And so another week at Bonkers Hall draws not quite gracefully to a close. Sunday Britain in 2020 is a nation in fear. Foxes stalk the Inns of Court armed with baseball bats looking for QCs to attack and giggle to one another about this "silk bashing". If it were not for my narwhals basking on Rutland Water and my gamekeepers and their orchard doughties, I should feel afraid myself. I am also comforted by the presence of PC McNally as he alternately clips youngsters round the ear and helps old ladies across the road. The other day I saw ...
Over on Instagram, where I hang out with my fellow kids, the Richard Jefferies Society tells us: Exactly 140 years ago, in February 1880, Richard Jefferies had dinner with Thomas Hardy and Henry James. He was described by Hardy's wife, Florence, as "a modest young man then getting into notice as a writer, having a year or so earlier published his first successful book, entitled The Gamekeeper at Home".Because he died young and without achieving popular fame, it is easy to see Jefferies as a fragile spirit who spent his days communing with nature. But we should remember that he ...
Today Siobhan Benita has launched her campaign under the slogan "Love London Better". And what a breath of fresh air she would be in the capital. As she said: London dares to be different. It has so far delivered three very different Mayors who have captured Londoner's hearts and minds in different ways. What could be more different than a Liberal Democrat female mayor? It's time. Remember those two horse races? Well, it seems Labour have decided to adopt the well worn Lib Dem slogan: Sadiq Khan recently turned up in my backyard to 'love bomb' liberal-minded voters and to ...
In view of the failure of Liverpool Council to issue a report into Liverpool's Fractional Investment Property scandal I have issued my own. It is a disgrace that 9 months after the Fractional Investment Task Group had its last meeting ... Continue reading →
The fencing is down, the new Abbotswood Play equipment by the shops is OPEN There are still things like bins and signs to be done, but it has passed its safety certificate today, so it can be used. Here's the giant ant and the web - just two of the new pieces of equipment - alongside new paving and seats. They're very different from the usual play area kit so worth checking out. The whole design is the result of consultation with local residents, and the Abbotswood Action Group. Installed by Yate Town Council's Play Area group who raised the ...
Second paragraph of third story ("Goblin Autumn", by Adrian Tchakovsky):And then, one morning out trying to scratch sustenance from the dying fields, they would have looked up, movement in the corners of their lateral eyes, and seen... them. Just like in the stories but a thousand times worse, things that were like people, but stunted, spindly, huge-eyed, their faces sharp and jagged with teeth. And that child must have thought: It's true, and they came for me just like the rhyme! But not for long. Thysalys had seen ample evidence of how goblins treated any who fell into their clutches. ...
Have you visited the new play equipment in Howard Lewis Park? If you've not been there before, it's on the Ridge (the area by the tree sculpture) behind the shops. Why not visit the local shops whilst you are there too. The photo shows the Mayor, others members of the Focus Team and Town Council staff at the opening - who were involved in raising the funds and making it happen. If you have ideas for how to improve the play areas in our town, please contact your Focus Team.
Savid Javid has resigned as Chancellor (Photo: The Times) The annual media circus, otherwise known as a cabinet reshuffle, took place today giving the likes of Laura Kuenssberg plenty to speculate about. Let's be honest, there's nothing the media likes more than an excuse to speculate especially when it comes to political personalities. There is, however, much more to a reshuffle than the internal dynamics of the Conservative parliamentary party. This is not simply a drama being played out for the benefit of journalists, but a series of decisions that will have significant consequences for the UK. One of the ...
Earlier today Adrian Sanders mentioned the Preamble to the Constitution of the Liberal Democrats. That's quite a mouthful – and sounds deadly boring – but all party members can read on their membership cards a short extract from this document: The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. In fact, this is the first sentence of one of the most beautiful pieces of political writing in English. ...
