I must admit to being puzzled...
For instance, there's the Campaign to End child poverty in the UK. I can imagine some folk wondering whether it's needed. The answer is a whole-hearted and resounding 'Yes'.
The Office for National Statistics publish information on all sorts of topics.
Looking at N.W. England, child poverty levels:
Manchester 42%
Oldham 30%
Liverpool 35%
Knowsley 33%
One of my blogging friends lives in Chelmsford where child poverty is 12%
Another campaign made the headlines.. End Hunger Fast. call to end hunger in the sixth richest nation in the world
"On Wednesday 16th April national papers reported the staggering truth that 1 million people in the UK received emergency food parcels in the last year."
13.5 million people in the UK live in poverty.
Tax evasion and suchlike actions by the wealthy cost the UK £70 billion per year!
Yet, UK has the third highest GDP in the European Union.
No wonder I feel puzzled...
Friday, 18 April 2014
Monday, 24 March 2014
My brave friend
has started a blog
Her friends were shocked and alarmed to hear her sad news of deciding 'no more treatment'.
Several encouraged her to begin writing a blog.
Today she has very kindly invited us to travel along with her via her blog.
If you look at her posts, you'll find she's planning a tea party and has invited her close friends.
What a wonderful lady!
Her friends were shocked and alarmed to hear her sad news of deciding 'no more treatment'.
Several encouraged her to begin writing a blog.
Today she has very kindly invited us to travel along with her via her blog.
If you look at her posts, you'll find she's planning a tea party and has invited her close friends.
What a wonderful lady!
Thursday, 20 March 2014
jam tomorrow
To quote Lewis Carroll
White Queen:“The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday - but never jam today.”
Folk have been 'digesting' the 2014 Budget speech - so that quote sprang to mind. Enough said.
2014 has hardly got under-way yet it continues to be a roller-coaster of lows with a few not so lows.
Anniversaries throng these first months, sad, sorrowful ones which have been supplemented by new ones. Several friends have lost parents recently. Yesterday came the woeful news as an OU on-line friend of many years told everyone her fight against cancer is coming to an end and she has decided no more chemo or suchlike.
Borrowed from her on-line page
This is the brave lady...
Monday, 17 March 2014
Driving
Friend's son is a Triumph aficionado. So, she too likes said vehicle type.
30+ years ago next door and next door but one had Triumphs. At that time himself had been driving Fords of various models. Cortina Mk I, II and III. Friends drove cars of similar vintage. I well remember driving a Mini which had a button on the floor (starter). The car's owner wasn't able to keep it in top notch condition and learnt the hard way when a wheel came off and went thro' a shop window.
Late 70s - early 80s and it was decided I ought to get back on the road. A mark #1 Marina was found and purchased. Gold seal engine but last owner had run out of funds and had to sell. Welding skills were practised and the car was repaired with Dexion shelving, one front wing became mostly filler. It did it's job and I enjoyed driving it. Later we sold it for the same price we bought it £100.
Talking with OH it seems that over the years he had owned 27 Fords. Then he bought an Opel Rekord Ascona Berlina, followed by several larger Opel cars. Opel became Vauxhall Opel and we had several larger models (Commodore).
Then one fateful day, crossing Dartmoor, the screen went blank. Instead of the traditional dashboard, it had an electronic one. No visible instrumentation of any kind whatsoever!
We made our way to Helston and a garage where they attempted repairs. Several hours later...
Result? A connection had come loose. Once reconnected 'normality' resumed.
30+ years ago next door and next door but one had Triumphs. At that time himself had been driving Fords of various models. Cortina Mk I, II and III. Friends drove cars of similar vintage. I well remember driving a Mini which had a button on the floor (starter). The car's owner wasn't able to keep it in top notch condition and learnt the hard way when a wheel came off and went thro' a shop window.
Late 70s - early 80s and it was decided I ought to get back on the road. A mark #1 Marina was found and purchased. Gold seal engine but last owner had run out of funds and had to sell. Welding skills were practised and the car was repaired with Dexion shelving, one front wing became mostly filler. It did it's job and I enjoyed driving it. Later we sold it for the same price we bought it £100.
Talking with OH it seems that over the years he had owned 27 Fords. Then he bought an Opel Rekord Ascona Berlina, followed by several larger Opel cars. Opel became Vauxhall Opel and we had several larger models (Commodore).
Then one fateful day, crossing Dartmoor, the screen went blank. Instead of the traditional dashboard, it had an electronic one. No visible instrumentation of any kind whatsoever!
We made our way to Helston and a garage where they attempted repairs. Several hours later...
Result? A connection had come loose. Once reconnected 'normality' resumed.
