Britblog round up 215

This weeks round up by Trixy can be read on her blog -Is there more to life than shoes?. Since joining the roundup team I've been reading her blog - a witty style of writing, some of her posts are just hilarious. Her approach to the roundup this week is just as funny.

For those who don't take life to seriously have a read.

Next week it will be the turn of Charles Crawford who is knowledgeable about all things EEC. He is the newest member of the team and it will be his first.

Nominations as usual to britblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

Lynne Featherstone & another brave lady write...

Having a quick review of some blogs this morning - so many out there in blogospere one could spend hours trawling but whose really got the time to waste? Two posts I picked up worth more than just a glance.

On Crazy like Us? came across this post Crisis and Recovery. It's a real eyeopener for anybody interested in mental health issues - have to really admire the lady for having the bottle to write her feelings down.

Lynne Featherstone MP on the antics of the squirrels in her garden. Outside the formal political arena, Lynne has a 'wicked' sense of humour. They seem to have really wound her up - 2 posts in one week. Well if she can call them bloody squirrels then I'll repeat it - bloody squirrels.

Nicked the Youtube video from her post. It's just so funny.

Watching them in the garden at the back of this property, I'm intrigued the way every year they follow the same route over and over again . Some little blighters are so brazen they don't even run away when they see you - they sit there rubbing their paws together with their ears cocked just looking at you.

Don't mind them until they start digging up the bulbs and plants - least that was until I was introduced to the chilli powder solution which seems to keep them at bay. They do however help to prune the long gangling branches of one of the weak looking trees out back that doesn't get a hair cut to encourage fresh strong growth - How to prune fruit trees. Not funny though when you get zapped on the head when they jump and branches snap.

Just an after thought - my friend Robert gave me some binoculars he received as an Excellance Service Award from his workplace. The idea was to look at the birds nests in the trees - my grandson will love it. Wonder if they are powerful enough to follow the squirrels when they grab the birds' food and run off with it.

PFI in my flat has arrived

The scaffolding has been up for 3 weeks now and nothing has happened. Residents in both adjacent properties have asked how long it will remain up. Had to bluff my way out of that one, knowing that some of the time depends on completing some of the mandatory internal works in my flat which needs scaffolding access to dress the external walls - works I'm not looking forward to.

By appointment the contractors works team turned up earlier today to run thorough the programme. Quite prepared for a verbal fight after having to help some residents sort out problems in their flats whilst their work was being done - determined I am not going to put up with the same mess. They took me completely by surprised - for once the team handling this property were not the expected patronising 'I'm telling you what we are doing and you have no choice' attitude.

The site manager listened to everything while taking down extensive notes. A simple thing like my bathroom. At first the bath replaced a few years ago because it dropped 6 inches due to problems with the listing of the building external walls and weak floor boards, wasn't going to be changed. Now it has to be done again because the problem seems to have reoccurred. I know logically it will also be easier for them to access the old water pipes if everything is cleared but.... There are many fixtures and fittings which I bought and fixed myself- not the bog standard cheapos they put in the flats - the bath itself is deeper than the ones they are now fitting. The existing bath was ordered specially so I don't have to bend over so far- don't want the situation of back-lock again. My grandson when he was younger thought it ever so funny trying to help grandma up when she got stuck. Now it has been agreed they will take it apart carefully and wrap everything until they have finished putting it all back at it was.

My allergic reaction to strong chemicals and some powerful odours might be a joke to some neighbours. However it's not funny when ones eyes burn, you can't breath properly and skin blisters red. The doctors say if need be they would write the company a letter. Easy solution, they are ordering odourless paint

The location of my flat and access to water for the back garden has even been considered. Just small things like that made all the difference. I've signed and the date has been fixed.

I know it won't be easy in this small flat but if they do everything as planned there will be no trouble from me. I am looking forward to have the kitchen sink repositioned by the window and to be able to replace some of the carpets and furniture which have been on hold pending the works.

Mystery Shopping again

Received a telephone this morning asking if I would be one of Partners' Mystery Shoppers. Of course I'll do it, I like things like that - the response I got back was good, we knew you would - what can you say to a comment like that!

Seems every organisation is recruiting Mystery Shoppers these days. They use it to check on their staff, contractors, residents, retail outlets and the police are using it for sting operations, you name it and there seems to be a group looking into everything. Similarly there are the service websites who throw up a form and ask you for a feedback.

