Monday, 18 April 2016
Sunday, 10 April 2016
West Derby & Halewood
Liverpool Mail 12 December 1846
When clues are left behind on maps and in the landscape.
Top right of the map image note 'Finch house' on appropriately enough 'Finch Lane'.
Saturday, 9 April 2016
In more innocent times
Someone would ask...what is black and white and re[a]d all over?
To which the correct response would be.. a newspaper.
Today cynicism 'rules' and without recourse to actually reading something 'with understanding' far too many 'shoot from the lip'.
I would not normally embrace such Americanisms, but that one rings true.
'Shoot from the hip' has been conflated with 'to give someone lip' or 'to be lippy'. Lippy meaning impertinence.
Far too often in these days of persistent 'social media' folk post in haste with scarcely a nod towards anything resembling truth.
Publication over several pages of the 'news story' concerning the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 'Daily Torygraph' has been bruited abroad willy-nilly.
The articles are in the 'Torygraph' that bastion of all things upper class. Not a red-top, nor the home of tabloid journalism. One of several papers whose reporters are tasked with writing text for those well above the standard reading age of 10 years.
Long gone are the days when newspapers earned such epithets as the 'Thunderer'. Nowadays folk apparently lack the ability or willingness to search for truthful reporting. Instead their appetites have been whetted to seek 'down and dirty news' and the more scurrilous the better!
To which the correct response would be.. a newspaper.
Today cynicism 'rules' and without recourse to actually reading something 'with understanding' far too many 'shoot from the lip'.
I would not normally embrace such Americanisms, but that one rings true.
'Shoot from the hip' has been conflated with 'to give someone lip' or 'to be lippy'. Lippy meaning impertinence.
Far too often in these days of persistent 'social media' folk post in haste with scarcely a nod towards anything resembling truth.
Publication over several pages of the 'news story' concerning the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 'Daily Torygraph' has been bruited abroad willy-nilly.
The articles are in the 'Torygraph' that bastion of all things upper class. Not a red-top, nor the home of tabloid journalism. One of several papers whose reporters are tasked with writing text for those well above the standard reading age of 10 years.
Long gone are the days when newspapers earned such epithets as the 'Thunderer'. Nowadays folk apparently lack the ability or willingness to search for truthful reporting. Instead their appetites have been whetted to seek 'down and dirty news' and the more scurrilous the better!
Thursday, 7 April 2016
Thursday, 31 March 2016
With apologies to Robert Frost
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, becomes - Someone there is that doesn't love our trees.
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.'
Our poplar trees will never get across
And eat anything in your garden, I tell him.
He only says, 'Trees are dangerous and must be destroyed'.
Having got the Council to come around unannounced...he was disappointed to find that
None of those poplars are dangerous.
But...
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.'
Our poplar trees will never get across
And eat anything in your garden, I tell him.
He only says, 'Trees are dangerous and must be destroyed'.
Having got the Council to come around unannounced...he was disappointed to find that
None of those poplars are dangerous.
But...
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,
That wants it down.'
Someone there is that doesn't love poplar trees, or any trees, come to that.
Having chosen and bought a house that backs on to a row of poplars...he remains hell-bent on their destruction.
Here be poplars, posted here in the name of posterity.
“Every trees has its enemy, few have an advocate.
In all my works I take the part of trees against all their enemies”. Now, if only we would all play the part of an advocate for Nature, maybe we would regain a glimpse of the Shire or Lothlórien in our own woods. J.R.R. Tolkien
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
Wandering thro' genealogy
Strathclyde Uni are hosting a genealogy MOOC. Totally free and in week 2 mire interesting.
Being led away from standard searches and invited to find out by using a more rounded approach.
The Sidebottom family in the High Peak.
Samuel born late 18th century / early 19th century (yet to be determined)
Dau. Sarah married in All saints Church, Glossop 1853
This is where the fluid movement of folk cross county makes problems.
The town of Glossop and village of Hayfield vary in importance over the centuries with Glossop becoming an assemblage of villages and hamlets clustered round various churches. Hayfield's hamlets remained affiliated to the Parish church of St, Matthew until the growth of sundry non-conformist chapels.
Now for week 3 and delving deeper. Learning to use wildcard* searches.
What is an effective search?
Being led away from standard searches and invited to find out by using a more rounded approach.
The Sidebottom family in the High Peak.
