Partners successfully evicts anti-social family

Mentioned on this blog many times - members of the Residents forum's insistence that Partners for Improvement in Islington (Partners) produce some positives results with their strategy over anti-social behaviour and harassment. The process of collecting evidence is long and complicated but on Friday a family was successfully evicted from a property in Milner Square for persistent anti-social behaviour Partners evicts anti-social family.

Local rag Islington Tribune has picked up on the story - a family evicted from their flat because of antisocial behaviour and harassment to neighbours. Evicted mum-of-six ‘relief’ over move

Partners claimed the family had subjected neighbours to months of anti-social behaviour, including noise disturbance, dog fouling, littering, youths congregating, foul language, verbal abuse and threats of physical violence.....

Partners had prior to the eviction obtained two injunctions against the mother, an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) against her daughter’s boyfriend and six “acceptable behaviour” contracts involving visitors to the house.....

With more in the pipeline Partners residents will at long last see that something is being done.

Reflecting on the demise of Woolworths

The sad news this week - Woolworths to go into administration with tens of thousands of jobs under threat.

Since my earlier post in June Waitrose moving in to Angel, I've been following the financial reports about the company so the news is hardly a unexpected. However the loss of the Woolworths brand name from on our high streets is an end to an era.

Wasn't a store our family frequented when I was younger. However in the area where I now live there are three Woolies stores, Camden, Kentish Town and Archway. For convenience, I often nip in for bits and bobs and since becoming a grandmother children's toys. However such big sprawling outdated styled store layouts, sadly I've never witnessed in Woolies the usual hustle and bustle customers face in other busy high street retail outlets.

Leaving sentiment aside it's an economic fact of life, any business that has mounting debts and is not making a profit has to go into liquidation.

Genderanalyzer - Who is writing that blog?

Bloggers are raving about it - for a laugh had a go my self.

Results

We guess http://susannelamido.blogspot.com/ is written by a woman (52%), however it's quite gender neutral.

A good or bad result, I just don't know what to say - 'gender neutral', who coined that phrase? You have to laugh at some of the gimmicks on the web. Wonder how it works - least I know I'm all women with all the curves in the right place.

Old Military records, an emotional read.

Snow on the ground, sitting with my knees against the radiator had a chance to read the masses of documents I received from the Amy Personnel Military archives about my father's WW11 service records and later years until he resigned his commission as a Captain.

Absolutely fascinating but what an emotional read - took me several hours. There are memo's and records about him covering every aspect of his military life. Amazed that they keep so much paper records. Sad how things in those days were kept secret. Having met my mother during the war he was much older than her so most of his earlier life wasn't talked about. Stiff upper lip and all that. All we knew that he left home quite young and from Japan went to Indian to join up. From the records he apparently signed up for 12 years.

Hadn't really thought about him as a young man and his former life. Never thought about the military requirements of having a next of kin. There it was what we have been trying to trace, details of his first wife - aged 23, he married a Mildred Reader. That was a shock. More so to find he got married in a 'church' in Muswell Hill not far from where I now live in London. She apparently moved with my father to Manchester but her address during the latter part of the war years was also near where I was born in Kensington, London which makes the whole thing more intriguing.

Don't remember how any of us found out about her existence - our parents certainly didn't talk about her. All I remember was a photo Nana used to keep on a small display table in the sitting room in the back of her sweet shop in Middleton, Manchester. Anytime we visited there was a lot of coughing and spluttering and the photo was discreetly removed. I always used to ask who she was but nobody ever explained. Even my two cousins didn't know anything about her so obviously their father, my uncle Frank kept it to himself as well.

Well I've now sent for the marriage cert to add to my family tree collection - will be another fascinating read. Will be interesting to know where she lived at the time of their marriage. What is glaringly obvious from the Military records is that he lead a kind of clandestine life just after the war with correspondence being sent to him at an Officers club in London rather than to any home address.

Another interesting aspect are the official Officers notifications that were posted about him in the Government's London Gazette. This new Freedom of information is wonderful - in a flash found two of the entries about him on the web.

If anybody is considering researching milarty family records I'd say have a go. It's not cheap but well worth the money.

The next target is to find out about his medals (application have to be made to another office) and if possible to trace the birth of our sister. So sad that we don't know if she is alive or dead.

Well my sister Anne-louise who is as gushy as myself about my research into the family tree is anxiously waiting for me to photocopy the lot and my cousin Pam trying to be diplomatic as possible has been sourcing info from one of her very elderly aunts on her mothers side.
To be continued....