Have taken part before - never got any feedback though. This time around as it's Partners it should be different. Now just waiting for the envelope with instructions to see what assignment they have given me but... Hope it is not going to involve somebody I know - I couldn't keep a straight face.

Taking about Mystery Shopping with friends after recent widely publicised local police sting over the sale of alcoholic drinks to under 18s- a remark made in jest. 'Lord, it's like having an army of snooper poopers all over the place'.

My concern over some of these initiatives - it is all good and well if they use the information towards making improvement or catching illegal acts but if the feedback just sits on somebody's table somewhere collecting dust and nothing happens, it's a waste of time and energy.

For all mums on Mother's day

Britblog roundup 214 - Mothers Day edition

Mothers day is supposed to be a day when mothers put their feet up. Fat chance for me at the moment if I don't hurry up with this weeks BBRU. Up with the larks at an unearthly hour to complete it in time. As I'm writing, sad news has just flashed up that Jade Goody died at 3.55 this morning - has sort of put the damper on my mood. Seems almost surreal that she should die on Mothering Sunday.

A weird collection of nominations this week, my friend suggests they are nerdy - at the best some of them are heavy reads but here goes...

One of my favourite blogs, all things British Heritage - English Buildings has written about the beautiful photo, the old Church lych gate in Long Compton in Warwickshire.

Liberal England pens, When the US army came to Ditton Priors

Reflections from an oldie - the then and now of Piccadilly Circus since the Statue of Eros was relocated near The Criterion Theatre.

Tom Watson MP as vocal as usual - The 25 years since the Miners Strike Week has replayed a lot of 1984 memories.

Not everybody's cup of tea but.....
Epic Abandoned Substations and Power Plants is a review with interesting photos of abandoned premises in various parts of the world.

Norfolk Blogger obviously an Eastenders soap fan asks
Why do the BBC and Eastenders get politics so wrong so consistently ? he writes, In fact, on every social issue the BBC and Eastenders make great efforts to be as correct on the issue as possible and avoid sensationalist and factual errors. There is in Eastenders at the moment a by-election in Walford East again. Peggy Mitchell is the candidate. The by-election is in three weeks time (2nd April). And that brings up the first error. Why is it on a Monday ?

He has pointed out some valid points which are glaringly obvious to political campaigners. For a start elections are traditionally held on a Thursday. It a disgrace to the BBC that they couldn't take the trouble to properly research into Election campaigning before writing the storyline.

A post that's stomach churning even to read about, every woman's nightmare - The story of the ghastly township violence in South Africa against real or suspected lesbians - 'corrective rape' - has drawn a lot of attention.

Like many women, Laura Woodhouse a contributor to the Fword is in full support of the

EU guidelines on gender neutral language - she says,

The Daily Mail may call it political correctness gone mad, but I think the EU’s decision to issue politicians with guidelines on the use of gender neutral language is a really positive step.

There is no name indicating the Daily Mail reporter's gender but I can guess it's a man giving his opinion on what he thinks women feel about the issue.

Another man who gets up my nose - We all know the Pope does not support the use of condoms but many people would wish he would just keep his mouth shut. The Daily Maybe asks, Does the Pope shit on the poor? on the other hand Heresy Corner is Speaking up for the Pope

The Office of Government Commerce, an Agency of Her Majesty's Treasury, has finally published the two Stage Zero Gateway Reviews of the ID Cards programme. Spy blog gives his opinion on the long awaited report.

Again a debate on a topic that's wearing out the carpet - Met’s propaganda poster lies about terrorism and CCTV

Now, a cup of tea moment - Yum, yum I like Tunnock's Teacakes and Tunnock's Caramel Wafers.

The Ministry of Truth writes, Purnell’s Lie Detector - How it actually ‘works’ and Purnell’s Lie Detector - Indecent Disclosures

Something definitely for the men - Sir Liam Donaldson On Passive Masturbation.

Arr!! Penny Red a woman after my own heart, a kind of thing I'd end up doing - Tales from Turnpike Lane station 4: Sandra and Jodie.

Trixy part of the BBRU team is calling on readers to sign a petition to Save our Pubs. I'd like to suggest that all the women boozers out there raise a glass to Jade Goody whose death at just 27 brought the awareness of cervical cancer to the world.

Whoops! I almost forgot - Googling up your street - have a look at what was happening the day they photographed your house.

That's all for now - I'm off to B & Q

Next week’s Roundup will be hosted by Trixy. Rota details and a complete archive may be found at the Britblog Central website. As ever, nominations should be sent to britblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

Googling up your street

The launch of Google Street View UK service this week which allows members of the public to pick a spot on a map and ‘zoom’ in to see photos of the area got the better of my curiosity. Just had to see what all the fuss was about. First up was the property where I live.

