Just so people know, I'm still hoping to have the book version of Fifty Stories available for Thought Bubble. But I've been unwell recently and still haven't finished copy-editing. If I can get it completed by Saturday, there's a chance I'll have copies to sell at Thought Bubble, but I'm not going to guarantee it. [...]
For some time we've been campaigning for a station at Cheadle (once upon a time there were two stations on different lines in Cheaadle, but the last one closed nearly fifty years ago). Our best chance relies on a new technology called tram-train – light trams running on heavy rail lines to provide a more frequent local service. We've worked hard to make sure the Stockport-Altrincham line stays on the agenda, so we were very pleased to see Transport for Greater Manchester list it as one of the lines they'd like to introduce. Councillors have backed plans to develop a ...
If you want to catch a train going north from Market Harborough station you just walk up a ramp to the platform. But if you want to go south you have to tackle a flight of steps. This is a problem, not just to people who use wheelchairs, but also to young families and people who are not so mobile. The station staff will take you across the track so you can use the ramp from the other platform - I once persuaded my mother to ask if she could do this chiefly so I could accompany her - but ...
You may see a lane on the A34 coned off if you're travelling at night over the next few days: Please be advised that contractors working on behalf of Stockport Council will be undertaking works to improve the road markings on the A34 Kingsway in Cheadle; on the southbound carriageway opposite 164. These works require the use of a Lane Closure and will take place from 18th November 2013 to 22nd November 2013; between the hours of 7:30pm and 5:00am. This is part of the work to improve the Kingsway/Gatley Road junction. Re-organising the lanes will mean fewer queues from ...
[IMG: patton portrait] Views, of course Quite colourful Too colourful Gallows humour What's the point? You're either in Or you're out And I'm with Duncan Least said Soonest mended Go with Saint Franky Peace, channel and all So it's sinking Into the sofa And Focii Focii Focii photo by: striatic [IMG: Post to Twitter] Tweet This Post
[IMG: Modern Housing] One of the few policy proposals that seems to have been able to gain support across the political spectrum is the idea that we need a new generation of new towns. If we are going to make a serious attempt to address England's housing problems we are not going to be able to do it with incremental growth around the edges of existing settlements. Either housebuilding on the fringes will be on too modest a scale to make a dent in the problem or, if plans are scaled up, they are likely to run into implacable local ...
Labour seat. Resignation.
Thanks to a reader, the Guardian wins our Headline of the Day Award. Now read Lord Bonkers' observations on subatomic particles.
As Dame Shirley Bassey once said 'it's all just a little bit of history deleting' (okay, she didn't say quite that...) but this bit of deletion seems to have got Labour and the Conservatives into hot water. News that both of the major parties have deleted their website archive of speeches going back into the last administration is hardly surprising, but it sends worrying messages about the way our politics works. Clearly, rather than having their own words spouted back at them, Labour and the Conservatives would rather try and pretend it never happened. 'An end to boom and bust' ...
The yeti of northern Rutland This one comes from the Zoological Society of London, thanking me for my observations on the possible discovery of yeti in the Himalayas. I shall not be at all surprised if they turn out to have the beasts in Nepal and Tibet, because we have them here in Rutland. They favour the frozen north of the county and can be a considerable help in delivering Focus leaflets to the more isolated lamaseries. Yeti are gentle creatures and quite harmless to us humans (assuming you are human - one has to be so careful nowadays). However, ...
Businesses, residents and parish councils are being asked to have their say on a new approach to regulatory inspection and enforcement across South Cambridgeshire. The draft policy out for consultation will provide a "one Council" approach and replace eight previous policies for enforcement teams across the authority. The policy sets out a proactive approach to ensuring the highest level of compliance by giving advice and encouraging businesses and individuals to understand and meet the requirements of regulation and enforcement. During the consultation, people in the area are being asked if the policy strikes the right balance between helping businesses with ...
I am part of a cross-committee taskforce in Sutton looking at fuel poverty. Fuel poverty has been rising dramatically in recent years, continuing an upward trend that began as long ago as 2003. Defining fuel [...]
Firefighters are asking Cambridgeshire residents to snuff out the risk of fire in their homes during Candle Fire Safety Week (November 18 to 24). In the past four years, candles were the cause of 40 fires in Cambridgeshire and as the days grow darker and winter settles in, the Service is encouraging residents to follow simple precautions to enjoy the warm glow of candles. Dave Warren, Head of Community Prevention at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Candles are a typical sight in many homes, scenting our rooms and giving an atmospheric glow to cold winter nights. But it's important ...
