Rest in peace

Rather a depressing week. Several people I know have died suddenly. Always find it particularly upsetting when it's somebody younger than myself. It is sometimes so difficult to express words at times like this. Find it very difficult to go to funerals even when they are obligatory.

As the interim Chair of Islington's PFI Residents forum is very sad to have to announce that one of our senior members Rosemary Hilton died last Sunday after a brief illness. As a long-term local community activist, we will probably see something written about her in the local newpapers in the coming weeks.

The husband of one of my friends suddenly passed away in the night. Just don't know what to say it was so unexpected.

Also quite a shock to me personally, Mary Reid has announced the death Belinda Eyre-Brook who is often given credit for being the force behind ED Davey, one of my favourite MP's, being elected to parliament in 1997 against all odds.

Baraka Obama - Change we can believe in

Senator Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle

If politics in UK is a bit boring at the moment, across the Atlantic the euphoria surrounding the America primaries for the presidential nominations is riveting.

Democratic primary yesterday - Who could have imagined we would have woken up to headlines Obama Wins South Carolina. With 1 in 4 voters for him across the racial divide he breaths fresh air into American Politics. A stunning victory he had 55 percent of the vote against Hilary Clinton's 27 percent and John Edwards 18 percent. The Obama momentum coming out of South Carolina, which will only be helped by endorsements from the Kennedy's the so called America's first family.

With some very unhealthy race-baiting over the past weeks from the Clinton Camp, Barak Obama's win has rather scuppered the idea that he is only attracting the black vote.

It will be interesting if somebody will take the trouble to analyse the voting pattern in the open caucus's against the states that have private voting booths. It has been suggested that because voting in a caucus is done in public it gives Barak Obama an advantage, people don't want to be tagged with being racist. In a private booth nobody knows what you are voting which advantages Hilary Clinton.

Update on Islington's PFI and United House's offer

Yesterday was the first PFI meeting of the year. Bit heavy going this time around. With guest speakers waiting to be heard I decided to shuffle the agenda around a bit so they could speak in the first hour. Nothing's worse than being an invited guest speaker then having to wait until after the business of the day before delivering their spiel when everybody is tired and just itching to go home.

The plans on tackling Antisocial behaviour and Harassment is now well documented. The talk gave members the opportunity to ask questions. Sometimes it's not clear to people what is the difference between Antisocial behaviour and Harassment. These days more and more residents are having the confidence to come forward and report their neighbours. Some people's stories especially of harassment against targeted individuals often by whole families are absolutely horrendous. Ask nicely and if they don't respond in a neighbourly way report the matter before it gets out of hand. Keeping a diary and reporting situations is key to getting something done officially.

We had others speaking about the on going tenancy audit being conducted by both Homes for Islington and Partners. The borough is desperately short of social housing and needs to free up properties by evicting illegal tenants and down-sizing others. I found the topic particularly interesting. One specific concern, how they deal with identifying adult 'children' not in full time education, who are actually living at home from those who actually live else where but claim to be so they can remain registered as a resident of the borough hopefully for eventual rehousing.

As Chair I've requested a progress report on this issue to be reviewed by the committee on an annual basis.

A welcome surprise came from United House the company undertaking the refurbishment works of the PFI properties. Not very often do companies offer to donate without being asked but they did. Could have knocked me down with a feather. As part of their plan to help the community they are looking for local community charity projects they can offer some funding. My personal comment was that only those without any council funding should be considered. It has been suggested the plan should be outlined in an article for the March edition of the Residents' Newsletter. Its expected we will get an avalanche of replies. The final decision as to who gets what will be based on merit.

PFI residents will have noticed the impressive improvement to the Residents’ Newsletter. The Christmas 2007 issue was the best so far published. It is often difficult to source interesting local news items and stories to balance with Partners report-back to residents. If you are a PFI resident do you have anything to say or know of anything interesting happening local let Partners know. Many residents' who haven't had their flat refurbished are anxious about what to expect. An opportunity to be in the news - we would also like any resident who is pleased with the refurbishment works to their flat to send in their snapshots & mugshots as well and say a few words.

