- is my favourite TV and Radio presenter.
I love the bloke, I hope he survives this scandal. I have read the full transcript in the Daily Mail today (in the cafe, I did not actually give good money for a copy, I can assure you!!) and I am quite shocked by some of what they said, particularly the bits that the BBC cut and never played (I wonder how the Daily Mail got hold of it?) but all the same, I love him. I think he is great, especially on the radio, him and Andy make long journeys a pleasure on a Saturday.
I dont know the first thing about Russell Brand, have never listened to him and so have no views about him but Jonathan Ross is great.
However the BBC decide to discipline him, I hope they pull up short of sacking him.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Too much to say, not enough time
Okay, there is loads to tell you and no time to fit it all in
So here is a rush job of some of the meetings and events I have done in the last few weeks. If you want a full blog on any of them please let me know and I will accomodate, cheers
Respect Week 2008 - Monday at St Francis of Assisi School with the circus performers
Overview and Scrutiny Select Committee on Tuesday 14th
Respect Week 2008 - Wednesday, Warm Front and free electric blankets and CO alarms
Full Council - Wednesday and our motion on the despised Gollywog dolls
Thursday - lunch with mentee, Cllr Tim Moore
Thursday - Kenny Library surgery
Thursday - Babysit for Lisa and John while they go to see how Isaac is doing in his first term at infants
Friday - Job Fair at VHA as part of Respect week 2008
Friday - Refugee Action business breakfast at the County Sessions House
Saturday - Action Saturday
Saturday - Stockton for Roger's 60th birthday
Monday - VHA Scrutiny Committee - my first as chair
Monday - Cllr Stuart Monckom and I get into Ethical governance with our statement of expectations of Councillors' behaviour
Wednesday - HMRI task and finish group for City and North - new group I am chairing as part of our City and North Neighbourhood Partnership Working Group for Physical Regeneraion.
Wednesday - the expensive hair cut that failed - what am I to do now?
Wednesday - Fairfield Neighourhood Assembly
Thursday - meet the whole police team for L6 and local residents concerning anti-social behaviour in Balmoral Road
Thursday - Costa Coffee, Bold Street, European young people's poetry event (Yellow House)
Friday - Irish night at St Sebs - or how Wendy and I never got there because of all the damaged cars after our Labour Party meeting in Laurel Road, a year after the last lot.
Saturday - the black history month black achievers awards at the Crowne Plaza - a wonderful and fantastic night, I might manage a separate blog on that later this week. It was tremendous. And not a LibDem in sight, again.
Monday - day of training for foster carers and reg 33 visitors (councillors who visit children's homes to monitor them)
Tuesday - City and North District Committee - and the Picton flytipping scandal
Wednesday - Putting Neighbourhoods First and a project for community allotments
(and salt and pepper chicken and salt and pepper chips, yum)
Wednesday - Deane Road cemetery Heritage Lottery Fund bid update meeting
Wednesday - Neighbourhood Services Task Group meetings
Wednesday - Elm Park residents - and the saga of the worst entry (alley, jigger) in Great Britain
Okay, ask me any questions you like, I am going to bed now because tomorrow I have to be up early for the Venture Housing Tenants' Panel Consultation Day.
A public representative's day is never done..........but I love it
So here is a rush job of some of the meetings and events I have done in the last few weeks. If you want a full blog on any of them please let me know and I will accomodate, cheers
Respect Week 2008 - Monday at St Francis of Assisi School with the circus performers
Overview and Scrutiny Select Committee on Tuesday 14th
Respect Week 2008 - Wednesday, Warm Front and free electric blankets and CO alarms
Full Council - Wednesday and our motion on the despised Gollywog dolls
Thursday - lunch with mentee, Cllr Tim Moore
Thursday - Kenny Library surgery
Thursday - Babysit for Lisa and John while they go to see how Isaac is doing in his first term at infants
Friday - Job Fair at VHA as part of Respect week 2008
Friday - Refugee Action business breakfast at the County Sessions House
Saturday - Action Saturday
Saturday - Stockton for Roger's 60th birthday
Monday - VHA Scrutiny Committee - my first as chair
Monday - Cllr Stuart Monckom and I get into Ethical governance with our statement of expectations of Councillors' behaviour
Wednesday - HMRI task and finish group for City and North - new group I am chairing as part of our City and North Neighbourhood Partnership Working Group for Physical Regeneraion.