Here are the draft minutes (subject to approval at the next meeting) from the meeting of the 6th November. As always any questions let me know! To approve minutes of the previous meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 6th September 2013 were read and approved as a true record. Proposed by SJ and seconded by MP. All in favour. Matters arising for discussion and decisions to be made from the previous minutes Litter Picking - BW asked whether the employment of the litter picker has taken place. Noted that there are a couple of areas for him to ...
The Cambridge University Students' Union (CUSU) is today responding to the release of a covert film apparently showing an undercover police officer launching a secret operation to spy on the political activities of students at the University of Cambridge. An officer monitoring political campaigners attempted to recruit an activist in his 20s to become an informant and apparently feed the police information about students and other protesters in return for money. Included in the informant's activities would be reporting to the Police on active campaigners in the Cambridge community and on peaceful demonstrations organised by a number of organisations led-by ...
PR Week has today run my views on the Conservative Party's efforts to excise the past from the internet: [IMG: Conservative Party logo] Responding as a Liberal Democrat Newswire editor and former Lib Dem staffer, Pack said: "It's a classic example of the difficulty of removing content from the internet, and how it often attracts more attention than the content itself would have done. "If you look at the volume of media coverage, it will have reached more people than the old content would have been seen by. And that content would have always been accessible to journalists and the ...
Cornwall Council's budget has passed its latest hurdle as the cabinet today voted unanimously to recommend it to full council at the end of the month. The budget proposes a 1.97% rise in the Cornwall Council element of council tax. At a time when we are having to make £23.9 million of cuts in a single year, this proposal balances the need to protect services which assist the most vulnerable with the need to make sure we do not charge more than we have to, recognising that most households across Cornwall are still feeling the pinch. As I blogged last ...
The most interesting thing about last week's ten by-elections would have been that all ten incumbent parties held on, if it wasn't for the dismal performance of the Lib Dems. The party managed to increase its vote marginally in Crook ward in Durham and significantly in Bosworth ward, Harborough, but made no progress Tupley, Herefordshire where the It's our County increased their majority in the former Lib Dem division. But outside of these contest the Lib Dem score was derisory - 18, 70, 78, 56 and 53 (a range of 1.6%-3.7%) showing how weak the party is becoming outside of ...
As e.politics reports: [IMG: Connect logo] Big news on the Democratic data-driven field organizing front: NGPVAN, long a provider of political data-management/manipulation tools, has bought NationalField, which builds tools for managing field staff and volunteers. From the press release: NGP VAN, the global leader in technology for Democratic and progressive campaigns and organizations, today announced its acquisition of NationalField, the startup launched out of the 2008 Obama campaign that provides online organizing networks and powerful data dashboards to campaigns and organizations fighting for change. Here's why they wanted it: With a beautiful Facebook-like interface, NationalField allows managers to see real-time ...
[IMG: sir Robert Smith] The BBC reports: Sir Robert Smith, the MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson's disease. The 55-year-old Liberal Democrat politician was said to be receiving the "appropriate treatment". He has represented the constituency since 1997, and intends to continue. Sir Robert said: "This was not easy news to receive, but it is a condition that can be managed and I plan to make the best I can of it." He added: "I would like to thank the medical staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for the help I am ...
Thu 14th
15:59
The Independent View: Judicial review changes would advance state powers at expense of individual fr...
In its 2010 Manifesto, the Liberal Democrats pledged to 'restore and protect hard-won British liberties'. The Government's consultation on judicial review, which closed this week, could result in a radical shift of power from individuals to the state. If this happens, the legal system and the people who depend on it for fair treatment will be weaker for it. Plans from the Ministry of Justice to introduce serious restrictions on access to judicial review will make it much harder for people to challenge the execution of public power on behalf of an individual citizen. The Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has ...
Sad news emerging this afternoon that long serving Lib Dem MP Sir Robert Smith has confirmed he is suffering from Parkinson's disease. Sources close to the MP for West Aberdeenshire confirm that he is determined to run come 2015, and see no reason that the popular local MP and former councillor can't retain his seat. [...]
This week's 'advertorials' from Heathrow Hub were just the latest example of the role big money plays in the so-called aviation 'debate' in West London. Heathrow Hub, by the way, is not Heathrow airport. In fact the Heathrow Hub website is run by the Maitland PR firm on behalf of business men who have an option on the land around Heathrow. Heathrow's rival PR team accuse Heathrow Hub (following so far?) of coming up with plans which fail to "provide respite from noise for local residents." Which may well be true but would probably receive more sympathy from people in ...