The way it's being reported on the news, as if you can just type in an address and the property comes up immediately is just not accurate. Its not actually that easy to identify individual properties unless you're familiar with the premises. The interactive maps do however open up in the street you want near the address you are looking for and all I can say is wow. It's like simulated driving up and down roads - absolutely fascinating.

Took me some time to work out how to manipulate the controls, move down the roads and then to line it up various addresses so there's a clear visual of the frontage of the buildings. Seeing the front of this property up close like that, with the windows open in my flat and the big front windows open in the flat below brought on merths of laughter and a fit of giggles which has lasted for hours. The zoom control doesn't allow you to nose into a residence which safeguards individual privacy but nevertheless it's sort of gives one a creepy feeling like being a fly on a wall.

Did the same for my son Sule's house south of the River Thames. Spent a fun few minutes moving round the square in Kensington where I was born and looking up close friends. What I have observed is the cleanliness of the streets and the absence of black rubbish bags. Somebody has obviously worked hard air bushing the images.

Still chuckling away to myself, had a mind flash to look up some of the address of my ancestors on my family tree who were born and lived in London. Considering the redevelopment over the past 200 hundred years and the bombing of London during WW11, I was surprised so many still exist. It's quite exciting imagining the area back then and seeing it now.

Haven't had time to look up other parts of the country they have completed but one can obviously see the fun element in it. Know my grandson will be thrilled to bits to be able to drive up and down his area at home on the PC.

Can also foresee it becoming an additional security aid in the fight against crime.

Personally I feel Google are on to a winner with this very useful tool.

Update: 25 Towns have so far been completed - Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Oxford, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Southampton, Swansea & York.

Partners Residents Forum members get tough

The venue of future Partners residents forum meetings will now be at the Town Hall. At last nights meeting members unanimously voted for the change.

Since PFI1 & PF2 residents forums were amalgamated into one forum the meetings have been held at Partners HQ where there is hardly room to swing a cat. It is hot and stuffy with so many people in a room sitting all squashed up like sardines in a tin makes for uncomfortable working conditions. The address is difficult to find if one is not familiar with the area putting off residents who may wish to attend as observers. The worst is the security aspect of having to ring a bell to enter the building and again on each floor level just to enter the lift. During the recent cold spell when members and observers were left out in the cold trying to get into the building for over half an hour was the last straw - something had to be done about it.

Another contentious issue is the agenda. As owners of the forum the Residents through the chair are supposed to to agree on an agenda. It has long been felt that Forum members are being treated like small children with HFI and Partners performance targets taking up time and taking precedence over what really concerns the residents - the standard of the renovation work in their homes, the procedure for complaints, repairs/maintenance, anti-social behaviour and lease holder concerns. Some issues brought up by members have been glossed over and in the end often get forgotten about leading to occassional volatile reactions from some members borne out of the frustration of not it all.

The forum does have a Terms of Reference which is basic in it's wording but when push come to shove this has been used as a reason why things have to be in the order they are set.

Well that is about to change. With a collection of thoughts from several forum members I spent over two weeks in my spare time revamping the whole document step by step. All set in clear different coloured wording identifying changes with options where a vote is required. One never knows the reaction of the majority when undertaking a task like that. However last night couldn't help feeling pleased when the whole document was accepted in principle with a special meeting called in two weeks to tidy up the loose ends before the current term of office expires and fresh elections are called.

The residents forum is getting tough - members are not prepared to accept all the bullshit anymore. They want problems sorted to an amicable conclusion with the decisions implemented for the benefit of all the residents.

Britblog roundup 213

Britblog round up this week is hosted by Mike Fealty a regular Telegraph blogger - aptly tagged 'It's enormous' edition, 213

I enjoy Mike's style of writing well that was until I read to the end of his post and got a sharp memory jolt...

Next week’s Roundup will be hosted by Suzanne (last week's came from Jonathan)! Rota details and a complete archive may be found at the Britblog Central website. As ever, nominations should be sent to britblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

It seems BBRU 214 is my turn next weekend - until then when the Mothering Sunday edition will be online.....

Scaffolding D-Day

Well the scaffolders arrived Tuesday. Took them over two days to complete the job. Probably would have been quicker if they had done a full days work instead of just 9.30 to 3pm. Rain started later in the morning Tuesday which made their work more difficult but Wednesday it was bright and sunny so I really expected them to finish the job. What a noisy lots they were - continual banter with language a bit blue for my ears.