Britblog Roundup 196 - in memory of Baby P

Welcome to the 196th edition - nominations are overwhelming

From the darker side of life

The dominant topic of the week - the months of abuse of Baby P and the horrific way he died has affected the whole nation. For it to happen again in Haringay is just not acceptable. Lots of questions need answering and heads just have to roll. Haringey Social Services has to be held accountable. Lynn Featherstone MP on her blog pens Haringey Council's systematic failures The same repeated in her Guardian column has received some cryptic blog responses. There is no hope for Britain. Civilisations don't die, they commit suicide. And before they commit suicide, they read and believe the Guardian. Likewise from Dave

NHS blog Doc elaborates on the whole subject of Child Abuse - Time to Crucify Social Workers

In a lighter mood
It's political correctness gone crazy - Calderdale Council Bans 'fat' Santa.

The councils "Healthy Town" pot of money is funding the Council's Santa - who works during December in Calderdale Council's 'official' Town Grotto - must now set a "positive role model" to the town's overweight population, to try to battle against the idea that fat people are 'bubbly' and 'funny' and in some way attractive.

It won't have the same Christmasy feeling, whoever heard of a slim Fanta.

For those who appreciate the great outdoors - An afternoon stroll down the old Wardley Hill in Rutland.

A moment to reflect on Because they must. From Greenfingered Photograher - A day in Lawley Green Space, lovely photos. Just shows what a group of dedicated volunteers can achieve.

What's on TV has attracted reaction from many bloggers

X Factor & Strictly Come Dancing. Of course, I don't watch them myself - Yeah, yeah and all that, who's JC trying to impress. Not sure the millions who watch the programs would agree with him

The Ugley Vicar is having a rant about the first episode of Apparitions on BBC1
Swiss Toni on everything TV. Prince Charles at 60 - a satirical prose, God save our king to be...

The World of Books
A bit of history Women of the Revolution - Natalie Bennett is always finding interesting stuff about women.

Patrick Jones was due to sign copies of his new poetry collection Darkness is Where the Stars Are when it was suddenly called off. Waterstones in Cardiff decision to cancel the event has provoked strong reactions - Censorship by email and Censorship at Waterstones.

Sex Industry
This week there were several nominations for this post - Two views of prostitution collide. On a similar theme There are no easy solutions feminism and the sex industry

The intrigue of Politics
From Bristol we now have Red Trouser Gate - is full of discourse on the subject of peculiarly swift land sales at the local council.

Multi faith prayers for Parliament Cranmer says he uncovered a plot over a year ago to undermine the Anglican foundations of Parliament with a multi-faith mish-mash of puja, salah, prayers, meditations and incantations.

Blogging a victory - Holyrood backs £100m Green bid for warm homes.

Join the debate, Social Housing get a job - Stop penalising the poor…penalise the tax havens instead! Also Another Barrier to Social mobility

Closer to home - Islington's LibDem run council in panic mode. A by-election in my ward is on the cards.

This is good for the European Parliament and trust in politics Tory MEP Ben Dover is going to have to pay back half a million pounds and is no longer a Tory Party MEP.

Now this is funny
Pigeon fat camp - for Pigeon's too fat to fly. The mind boggles. Some lovely photos though

An ah moment - "I'm 86, you know!"
My sixteen and a half year old cat Harley-Boy and I have been together longer than me and Meeester. I love that wee black and white guy, but lately he has been letting us know that he’s not got long left.

Other Stuff
London Underground A blog I've not read before - bit slow in downloading. With no particular post nominated, just scroll down the web page. There are some interesting photos and snippets about daily travelling on London's Tube network

Who is Jon Gaunt - A radio presenter called Jon Gaunt has landed in the shit after having an argument with some anti-smoking wing-nut on his talk show.

One man blogs asks the question is Red Bull the Marmite of my generation? Don't know about the generation bit but I've always got a can of the sugar free in my bag when going to any long meeting.

That's all for this week. Next weeks roundup will be over at Brassneck

Nominations needed: Anybody out there in Blogospere can nominate a post during the week as long as it's a British Blog. All nominations should be sent to britblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

Islington's LibDem run council in panic mode

Earlier in the week, from a most unlikely source I received a copy of a two page letter written by Andrew Cornwall one of my ward councillors which he sent to Islington council's leader James Kempton.

Dear James

After our discussion earlier this week I am writing to confirm my resignation as Executive member for Finance. I will also be stepping down as Chair of the pensions Sub Committee and the Northern Area planning Sub-Committee.