Tempus fugit?
You know when time's wingéd chariot has sped on and on when...
you get an email saying your former nemesis is no more. That's what happened today...
I must freely admit that grammar school was a battle of wits. The fist headmistress I came across was charming yet stern, everyone loved her... Then she was replaced by one that we called 'batty' as in bats in the belfry 'mad'. That's the one who's demise was published today.
.She haunted my teenage years, yet her father got on so well with my Dad, it was remarkable. They were both keen gardeners. Such an odd situation, headteacher I and my friends did not get on with as we all remembered how good school had been under Miss Charlton. Dad and Miss Bingham's father chatting, visiting each other's gardens.
The local paper has done her no favours with the photo they used.
you get an email saying your former nemesis is no more. That's what happened today...
I must freely admit that grammar school was a battle of wits. The fist headmistress I came across was charming yet stern, everyone loved her... Then she was replaced by one that we called 'batty' as in bats in the belfry 'mad'. That's the one who's demise was published today.
Miss Bingham
The local paper has done her no favours with the photo they used.
Saturday, 15 February 2014
the more it rains...
With apologies to A. A. Milne
That has been the main headline news in the media for weeks on end. Videos and photos of rain-soaked, wind-lashed, wave-battered landscapes and people.
Met Office charts show incoming chains of low pressure areas like demented Catherine wheels racing across the Atlantic.
Low 958 mb centred over the Irish Sea with tightly-packed isobars.To the west about mid Atlantic a weak ridge of high pressure 1039 mb. The closer the isobars, the stronger the wind. Met Office warns of strong to gale force winds.
Porthleven in south Cornwall, near Helston often feels the brunt of Atlantic breakers. But in 2014
image from the Guardian (The sea rages as it thrashes the coast at Porthleven, Cornwall. Photograph: Bernie Pettersen/SWNS.com)
Then there's acre upon acre of flooded farmland in many parts of England.
Listening to Radio 4 Farming programme this morning, hearing of the plight of farmers and how various farming communities are rallying round to help those stricken by the floods.
And as they say, 'to put the tin hat on it'...reports from various on-line news Falmouth Packet and West Country on line to name but two...came an infuriating story...
Offers of help for the Somerset Levels from the Dutch were turned down by the Government just last weekend, according to a report by Channel 4 News this evening.
It beggars belief! The Dutch are world leaders in marine engineering and hydrology.
The more it rains
Tiddly-pom
the more it rains
Tiddly-pom
the more it goes on raining...
Met Office charts show incoming chains of low pressure areas like demented Catherine wheels racing across the Atlantic.
Today's chart from UK Met Office
Low 958 mb centred over the Irish Sea with tightly-packed isobars.To the west about mid Atlantic a weak ridge of high pressure 1039 mb. The closer the isobars, the stronger the wind. Met Office warns of strong to gale force winds.
image from the Guardian (The sea rages as it thrashes the coast at Porthleven, Cornwall. Photograph: Bernie Pettersen/SWNS.com)
Listening to Radio 4 Farming programme this morning, hearing of the plight of farmers and how various farming communities are rallying round to help those stricken by the floods.
And as they say, 'to put the tin hat on it'...reports from various on-line news Falmouth Packet and West Country on line to name but two...came an infuriating story...
Offers of help for the Somerset Levels from the Dutch were turned down by the Government just last weekend, according to a report by Channel 4 News this evening.
It beggars belief! The Dutch are world leaders in marine engineering and hydrology.
“We told the British government that we had pumps, emergency dykes and sand bag-filling machines available, but they said there was no need for any of this help at present. They said they only needed expertise, so we have sent a team of four dyke experts to the UK.”
A Defra spokesperson told Channel 4 News: “We are grateful for the support from the Dutch government – so far we have borrowed eight very high volume pumps and have several Dutch engineers assisting us in Somerset. We will continue to discuss our needs with the Netherlands and other EU partners.”
So like Nero who allegedly fiddled while Rome was burning...the ConDems are fiddling whilst England drowns.Thursday, 13 February 2014
Twas wild Wednesday
With all the storms lately getting hold of a builder to do some repairs might take a while. Fortunately himself is still okay to do some repairs. But, it comes at a cost (pain). His knees as he says are 'shot'. The solution might be knee replacement surgery? But in this day and age known as 'austerity' people are expected to put up with and shut up.
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Friday, 6 December 2013
Rum and shrub, brandy and lovage Part I
Just had an online conversation that has stirred bittersweet memories of times past. There's something about this time of year, days shortening followed by a return to longer daylight hours that inspires reminiscences...