The general buzz from the Forum members is that whilst there is still room for improvement, resident customer satisfaction is much better than the old days before PFI. It is somehow comforting to know that every PFI property is being monitored within a long-term maintenance programme - gone are the old days when residents were ignored. Least one noteble fact is that the PFI Residents Forum is gaining respect because all specific complaints brought to it's attention by members are being dealt with to a satisfactory conclusion.

Camden: Fortune Green by-election

Well it's now official Lib Dems pick black candidate for Camden's
Fortune Green ward by-election set for Thursday 21st February. She is Nancy Jirira originally from Zimbabwe.

The party considers Fortune Green as a safe ward so Nancy is set to become the first Black, Afro Caribbean councillor in Camden.

A smart move. Had to smile when I read, Privately, some members are said to have noticed how their ranks, which swelled at the time of the party’s election success in May 2006, are dominated by white men in their 20s and 30s. Somebody forgot to mention the fact they are also mainly gay. Of the party’s 22 seats on the council, one is held by a councillor from an ethnic minority. Only four Lib Dem councillors are women.

Many people have wondered when Camden LibDems would wake up and started looking at the ethnic mix of the borough when selecting candidates in the future.

The only other ethnic minority LibDem councillor is Kentish Town ward councillor Faruque Ansari of Bengali origin. It was a hard slog getting him selected then eventually elected.

Nancy is health care worker who lives in Sarre Road in the middle of the ward. Had to laugh when I also read that she gets on well with the formidable Flick Rae a long time councillor in the same ward and considered by some as the founder of modern LibDems in Camden. Nancy has no choice if she wants to do well. Flick is the original mother hen - however most people try and avoid being at the end of her sharp tongue.

Robin, oh robin what have you done?

Camden LibDem activist Robin Young really has egg on his face. What did he really expect would happen.

On December 17, 2007 he lodged a complaint to the local Standards Board about some postings on Labour Cllr. Theo Blackwell's blog slurring Libdem Cllr. Alexis Rowell.

They have sensibly decided, No action over councillor's website 'slur' WATCHDOG bosses will not be investigating a former deputy council leader for calling a fellow councillor a gobshite merchant – because the slur was "insufficiently serious" ....

In his response he's quoted as saying "Which only goes to show how old-fashioned and hopelessly out of touch with modern mores I have [at age 68] become".

Robin objected to Cllr Blackwell publicly describing a fellow councillor as a "Fib-Dem gobshite-merchant". Still obviously furious about the matter he's penned a letter in the Ham & High. I also feel uncomfortable with vulgar language but times have changed. Whatever prompted him to take such a frivolous action. So blinded by LibDem hatred of Theo Blackwell, commonsense went out of the window. Least by their decision this time the Standard Board have saved public money.

The contentious word "Gobshite" is a word of Irish origin, meaning a person who blabbers on about incredibly senseless things. It may be considered vulgar but it's most appropriate when referring to some of our politicians.

Can bet we haven't heard the last of it from Theo Blackwell, keep a watch on his blog.

LibDems blow off Cheeky Girls

Must be one of the most infuriating LibDem stories I've come across recently. Hat tip to Paul Walter

The Telegraph Spy says that the Cheeky Girls were "vetoed" by LibDem HQ from appearing at the LibDem ball, for fear of 'offending female MPs'. Gabriela Irimia who is dating Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik and her sister offered to sing for free but were apparently shunned by the party hierarchy at Lib Dem HQ, Cowley Street.

Wonder which sanctimonious old fossils decided that one. Actually many of them are not that old they're just nerds of the first order who feel they are a cut above others and know best. Honestly they get me so mad pretending that butter wouldn't melt in their mouth. All trying to give the illusion they are all posh upper middle class and that the middle classes don't like fun. Think the real reason is that in the looks department the LibDems don't do glamorous MP's. Off head I can only think of a couple. Having two sexy looking younger women hanging round Lembit doing their stuff in public would have put most of their noses out of joint.

Have been to several of their balls over the years. Actually they are nothing more than dreary pseudo posh fund raising events. Not much fun except the dancing bit. Many of them haven't got a clue about social etiquette and watching some of them eating is a real turn off. Now I can't say I'm a great fan of the cheeky girls style of music. They may have been a one hit wonder but having them perform would have at least been fun and livened up the event.