Samuel born late 18th century / early 19th century (yet to be determined)
Dau. Sarah married in All saints Church, Glossop 1853
This is where the fluid movement of folk cross county makes problems.
The town of Glossop and village of Hayfield vary in importance over the centuries with Glossop becoming an assemblage of villages and hamlets clustered round various churches. Hayfield's hamlets remained affiliated to the Parish church of St, Matthew until the growth of sundry non-conformist chapels.
Now for week 3 and delving deeper. Learning to use wildcard* searches.
What is an effective search?
- One that returns results on highly likely matches
- One that returns results on the correct individuals
- One that doesn’t overwhelm you with too many results
- One that doesn’t underwhelm you with too little or no results.
Thro' the good offices of the O.U. my searching methods are already pretty good. Now they ought to be even better!
Seems the use of multiple genealogy sites is recommended.
Anc£$try is expensive
Find My Past is better value for money and gives loyalty discounts
Then there are multiple freebies.
Comparisons are the way to go.
FMP alone has the 1939 register, a mine of useful information
Anc£$try has some of the weirder info from nooks & crannies.
....wandering happily along continues
Seems the use of multiple genealogy sites is recommended.
Anc£$try is expensive
Find My Past is better value for money and gives loyalty discounts
Then there are multiple freebies.
Comparisons are the way to go.
FMP alone has the 1939 register, a mine of useful information
Anc£$try has some of the weirder info from nooks & crannies.
....wandering happily along continues
Saturday, 26 March 2016
weekend
Doubly memorable weekend as Easter 2016 coincides with a remarkable centenary.
From the Irish Times
This weekend’s events marking the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be rooted in respect and inclusivity -
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys has said.
Dublin city is a place I've visited and stayed in many times over the past 14 years. First as a birthday present to mark a certain birthday, then to celebrate my God-daughter's 21st and other times 'because it's there.'
A city rich in history and culture, a very much living history part of everyday life.
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Sunday, 13 March 2016
In a word
Since last October, I have been making my way through the Open Uni c*urse or module as they are now called. I prefer c*urse as it has a double meaning and was a term often used in the good old days of OU study.
Grammar in Context seemed likely to be doable, so I took the plunge. One has to take advantage of transitional arrangements while it lasts.
Previously, I completed Worlds of English which was hard work but thoroughly enjoyable. Cue my present studies, what a contrast - like as the old saying goes 'pulling teeth'.
Grammar in Context seemed likely to be doable, so I took the plunge. One has to take advantage of transitional arrangements while it lasts.
Previously, I completed Worlds of English which was hard work but thoroughly enjoyable. Cue my present studies, what a contrast - like as the old saying goes 'pulling teeth'.
The bane of E304 is the UAM-CT computer program.
A necessary evil...
Life is too short to detail the shortcomings of this insult to the term computer program.
Drilling down into texts by analysing the life out of them. Resurrecting knowledge acquired in junior school.
Both U214 and E304 have impacted on my ability to read and to listen. Unconsciously, I find myself taking apart texts as I come across them.
E.g. if someone says something is 'not chocolate' and then lists 'cocoa' in the ingredients my 'linguistics' etymology brain makes an objection since cocoa is the prime ingredient of chocolate, no cocoa = no chocolate.
Then I came across some folk talking about and recommending some sets of fiction books (series). Going to previews of those texts, reading or attempting to read a couple of paragraphs, my linguistics self shudders and I have to leave the page vowing to add those authors (loosely) to the do not bother with list, even if their texts are £0.00 i.e. free.
Snobbish? I don't agree, more like discerning and making better informed choices. I know folk who on picking up a book, 'must' read to the bitter end no matter what. No way would I ever punish myself like that now I have the option to decline. Schooldays literature was a 'must' therefore I ploughed through the works of Jane Austin and Thomas Hardy. I also over the years went though several works by Charles Dickens and Shakespeare; and a good grounding they were; not forgetting Chaucer.
Returning to the idea of reading choice and linguistics. The latest topics in E304 have been Tenor and Mood leading to analyses of texts from that angle. Looking at repetition, chains of meaning, lexical density along with grammatical density and cohesion. No wonder some authors with their pointlessly repetitive formulaic texts are to be ignored "shampoo-rinse-repeat sort of author, churning out the same old - same old".