Arranged last weekend for a delivery of some bags of lawn feed hoping it would arrive before the scaffolding works commenced. Sods law, it arrived as the rain started and as the scaffolders were struggling to set the planks down the side of the building leading into the garden.

Couldn't complain they were most co-operative. To get the bags out of the way, the fit looking young South African delivery man took it upon himself to carry all the bags down the stairs into the garden area while the scaffolders held up the bits to let him pass. There are times in life when saying thank you is just not enough. The best I could do it to make them a cuppa.

As I was going out early afternoon I noticed the scaffolders had left some of their clothing and trainers on the ground by the gate. Told the young apprentice carrying the planks of wood from the lorry to the front stack, to move their personal things inside the gate before passing children on lunch break nick them.

Was gob smacked when I returned an hour later, to learn that within the short space of time of he'd taken to put down the plank he'd been carrying when I'd spoken to him his trainers vanished. He was obviously distressed which was not helped by the ribbing he got from the others about their old ones not being touched. Felt so sorry for him.

Since then they have been back to put up the blue netting and this evening the publicity/health & safety signs were positioned. Now it is the wait for the inspections.

More to come.....

Islington rated a 4 Star council

May come as a surprise to many local recidents but the Audit Commission 2008 report has rated Islington as a 4 Star council and that's official.

Extracts from the report

Islington Council is improving strongly. The Council continues to deliver strong improvement in key priority areas such as reducing crime, educational attainment, environment and by helping more older people to live independently. The pace of improvement is higher than the national average with over two-thirds of performance indicators improving last year. The Council has a high proportion of strong performing services. However, challenges remain in terms of recycling and the Council has plans in place to address these. The Council works well with partners to deliver wider community outcomes such as tackling health inequalities and regeneration. The Council provides good value for money, and good financial management continues to deliver significant efficiency savings.

Apparently their weakness is the Council's recycling programme. We'll have to wait and see what plans are afoot to improve the situation

What, £400 for a toilet seat!

Bit of local news that caught my eye this week. An amusing read but in reality it's pathetic - £100,000 spent on hospital beds and seats for fat people

ALMOST £100,000 has been spent on reinforced beds and seats for Islington's fattest residents - some of whom are so obese their weight damages normal toilets.

NHS Islington spent the sum over the last three years to ensure its hospitals and surgeries can cope with the borough's largest people. A reinforced toilet seat costs £400.

£400 for a toilet seat! What the heck is it made of?

Feel so annoyed at times watching some of the children around here stuffing their faces everyday with coke, chips, baked beans, pizza, crisps and biscuits. The size of some of them before they leave school is alarming. Two or three years down the line they grow into hefferlumps. Many don't work and spend their days lazing around getting fatter and fatter. I'm speechless at times watching some of them waddling along the road.

Mind you, there are situations that arise when one just has to laugh. One young man I know who left school about 3 years ago arrived on a scooter with some papers from his mum. The ever increasing size of him, I can never keep my mouth shut. He's always making jokes about his weight especially when he's puffing his way up the stairs. As he was leaving he took ages to position himself properly on the seat so he wouldn't fall off - his words not mine.

Islington: more on the LibDems crushing budget vote defeat

Never got round to finishing my blog post last Thursday on the outcome of the full council budget vote. It's now local knowledge that the LibDem plan was defeated and the alternative budget won the day - free school meals for primary school children and £100 rebate on council tax for pensioners. It was a long meeting, full of drama, only ending after 11pm when the LibDem administration finally conceded defeat.

This weeks local newspapers are full of various opinions - some for and some against. Even Jamie Oliver had added his pennyworth - TV’S JAMIE: MY FEARS OVER FREE DINNERS.

Most schools seem to welcome the initiative - Primary schools lap up free meals.

Nitsa Sergides, headteacher of Grafton Primary School, in Holloway, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that all children will have the same opportunity to have the same meals, regardless of affordability. For families on pretty low incomes who do not qualify for a free school meal because they are just over the threshold, this will be absolutely fantastic. It will also take away discrimination.”

She added: “This is just at the right time, with all the financial difficulty out there and the credit crunch. At least we can be sure our little ones get one warm meal a day.”

