Welcoming sight, community 'bobbies' on a bike

It's been so hot his week haven't had the energy to do anything very strenuous. Even eating has been minimal and certainly nothing but salads - can't be bothered to cook. Seem to be loosing weight without even trying.

Had to have a meeting with the police today because of a local situation which is getting out of hand. So different from a few months ago when they claimed they didn't have the time to take menial matters seriously. An appointment was made and I was told to expect one of the community police who would docket a report.

We all know the police are over worked, didn't really expect the PC to keep to time but surprisingly the duty officer from the main police station, telephoned regularly to reshedule the appointment. Was amazed the change in their community attitude. The two hour delay wasn't any stress. A few months ago they would have just left me hanging on waiting.

Was wondering how the PC was getting here. Dreaded the thought of him arriving in one of those flash police cars and parking outside as if I've done something wrong. No worries on that score. To my amazement he arrived on a bicycle with all the safety gear. Reminded me of the old style 'bobby' I used to see as a child. Being a curious soul I had to ask questions and was told the community police were all given cycles a few months ago.

He left as the mail arrived - most mail was certificates relating to my family tree project. More about that in another post. One expected letter however was to info me that the structural works on this property is scheduled for April next year - a surveyor is coming in August. What a relief the works will commence after the winter months. Not looking forward to being surrounded by scaffolding and blue netting for about 12 weeks but it has to be done.

For the PFI residents forum, least I can start my own monitoring diary.

Another good news is that my nephew Matthew a career soldier, those that read this blog will know what happened to him, has been transferred to the army rehabilitation centre. He under a grueling intensive fitness training programme. Have to really respect him; after all he has been though, his primary concern is for his unit - he's determined he is going recover enough to be able rejoin his men back on active duty overseas. Doctors reports seem to indicate that he is making rapid progress. We have to wait and see how it goes.

Had another meeting in North Road. Hadn't realised it was on the corner where Ben Kinsella was killed. Very emotional walking past with all the touching tributes, flowers and candles. There is so much community reaction about the spate of knife crimes in the area. Seems she's another community charged softy like me - Bridget Fox confirms the 'Lose the knife… not a life'. march is confirmed for 20 September. A campaign I'm fully supporting.

Later: - Couldn't find a photo of any of Islington's community police on a bicycle so opted for one taken recently in London during the carrying of the Olympic touch. What a colourful sight to behold. Something I hadn't given a thought to - a Daily Mail post last July reports, "Police banned from riding bikes until they have passed a cycling proficiency test". Quite right too!

A sight to behold - Pearly kings and queens

Couldn't believe my eyes, yesterday evening on the tube, standing in the crowd, from Hoxton was one of London's Pearly Kings and Queens.

Heard about them since I was a child, knew they were something to do with being a cockney but I've never actually seen any of them except in a book or on the TV.

I was like a kid mesmorise by their outfit. In the heat of the tube they must have been very hot with those heavy outfits on but what a sight to behold - black gowns with all those beautiful pearls sewn on to make graphical designs.

Isn't the web marvelous? Need to know something and the answer is usually out there. Had to look up History of the Pearly Kings and Queens. Apparently the London tradition of the Pearly Kings and Queens began in 1875, by a small lad named Henry Croft from Somers Town - not far from here.

Criminal evidence - Witness Anonymity bill

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After the spate of knife killings in London and more so in the this area it's good to read that Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for my constituency is backing the controversial witness protection bill

The Islington North MP told a packed ­public meeting on Wednesday night that the Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill, which is currently going through parliament, would result in more people coming forward to provide crucial information on gang-related crime.The legislation would allow evidence to be given in private to a judge if there were fears of potential intimidation.

It's so irritating when some MP's and other professionals talk about civil liberties and not having fair trials if this passes through Parliament. All I can say is b....... to the lot of them. If this bill can at least give some young witnesses the confidence to come forward and give statements against the perpetrators of these horrific knife crimes then it's a bill that will definitely have the support of the public.

Summer project: Researching my Family tree

After finding another paternal 2nd cousin, now 3 of them, on Facebook, decided to have a go at finding more about my father's family and making my own family tree. It's a project I've put off for years.

