In my last blog post I wrote about the far left and how they use violence and force to make their point. Since then the horrible attacks in Norway have occurred because of far right views. We are experiencing the extreme sides of politics which are trying to dominate the centre ground. The centre ground is the position we must protect because it is the point at which all reasonable views meet to form a fair society. Liberalism is under attack. The Norwegian young people who died were future leaders with views that promoted the centre ground. I hope Norway ...
Today at work, Rob discovered a spider. She's a very cool spider. She's made her web in a hole in the beer garden, and she's put little trip wires all around it so that if any prey comes near she can come out and get it. I saw her take down a couple of fruit flies, but Rob saw her going for a wasp. She's very fast, and very brave (the wasp was bigger than her). We think she deserves a name. The thing is, she's definitely a she. So Boris and Aragog are not really suitable. And Shelob is ...
I'm experimenting with tumblr. Click here to read this post.
This graph of the growth of US Debt is truly astonishing. Note that the only time there was a slowdown in this remorseless growth was under the Democrat president, Bill ("It's the economy, stupid") Clinton. Then Republican George W Bush resumed the upward trend with his expensive arms expenditure and equally expensive tax cuts for the rich. Finally the almost universally republican banking and finance community, with supporting roles played by "businessmen" at firms like Enron, showed how a mix of reckless lending and hedge funds – plus a housing bubble for good measure – could destroy wealth and credit ...
TweetI cannot believe the audacity of the Daily Mail's fashion reporter Liz Jones. I'm not going to link to the piece but will reproduce it in full.. The caring professions? They just don't seem to care at all I don't ... Continue reading →
On the way to the chess on Saturday I walked past Upper Chapel, the home of the Unitarians in Sheffield. Just as the Unitarians do in Leicester, they were selling coffee and secondhand books. If coffee and secondhand books are a Unitarian rite, this could be the religion for me.
The estimable London blogger Diamond Geezer has written a post listing all the blogs that have him in their blogroll: I'm duly honoured by each and every one of these blogroll links, so many thanks to you all. But I also notice that the list is 25% shorter than last year (which in turn was 20% shorter than the year before that) (which in turn was 20% shorter than the year before that). Ouch! I compile this list every year, so I started by checking all 142 blogs on last year's list to see how many of them still linked ...
The murderous crackdown against protestors taking place in Syria is a scandal of global proportions. Bashar al-Assad and his clique have lost any legitimacy to rule over the country and deserve to be arraigned in front of the ICC. It was thought that bloody massacres were a thing of the past (viz Hama in 1982), ...
This morning's Guardian revealed that a remarkable official counter-terrorism notice was circulated in London last week: There was no warning about other political groups, but next to an image of the anarchist emblem, the City of Westminster police's "counter terrorist focus desk" called for anti-anarchist whistleblowers stating: "Anarchism is a political philosophy which considers the state undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, and instead promotes a stateless society, or anarchy. Any information relating to anarchists should be reported to your local police."That is a bit worrying, because I have an interest in anarchism myself. Having heard Ruth Kinna talk about her book ...
[IMG: National Liberal Club] London Liberal Democrats have managed to squeeze into Nick Clegg's diary a lunch time Q&A session with him on Wednesday 10 August. It is being held 1pm-2pm at the National Liberal Club in the Lloyd George Room. The event is for London members only, and people should bring their party membership card or membership renewal slip. The Club's dress code is smart (i.e. jacket and tie preferred for men). The NLC is at 1 Whitehall Place, SW1A 2HE. There is no entrance fee for the event.
This is Anders Breivik: He believes that someone – specifically him – has the right to kill other people. This is Paul Staines: He believes that someone – specifically, a state-appointed murderer – has the right to kill other people. Equating people you disagree with to murderous child-killers is a churlish argumentative technique, I would ...
