I shall be doing my surgery tomorrow then catching the train to head up to Manchester for the weekend for their Pride Weekend.
My main hope is that the weather stays good and it doesn't rain. Hopefully the sun will shine (finally) and I shall do my best not to do a repeat of Brighton Pride a few weeks back and go as red as a lobster.
Which has got me thinking...... I seem to recall from some of those involved in climate change issues warning of one of the hottest summers. Excuse me, but where would this be, certainly not North London. Thankfully some of those spreading doom and gloom about climate change and the weather weren't around during the Ice Age, no planes to blame there me thinks, indeed one wonders who would have been to blame for the ice melting... Perhaps this is the reason why I've never held the climate change and environment portfolio, I'd be asking questions all round.
Anyhow, whatever you're doing, here's hoping you have a good Bank Holiday weekend!!
Friday, 24 August 2007
BIG BROTHER AXED!!
Right, well that has caught your attention!
It's been announced that the (so-called) celebrity Big Brother for 2008 has been axed by Channel 4 "in the wake of the race row which engulfed the show's last run".
Obviously, C4 are wanting good points for that. It's just a shame that the current series of Big Brother wasn't axed.... not so much for the race reasons, but because it has been awfully dire this year.
I must admit I am a bit of a BB fan, yet other than the first series which I hardly watched, this year after Day One when all the women went into the House I'm afraid it was not so much Big Brother, but Big Turnoff.
It's been announced that the (so-called) celebrity Big Brother for 2008 has been axed by Channel 4 "in the wake of the race row which engulfed the show's last run".
Obviously, C4 are wanting good points for that. It's just a shame that the current series of Big Brother wasn't axed.... not so much for the race reasons, but because it has been awfully dire this year.
I must admit I am a bit of a BB fan, yet other than the first series which I hardly watched, this year after Day One when all the women went into the House I'm afraid it was not so much Big Brother, but Big Turnoff.
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Hello
What can I talk about?
Is it really that long since I last blogged? And so much has taken place!!
Elections and polls..... Lots of talk about whether there will be an early general election, depending on what happens during the remainder of August, my money is still on for Thursday 25th October. Recent by-elections, both Parliamentary and Council have been mixed, however the Ealing Southall by-election which saw Labour win by 5,000 votes is a massive boost, especially when you think about the Lib Dems pulling off by-elections wins, so well done to the Comrades there, however anyone looking at Joan Ryan's face at the Count would have thought we'd lost our deposit!
I have spent some time over in Tower Hamlets for the Council by-election in Shadwell ward followingn the resignation of a Respect Councillor. Unfortunately, Labour failed to regain the seat by 97 votes despite a 6% swing to us. Interesting is that since the Council elections last year, another Respect Councillor has defected to Labour, whilst other Respect Councillors seem more concerned about getting their allowances and how much the Leader of the Opposition gets.
Was down in Brighton last Saturday for the Brighton Pride, just a tad hot for me and I had a head like a tomato by the end of play, nuff said there me thinks......
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch, just finished my surgery. Was pleased to attend a couple of local events in Noel Park recently, firstly our Residents' Association held a really good Summer Social, nice to see so many neighbours turning out and meet one another - the whole aim of the event. Also attended the Sky City Health and Community Day - being the flats above Shopping City. All good fun!
Finally, last Friday night having been down to Vauxhall for a party with friends, had to dash back to go out with Haringey Enforcement Officers and visit the night clubs and bars on Wood Green High Road. Only when I saw the Officers wearing their protection stuff did I suddenly relise how dangerous their job can be.... and there's me in a tee-shirt not wanting to look too formal, ooops.
So much that I want to say, and promise that I will try and blog just a little bit more!
And the sun is shining!!!!
Is it really that long since I last blogged? And so much has taken place!!
Elections and polls..... Lots of talk about whether there will be an early general election, depending on what happens during the remainder of August, my money is still on for Thursday 25th October. Recent by-elections, both Parliamentary and Council have been mixed, however the Ealing Southall by-election which saw Labour win by 5,000 votes is a massive boost, especially when you think about the Lib Dems pulling off by-elections wins, so well done to the Comrades there, however anyone looking at Joan Ryan's face at the Count would have thought we'd lost our deposit!
