Yep, a week to go and the third series of Doctor Who begins.
The trailers look brilliant. Are they Sontarans in the first episode? Will Martha Jones be able to return to Earth? What are the witches doing with William Shakespeare? What secret will the Face of Bo explain to the Doctor? What evil plan do the Daleks have in Manhatten? Who is Mr. Saxon? And does Captain Jack hold a grudge?
And to cap it all, a fourth series has been commissioned and David Tennant WILL be the Doctor throughout. A master stroke for the all involved. He he he he he (for those WHO know).
Friday 23 March 2007
Blair's Gay Gordon
It seems that the Prime Minister did "a little skip" at seeing the first Civil Partnership ceremony on television.
Tony's speech to the lesbian and gay rights campaigning group Stonewall is just as important as the positive policies introduced for LGBT people since Labour came to power in 1997.
Who would have thought that a Prime Minister would address an LGBT function of this kind years ago when all the parties had hostility towards gay rights in their numbers? But here we are and it is a big step. Of course we cannot rest as there are those who would still deny LGBT people the hard won rights.
In the meantime, I am left with the thought in my mind of Tony sitting in Number 10 with a G&T doing his little skip and thinking, was it a Gay Gordon? I imply nothing!
Tony's speech to the lesbian and gay rights campaigning group Stonewall is just as important as the positive policies introduced for LGBT people since Labour came to power in 1997.
Who would have thought that a Prime Minister would address an LGBT function of this kind years ago when all the parties had hostility towards gay rights in their numbers? But here we are and it is a big step. Of course we cannot rest as there are those who would still deny LGBT people the hard won rights.
In the meantime, I am left with the thought in my mind of Tony sitting in Number 10 with a G&T doing his little skip and thinking, was it a Gay Gordon? I imply nothing!
Admitting mistakes
I want to take this chance to explain something, bear with me and you'll understand.
Like many others, I reluctantly supported the war in Iraq and hoped for a quick end and for the minimal number of deaths and injuries. The final total may never be known.
In the run up to the war I called for a UN-route and believed that the Inspectors needed the time necessary to find the so-called weapons of mass destruction (WMD). I remember watching Colin Powell addressing the UN saying where the weapons were and of course Iraq, under Saddam, did use WMD, especially against his own people.
However, we went in and once in it is right to support British troops and whatever people think of the war, I believe that the vast majority of British people do. We will pay for years to come for the decision to go to war, it has split communities, families and friends and made others feel insecure.
Of course in hindsight it is easy to be proved right or wrong. I remember in one Labour meeting saying at the time that I wanted the anti-war people to be right and people like me to be wrong. The thought of Saddam's Iraq using WMD against other countries and peoples is to horrible to think about and thankfully the decision taken by Blair and Bush is something we'll never have to do.
I was wrong and should have been more vocal and stronger against the war. I want British troops to come home as soon as is possible, but of course worry about what will happen in Iraq when they do come home. I am delighted that Saddam was caught and his reign of terror is at an end.
However, it is by learning from these mistakes that I could not and will not support military action against Iran as some American hawks seem eager to do. We must learn the lessons of Iraq.
This particular blog could appear to be how wonderful I am in seeing the light, it is not that at all, in fact if we could turn the clock back of course it would be easier for all of us, but we are where we are. We live in a democracy and learn by our mistakes, my mistake was listening to the intelligence which proved to be wrong and because of that thousands of Iraqis and alliance troops have been killed or injured rather than letting jaw jaw work.
I am not saying there should never be war again, we don't know what the future holds, but I do hope that in future we allow a bit more talking and a bit less action.
Like many others, I reluctantly supported the war in Iraq and hoped for a quick end and for the minimal number of deaths and injuries. The final total may never be known.
In the run up to the war I called for a UN-route and believed that the Inspectors needed the time necessary to find the so-called weapons of mass destruction (WMD). I remember watching Colin Powell addressing the UN saying where the weapons were and of course Iraq, under Saddam, did use WMD, especially against his own people.
However, we went in and once in it is right to support British troops and whatever people think of the war, I believe that the vast majority of British people do. We will pay for years to come for the decision to go to war, it has split communities, families and friends and made others feel insecure.