Echoing Ms Sergides's sentiment - this evening I was on the phone to a co-committee member when by sheer coincidence, the topic came up. She's a young lady for whom I have a great deal of respect, a divorcee with three young children who refuses to claim benefits preferring to work. However, with no other income other than her salary it's not easy for her to make ends meet. She told me just how much in monetary terms the saved income will mean to her each week.

We will have to wait and see how the programme will be implemented. It's appreciated that the funding of it all is a real concern but for the sake of the children, roll on September 2009 when it will kick off.

The news of £100 rebate for pensioners has also generally been received with excitement but as expected the pessimists have raised concerns

Pensioners and groups supporting the elderly welcomed the £100 windfall, but feared services might suffer cuts to pay for the rebate.

Age Concern Islington chief executive Deborah Fowler said: “The tax rebate will be welcome to the many pensioners living on low incomes in Islington but it’s important that services for older people are not cut while finding the savings to fund this rebate.”George Durack, chairman of Islington Pensioners Forum, said: “I was delighted that the pensioners are going to get some money and the children are going to get their dinners. It’s marvellous.

The over all political effect is a crushing blow to the Lib Dem administration but the Council Leader James Kempton is defiant - We're still in charge say Lib-Dems after Council Tax defeat. There may be claims the local party is in a buoyant mood but the weakness of the present leadership is beginning to show though the cracks.

Dreading being hemmed in by the scaffolding

The expected letter arrived today. Some time next week they say they are coming to erect the scaffolding around our property to start the external works. It's not the scaffolding that disturbs me so much but the blue netting they use to encase it all, health and safety regulation for the workers, which will block out the light. One of my phobia's in life is I don't like to feel hemmed in - the curtains in my flat are hardly ever drawn.

How long it will be up is also an issue. They always claim it will be about two to three months but the reality from experience of other residents it could remain for a lot longer. Once in position nothing will actually happen until the health and safety inspectors are satisfied it's safe. Then the surveyors who will be up and down determining what work is to actually be done. The Easter holiday period will probably extend the time further.

The letter goes on to say that any flower pots on the window sills should be removed. That's all good and well if you live on the ground floor but I can't be lifting them and carrying them down a flight of stairs. Have been told not to worry somebody will come and do it for me. Should think so too.

Regardless of the inconvenience I'm looking forward to the external works. It's long overdue. The beautiful variety of diffent bulbs planted over the years look wonderful this time of the year but leaking down pipes and rotting windows frames makes the overall appeance of the property look tatty.

Have been asked to choose a colour of paint for the communal front door. A limited selection - lets be daring and take the bright red option. It will look striking against the fresh white painted windows. Was going to buy one of those external security lights which flash on and off when somebody enters the gate. Good thing I didn't waste my money because it's included in the works plan and will be positioned over the front door.

What I'm not looking forward to is the internal works - it's giving me sleepless nights just thinking about it. My flat and the one below has been resheduled for imminent start - still waiting for that confirmation letter. I know they will want to get mine out of the way quickly because they have to knock a hole in the external wall to reposition the boiler in the kitchen and in the bathroom to realign the toilet and that will need scaffolding to redress the outside.

Least there will be plenty of opportunities for photos for my other PFI progress blog.
More coming .....

Just another day!

Had two bizarre conversations today about what I should or shouldn't write on my blog. Sometimes it's best to keep quiet and just listen when somebody is ranting on for no explicable reason. Sorry folks I'll pen what I want there is no law that says I can't as far as I'm aware. It's just like a reporter writing for a newspaper.

The most ironical thing is one post that seems to have got up the nose of one reader is about Alex one of my closest friends. The gist is about something we have both had a good laugh about but a local has suggested it is referring to her. Just rubbish but shows they must have a guilty conscience or something. Alex's son is a good looking hunk and a real charmer - she's always chuffed to bits when anybody says such things about him.

Imagine being asked why I write it. My choice and something I enjoy, it's about life and what is happening around me. Regretfully I don't have so much time these days to write everyday. Besides not much is happening locally that is newsworthy.

Some people who read it regularly find it fascinating - least that's what I'm told anyway. What interests many readers is my family tree research work. Have started to help family find branches of their own tree - my investigative brain seems to be able to find people forgotten or not even known about. Loads of secrets and scandals that come out is fascinating. My sister has suggested I start a research business of my own. Something to think about later. My mum's cousin Joan gets so excited when I fish out information. She was at first shocked and then saddened when I found a brother who died young who neither her or her sister Iris were ever told about. She says it's like unravelling one of those detective stories you see on television. The more names and addresses I come up with, the more her memories come alive.

Well it's now back to the grindstone.....