Islington Partners Residents forum: Introducing the new chair.

Busy, busy, busy - After the summer break Sept is always full of meetings - this year is no exception. Tonight was Islington's 'Partners' Residents forum meeting.

First up on the agenda, the election of Chair for a two year term. Feel very proud that yours truly was elected by the members with a wide majority. Richard Best was elected vice-chair. Other residents were co-opted after the election so we now have a good team in place.

Being the Chair for two years is a real commitment but everybody including officialdom seems to feel I'm up to the task. They are all used to my making waves so to speak but its all for the long term good of Islington residents anyway.

The Summer edition of the Partners Gazette has since been distributed to the 5000 plus residents living in properties managed by Partners. Good to see some of the concerns of residents were included in the publication - gives members of the forum encouragement that their voice is being heard. The Autumn edition is already being planned. Other issues of concern or interest will be in the next one - Including something about visitors to properties(family & friends) and their behaviour.
Seems now I'm going to have to write something to be included in each edition of the Gazette. Not a problem with so much going on around.

The forum members had already been informed about the new recycling developments and it is hoped an article will be included in the next edition as well. I'm pleased that wheelie bins were distributed to some of the residents in this area and all the old green boxes collected. So far everybody who has received one are very pleased - less mess and easy to manage. For this property we did get two delivered to share - should think do to, what good would one wheelie bin be.

As the meetings are open to the public, our new venue at the Town Hall means easy access for most residents and plenty of space for people to sit - so welcome all.

End of the summer

Seems we are at the end of the lovely hot weather. All week it has been chop and change between extremes in weather conditions. Tuesday was able to get the pool out for my grandson - he actually managed to get me in it up to knee level. It was either that or get sprayed - least it was fun. He has started his new school but for the first week they close for half the day. Having attended nursery since the year dot he's full of confidence but some of the other children have never been away from their mothers before so find it very distressing. He just said at the moment school is boring but at least he's been able to spend time with his nans'.

They live so far a way now I have to meet him half way at London Bridge. Not a stress, he knows the way on the Northern line down all those long passages without batting an eye lid. God he's so sensible I'm just amazed the way he thinks - like a little old man giving me instructions not to go near the yellow line and making sure I touch in and out with my oyster card. At times he seems to be looking after me not the other way round. So pleased he has now learnt where I live and knows what to do in an emergency - such a relief.

Thursday again the weather wasn't so good - indoor activities. Imagine him telling me to go quietly up the stairs so as not to disturb the neighbours.

Saturday was another scorcher. My foster mum was showing two of her Champion boxer dogs at the Richmond dog show. If she can travel all the way from Wales at her age then who am I to say anything about travelling from North London to Guildford Surrey so off I went. The train journeys weren't so bad but at the other end just couldn't be bothered looking up buses so jumped in a taxi. A wise choice - it was miles - would have taken forever on a bus. Habits die hard - Get told off as if I'm still a child so didn't dare be late when I promised I'd be there.

Arrived in time to see the young Alice strut her stuff and win another prize. The two dogs have won so many prizes this year they more than qualify for Crufts. Guess who will be going to Birmingham again next year.

Islington: Wheelie Bins for recycling

Islington recycling will soon announce more plastic items that can be included in the weekly collection - such as plastic containers, Tetrapack, drinks carton and plastic bags.

Where resident should put all the stuff has also been considered - the sensible news is wheelie bins for recycling are being introduced. They are not being rolled out around the borough but an opt in arrangement is being organised as a trial.

One can only say thank heavens for that. Already in the property where I live there are 9 green boxes and most weeks this is not enough. Then with the wind, the boxes at time are a nightmare to keep closed and recycling rubbish is blown about sometimes in the street.

Sounding out opinions of adjacent neighbours and other local residents in the area most I've spoken to welcome the idea as long as they retrieve the old garden boxes and not create another problem with redundant green boxes and nowhere to keep them. Even the route collectors say it would make their collection much easier - there is apparently a high rate of recycling in this area.

Well I've included this property on the list. As a multi-occupancy property one wheelie bin won't be enough so I'm hoping they will give us two for the trials - least that's on the cards for now.