I have spent some time over in Tower Hamlets for the Council by-election in Shadwell ward followingn the resignation of a Respect Councillor. Unfortunately, Labour failed to regain the seat by 97 votes despite a 6% swing to us. Interesting is that since the Council elections last year, another Respect Councillor has defected to Labour, whilst other Respect Councillors seem more concerned about getting their allowances and how much the Leader of the Opposition gets.
Was down in Brighton last Saturday for the Brighton Pride, just a tad hot for me and I had a head like a tomato by the end of play, nuff said there me thinks......
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch, just finished my surgery. Was pleased to attend a couple of local events in Noel Park recently, firstly our Residents' Association held a really good Summer Social, nice to see so many neighbours turning out and meet one another - the whole aim of the event. Also attended the Sky City Health and Community Day - being the flats above Shopping City. All good fun!
Finally, last Friday night having been down to Vauxhall for a party with friends, had to dash back to go out with Haringey Enforcement Officers and visit the night clubs and bars on Wood Green High Road. Only when I saw the Officers wearing their protection stuff did I suddenly relise how dangerous their job can be.... and there's me in a tee-shirt not wanting to look too formal, ooops.
So much that I want to say, and promise that I will try and blog just a little bit more!
And the sun is shining!!!!
Friday, 22 June 2007
It's all go!
Well, Rhodes was fun, Turkey was interesting, be quite happy to go back there.
Since returning, had a couple of days back home, did an extra surgery to make up for postponing one whilst I was away. Attended Hornsey & Wood Green's Labour selection meeting last Sunday where UNISON's head of health, Karen Jennings, was selected on the first ballot to be our candidate to fight the sitting Lib Dem MP. Karen lives in Muswell Hill, so it will be good to have another local candidate fighting for the seat.
After that I headed straight down to Bournemouth for the Amicus Policy Conference. Some may know that we are merging with the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU) to become Unite. Very interesting debates took place, I was able to speak on equality for young people with the national minimum wage, highlighting what I believe to be one of Labour's proudest achievements since being elected in 1997, however falling short by the fact that younger workers get a lower minimum wage than older workers. I also spoke in the debate on the BNP, reminding colleagues how the BNP had come within 5,000 votes of winning a seat on the London Assembly and the very risk of them winning a seat next year.
Let's be clear, the BNP do not only hate black and gay people, they hate the unions as well. It is all too easy to fall under the BNP spell if people are unhappy with job losses, but a swing to the far right is not the answer.
We also heard from Gordon Brown, PM-in-waiting and some of us who work in the health service were able to have a private meeting with him after his speech. Around 8 of us met Gordon and I had the chance to tackle him about how admin work from the North Middlesex Hospital is being sent to India, leading to job losses.
Attended the Noel Park Residents Association meeting last night, where my colleague, Cllr. Brian Haley, Cabinet Member for the Environment was able to discuss local residents concerns about buses in Gladstone Avenue (a long story) and the CPZ.
Off to Manchester tomorrow for Labour's Leadership Conference on Sunday (more on Monday).
Oh and with all that, still had time to pop into work for a couple of times, only to find out that my blood pressure is currently sky-high. But don't expect a by-election in Noel Park on the Labour side and to answer a couple of questions to me; I have been elected to serve as a Labour Councillor in Noel Park for four years and serve as a Labour Councillor I will. End of.
Have a good one till later xx
Since returning, had a couple of days back home, did an extra surgery to make up for postponing one whilst I was away. Attended Hornsey & Wood Green's Labour selection meeting last Sunday where UNISON's head of health, Karen Jennings, was selected on the first ballot to be our candidate to fight the sitting Lib Dem MP. Karen lives in Muswell Hill, so it will be good to have another local candidate fighting for the seat.