Wednesday - the expensive hair cut that failed - what am I to do now?
Wednesday - Fairfield Neighourhood Assembly
Thursday - meet the whole police team for L6 and local residents concerning anti-social behaviour in Balmoral Road
Thursday - Costa Coffee, Bold Street, European young people's poetry event (Yellow House)
Friday - Irish night at St Sebs - or how Wendy and I never got there because of all the damaged cars after our Labour Party meeting in Laurel Road, a year after the last lot.
Saturday - the black history month black achievers awards at the Crowne Plaza - a wonderful and fantastic night, I might manage a separate blog on that later this week. It was tremendous. And not a LibDem in sight, again.
Monday - day of training for foster carers and reg 33 visitors (councillors who visit children's homes to monitor them)
Tuesday - City and North District Committee - and the Picton flytipping scandal
Wednesday - Putting Neighbourhoods First and a project for community allotments
(and salt and pepper chicken and salt and pepper chips, yum)
Wednesday - Deane Road cemetery Heritage Lottery Fund bid update meeting
Wednesday - Neighbourhood Services Task Group meetings
Wednesday - Elm Park residents - and the saga of the worst entry (alley, jigger) in Great Britain
Okay, ask me any questions you like, I am going to bed now because tomorrow I have to be up early for the Venture Housing Tenants' Panel Consultation Day.
A public representative's day is never done..........but I love it
Young people in Liverpool Town Hall
I was interested to attend an event in Liverpool Town Hall to engage local young people in democratic debate. They attended a session in the council chamber where they were encouraged to ask questions about the things they care about - most youth services - and then they came upstairs into our wonderful ballroom for round table discussions on a variety of subjects.
I mainly ran an open-house, talk about what you like, session on my table and found out a lot about how they like to spend their evenings and what they want from youth clubs and other organisations and centres that they would like to get more from.
Essentially more sport, more sessions, some girls stuff - dancing, fashion, make-up, some boys stuff - gym, football, swimming, etc
They all agreed that they dont much like the ages mixing as the younger kids dont feel free to enjoy themselves with older kids there, and vice versa, and I took down a load of questions I need to find out the answers to for them.
They were all vocal and thoughtful and I was pleased to spend some time with them. What hurt me particularly was the realisation that my first group, from the Shewsy, will undoubtedly have been witnesses days later to the murder of Joseph Lappin.
I mainly ran an open-house, talk about what you like, session on my table and found out a lot about how they like to spend their evenings and what they want from youth clubs and other organisations and centres that they would like to get more from.
Essentially more sport, more sessions, some girls stuff - dancing, fashion, make-up, some boys stuff - gym, football, swimming, etc
They all agreed that they dont much like the ages mixing as the younger kids dont feel free to enjoy themselves with older kids there, and vice versa, and I took down a load of questions I need to find out the answers to for them.
They were all vocal and thoughtful and I was pleased to spend some time with them. What hurt me particularly was the realisation that my first group, from the Shewsy, will undoubtedly have been witnesses days later to the murder of Joseph Lappin.
United Colours of Kensington Face Painting AGM
Just a quick note to say how much Liam and I enjoyed the AGM of the United Colours of Kensington Face Painting group.
A good and useful AGM catching up on their activities, I was pleased to speak in support of the group and all their work supporting the major events of the year. From memory I can recall them being present at the Easter Treasure Hunt event in Botanic Park, at the Newsham Park festival, at the Lucy, Fields of Women cancer event (where Ann painted a pink ribbon on my cheek) and the European Neighbours Event at Venture Housing and at the Dream High event in Old Swan and at lots of other events. If they are not at an event in our area then it is not truly successful, that is my view.
And as well as a great supper we were fabulously entertained by the Gypsy Brothers, a local Romanian group. Wonderful stars, especially the young lead singer who won the X-factor at St Francis of Assisi earlier this year.
I loved holding baby Tarik, except that he passed his cough and cold to me, grrrr!
A good and useful AGM catching up on their activities, I was pleased to speak in support of the group and all their work supporting the major events of the year. From memory I can recall them being present at the Easter Treasure Hunt event in Botanic Park, at the Newsham Park festival, at the Lucy, Fields of Women cancer event (where Ann painted a pink ribbon on my cheek) and the European Neighbours Event at Venture Housing and at the Dream High event in Old Swan and at lots of other events. If they are not at an event in our area then it is not truly successful, that is my view.
