View image | gettyimages.com This photograph was taken on 14 November 1941. See the thin, worried and rather pagan looking figure with a well-scrubbed child on each hand. I take this to be a rare photograph of the real Father Christmas. If he was needed anywhere, it was in wartime London.
From the Victoria and Albert Museum website: We urgently need your help to raise £2.5 million and reunite the Wolsey Angels, four Renaissance sculptures that were owned by two of the most powerful men in Tudor history. These striking bronze figures were designed to adorn the corners of a magnificent tomb for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, pre-eminent statesman and King Henry VIII's closest advisor. Wolsey's tomb, however, was never completed. In a tumultuous period, the angels were then seized by Henry VIII, sold during the Civil War, separated and eventually lost.In Apollo Magazine Hilary Mantel says that "the recovery of Wolsey's ...
There was festive cheer at West End care home Magdalen House today when bakery chain Greggs kindly donated a large box of Christmas Pies to the residents to wish them all a very Happy Christmas. The festive gift was part of Greggs' sponsorship of the recent West End Christmas Fortnight events and I had the pleasure of handing them into Magdalen House today - here's a picture of some of the residents receiving the pies! We are very grateful to Greggs for this generous gesture for the folk at Magdalen House.
If like me you never remember when the dates are for the final deliveries by the Post Office are, then thankfully, they've been kind enough to let us know this year. They say that this year could be the biggest yet for ordering online etc So making sure that prezzies are delivered on time is [...]
"We are sorry. We shouldn't be here. The residents shouldn't be here. Can I apologise on behalf of Punch Taverns." Perhaps we weren't expecting an apology at all. We certainly weren't expecting such an honest admission and open acknowledgement from Punch Taverns about events at the Blue Boar in Mill Street here in Ludlow. But [...]
Tim Farron says the CIA report on torture shows why we have to fight harder than ever for a liberal Britain. "Bulging profits for the development industry sit uneasily amid a deepening national housing crisis where what is needed above all else are decent, genuinely affordable homes." Nick Mathiason reports on the great British housing crisis. Neil Davenport defends Hackney hipsters - cereal cafes and all: "Attacking hipsters for simply selling nice goods in the East End is not going to tackle inequality and poverty. But the demand that anyone with a novel idea for a small business should shut ...
Wed 17th
18:14
Manston - Labours double whammy (Iris wont talk about CPO and Scobie "Storms" out of meeting)
Labour have surpassed themselves, at last night's extraordinary council meeting, subject Manston Airport, those expecting to have honest debate and facts, were disappointed, Cllr Iris Johnson, has once again allowed the council she leads to dodge any tough questions. Cllr Iris Johnson, appears recently to have babbled on about River Oak not providing enough information as part of its offer to finance a compulsory purchase of the airport, despite the fact that the company in question refute this, as do others, who like you and I, suspect that labour are only looking to buy votes in Ramsgate. Still more interesting ...
Like many people I was caught unawares by the announcement today that the United States and Cuba are planning to normalise relations after half a century of the grotesque US trade and travel embargo. Apparently Pope Francis has been key to this rapprochement and several series of secret bilateral talks have been held, courtesy of [...]
Political Illiteracy – Chris Dillow wonders about the connections between economic crisis and political crisis. Custard Creams Are Cheaper Than Cous Cous, But You Can't Expect A Fucking Baroness To Know That – Eating healthy isn't as cheap as some think, and just being poor is expensive. The legend of the free labour market – the idea that there was a period when governments didn't interfere in labour markets is a myth, according to Flip Chart Fairy Tales. The next affluent society – "The problem of capitalism is no longer making enough stuff but, rather, finding consumers affluent enough to ...
View image | gettyimages.com You might have though from headlines such as Revealed: Labour MPs told not to campaign on immigration in secret Ukip strategy document and Leaked strategy document warns Labour not to talk about immigration that the leaked Labour campaigning document was full of advice on, well, not talking about immigration. But what's this on page 25? Face the issue of immigration directly with identified UKIP supporters. With electors who have already indicated that they intend to vote for UKIP, we should set out our immigration policy clearly and explain how it resolves the issues people raise while ...
Wed 17th
16:15
LibLink: Tim Farron - CIA report shows we should fight even harder for liberal Britain
View image | gettyimages.com Writing in New Statesman, Tim Farron argues that liberalism is not a given, is under threat and we should fight for it: We cannot continue to take liberalism for granted. We need to articulate our liberal values loudly and clearly to stop a creep into authoritarianism built on a currency of fear. A "liberal voice" is the nagging voice in the back of your head shouting "If torture is wrong and if power corrupts then we cannot trust your word over ours. We need to hold you to account, and we must have the power to ...
Tuesday: Ho ho ho Merry Christmas, and here's Pollyanna Toytown in the Grauniad telling us that the Conservatories want to eat babies. Polly's clearly getting worried that Mr Ed won't be delivering a victory for social democracy anytime soon, as her language gets less believable by the day. Today she's claiming that "Only one in forty new jobs is full time", citing the Workers Revolutionary Party(!) rather than the press release from TUC who came up with this statistic, presumably because the TUC use the word "Net" rather than "New", a small difference but a significant one. The TUC have ...