Cornwall in the far south west maintains a separate identity in culture and language. For many, many years we would spend weeks down there. In fact, we'd run away from the day job and treasure holiday times living in Cornwall immersing ourselves in the area.
When I knew it at first it was a tin mining area, hard rock miners and many our friends were miners past and present. With our love of geology and industrial archaeology the area acted as a magnet drawing us to explore more and more.
Botallack, and Levant now taken over by the overbearing auspices of the sterile National Trust. We knew them before they were made part of a collective 'estate', when we could roam free with the dogs and meet scarcely a soul for hours upon end.
We imbibed in local hostelries and sang our hearts out... 'Goin' up Cambourne hill, comin' down', the 'White Rose' and of course 'Trelawny.' Tell Man the folk singer raising everyone's spirits as the walls reverberated with song.
Roaming the coastal path for days on end. Filling our lungs with the fresh, bracing Atlantic air. Watching the squalls beat in and Atlantic waves crash against forbidding granite rock cliffs. No matter the weather, the two of us and our dogs revelling in the Cornish landscape.
Then at night and sometimes into the early hours conversing with folk who spoke broad Cornish. Learning and using such phrases as 'damned ee no!' and 'madder do ee'?' Welcoming being addressed as 'Pard' and 'Maid'. Turning as brown as a berry in the sunshine, watching for ripening blackberries to pick from lanes and 'hedges'. A Cornish 'hedge' is not be confused with the ordinary kind. The wily Cornishman built stone walls of granite rocks along the winding lanes. A work of art and geometry, placing individual pieces just so. Then, nature takes hold and plants work their way into crevices. Soon the whole takes on the appearance of a grass bank, but be warned it has a granite core.
Cornwall in the far south west maintains a separate identity in culture and language. For many, many years we would spend weeks down there. In fact, we'd run away from the day job and treasure holiday times living in Cornwall immersing ourselves in the area.
When I knew it at first it was a tin mining area, hard rock miners and many our friends were miners past and present. With our love of geology and industrial archaeology the area acted as a magnet drawing us to explore more and more.
Botallack, and Levant now taken over by the overbearing auspices of the sterile National Trust. We knew them before they were made part of a collective 'estate', when we could roam free with the dogs and meet scarcely a soul for hours upon end.
We imbibed in local hostelries and sang our hearts out... 'Goin' up Cambourne hill, comin' down', the 'White Rose' and of course 'Trelawny.' Tell Man the folk singer raising everyone's spirits as the walls reverberated with song.
Roaming the coastal path for days on end. Filling our lungs with the fresh, bracing Atlantic air. Watching the squalls beat in and Atlantic waves crash against forbidding granite rock cliffs. No matter the weather, the two of us and our dogs revelling in the Cornish landscape.
Then at night and sometimes into the early hours conversing with folk who spoke broad Cornish. Learning and using such phrases as 'damned ee no!' and 'madder do ee'?' Welcoming being addressed as 'Pard' and 'Maid'. Turning as brown as a berry in the sunshine, watching for ripening blackberries to pick from lanes and 'hedges'. A Cornish 'hedge' is not be confused with the ordinary kind. The wily Cornishman built stone walls of granite rocks along the winding lanes. A work of art and geometry, placing individual pieces just so. Then, nature takes hold and plants work their way into crevices. Soon the whole takes on the appearance of a grass bank, but be warned it has a granite core.
Friday, 18 October 2013
October melancholy
October by Edward Thomas
The green elm with the one great bough of gold
Lets leaves into the grass slip, one by one,---
The short hill grass, the mushrooms small, milk-white,
Harebell and scabious and tormentil,
That blackberry and gorse, in dew and sun,
Bow down to; and the wind travels too light
To shake the fallen birch leaves from the fern;
The gossamers wander at their own will.
At heavier steps than birds' the squirrels scold.
The rich scene has grown fresh again and new
As Spring and to the touch is not more cool
Than it is warm to the gaze; and now I might
As happy be as earth is beautiful,
Were I some other or with earth could turn
In alternation of violet and rose,
Harebell and snowdrop, at their season due,
And gorse that has no time not to be gay.
But if this be not happiness,---who knows?
Some day I shall think this a happy day,
And this mood by the name of melancholy
Shall no more blackened and obscured be.
This poem sprang to mind after today's Tai chi practice.
October a somber month full of melancholy.
Days drawing in, the dark extending to encompass days as dire news and portents abound.
Wicca - October is the approach to the season of Samhain pronounced So-wain. - the end of summer when the worlds draw closer together. A time of dreary days and sorrowful tidings.
Death abounds and reaps at will.