And as well as a great supper we were fabulously entertained by the Gypsy Brothers, a local Romanian group. Wonderful stars, especially the young lead singer who won the X-factor at St Francis of Assisi earlier this year.
I loved holding baby Tarik, except that he passed his cough and cold to me, grrrr!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Latest news from Andy Monk who is walking miles for MS
Dear Cllr Baldock,
Wow, thank you very much indeed. That's just fabulous. I can't thank you
enough for taking so much time to raise so much money for us for MS
research. (£115) I only hope that one day I can do something in return.
It's been an eventful couple of weeks around the Lakes and into
Northumberland and back. It seems like two years, but only because we've
been to so many places and met so many people in such a short space of time.
Did I tell you about Gwen's blow out on the scooter? Luckily we had three
fell runners walking with us at the time and one of them was a Signwriter
who knew nearly everyone in the next town. He ran on ahead, organised a van
to pick the scooter up, took it away, and the owner of the Sundial Guest
House put two new lawnmower tyres on the front! They've got tread on them
like tractor tyres! Should last for the rest of the walk I'd say.
Gwen had to go home while I did the Northumberland stretch of the walk - far
too hilly for the scooter. There are signs at the side of the road saying
'Severe Dip' and they're not kidding. It's just like the rollercoaster at
the fairground. Debi Jones said I must have thighs like iron by now - dead
right, from walking uphill out of the severe dips!
I took the car up to the middle of Northumberland (couldn't get anyone to
drop me off so far up) and parked it mid way between Hexham and Berwick and
jumped on a bus back to Hexham. Three days later, walking back from Berwick,
I decided I would sleep in the car to save on expenses (I cover all expenses
myself btw) but the car had gone! It was going dark, raining, my feet were
wet - there are holes in my boots already, and there was no signal on the
mobile. I saw car headlights coming towards me and signalled the driver to
stop. It was a young girl; I asked her if she lived locally and she said
yes. Had she seen the car parked there and did she by any chance know what
had happened to it? Yes again. She lived at the farm around the corner and
her dad had called the police and they had towed it away. Interesting.
She said that she would drive back up the road to get a signal on the mobile
and ring home. When she returned I got in the car and she drove us to a
beautiful farmhouse about a mile away and her dad apologised profusely and
told me why he had rung the police. Twelve months previous someone had
parked in that same spot and committed suicide in the car. He had expected
to find a body in the back of my car and didn't dare look, so he just rang
the police, who decided it must have been stolen because it was so far from
home and so they towed it away.
The car was towed away on orders from Berwick police and taken to
Coldstream, and the officer who was dealing with it was now on leave for two
days. I had to go back to Berwick (20 miles) with some ID, which I didn't
have on me, and ask for an Inspector to authorise its release from
Coldstream, another 15 miles away. Struggling to prove who I was and that
the car was mine, I mentioned that I had met the Mayor, Hazel Bettison, when
I arrived in Berwick and the Inspector rang Hazel to check. Five minutes
later a Community Bobby was running me to Coldstream to collect the car.
Phew! And I didn't have to pay to get it released either.
If you have time, have a look on my website at the poem Hazel wrote after we
met.
I'll have to go back up to the area and complete the day and a half walk
that I missed due to having the car lifted. Am I bovered? Nah. I'm looking
forward to it already. I'll take Gwen with me next time and show her some of
the most beautiful scenery in the World.
Tomorrow we're in York, only half a day late, but that's another story!
I'll update the donations at weekend too and let you know how much has been
raised to date.
Will keep in touch and update you as often as I can.
Kindest regards
Andy
Email: andy@aboutms.co.uk
Web: http://www.aboutms.co.uk
Wow, thank you very much indeed. That's just fabulous. I can't thank you
enough for taking so much time to raise so much money for us for MS
research. (£115) I only hope that one day I can do something in return.
It's been an eventful couple of weeks around the Lakes and into
Northumberland and back. It seems like two years, but only because we've
been to so many places and met so many people in such a short space of time.
Did I tell you about Gwen's blow out on the scooter? Luckily we had three
fell runners walking with us at the time and one of them was a Signwriter
who knew nearly everyone in the next town. He ran on ahead, organised a van
to pick the scooter up, took it away, and the owner of the Sundial Guest
House put two new lawnmower tyres on the front! They've got tread on them
like tractor tyres! Should last for the rest of the walk I'd say.