Of course in hindsight it is easy to be proved right or wrong. I remember in one Labour meeting saying at the time that I wanted the anti-war people to be right and people like me to be wrong. The thought of Saddam's Iraq using WMD against other countries and peoples is to horrible to think about and thankfully the decision taken by Blair and Bush is something we'll never have to do.
I was wrong and should have been more vocal and stronger against the war. I want British troops to come home as soon as is possible, but of course worry about what will happen in Iraq when they do come home. I am delighted that Saddam was caught and his reign of terror is at an end.
However, it is by learning from these mistakes that I could not and will not support military action against Iran as some American hawks seem eager to do. We must learn the lessons of Iraq.
This particular blog could appear to be how wonderful I am in seeing the light, it is not that at all, in fact if we could turn the clock back of course it would be easier for all of us, but we are where we are. We live in a democracy and learn by our mistakes, my mistake was listening to the intelligence which proved to be wrong and because of that thousands of Iraqis and alliance troops have been killed or injured rather than letting jaw jaw work.
I am not saying there should never be war again, we don't know what the future holds, but I do hope that in future we allow a bit more talking and a bit less action.
Wednesday 21 March 2007
A mixed day
What a day it has been!
This morning my work colleagues and I had a meeting with our Managers to talk about restructuring of our work. We are told that this is not to do with redundancies and this will be avoided if at all possible. Some of the work that we do will be shipped out to India. Well, it's meant to save the NHS money, i.e., lay off British workers and send to other countries where they probably pay a pittance for the work that we do. Of course, I will have the pleasure of knowing that if my job does go it will pay for another manager in the NHS, that seems the usual thing these days. How all of this is meant to help patient confidentiality and get patients seen quicker I do not know. However, on the bright side I found that we'd won £10 on Saturday's lottery and I won an extra kit-kat!!
Of course it's been Budget Day, never the most popular of events and is expected to be Gordon Brown's last as Chancellor. As a single person I have always been taken by the talk of hard working families and yes, sometimes, I do feel that a thank you to hard working single people would not go a miss. We pay our taxes as well. That aside, I cheered at the shock announcement of the 2p cut in income tax saying to my colleagues "where will that come from?" to find the 10p lower band will be axed. That worries me. That is being mild and I fear that our Labour Chancellor may be making a mistake on this and it will be low paid people suddenly finding themselves paying more tax and getting into debt because of it. I hope that Gordon is doing the right thing. I do however welcome an increase in ciggies, though one smoker feared an even higher increase, I too personally would have liked to have seen an increase of 20-30p for a packet of 20. There will be extra help for pensioners with insulation costs and the Budget is certainly aiming at the green agenda.
A mixed budget for a mixed day, still at least the NHS can now have some more managers with the extra investment. They don't send management jobs off to India for some strange reason!
This morning my work colleagues and I had a meeting with our Managers to talk about restructuring of our work. We are told that this is not to do with redundancies and this will be avoided if at all possible. Some of the work that we do will be shipped out to India. Well, it's meant to save the NHS money, i.e., lay off British workers and send to other countries where they probably pay a pittance for the work that we do. Of course, I will have the pleasure of knowing that if my job does go it will pay for another manager in the NHS, that seems the usual thing these days. How all of this is meant to help patient confidentiality and get patients seen quicker I do not know. However, on the bright side I found that we'd won £10 on Saturday's lottery and I won an extra kit-kat!!
Of course it's been Budget Day, never the most popular of events and is expected to be Gordon Brown's last as Chancellor. As a single person I have always been taken by the talk of hard working families and yes, sometimes, I do feel that a thank you to hard working single people would not go a miss. We pay our taxes as well. That aside, I cheered at the shock announcement of the 2p cut in income tax saying to my colleagues "where will that come from?" to find the 10p lower band will be axed. That worries me. That is being mild and I fear that our Labour Chancellor may be making a mistake on this and it will be low paid people suddenly finding themselves paying more tax and getting into debt because of it. I hope that Gordon is doing the right thing. I do however welcome an increase in ciggies, though one smoker feared an even higher increase, I too personally would have liked to have seen an increase of 20-30p for a packet of 20. There will be extra help for pensioners with insulation costs and the Budget is certainly aiming at the green agenda.