One dear friend no longer celebrates Christmas it is forever overshadowed by the death of her husband. She is now the last of that generation of her family to be alive.
At Tai Chi there are people who are bereft or soon to be that way. Glenice has lost her sister, another person has lost her son. Today's tutor is going to a funeral to mark the passing of another Tai Chi instructor.
Instructor: Lee Davis-Conchie has lost his battle with leukaemia. Clive and some other Tai Chi tutors are going to represent Tai Chi Chen at Lee's funeral, to show respect, to support his widow, to celebrate the life of.an exponent of the art.
Today, after the training Clive went to see his mother. She's in palliative care. I.e. the train has been set in motion for her exit from this world.
Then there's May, Barbara's friend. Today her sister phoned to say their eldest brother is about to shuffle of this mortal coil. Next there are two click of the mouse friends.
Wendy recently lost her father. Faye lost her brother and it seems her sister is also most unwell.
October the season of melancholy...
The green elm with the one great bough of gold
Lets leaves into the grass slip, one by one,---
The short hill grass, the mushrooms small, milk-white,
Harebell and scabious and tormentil,
That blackberry and gorse, in dew and sun,
Bow down to; and the wind travels too light
To shake the fallen birch leaves from the fern;
The gossamers wander at their own will.
At heavier steps than birds' the squirrels scold.
The rich scene has grown fresh again and new
As Spring and to the touch is not more cool
Than it is warm to the gaze; and now I might
As happy be as earth is beautiful,
Were I some other or with earth could turn
In alternation of violet and rose,
Harebell and snowdrop, at their season due,
And gorse that has no time not to be gay.
But if this be not happiness,---who knows?
Some day I shall think this a happy day,
And this mood by the name of melancholy
Shall no more blackened and obscured be.
This poem sprang to mind after today's Tai chi practice.
October a somber month full of melancholy.
Days drawing in, the dark extending to encompass days as dire news and portents abound.
Wicca - October is the approach to the season of Samhain pronounced So-wain. - the end of summer when the worlds draw closer together. A time of dreary days and sorrowful tidings.
Death abounds and reaps at will.
One dear friend no longer celebrates Christmas it is forever overshadowed by the death of her husband. She is now the last of that generation of her family to be alive.
At Tai Chi there are people who are bereft or soon to be that way. Glenice has lost her sister, another person has lost her son. Today's tutor is going to a funeral to mark the passing of another Tai Chi instructor.
Instructor: Lee Davis-Conchie has lost his battle with leukaemia. Clive and some other Tai Chi tutors are going to represent Tai Chi Chen at Lee's funeral, to show respect, to support his widow, to celebrate the life of.an exponent of the art.
Today, after the training Clive went to see his mother. She's in palliative care. I.e. the train has been set in motion for her exit from this world.
Then there's May, Barbara's friend. Today her sister phoned to say their eldest brother is about to shuffle of this mortal coil. Next there are two click of the mouse friends.
Wendy recently lost her father. Faye lost her brother and it seems her sister is also most unwell.
October the season of melancholy...
Saturday, 28 September 2013
Mind - the gap
Throughout studies with the OU, by choice I followed science courses. Until then apart from geography and environmental studies I lacked science qualifications with the exception of biology. Sciences 'called' to me, dare I open the door and step across the threshold?
Well, I did and years of science courses came and went. The introductory science course was a cornucopia of biology, chemistry, physics and earth science. I passed and went on the Summer School at Herriot Watt, Edinburgh.
I also dabbled in technology and maths. My old maths teacher probably began spinning in her grave as the saying goes.
Success! The tutor was a delight and the course captured my imagination. Finding out about the maths behind rainbows and air bags in cars. Mustn't forget to mention the programmable calculator that also kept me on course. I even bought a book on algebra and another about Pi to read at leisure. Maths had been demystified and conquered.
Next I kept to Earth Sciences (feeling at home there). But, chemistry reared its ugly head, another monster to fight. Short course 'Molecules, medicine and drugs'. Once again the OU made the subject interesting and accessible. Chemistry 'demon' vanquished,
For various reasons including a need to choose EMA end of module assignment in preference to an exam. Psychology beckoned...
The courses were challenging, but I'm glad I did them...
So, what about this year?
Bring on a trip to the dark side. 'Worlds of English'.
Well, I did and years of science courses came and went. The introductory science course was a cornucopia of biology, chemistry, physics and earth science. I passed and went on the Summer School at Herriot Watt, Edinburgh.
I also dabbled in technology and maths. My old maths teacher probably began spinning in her grave as the saying goes.