Several years ago my maternal 1st cousin Richard, in Australia, emailed me hundreds of names on my mothers side. He's been working on his family tree for years - very impressive it all looked printed out on paper. Most of the older family members were born in UK, predominently in what was then known as Greater London - Middlesex, Holborn, Camberwell, Clapham and Islington to name a few. Names like Wooldridge, French, Hanson, Smallbone, Houghton, Berling and Young etc are on the list. I was born in Kensington London so out of curiosity at that time I went to find the hospital (sadly closed down) I was born in and the property in Earls Court Road mentioned on my birth cert.

Finding information about my father's family, the Greater Manchester, Lancashire lot proved more difficult. Cheetham Hill, Eccles, Broughton, Salford, Middleton, Prestwich, Wythenshawe were places I vaguely remember being mentioned. After spending days at the old records centre in Islington looking through those old leather bound books I put it aside. With so many common names and dates it was difficult to know who was who.

Now they are all online together with the census records and I've got a renewed research bug. Decided to make it my summer project. After registering with Genes United, I was contacted by a Tim Ryeland in Canada who has my name on his tree claiming to be one of my cousins. He wrote,

You and I are 4th cousins once removed. I’m connected through your mother’s side of the family, up to the PENNY and LAMB families which is where we have our common connection.

Haven't got a clue how to work out the removed bit but apparently we are both descendants of our great grandfather John Hanson.

He has nearly 3000 names from all over the world listed including all those from my cousin in Australia. Was very curious how he has been collating the information and verifying names from over there. We have since then been in regular contact. He's given me loads of advice on how to find info for my own tree.

Online research is not cheap and nor is the cost of collecting all the birth, marriage and death certificates. Just by chance, found my maternal grandfather Claude's birth cert, identifiable because his mother, my great great gran has a unique Frenchy sounding name - a friend suggested that she might be descended from the Huguenots who fled France. Would be interesting if it could be proven. Grandfather Claude was born 1891 in Liverpool Road, Islington. I passed the house last Thursday. Comforting to see it still standing and not converted into flats. I'll be going back to take a pic - also will be contacting the land registry to find out more about the history of the owners. The friend with me in the car, suggested I just knock at the door and ask questions - not sure I've got the bottle at the moment.

My father's family - My sister Anne-Louise and I, piecing together childhood memories and with the marriage certificate of my paternal grandparents, it was the online census records that finally gave me the lead to finding more about them. So many generations of Robinson's in one house. Amazed to find who I'm presuming is my paternal grandfather's grandmother, Ann, listed as a widow - from my calculations was born 1833. Waiting for the birth certificates to arrive to piece together a bit more of the jigsaw puzzle is so exciting.

It's finding information about my paternal grandmother which is a real mystery. Spent several days trying to trace her or her father but they don't seem to exist anywhere in UK records. Told they were Russian Jews. The Davis families in Russia came from mainly Belarus and some from Minsk. They came to Manchester in early 19th Century via many UK ports. Not sure how one can get hold of shipping records of the time. Would like to prove it somehow. My 1st cousin Paul is also curious because his mother apparently had family problems as a result of her marriage to my uncle Frank a so-called son of a Jewess. Anti-semitism was just horrible back then. To be honest he had dark facial characteristics and did own a jewelry shop in Pershore Worcester. Whereas my father a career soldier from 16 until after the 2nd world war, took the blonde hair, blue eyes characteristics from the Robinson side.

The name Davis most people associate with Wales. However there is well document historical documentation about Ashkenazic Jewish Davis family lines. Many went to USA. Reading why and how so many families forced into an area of western Russia between the Baltic and the Black Sea, known from the 1830s as Pale of Settlement and were made to take the family name of Davis is stomach churning. Russia introduced a law for surnames use for Jews in 1804, but in reality only started enforcing this policy in 1834. It does however mean that many Jewish Davis' have absolutely no connection to one another. I may never get the answers we need to progress further back through my paternal grandmother's line.

The next thing is to find out how or if we are related to the O'Connors' by blood or just marriage. My favourite paternal great aunt, the sister of my grandfather Charles, known as Daisy O'Connor was married twice, she claimed both husbands with the same name were her cousins.

Well a whole batch of certificates is due by post during the coming week so lets see what turns up. With so many younger family members now as fascinated as I am, should be interesting.

To be continued in another post...

Another north London stabbing

Quite disturbing the spate of fatal stabbings in the this area.

The early hours of this morning another stabbing at the end of my road. It's reported that victim, believed to be 27 years old, was discovered in Junction Road, Tufnell Park just before 3am

It happened not far from the scene of the death of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella, whose funeral was held yesterday.