A mixed budget for a mixed day, still at least the NHS can now have some more managers with the extra investment. They don't send management jobs off to India for some strange reason!
Not long now
The adverts have begun and the new series starts soon.
Yup the third series of Doctor Who begins on BBC One on Saturday 31st March at 7pm with an episode entitled "Smith and Jones". Penned by Russell T. Davies, the trailers for the new series look excellent.
And of course talking Who on Saturday I attended the Dr Who - Invasion convention in Barking. Unfortunately, seventh Doctor actor, Sylvester McCoy, had to pull out and companion actress, Sophie Aldred, was running late, but we still had former Doctors, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Paul McGann appearing on stage together and they were joined by stage Doctor Who actor, Trevor Martin.
Over 400 people attended the convention with Daleks gliding around. I have now booked to go to Swansea in September for a further convention, entitled "Regenerations". More will follow on that.
Yup the third series of Doctor Who begins on BBC One on Saturday 31st March at 7pm with an episode entitled "Smith and Jones". Penned by Russell T. Davies, the trailers for the new series look excellent.
And of course talking Who on Saturday I attended the Dr Who - Invasion convention in Barking. Unfortunately, seventh Doctor actor, Sylvester McCoy, had to pull out and companion actress, Sophie Aldred, was running late, but we still had former Doctors, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Paul McGann appearing on stage together and they were joined by stage Doctor Who actor, Trevor Martin.
Over 400 people attended the convention with Daleks gliding around. I have now booked to go to Swansea in September for a further convention, entitled "Regenerations". More will follow on that.
Tuesday 20 March 2007
Farewell to a "game old bird"
At last night's Full Council meeting we were informed of the death of former Councillor and ex-Mayor, Mary Neuner.
Mary had served on the Council in the old Crouch End ward from 1986-90 and then in Alexandra ward from 1990-2002. She was Mayor during 1990-91 and again in 2001-02. It was during this time that I had the pleasure of being the Mayor's Escort to Mary in my time off the Council.
Mary worked hard with the Koblenz Friendship Association, one of the Towns that Haringey is twinned with, the Junior Citizenships, mainly based at St. Thomas Moore School, and of course the Renate Campbell Trust helping deaf people and people with hearing difficulties.
As I mentioned in my tribue to Mary at Council, Mary had a wicked and rude sense of humour and her jokes about her time at the BBC could turn the air blue. She was a game old bird.
Mary, thank you for enriching our lives.
Mary had served on the Council in the old Crouch End ward from 1986-90 and then in Alexandra ward from 1990-2002. She was Mayor during 1990-91 and again in 2001-02. It was during this time that I had the pleasure of being the Mayor's Escort to Mary in my time off the Council.
Mary worked hard with the Koblenz Friendship Association, one of the Towns that Haringey is twinned with, the Junior Citizenships, mainly based at St. Thomas Moore School, and of course the Renate Campbell Trust helping deaf people and people with hearing difficulties.
As I mentioned in my tribue to Mary at Council, Mary had a wicked and rude sense of humour and her jokes about her time at the BBC could turn the air blue. She was a game old bird.
Mary, thank you for enriching our lives.
Sunday 18 March 2007
Aren't Mum's just great
To all the hard working Mums out there.
You're great and have a Happy Mother's Day!!
You're great and have a Happy Mother's Day!!
Saturday 17 March 2007
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
First to my Father, secondly to Noel Park Irish residents and third to all Irish folk everywhere, have a great St. Patrick's Day!!
Monday 12 March 2007
Old clips needed
To any one reading this blog-site, this is an appeal!
The BBC Restoration Team are seeking help in finding lost episodes or clips from old episodes of Doctor Who.
Sadly, over 100 episodes of the original 700+ episodes of the classic series are missing, however, over the years some have been returned to the BBC (found in car boot sales, Church Halls, Nigeria television stations just to name three). It wasn't only Dr Who where the films were destroyed. In the days before DVD, videos and all that complicated stuff, whole films of old television programmes, like 'Steptoe and Son', 'Morecambe and Wise', 'Quattermass' and old news programmes were junked to make way for newer material of the time.
Now with DVDs being really popular of old tv shows from the 50s, 60s and 70s it is hoped that people may be able to give or lend their copies over to the BBC or ITV, to be cleaned up and made available again. Even lost clips will count. To see these lost moments again, cleaned up and digitally restored is amazing.