Success! The tutor was a delight and the course captured my imagination. Finding out about the maths behind rainbows and air bags in cars. Mustn't forget to mention the programmable calculator that also kept me on course. I even bought a book on algebra and another about Pi to read at leisure. Maths had been demystified and conquered.
Next I kept to Earth Sciences (feeling at home there). But, chemistry reared its ugly head, another monster to fight. Short course 'Molecules, medicine and drugs'. Once again the OU made the subject interesting and accessible. Chemistry 'demon' vanquished,
For various reasons including a need to choose EMA end of module assignment in preference to an exam. Psychology beckoned...
The courses were challenging, but I'm glad I did them...
So, what about this year?
Bring on a trip to the dark side. 'Worlds of English'.
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Since the 1980s
"Staff have been brutalized by successive govts of all shades. A throw-away mentality predominates."
I feel the need to offload, to stand up and be counted.
Why?
Because we are in the throes of the political silly season and the cud is being chewed to no avail.
Teachers or I ought to say good/real/true teachers never switch off from education. It haunts and rules their lives.
Add on onerous time-wasting tasks set by Government. Impose a culture where teachers are pilloried by successive Governments...
“A good teacher is like a candle – consuming itself to light the way for others.” ~ Anon
I feel the need to offload, to stand up and be counted.
Why?
Because we are in the throes of the political silly season and the cud is being chewed to no avail.
Add on onerous time-wasting tasks set by Government. Impose a culture where teachers are pilloried by successive Governments...
“A good teacher is like a candle – consuming itself to light the way for others.” ~ Anon
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Kudos to the OU
Today marks the launch of FutureLearn an initiative by the OU and other Universities.
Known as MOOC Massively Open Online Courses.
For more detailed information look here.
I've already shared info with two friends. One in Australia has a Yorkshire ancestry (West Riding) and is keen to know more. The course 'England in the time of Richard III' might appeal to her. The other friend is more a cup half full type, always sees disadvantages, never seeks a workaround,
I'm tempted to enroll, but first I need to tidy up some odds and ends of OU study.
Known as MOOC Massively Open Online Courses.
For more detailed information look here.
I've already shared info with two friends. One in Australia has a Yorkshire ancestry (West Riding) and is keen to know more. The course 'England in the time of Richard III' might appeal to her. The other friend is more a cup half full type, always sees disadvantages, never seeks a workaround,
I'm tempted to enroll, but first I need to tidy up some odds and ends of OU study.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Change of plans
Originally we were going to venture into the Pennines for a day out.
The inclement weather had other ideas. So our plan was shelved for another day.
The inclement weather had other ideas. So our plan was shelved for another day.
We had lunch at the Memphis Bell.
It's the sort of place you eat there, chat for a while, enjoy the food and say to each other, 'Must do this again'.
Monday, 16 September 2013
What's in a name?
Breakfast TV this morning did an intro regarding Derek Jacobi famous thespian.
I wondered why he was appearing on the programme. One short Internet search later and the answer appeared. Obviously he was going to talk about his autobiography published recently.
Cue another search, this time for the book Amazon has it and on Kindle. I read thro' the preview where he talks about his family. Curiousity piqued as he mentioned a family member with the unusual name of Salome Lapland. Next 'move' was to Find My Past and another search.
Result a registered maritime birth
Name: LAPLAND
Date of birth: 17 September 1920
Date reported: December 1920
Father's name: SCHNEIDER, Mendel
Mother's name: SCHNEIDER, Hasia Czasia
Mother's maiden name: Cyasia
Ship's name: Lapland
Series:
BT334 - Registers and Indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths of Passengers and Seamen at Sea
Census details
1901 census transcription details for: Goodmans Fields. 55, Leman Street, Whitechapel
SCHNEIDER, Israel Head Married M 28 1873 Tailor Russia
SCHNEIDER, Eida Wife Married F 28 1873 Russia
SCHNEIDER, Bessie Daughter Single F 4 1897 London
SCHNEIDER, Louis Son Single M 3 1898 London
SCHNEIDER, Jetta Daughter Single F 2 1899 London
SCHNEIDER, Mandel Son Single M 0 (6 MOS) 1901 London
Mendel's parents came from Russia.
Now for the Jacobi family
Derek's parents:
Daisy G Masters married Alfred G Jacobi
Name: MASTERS, Daisy Gertrude
Registration district: Essex South Western
County: Essex
Year of registration: 1936
Quarter of registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
Spouse's last name: Jacobi
1911 census transcription details for: 21 Poplars Road Leyton
Age Born Occupation Where Born
JACOBI, Henry William Head Married M 28 1883 Boot Maker London Mare St Hackney
JACOBI, Elizabeth Rebecca Wife Married 5 years F 25 1886 London Haggerston
JACOBI, Henry William Son M 4 1907 London Hackney
JACOBI, Alfred George Son Married M 0 (7 MONTHS) 1911 London Bethnal Green
I wondered why he was appearing on the programme. One short Internet search later and the answer appeared. Obviously he was going to talk about his autobiography published recently.