There is to be a model railway exhibition at St Bede's Parish Centre ( Church Hall) , Newsham on 22nd and 23rd November Opening times will be:- Friday 22nd, 2pm - 8pm Saturday 23rd , 10am - 5 pm There will be about 15 layouts on show ( including Ed Orwin's excellent N gauge model of Blyth Station ) and "at least" one trade stand There will be a small entry fee, £2 for adults, £1 for children It is good to see the Blyth & Tyne Model Railway Society exhibiting at Blyth again ( although I'm not sure if ...
I'm only aware of one meeting at Blyth Town Council next week Events Committee, Tuesday 19th November, 6:30 pm at Arms Evertyne House This meeting is to discuss the final arrangements for the Christmas Activities ...I'm going to resist calling it "The Winter Festival", even though the events start on 22nd November, which is hardly Christmas yet ....
Thursday Again: Age: Just missed the Evil of the Daleks Stories: 18 (one of them twice) Awesomeness: it's his Human Nature Cuddles: creator of Benny Summerfield and all who travel with her. Also a church with a soul who has yet to get a spin-off series AKA: writer of some Robbing Hoodie; Primeval; Casualty; Holby City; Captain Britain; X-Men; what's this Doctor Who you speak of, no never heard of that...
Thursday: Age: 21. What? You wanna make something of it? Stories: 10 Awesomeness: Big Yellow Truck. Big Glass of Chianti. Big Effing Gun. Cuddles: Pete. Near miss with Elton. Pete. AKA: Jaqueline Andrea Suzette Tyler (née Prentice), Rose's mum, the indescribably gorgeous Camille Coduri.
[IMG: An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris - book cover] How do you write a thriller when the outcome is already well known? That's the challenge the most recent televised adaptation of Sherlock Holmes managed brilliantly in its last series with the episode reimagining Sherlock Holmes's plunge at the Reichenbach Falls. It's a challenge that Robert Harris also rises to in his fictional adaptation of the Alfred Dreyfus scandal. Harris is helped a little by the fact that someone knowing the overall outlines of the case is still likely to be surprised by one or two of the ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... How Twitter Hijacked My Mind — Daily Intelligencer Prob the best article on Twitter I've read > "How Twitter Hijacked My Mind", @kathrynschulz > http://nym.ag/1eOVFcc Blurred Lines: the most controversial song of the decade | Music | The Guardian Good, balanced piece by @Dorianlynskey > Blurred Lines: the most controversial song of the decade http://bit.ly/1eOTNAj Opinion: Lib Dem Voice compromised its independent voice with Heathrow sponsored post Me on why @LibDemVoice *hasn't* compromised its independent voice with Heathrow sponsored post! http://bit.ly/HY4FgF
I was recently given 3 rather locked-down network cameras. Each camera was pre-programmed to communicate with a specific website, and only attach to a predefined wireless access point. Naturally, there was no supplied username or password. I thought about how I might get access. Using a man-in-the-middle attack to sniff the password, or trying to dump the firmware and examine that. Sadly, all the vulnerabilities previously reported no longer work. After a little bit of thought, I went for decided low-tech solution; I hit the reset button! Yes, each camera had a recessed switch, accessible only with a paperclip, which ...
Thu 14th
12:31
Day 4700 BONUS: Millennium's Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Top Trunks #23: JUSTIN RICHARDS
Still lost Wednesday: Age: 8DA Stories: 38 (and a bit of range editing) Awesomeness: Destroyed Gallifrey (first time around) Cuddles: alleged to be impressive AKA: editor of the Eighth Doctor's Adventures post-Ancestor Cell (aka Time's Grumpy Amnesiac); producer of the continuing adventures of Jago & Litefoot for Big Finish; creative consultant to BBC books, author of "Theatre of War" and many, many more. Possibly responsible for "The Ancestor Cell".
Somehow we lost Wednesday: Age: New Adventuress Stories: 1 (and a bit of range editing) Awesomeness: Angels Fear Her Cuddles: Once you get over the angst AKA: Evan Pritchard , Carla Marx, editor of many Doctor Who novels, author of (possibly) capstone of the New Adventures Benny arc "Where Angels Fear"
@BuzzFeedUK Why thank you, BuzzFeed — BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) November 14, 2013
The BBC report on a major Welsh Conservative policy launch today in which they seek to revamp or relaunch the 1980s Right to Buy initiative put in place by Margaret Thatcher. Unfortunately, the detail they have provided of this policy amounts to a triumph of hope over reality, with little idea of how they will meet its cost and even less idea of its impact. The Welsh Tories say thatthe Right to Buy policy should be rejuvenated as only 420 tenants took up the opportunity last year. This could be because all most of the purchases that were going to ...
