Walking Charles Dickens' London with John RogersHere's a seasonal treat: a tour of the areas of London associated with Charles Dickens - or at least some of them -- in the company of John Rogers. John's YouTube blurb for this walk explains: This Charles Dickens London Walking tour starts in Southwark where Dickens lived as a child while his father was held in Marshalsea Prison on Borough High Street. This influenced much of his writing, most notably Little Dorrit. There are also multiple references to character in The Pickwick Papers around Borough. After stopping by The George Tavern where Dickens used to drink we cross London ... (more) |
National Trust seeks to buy land around the Cerne Abbas GiantThe National Trust has launched a £300,000 appeall to buy the land surrounding the Cerne Abbas Giant, reports BBC News. The site it hopes to acquire amounts to 341 acres, but size isn't everything. The Guardian says it has already exchanged contracts on the site and will use funds, grants and bequests to cover £2.2m of the asking price. Presumably the £300,000 is needed on top of that. Its report also says: The planned purchase is expected to clear the way for more archaeological investigations around Britain's largest chalk hill figure, which looms over the rolling Dorset landscape. It would ... (more) |
The Federal Election results are out!I am just quickly posting this now in between appointments and I will do some commentary later. The Federal Returning Officer Crispin Allard sent this email out giving the results of the Federal Committee elections: I can confirm that today we have completed the count for the internal federal elections, following an initial delay. The results can be found below: Federal Board: Hannah Kitching; Janey Little; Prue Bray Federal Board – Councillor Rep: Lucy Nethsingha Federal Council: Adrain Hyyrylainen-Trett; Aiden Van de Weyer; April Preston; Candy Piercy; Caroline Leaver; Caron Lindsay; Charley Hasted; Dominic Martin; Donna Harris; Gareth Roberts; Hannah ... (more) |
Berlin reminded me how loud we must be for Ukraine[IMG: Large billboard expressing solidarity Ukraine] From last Wednesday to Sunday, I visited Berlin with my girlfriend. From the museums and Christmas markets to the people and the general atmosphere, I loved it, reminding me why we must seek to rejoin the EU as soon as possible. But one thing that struck me, almost immediately, was the continued and vocal support for Ukraine in its fight to defend itself against Russian imperialism. From the moment I stepped out of my hotel, which was only a stone's throw away from the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the support was evident. A huge Ukrainian ... (more) |
Danny Chambers' Animal Welfare Bill becomes lawDogs, cats and ferrets across the world have cause to be grateful to Lib Dem MP Danny Chambers. His Bill preventing puppy smuggling and trafficking of heavily pregnant animals received Royal Assent from the King yesterday and is now the law of the land. "Britain will no longer be a market for animal cruelty" said Danny to Lib Dem Conference in September. Here's his whole speech where he was completely upstaged by Vikki Slade's gorgeous dog Todd. Speaking as his Bill received Royal Assent, Danny said: I am incredibly proud to see this Bill receive Royal Assent and become law. ... (more) |
The Joy of Six 1444"The mansion tax will impact less than the top 0.7 per cent of households. At a time when Britain's public services are stretched to breaking point and taxes will inevitably have to increase, it is only right that we asked the wealthiest property owners to contribute more. Asking the wealthiest to pay more to lift children out of poverty or to invest more in the NHS and social care is the fair thing to do. In fact, it is the Liberal Democrat thing to do, or at least it was up until a few days ago."Paul Hindley says Ed Davey ... (more) |
Chelsea Whyte selected for Runnymede and Weybridge[IMG: Chelsea Whyte selection graphic] On being selected for Runnymede & Weybridge, Chelsea Whyte said: I am delighted and honoured to have been selected as the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Runnymede and Weybridge. With my team, I'll be speaking to voters across the constituency over the coming months, so if you want to get involved, please get in touch! See here all the Liberal Democrat PPCs for the next general election selected and publicly announced so far. Keep up with news about Lib Dem selections If you'd like to hear about future selections, just sign up for my monthly ... (more) |
Jury trial is not a luxury or a quirky traditionFor over 20 years, I have stood in cramped cells and worn-out courtrooms, watching the state line up against the individual. I've seen frightened teenagers, exhausted mothers, people who made bad choices and people who were wrongly accused. Throughout it all, one thing has kept our justice system feeling fair: when it really mattered, ordinary people had the final say. Twelve strangers, chosen from the community, sitting together as a jury. Now, a Labour Government that claims to be "on the side of the many" is quietly pushing that safeguard towards the exit. Last week, more than 100 lawyers warned ... (more) |
Federal Election counts happening todayAfter a three week delay, the counts for the Federal elections will get underway at 10 am. By the end of the day, we should know who has been elected to the Federal Board, Federal Conference Committee, Federal Policy Committee, Federal International Relations Committee, ALDE delegation, Federal Council and the Councillor representatives to FPC, FCC and FC. The counts were delayed in the wake of the decision of the Returning Officer to change the ways the diversity quotas operated just one day before the ballots opened. This was successfully challenged to Federal Appeals Panel which led to the results being ... (more) |
Practical Plants sessions from Ninewells Community Garden #dundeewestendNinewells Community Garden has excellent Practical Plants sessions that all residents are welcome to attend. These take place on the first Friday and third Tuesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm Come and get hands on working in the medicinal garden and learn how to identify and harvest plants that will have uses in supporting your health and wellbeing. The gardening session for all abilities. (more) |