Give me the fluent, richly worded, well-grated works of Tolkien, the most satisfying read in my experience. Also, other early twentieth century authors - along with the likes of the nineteenth century authors - Kipling, Wells. Not forgetting the other Inklings friends of Tolkien and brilliant writers in their own right.
Drilling down into texts by analysing the life out of them. Resurrecting knowledge acquired in junior school.
Both U214 and E304 have impacted on my ability to read and to listen. Unconsciously, I find myself taking apart texts as I come across them.
E.g. if someone says something is 'not chocolate' and then lists 'cocoa' in the ingredients my 'linguistics' etymology brain makes an objection since cocoa is the prime ingredient of chocolate, no cocoa = no chocolate.
Then I came across some folk talking about and recommending some sets of fiction books (series). Going to previews of those texts, reading or attempting to read a couple of paragraphs, my linguistics self shudders and I have to leave the page vowing to add those authors (loosely) to the do not bother with list, even if their texts are £0.00 i.e. free.
Snobbish? I don't agree, more like discerning and making better informed choices. I know folk who on picking up a book, 'must' read to the bitter end no matter what. No way would I ever punish myself like that now I have the option to decline. Schooldays literature was a 'must' therefore I ploughed through the works of Jane Austin and Thomas Hardy. I also over the years went though several works by Charles Dickens and Shakespeare; and a good grounding they were; not forgetting Chaucer.
Returning to the idea of reading choice and linguistics. The latest topics in E304 have been Tenor and Mood leading to analyses of texts from that angle. Looking at repetition, chains of meaning, lexical density along with grammatical density and cohesion. No wonder some authors with their pointlessly repetitive formulaic texts are to be ignored "shampoo-rinse-repeat sort of author, churning out the same old - same old".
Give me the fluent, richly worded, well-grated works of Tolkien, the most satisfying read in my experience. Also, other early twentieth century authors - along with the likes of the nineteenth century authors - Kipling, Wells. Not forgetting the other Inklings friends of Tolkien and brilliant writers in their own right.
Friday, 19 February 2016
Lawks a mercy
Sometimes it does my blood pressure a world of no good to read some of the proliferation of posts on social media.
Blame it on a grammar school and university education. No, I do not expect everyone to write with authority on whatever subject. But, I would like it if people were their own editors and did not willy-nilly share anything and everything.
I suppose it is my fault for continuing to read a long involved nebulous posting about a particularly serious topic.
Nor ought I to take much heed of morning 'news' programmes which instead of making appropriate use of in-house political correspondents (London-based) - send a general factotum type wally to stand outside Parliament with a microphone and cameraman.
The other so-called 'news' topic that 'got to me' was this mythological idea that feckless 'millennials' blame 'baby-boomers' for the world today!
Hooray for Tai Chi and the weekly opportunity to work my way thro' some of the 'old form'.
Guaranteed relaxation with mindfulness and exercise. Not forgetting the before and after chat in the group.
Only 8 today, must be the 'Half term effect' when grandparents take charge of grandchildren instead of doing Tai Chi. Hopefully, it'll get back to normal next week.
Blame it on a grammar school and university education. No, I do not expect everyone to write with authority on whatever subject. But, I would like it if people were their own editors and did not willy-nilly share anything and everything.
I suppose it is my fault for continuing to read a long involved nebulous posting about a particularly serious topic.
Nor ought I to take much heed of morning 'news' programmes which instead of making appropriate use of in-house political correspondents (London-based) - send a general factotum type wally to stand outside Parliament with a microphone and cameraman.
The other so-called 'news' topic that 'got to me' was this mythological idea that feckless 'millennials' blame 'baby-boomers' for the world today!
Hooray for Tai Chi and the weekly opportunity to work my way thro' some of the 'old form'.
Guaranteed relaxation with mindfulness and exercise. Not forgetting the before and after chat in the group.
Only 8 today, must be the 'Half term effect' when grandparents take charge of grandchildren instead of doing Tai Chi. Hopefully, it'll get back to normal next week.
Sunday, 14 February 2016
Saturday, 6 February 2016
Chen style
Apart from an enforced break for part of last year, I like to go to Tai Chi weekly. One group is composed mostly of ladies of a 'certain age'. We're a friendly, chatty bunch and meet up to socialise almost as much as for Tai Chi training.
I must have been practising Tai Chi for some four or five years, am not sure which. However, there was an enforced hiatus from November 2014 to April 2015. Only in the last two weeks have I resumed going twice a week.