So quiet outside, was wondering what happened, why there was no buses passing. Out to post a letter and found two section of the junction the whole of the end of the road by the tube station has been cordoned off with police everywhere. TV camera's have arrived. Was thinking of taking a photo but seems a bit ghoulish.

To be continued....

Update: The police have named the victim as Elliot Guy and 3 arrests have been made.

A picture can say a thousand words

Last Thursdays farcical Haltemprice and Howden by-election is done and dusted - thank heavens for that. No need for more words.

Just has to be the picture of the week !

David Davis in a line up with the 25 other rather strange collection of candidates.

Here's a Caption contest - "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is spot on.

Orthordox Christian win case against Islington Council

A story that I've been following for months has attracted international media attention...

Islington which has a large 'Gay' population introduced Civil Partnerships 21 December 2005. Lillian Ladele who has been a registrar for 16 years and as an orthodox Christian refused to officiate at such ceremonies saying it was against her religious beliefs.

Her request to be to be excused from conducting civil partnerships for gay men and women was turned down. In May this year she took the council to court claiming she was bullied, shunned and accused of being homophobic for refusing to carry out civil partnerships, which she believes are "sinful". She was threatened with sack and treated abominably by 'Gay' colleagues.

Yesterday the court ruled in her favour. A landmark ruling means she will keep her job and get compensation - amount to be decided in Sept.

Extracts from various media reports on the ruling-

"[The Council] decided that the service it provided was secular and that the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community must be protected. In so acting, Islington Council took no notice of the rights of Miss Ladele by virtue of her orthodox Christian beliefs."

The panel ruled, "Islington Council rightly considered the importance of the right of the gay community not to be discriminated against but did not consider the right of Miss Ladele as a member of a religious group."

The ruling concurred and found that the Council's behaviour towards Ladele had amounted to unlawful harassment.

In an video interview by the BBC, she says she's finding it difficult to overcome what she claims was a traumatic experience.

It will be interesting if the Council do appeal against the decision as has been suggested. One of the attractions of Britain’s national character is an acceptance of those from different racial, social or religious backgrounds. Orthodox Christians many from West Africa are unshaken in their beliefs, referred to as God's law. Haven't got much time for formal religion myself but one has to respect those that do.

However the long term wider implications of the ruling for all Councils and other employers as to their demands of their workers is yet to be addressed.

Mystery shopper or Supersleuth!

The rain this past couple of days has been dreadful but life goes on....

Some months ago I mentioned I was considering taking part in a local residents Mystery Shopper program. Many companies and organisations have introduced such schemes to help evaluate and improve on their services. Also to identify resident and community problems. Sounded right up my street. Missed the first group meeting. Almost forgot about it until I received an invite to join the second batch of recruits. Braving the rain, yesterday went along to the induction meeting. Must be one of the most interesting concepts I've agreed to take part in.

Talk about being a supersleuth, spy, detective or whatever. Assignments given out are to be done undercover. Very impressed with the makeup of the other members of the group - Islington residents of all ages from all walks of life. Some of the older ladies found it difficult to get their heads around actually naming names, dates and times - they needed a lot of encouragement. Role play was fun. Lunch was delicious.

Well we have the first set of assignments - have planned my own probing scenarios. Will be interesting to see from the feedback how we all get on.

Campaign to keep York Way entrance of King's Cross station open!

Have been following the regeneration development of Kings Cross over the past few years. The demographics of the area is changing rapidly. It's very impressive viewing from the top of a bus travelling towards this side.

With the work in progress, having this blocked off and that blocked off, it is most confusing at times making one's way in and out of the station.

There are days when the station is also so jam packed they have to close off the tube for health and safety reasons. The only alternative is the bus - less stressful.

When they blocked of the east-side, Wharfdale Road/York Way entrance it was most inconvenient having to lug a suitcase all the way around the building to get the 390 bus home. The bus stop is outside. Considering the number of people who use the Islington side entrance, thought it would only be a temporary.

Everybody presumed there would be a well lit up entrance incorporated into the design. It's so eerie in that area waiting for a bus when it's dark. I tend to use Euston up the road and avoid the stop unless it is really necessary.

Now we are told we'll lose this entrance all together, Spring 2009 . Local community campaigners have been asking for a bridge to exit via York Way but this has been rejected. Network Rail are refusing to replace it with a safe and accessible alternative. It's as if the voice of Islington's local community is completely being ignored.