Gwen had to go home while I did the Northumberland stretch of the walk - far
too hilly for the scooter. There are signs at the side of the road saying
'Severe Dip' and they're not kidding. It's just like the rollercoaster at
the fairground. Debi Jones said I must have thighs like iron by now - dead
right, from walking uphill out of the severe dips!
I took the car up to the middle of Northumberland (couldn't get anyone to
drop me off so far up) and parked it mid way between Hexham and Berwick and
jumped on a bus back to Hexham. Three days later, walking back from Berwick,
I decided I would sleep in the car to save on expenses (I cover all expenses
myself btw) but the car had gone! It was going dark, raining, my feet were
wet - there are holes in my boots already, and there was no signal on the
mobile. I saw car headlights coming towards me and signalled the driver to
stop. It was a young girl; I asked her if she lived locally and she said
yes. Had she seen the car parked there and did she by any chance know what
had happened to it? Yes again. She lived at the farm around the corner and
her dad had called the police and they had towed it away. Interesting.
She said that she would drive back up the road to get a signal on the mobile
and ring home. When she returned I got in the car and she drove us to a
beautiful farmhouse about a mile away and her dad apologised profusely and
told me why he had rung the police. Twelve months previous someone had
parked in that same spot and committed suicide in the car. He had expected
to find a body in the back of my car and didn't dare look, so he just rang
the police, who decided it must have been stolen because it was so far from
home and so they towed it away.
The car was towed away on orders from Berwick police and taken to
Coldstream, and the officer who was dealing with it was now on leave for two
days. I had to go back to Berwick (20 miles) with some ID, which I didn't
have on me, and ask for an Inspector to authorise its release from
Coldstream, another 15 miles away. Struggling to prove who I was and that
the car was mine, I mentioned that I had met the Mayor, Hazel Bettison, when
I arrived in Berwick and the Inspector rang Hazel to check. Five minutes
later a Community Bobby was running me to Coldstream to collect the car.
Phew! And I didn't have to pay to get it released either.
If you have time, have a look on my website at the poem Hazel wrote after we
met.
I'll have to go back up to the area and complete the day and a half walk
that I missed due to having the car lifted. Am I bovered? Nah. I'm looking
forward to it already. I'll take Gwen with me next time and show her some of
the most beautiful scenery in the World.
Tomorrow we're in York, only half a day late, but that's another story!
I'll update the donations at weekend too and let you know how much has been
raised to date.
Will keep in touch and update you as often as I can.
Kindest regards
Andy
Email: andy@aboutms.co.uk
Web: http://www.aboutms.co.uk
A limerick to Louise
A constituent has sent me this limerick, which has delighted me
I only hope it is true!
Feel free to criticise it, up hill and down dale
There was a young lady called Louise
Whose constituents were constantly pleased,
Not like with Old Frank Doran
When the place was so Borin'
That her majority was bound to increase................
I only hope it is true!
Feel free to criticise it, up hill and down dale
There was a young lady called Louise
Whose constituents were constantly pleased,
Not like with Old Frank Doran
When the place was so Borin'
That her majority was bound to increase................
Sunday, October 26, 2008
One world festival in Kensington
Czech Slovak Roma Event – Tuesday 4th November
Kensington Fields Community Centre, 24 Hall Lane, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 8TQ – 6:00 – 9:00pm Films showing the Czech Slovak Roma community in the UK and life during the Second World War for the Roma community followed by discussions. Music by ‘Gypsy Brothers’ and a free buffet.
Italian Film and Food Night – Thursday 6th November
Fairfield Police Club, Prescot Road, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 0DJ – 7:30 – 11:00pm
Showing the acclaimed film, ‘My Brother is and Only Child’. Free Italian buffet and wine. Entry by ticket only, tickets £3.50. Contact Anthony on 07932 849 134.
Kensington Diwali – Saturday 8th November
Hindu Temple, Edge Lane, Liverpool, L7 – 6:00 – 9:00pm
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the temple in Kensington. A celebration of the significance of Diwali with a tour of the temple an Indian band and dancers. Free buffet and a firework light show.
Line Dancing – Wednesday 12th November
Kensington Fields Community Centre, 24 Hall Lane, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 8TQ – 7:00 – 11:00pm An evening of dance and fun with Kenny’s own dance troupe. Free Buffet.