The tutor(s) are the same for both, but other group is far more professional / serious.
Friday's group - meet up for a chat before the tutor arrives One of the ladies brings a CD-player and our movements are practised to gentle background music. At the end we have another chat them go our separate ways.
Saturday morning is far more business-like and the group is mixed. A few of the more advanced practitioners do two sessions one after the other. Some day I might, just might end up joining in both sessions. Before things went pear-shaped in Nov. 2014 I was well on my way to doing just that.
Happily, Tai Chi teaches patience...
It's an unusual situation, Friday's group are progressing by adding to the frame moves. Saturday's group has more beginners, we're revisiting the opening moves of the 'Old frame'.
Finishing on a lighter note...
This weekend there are celebrations for the Chinese New Year.
We're entering the Year of the Monkey or as some Australian wit would have it the Year of the Tasmanian Devil.
I must have been practising Tai Chi for some four or five years, am not sure which. However, there was an enforced hiatus from November 2014 to April 2015. Only in the last two weeks have I resumed going twice a week.
The tutor(s) are the same for both, but other group is far more professional / serious.
Friday's group - meet up for a chat before the tutor arrives One of the ladies brings a CD-player and our movements are practised to gentle background music. At the end we have another chat them go our separate ways.
Saturday morning is far more business-like and the group is mixed. A few of the more advanced practitioners do two sessions one after the other. Some day I might, just might end up joining in both sessions. Before things went pear-shaped in Nov. 2014 I was well on my way to doing just that.
Happily, Tai Chi teaches patience...
It's an unusual situation, Friday's group are progressing by adding to the frame moves. Saturday's group has more beginners, we're revisiting the opening moves of the 'Old frame'.
- First stage is xue jiazi or "learning the frame".
- Second stage is known as lien xi jiazi or "practising the frame".
- The third stage is nie jiazi or "correcting the frame".
"The student must be patient as every aspect of their body, movement and posture is carefully rearranged - drop your elbows, relax your shoulders, push out more with your hands"
Finishing on a lighter note...
This weekend there are celebrations for the Chinese New Year.
We're entering the Year of the Monkey or as some Australian wit would have it the Year of the Tasmanian Devil.
Thursday, 4 February 2016
Shopping took longer then expected
Occasionally, we make a trip to Warrington shopping. Not the mad busy shopping centre but to one of the trading estates followed by a cheaper supermarket.
What a good thing I keep puzzle books in the car to occupy myself. I certainly needed it today. Instead of quick-in and quick-out the time dragged on. No problem as I was busy with my puzzles until I began to feel cold. It was a miserable grey day with rain and gusting winds. Eventually, I gave in and moved to the driver's seat, started the car and began to warm myself up.
When he arrived, it became apparent there'd been ordering difficulties.
The way home was also unusual. There are massive roadworks involving a new interchange, so you never know which routes will be closed and have to be ready for diversions. Having successfully navigated that part we came to a halt not far from home. No vehicles were moving in either direction apart from those turning round to go the opposite way. The long stretch of road between two main junctions had been emptied of traffic. Leaving plenty of room for the fire services and obligatory police presence.
Gone are the days when no matter what happened, the flow of traffic was maintained.
Checking social media, there's no reports of the incident. Hoping the fire & rescue service will post something tomorrow.
We did not have long to wait, the fire was out when we arrived at the queue.
What a good thing I keep puzzle books in the car to occupy myself. I certainly needed it today. Instead of quick-in and quick-out the time dragged on. No problem as I was busy with my puzzles until I began to feel cold. It was a miserable grey day with rain and gusting winds. Eventually, I gave in and moved to the driver's seat, started the car and began to warm myself up.
When he arrived, it became apparent there'd been ordering difficulties.
The way home was also unusual. There are massive roadworks involving a new interchange, so you never know which routes will be closed and have to be ready for diversions. Having successfully navigated that part we came to a halt not far from home. No vehicles were moving in either direction apart from those turning round to go the opposite way. The long stretch of road between two main junctions had been emptied of traffic. Leaving plenty of room for the fire services and obligatory police presence.
Gone are the days when no matter what happened, the flow of traffic was maintained.
Checking social media, there's no reports of the incident. Hoping the fire & rescue service will post something tomorrow.
We did not have long to wait, the fire was out when we arrived at the queue.
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Torr Top Tunnels
New Mills is a remarkable place for its setting apart from anything else. This Derbyshire town is near Stockport. It is in the valley of the river Goyt at the confluence of the Goyt and the Sett. Words do not give it justice.