The Arab-spring-and-summer rolls on with a variety of occurrences further fueling a discomfort in the British. Awash with spin, Hague has presided over the Libyan 'miltary intervention' with a variety of choice phrases that have alternative meanings; 'The action in Libya is part of an international consensus', well, apart from those on the UN council who abstained – five, including Russia and China, of course. Not a complete consensus then. Yet at the same time we see any action in Syria denied on the grounds that there is not an international consensus. 'Action in Libya is necessary act to protect ...
A Scottish Liberal talks of his experiences at York Pride - but where were the Liberal Democrats? Jack Of Kent is on the same page as I am on the death penalty. The Burd is not impressed with the behaviour of the Brits abroad. Quaequam Blog takes the New Scientist to task for not seeing the dangers in new surveillance tech. The Divine Ms Duffett analyses David Cameron's e-mail to supporters.
I was watching Newsnight last week and saw a discussion on the diversity and legacy potential of London 2012 with respect to the UK's disabled population. Some of the remarks made by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson I was in complete agreement with, whilst others left me perplexed and feeling somewhat cut off from whatever the organisers are trying to achieve. She is right to say that legislation alone will do nothing to change the mindsets of the majority in our society who see disability as something to be scared of. The reason for this, as with many people's fears, is because ...
Have you noticed how everyone is pushing the notion of needing more radical thinking this week? It's featured in one of the most popular reads in the Lib Dem Voice Golden Dozen. It's featured in the Observer. I've even been at it myself. So what a relief that Charlie Brooker provides a more balanced view. For example (talking of Steve Hilton...): "Anyway, most of the focus thus far has been on Hilton's laid-back dress sense and the Professor Branestawm wackiness of his ideas, which started out funny but seem less tittersome the more extreme they become. But what sticks in ...
For a while I was hesitant to contribute my thoughts on the latest feminist furore de jour. I feel as though I have said everything that needs to be said; government is not responsible for the self esteem of young women. To be fair, the advertising industry, should be commended for making some significant progress. Jo Swinson is now persuing some 'war on pink' nonsense. I really do wonder what type of women she thinks she is representing when she goes on these crusades though. Are there really women and young girls who fall to pieces upon glimpsing an overly ...
Scottish Women Liberal Democrats have today launched their new blog, Wild Women, This is the brainchild of SWLD's new convenor, Katy Gordon and she's ably aided and abetted by rising star Sophie Bridger. I'll be an occasional contributor as well. Katy wrote: I want you all to be wild: wild about the appallingly low number of Lib Dem women MPs, wild about dropping to 1 female MSP in May but wild with enthusiasm to achieve our 3 objectives before another century goes by!I hope you will use this site as a kind of Lib Dem marketplace, where we can share ...
A Rocket To Nowhere – Setting out the case that the Space Shuttle programme has been a wasted opportunity. (via) In the depths of some men's minds – The Gaping Silence on some of the causes of the Norwegian mass-murder. Western culture still very much there, say experts – The Daily Mash deadpans another direct hit. "The bus is filled with a variety of people. None of them try to undermine my values. They mostly just sit there." Bad Habits, Bad Days – Sophia McDougall on addiction and eating disorders (warning: "This post discusses addiction and eating disorders, particularly the ...
I was watching Newsnight last week and saw a discussion on the diversity and legacy potential of London 2012 with respect to the UK's disabled population. Some of the remarks made by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson I was in complete agreement with, whilst others left me perplexed and feeling somewhat cut off from whatever the organisers are trying to achieve. She is right to say that legislation alone will do nothing to change the mindsets of the majority in our society who see disability as something to be scared of. The reason for this, as with many people's fears, is because ...
It's a new month and 11 months after I began blogging properly I've somehow managed to rack up over 100,000 pagviews. Whilst the 'bounce rate' will dictate that not all of these have genuinely come and visited my blog for a sustained period of time, it is nevertheless a milestone that I felt shouldn't be left to pass without comment. Some 43,000+ unique visitors have visited the site during this time and have accounted for this 6-figure number of pageviews. In a few days time I'll be seeking to re-launch my front page with new buttons to provide free advertising ...