After that I headed straight down to Bournemouth for the Amicus Policy Conference. Some may know that we are merging with the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU) to become Unite. Very interesting debates took place, I was able to speak on equality for young people with the national minimum wage, highlighting what I believe to be one of Labour's proudest achievements since being elected in 1997, however falling short by the fact that younger workers get a lower minimum wage than older workers. I also spoke in the debate on the BNP, reminding colleagues how the BNP had come within 5,000 votes of winning a seat on the London Assembly and the very risk of them winning a seat next year.
Let's be clear, the BNP do not only hate black and gay people, they hate the unions as well. It is all too easy to fall under the BNP spell if people are unhappy with job losses, but a swing to the far right is not the answer.
We also heard from Gordon Brown, PM-in-waiting and some of us who work in the health service were able to have a private meeting with him after his speech. Around 8 of us met Gordon and I had the chance to tackle him about how admin work from the North Middlesex Hospital is being sent to India, leading to job losses.
Attended the Noel Park Residents Association meeting last night, where my colleague, Cllr. Brian Haley, Cabinet Member for the Environment was able to discuss local residents concerns about buses in Gladstone Avenue (a long story) and the CPZ.
Off to Manchester tomorrow for Labour's Leadership Conference on Sunday (more on Monday).
Oh and with all that, still had time to pop into work for a couple of times, only to find out that my blood pressure is currently sky-high. But don't expect a by-election in Noel Park on the Labour side and to answer a couple of questions to me; I have been elected to serve as a Labour Councillor in Noel Park for four years and serve as a Labour Councillor I will. End of.
Have a good one till later xx
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Hello from Rhodes
I am currently having a few days break being away from everything, but I don't know, one just can't stay away!!
Been in very sunny Rhodes since Wednesday and earlier whilst having lunch by the harbour watching the ships and people go by (and not a sailor in sight, let me tell you!), I was taken by how clean things are, despite very few little bins, and one wonders what can we learn back in England?
There are some big bins for the locals to dump their rubbish, similar to that seen by Sheila Peacock and myself over the new year in Verona, so perhaps there is something we can learn from our European neighbours in terms of cleansing, who knows?
Despite being away, still can't avoid key matters, like watching England beat Estonia 3-0 on Wednesday and checking up on the Big Brother information, now some men have arrived, my interest will have picked up!!
Anyway, popped out on the local "train" for a tour around Rhodes Town for 4 Euros earlier which lasted for around an hour and some lovely sights, this was followed by my lunch on the harbour.
And as a Religous person, it has also been nice to visit some of the local Churches, indeed, I have just been to Mass where the service was conducted in both Latin and English. Strange to know the English words suddenly become all romantic in Latin.
I'm off to visit Turkey on Monday, which is just 12 miles away! Sad fact time, I collect key-rings, so Rhodes and Turkey have now been added to my list, I mean just how sad is that?
Anyway, my time on the internet is fast running out, so tet-ta for now. (Oh and yes, I'm missing what looks like a good episode of Dr. Who.........)
Now, where's my drink??? xx
Been in very sunny Rhodes since Wednesday and earlier whilst having lunch by the harbour watching the ships and people go by (and not a sailor in sight, let me tell you!), I was taken by how clean things are, despite very few little bins, and one wonders what can we learn back in England?
There are some big bins for the locals to dump their rubbish, similar to that seen by Sheila Peacock and myself over the new year in Verona, so perhaps there is something we can learn from our European neighbours in terms of cleansing, who knows?
Despite being away, still can't avoid key matters, like watching England beat Estonia 3-0 on Wednesday and checking up on the Big Brother information, now some men have arrived, my interest will have picked up!!
Anyway, popped out on the local "train" for a tour around Rhodes Town for 4 Euros earlier which lasted for around an hour and some lovely sights, this was followed by my lunch on the harbour.
And as a Religous person, it has also been nice to visit some of the local Churches, indeed, I have just been to Mass where the service was conducted in both Latin and English. Strange to know the English words suddenly become all romantic in Latin.
I'm off to visit Turkey on Monday, which is just 12 miles away! Sad fact time, I collect key-rings, so Rhodes and Turkey have now been added to my list, I mean just how sad is that?
