The line from Maiden Newton to Bridport survived the closures of the Beeching years only to succumb in 1975. This silent film shows it in its last days.
I have already trailed Radical Bulletin from the new Liberator. That means there is nothing for it but to spend another week with Rutland's most celebrated fictional peer. How the Liberal Democrats can revive their electoral fortunes As those of you who subscribed to the leather-bound edition of my collected journalism last year will know, I am a regular contributor to the newspapers - and not just the High Leicestershire Radical, which I happen to own. Thus it was no surprise when I was invited to contribute a piece under the title: "How the Liberal Democrats can revive their electoral ...
[IMG: 160909-ben-hur-2016-poster] Well, I could hardly not go and see the new movie version of Ben-Hur which opened today. Films set in the ancient world, if they are successful, such as Gladiator (2000) and 300 (2007), make a difference to how people think about the ancient world, and if you want to teach students ancient history, you have to have a sense of what might have influenced their imagination. That, and I love films set in the ancient world. Most of the time. This will need a bit of thinking and probably another viewing before I can make up my ...
James Kirkup begins his review of Nick Clegg's new book Politics: Between the Extremes with this observation: Nick Clegg isn't very good at politics. That's the abiding impression left by his memoir-cum-essay about the state of British and European politics. It's rather an odd thing to say of a man who was, after all, deputy prime minister in one of the more important governments of recent times, so let me explain. In Politics: Between the Extremes, Clegg has lots of considered and rational observations on how we run our society and economy, as well as on the working methods of ...
In the past few months I have blogged here, here and here about Bury Council's review of our library services. The expectation was that some libraries would close and as Unsworth Library almost closed 3 years ago, local residents are worried that our library is likely to disappear. The first stage of the consultation has now ended and I am pleased to report that almost 400 people signed my e-petition (398 to be exact) to save Unsworth Library. Compare that with the 50 who signed the Save Prestwich Library petition and it is clear that passions run high for our ...
Figures obtained by Bury's Lib Dem councillors have revealed a noticeable increase in the number of reported 'missed bins' in the last few years. The figures identify the number of bins reported as not collected by bin type. This includes instances where it is not the Councils fault such as access problems due to parked cars, snow and floods etc, contaminated bins, bins not out and bins too heavy. [IMG: Missed bin collections] Missed Bins 2013/2014 Grey 2230 Brown 1847 Green 1146 B lue 799 Missed Bins 2014/2015 Grey 1829 Brown 1262 Green 503 Blue 552 Missed Bins 2015/2016 Grey ...
I was diagnosed with a particularly nasty form of lymphoma in August 2014. Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is treatable, but is not (yet) considered curable. Cancer Research UK's website paints a tough picture for those of us who have it. Source: Cancer Research UK, Accessed September 2016. However, the good news is that progress towards better treatments for MCL ... The post 10,000 steps a day – day 9 – why am I doing this? appeared first on ten pence piece.
Last night I attended the Prestwich Township Forum in the mistaken belief that the presentation by the Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG for short) was intending to consult the public on the drastic proposal to close the NHS walk-in centres, currently located in Bury town centre and Prestwich Longfield. Silly me. As we were pointedly reminded by Dr Victoria Moyle (lead GP for urgent care at NHS Bury CCG and a practicing Bury GP herself), this was a public 'engagement' not a consultation. In other words, the senior management team of Bury CCG have recommended the closure of the walk-in ...
Second paragraph of third chapter: Triss's eyes opened. Something scratchy was touching her cheek. She reached up, pulled the dead leaf out of her hair and stared at it. One by one, she recalled her actions the previous evening. Had she really climbed out of her window, gobbled windfalls and then stood on the banks of the Grimmer, feeling that it might speak to her? She picked her way through the memories with disbelief, like a householder surveying rubbish scattered by foxes overnight. This was shortlisted for the BSFA Award last year, but I was pretty burnt out from Clarke ...
In 1977, the last Beatles album to be released during John Lennon's lifetime was released. Until today, it had never been legally issued on CD. There's a relatively good reason for that. In its original incarnation, at least, Live at ... Continue reading →
Kirsty Williams, these days the one Liberal Democrat minister in a government, has ruled out grammar schools making a come back in Wales: Kirsty Williams ... said: "It seems that some terrible ideas just won't go away. "The Tories in England and Wales seem determined to bang this tired old drum. For them, this is all about dogma and doctrine, rather than looking at what actually works for our young people. "The facts show that grammar schools do nothing to improve social mobility. The Sutton Trust found that less than 3% of grammar school pupils were on free school lunches, ...
On Thursday 23rd June 2016 Britain voted in a referendum to leave the EU. An incredibly tight 4% margin separated the two sides in a vote that went right up to the wire, odds swinging one way to the other throughout the campaign and even on the night. No one could say it was a good fight. The campaign was bitter, spiteful and scary. As Remain piled on reasons to fear an exit and the list of organisations warning of economic catastrophe mounted, Leave pivoted towards immigration. It made sense. UKIP, on a foundation almost entirely built on opposition to ...