....have something in common. I have no magical ability, countless millions and a habit of giving money to the Labour Party, but the three of us share a birthday, 31st July. I love having a birthday at this time of year. It was a quarter of a century before I even had to work on my special day. Yesterday was one of the best. I woke up, did some blogging and played with my lovely new iPad. I'm aware I haven't written a gushing post about it yet, but I will inflict one on you at some point, you can ...
Collected links from around the webThatcher withdraws from public life-street party now? The joke of paying for Thatcher's funeral by charging for the dancefloor over her grave was always just a little off. But maybe those that want to celebrate her passing should do so now, when she's closed her offices and withdrawn from public life? (tags: Margaret-Thatcher morbid-celebration) 150 years of British weather forecasts-Beagle Cpt founded Met Office? Who knew? The Met Office was founded by the Captain of Darwin's Voyage? I had no idea. Nice little silly season story showing how Einstein was wrong. (tags: weather met-office accuracy ...
Mon 1st
15:48
This is simply the best blog post I have read by anyone, anywhere, all year. Please read it.
Hats off to Brian Kellet at www.briankellett.net Yesterday Liz Jones wrote the most appalling article in (you've guessed it) The Mail. Today Brian Kellet has written the most brilliant reply imaginable. Get a cup of Tea, sit back and enjoy. PS Everyone should follow the v funny @LizJonesSomalia on Twitter. If only for how much she must hate it.
Yesterday afternoon at about 3pm, the intrepid Inverness Spinners successfully completed their 10 day, 900 mile cycle ride in aid of MS Society Scotland and Inverness SNAP, Since 22nd July, they'd pushed on through a fair few pain barriers, up some fearsome hills and, on the last day, Caithness gave them the cold shoulder. Literally. It was a day of plummeting temperatures and destabilising cross winds. Their Facebook page has video of their ecstatic arrival - you can hear the wind buffeting the camera. They've raised, so far, £8157 of their £10,000. If you want to add to that total, ...
Every Friday Epping Forest District Council publishes a list of recently submitted planning applications. The first thing I do is to look for anything that affects Epping before I scan the file for any significant applications elsewhere. Wintry Wood Service Station The most interesting local application this week is yet another attempt to develop the old Wintry Wood service station site on the Thornwood Road. There can be no doubt that in principle the site is suitable for redevelopment. It is previously developed land which is not in the Green Belt. However earlier attempts to build flats have not found ...
Me with QUBSU VP Welfare Adam McGibbon As we know last week Jim Wells said: "I understand that you [Belfast Pride] contacted my Kilkeel office regarding what is termed a 'Belfast Pride' debate. "As you are probably know I find the behavior of those who take part in this march totally repugnant. "I do not thereforee wish to be association in any way with this event. "My position on this matter will not change in the future and I would politely suggest that any further requests of this nature will be a total waste of your time." As one of ...
Yorkshire Day and it set me thinking about the history of Yorkshire and the most significant dates. And here they are at least until 1642 (so think of this as Part 1) History of Yorkshire – 12 most significant events until 1642 Ferriby boats Bronze age log boats found on the banks ...
Do you know where your local polling station is? Do you find it easy to get to? Do you have any other comments you want to make on your local polling station? In Knaphill we have two polling stations on either ...
Apparently Ipsos Mori figures are showing that support for Capital Punishment stands on party lines at: TORIES 60%: LAB 44%: LDs 41%. Guido Fawkes' campaign for Capital Punishment is a load of b***ocks that will never go anywhere, not least of all since it would involve the rewriting of EU or ECHR law. I'm not sure I've ever loved Europe more. Sometimes the lunacy of people in this country troubles me. This also touches on another issue: 41% of LD voters want Capital punishment. I think this highlights how out of touch our MPs can be even in relation to ...
