Marching to Save our Whittington

Can't imagine anybody living locally who is not annoyed at the proposal to close Whittington Hospital 's A & E department.

The campaign against the closure has been going on for weeks.

The heavy rain didn't deter all those who turn out for the public March yesterday.

Quoting from our local papers

THERE were extraordinary scenes this afternoon when close to 5,000 people marched through the streets of Islington with one intention: To 'Save Our Whittington'.

The protest was over plans to cut the Accident and Emergency department at the hospital in Archway. After snaking from Highbury Corner to the hospital, there were speeches from politicians from all the main parties, patient campaigners and health experts. Eyewitnesses said it was the biggest march of its kind in Islington in recent memory.

Lets hope those who made the proposal will stop and think about residents needs....

Home meetings are more friendly

The word seems to have gone round that if anybody wants to have a one-to-one meeting with me, my house is the preferable place - it's a more friendly atmosphere. I don't mind who wants to see me to discuss anything but travelling to offices all over the place even if they compensate you for travel expenses is so inconvenient.

Yesterday received two of United House management team. I really appreciated their effort because Swanley, UHL's base to London is not an easy journey - I've done it before. It's also gratifying to know my feedback from visiting residents is considered important enough for officialdom to arrange such meetings. On their part it also gives them the opportunity to look at the property and my flat as one of those refurbished under Islington's PFI program.

Last month the head of Housing management came round to discuss forum matters. He also took the opportunity to have a good look at this property and took some great photos. He's somebody I really like - with problematic residents cases he often visits personally.

He looked at my garden area which is bit sad at the moment. The ground is being contaminated by cleaning chemicals and other muck from the higher level. From my window you can actually see the water flow under the dying grass. The use of biodegradable cleaning stuff would be a start. Was in two minds to abandon the garden completely, will take time but the problem will be sorted. Waiting for an official soil tester, then perhaps the grass will all have to be dug up and turf laid.

There is no age limit for training

Partners have an annual training programme budget for Resident forum members and their staff. Today, along with other members, attended a mini course on Housing Law. Was really intensive but so interesting. Loads of questions from everybody - Partners staff themselves all felt it was very useful job wise. Least there is a better understanding all round as to why some procedures as bureaucratic as they might be under current legislation, are implemented a certain way.

One section that was a real eye opener: Most people seem to be under the misconception that residents are either Secure or Assured tenancy. There are actually different types of tenancies ranging from a Starter tenancy to a Demoted tenancy.

The one all the course participants were naturally most interested in was a demoted tenancy. This was introduced by the Anti Social act of 2003 whereby social housing landlords can take away a secure tenancy.

I'm quite sure the next enquiry that is going to come up is how many demoted residencies Islington Borough has on their books.

Can honestly say it kept the old grey brain cells alert. Told by some of the staff afterwards I made them laugh - one has to put a bit of humour into the whole thing to lighten the tense atmosphere in the room.

We are apparently going to receive certificates. To add them to my collection is just to show I've not as yet lost my marbles but for younger people they are good to add to their CV's.

Feedback from other forum members fantastic - can I arrange other courses. Well I don't arrange anything I just make suggestions to management as to the course that members might be interested in.

It has however encouraged me to attend one of the three day courses held at Trafford Hall near Chester - am booked with another member on the next Inspectors course. Have been a bit reluctant in the past to travel so far on my own. Will be interested to to visit somewhere I've not been to for about 40 years - my companion says he doesn't mind trekking round Chester so I can find a fridge magnet. Started a collection some years ago of all the places I've visited in UK. Well he offered - he apparently also thinks I'm a lively soul. Wonder it he will feel the same after a few days in my company.....

Allergies that come & go

Had a very excited granddaughter on the phone telling me about her visit to the doctor and him pricking her arm. She can now have chocolate - her treat for being so good all these years - chocolate fingers.

For children born with allergies, it's a nightmare when it comes to food. Both my grandchildren were born lactose intolerant.

They had to go for tests every six months - doctors kept saying they might grow out of it. My grandson was cleared just after his 2nd birthday but my granddaughter's case has dragged on. Now over 3 years to be cleared of her milk allergy is great - she said no more Soya and she can now have some of my friend's Jaffa cakes which are hidden in my cupboard. Funny girl.

Sadly her peanut nut allergy will probably be for life. She loves marzipan on cakes so almonds are obviously not a problem.

Must be honest I have to admire the way they have both coped with it - they have never complained. It is difficult to make young children understand that something they may eat could make them very ill. It's worrying for parents.

By sheer coincidence went to the doctors myself for the results of my own test. Seems I've also got the all clear. I was told I have developed a wheat allergy and since I was 14 anything oily or milky foods have always made me feel sick so I've avoided them as much as possible for most of my life.

What I don't understand is how dangerously high cholesterol levels can drop back to normal without medication. I was given Statins last year but they made me so sick and mentally confused I just refused to take them. Don't think the doctors really believed me when I told them. I don't cook any fried food - there is only olive and sesame seed oil in my cupboard. Nor do I drink dairy milk of any kind. All I have done to change my diet is to drink Soya chocolate milk as a substitute for chocolate sweets and deserts. Then reduced the amount of carbohydrates to try and lose some weight.

As I'm at an age when doctors send you appointments for government approved tests for all sorts, I've given up trying to fight the system because if one doesn't attend the appointments the letters just don't stop - the docs told me that they keep getting reminder letters from authorities if patients don't comply. For now they have my co-operation at least to stop all the useless paper that comes though the letterbox.

A birthday comes but once a year

Yesterday was my birthday. Wasn't looking forward to it this year but it turned out to be absolutely amazing.

Was so surprised the number of cards I received even from some of the residents I've been helping. How some people knew it was my birthday god only knows. Flowers are also so cheerful - now I've got a proper place to put them they made the whole flat smell lovely.

My sister Anne-louise travelled up from Plymouth which was great. Don't know where she found them but she gave me some coins in pretty bags from the year I was born together with a Denton china antique dress pin. Probably be worth a bob or two in the future. We even had a friendly chat with our other sister Jean who seems to be mellowing as she gets older. Cousin Richard called us on Skypac - sort or chuffed he remembered that sis was coming down.

In the evening my son Sule & Natasha arranged a special dinner at a Lebanese restaurant in Central London. Tash asked me one day what kind of food I liked best. Sule gave her the answer Lebanese or African - just knew her the selected choice would be Leb food.

It's good to have something one hasn't eaten for some time. My sister was as pleased as I was. Don't think either of us has eaten Lebanese cuisine since relocating back from Africa.

What is it about families taking about old times. When the Arabic dancer started, Sis just had to tell Tash about my winning an Arabic dancing competition when I was younger. God! just thinking about it makes me cringe - my gesticulating the hips with a scarf around the the backside. I've always been able to dance but that day I won with a standing ovation, I was speechless because I was the only non Arabic dancer.

Sunday was also fun. Least Sule came and picked up his brother and took sis to the station. Well another birthday over for this year.