Lynne Featherstone, Go for it Girl

Have been reading up on on some of the motions and topical issues . Last week Lynne Featherstone referred to the Equality Commission the demotion in the line of succession to our throne of Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor (daughter to Prince Edward & Sophie) in favour of her newborn brother - House of Winsor.

Hadn't given the traditional rules on primogeniture much thought. Can remember years ago other MD's attempted to get legislation passed to alter the Royal lineage. Thought the archaic principle had been ditched when the Equalities Commission came into being. Bit taken aback when I read that in the pecking order of the Royals it is still the norm . When I heard Lynne had challenged it, thought good on you girl for taking the bull by the horns. Needs somebody like her otherwise it will continue until possibly William has a daughter as his first born. Why does it matter to use mere mortals? It's just the Royal female degradation that's a bit too much to stomach in this day and age.

Silly me with blinkers on, who are the people claiming it doesn't really matter, who are bringing out all the old chestnuts saying it's part of history so should stay as it is or it's a waste of public money, chauvinistic men of course. Some of the comments and blog posts are so annoying. Why is it mainly the women who are supporting Lynne.

She defended her actions against claims of frivolity on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour last week, listen to the podcast. She makes a lot of sense. Couldn't agree with her more.

Another law I'm in favour of repealing is the blasphemy law. In this day and age of supposed free speech, it's a very silly law. Well the Church has agreed to it and Gordon Brown has promised so we wait and see.

Following on from that another on Religion that needs sorting - However there seems to a debate as to which party MP has tabled the Early Day Motion Disestablishment of the church. Colchester Lib Dem MP Bob Russell or Labour MP John Austin. It seems to depend on which party feels they are scoring a few points by slagging off another but does it really matter? It's the motions that's important and one I fully support.

I'm not a religious being and don't do God (where have we heared that said recently) but how spooky. It's been pointed out that the clerks have allocated the EDM motion the number of the beast - 666. You really couldn't make it up could you but its got the wind up of all the superstitious oiks. As expected it's caused a few wacky posts. The motion of the Beast and A Beast Of A Motion.

View from my window to the world

My view to the world, looking out of my back window. Never quite know what to expect but something is always happening. Some wonderful wildlife squirrels, birds and yes my robin is back. He's so bold he'll follow me round where I'm digging. Some of the bulbs are beginning to show their heads.

Up this morning, what did I see but the son of one of my neighbours' painting the new extra high log garden demarcation fence his father put up. Sure see a lot of underwear and bum cracks from up here when people in the gardens bend over but he's rather a 'fit' young man as they say these days with a wow factor. A real cute, one of life's charmers, I've always had a soft spot for him since he was a child - photo later.

Sincerely hope that being neighbourly he'll do the honorable thing as I would and paint the other side facing my garden area so I don't have to struggle with it. Age is catching me. Jobs like that take me much longer these days than they used to. Looks like I'm going to have to get one of those folding up walking stick because it's getting more difficult to go up and down stairs. No so bad when it's warm but when it's cold and wet its very painful.

Not a dry eye in the house

One of those episodes when millions tune in. The end of one of soaps most lovable couples

Nancy Banks-Smith is a television critic for the Guardian on the death of Coronation Street's Vera Duckworth

Jack (Bill Tarbey) is a bit of a bar-room baritone. When I was a child, I would stand on the stairs of my parents' Lancashire pub and listen to those hoarse, sweet, soaring Irish tenors promising to take Eileen home again to where her heart would feel no pain. Last night, with his fingers entwined in Vera's cold hand, Jack sang to her as though he had truly taken her to her land of heart's desire, Blackpool. "Oh, my lass! My lovely lass! You're all right now. That's us. Allus was ... Nothing to mar our joy. There will be such wonderful things to do. I will say such wonderful things to you. If you were the only girl in the world. And I were ..." Then his voice failed him.

He brushed her hair ("Pretty as a picture"); put on her bedroom slippers ("There you go, Cinderella"); laid his coat over her ("I don't like her cold. She hates it cold"); and, holding the world at bay for a few minutes, told no one else.

The first caller was a pigeon. "She always made out she didn't like them," said Jack. "It was the mess. I knew she used to sneak out to talk to them. I used to pretend I didn't know." And he gave the pigeon a message to carry. It was something he had never said directly to Vera: "Oh, you are beautiful! You are a pretty one! I love you."