I may be a bit of a pedant at times but then I like to see things in their rightful place. I therefore saw something catch my eye when I walked past Cardigan's Cenotaph a few weeks ago and noticed that one of the small border pillars that encompasses it was out of sync. It was so much so that it was almost falling onto the pavement and as a part of a link-chain boundary fence around our monument to the fallen, could eventually have pulled the rest down with it. I therefore contacted the Highways section of the County ...
On Sunday the Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, echoed the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, that the 50p income tax rate, introduced by the previous Labour government, was unlikely to be scrapped anytime soon. Those saying otherwise, principally Conservatives, were living in "cloud cuckoo land". The priority of the Coalition government is and remains to deliver tax cuts to low and middle income earners. The rate though could be reviewed in future. In one sense, the political, Alexander and Cable are absolutely right, the politics of reducing tax on elites is generally poisonous, particularly so in the ...
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about all the nice things being said about Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie by various journalists. Well, there's more. In last Wednesday's Times (£), Lorraine Davidson, in a column entitled "Rennie's Lib Dems are looking like survivors" was full of praise for the Party and its leader, saying:....Liberal Democrats have emerged as a surprisingly effective voice of opposition to Alex Salmond's SNP administration.Time after time, their attacks on SNP policies have proved more effective and to the point than those of the Labour and Tory parties. Official figures released this week showed ...
[IMG: WiLD Women - the new blog for Scottish Women Lib Dems] Scottish Women Lib Dems have launched their new blog today with a post from Katy Gordon entitled Are You Born to Be Wild?: 've only been Scottish Convenor of SWLD since 2nd July and I want you all to be wild: wild about the appallingly low number of Lib Dem women MPs, wild about dropping to 1 female MSP in May but wild with enthusiasm to achieve our 3 objectives before another century goes by! I hope you will use this site as a kind of Lib Dem ...
Firstly thanks to the Royal Mail press office for a response at 10.30 this morning, which for a query sent on Saturday is pretty good going. A clear unambiguous answer was given to me, I asked: The simple question is: if a household puts a notice above their letter box saying "don't deliver to neighbours", will it be honoured? and was told: In answer to your specific point, the trial does not involve an "opt-out" facility. So, secondly, apologies to Consumer Focus for suggesting they might be after cheap publicity. The consultation document is available online, and makes interesting reading ...
When the expenses scandal broke and everyone was baying for blood, we all hoped that when the legal system got involved, that those who were caught and found guilty would ultimately pay the price for their crimes. I'm really surprised then ...
The Economist last week reported: And he [Nick Clegg] is already looking to the next election and beyond. Another hung parliament could again leave him deciding which of the main parties will govern; he is said to be contemplating what ... Continue reading →
Hopes of replacing the small, out-of-date and inadequate Stansted surgery were again. Pelham Structures' promised planning application for a healthcare centre and retail development at Lower Street, due to be submitted by end-July, failed to materialise. The sticking point is the access to the site at a dangerous road crossing, although the site is next to a car park that serves visitors to Mountfitchet Castle. Essex County Council's highways department has been uncooperative, thereby delaying progress on this much-needed healthcare centre. Uttlesford District Council secured a site in Foresthall Park for a £2.7mn healthcare centre in 1995 under a S106 ...
Okay, so the podcast is still behind schedule. My sincerest apologies, but others matters have my full attention. Huffington Post is dominating my workload at the moment; ensuring a contribution is available every two weeks. This is also my busiest time of year (when I'm not blogging, I'm a master baker (no jokes!)) My external ...
So says the Telegraph today...... The news that senior Liberal Democrats in the Coalition have set their faces against cuts in the top rate of income tax will dismay senior Right-wing Tories.Like, presumably, the editor of the Telegraph who might just be in the sort of £100,000 + pay bracket which attracts the 50% tax rate. And Norman Lamont, and millionaire Boris Johnson. We've just seen the Tea Party Republicans hold the entire global economy to ransom with their idiotic insistence on tax cuts for the richest paid for by stopping valuable help for the poorest - and, thankfully, Barack ...
