It seems right to make my own tribute to Nelson Mandela, who died yesterday at the age of 95. There has been so much said in the last 24 hours, underlining the huge impact Mandela had on both the world political stage and, indeed, on social consciousness. In some ways it seems academic to add to the already substantial material in the public domain, much of it insightful and inspirational. However, I did personally know some of Mandela's relatives - a nephew of Mandela, who became an ANC freedom fighter before becoming an South African bishop, and a great-nephew who ...
I have spent chunks of the past two days wrestling with public transport and losing, so here is some 1970s nostalgia to cheer me up. To be honest, I have much clearer memories of the theme song than I do of the series itself. The Protectors was unusual in being a Gerry Anderson series that had nothing to do with puppets or science fiction. It starred Robert Vaughn (searching even then for the lost vowel in his name) and Nyree Dawn Porter (famous in those days FOR The Forsyte Saga). Fifty-two episodes were made between 1972 and 1974. According to ...
Reflecting on the charitable status of independent schools, Archie Bland writes that: Private schools, it always surprises me to remember, are charities. They are therefore subsidised by taxpayers to the tune of more than £100m a year. In itself, this is counter-intuitive, but perhaps justifiable. Education is always a laudable aim, and if private schools [...]
Last weekend I saw the latest film in the Hunger Games series. I enjoyed it – always assuming that "enjoy" is the right verb to use for this kind of film. But before you read any further, I do have a confession to make. I've never read the books and I haven't seen the first film. So if you're looking for an in-depth analysis of the nuances in the trilogy, then I'm afraid that you won't find it here. Instead, I'm going to confine myself to one aspect of the totalitarian regime it portrays (which I understand is meant to ...
He was one of the family. "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." Photo: South Africa The Good News / www.sagoodnews.co.za [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Watch the new video from Amnesty International UK: You can also watch this on YouTube.
RIP Madiba.
Nelson Mandela commanded an enormous degree of respect from leaders across the world and will be a great loss to us all. He truly was one of the great souls of the last century along with Mahatma Gandhi who he credited with being a major source of inspiration in his life, especially with his philosophy of non-violence. Both Gandhi and Mandela were leaders who were imprisoned for years by oppressive regimes and now their statues share a place on Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, South Africa. While Gandhi influenced Mandela, a young Gandhi himself was mentored by Dadabhai Naoroji who was ...
Non-religionist tend to say condescendingly that, although the teachings of Jesus et al are fine ideals, in the hard real world they're not very practical. Nelson Mandela's life is a demonstration of how wrong they are. Like many as the centenary of its beginning approaches I'm at immersed in reading and thinking, and to a small extent writing* about that great failure of politics, the First World War, and its aftermath, or continuation, the Second World War. How different the history of the last hundred years might have been if the victors of 1918 had set up a Truth and ...
Latest news from the local police.
The Council has said yes to the plans to demolish the Church Hall at Garston Park Church and build some houses. You can see the information, and the conditions the Council has decided on, at this link. The key bits of info are in a section called Decision Letter which is in a bit called Related Documents (so you may need to scroll down a bit)
The passing of Nelson Mandela is a moment in history which has touched almost everyone as we reflect on the momentous achievements of the great man and compare them to his engagingly humble personality. His belief in peace, non-violence and reconciliation mark him out in the same bracket as Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jnr and Mahatma Gandhi. His role as a freedom fighter and international symbol of resistance of Apartheid show an uncompromising spirit. Mandela was a hero to most and his fight inspired many to get involved in the political process, perhaps more in the Liberals than any ...
Here are the Liberal Democrat entries in the top 100 political blogs as ranked by EBuzzing (Wikio as was). No Lib Dems drop out this month, and two (re)join the list – see #12 and #13 below. 1 (4) Liberal Democrat Voice No change 2 (18) Mark Pack Up 1 3 (29) Stephen Tall Down 7 4 (40) Jennie Rigg Up 1 5 (41) Lynne Featherstone MP Down 6 6 (52) Zoe O'Connell Down 7 7 (55) Paul Walter (Liberal Burblings) Up 15 8 (58) Alex Marsh Down 5 9 (64) Nick Thornsby Down 5 10 (79) Richard Davis No ...