Now, if you have episode four of 1966's 'The Tenth Planet' or the colour edition of part three of 1973's 'Planet of the Daleks' do let the team know at www.restoration-team.co.uk.
This may all sound sad, but remember when as a child you were offered the chance of going into a sweet shop and promised to have everything, only to have a bubble gum or sherbot drops and how disappointed you were, that's what it is like, but as an adult.
Many thanks in advance.
The BBC Restoration Team are seeking help in finding lost episodes or clips from old episodes of Doctor Who.
Sadly, over 100 episodes of the original 700+ episodes of the classic series are missing, however, over the years some have been returned to the BBC (found in car boot sales, Church Halls, Nigeria television stations just to name three). It wasn't only Dr Who where the films were destroyed. In the days before DVD, videos and all that complicated stuff, whole films of old television programmes, like 'Steptoe and Son', 'Morecambe and Wise', 'Quattermass' and old news programmes were junked to make way for newer material of the time.
Now with DVDs being really popular of old tv shows from the 50s, 60s and 70s it is hoped that people may be able to give or lend their copies over to the BBC or ITV, to be cleaned up and made available again. Even lost clips will count. To see these lost moments again, cleaned up and digitally restored is amazing.
Now, if you have episode four of 1966's 'The Tenth Planet' or the colour edition of part three of 1973's 'Planet of the Daleks' do let the team know at www.restoration-team.co.uk.
This may all sound sad, but remember when as a child you were offered the chance of going into a sweet shop and promised to have everything, only to have a bubble gum or sherbot drops and how disappointed you were, that's what it is like, but as an adult.
Many thanks in advance.
Saturday 10 March 2007
Now the work begins for Northern Ireland
The voters have spoken and Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists have topped the polls in Northern Ireland's Assembly elections.
Winning 36 (up 6) of the 108 seats, with Sinn Fein winning 28 (+4), it is now down to Paisley and Gerry Adams to try and come to terms and form a power-sharing Government. Whereas Sinn Fein and Adams appear to have moved far closer to democracy and are prepared to sit behind the table and work for Northern Ireland I hope that the DUP and Paisley will not keep using excuses to avoid what is needed.
For the record, the Ulster Unionists were down 9 at 18 and Labour's sister party for Northern Ireland, the SDLP were down 2 at 16. The Alliance gained a seat to have 7 seats, the Progressive Unionists held their only seat, the Greens won their first ever seat on the Assembly in North Down and an Independent, standing on a ticket to save a local hospital, was elected in West Tyrone. The UK Unionist leader lost his seat.
Let's hope that the Parties can work together. The Ballot Box has always been better than the Gun and Bullet.
Winning 36 (up 6) of the 108 seats, with Sinn Fein winning 28 (+4), it is now down to Paisley and Gerry Adams to try and come to terms and form a power-sharing Government. Whereas Sinn Fein and Adams appear to have moved far closer to democracy and are prepared to sit behind the table and work for Northern Ireland I hope that the DUP and Paisley will not keep using excuses to avoid what is needed.
For the record, the Ulster Unionists were down 9 at 18 and Labour's sister party for Northern Ireland, the SDLP were down 2 at 16. The Alliance gained a seat to have 7 seats, the Progressive Unionists held their only seat, the Greens won their first ever seat on the Assembly in North Down and an Independent, standing on a ticket to save a local hospital, was elected in West Tyrone. The UK Unionist leader lost his seat.
Let's hope that the Parties can work together. The Ballot Box has always been better than the Gun and Bullet.
No more whipping!
Sounds like I am into SM, well it ain't and I'm not!!
Earlier in the week I confirmed to my fellow Labour councillors on the Council that I will neither seek or accept nomination to continue as Haringey Labour Chief Whip in our group elections in May.
Having made the "neither" comment, one person liked the link to LBJ (ex-US President Lyndon Johnson), which I didn't realise until I re-read it. Typical, I thought it sounded such a good line.
My decision not to continue as Chief Whip is to spend more time with my ward constituents. Also, as a number of meetings of residents groups and other groups take place on Thursday nights and therefore it makes it more difficult to be at Labour Group and Labour Executive meetings, which also meet on Thursday nights. As Chief Whip, one needs to lead by example in attending Group meetings. So, my days of whipping are coming to an end as I pop off to the backbenches.