Just had to post my massive congratulations to the India Cricket Captain & team over the Bell run out incident. It is so rare for true sportsmanship to triumph over the compulsion to win at all costs & the pressure brought on that compulsion by too much money sloshing around. India shine like a beacon & restore ones faith in sport.
[IMG: hi vi] Margate is to celebrate the art of Photography once again with the M P F : Organic event to be held on August 13th & 14th in the town. Various locations will display this years selected work, which if I digress for a moment is something neglected by Turner critics, the various locations being, galleries and "spaces" which wouldn't exist without the Contemporary or eateries and pubs for that matter. Anyhow for more details, click here or make yourself available to enjoy the delights of this festival by wandering around Margate town during the weekend of 13th ...
Cornwall Council may have agreed last week to withdraw the immediate threat to bus subsidies and to start talks with the bus companies, but there are still substantial risks to the future of local services. Launceston residents are still expressing a lot of concern about the future of the town bus service as well as other public transport links in North Cornwall. The issue is a complex one because the level of reimbursement to bus companies for carrying free pass holders is effectively also a subsidy. Those routes where there are very large numbers of free pass travelers are particularly ...
Building new homes is always welcome but also brings its own set of problems that sometimes don't get given the amount of priority as they should. The situation has arisen in Woking where schools have been granted permission for temporary ...
There were four principal local council by-elections held on Thursday 28th July and one on Tuesday 26th . The Tories held three seats, the Lib Dem held one and Labour gained one off Independents. In the only parish or town council by-election results reported to ALDC an Independent took a seat off the Tories. [IMG: The Lib Dem Team in Poulton North] In Warrington we got hammered in May 2010, but not quite as badly as other areas in the north. We ended up with a majority of one for the LibDem/Con coalition that had been running the council. In ...
Over the next month there are a couple of open days at the Longley Lane recycling centre (tip) where local residents are welcome to take the tour and find out more about what goes on there. On Tuesday 9th August, there are two sessions: from 10am to 12pm and from 2-4pm. On Thursday 1st September there are another two: 2-4pm and 6-8pm. If you'd like to go along, call Denise at their Education team on 01204 374 222.
I'd been set an enormous challenge by my wife, research a holiday that would be a memorable way to celebrate her forthcoming 50th birthday. This was going to be some test as this is the woman who celebrated her 30th by flying to New York on Concorde and her 40th on a twin centre trip to Sun City, South Africa and Mauritius. After many false starts and some prices that would have scared off a lottery winner the options had been narrowed down to about three - Fiji (expensive still and a long, arduous journey), Hawaii (two islands we hadn't ...
Yesterday the charity I work for, Action on Hearing Loss took up the challenge to break the world Air Guitar record at WOMAD and they did it! With 2227 participants jamming along in fine style to Jimi Hendrix (who else) the ...
Aeons ago, in February 2010, the Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Hendon (who was me) blogged about human rights in Cuba. Someone calling themselves Sacha last night posted a comment telling me off about this and saying that Cuba is actually far more democratic than is the UK. Since Cuba is a one-party state with an appalling record on press freedom, I beg to differ. Sacha will be disappointed to discover that the February 2010 post on Cuba was actually not my first. This is a key difference between liberals and socialists: liberals believe that individual freedom trumps 'equality' as ...
Yesterday's Independent on Sunday featured a profile of business secretary Vince Cable. Vince's stock certainly appears to risen in recent weeks, his reputation for prescience partially restored by the woes of the Murdoch empire. But it is his real passion – economics – on which the piece focuses. With the spending review and tuition fees out of the way, what can Vince and his department do to improve the lackluster growth figures? Well, George Osborne has his Plan A, but Vince has his Plan A+: "Plan A+ is about really mobilising growth, thinking outside the box, not breaking your fiscal ...