From the Police: Police have begun operations across Greater Manchester to keep people safe and secure during the festive period. Under the banner of Advent, officers are running high-visibility patrols in town centres to reassure the public, and maintaining radio contact with retailers and CCTV operators to help prevent shoplifting and pickpocketing. Purse bells are being handed out to shoppers to keep thieves at bay, and police are also maintaining a strong presence around car parks to help prevent items being stolen from vehicles. To combat underage sales of alcohol, officers are visiting licensed premises with council officials, and venues ...
As a teenager my first public political act were in opposition to apartheid. As Young Liberals back in the late 1960's were all deeply involved in the campaign against the all white South African cricket team and in protests against the visiting Springbok rugby side. I remember Rev David Sheppard, then Bishop of Woolwich, coming to Coventry to protest against the rugby match at the Coundan Rd ground. Peter Hain told the story in his book 'Don't Play with Apartheid'. No other issue galvanised young people in the way the anti apartheid movement did. In Britain at that time David ...
I would like to thank Craig Trafford for his kind words on today's Manchester Evening News Viewpoints page: You can watch Wednesday's Full Council meeting online: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/councilmeetinglive
[IMG: Sandgate Art and Craft Fair poster] Saturday 14th December sees the return of the popular Sandgate Arts & Crafts Fair to the Chichester Hall, Sandgate High Street. Opening at 10am, there will be a wide range of affordable art, crafts, jewellery, christmas gifts, decorations and wreaths, vintage homewares and more. The full line up of stalls is: Kerry Wallace: photography, cards, craft, refurbished furniture and home accessories Miranda Best: handmade silver jewellery featuring semi-precious stones and exquisite beads Wayne Reeves: small original landscapes, prints and cards featuring local scenes Zoe Varian: vintage gifts, home wares and table centres Sea ...
These are the words of Lindiwe Mazibuko, parliamentary leader of the Democratic Alliance, our sister party in South Africa, on the occasion of Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday. They have all the more resonance today: As a younger man Nelson Mandela gave up his career in order to take up the fight against apartheid and racial injustice. In so doing, he sacrificed his own freedom. At the dawn of our young democracy, President Mandela became the custodian of our new constitution. He demonstrated the political will, courage and humanity which set the tone for reconciliation and forged a spirit of shared ...
On Saturday it is small business Saturday. I will be popping in to Melanie James Bridal on Beech Road to celebrate one of the many small businesses that are vital [...]
Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make. 104206/FH/2013/S1 24 ...
Welfare reform. Not sure when Social security became 'welfare' but I preferred it as it was. You can easily access the manifestos of the main political parties on-line (assuming the Tories haven't deleted theirs - if they have let me know and I'll send you a copy) They all agreed that the welfare bill was unsustainable and needed to be reduced (yes even Labour made that pledge, though have
Many of my regular readers will know that I have been against the Cull of Badgers to combat Bovine TB within the UK. It is a barbaric practise acting on very little evidence and is being carried out by brutal methods that are not being regulated properly. Usually someone is telephoning the sniper aiming at the badgers and measuring the amount of screams from the victim as to how much pain they are in rather than being on site. This cull has included the murder of young through direct action or by the killing of their parents. The more costly ...
What changes apply? • Residents with a normal collection day of Monday or Tuesday will have no changes to their collections. • In the Christmas week, residents with a normal collection day of Wednesday, Thursday or Friday will have their bins emptied two days later. • In the New Year week, residents with a normal collection day of Wednesday, Thursday or Friday will have their bins emptied one day later. • All collections will return to their normal day as of Monday 6 January To remind residents about the changes to their bin collection days over Christmas and New Year, ...
Normal collection day Revised collection day Monday 23rd December Saturday 21st December Tuesday 24th December Monday 23rd December Wednesday 25th December Tuesday 24th December Thursday 26th December Friday 27th December Friday 27th December Saturday 28th December [IMG: Recycling and waste collection boxes and bag] Information supplied by Shepway District Council. Recycling and waste collections will return to normal from Monday 30th December - there will be collections on Wednesday 1 January 2014 as normal. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COLLECTIONS FROM 23RD - 27TH DECEMBER 2013 ARE AFFECTED. There will be no garden waste collections week commencing 30 December 2013 until ...
