(Proper post later or tomorrow) I know, I never did the last set of comics that were suggested — I intended to, and definitely *packed* them for my US trip. But that trip was more stressful than I anticipated (as ... Continue reading →
"Important announcement about to be made on LBC" flashed up the alert on my phone. I winced a bit, remembering how last year had started with the deaths of all sorts of childhood icons. It actually turned out to be Nick Ferrari telling the world that they had a new presenter on LBC for 4 nights a week. It's a big commitment for someone who already has a full time job as an MEP. I suppose the best that can be said about Nigel Farage's new gig is that it will get him off the BBC where he seems to ...
The dates and even the locations of these old photos of mine are bound to be a bit approximate, but I think they are right here. These enamel signs - each British Rail region had its own colour - were still reasonably common in 1980. They are much rarer now.
Second frame of third page: Second frame of third section I picked up this graphic novel at Octocon. It's a nice little Bildungsroman of a young woman who's just had a serious row with her boyfriend seeking advice from her mother, who incidentally is getting a tattoo to celebrate her 30th wedding anniversary. There isn't a lot of plot as such, more just general reflection on live, love and the pursuit of happiness in the early years of the 21st century, particularly as they might affect a Polish immigrant in Ireland. The English is not always completely idiomatic (as illustrated ...
Embed from Getty Images When Jamie Reed resigned as MP for Copeland, someone suggested that the ideal Labour candidate in the resultant by-election would be in favour of Brexit and so pro nuclear power that they glowed in the dark, The New Statesman thinks it knows who that will be: The leader's office have found a candidate who they believe may have the stuff necessary to keep the seat: Rachel Holliday, the founder of Calderwood House, a homelessness charity. It was as a result of that work that Holliday was named as Cumbria's Woman of the Year in 2015. That ...
[IMG: The Wrath of Achilles, by François-Léon Benouville (1821-1859)] Katie Barron offers some insights from the Iliad. Three thousand years ago, after a long sulk, the Greek warrior Achilles admitted rather sheepishly to his mother that 'Anger is sweeter than honey, and expands in men's hearts like smoke.' Achilles' word 'cholos' meant specifically the sort of anger that comes from revulsion, from black bile, leaving a nasty taste in the mouth. Bizarrely, we savour that nasty taste. Whether we are ancient Greek warriors in camp or ladies of a certain age reading the newspaper in the kitchen, our brains are ...
The letters were supposed to have been mailed before Christmas. The District Council has admitted that it did not stick to the deadlines it gave ward councillors and has sent us this note: The letters for the Ladder Roads consultation have now been sent down to the Council's post room. Due to the number of [...]
Earlier this autumn I was at the London AGM where Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder gave a rousing speech. I was lucky enough to see her at the Newbie Pint at Conference, so I know how passionate she is. When Catherine mentioned that she was running a training event in Brussels aimed at PPCs, I leapt at the opportunity. And what an experience! It was my first time to Brussels, the European Parliament was gladiatorial in size and the scope of what it does is extraordinary. Even for someone who is an ardent European (currently Brexit will remove it legally ...
[IMG: Jim with former local councillor Sylvia Mainey at the site of the former Lydiate Voluntary Youth Club prior to Lydiate Village Centre being built. ] Jim with former local councillor Sylvia Mainey at the site of the former Lydiate Voluntary Youth Club prior to Lydiate Village Centre being built. A am sad to have to report that former Maghull councillor Jim Byrne died on 31st December. Jim had been a local councillor on Maghull Town Council, Sefton Borough Council and Lydiate Parish Council over many, many years. Indeed, he was first elected to Maghull Town Council in the early ...
In the wake of the latest shakeup involving who will be the UK's EU ambassador going into the Article 50 negotiations, people have wondered anew about whether or not the government has a detailed plan regarding Brexit or not. Are they simply winging it, or is there something they'd rather not discuss? For what it's worth, I do think Theresa May would very much like to get the best Brexit deal possible – I just don't think she knows what that actually looks like. That's where the problems begin. I think back to May's remarks to George Osborne when she ...
News from Japan: AI could soon be playing a role in the country's politics. Next month, the economy, trade and industry ministry will introduce AI on a trial basis to help civil servants draft answers for ministers during cabinet meetings and parliamentary sessions. The ministry hopes AI will help reduce the punishingly long hours bureaucrats spend preparing written answers for ministers. If the experiment is a success, it could be adopted by other government agencies, according the Jiji news agency. If, for example a question is asked about energy-saving policies, the AI system will provide civil servants with the relevant ...
[IMG: pothole] Please find below a template local press release on compensation paid by councils to motorists for damage from potholes from LDHQ. The full data by region can be found here. Feel free to adapt the spokesperson quote and use for local press. Local press template: Councils pay out (thousands) for pothole damage Councils in (AREA) [...]