Wed 17th
15:28
Lib Dems up three, Tories down three - the latest ICM/Guardian poll and what it means for the genera...
[IMG: BRITAIN EUROPEAN ELECTIONS] ICM have done their monthly poll for the Guardian. Top line is that Labour have "opened up" a five point lead on the Tories. At least, that's how the Guardian is headlining it. In the same poll, the Lib Dems are at fouteen, which is up three from last month. Most Lib Dems would take fourteen nationwide right now, I'd wager. UKIP are on fourteen as well, the Tories on twenty-eight and Labour on thirty-three. So, what does this all mean, really? Not much. As a Lib Dem, I'd like to feel confident of the fourteen ...
The Independent has today's story to stretch credibility with the reported comments of Ukip's Commonwealth spokesperson, Winston McKenzie: In an interview with Chat Politics, he said the Eurosceptic "army" was behind their leader, who can "do no wrong". "Jesus was one man, we're his army. Farage is one man, and we're his army and that's what it's all about," he said. "Farage is like (non-stick) Teflon - he can do no wrong. Everywhere he goes, it doesn't matter what he says or does - he gets away with it." This is an interesting take on Farage and not one I ...
View image | gettyimages.com The existence of a free press is one of the hard-won aspects of our society, that makes it what it is. Added to this is the existence of a free broadcasting system and the internet, some of which features other countries are lucky enough to share. Of course, there are problems associated with a free media, including the issue that it is largely profit-driven and can therefore occasionally overstep the mark of what many 'ordinary' people consider to be acceptable behaviour. Delving too deeply into the private lives of those who are not in a position ...
Congratulations to Libby Lane, the new Bishop of Stockport and the first female Anglican bishop in the UK. It's great to see Stockport – and our historic Town Hall – as the venue for such a historic occasion: a proud day for our Borough. [IMG: Libby Lane, Bishop of Stockport] Libby Lane, Bishop of Stockport
In recent weeks, I've been contacted by local residents regarding the state of the footpath and roadway along Hall Lane in Werrington Village. I've now paid a couple of site visits and can definitely say that the state of it is not good. I really cannot remember when any improvements were made, an given it [...]
I've written before about the fact I like fixed-term parliaments: In praise of 5-year fixed-term parliaments. You may remember that a few years ago, former Cambridge MP David Howarth tried to introduce them. Then in the Coalition Agreement, they became reality. YouGov has asked the public what they think about them, and you can see the result below courtesy the New Statesman's May2015 polling website: [IMG: yougov fixed term parliaments - 1] Despite the sub-heading claiming 'The public are divided', that's not really true: by a 2:1 majority, voters think they're a good idea (56% in favour with just 29% ...
[IMG: Auditions for the first speaking clock]
View image | gettyimages.com As of last week, couples in England and Wales have the choice to convert their civil partnership into marriage, concluding a historic process of changing the law to give same sex couples the right to get married. The Liberal Democrats were the first party to support same sex marriage and have delivered our promise to couples to allow conversions into marriage to take place. There is now no reason in the law why two people of the same sex cannot be married. Liberal Democrat Minister for Equalities Jo Swinson said: It has been wonderful this year ...
Wed 17th
12:41
Man rings police after neighbour posts "creepy" picture of Cliff Richard in his window
Our Headline of the Day contest sees a win for Brighton's The Argus.
View image | gettyimages.com Following the publication of the Senate report into the CIA's treatment of detainees during the 'war on terror', David Cameron said 'Let us be clear. Torture is wrong, torture is always wrong'. This is undoubtedly a powerfully attractive view for anyone of a humanist disposition, concerned to condemn all violations of basic human rights. But there is a nagging problem – the British public seem not to be so sure. A survey by Amnesty International in May this year showed that 30% of Britons believe that torture can sometimes be justified, and that 44% believe we ...
Good news from the hospital this morning. My blood test results are similar to those from 7 weeks ago and the tumours don't seem to be getting any larger. I therefore remain on watch and wait until February. What a great early Christmas present! View image | gettyimages.com
The best of ALDC content from the last week, including: Post Office Card Account extension Template and bulk buys schedule from Lib Dem HQ Evidence of Pupil Premium closing education attainment gaps 'Technology' FAQs in Ask ALDC Facebook Group: Latest conversations ALDC Blog Post Office Card Account Extension The Post Office Card Account will now [...]
Lib Dem HQ have been in touch to confirm the details of literature templates and bulk buy offers from now until the election. This timetable will give local campaign teams the opportunity to plan well in advance and work out which offers they would like to take up. 2014-2015 Template and Bulk Buy Schedule: Date [...]
On Friday December the 19th the "long" regulated campaign period for the General Election begins. After that time any spending on election materials for the UK general election must be monitored and reported. In 2015 there will be multiple expense regimes running concurrently. The National Campaign In June the national campaign expenditure limits began in [...]