First thoughts sh..... is another by-election looming. Loads of questions running though my mind. Is he going to resign. Legally he can remain a councillor until his term of office expires but in what capacity. If he resigns from the party and stays as an in dependant or defects to another party the balance of power in the council will change.

As somebody who is passionate about green issues, many people are presuming he will return to the Green Party whose policies are more in line with his ideals. Would be difficult for him to remain as a backbench Lib Dem councillor. They're an unforgiving lot and will close ranks against him

Seems the same letter was sent to the Islington Tribune LIB DEMS MAY LOSE POWER AT TOWN HALL

This week ward residents received a survey from the Labour party. That set alarm bells ringing. It's a known political tactic to start sending out literature when they expect a by-election. Ironically it's about local crime/anti social behaviour one of the issues I'm passionate about. When I recently made enquiries about a possible solution suggested by the local community police I was informed it is not on the councils agenda at the moment - shock horror, when people want to see more action on crime they are planning to cut expendure on local crime-fighting.

Andrew concludes his letter, I hope you and colleagues will reflect on the concerns I have raised here. I would go as far as to say that if they are not properly addressed, not only will Liberal Democrats not be re-elected to run Islington, they will not deserve to be.

Strong word indeed but food for thought...

Update: Lib Dems power crisis-‘Buck stops with me’ – leader - LIB Dem leader James Kempton has been forced to defend his party’s record follow­ing damning accusa­tions revealed in Councillor Andrew Cornwell’s resignation letter.

Paddick vs Kilroy-Silk, I'm A Celebrity - not to be missed

Starts on Sunday - just reviewed the contestants (click on the green leaves to read their profiles).

It's completely blown my mind.

Brian Paddick ex-policeman and failed Lib Dem candidate for London mayor 2008 with Robert Kilroy-Silk former chat show host and failed UKIP.... politician.He is currently an independent MEP for the East Midlands. Added to the mix is Esther Rantzen.

There are other interesting contestants but with these three the viewing ratings will go through the roof. Already the political bloggers have started. Can trust Guido's blog to start the ball rolling.

Why do they do it if for nothing else but to keep their names in the public domain. The idea of the jungle doesn't bother me one bit nor the bugs and things but to eat them I'd be sick.

Nevertheless I'll definitely be one of the millions watching....

Haringey Social Services somebody has to held accountable

Months of abuse - What pain Baby P, the little 17 month old boy, must have been in before dying in such a horrible way. 50 injuries, how he must have suffered. It doesn't bear thinking about. Even to look at the graphical pictures is stomach churning.

I feel so angry and disgusted with Haringey social services - how can a child be on an at-risk register and suffer such a traumatic death.

The case is described as worse than that of Victoria Climbie, who was murdered in Haringey in 2000. Such awful cruelty how can this have happened to another child in the same borough.

There have been several cases like this over the years and it is only now after all this time a Review of child protection in England has been ordered.

Worse that media reports this morning say that nobody in Haringey Social Services or the council will be held responsible. That's just not good enough. Somebody has to be held accountable. This little boys short life has to have been for something.

Britblog roundup 195

All things Barack Obama - (Illustration: Patrick Moberg)

This weeks Britblog Roundup #195: The Audacity of Hazel Edition is over at Mr Eugenides blog

Very interesting - just love his style of writing.

Reading it, got down the bottom. Wow! a sharp wake up call - it's my turn next weekend. Gosh I've hardly had time for myself these past few weeks - needs patience and understanding to be a successful agony aunt. However my blogs been sadly neglected. Never mind I'm up to the task.

A reminder for readers: Anybody out there in Blogospere can nominate a post as long as it's a British Blog. All nominations should be sent to britblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

Barack Obama - Change can happen

What a win, history in the making - The most powerful country in the world has elected a black man, Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

Like millions around the world caught up in election euphoria, it was so exciting as the voting results came in. Watching the crowds of people truly reflected the demographics of modern day America. A measure of the man that so many young people and new voters were inspired to queue for hours to register their vote. An unprecedented turnout, the Afro- American communities specially seemed to be energized to vote truly believing that the 2008 election was really a time for change.

The public display of emotion by Jessie Jackson touched heart-strings. It has made the death of Martin Luther King have more meaning. Who can forget those words - I have a dream. For millions of Afro-Americans that dream has now been realised.

There is a real sense of optimism across the world this morning that USA is about to embark on great change that will have a major impact on the world.