I have posted about this rather worrying review a number of times. My last posting is available via the link below:- But one thing I missed out of my own submission to the review is the situation with regard to the 236 route. I knew about it but it slipped my mind when I was talking to the Merseytravel people at Maghull Square during their consultation tour of the Borough. [IMG: The Merseytravel bus routes consultation event recently held in Maghull.] The Merseytravel bus routes consultation event recently held in Maghull. The issue is this. The 236 needs to ...
I snapped this a couple of nights ago. My village of Sunniside is well named! A brilliant red sunset as I was returning home from feeding my goats. Whether the sun is setting on the red socialists of the Labour party in 2017 is still to be seen, though the initial evidence would suggest it is.
Environment Secretary Angela Loathsome Leadsom is great at planting crops of grass-greener-on-the-other-side-of-the-fence. In this instance, her claims are that the farming industry is set to flourish in the sunny uplands once Brexit has taken place. Those of us with even a limited understanding of agriculture know that the uplands are tough and challenging places for crop production and what
Embed from Getty Images I ticked off a major item from my bucket list yesterday – I visited the Fleming museum in London. I only found out it was there a few months ago. I was walking along Praed Street and noticed the blue plaque. To be honest I thought Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scot, had discovered penicillin in Edinburgh. I had no idea he did so just near Paddington Station in London. So I was given a dispensation from retail therapy with my girls and toddled along. I had to follow a lot of arrows, going through the corridors ...
[IMG: day-12-christmas] On the twelfth day of Christmas, ALDC gave to me... a FREE MyCouncillor website that's snaz-zy! We hope you had a lovely Christmas and new year and we hope you're raring to go this year. What better way to end our festive series of members' only treats than to remind you that you can claim [...]
As if the loss of Sir Ivan Rogers as the UK's ambassador to the EU was not bad enough, the Guardian reports that the dysfunctional nature of Theresa May's government and the hostility being shown towards 'experts' by some elements in the Tory Party is having a wider impact. They say that some senior civil servants who are disillusioned over preparations for Brexit are considering stepping down from their positions amid growing tensions with Downing Street. They quote sources as saying that some of Whitehall's top officials are "gravely concerned" by the treatment of Sir Ivan Rogers as well as ...
Followers of my blog may have noticed quite prolonged exchanges in the comments section between me and Peter Martin. We are both amateur economists so this kind of exchange helps to sharpen thinking, absent an academic or journalistic environment. In order that I might understand Peter's critique better, he suggested that I view this video of ... Continue reading New monetarism: a challenge to conventional economics →
Just a reminder of the drop-in at Shire Way Community Centre today (Thursday 5 January) from 4pm to 8pm to give an opportunity to see a display of the plans and to discuss them with the StreetCare Team. This will be of particular interest to local cyclists, country walkers, residents of Chedworth and Rodborough and motorists that use Nibley Lane as a cut-through. The plans propose changes to the Westerleigh Road / Nibley Lane junction and creating a joint pedestrian / cycle path alongside the length of Westerleigh Road between the mini-roundabout and the big Rodford Way roundabout. Click here ...
2017 marks Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors' (ALDC) 50th anniversary and we'll be celebrating throughout the year by sharing memories and achievements from our illustrious history. Our history The Association of Liberal Councillors (ALC) was set up in the late 1960s and the Association of Social Democrat Councillors (ASDC) formed in the early 1980s. In 1988, the ALC and the ASDC merged to form the ALDC. Now in 2017, we mark the significant milestone: 50 years supporting Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners. Our celebration plans We are planning a number of exciting events and activities - more details coming soon. ...
A reminder about the Harris Education and Recreation Association enrolment evening :
Thu 5th
08:15
It's only a revolution if the people support it, otherwise it's just a reactionary coup...
One of the most worrying trends in recent politics is the rise of the demagogue in Western politics. It led to Brexit, and saw Donald Trump win the Presidency. Here in Britain though, it appears to be being usurped by a small bunch of highly influential ideologues. First, it was experts. They're all biased, because they didn't agree that Brexit was the greatest thing since sliced bread. How very dare they suggest that things are complex, and that it might not be so easy, or beneficial to cut ourselves adrift from the largest single trading bloc in the world? The ...
Sir Ivan Rogers' letter to staff in full Speaks for itself. (tags: ukpolitics brexit eu ) An Interactive Visualization of Every Line in Hamilton This is really cool. (tags: hamilton ) Showing up It's important. (tags: life Death )
The Western Mail reports that UKIP Assembly group leader Neil Hamilton has issued a press release with multiple misspellings saying he is opening an office in "Whitlands, Camarthenshire" (sic). The correct spelling is Whitland, Carmarthenshire. According to the paper the media release says: "History will be made next week when Neil Hamilton Ukip group leader at the Welsh Assembly and AM for Mid and West Wales opens his first office in the area. "People wanting to know more about the party and speak to either Neil Hamilton or his advisors will be able to do so at Whitlands (sic) Town ...
I'm going to post a proper post tomorrow, but for today I'm going to signal-boost someone else. My friend Matthew Rossi needs help. You can read the details here, but the short version is: his wife needs medication to stay ... Continue reading →