Earlier in the week I confirmed to my fellow Labour councillors on the Council that I will neither seek or accept nomination to continue as Haringey Labour Chief Whip in our group elections in May.
Having made the "neither" comment, one person liked the link to LBJ (ex-US President Lyndon Johnson), which I didn't realise until I re-read it. Typical, I thought it sounded such a good line.
My decision not to continue as Chief Whip is to spend more time with my ward constituents. Also, as a number of meetings of residents groups and other groups take place on Thursday nights and therefore it makes it more difficult to be at Labour Group and Labour Executive meetings, which also meet on Thursday nights. As Chief Whip, one needs to lead by example in attending Group meetings. So, my days of whipping are coming to an end as I pop off to the backbenches.
Another week gone
Well, that's another week gone by!
Quite a busy one actually and one which has been spent mostly doing ward work. If I have no meetings planned I usually try and visit local residents and do my e-mails, etc, which was the case for Monday. Tuesday was attending the Sandlings Residents' Association meeting and agreeing to organise a Quiz Night for them. Aaargh!!! Having said yes to Saturday 12th May I now find out that is Eurovision Night. I'm going to miss Eurovision for the first time in years (in fact the last time I missed this was during the Wapping dispute in the mid-1980s).
Wednesday was my surgery where a few people attended followed by going to the Noel Park Policing Ward Panel meeting. One of the concerns I raised was about people cycling on footpaths. The Police had actually done a number of fixed penalty notices that very same day. There was a suggestion about taking bikes from regular offenders, which sounds an excellent idea. How many more people should be pushed in the roads or have their bags stolen by cyclists? This may seem an attack on cyclists, it isn't, just those who think that they are above the law!
Thursday attended a General Purposes Committee and got home in enoguh time to see Spurs win in their attempt for European glory (hurrah!!) and last night my surgery at the Wood Green library. A couple of people said they were coming to me as our MP has appointment-only surgeries, whereas my four surgeries a month are walk-in surgeries.
As one person said, if the MP spent less time promoting herself on the radio and more time being available they'd have more respect for her. I do wonder how it is that when Barbara Roche was the Labour MP for Hornsey & Wood Green she could do four walk-in surgeries a month as well as a couple of appointment-only surgeries - and some of this was at a time when she was a Minister. So come on Lynne, how about it?
Finally, had another surgery this morning and now following up the cases from last night and arranging visits to local residents for the week ahead.
Tomorrow, will spend the morning walking around parts of the ward, followed by my local Labour Party Branch meeting (can't believe we booked this during the Spurs-Chelsea FA Cup match) and then later in the day I have a social meeting of HarinGAY, the Borough's local LGBT social group.
I'm free on Monday night so far!!!
Next Saturday will be fun though when I pop over to Barking for the one-day Dr Who Convention. Four former Doctors (Peter Davision, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann) as well as former assistant, Sophie Aldred (Ace), will be there, then I shall pop over to my Mum who also lives in Barking to see her for Mother's Day.
Quite a busy one actually and one which has been spent mostly doing ward work. If I have no meetings planned I usually try and visit local residents and do my e-mails, etc, which was the case for Monday. Tuesday was attending the Sandlings Residents' Association meeting and agreeing to organise a Quiz Night for them. Aaargh!!! Having said yes to Saturday 12th May I now find out that is Eurovision Night. I'm going to miss Eurovision for the first time in years (in fact the last time I missed this was during the Wapping dispute in the mid-1980s).
Wednesday was my surgery where a few people attended followed by going to the Noel Park Policing Ward Panel meeting. One of the concerns I raised was about people cycling on footpaths. The Police had actually done a number of fixed penalty notices that very same day. There was a suggestion about taking bikes from regular offenders, which sounds an excellent idea. How many more people should be pushed in the roads or have their bags stolen by cyclists? This may seem an attack on cyclists, it isn't, just those who think that they are above the law!
Thursday attended a General Purposes Committee and got home in enoguh time to see Spurs win in their attempt for European glory (hurrah!!) and last night my surgery at the Wood Green library. A couple of people said they were coming to me as our MP has appointment-only surgeries, whereas my four surgeries a month are walk-in surgeries.