In the closing credits of Coronation Street you see a couple of pigeons fluttering about on the cobbles. Always together. As near as dammit a pair of turtle doves.

Not shamed to admit it so pulled on my heart strings I cried my eyes out.

When it is time to move on

Seems ages since my last post. With all my other commitments, finding it hard to find the time to keep up blogging. Probably be a bit thin on the ground until the school hols. Some old posts still in draft will suddenly appear when I get round to finishing them. One things for sure, bad spelling, bad grammar and worts n' all, this blog will keep going. As blogging is not illegal nor is taking photos don't upset me then you won't get a mention. Anybody want to moan let them moan.

Meetings, meetings and more meetings means loads of paper to read and write. One of my pet hates is to write promoting myself on nomination forms. Don't really find it easy. Just had to submit 250 words for another committee. Wasn't going to bother but got nagged into standing again. Leaving that aside for now, don't want to tempt fate, might get rejected this time around you never know. Definitely be a blog post if I do get elected - there are times when it feels good to blow your own trumpet.

The first PFI Residents' Forum meeting of the year is next week. Of course as Chair that means another report to write which usually ends up 4 or 5 pages. I've just finished this one. So much happens between meetings it is sometimes difficult to precis matters. I try to write it in such a way that residents' identities are not obvious but some of the issues at times are just mind boggling. Even complaints about me are open to scrutiny and yes we do get some 'real bummers' at times. It has to be that way to gain residents trust. Partners customer service staff are brilliant. All problems get logged and followed through to a conclusion. Quite funny sometimes when managers of a division have to come along and justify what's happened and it becomes obvious they are trying to waffle their way out of a sticky situation. Least it keeps them all on their toes - there is no excuse for poor service delivery.

It's not all bad, from feedback on the ground seems Islington residents who live in the social housing managed by Partners now have a very efficient repairs service (managed by Rydons) and their workforce are all customer focused. Makes so much difference when friendly workmen enter your home and explain what they are doing and why. - so different from the old breed that talked down to you as if they were taking to idiots. A job well done, it always touches my heart when a resident rings to say thank you for sorting out their problem.

Something new in the pipeline, as I'm on Homes for Islington (HFI) resident involvement register just received details about being a 'Mystery Shopper'. Many organisations use mystery shoppers to test their service standards and customer care. Not sure what it entails yet. Sounds a bit like being an official nosey-parker but sounds exciting and right up my street. A line in the info pack says "Using residents as a mystery shopper embodies the principles of Best Value and continuous improvement".

The local news that's hit the papers is that the Islington Council's controversial Chief excutive Helen Bailey will be moving on & Town Hall chief is quitting hot-seat job. More about her later.....

Round one, Ken, Brian & Boris

Bit late at 23.05 but political sados like me had to wait up last night to watch ITV London Talking's hour-long special edition with the three main London mayoral candidates pitting their debating skills against one another.

Before it even started there was a snap-shot view of the audience. So many recognisable faces - specially picked out the blond hair of Camden Councillor Flick Rea, you couldn't miss her and Islington Councillor Merel Ece who it was obvious from her stance was determined to get a question in on her key beef, ethnic minority issues.

Ken Livingston and Boris Johnson already placed by the media as the two current front-runners. One minute for each candidate on why they wanted to be Mayor of London. Held my breath when with the luck of the draw Brian Paddick had to speak first. At least the audience listened politely to what he had to say without anybody cutting in, the disappointing aspect of his time was he appeared to keep referring to his notes. Least Ken seemed to be listening to him with some interest.

When it was Ken's turn Boris just couldn't wait to stick the knife in and kept interrupting him. Ken soon got rattled with Boris's jibes. The programme resulted into almost a verbal spat between Boris and Ken. Boris just wasn't going to let Ken get the better of him. Anything to do with scruffy blond Boris is compulsive viewing. Riveting stuff, it was really quite humorous the way they behaved and from the viewers point of view the argy bargy made the programme actually interesting.

Brian in contrast kept his cool and appeared slick, but he came across as a dry stick completely out of his depth with nothing much to say other than his rehearsed script. Well as he admitted he is not used to the cut and thrust of politics, his performance was nothing more than expected.