This time next week, many of us will be heading down to Conference in Brighton. I won't be as I have the particular joy of the 6:25 am flight from Edinburgh to look forward to on Saturday morning. Here are some top tips for pre-conference preparation which will help you get the best out of the event. Once you are in the fast moving frenzy of our four days in Brighton, it's difficult to find the space to take stock and plan. Putting the time in now to work out what you want to do will pay dividends. So, here ...
The Liberal Democrats have another internal grouping, this one is called the Radical Association. Its website explains that it: "...has been founded out a sense of frustration at the state of the Liberal Democrats and a genuine fear that the party will fail to miss (sic) a once in a generation opportunity to define a [...]
[IMG: Sir Trevor Jones] Sir Trevor Jones died on 8th September in hospital in Chester. He was an inspiration to a generation (and more) of Liberal and then Liberal Democrat activists after he saved the Party from a near death experience in the 1970 General Election. This Welsh descended scouser linked his deep liberal traditions and principles to the marketing techniques which had led him from being a seaman to owning the biggest and oldest ships chandlers in Liverpool. He was the second Liberal councillor in Liverpool and worked with Cyril Carr to take control of the Council in 1973. ...
The first leaves of autumn are falling, beginning to drift up in the corner of the drive with a restless whisper, reminding me to hurry up with all those final summer tasks before the weather breaks and winter rain and winds return. Deadheading, scattering seeds, clearing weeds, mowing, raking, picking any hops still clinging on in the tree. The list will lengthen as the days shorten. So, just time to sneak in a quick look back at summer... bluetits nestingfrog visiting the pond new rose hollyhockdragonfly lupinjapanese anenome lilycrocosmia brimstone butterflywhite rose new pink climber rose buddlejabellflower comma butterflyfrench marigold ...
[IMG: ALDC Master Logo (for screen)] Last night saw four principal council by-elections across the country with Lib Dem candidates standing in two of the four. Gail Smith and the team stormed to victory in Sheffield Mosborough, going from 4th place to taking the seat from Labour with 45.6% of the vote - an increase of +34.2% since the seat was last contested in May! A local resident and former Mosborough councillor from 2008-2012, Gail fought a strong campaign challenging the Labour dominated council on issues such as the selling off of local parks. The hard work of Gail and ...
Maps produced by the County Council show that traffic will completely grind to a halt in central St Albans should there be any snow this winter. The new maps – which Herts CC claims will only reduce coverage by 2% – remove the following roads from the gritting routes: St Peter's Road Manor Road Beaconsfield [...]
I have posted about the unwelcome proposal for a new road to Seaforth Docks down the Rimrose Valley Country Park many times before so am pleased to help publicise this event. [IMG: RV-Main-Path] The Lancashire Branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) has the story on its web site – see link above This is a jointly organised walk/protest with Rimrose Valley Friends and it starts from the car park of the Cooksons Bridge Pub in Gorsey Lane, Netherton. But potential participants need to register that they will be attending. Check details on the CPRE ...
One of the sights of Southport, the Wayfarers Arcade is the jewel in the crown of Lord Street. In my role as Mayor I speak a lot to visitors to the town and this is the place many of them talk about, this is the picture they send home on their social media or by postcard. Last night as part of National Heritage Day the Arcade launched an exhibition that charted its history since 1898 when it was opened. Back then it was named the Leyland Arcade ( after the Liberal MP) and was the idea of the entrepreneur John ...
The conference policy paper on "Mending the Safety Net" contains lots of good stuff on a wide range of welfare policy, even if I say so as a member of its working group. But, at Conference and beyond, I think it's important not to get distracted from the big issue of the £13bn of cuts planned by the Conservatives. Reversing these - and indeed going further - is what will make the biggest difference to people's lives, to UK inequality and even to the economy (and hopefully win a few votes in the process). Within this, here are three goals ...
Sir Trevor Jones with his wife Doreen and (now) Lords Alton and Steel after receiving his knighthood. Sir Trevor Jones died on 8th September in hospital in Chester. He was ... Continue reading →
On Sunday I attended the Merchant Navy Day Service at Liverpool Parish Church- the seafarers' church. Before the service there was music from the Port Sunlight Seadogs whose shanty singing was a feature of the celebration of the Liverpool Pilots being awarded the Freedom of the City. After the Church Service we processed to the Pier Head to for the laying of wreaths on the Merchant Navy Memorial in memory of the 36,000 seafarers who lost their lives in conflicts.
The Guardian has the story on its web site – see link above The South East of England is not the first place you think of when you look for areas of the UK that need investment. Indeed, to those of us living outside of the economically overheated South East this call for investment there must lead to a lot of head scratching. Is there going to be a South East equivalent of the Northern Powerhouse under Jeremy's proposals? Now don't get me wrong there are run down parts of the South East particularly former high flying seaside towns ...