As one person said, if the MP spent less time promoting herself on the radio and more time being available they'd have more respect for her. I do wonder how it is that when Barbara Roche was the Labour MP for Hornsey & Wood Green she could do four walk-in surgeries a month as well as a couple of appointment-only surgeries - and some of this was at a time when she was a Minister. So come on Lynne, how about it?
Finally, had another surgery this morning and now following up the cases from last night and arranging visits to local residents for the week ahead.
Tomorrow, will spend the morning walking around parts of the ward, followed by my local Labour Party Branch meeting (can't believe we booked this during the Spurs-Chelsea FA Cup match) and then later in the day I have a social meeting of HarinGAY, the Borough's local LGBT social group.
I'm free on Monday night so far!!!
Next Saturday will be fun though when I pop over to Barking for the one-day Dr Who Convention. Four former Doctors (Peter Davision, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann) as well as former assistant, Sophie Aldred (Ace), will be there, then I shall pop over to my Mum who also lives in Barking to see her for Mother's Day.
Friday 9 March 2007
Free no more
Yesterday brought the sad news of the death of actor, John Inman.
Some in the gay movement attacked his role of Mr. Humphries. Me? I laughed with him when watching 'Are You Being Served?' and I still do. It was gentle Camp humour, far better than today's swearing and violence.
John Inman was funny and is a sad loss to the world of acting and comedy. My thoughts go out to his partner, Ron, and their families and friends.
Somehow, you can imagine in the Great Thereafter as he is called into Heavan you can just hear him answering; "I'm free!"
Some in the gay movement attacked his role of Mr. Humphries. Me? I laughed with him when watching 'Are You Being Served?' and I still do. It was gentle Camp humour, far better than today's swearing and violence.
John Inman was funny and is a sad loss to the world of acting and comedy. My thoughts go out to his partner, Ron, and their families and friends.
Somehow, you can imagine in the Great Thereafter as he is called into Heavan you can just hear him answering; "I'm free!"
Wednesday 7 March 2007
Lords a leaping
As I write this blog, MPs are voting on whether to bring more democracy to Parliament.
Is the beginning of the end on the wall for the House of Lords? MPs have just voted to reject a House of Lords made up of a membership with 20% elected, 40% elected, 50% elected, 60% elected and all-member elected being rejected.
If we have to have a second Chamber, I would prefer a smaller all-elected Chamber. However, that probably won't happen but it looks likely that an 80% elected Chamber may go through. I hope so. I won't know the result before I finish this blog, I have my surgery to attend and then a Neighbourhood Policing meeting in Noel Park.
I have always found it amazing how we can call ourselves a democracy when for years over a thousand people, never elected, but decided on the Laws of the Land based on who slept with whom in the 1600s and 1700s.
The current Labour Government has done more to reform the House of Lords than the historic Labour Governments of Atlee in the 1940s and Wilson in the 1960s. The only near thing to reform was Asquith's Liberals in 1909 and 1910. Perhaps a hundred years on from an attempt at reform and it can now be done. And unlike in the early 1900s, it should not cause a Constituional crisis, if their Lordships know what is right for the contry.
That all said, I guess now my chances for a seat in Lords are out of the window. A small price worthing me thinks....
Is the beginning of the end on the wall for the House of Lords? MPs have just voted to reject a House of Lords made up of a membership with 20% elected, 40% elected, 50% elected, 60% elected and all-member elected being rejected.
If we have to have a second Chamber, I would prefer a smaller all-elected Chamber. However, that probably won't happen but it looks likely that an 80% elected Chamber may go through. I hope so. I won't know the result before I finish this blog, I have my surgery to attend and then a Neighbourhood Policing meeting in Noel Park.
I have always found it amazing how we can call ourselves a democracy when for years over a thousand people, never elected, but decided on the Laws of the Land based on who slept with whom in the 1600s and 1700s.
The current Labour Government has done more to reform the House of Lords than the historic Labour Governments of Atlee in the 1940s and Wilson in the 1960s. The only near thing to reform was Asquith's Liberals in 1909 and 1910. Perhaps a hundred years on from an attempt at reform and it can now be done. And unlike in the early 1900s, it should not cause a Constituional crisis, if their Lordships know what is right for the contry.