Typical of Derbyshire towns in the North of that county, the town was built from Millstone Grit.
Fast-flowing rivers were harnessed to power mills in the 19th century. The rivers pass thro' a gorge called the Torrs. Today it is a riverside park and includes a small hydro-power scheme. The deep gorge is breath-taking and is sometimes used by climbers.
I love making connections, some historical, others geographical and on occasion social.
WWI Belgium is known for the extensive trench system. What can be the link between WWI and a town in Derbyshire?
War diary
16 Dec 1917 - Torr Top Tunnels and Forrestor Camp Battalion moved into the TORR TOP TUNNEL SYSTEM and relieved the 17th Bn. Kings Liverpool Regiment. The Battalion entrained at FUZEVILLE at 12.15 p.m. and detraining at MANOR HALT at 1.30 p.m. Relief complete at 3 p.m. Battalion details were accommodated at FORRESTOR CAMP under command of Captain W.Hobbs [Wilfred HOBBS, MC]. 1 O.R. accidentally wounded.
In WWI the trenches and tunnels were named after local places.
Torrs river and mill
Millennium walkway
Typical of Derbyshire towns in the North of that county, the town was built from Millstone Grit.
Fast-flowing rivers were harnessed to power mills in the 19th century. The rivers pass thro' a gorge called the Torrs. Today it is a riverside park and includes a small hydro-power scheme. The deep gorge is breath-taking and is sometimes used by climbers.
I love making connections, some historical, others geographical and on occasion social.
WWI Belgium is known for the extensive trench system. What can be the link between WWI and a town in Derbyshire?
War diary
16 Dec 1917 - Torr Top Tunnels and Forrestor Camp Battalion moved into the TORR TOP TUNNEL SYSTEM and relieved the 17th Bn. Kings Liverpool Regiment. The Battalion entrained at FUZEVILLE at 12.15 p.m. and detraining at MANOR HALT at 1.30 p.m. Relief complete at 3 p.m. Battalion details were accommodated at FORRESTOR CAMP under command of Captain W.Hobbs [Wilfred HOBBS, MC]. 1 O.R. accidentally wounded.
In WWI the trenches and tunnels were named after local places.
Torrs river and mill
Millennium walkway
Monday, 11 January 2016
Long ago
in the days before retirement...
Downward from Ladybower dam.
Somewhere I used to go in July to do a fieldwork investigation
Birchinlee village aka 'Tin Town'
Constructed to house and cater for the workers involved in the Derwent Valley construction project.
The Secret Valley - is the name of a booklet written about the construction of the reservoirs down the valley. It's full of images to show the removal and destruction of the villages, and farms that disappeared under the reservoirs.
Most unusually, construction took place during WWII.
One of the dams, Derwent has the two valve control towers crenelated and shaped like towers belonging to a castle.
That dam provided a practice site for the Dambusters raid as can be seen in the film 633 Squadron.
There have been a number of anniversaries when the valley has played host to vintage aircraft such as the Lancaster.
Unfortunately, I have no photographic evidence as it was in the days before digital photography and the aircraft flew past too fast. But, in the 1980s I was there when a pair of Phantoms (jet aircraft) beat down the valley. I still remember the sight and sounds as they roared past. What amused us was the group of students was frightened and tried to hide. The staff by contrast were looking skywards to enjoy the experience.
Most unusually, construction took place during WWII.
One of the dams, Derwent has the two valve control towers crenelated and shaped like towers belonging to a castle.
That dam provided a practice site for the Dambusters raid as can be seen in the film 633 Squadron.
There have been a number of anniversaries when the valley has played host to vintage aircraft such as the Lancaster.
Unfortunately, I have no photographic evidence as it was in the days before digital photography and the aircraft flew past too fast. But, in the 1980s I was there when a pair of Phantoms (jet aircraft) beat down the valley. I still remember the sight and sounds as they roared past. What amused us was the group of students was frightened and tried to hide. The staff by contrast were looking skywards to enjoy the experience.
When
your nearest and dearest, favourite computer Luddite goes on-line, there are suddenly a lot of random questions.
HP support assistant says...? Then it's a case of describing what to do next. I'll give him his due. For someone that once vowed 'never to use those damned things' he's coming on well.
What's brought about the change of mind?