[IMG: Sandgate Farmers Market logo] TOMORROW 10am - 12.30: Sandgate Farmers' Market at Chichester Hall, Sandgate. A great turnout of stallholders including a new fish stall selling locally caught fish. Details are in the attached newsletter. Tomorrow & Sunday: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at The Tower Theatre, North Road, Sandgate. Go to www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk for details. Tuesday 10th, 7pm: Sandgate Parish Council meeting - the meeting is open to all residents. The agenda is on the web site at http://www.sandgatepc.kentparishes.gov.uk/ Thursday 12th, 8.30pm: Folkestone Jazz Club presents ELAINE DELMAR plus the Brian Dee Trio at The Tower Theatre. See www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk for details ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... bit.ly Gorgeous Peter Brookes cartoon on Mandela: "Release..." http://thetim.es/1gJJgUY Autumn statement 2013: George Osborne's recovery is built on sand – Telegraph Sobering assessment from @JeremyWarnerUK > "For the time being, growth is back." http://bit.ly/1gJIKX3 Autumn Statement analysis: The Tories could fight an election tomorrow. Not so, Labour... – Comment – Voices – The Independent "The Tories could fight an election tomorrow. Not so, Labour..." http://ind.pn/1gJHHGA < @steverichards14 is right Nelson Mandela: The long walk is over | The Economist Immaculate obit » Nelson Mandela: The long walk is over | The Economist ...
After Nelson Mandela's death yesterday, the news media and social networks are awash with adulation. One commentator said that he was the nearest thing we had to a modern saint. Personally I don't go in for personal adulation of anybody, even saints, though I understand the sentiments. I greatly admired Mandela. The saint comment is apt. He shows that virtue, wisdom and above all humility of a saint. But saints should challenge us, as well provide us with objects of admiration. I can think of two ways that he is challenging conventional wisdom. The first applies to the developing world, ...
My address to the Summit of Caribbean Parliamentarians in Trinidad: Apartheid gave us some of colonialism's worst crimes, yet the choice of people of conscience to stand against Apartheid gave us both Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress, and Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress...All of us are shaped by history, but as leaders in our respective societies, we can refuse to be prisoners of history.
The Edge, Chorlton's professional little Theatre and Arts Centre, presents and produces professional theatre in its 70-seat theatre space. They have been open since 2011 and audiences are growing as the community of Chorlton learn more about what goes on in the former Sunday School behind the Methodist Church on Manchester Road. The Edge also hosts and runs Workshops, Classes and Courses for all ages in all sorts of creative disciplines. One of these is ASPIRE, a theatre project for young people with Down's Syndrome. Supported by Hilton in the Community Foundation, ASPIRE is an opportunity for young people to ...
One question asked by the Home Affairs Select Committee to Alan Rusbridger over the Snowden leaks should be of great concern to us all. During the often heated exchanges, Keith Vaz asked: Do you love this country? If we were told that in, for example, Russia, a committee of MPs were grilling a newspaper editor over his patriotic credentials, we would rightly condemn it as a worrying level of state pressure on the press. Just what were Vaz's intentions behind that question? Would it have been held against Rusbridger if he had said 'no'? We can only speculate. But, whether ...
In my view, Nelson Mandela was the towering political figure of the late 20th century. For someone of my generation, he was a truly inspiring figure. The Telegraph have [...]
Police are again warning of deicing risks this year – where motorists leave unattended vehicles with their engines running in an effort to defrost them. Chris comments: 'I have seen this myself. Thieves are aware of this practice and will steal your vehicle on cold mornings if you leave it unattended with the keys in the lock.' For more see here.
Fri 6th
11:14
And all my promises are lies, all my love is hate; I am the politician, and I decide your fate
So the half formed blog post I've had in here for two days has been deleted. I'm not going to write it. I am, instead, going to write a list of things that life is too short for:People who are old enough and wily enough to know better trying to bullshit other people about me in front of my face. Abject fuckery from people who are so determined on revenge they don't care who else they hurt in the process. People who are incapable of seeing the wood for the trees. People who are bullheaded and idiotic in the face ...
Cash in your pocket or green fields on your doorstep? Does anyone think the planning system is working? I don't and neither do many communities and local councils. Ministers certainly don't think so. Buried in the National Infrastructure Plan published on Tuesday are proposals for more planning reform (pdf). They are bad proposals. One plan is to set up a specialist court to deal with planning disputes. That's a good idea, but as with so much legislation under this government, the detail undermines the principle (for example, the Lobbying and Antisocial Behaviour bills). What the government is really aiming for ...