Anyway, my time on the internet is fast running out, so tet-ta for now. (Oh and yes, I'm missing what looks like a good episode of Dr. Who.........)
Now, where's my drink??? xx
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Big Brother's Little Sister..... Welcome Ellie!
No, this is not a reference to the latest Big Brother news, but I'm delighted to post and announce that Kate, the partner to my eldest nephew, Mark, gave birth at 1.15 this morning to Ellie!!
So, welcome Ellie to the family, to your Mum and Dad and big brother, Luke, and this great-Uncle is over happy for them all. Mum and daughter are doing just grand......
So, welcome Ellie to the family, to your Mum and Dad and big brother, Luke, and this great-Uncle is over happy for them all. Mum and daughter are doing just grand......
Friday, 25 May 2007
Health Secretary keeps her job.... others in NHS lose theirs or are moved around
Patricia Hewitt survived an effective vote of no confidence the other evening in the House of Commons after a debate brought forward by Tory MPs over her handling of the NHS.
Now, I'm finding this quite difficult, but perhaps if MPs had voted her out my Labour Government may finally have woken up to see the mess and chaos that the NHS is in. Staff morale gets lower every day. The wonderful PFI schemes are failing, new wards close almost as quickly as they open. Hopsital Trusts are expected to balance the books and by this force staff to be redeployed in the hope of avoiding paying out redundancy payments and lay off Doctors and Nurses, whilst expecting those that remain in the NHS to work longer hours.
Of course, we now have the disgraceful shambles of patients' details being sent off to India, Pakistan and South Africa and a colleague in the office that I work in found out yesterday that she is being "redeployed" as the majority of her work goes to India, on a personal basis, I'm relieved because if it hadn't been her, it would have been me.
Yet whilst all of this is happening, we have managers galore being appointed and their duties appear to be hold meetings to then arrange meetings to talk about targets, whilst having a sub-group to look into this, make a few lowly people redundant or freeze posts, so another manager can be appointed to sit on a task force, hold a consultation event which creates another committee, shut down a few beds, lay off a nurse or three, appoint a new manager and report that the Trust has just about broke even.
But at least Patricia Hewitt is secure in her job. She is failing the health service and has lost the plot and yes, she has lost my confidence. And you know what hurts more than anything, it was Labour that created the NHS, appeared to be saving the NHS in 1997 and now is overseeing it die off, so message to Gordon Brown, fewers managers and start caring about patient care when you become Prime Minister in a few weeks time get rid of Patricia Hewitt and some of the yes-men in the department of health (sic).
Now, I'm finding this quite difficult, but perhaps if MPs had voted her out my Labour Government may finally have woken up to see the mess and chaos that the NHS is in. Staff morale gets lower every day. The wonderful PFI schemes are failing, new wards close almost as quickly as they open. Hopsital Trusts are expected to balance the books and by this force staff to be redeployed in the hope of avoiding paying out redundancy payments and lay off Doctors and Nurses, whilst expecting those that remain in the NHS to work longer hours.
Of course, we now have the disgraceful shambles of patients' details being sent off to India, Pakistan and South Africa and a colleague in the office that I work in found out yesterday that she is being "redeployed" as the majority of her work goes to India, on a personal basis, I'm relieved because if it hadn't been her, it would have been me.
Yet whilst all of this is happening, we have managers galore being appointed and their duties appear to be hold meetings to then arrange meetings to talk about targets, whilst having a sub-group to look into this, make a few lowly people redundant or freeze posts, so another manager can be appointed to sit on a task force, hold a consultation event which creates another committee, shut down a few beds, lay off a nurse or three, appoint a new manager and report that the Trust has just about broke even.
But at least Patricia Hewitt is secure in her job. She is failing the health service and has lost the plot and yes, she has lost my confidence. And you know what hurts more than anything, it was Labour that created the NHS, appeared to be saving the NHS in 1997 and now is overseeing it die off, so message to Gordon Brown, fewers managers and start caring about patient care when you become Prime Minister in a few weeks time get rid of Patricia Hewitt and some of the yes-men in the department of health (sic).
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