Pondering Nature vs Nuture and DNA

Yesterday having a free day went to visit my mother's cousin Joan whom I haven't seen for about 30 years. Just lost her address when I went to Africa but found her recently via family since I started on the family tree - I've mentioned it before on my blog.

We have been chatting on the phone and it's almost like the years in between just didn't happen.

She grew up with my mother so I wasn't surprised that she sounded like her on the phone. Hard to believe she is 80 next week the way we have been talking - her mind is a clear as a bell.

The tube journey was easy but the buses to her house really got me flummoxed. Was so surprised when I eventually got on the correct bus there was an elderly lady who actually knew my mum's cousin and who when we got off carefully walking with two sticks took me to her front gate. Seems locally Joan is everybody's friend when it's needed so the lady insisted even though walking was difficult for her. Naturally I couldn't leave her there so slowing walked with her back to her own gate then rushed back.

I was wondering what kind of person I'd meet that would evoke such a response from a total stranger. When she opened the door and went in I was in total shock. She didn't look anywhere near her age. Bizarrely it was like looking at an older me - not facially but her style of dressing, her makeup, the way she speaks, mannerisms, her house, furnishing, colours themes and bits and bobs were almost the same even down to her interaction with the local community. The only difference being she is fastidiously tidy while I live in organised chaos with papers everywhere. Other than that we were mentally in tune with each other in a way I don't even have with my own sisters. Both of us were completely taken by surprise especially as she has lived in the same area in London nearly all her life and I've lived all over the world. The one other odd thing is she has a collection of Teddy bears and so does my sister Anne-louise.

I've long wondered about the issue of nature vs nurture because I have a similar relationship with one of my sister's daughters. We have often said over the years it is so weird that she is not my own daughter. Recently I've been thinking about DNA as well. Especially after following the branches of some of my family members and finding out that many of the descendants of just one (maternal) male relation, the 2nd & 3rd generations all now living in America, Australia, England, France and other countries who don't even know about each other are all following artisan professions. Likewise I found similar traits in family's other lines on both sides of the tree.

Gosh what memories she has. The school she went to, the evacuation from London during the war. Her pictures and snippets of documents. Just love the 1930's one above of my great aunt Ethel and her youngest daughter Iris. Her lovingly preserved docs of one male cousin Nelson who was shot in Italy while on active war duty. All very emotional she's has asked me if I could trace records of some family very special to her I didn't know existed.

Well I'm going to see what I can do.....

Mental Health trust, off with the old and on with the new

Attended the Camden and Islington Foundation Trust governors' meeting on Tuesday. Two meetings following each other from 4.30 to supposed 7.30pm was heavy going - piles of docs and some of their medical jargon, enough said.

The incumbent Chair, Richard Arthur, former Labour leader of Camden Council, who takes charge of the Mental health service at the end of March, from David Taylor, attended as an observer - photo.

Noticed there was a reported from the CNJ at the table - was curious to know what aspect of the whole meeting he would pick up on. Now we know - It’s over to you: New mental health boss takes over amid fears for hospital

Recently there was petition raised over the closure of the acute wards at St Luke's Hospital which is at Muswell Hill in Haringey. Quite surprised at the sentimentality of some people who want to keep it open and later have it refurbished. Several of the governors expressed strong emotions about the issue.

I couldn't support them. Having had to visit that hospital on several occasions I found the dilapidated old Victoria style sprawling layout so depressing. In such a lovely location with plenty of grounds for expansion, I for one would support the option of demolishing part of it and rebuilding a modern facility. There hasn't been any final decision made as yet but it's obviously the most cost effective plan.

Watch out for the kissing police at Warrington Station

Only this week my friend was translating a Hindu news report from India where a couple are in trouble for having a kiss after their wedding ceremony. She said that in India kissing in public is not allowed. Couldn't help but make some sarcastic remarks, the story sounded so archaic - it couldn't happen in Britain or could it

The last laugh is certainly is on me - Must be the daftest sign in England. No kissing signs have been put up at Warrington Quay Station in Cheshire. My first thought was it must be some kind of windup. Seems it's true - you have to listen to the video to make sense of it all.



Media reports say, No-kissing signs have appeared in the taxi rank at Warrington Bank Quay Station forcing lovers to use designated areas only.

The signs were erected after concerns that passionate embraces were causing delays for commuters with more passengers being attracted there.

Wonder which silly plonkers in the Chamber of Commerce came up with the idea. Seems so ridiculous, what a waste of public money. Who is really going to take it seriously and how on earth are station staff going to legally enforce it.

Bizarrely they have actually put up signs in designated zones where kissing is allowed.

Sure the station is going to become a tourist attraction - If I was travelling on that route I'd probably be one to get off the train just to have a look at it.

Islington - James Kempton needs to be told people are not so gullible

This week the Tribune has an article about Islington Council's budget proposal and their plans for council tax.

It’s your choice (but will they listen to what you say?

