are 589 victims, I personally believe this number is wildly inaccurate and I expect there are thousands, if not tens of thousands that have been a victim to this vile, grotesque, and warped monster.

From raping disabled young girls, molesting children and teenagers behind the curtains of his TV shows, or groping waitresses and nurses in public. The crimes this man has committed are of the worst variety, in my opinion.

The reason I have brought this up on Uncharted Thoughts, is due to the reemergence of Jimmy Savile in my own psyche. Three months ago, I moved to Glencoe, a small village in the West Highlands of Scotland. Not an hours walk, or a ten minute drive away, Jimmy’s Highland home sits abandoned.

It is unclear how he came into possession of the house. I have been told by those that knew him, that it was gifted to him by the local council for his hard work and dedication to the area. Though I have no solid proof of this.

Just last week, while documenting the famous and beautiful Hidden Glen walk, I stumbled past the house as it rots away, graffitied.

“Jimmy The Beast” one jagged black mark read. “Glen Savile” another said. “Nonce OBE”. Inspiring words of anger and frustration from a nation, betrayed by the authorities.

The picture included above shows just how close I got to this den of devilry. A reminder, that this house is rumoured to be where a number of his crimes took place, and never forget that King Charles the third, our current King visited Jimmy here.

It is never my job to out peoples trauma. That those that suffer with the title of victimhood should always have their power gifted to them, and their experiences are their own. Yet, while here in the Highlands, the conversation of Jimmy Savile’s crimes still lingers around dinner tables and in whiskey fragranced bar stools.

I have met a couple of Jimmy’s victims while here in the West Coast of Scotland and their stories are horrific.

I will not tell those stories, as previously mentioned that is not my job to do. Even here at Uncharted Thoughts, the dignity of victims is a priority, a priority that no amount of viewership nor persuasion will ever waver. However, I will tell you of his actions, in the works of someone who knew him, just to give an insight into who Jimmy was.

“He’s always sat in a corner of the bar, or in a booth. He was never seen with women, always surrounded by men. The air was chilled by him being there you know, no one wanted Jimmy to be there”.

I was sat around a table for last years Christmas party when the conversation staring Jimmy came up. I think someone mentioned his house, or perhaps asked if Jimmy had ever visited the hotel I now work in.

“He’d ask for one of the bar girls to be his ‘personal’ waitress for the evening, and he’d sit and smoke his long cigars. There was no telling him no”.

The conversation then went onto some of the abuse that he inflicted upon some of those that sat at the table, and onto some of their loved ones.

Now, we move onto what ‘good’ has been brought about by Jimmy’s death, besides the fact he is dead and that if there is any truth to religion he is burning in hellfire for all eternity.

With Jimmy dead, his crimes exposed, and the world a much safer place for children. A new work place culture has immerged from the ashes, as well as a cancel culture that has rippled through powerful communities like a roaring forest fire.

Although I have little data, or evidence towards the fact, it feels to me that Jimmy’s crimes and his escape from justice brought about ‘cancel culture’.

The definition of cancel culture is; ‘Cancel culture, also known as callout culture, involves removing support for individuals, groups, organizations, or companies because of objectionable opinions or actions. It aims to deny the expression of their beliefs or work, often leading to social and professional repercussions.’

It is a double edged sword, in my opinion, much like the death penalty. While a dead paedophile is the only good paedophile, what if the person is innocent. What if a cancelled man is a innocent man?

If Jimmy was alive today, acting as he did then. He would have been cancelled, there is no doubt about it. While many of you may disagree with me in regards to this, I believe that with CCTV, HR, power given to women and, if not above the others, a more aware workplace and psyche, he would have been caught.

We see it today, although the truth about Epstein is yet to be fully uncovered, as is the arrest of Prince Andrew, we are at last starting to challenge the authority of Princes, businessmen and movie producers. Perhaps Jimmy was the beginning of the end for those with authority… or perhaps their crimes will go further underground?

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