Fri 6th
09:25
The future of doorstep political campaigning: clipboards with a German technological twist
Now this is the ultimate canvasser's tool, which I picked for my Christmas gift idea over on Lib Dem Voice. No longer do you to have to make a mess of juggling canvass cards, out leaflets, posters, postal vote forms, membership forms and more. Instead take out on the doorstep with you a clipboard with multiple pockets. Suddenly keeping all those piece of paper neat and easy to find becomes a snap. A wonder of German engineering to keep you going until the day the holograms arrive. [IMG: Semikolon clipboard] You can buy own own Semikolon clipboard here. Semikolon 3 ...
My social media timeline is full of tributes to Nelson Mandela. The interesting thing is that they come not from the usual political suspects, but from so many of my friends, from all generations, from all over the world. Everyone knows that he taught us how to bring harmony to a country that could have descended into a horrendously bloody civil war. He could have taken his revenge on the brutal regime who had kept him locked up for so long, but, thankfully, he showed us a better way. Think how much the world would improve if more people followed ...
http://ldv.org.uk/37420 *utterly incensed* RT @libdemvoice: Opinion: Women must stop stepping into the political shoes of men http://t.co/bQy0ZIdmyj by @andybodders (tags: (from twitter) ) posted The Blood is The Life 05-12-2013 http://t.co/aengWCccWm on #dreamwidth (tags: dreamwidth (from twitter) ) How Spotify actually pays artists. (tags: ) Women: Know Your Limits! Harry Enfield Oh look, someone has made a video of @andybodders LDV article: http://t.co/FzVupNA2QW (tags: (from twitter) ) http://www.flocktogether.org.uk/event/9278 Anyway, FAR more important than any of the other stuff I've been tweeting about: http://t.co/JV8mwcL1jx Stoodley By Election. (tags: (from twitter) ) Lovely @thasceles has left a masterful comment on ...
For some time I have been working on a project to bring a new leisure centre and nearly 300 new houses to Brinnington, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Stockport. As councillors we have a responsibility for the whole of Stockport and this is a very important project that will make a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our community. The new leisure centre, planned to be built on Brinnington Park and replacing the ageing and increasingly tatty Lapwing Centre, will offer all the facilities currently available at the Lapwing and more. The ...
[IMG: 4913749603_9543f2137b_b] When he was an old man, people noticed that Nelson Mandela would take great care over reading his daily newspaper. He would carefully read every article. He would take his time. When he folded the pages he would be extremely careful about how he did it, creasing the paper meticulously so that the pages were neatly folded. When someone noticed this, his assistant said that he was denied newspapers in prison, so that he made the most of the "luxury" of reading newspapers now he was outside prison. So today, take a bit extra time to read the ...
Yesterday we have lost not only an inspirational leader, but also a truly great man. Nelson Mandela personifies the struggle for freedom and equality for all. Through his courage and perseverance he achieved what so many considered to be impossible and brought about real change. After centuries of oppression he liberated South Africa from the tyranny of racial apartheid and in doing so demonstrated to the rest of the world how to lead with compassion and grace. His ability to unify communities and deliver justice to a fractured and tormented state are unparalleled and his legacy will continue for generations ...
Last night the world drew a collective breath upon hearing the sad news of Nelson Mandela's passing. Many people of far greater importance than I will say things far more eloquent. None of these will come close to the power and significance of any words uttered by the man himself. Both South Africa and the world has lost a great leader and a champion of peace. It is a sad day, but let our memory of his actions, magnanimous and kind to the highest degree, challenge us all to be our better selves in all our dealings with others.
[IMG: nelson-mandela] Barack Obama described Nelson Mandela as 'a hero for the world' and it is difficult to think of another politician who was as admired globally as he was. Perhaps the only comparable figure is Mahatma Gandhi, who also began his public life as a lawyer working for the civil rights of South Africans. However, while Gandhi practised non-violent civil disobediance throughout his life, Mandela moved towards militant opposition to apartheid. His transition in public perception from terrorist to saint has been unique. In 1996 Mandela was granted the Freedom of the City of London. I was very privileged ...
... and you can buy one of the calendars at the Friends of Magdalen Green Soup and Pudding Lunch tomorrow at Dundee West Church!
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." Nelson Mandela on trial for his life at the Rivonia trial, (Pretoria Supreme Court, April 20, 1964) The father of a nation, ...