There was heated tension in the air when it became Boris's turn to speak. Ken tried to verbally kick him to the curb.

Then questions from the audience to all candidates. Good question from Meral which completely flummoxed Boris! Feel he's trying to avoid all mention of the diversity issues after his comments years ago about black Africans recently came to light. There were also questions about Boris's friendship with fraudsters Conrad Black and Darius Guppy. He successfully deflected them, his humour covering all the awkward questions.

Ros Lydall's opinion in this evening's Standard - More from Pippa Crerar, Political Correspondent If we are to put up with this kind of campaigning spectacle for another 100 days London television will get interesting. Might even encourage more people to come out and vote.

Did you know?

Traditional most people take down their Christmas decorations on 6th Jan as the 12th night. It's said to be bad luck to keep them up any longer. A load of superstitious bunkum but there are trees everywhere on the sidewalks and in front gardens waiting for the weekly recycling pickup.

Being curious as to where the custom originated trolled the web - seems that before 19th Century and the reign of Queen Victoria decorations stayed up for 40 days after the birth of Jesus Christ.

Took some of my decorations down but forgot to take down the tree and the window lights. One of my mad impulse days decided to paint the kitchen instead. Bought the paint over a week ago. Very clever it was mixed by computer to perfectly matched my old wall paint colour. A time saving measure, decided this time I wasn't going to change the colour and have to go through the hassle of removing all the fittings from the walls.

Up with the larks it took me all day and into the night but I finished it, including white glossing the window and door frame. With not much space in my kitchen to swing a cat, was so relieved to be able to put everything back. Have to pat myself on the head for once - it looks clean and cheerful. Will get round to removing the window lights some time this week.

Having a Me day

Trotted along to the BBC studio at White City to watch two recordings of the show In it to Win it hosted by Dale Winton which supports the Saturday night national lottery. Felt very ashamed to have to admit I've never watched it on television before so hadn't a clue what to expect. Just love the magic of TV studios. Have been to many over the years. This was no different. I actually like Dale Winton and meeting him was a pleasure. He's such a funny guy.

The questions they asked the contestants were not easy. I suppose at £5000 a pop it was hardly surprising. Not something I'd like to take part in. The shows not my usual cup of tea, quite surprised myself but I actually enjoyed it.

Former Labour leader moves into Tufnell Park

The wife of my friend who owns the convenience store across the road has been telling me for weeks that Neal Kinnock has been coming into the shop.

Don't know why she presumes I can explain why he's suddenly around this area - I keep telling her to ask him herself when he next pops in. What is it about well known personalities that people freeze up when they meet them.

Mystery solved it's in this weeks Islington Tribune that he's moved into the area. Trust the reporter Peter Gruner, he's good at fishing out juicy tit bits of local news. He writes,

FORMER Labour leader Lord Kinnock and his wife Glenys have moved into a house in Tufnell Park, it has been revealed.Lady Kinnock, a Welsh MEP, said this week: “We moved to the area from Ealing, where we have lived for many years, to be closer to our daughter and our grandchildren.”

Well it shows how out of touch I am with who is who in the Labour party. Didn't know he had been made a Lord.

Xmas & NewYear Recycling targets

Renewable energy and recycling is a topical news slot and is talked about all the time on current affairs programmes. Now the emphasis is on the recycling of cards and Christmas trees which are due to be traditionally taken down this week-end.

Have to admit it's a lifestyle change and takes an effort getting used to it. My conscience now pricks me and I feel very guilty if I don't recycle my waste. At least I try. Haven't got round to buying a can crusher - Don't have that many cans on a weekly basis so stamping on them if there are too many solves the space problem. With food waste being recycled as well, under normal circumstances I only end up with just half a black bag

Xmas and New Year celebrations are exception circumstances, local councils in London have been very good in advertising the holiday changes to the weekly schedules and sticking to it. Our regular Tuesday collection is now tomorrow. There's a presumption that there will be far more recycling waste at this time of the year - least one hopes so with all the packaging and paper off presents with bottles and cans from all the Merry making. Have been going round collecting some photographs of properties in the area that have huge pile of black bags before our meeting in January. Sad really some people just don't care enough about their community or the environment and still just dump most of their rubbish and in some cases all in black bags.