So, here I am in Norn Iron, recovering from a weekend of family party. I must say that it has been amazing to be back. Normally we would spend three weeks here in the summer; obviously last year that did not happen at all, and this year Anne was here just for the weekend, F and myself staying an extra week. We wear masks in enclosed public spaces, of course, and everyone has a battle story to tell; and it's not over yet. But to have a family reunion was fantastic.My great-aunt, at 105, and my son, at 22. pic.twitter.com/eXX3O9LvaO ...
The BBC reports news of the former Labour MP who won Sheffield Hallam from Nick Clegg in 2017 and was arrested by the police in 2019: Former Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O'Mara has been charged with seven counts of fraud. South Yorkshire Police said the charges ... related to expenses claims submitted to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. In total he faces seven counts of fraud and one count of entering into an arrangement which facilitates the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by another, the force said... Mr O'Mara took the Sheffield Hallam seat for Labour from ...
On 12 August a gunman in a working class district of Plymouth killed five people: his mother and four others who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, before killing himself; two others are seriously injured. The community's first thoughts, rightly, are for the victims and their loved ones. But questions must be ... Continue reading Asking the wrong questions on the Plymouth shootings
Disability is something which is not by choice but by accident or misfortune, as all of us want to be healthy and lead a perfect life. But sometimes we are the victim of time and circumstances, and we must lead the kind of life due to our disability that we never imagined. We all should be sensitive about this subject and eager to collaborate and do something in this field, as we all experience this issue in our lifetime either ourselves after certain age, or through our loved ones. But unfortunately, when we are young and healthy, we are so ...
[IMG: Kent Recycling Centre Consultation] Not before time, Kent County Council are consulting on future use of a booking system for customers to access Household Waste Recycling Centres (such as Ross Way, Folkestone). The consultation is at https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/wasteconsultation Kent County Council say: "Feedback since we started using the booking system suggests that many customers have found it convenient and useful but that some would still prefer to just 'turn up and go'." That's interesting: I've heard literally no-one say locally that booking has been more convenient for them, but perhaps I'm only hearing one side! I'd like the refuse centres ...
If someone told me a few years ago that any other issue will divide our communities as much as Brexit did after the EU referendum, I would not have believed. This year, I was lucky enough to travel over the summer holidays. A lot of people like me, who live abroad, are often left with very little choice. COVID restrictions, stress around planning and cost of tests is putting many people off, however there are not many alternatives if we want to see our loved ones. The health pandemic was a central part of many of my conversations in Poland ...
Wed, 12:56: RT @Lieven_Smits: @fermatslibrary @nwbrux No, it isn't. Google gives (a,b,c)=(2213459,1414,65) as well. Wed, 18:32: September 2012 books https://t.co/Dh6K5tOGy1 Thu, 10:45: RT @KnutCrosswords: deafening sound of pennies dropping in The Commons as intellectually incurious ex-army Tory MPs realise that making a s... Thu, 11:00: RT @davidallengreen: Breaking news about the Suez Canal misadventure More 1956 news as it happens
Last night I raised the question in a Council Select Committee about whether Incel was recognised in Liverpool and whether it was considered to be terrorism. For those who have not caught up with the news lately Incel stands for ... Continue reading →
We councillors are very conscious that the mental health and wellbeing of young people has suffered during the pandemic and its lockdowns. Some services and facilities were closed or in limited use. There was support online but it is not the same as face to face engagement. We intend to resume Ludlow Young Health drop in sessions later in the year. But, post-Olympics, we also need to look at sporting facilities for young people in Ludlow. People should not have to drive 30 miles to access decent facilities. Ludlow Young Health, supported by Ludlow Town Council, Ludlow Youth Partnership and ...
I will admit to being in two minds about David Lloyd George. He was a great Liberal whose People's Budget was the first real attempt by a government to meaningfully redistribute wealth, creating the first semblances of the welfare state. He was also the first Welsh Prime Minister. He also, however, used his power and influence over women, as has been documented in Ffion Hague's book – The Pain and the Privilege. This week I visited his birth place now museum in Llanystumdwy in North Wales. He came from very humble beginnings, living in a tiny cottage, sharing a bed ...
As residents will recall, I recently highlighted the poor state of the seating area at the corner of Ryehill Lane and Perth Road. This is owned by JCDecaux the billboard advertising company and I contacted them about this and was promised a tidy up. I am pleased to say this has now taken place and the area looks a lot tidier. As I previously I will continue to pursue a permanent improvement to what could be a lovely seating area, but at least this is some progress.
"Eric Pickles, the head of the UK's lobbying watchdog, says we now have 'entitlement whereby the existing cohort looked after the cohort that just left [government], in assumption that the cohort coming up would look after them.'" Chris Stokel-Walker unpicks the long history of cronyism. Joe Ryle says a four-day week with no loss of pay would have an environmental impact equal to taking the UK's entire private car fleet off the road - and make us happier and healthier too. "We are not benefiting children, either through parents overprotecting and overmonitoring them, or through society not creating an environment ...