A question from the US with relevance to the UK. And Liberal Democrats:
View image | gettyimages.com The introduction of the Benefit Cap and Housing Benefit changes is adding fuel to the gentrification of our urban centers, throwing out many small businesses that can just afford the London Living Wage, and pushing micro urban economies into a transition that will inevitably see the marginalized and low income workers evicted from London's salubrious centre zones. Local Authorities (LAs) are already reconfiguring their homeless departments which, if pursued to their natural conclusion, will see changes in their service delivery because officers will have to eventually move out with their service users – starting the same ...
[IMG: Christmas card 2014] Shepway Council have announced details of their 2014 Christmas service, from waste collections to office opening hours. Christmas waste collections: Monday 22 December to Friday 26 December 2014 Please check the table below to see when your waste will be collected over the Christmas period. There may be a difference of up to two days to your normal collection day. For example, if your recycling and food waste would normally be collected on Monday 22 December, it will now be picked up on Saturday 20 December. Normal collection day Revised Christmas Collection Difference Monday 22 December ...
Wed 17th
09:40The aftermath of the Scottish referendum should act as a warning to the Tories over an EU vote
[IMG: BBC-Scotland-refer_3038352b] On September 18th, 2014, the Scottish people voted by ten points to reject independence and remain part of the United Kingdom. You would have thought that this would have taken the wind out of the SNP's sails. After all, independence is their raison d'etre - surely now that the Scots had rejected it, the party would be thrown into existential crisis? Instead, the exact opposite has taken place. The SNP currently have a whopping 20 point lead over Labour in terms of Westminster voting intention. From the perspective of even a couple of years ago, those numbers would ...
Over 500 Stockport businesses have registered for their secure online 'My Stockport Account' and now the Council is urging more businesses to take advantage of the benefits this online service has to offer. Delivered by Stockport Council, My Stockport Account allows business owners to view and manage their business rates account 24 hours, 7 days a week; with customers accessing greater benefits once online. These benefits include: A guaranteed faster response from the Council. Information or enquiries submitted via My Stockport Account are prioritised by the Business Rates team. Businesses can securely view and manage your Business Rates accounts online, ...
View image | gettyimages.com Yesterday in parliament, William Hague announced four options to address the "English votes for English laws" issue. They are: Barring Scottish and Northern Irish MPs from any role in English and Welsh bills and limiting England-only bills to English MPs Allowing only English MPs, or English and Welsh MPs, to consider relevant bills during their committee and report stages, where amendments are tabled and agreed, before allowing all MPs to vote on the final bill Allowing only English MPs, or English and Welsh MPs, to consider relevant bills at committee stage and giving them a effective ...
Last week we posted about LDHQ's bulk buy offers for posters, correx, dayglo paper and stickers. These are a crucial part of your election campaigns for next May. Convincing our Supporters, Squeeze group and Switchers that we can win is crucial to our GOTV campaigns in April and May 2015. The templates, as promised , have [...]
Three arrested after raid on 'slave' factory in Rochdale - hope the trafficked ppl aren't deported :/ (tags: ) A kipper who already has a conviction for corruption pictured speaking to a racist group? I'm SHOCKED (tags: ) Equal Pay: Seven male Tory MPs vote against bill to make big companies reveal gender pay gap (tags: ) Student raises £13k for homeless man who offered her his last £3 to get home after night out Faith in humanity restored. At least slightly. (tags: ) ISS astronaut's incredible return to earth captured on film (tags: ) Even in the comments to ...
Following on from Monday's meeting with the tenants in the Corso Street/Abbotsford Street/Abbotsford Place area to discuss rent options for 2015/16, yesterday I had the pleasure of chairing meetings at the Tullideph and Morven Terrace Sheltered Lounges at which two members of staff from the Housing Department discussed with tenants the rent options for 2015/16. We had very useful discussions on the rents issue, the sheltered housing charge and service and also other matters such as bin collections, grass maintenance and house energy efficiency/insulation.
I recently advised that I had reported to Royal Mail the fact their postbox in Roseangle had been damaged by a vehicle - see right. Royal Mail has now advised me : "I can confirm that, after making enquiries with the Collection Planning Manager, the box has now been reinstalled. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention and I hope you'll be pleased with the outcome."
Some time ago my good friend Iain Brodie Browne took an in depth look at how many women had been MP or Mayor of Bootle and indeed how many women Labour had nominated to be Mayor of Sefton. The findings were deeply depressing. Here is Iain's article:- And this got me thinking so I had a good look at the boards in the Council Chamber of Maghull Town Hall which record the past Chairman and Mayors of Maghull. I would add that Maghull was a Parish Council until 1974 and a Town Council from 1974. In its former guise ...
Sharp decreases in the price of commodities, such as milk, lamb and beef, have highlighted the limitations of the Grocery Code Adjudicator. Recent experience with the dramatic reduction in the price of milk being sold off the farm has highlighted the restricted role that the Grocery Code Adjudicator or supermarket ombudsman has at its disposal. The adjudicator can only supervise the voluntary code relating to the sale of produce from the farmer directly to the supermarkets. Most farmers, including the 2500 in my constituency, almost all sell to abattoirs and meat processors before their product lands on the supermarket shelf. ...
In this one, I discuss Church & State Vol II. Trigger warning for those who need it — the comic, and therefore this post, discusses rape. It's here