That all said, I guess now my chances for a seat in Lords are out of the window. A small price worthing me thinks....
Monday 5 March 2007
My first proper cry
Perhaps I should not mention this, but......
Now, I'm a Doctor Who fan and my earliest memory goes back to when Jon Pertwee was playing the Time-Lord battling Daleks and the Master in the 1973 story 'Frontier in Space'. He was accompanied by Jo Grant, played by Katy Manning.
And so two stories later and episode six of 'The Green Death' (the one with the maggots in) and it was to that fateful early Saturday evening, 23rd June 1973, when I had my first proper cry. Yup, not as a child not getting my own way or being sent to bed early or feeling unwell. Jo Grant was leaving the Doctor to marry Professor Jones and go into the Amazon rather than continue her travels in the TARDIS in time and space.
What!? I cried buckets at the thought of never seeing Jo again. No one told me about this beforehand, I wasn't warned about heartache. Here I was a child of 7 years and 9 months and having my first loss in life. Jo was a big sister for me, asking the questions that I couldn't think up and I had affection for her.
And here is the really serious thing. We don't teach children heartache at schools, about loss and losing loved ones and how it affects us. This has bugged me for years, when friends or family die or move away, it hurts, in fact it hurts badly, we all know, don't we?
OK, Jo Grant isn't a real person, but Katy Manning is. Sadly, she never returned to Doctor Who, but listening to her on the DVD commentary that she has done on 'The Green Death' and yes, this 40 years and 6 months old guy still has a sob.
Just wanted to mention it, that's all. Out of my system now.....
Now, I'm a Doctor Who fan and my earliest memory goes back to when Jon Pertwee was playing the Time-Lord battling Daleks and the Master in the 1973 story 'Frontier in Space'. He was accompanied by Jo Grant, played by Katy Manning.
And so two stories later and episode six of 'The Green Death' (the one with the maggots in) and it was to that fateful early Saturday evening, 23rd June 1973, when I had my first proper cry. Yup, not as a child not getting my own way or being sent to bed early or feeling unwell. Jo Grant was leaving the Doctor to marry Professor Jones and go into the Amazon rather than continue her travels in the TARDIS in time and space.
What!? I cried buckets at the thought of never seeing Jo again. No one told me about this beforehand, I wasn't warned about heartache. Here I was a child of 7 years and 9 months and having my first loss in life. Jo was a big sister for me, asking the questions that I couldn't think up and I had affection for her.
And here is the really serious thing. We don't teach children heartache at schools, about loss and losing loved ones and how it affects us. This has bugged me for years, when friends or family die or move away, it hurts, in fact it hurts badly, we all know, don't we?
OK, Jo Grant isn't a real person, but Katy Manning is. Sadly, she never returned to Doctor Who, but listening to her on the DVD commentary that she has done on 'The Green Death' and yes, this 40 years and 6 months old guy still has a sob.
Just wanted to mention it, that's all. Out of my system now.....
Going to Africa for good
Nope not me, but the ever-wonderful Jacqueline Pearce.
Jacquie has reported on her website that she will be moving to Africa to look after her monkies. She has been going out to South Africa on and off for the last year and has now decided to move out there at a monkey sanctuary.
Jacquie fought against cancer and the offer to go out to South Africa she announced last year.
One has to do what is right and I'm sure her decision will hurt many friends, but true friends will understand. I met Jacquie last year and had a fab meal with her and regret not having the chance to get to know her better. I'm sure the move will go well and there will be many straight men who will fall in love with her out there. There's many a gay man who loves her as well......
Jacquie has reported on her website that she will be moving to Africa to look after her monkies. She has been going out to South Africa on and off for the last year and has now decided to move out there at a monkey sanctuary.
Jacquie fought against cancer and the offer to go out to South Africa she announced last year.
One has to do what is right and I'm sure her decision will hurt many friends, but true friends will understand. I met Jacquie last year and had a fab meal with her and regret not having the chance to get to know her better. I'm sure the move will go well and there will be many straight men who will fall in love with her out there. There's many a gay man who loves her as well......
Time to come out
The race to become the new Labour leader (and thereby Prime Minister) and deputy Labour leader will begin in earnest shortly.