Facebook deletion will be this evening! YAY! Hopefully I have given all of you enough warning that it won't come as a surprise to anyone. It's going to come as a big relief to me. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about: I am going to delete ALL friends from my facebook account today. I am still going to have an account because I'll still be running the various pages I administer, but I won't have any personal "friends" on facebook at all. No exceptions. I still have Google+ invites (for other people deserting Facebook) ...
Mon 1st
10:00
The big issue which affects us all that no one is talking about: How the Lib Dems can get back on si...
The Lib Dems have been saying a lot on the issues that have dominated the news over the last year and a half in an attempt to gain the initiative. However, they are missing the bigger picture and a big potential vote winner for the Party. They need to focus on the big issue that ...
The Independent interview Vince Cable in Vince Cable: From hero to zero and back again: the vindication of Vince where they offer some strengths that Cable and the Lib Dems have which are worth highlighting: Vince Cable is back... In the topsy-turvy world of Westminster politics, it's the very issues that the so-called experts said ...
I stumbled across this lost masterpiece from 1968. The song it is utterly mesmerizing and more famous for being covered by This Mortal Coil featuring two of the Cocteau Twins. Tim Buckley was Jeff Buckley's dad and died at the age of thirty from an accidental heroin overdose. Talent runs in the family obviously. Sadly so did accidental death with Jeff drowning at the age of 28.
What is the district council doing about the mess we all have to put up with each time we go up London Road? These pallets have been accumulating for weeks.
The Guardian interview Danny Alexander in Danny Alexander: 'I want to be able to say I did the things I thought were right' where they describe him as a Lib Dem rising star. While a fairly functional interview it does offer a small indication of his strengths worth highlighting: Not for nothing was he the ...
As Congress prepares to vote on he increase in the US debt ceiling, it is salutary to reflect on the way that a routine Congressional vote has very nearly turned into an existential crisis for the United States itself. We can hope that the vote marks the nadir of the US crisis, and indeed there are some signs that, despite recent disappointing growth numbers, America may now be turning the corner. In the UK too, several indicators are showing some improvement: in particular the Coalition is currently ahead of its plans in the process of deficit reduction. The determination of ...
It is not often that the words 'well done Danny Alexander' pass my lips, but yesterday was such an occasion. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury went onto television yesterday and dismissed demands by the Tory right wing to cut the top rate of tax. The Independent says that Danny was scathing about a suggestion that cutting taxes for the best-off would make the economy more competitive: Last week, Mayor of London Boris Johnson backed the move as "a signal that London is open for business". Mr Alexander told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "Anyone who thinks we are going to ...
Mon 1st
08:45You can't get enough of Nick Clegg, Louise Mensch and Boris Johnson. Though not necessarily at the s...
Yes, it's August 1st, 147 days til Christmas, and time for a round up of the top 5 most read blog posts for July ( which had once again a record number of monthly page views, thanks to all who came and marvelled). So, here they are in all their glory. 1. Clegg's letter to members who responded on the hacking question Easily the most popular post of the month. I suppose it might have helped that Lib Dem Voice linked to it... 2. Dear Louise Mensch. It's not one rule for Prince William and another for Piers Morgan Yes. ...
At Antioch, the passion of the seven holy brothers Machabees, with their mother, who suffered under King Antiochus Epiphanes. Their relics were translated to Rome and buried in the church of St Peter ad Vincula. At Vercelli, the birthday of St Eusebius, Bishop and Martyr, who for his confession of the Catholic faith was sent ...
Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have slammed the Conservative-run County Council for financial mismanagement of its care budget for adults, now forecast to be at least £11 million adrift. Cambridgeshire's troubled Adult Care department faces end-of-year deficits of £9.1M in its Older People budget and £2M in Learning Disabilities. The figures for Mental Health are not available. The figures, announced at yesterday's Cambridgeshire Care Partnership, are likely to result in front-line services for elderly people being cut back even more drastically in a desperate bid to balance the books by April 2012. The Conservative Council's budget had already proposed massive cut backs ...