Cue another search, this time for the book Amazon has it and on Kindle. I read thro' the preview where he talks about his family. Curiousity piqued as he mentioned a family member with the unusual name of Salome Lapland. Next 'move' was to Find My Past and another search.
Result a registered maritime birth
Name: LAPLAND
Date of birth: 17 September 1920
Date reported: December 1920
Father's name: SCHNEIDER, Mendel
Mother's name: SCHNEIDER, Hasia Czasia
Mother's maiden name: Cyasia
Ship's name: Lapland
Series:
BT334 - Registers and Indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths of Passengers and Seamen at Sea
Census details
1901 census transcription details for: Goodmans Fields. 55, Leman Street, Whitechapel
SCHNEIDER, Israel Head Married M 28 1873 Tailor Russia
SCHNEIDER, Eida Wife Married F 28 1873 Russia
SCHNEIDER, Bessie Daughter Single F 4 1897 London
SCHNEIDER, Louis Son Single M 3 1898 London
SCHNEIDER, Jetta Daughter Single F 2 1899 London
SCHNEIDER, Mandel Son Single M 0 (6 MOS) 1901 London
Mendel's parents came from Russia.
Now for the Jacobi family
Derek's parents:
Daisy G Masters married Alfred G Jacobi
Name: MASTERS, Daisy Gertrude
Registration district: Essex South Western
County: Essex
Year of registration: 1936
Quarter of registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
Spouse's last name: Jacobi
1911 census transcription details for: 21 Poplars Road Leyton
Age Born Occupation Where Born
JACOBI, Henry William Head Married M 28 1883 Boot Maker London Mare St Hackney
JACOBI, Elizabeth Rebecca Wife Married 5 years F 25 1886 London Haggerston
JACOBI, Henry William Son M 4 1907 London Hackney
JACOBI, Alfred George Son Married M 0 (7 MONTHS) 1911 London Bethnal Green
Sunday, 15 September 2013
As broad as it is long
Waking early, switched on the radio knowing sleep had fled I found myself listening to diverse channels.
Radio 5 live dumbing down for the masses engaging in lads chat. Puerile to say the least; with the 'presenter' in adoration of the sound of his own voice. [cringe-worthy]
Radio 4 extra ah, now there at last is hope of something to listen to. The last part of 'The Charm Factory' set in London 1953; apparently based on the Rank Charm School.
Before the next programme aired I hastened to change stations.
Later...
Morning Reports on 5 live and a story about a name:
Later...
Being Sunday it's fine to allow oneself a lie-in. Especially when the weathermen have been issuing dire warnings ahead of today's weather.
Back to radio 4 and Broadcasting House. Not a patch on its earlier incarnation with Eddie Mair (1998-2003).
Now for the Hawaiian name connection. Radio 5 live had found an interview with the owner of the long name. So, no need to attempt pronunciation, just play her pronouncement. Problem solved. No such journalistic nous for radio 4. Broadcasting House took delight in airing a news reader making a valiant attempt and when compared with the original most commendable. Kudos to the Radio 5 live news team.
Radio 5 live dumbing down for the masses engaging in lads chat. Puerile to say the least; with the 'presenter' in adoration of the sound of his own voice. [cringe-worthy]
Radio 4 extra ah, now there at last is hope of something to listen to. The last part of 'The Charm Factory' set in London 1953; apparently based on the Rank Charm School.
Before the next programme aired I hastened to change stations.
Later...
Morning Reports on 5 live and a story about a name:
Ms KeihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaeleIt made a great piece of reporting and can be found here.
Later...
Being Sunday it's fine to allow oneself a lie-in. Especially when the weathermen have been issuing dire warnings ahead of today's weather.
Back to radio 4 and Broadcasting House. Not a patch on its earlier incarnation with Eddie Mair (1998-2003).
Now for the Hawaiian name connection. Radio 5 live had found an interview with the owner of the long name. So, no need to attempt pronunciation, just play her pronouncement. Problem solved. No such journalistic nous for radio 4. Broadcasting House took delight in airing a news reader making a valiant attempt and when compared with the original most commendable. Kudos to the Radio 5 live news team.
Saturday, 14 September 2013
Two a penny
Another day and yet another storm in a teacup. With Auntie Beeb twisting her undergarments into knots.