It's strange to think, but in my 25 years as a Labour Party member I have not actually voted for the person who has become Leader or Deputy Leader.
Labour MPs will choose who the candidates are. To stand a candidate needs 12.5% of Labour MPs to nominate them. Both Michael Meacher MP and John McDonnell MP want to be candidates, but somehow unless one of them withdraws, I fear (for them, that is) that neither will be on the Ballot Paper.
Like others, I want there to be a proper debate in the Party about the future direction of the Party and Government.
And then there is the deputy leadership contest. There are some strong MPs looking to stand, amongst them are Hilary Benn MP, Alan Johnson MP, Harriet Harman MP as well as Hazel Blears MP and potentially Jack Straw MP. There is also, Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham.
So, it's time to come out and say that I'm backing Jon to win. The Labour deputy leadership race is a real chance to look at the soul of the party, to re-engage not only with the party but the labour, trade union and community movements as a whole and I think that Jon Cruddas as Labour deputy leader can do that. I hope he will get the 40+ MPs to back him, because there are many thousands of party members and union political levy paying members who back him and want him to run and yes, even win! I'm one of them.
It's strange to think, but in my 25 years as a Labour Party member I have not actually voted for the person who has become Leader or Deputy Leader.
Labour MPs will choose who the candidates are. To stand a candidate needs 12.5% of Labour MPs to nominate them. Both Michael Meacher MP and John McDonnell MP want to be candidates, but somehow unless one of them withdraws, I fear (for them, that is) that neither will be on the Ballot Paper.
Like others, I want there to be a proper debate in the Party about the future direction of the Party and Government.
And then there is the deputy leadership contest. There are some strong MPs looking to stand, amongst them are Hilary Benn MP, Alan Johnson MP, Harriet Harman MP as well as Hazel Blears MP and potentially Jack Straw MP. There is also, Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham.
So, it's time to come out and say that I'm backing Jon to win. The Labour deputy leadership race is a real chance to look at the soul of the party, to re-engage not only with the party but the labour, trade union and community movements as a whole and I think that Jon Cruddas as Labour deputy leader can do that. I hope he will get the 40+ MPs to back him, because there are many thousands of party members and union political levy paying members who back him and want him to run and yes, even win! I'm one of them.
Saturday 3 March 2007
Bakers Who!?
The two former Baker actors to have played Doctor Who have recorded commentaries for forthcoming DVD releases.
Tom Baker (Dr Who number 4 from 1974-81) has recorded his first story 'Robot' along with Lis Sladen (who played Sarah-Jane Smith), Barry Letts (series Producer) and Terrance Dicks (story writer). As mentioned, 'Robot' was Tom's first story after taking over from Jon Pertwee in June 1974.
I remember 'Robot' very well being in the children's ward of the old Prince of Wales Hospital in Tottenham.
Colin Baker (Dr Who number 6 from 1984-86) has recorded 'Time Lash' along with Nicola Bryant (who played companion Peri Brown) and Paul Darrow (who played Tekker). Paul Darrow is more famous for playing Avon in all but one episode of Blake's Seven back in the late 1970s. The least said about 'Time Lash' the better I'm afraid.
'Robot' comes out on DVD on 28th May and 'Time Lash' in June. 'Survival', the last classic Dr Who serial is coming out on DVD on 16th April.
Tom Baker (Dr Who number 4 from 1974-81) has recorded his first story 'Robot' along with Lis Sladen (who played Sarah-Jane Smith), Barry Letts (series Producer) and Terrance Dicks (story writer). As mentioned, 'Robot' was Tom's first story after taking over from Jon Pertwee in June 1974.
I remember 'Robot' very well being in the children's ward of the old Prince of Wales Hospital in Tottenham.
Colin Baker (Dr Who number 6 from 1984-86) has recorded 'Time Lash' along with Nicola Bryant (who played companion Peri Brown) and Paul Darrow (who played Tekker). Paul Darrow is more famous for playing Avon in all but one episode of Blake's Seven back in the late 1970s. The least said about 'Time Lash' the better I'm afraid.
'Robot' comes out on DVD on 28th May and 'Time Lash' in June. 'Survival', the last classic Dr Who serial is coming out on DVD on 16th April.
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