Here's a simple test to see if you too have what it takes to edit The Guardian. a. You have an interview lined up with a Treasury minister. b. You have a journalist who happily admits they don't understand the difference between a cyclical and structural deficit. Do you say: 1. "Pah, so what? It's not like we need an interviewer who can understand the basics of economics to interview an economics minister", or 2. "Err, could we get a different interviewer?" If your answer is #1: well done, you're made it (as the third paragraph of this new interview ...
I recently raised with the City Council's Road Maintenance Partnership, on behalf of residents and the Pennycook and Sinderins Courts tenants' group, the poor condition of the pavements on the south side of Perth Road between Step Row and Sinderins. I have received the following positive feedback : "Footpath between Step Row and Shepherds Loan to be reconstructed. On the programme for 2011." However, I have asked about the Perth Road pavement on the same side east of Step Row to the junction with Seafield Road as residents in the Muirlands Sheltered Housing at Seafield Lane have also expressed concern ...
Alright, so as I mentioned last night, I needed to produce some election rules. What do you think of these?... The East of England Region Liberal Democrats are determined that elections for regional posts shall conducted in a manner that is democratic, accountable, inclusive, fair, robust and manageable. Appointment and powers of the Returning Officer The Returning Officer shall be appointed by the Regional Executive, and shall have the power to administer the elections as he or she feels fit, subject only to the Rules as laid out below, the requirements of the Constitution and natural justice. Guidance will be ...
Last week, along with the Parish Priest and another representative of St Joseph's Church, I met with a Dundee City council officer on-site to look at the very overgrown trees across the roadway of Wilkie's Lane (see right). A City Council forestry officer had already confirmed that several tree limbs are weak and liable to fail and representatives from the adjacent church are naturally anxious to see necessary tree work carried out as soon as possible. The situation relative to the roadway and the land on which the trees are situated is a little complicated given the recent re-adoption of ...
Residents have the opportunity to nominate their favourite restaurant, bar, pub, café, producer or shop for an award as part of the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2011. Nominations open on 1 August for the awards which are organised by St Albans City and District Council and are designed to celebrate the variety of local eateries, hostelries and food and drink producers in the District. The St Albans Food and Drink Awards form part of the St Albans Food and Drink Festival 2011. Many pubs, restaurants and hotels will be staging gastronomic events and offering discounts during the festival ...
Third in my short series of great hits from Elkie Brooks ...
I have just spent a delightful week walking on the Gower in South Wales so have picked up only snippets of news. However, I gather that Vince Cable's department is to unleash entrepreneurial spirits by abolishing lots of red tape. That sounds to me rather a forlorn hope, since what budding entrepreneurs need is potential customers, ie demand, rather than fewer regulations which are, in the main, designed to protect employees and customers from inappropriate exploitation. One person's "red tape" is another person's health, safety, security of employment and human dignity. Nevertheless I recognise that some regulations are a bit ...
Whilst watching tonight's Top Gear, I was not surprised but disappointed to see them parking in disabled bays. I know why they did it; because it provided a clear frame and looked good on camera. Additionally, there were empty bays at the time of shooting so visitors could still park. However, what disappointed me is the message they're sending out to their viewers, too many disabled drivers and passengers struggle daily to find accessible parking spaces and in too many instances do we come across people who are "just nipping in for 5 minutes" and prevent us from parking and ...
Durham County Council has received an application to vary a premises licence from The Demi (Consett Rugby Football Club) 45 Albert Road, Consett, Co. Durham, DH8 5QU from Norma Hall-Dixon. Details are as follows: Plays Monday – Sunday – 07.00 hrs – 00.30 hrs Films Monday – Sunday – 07.00 hrs – 00.30 hrs Live Music Monday – Sunday – 07.00 hrs – 00.30 hrs Recorded Music Monday – Sunday – 07.00 hrs – 00.30 hrs Indoor Sporting Events Monday – Sunday – 07.00 hrs – 00.30 hrs Performance of Dance Monday – Sunday – 07.00 hrs – 00.30 hrs ...