Quite simply, a catalogue that used to arrive with a resounding thump on the doormat has gone on-line only. Added to that situation his shopping list for that catalogue and an invitation to subscribe to email for a £5 voucher off an order...
Mr Luddite is now ensconced with laptop and browsing the on-line catalogue.
As the saying goes - better late than never.
HP support assistant says...? Then it's a case of describing what to do next. I'll give him his due. For someone that once vowed 'never to use those damned things' he's coming on well.
What's brought about the change of mind?
Quite simply, a catalogue that used to arrive with a resounding thump on the doormat has gone on-line only. Added to that situation his shopping list for that catalogue and an invitation to subscribe to email for a £5 voucher off an order...
Mr Luddite is now ensconced with laptop and browsing the on-line catalogue.
As the saying goes - better late than never.
Thursday, 7 January 2016
Today
has been in two different parts...
1. Calming down a friend on social media who is prone to anxiety and was winding herself up over something beyond her ken, let alone beyond our control. Got her to re-focus away from world events and much nearer to home. She's returned to interacting with her playful puppy and anxiety has subsided.
2. Lexicogrammatical analysis. With one week to go, time to buckle down to my latest assignment. Who knew disassembling two contrasting media reports of the same event could yield so much to opine and to write about!
1. Calming down a friend on social media who is prone to anxiety and was winding herself up over something beyond her ken, let alone beyond our control. Got her to re-focus away from world events and much nearer to home. She's returned to interacting with her playful puppy and anxiety has subsided.
2. Lexicogrammatical analysis. With one week to go, time to buckle down to my latest assignment. Who knew disassembling two contrasting media reports of the same event could yield so much to opine and to write about!
Our unseasonable weather is confusing Spring bulbs
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Reporting...
Just because something appears in print does not make it a valid assertion. Yesterday the traffic was congested and some were performing U-turns to find a different route. Why?
As was went thro' the traffic light controlled junction (on green) we noticed that a police car was blocking one corner of the junction preventing access to the road leading to a number of schools.
In their 'wisdom' planners have in the past 5 or so years, demolished a primary school in one part of the Borough, built a new school about half a mile away and in so doing increased traffic congestion on nearby roads.
In a small area there are 4 schools.
2 primary total pupil numbers 440
Community academy with 965 on roll.
Private nursery taking 52 youngsters.
To access these schools means traffic uses one main road and a side road. Think for a minute...implication traffic numbers?
Since the majority of pupils are chauffeured to and from school, those local roads have too many vehicles using them. Add on the fact that both roads are main bus routes, the main road handles business, commercial and local traffic.
That junction became an accident waiting to happen.
A 13-year old came into contact with a double-decker bus and survived with leg injuries.
Reading local newspaper reports you'd be forgiven for thinking accidents were a regular occurrence.
The newspaper quoted local residents giving the impression that the road is extremely dangerous.
Stepping back from the media hyperbole...
Near the junction there's a row of shops that includes a newsagents / sweet shop and 'butty-shop'.
Both roads have traffic calming measures. They are controlled by traffic lights and zebra (pelican) crossing. The side road has speed bumps.
Think back in time, some 30 years to another schoolchild accident at that junction. No-one blamed the driver, as there were numerous witnesses that saw and reported the lad running across the road without paying any attention to traffic.
I'm guessing something similar occurred yesterday as a lad dived across the road and was 'collected' by the bus. My sympathies lie with the bus driver. I lay the blame at the door of the planners. Expecting a road junction with its 'honeypots' schools, shops and traffic volume to cope with some 1450+ youngsters, parents, commuters and goods vehicles...
beggars belief.
As was went thro' the traffic light controlled junction (on green) we noticed that a police car was blocking one corner of the junction preventing access to the road leading to a number of schools.
In their 'wisdom' planners have in the past 5 or so years, demolished a primary school in one part of the Borough, built a new school about half a mile away and in so doing increased traffic congestion on nearby roads.
In a small area there are 4 schools.
2 primary total pupil numbers 440
Community academy with 965 on roll.
Private nursery taking 52 youngsters.
To access these schools means traffic uses one main road and a side road. Think for a minute...implication traffic numbers?
Since the majority of pupils are chauffeured to and from school, those local roads have too many vehicles using them. Add on the fact that both roads are main bus routes, the main road handles business, commercial and local traffic.
That junction became an accident waiting to happen.