Waiting for more official information about the scheme so watch this space...

Britblog roundup 238: The end of the Summer hols version

It's the end of the summer hols - children are back to school - the nightmare begins - heavy London traffic. Why can't the little darlings just walk to school or get a bus and save the environment.

Checking this weeks nominations, seems like many bloggers are still getting back into the swing of things except of course the political bloggers who have always got something gobby to say.

Last week was extremely traumatic for me - it's continued this week with calls and impromptu visits which have really disrupted my whole weekend - not that I mind because people who are distressed need somebody to talk to. By sheer coincidence Lynne Featherstone MP penned about her hospice visit North London Hospice - she wrote,I have always been shocked - that end of life care (dying basically) is often left to charities rather than being part of the NHS and properly funded by them.

A news item that's really pissed me off - the demise of the 100watt condensate bulb has likewise irked many people - the energy saving bulbs supposed 100watt equivalent is useless if one needs bright light. Unmitigated England's witty gist Black Out says it all,

We've seen some jaw-dropping dictates from them for some time, but this one beggars belief. So, from yesterday apparently, it's 'ban all those perfectly serviceable lightbulbs.....

To calm the mood - see photo above. English Buildings always has interesting facts about historical buildings. This week he's writing about a lighthouse in Burham on Sea, Somerset.

But in the end, buffeted and battered, I made it to the Low Light, Burnham’s sea-shore lighthouse on poles. This unusual structure was built in 1832.

Just wonder how he finds the time to visit all the buildings he writes about.

Pro Liberi's on his soap box - Milking the consumer - About corporations holding back on replacing technology to get the most out of their investment and screwing the consumer.

Interesting post - Stumbling and Mumbling on X Factor politics - Seems the X Factor has become the show that every politician must watch

Remember the Jersey scandal. A good, straight cop responds to the Jersey establishment's lies -Lenny Harpers guest posting on Senator Stuart Syvret's Blog

Ben, a convicted murderer, asks if he, as a prisoner should be allowed to blog.

The F-word reviews the book Bluestockings, The Remarkable Story of the First Women to fight for an Education, by Jane Robinson

England’s first college accepting female undergraduates was established in 1869. In 1948, Cambridge became the last university in the country to grant degrees to its female students. Alexandra Roumbas Goldstein reviews a book which charts the years in between....

Mark Reckons recently interviewed Douglas Carswell about his book the Plan which he co-wrote with Daniel Hanman

Chicken Yogurt writes, When is a nuclear submarine not a nuclear submarine - Take for example, the recently launched Indian nuclear submarine, the INS Arihant (Destroyer of Enemies). Just how many enemies the Arihant could be the destroyer of right now is debatable,for you see...

Clairwil shouts All Hail Lubna 'whip me if you dare' Hussian

Bishop Crammer is really put out that the NHS is advertising for Faith and Spirituality Coordinators. What a waste of money.

Liberal Conspiracy feels Feminists aren't letting down Muslim women - just hate it when men are opinionated about women matters when they know nothing.

Jonathon Calder writes Russell Howard and Mock the week - an interesting post.

A well reasoned commentary - Bulger to Edington - small kids killing other smaller kids for sadistic pleasure - stuff that nightmares are made of.

The adventures of Juliette ponders why factual crime is always so much more banal, depressing and predictable than the fictional version?

Penny Red most vocal as usual - Reproductive freedom and racial paranoia

It goes without saying - Why journalism still beats blogging.

A modern day fagan - Just looking at his photo, all I can say is Yuk.

This a special request not a blog post. Our Soldier boy Matt after a serious head operation a year ago is trying to raise money for the Army's Headley Court rehabitation centre which is largely funded by donations. Now disabled but still in the Army he is taking part in sporting competitions on behalf of the Army's disabled soldiers. If you can help even with a fiver, please donate to Just Giving so he reaches his target of £2000.

That's all for this week. Sorry it's not my usual witty post but one has to be in the mood to crack jokes.

Next weeks round up will be hosted by Natalie Bennett who pens Philobiblon

Missed any BBRU posts - you can catch up on other weeks on Britblog Roundup Central
Nominations for any post please send them in to britblog AT gmail DOTcom