Why all the fuss and bother? Apparently, the other part of the present coalition (am tempted to say Rump*) needed to hit the headlines. Late September, early October is the political pantomime season here in good old Blighty. Note not 'UK' that would make another blog post.
Last week the Unions held their conference (TUC). This week the focus is on Glasgow where Nick and his lot are hoping for a share in the limelight. They have been talking about plastic bags beloved of supermarket checkouts, despaired by environmentalists! And, wait for it...the idea is proposed for 2015? Nick talking as though his party will still have a say-so after the election? Dream on, dear boy.
According to the Yorkshire Post, an Ipsos Mori poll shows 45% of his party is unhappy.
So one of out Celtic nations led the way, did they?
Wales - the Welsh Assembly 2011 introduced a levy on plastic bags. So what? That's just a tad late in the day as Ireland led the way in 2003!
Now Nick is blethering on about introducing a similar idea in 2015...what a joke! His idea is half-hearted, only applicable to larger stores and supermarkets. Take a look across the Irish Sea, Nick they beat you to it 10 years ago and did it more thoroughly.
Why all the fuss and bother? Apparently, the other part of the present coalition (am tempted to say Rump*) needed to hit the headlines. Late September, early October is the political pantomime season here in good old Blighty. Note not 'UK' that would make another blog post.
Last week the Unions held their conference (TUC). This week the focus is on Glasgow where Nick and his lot are hoping for a share in the limelight. They have been talking about plastic bags beloved of supermarket checkouts, despaired by environmentalists! And, wait for it...the idea is proposed for 2015? Nick talking as though his party will still have a say-so after the election? Dream on, dear boy.
According to the Yorkshire Post, an Ipsos Mori poll shows 45% of his party is unhappy.
So one of out Celtic nations led the way, did they?
Wales - the Welsh Assembly 2011 introduced a levy on plastic bags. So what? That's just a tad late in the day as Ireland led the way in 2003!
Now Nick is blethering on about introducing a similar idea in 2015...what a joke! His idea is half-hearted, only applicable to larger stores and supermarkets. Take a look across the Irish Sea, Nick they beat you to it 10 years ago and did it more thoroughly.
Friday, 13 September 2013
Storm in a tea-cup?
Suddenly the media is alive with stories for and against privatisation. The Today programme on Radio 4 interviewed representatives from both sides. Then they broadcast a dystopian and a utopian view of the self-off.
Now, social media is full of posts urging against the sell-off.
To me it's history repeating. The biggest sell-offs were in the 1980s under a former Tory leadership. Okay so in theory there's a coalition, but who wears the trousers? Tories of course!
Many folk may have a child-like view of our mail services as shown in the children's series about Postman Pat and his black and white cat.
John Cunliffe wrote the books and scripts which were animated and directed by Ivor Wood. The first episode, was broadcast on 16 September 1981. He painted in words idyllic scenes of rural life with a lovable postman and Jess, his ever-faithful cat.
One of my uncles was a postman in the 1950s and this was probably when the mail service had a good reputation. Unfortunately this image soon became tarnished. Today's incarnation bearing no resemblance to the good old days.
Now, when you post something you hope it will arrive at its destination, but there's no guarantee. Some folk are duped into paying for an assortment of over-priced services in the hope of guaranteed delivery. One of them being registered post. Money for old rope as the saying goes.
My uncle had a fixed route and like Pat got to know folk on his route.Those were the times of two deliveries a day.
There was none of the mass-marketing of junk mail so prevalent today. Now we need the Mail Preference Service to opt out of some of the mailings.
In the sixties regional newspapers got together to investigate the mail service. It was quite simple. Mail was sent from the towns by the local newspapers to given addresses and a record kept and published of the results. Some places fared worse than others.
1512 - Sir Brian Tuke appointed Minister of the Posts (Henry VIII)
1635 - Charles I postal service
1660 - Charles II public post office
1783 - Postmen had a uniform
1840 - Penny black postage stamp
1852 - Green post box (Jersey)
1881 - Postal Order
1968 - 2nd class stamps
1990 - Parcelforce
2001 - £2 million (wasted) spent on re-branding, mail service now called 'Consignia'
2002 - Renamed 'Royal Mail Group'.
2006 - PostComm became regulator and mail lost its monopoly.
2007 - 2500 branches faced closure.
2009 - Labour gov proposed privatisation and were defeated by CWU union (Commercial Workers Union)
2010 - Coalition wanted to sell off the delivery side of the business.
2012 - Historic assets and liabilities of the Royal Mail pension scheme taken on by gov.