A website has been keeping locals up to speed with what is going on. Local campaigner Sophie Talbot has now set up a Facebook group - inviting members of the public who use the station to a public meeting on 16 July.

There's also a the Downing Street petition. If the petition has 200 signatures the Prime Minister's office has to formally reply, so do sign up and get all your friends and family to sign up too! The only condition is signatories should be resident in UK. Thinking of all the people who use the station on a daily basis should attract thousands.

Will be following the progress more closely in the future.....

Britblog roundup 177 and that cake

This weeks BBRU is hosted by Amused Cynicism and as expected many interesting nominations.

My favourite just has to be - The Diary of a Goldfish bakes a disturbing cake.

Another wacky one from Wales - A welshman mistakes the moon for a UFO and actually dials 999. An easy mistake that anyone could make!

Yes, we all know small things amuse small minds but.... Least it does add a bit of fun to the Summer madness.

Next week’s Britblog Roundup will be hosted by Jackart. You should send nominations to the usual place, britblog [at] gmail [dot] com

Bridget Fox banging on about Woolworths vs Waitrose

Bridget Fox seems to really have her knickers in a twist about the news that Waitrose is to replace Woolworths at the Angel.

There's local interest after the Londonist website, Islington Gazette and the Tribune covered the story.

Naturally there's a sentiment attached to Woolies. Their stores have been around as long as I can remember. The reality of the situation is that their shops stuck in a time warp and are badly in need of a revamp. Economically one can't blame the company for looking at ways of downsizing and generating revenue where they can. A rapidly developing area, the branch at Angel is a prime site which must be worth a bob or two as are all the properties in that area. Only one stop up from London's King's Cross regeneration - Eurostar

In a previous post I was praising Bridget Fox -Waitrose moving in to Angel but now she seems to have lost the plot.

How can any right minded person think they can tell Woolies management/shareholders to keep a building and a branch open when they want to sell up. They have the right to sell to whom they want. It is already a done deal signed and sealed.

With the shabby looking Woolies going it's now a golden opportunity to develop Chapel Market - stall holders will be clapping their hands with delight. A letter in this week's local rag has it spot on.

I very much hope it will shift all the ex-Woolies shoppers, look­ing for toys, hardware and all the other stuff Woolies sold, onto Chapel Market itself. This market is a fantastic facility for the community, and I love spending time shopping there – not just the stalls themselves but the shops that sit behind them. I’m sure it’s no great coincidence that the market has featured in two series of The Apprentice, to challenge the teams on good salesmanship.

To those worried about the loss of Woolworths, I urge you to get down to Chapel Market and get spending your money on the plethora of goods for sale – whether a pound of potatoes or a new double bed!

Oh no, Bridget is thinking with her boots on not her head. On her blog, 1st July - Woolworths & Waitrose: update.

I don’t know if we can get them to think again, but I’ve now written to Mark Price, the managing director of Waitrose: to ask them to reconsider...

I’ve also posted something similar on Mr Price’s blog on the company website: it’ll be interesting to see if it appears and if so, what response we get.

Again 2nd July, Waitrose again -Surprise, surprise: Waitrose didn’t put my comment on their MD’s blog. From moderation@waitrose.com -Your comment on Waitrose.com was not approved

Did she really think the moderator would allow her spiel through.

Bridget Fox is hoping to be an MP - With this kind of mindset, God help us if she ever achieves her ambition. She obviously hasn't got a grasp of business economics. For the life of me can't help wondering what she is hoping to achieve by all this. Maybe she thinks it will be a vote catching ploy. Could think of many more deserving community issues to campaign on that would really help local people.

Jackart's upset by the feminists

Really have to laugh at the reaction of some bloggers to other peoples posts.

This weeks BBRU has A Very british Dude up in arms about some of the feminist posts nominated. He writes Feminists are really tiresome - at Suz Blog there's some really rubbish feminist boilerplate which has earned Kate Sumerthwaite, author of Cruella-blog a link to the right under "blogs by idiots".....

About another nominees post which is actually very interesting even if I don't agree with everything written, he writes -

Whilst Cruella is merely silly and wet, "An open letter from a Feminist" is ridiculous in its hairy-legged self loathing. In one post the startling assertion is made that.....

He concludes - Someone go and tell these dears to put the kettle on for me, would you?

Flaming cheek, I'm lost for words - sounds like feminists frighten him. A typical mail chauvinistic attitude - could think of some choice words myself to respond to his post but....