A 13-year old came into contact with a double-decker bus and survived with leg injuries.
Reading local newspaper reports you'd be forgiven for thinking accidents were a regular occurrence.
The newspaper quoted local residents giving the impression that the road is extremely dangerous.
Stepping back from the media hyperbole...
Near the junction there's a row of shops that includes a newsagents / sweet shop and 'butty-shop'.
Both roads have traffic calming measures. They are controlled by traffic lights and zebra (pelican) crossing. The side road has speed bumps.
Think back in time, some 30 years to another schoolchild accident at that junction. No-one blamed the driver, as there were numerous witnesses that saw and reported the lad running across the road without paying any attention to traffic.
I'm guessing something similar occurred yesterday as a lad dived across the road and was 'collected' by the bus. My sympathies lie with the bus driver. I lay the blame at the door of the planners. Expecting a road junction with its 'honeypots' schools, shops and traffic volume to cope with some 1450+ youngsters, parents, commuters and goods vehicles...
beggars belief.
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
Another 12 months
Saw the G.P. and duly went thro' my 'shopping list' of queries. Usually when on repeat medication, there's a 6-monthly G.P. review. Fortunately for me, mine has now become 12-monthly. This means my prescriptions will continue to arrive electronically with the pharmacy and they can dispensing at 2-monthly intervals.
It is a sign of ageing but one that is easy to cope with.
As I said, it was a new G.P. for me, and OH knows him well as he's had him for several years and gets on well with him.
Another problem of our creaky N.H.S. is that some areas have been taken over by companies that have a contract to provide G.P. services. They have medical centres but each has only one full-time G.P. From time to time there are temporary part-timers who arrive, stay for a few months then move on.
Long gone are the days when a doctor knew a family from 'cradle to grave'.
Such is 'progress'.
It is a sign of ageing but one that is easy to cope with.
As I said, it was a new G.P. for me, and OH knows him well as he's had him for several years and gets on well with him.
Another problem of our creaky N.H.S. is that some areas have been taken over by companies that have a contract to provide G.P. services. They have medical centres but each has only one full-time G.P. From time to time there are temporary part-timers who arrive, stay for a few months then move on.
Long gone are the days when a doctor knew a family from 'cradle to grave'.
Such is 'progress'.
Monday, 4 January 2016
Goods and services?
The start of the New Year and thinking that the refuse collection would happen in the early hours c 7 a.m. for once we put the bins out overnight. Did they come then, no they did not. They turned up in the afternoon. Changing the collection day from Fridays to Mondays has been challenging when you've spent goodness knows how many years on the other system.
In another schedule change, we decided to do Thursday's shopping today. That was a good plan. Roads and shop were quiet and we were back by 10 a.m.
Next, our friendly window cleaner arrived to do his usual good offices. He was taken aback when he noticed the results of my fall (Dec. 30th 2015)
Truth to tell, I am mending well. After all it is over two years since the last time I measured my length.
Coincidentally, I have a G.P. review tomorrow morning, but not with my usual G.P.
I'm told the guy has good English skills and OH has nothing but praise for him. Time will tell. Here was me hoping for a 'rubber stamp' appointment, but I guess falling might be discussed. I was putting it down to tempus fugit, but some reading up leads me to think it might be a Vit. D absorption problem. I've spent since last June taking additional Calcium and occasional Vit. D. top-ups. There's something called short bowel syndrome and I guess my op in Nov. 2014 might have contributed to it.
Fingers crossed the G.P. does not find any other underlying problems.
In another schedule change, we decided to do Thursday's shopping today. That was a good plan. Roads and shop were quiet and we were back by 10 a.m.
Next, our friendly window cleaner arrived to do his usual good offices. He was taken aback when he noticed the results of my fall (Dec. 30th 2015)
Truth to tell, I am mending well. After all it is over two years since the last time I measured my length.
Coincidentally, I have a G.P. review tomorrow morning, but not with my usual G.P.
I'm told the guy has good English skills and OH has nothing but praise for him. Time will tell. Here was me hoping for a 'rubber stamp' appointment, but I guess falling might be discussed. I was putting it down to tempus fugit, but some reading up leads me to think it might be a Vit. D absorption problem. I've spent since last June taking additional Calcium and occasional Vit. D. top-ups. There's something called short bowel syndrome and I guess my op in Nov. 2014 might have contributed to it.
Fingers crossed the G.P. does not find any other underlying problems.
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