2013 - Second attempt by a gov Coalition to privatise. Opposition from CWU who propose strike action.
Full details can be read in the Telegraph (aka Torygraph)
From a personal standpoint, I have suffered from the vagaries of the postal system time and again.
The sorting office most prone to strike action and failure to make deliveries has since been closed.
Now, although the postal delivery folk I've met at the door have been pleasant, our usual guy doesn't come very often. Guessing he's suffering from stress, sometimes he remains in the local sorting office. This means his round is tacked on to another person's and if we are 'lucky' delivery is late afternoon.
Today was the giddy limit! Two letters (badly written) both dated mid-July flopped onto the mat.
Now, social media is full of posts urging against the sell-off.
To me it's history repeating. The biggest sell-offs were in the 1980s under a former Tory leadership. Okay so in theory there's a coalition, but who wears the trousers? Tories of course!
Many folk may have a child-like view of our mail services as shown in the children's series about Postman Pat and his black and white cat.
John Cunliffe wrote the books and scripts which were animated and directed by Ivor Wood. The first episode, was broadcast on 16 September 1981. He painted in words idyllic scenes of rural life with a lovable postman and Jess, his ever-faithful cat.
Now, when you post something you hope it will arrive at its destination, but there's no guarantee. Some folk are duped into paying for an assortment of over-priced services in the hope of guaranteed delivery. One of them being registered post. Money for old rope as the saying goes.
My uncle had a fixed route and like Pat got to know folk on his route.Those were the times of two deliveries a day.
There was none of the mass-marketing of junk mail so prevalent today. Now we need the Mail Preference Service to opt out of some of the mailings.
In the sixties regional newspapers got together to investigate the mail service. It was quite simple. Mail was sent from the towns by the local newspapers to given addresses and a record kept and published of the results. Some places fared worse than others.
1512 - Sir Brian Tuke appointed Minister of the Posts (Henry VIII)
1635 - Charles I postal service
1660 - Charles II public post office
1783 - Postmen had a uniform
1840 - Penny black postage stamp
1852 - Green post box (Jersey)
1881 - Postal Order
1968 - 2nd class stamps
1990 - Parcelforce
2001 - £2 million (wasted) spent on re-branding, mail service now called 'Consignia'
2002 - Renamed 'Royal Mail Group'.
2006 - PostComm became regulator and mail lost its monopoly.
2007 - 2500 branches faced closure.
2009 - Labour gov proposed privatisation and were defeated by CWU union (Commercial Workers Union)
2010 - Coalition wanted to sell off the delivery side of the business.
2012 - Historic assets and liabilities of the Royal Mail pension scheme taken on by gov.
2013 - Second attempt by a gov Coalition to privatise. Opposition from CWU who propose strike action.
Full details can be read in the Telegraph (aka Torygraph)
From a personal standpoint, I have suffered from the vagaries of the postal system time and again.
- 1980s strikes by postal workers led to tonnes of mail being destroyed rather than delivered. I lost photographs. Then there have been various other irregularities:
- Exam papers found thrown away instead of delivery.
- Postal workers charged/imprisoned for siphoning off some mail and failing to delivery quantities of mail.
- The predilection of delivery drivers to arrive with card saying 'sorry you were out' instead of waiting for the door to be answered and in some cases not even attempting to knock or ring the bell.
The sorting office most prone to strike action and failure to make deliveries has since been closed.
Now, although the postal delivery folk I've met at the door have been pleasant, our usual guy doesn't come very often. Guessing he's suffering from stress, sometimes he remains in the local sorting office. This means his round is tacked on to another person's and if we are 'lucky' delivery is late afternoon.
Today was the giddy limit! Two letters (badly written) both dated mid-July flopped onto the mat.
Monday, 9 September 2013
Tonic sol-fa
Reading a blog post from a lovely click of the mouse friend, I find she's been learning to sing. Almost instantly the memory banks brought up a scene from junior school days. Must have been when I was 9 or 10. We were drilled in the tonic sol-fa and although it seemed a tough ask at first became easier with more practice. The teacher turned it into a challenge as she told/showed us to go thro' leaping Doh-Soh and many other combinations. She gave us all a good grounding.
It made music lessons at grammar school with the music master more enjoyable as those from local junior schools were already ahead of some from other schools. It was a sad day when our music teacher left us to teach in the other local school. But it's so long ago that although I can picture her and her lessons I no longer know her name.
As for the berries? After the prolonged fine weather this year the rowan is making a lovely display.
The pear and apple trees did not like the hot weather. This is the only decent looking pear.
As for the berries? After the prolonged fine weather this year the rowan is making a lovely display.
Thursday, 5 September 2013
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