Wed, 12:33: Not so surprising given the cabinet reshuffle... https://t.co/Be9pT7RI2n Wed, 12:56: Connecting lives https://t.co/2YXaIFnckG Beautiful, moving 360° video presenting @IFAD ProPesca project on artisana... https://t.co/t7hdb4ol2l Wed, 14:38: I am very sentimental about the Ewart-Biggs prize, ever since 1991 when I was the administrator and my father won i... https://t.co/VsDSq7GOwx Wed, 16:05: Was Jeanne Calment the Oldest Person Who Ever Lived—or a Fraud? https://t.co/orNvYNUNL0 Fascinating piece. Wed, 16:27: RT @terri_sarch: Very interesting discussion on disability at #IFADgc . Really useful to hear from Ambrose Murangira. Nothing about us with... Wed, 17:11: RT @hayward_katy: V. Well argued piece by @Bentonra necessarily ...
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Here is a breakdown of what is so incredibly terrible about Keir Starmer's "ten pledges"
I really want to believe that Keir Starmer will be good. I want to believe that he will offer up the strong opposition that Corbyn has been so unable to provide. A couple of days ago I even tweeted: "There isn't really a party or even portion of British politics I like at the moment. I'm pulling for Keir Starmer to be Labour leader mostly – and solely – because he isn't visibly insane. That's what I'm clinging to here." Then came yesterday and Keir's ten pledges. They are bad. Actually, they are more than bad – they are excruciatingly ...
BT is progressively removing little or unused phone kiosks around the country. The number of calls from phone boxes has fallen. Some have not been used in the last year, even longer. Some have been vandalised. The result is that several Ludlow phone kiosks have been removed in recent years. Now, BT wants to remove the phone box on Upper Galdeford outside the former Budgens store. This is wrong. The box was used for 435 calls in the year up to September 2019. That's not huge. I am sure it is not profitable for BT. But the phone kiosk is ...
It's over, finished, done, our membership of the EU has ceased to be. This is very sad for our wonderful team of MEPs and their staff, it's heart-breaking for those who support the idea of ever closer union, and very worrying for anyone concerned that the uncertainties of the future are going to harm our country, economy and standing in the world. Dwelling on what might have been has become something of a preoccupation for many Liberal Democrats, myself included. I won't forget where I believe responsibility lies for our and the nation's current predicament. Sir Nick Clegg and his ...
[IMG: Lord Paul Boateng] The Friends of Folkestone Museum present a talk by Lord Boateng on Saturday 21 March, 2pm-3.45pm in the Education Room, Folkestone Museum. The title of the talk is 'Growing up in Africa'. Lord Paul Boateng , the former Cabinet Minister and British High Commissioner to South Africa, immediate past Chairman of the English Speaking Union, presently Chair of Book Aid International and of the International Council of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award will reflect on an African child hood with readings of prose and verse and share his views on the significance of the English language ...
Sky News reports on warnings by the retail sector about disruption to the supply of fruit and vegetables after the UK confirmed it will introduce import controls on EU goods from January. They say that controls will come into force after the end of the current Brexit transition period - during which EU rules continue to apply. And hopes that new technology will ride to the rescue have been dashed after officials told trade organisations that a "smart border" with simplified systems designed to reduce disruption would not be available until 2025: Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at ...
I posted a few days ago about work commencing in Haigh Crescent to stop vehicles gaining access to the central green via Sefton Council installing posts and shrubs. My previous post (no pun intended) is accessible via this link:- Well it seems that the project to try to protect the green is not one that commands widespread support at least that's the view I am picking up. Here's what I know about the issue. Last June Independent Borough Councillor Pat O'Hanlon brought up concerns about vehicles accessing the green at a Lydiate Parish Council meeting – my recollection is ...
From the City Council : THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1) THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of BT cabling works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Union Place (between numbers 13 and 16), Dundee. This notice comes into effect on Saturday 15 February 2020 for 2 days (8am to 4pm). Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained. Access to residents will be maintained where possible. No alternative routes for vehicles are available. For further information contact 433082. Executive Director of ...