The Pakistan Army's Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) has condemned Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Chief Syed Munawar Hassan's statement in which he called former Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Chief Hakimullah Mehsud a martyr. In fact, Mehsud was a mass murderer, motivated by implacable religious hatred, and his killing by a US drone on November 1 was fully deserved. Under his leadership the TTP slaughtered Pakistani soldiers and civilians, men women and children indiscriminately. He targeted Shia Muslims, of whom 700 have been killed so far this year. The objective of the TTP is to overthrow the state of Pakistan and to replace it ...
The plan for highways works for 2013-2014 can be found here: Integrated Works Programme The St Albans schemes start at page 35
...goes to today's Edinburgh Evening News who write: "The Haymarket redevelopment is vital to enable the station to handle increasing numbers of patients."
Yesterday I printed out a copy of Crater for myself as it occurred to me I have yet to sit down and read it all in chronological order, as a whole book, without getting bogged down in editing. It's strange to see it, now complete, neatly stacked in a binder and even stranger to think it has taken me the best part of 16 years to write what is ostensibly a short, pulp, science fiction novel! (I have written other stuff in that time as well...)It started out with a different title, 2297, a direct reference to 1997, the year ...
Smokin' Those Expenses - it's worse to fiddle expenses than smoke crack ... which seems entirely sensible to me, to be honest. (tags: ) Glasgow City's Laura Montgomery: 'We still face negative views on women in sport' "But WHYYYYYYY don't more girls get involved in sport?" wail the policymakers... (tags: ) 33 Amazing Ideas That Will Make Your House Awesome | Bored Panda I want 2, 6, 21 and 29 (tags: ) The Guardian's bogus claim about money, long commutes, and life satisfaction (tags: ) Conservatives erase Internet history - Public Sector IT Open government, eh? Yes Minister still scarily ...
Thu 14th
08:54The Independent View: Is the Coalition is doing enough to help Britain's couple families?
The Chancellor looks set to announce a new tax break for married couples in next month's Autumn Statement, while universal credit continues its slow and increasingly painful roll out. Both are heralded by the Coalition as flagship policies to support families by raising incomes, helping more parents into work and promoting stable family life. In practice, neither will provide the help that Britain's couple families need to cope with the growing pressures of time and money that push too many into poverty and put enormous strain on relationships. A tax break for married couples has long been a core demand ...
For decades people have been campaigning, fighting to stop climate change. After Kyoto, Copenhagen, Cancun and IPCC our global politicians still haven't agreed how to stop cataclysmic climate change. But it appears all those little things that I and hopefully you have been doing to save energy, reduce car use, thinking about our planet have started to make a difference. In 2012 CO2 emissions grew by less than the previous year and less than a third of the global rise in GDP of 3.5%. Breaking the link between GDP rises and CO2 increases is the key to humanity living on ...
Thu 14th
07:06
Birmingham's problems in childrens services are caused by government policy amongst other things.
Lets look at the story today: The children's services department at Birmingham City Council could be taken over by the Department for Education (DfE), the BBC has learned. and that of October More than a fifth of frontline social worker posts are unfilled in Birmingham, it has been revealed. A manager in Birmingham told me that he knew of experienced people who could be employed as social
This Saturday - November 16th - 10am to 12 noon, the Logie St John's (Cross) Church Guild Coffee Morning takes place. The location is the church hall - enter by the Shaftesbury Terrace door. Come along for coffee and a chat, plus a chance to support the Guild Project - Camp Rwanda. All welcome!
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have today launched a report calling on the Welsh Government to look at practical ways to encourage young people to take up apprenticeships. The report, 'Widening Access to Apprenticeships', suggests ways to overcome some of the psychological and practical barriers that prevent young people from pursuing the apprenticeship route as a pathway to a career. The report is calling for the Welsh Government to widen access to apprenticeships by: • Developing a school liaison programme to increase the prominence of apprenticeships in the provision of career advice to young people; • Establishing an Apprenticeship Ambassador scheme ...
Tonight I went to see Texas at the Colston Hall in Bristol, on their first proper tour for years. It was exactly what was required from a band in their position: a mix of songs from the new album, with old favourites from the past. A solid set, without any messing around or gimmicks. Of course, there were also omissions; nothing from Mothers Heaven (although it is a lower key album) nor, perhaps more surprisingly, The Red Book - Getaway would have fitted in well, for example. And, of course, there was nothing from Careful What You Wish For... The ...
Well to be clear this is the Library's own version of Question Time for students so there may not be the constant interruptions by the chair and women members of the panel may be able to complete an answer. As the Parliament week hand out records they have gone and invited Lembit Gladstone's Library is one of a kind - a residential library and meeting place dedicated to dialogue, debate and learning for open-minded individuals and groups looking to explore pressing questions as well as pursue study and research in an age of distraction and easy solutions. Situated in the ...