Yesterday, a "social media storm" was created when a female MP who was sat at an unfortunate angle behind the prime minister crossed her legs while wearing a skirt. Seriously, that was all that was required to create such a frenzy in 2016. The mainstream press picked it up (the tabloids anyhow) and ran with it, using a "Basic Instinct" theme (get it? Women crossing their legs and all that). Now, I do not want this to come across as preachy or politically correct. When I saw the footage in question, I myself thought momentarily "nice legs". But you know ...
Instagram You don't realise how much you use your left hand middle finger till you can't bend it. (warning: not for the squeamish) Cleggy on Brexit (.pdf) RT @IanDunt: Clegg's 2nd paper on Brexit is a brilliant and readable 8-page description of the truck that's about to hit us Basilisk on a Yellow Field - Jon Cronshaw. RT @JLCronshaw: Here is my latest short story: Basilisk on a Yellow Field #fantasy #SFF Theresa May heading for fight over 'perverse' election boundaries review that will slash MP numbers | The Independent RT @dancrawford85: Theresa May's boundary review plans branded 'perverse' by ...
[IMG: Kirsty Williams 2] There's a lot of talk of the return of grammar schools in England. In Wales, however, there is no chance of any expansion. Liberal Democrat Education Secretary Kirsty Williams had this to say on the matter: Wales' Education Secretary Kirsty Williams ruled out a return to grammars in Wales and said: "It seems that some terrible ideas just won't go away. "The Tories in England and Wales seem determined to bang this tired old drum. For them, this is all about dogma and doctrine, rather than looking at what actually works for our young people. "The ...
You can read all the articles that have caught my attention this week here: https://delicious.com/stephentall Below are a selection... Sponsored: 64% off Code Black Drone with HD Camera Our #1 Best-Selling Drone–Meet the Dark Night of the Sky! www.ft.com Brilliant review in FT by Ignatieff of Clegg: takes a defeated liberal leader to understand one http://on.ft.com/2chi5av Take back control? It's now clear the Brexiteers have no clue on immigration | Rafael Behr | Opinion | The Guardian "Start talking. Take control" Brillantly cross take on the Brexiteers' vacuous sloganeering by Rafael Behr http://bit.ly/2c2RFLW Nick Clegg's memoir Between the Extremes, review ...
The European Parliament has appointed its lead negotiator for the Brexit discussions. And it's someone well known to Liberal Democrats. He announced it on his Twitter this afternoon: Honour to be appointed as lead #Brexit negotiator for @Europarl_EN, which will play central role Art 50 deal + any future EU-UK agreements. — Guy Verhofstadt (@GuyVerhofstadt) September 8, 2016 The BBC has this to say about his appointment: An EU official close to Mr Verhofstadt said the former Belgian leader "will be in the room, as he was in December when he was renegotiating the terms of British [EU] membership with ...
Join Wapley Bushes Conservation Group for a twilight stroll in search of bats. Bat detectors provided. Wear warm clothes and stout shoes or boots and bring a torch. Accompanied children very welcome - they love being in the "creepy woods" in the dark! Meet at the Shire Way entrance to Wapley Bushes (opposite Cherington), Yate, BS37 8YA, 7:30 - 9:15pm.
Claims by the Corbynista that massive turnouts at the Labour leader's rallies prove that he can win a General Election were shown up as a fantasy last night, when the Liberal Democrats stormed from fourth place to take a seat off Labour on Sheffield Council. As the Daily Mirror points out this by-election victory occurred in a City where just three weeks previously a Jeremy Corbyn rally attracted thousands of supporters: The election was to replace Councillor Isobel Bowler, a longstanding and popular Labour councillor in the Sheffield Ward of Mosborough, who died in June. In May, Labour won all ...
Quite an accolade from journalist Ian Dunt for Nick Clegg's latest paper taking a cool, detailed look at what Brexit will really mean for the UK.
We have our Headline of the Day. Well done This is Local London.
From Sheena Wellington : Historical Gaelic harp come and try! Saturday 10th September at 2pm : Come and have a go at playing a medieval clarsach, in Dundee's Wighton Centre, upstairs in the Central Library. The old Gaelic harp of Scotland and Ireland is very different and much more ancient than the modern clarsach or Celtic harp you might be more familiar with. The ancient clarsach was shared between Ireland and Scotland from medieval times down to the 18th century. The best known examples are iconic museum exhibits: the famous Brian Boru harp displayed in Trinity College Dublin, and the ...
I visited Manchester yesterday, which made it relatively easy to reach my steps target. Unsurprisingly, it was raining when I arrived. It's a shame that this umbrella factory had gone out business. If you can't sell umbrellas in Manchester, you're probably not going to be able to sell them anywhere. The sun had come out by the time I left ... The post 10,000 steps a day – day 8 – Manchester appeared first on ten pence piece.
