This is just what it was like when I was a lad. Until 1983, trains from Sheffield to Huddersfield ran under the wires of the Woodhead route as far as Penistone. I remember it as an attractive line, with sweeping curves and views of the River Don far below. This film shows it all, including the way the train reversed soon after leaving Sheffield Midland station and then ran through the derelict Sheffield Victoria. Indeed, much of that part of the city looks to have been derelict then. You can see the sidings at Deepcar and Stocksbridge in their very ...
Stokesay Castle dates from the late 13th century, when there was no longer a fear of attacks from Wales, so it was built for show rather than defence. The half-timbered gatehouse is 17th century, as (largely) is the church, which was badly damaged in a Civil War skirmish. I have visited and photographed Stokesay many times - here are some pictures from my latest look round the site. It used to be possible to have tea in the castle courtyard, where birds would steal crumbs from your table. These days there is a separate cafe at Stokesay. I'm not overimpressed ...
Sheik Mansour who is the owner of Manchester City Football Club and Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates is behind the investment company which is making a huge profit from the problems of children in huge need in the UK. For about 2 months earlier this year one street in my Penny Lane Ward was the scene of really nasty scenes. They all concerned one small 15-year-old girl who had been placed in a house in the street and who was subject to real, heart-breaking behavioural problems. On one night there were 3 police vehicles, an ambulance and a fire ...
Over 500 people were arrested in London last weekend for allegedly showing support for Palestine Action, an organisation proscribed under terrorist legislation. About half of those arrested are reported to be over 65 years of age and many of the arrests were for carrying signs, with words such as "Stop the Genocide - Support Palestine Action". Palestine Action was banned as it was responsible for causing costly criminal damage to military aircraft. The Home Secretary has sought to defend the ban by saying Palestine Action is "not a non-violent organisation" and that further information will come out which will justify ...
"What Ofsted found was a total breakdown of safeguarding, with staff unable to cope and most not qualified to provide the care these vulnerable young people so desperately needed. Living conditions were poor, staff were untrained and poorly supported, and worst of all the young people faced clear risks to their wellbeing." Jane Haynes has been reading Ofsted reports on three small private children's homes in Sandwell, Coventry and Telford. Patrick Barkham reminds us that brownfield sites can be havens for wildlife: "In its ruination, this brownfield site beside the Thames in Essex has become one of the most nature-rich ...
For decades Trump has been singing Putin's praises, calling the 2014 annexation of Crimea "so smart" and his 2022 full scale invasion of Ukraine "genius". Since the beginning of his second term in office, he has been very friendly towards Putin. However, the last few days have seen Trump be less accommodating to the Kremlin. Trump reduced Putin's ceasefire deadline, threatened sanctions, and positioned US nuclear submarines closer to Russia. Trump is clearly growing impatient with Putin's unwillingness to end the war. Do Trump's recent actions signal a meaningful change in the dynamic between Trump and Putin or are Trump's ...
Just a reminder that our Tuesday ward surgeries today do not take place as it is during the school summer holidays. However, we can be contacted at any time on 459378 or by email at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk - many thanks! Our surgeries return next Tuesday (19th) as the new school year starts next week.
The Independent reports that Rachel Reeves has been dealt a fresh blow on the economy as company hiring plans fall to a "record low" following her national insurance contributions (NIC) hike. The paper says that the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has said that just 57 per cent of private sector employers plan to recruit staff in the next three months, down from 65 per cent last autumn, as they battle rising costs: The influential monthly report by accountants KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Federation (REC) also showed a "further steep decline" in permanent worker appointments last ...