The council leader James Kempton is asking people to write in or email their thoughts about Council Tax - should it be frozen or increased. At first glance most people given the choice would say freeze the council tax. This is the option the LibDem administration are hoping will get the majority support.

The carefully calculated alternative Islington budget worked out by by all the other councillors is to slightly raise council tax for a specific purpose - free school meals for primary school children and a £100 rebate for pensioners. In these austere times, what a wonderful proposal for the children and pensioners in Islington. I can't imagine any council tax payer objecting to an increase if the additional income is set aside specifically for the purpose intended.

Free school meals would save families money: as well as being beneficial in itself in terms of assisting learning, healthier eating and children learning good habits of sitting down for a meal in primary school.

Most pensioners are suffering due to rising fuel bills and a drop in savings income. Many don't even have savings and pensioner poverty is fast becoming a national disgrace.

We can all appreciate the cost implications but several millions have already been identified in savings so with the additional source of funding from council tax the plan seems workable. Better to spend the money on something that will have some real benefit to those that need it now.

The article in the Tribune is slightly misleading. It reads as if the LibDem administration have an alternative proposal and are willing to listen to peoples opinions. I doubt it very much. It's obviously a pre-election ploy for the European elections next May - we'll soon start seeing election leaflets boasting about how much savings the Islington council has made and how they have frozen council tax when other councils are raising it.

It's glaringly obvious otherwise why at the full Council meeting on 26 February, the LibDem councillors won't have a free vote over the issue? It's hard to accept that they all plan to vote against the alternative package. Why can't all councillors across party lines for once set aside their political differences and vote YES to the alternative plan for the real benefit of Islington residents who in these tough economic times need all the financial help they can get. Come off it James people are not that gullible, who cares about savings and all that when they need help now!

Snow day two: A chance to catch up.

Amazing the way everything in London has virtually come to a standstill because of snow.

At home again today - a chance to catch up with paperwork. Have many forms to fill out this year. Got to find time to take my CRB form back as well with all the docs for verification.

Keep saying my lucky stars seem to be shining at the moment. Still working on my family tree -sent off an email at the weekend to a Church website asking about an old family grave. Don't really know what prompted me to do it. Wasn't even sure I'd found the correct church - was pure guess work on my part after Google mapping all the graveyards in the area. So surprised to see an early morning email from the Rev with all the info I needed and attached was a grave map of the church. He found the grave I was looking for and from from the names on the map there are obviously so many family buried there.

Mid-morning, decided to take a trip up Oxford Street - had to go to a specific shop for something for my birthday on Saturday. Under normal circumstances it's usually a stress with all the crowds. Was so surprised that there was hardly anybody about - not the usual hustle and bustle. Met an American group out buying warm clothes, who were apparently on their way to Sierra Leone but because of the snow were stranded in London for a week. People always ask me strange things when I'm out. Must have one of those comforting faces. The women asked me about clothes. Spent a few minutes while they tried things on because they wanted my opinion. Bit of a laugh.

Could believe that even with that small delay, went to two shops, purchased everything I needed and was back home within 2 hours.

Not one for missing meetings but this evening feel very guilty for not going - supposed to attend a meet the candidates meeting on behalf of the Camden & Islington Mental Health Foundation Trust . Couldn't face the cold and walking up the icy Dartmouth Park Hill. Just been informed that instead of at the usual St Pancras venue, the next full meeting of the Trust on 17th will be in the Resources Centre in Holloway Road. Seems another prayer has been answered. A venue so easy to get to on the no 4 bus. When it's warmer one can even walk there.

Suppose tomorrow everything will be back to normal....

The day the snow fell on London

What a magical sight to wake up to. Thick heavy snow on the ground and it's still snowing. London is at a standstill. No buses, schools closed, airports shut and the rail network and most London tube network is not operating. In London we only get light snow and that's only occasionally. This year we have received the full onslaught, 8" apparently blown in from Russia.

Small kids are making snowmen - sort of touched a memory chord of when I was a child. Others are sliding down the hilly road by the shops.

Nobody seems to be going anywhere - most of the cars parked out front haven't been moved and are coated with the stuff.

With so much advanced warning on the news, should have thought to get a spade from the garden shed to clear the front pathway. Had to manage with a small hand pan this evening. With nowhere to put it had no alternative but to throw it outside the gate. Salted the ground by the front door to the gate hoping it will clear by morning. These old pins are not as strong as they used to be and don't want to slip on the ice and make a fool of myself. Local shopkeepers seem to be doing a brisk business with their large salt bags, noticed other residents doing the same thing.

With no post and no rubbish collection - most services have stopped because people can't get to work. Local news reports say that some medical staff in the hospitals are bedding down for the night where they work. With no way to get home or back in the morning it seems to be the only solution.

Looks like tomorrow also not much will happen either though the late news is that the tube is partially operating and for once will be running all night in an attempt to clear the tracks in the parts that run overground.