Salsa Night – Tuesday 18th November
Kensington Fields Community Centre, 24 Hall Lane, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 8TQ – 7:00 – 11:00pm Salsa class followed by an evening of dance. Free buffet.
Islamic Event – Thursday 20th November
Al Ghazali Centre, Earle Road, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 – 6:00pm – 9:00pm A multicultural & Islamic event, with discussions, a typical feast, a Palestinian band, dancers and music. By invitation only. Call Mark Jackson for further information on 0151 233 6153.
International Meal – Friday 21st November
Asylum Link Merseyside, Overbury Street, Kensington, Liverpool, L7
Entry by invitation only. Contact Mark Jackson for further information on 0151 233 6153.
International Day Against Violence to Women – Tuesday 25th November
Frontline Church, Corner of Lawrence Road/Wellington Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15 0HY – 6:00 – 8:30pm Discussions on the situation in Darfur, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Liverpool regarding violence to women, children and child soldiers as well as the use of violence by men to women locally. Issues, solutions and opportunities for solidarity. Free refreshments.
Yellow House Event – Wednesday 26th November
Venue to be confirmed, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 – 7:00 – 9:00pm
Young people from Kensington, Liverpool and Poland will perform an improvised piece about global citizenship through the media of music, dance, art, drama, photography and video, demonstrating new skills learnt in a week long series of workshops. Contact George for further information on 0151 260 2996.
Finale – Sunday 30th November
Devonshire House Hotel, Edge Lane, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 – 7:00 – 11:00pm A fun, happy celebration of Global Citizenship, led by the Polish community. All groups that took part in the Kensington One World Festival will perform at the event. Dancers, musicians, bands and poets will come together to delight you. Free buffet.
Other Events
Storytelling
An international storyteller with fables from Africa and beyond, in Kensington schools during the whole of November.
Yambi Africa Plays
On the Immigration and Asylum process in the UK. Norris Green and Anfield.
Kick Racism Out of Football
An anti racist football tournament. To be confirmed.
Contact Mark Jackson on 0151 233 6153 for more information.
Kensington Fields Community Centre, 24 Hall Lane, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 8TQ – 6:00 – 9:00pm Films showing the Czech Slovak Roma community in the UK and life during the Second World War for the Roma community followed by discussions. Music by ‘Gypsy Brothers’ and a free buffet.
Italian Film and Food Night – Thursday 6th November
Fairfield Police Club, Prescot Road, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 0DJ – 7:30 – 11:00pm
Showing the acclaimed film, ‘My Brother is and Only Child’. Free Italian buffet and wine. Entry by ticket only, tickets £3.50. Contact Anthony on 07932 849 134.
Kensington Diwali – Saturday 8th November
Hindu Temple, Edge Lane, Liverpool, L7 – 6:00 – 9:00pm
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the temple in Kensington. A celebration of the significance of Diwali with a tour of the temple an Indian band and dancers. Free buffet and a firework light show.
Line Dancing – Wednesday 12th November
Kensington Fields Community Centre, 24 Hall Lane, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 8TQ – 7:00 – 11:00pm An evening of dance and fun with Kenny’s own dance troupe. Free Buffet.
Salsa Night – Tuesday 18th November
Kensington Fields Community Centre, 24 Hall Lane, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 8TQ – 7:00 – 11:00pm Salsa class followed by an evening of dance. Free buffet.
Islamic Event – Thursday 20th November
Al Ghazali Centre, Earle Road, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 – 6:00pm – 9:00pm A multicultural & Islamic event, with discussions, a typical feast, a Palestinian band, dancers and music. By invitation only. Call Mark Jackson for further information on 0151 233 6153.
International Meal – Friday 21st November
Asylum Link Merseyside, Overbury Street, Kensington, Liverpool, L7
Entry by invitation only. Contact Mark Jackson for further information on 0151 233 6153.
International Day Against Violence to Women – Tuesday 25th November
Frontline Church, Corner of Lawrence Road/Wellington Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15 0HY – 6:00 – 8:30pm Discussions on the situation in Darfur, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Liverpool regarding violence to women, children and child soldiers as well as the use of violence by men to women locally. Issues, solutions and opportunities for solidarity. Free refreshments.
Yellow House Event – Wednesday 26th November
Venue to be confirmed, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 – 7:00 – 9:00pm
Young people from Kensington, Liverpool and Poland will perform an improvised piece about global citizenship through the media of music, dance, art, drama, photography and video, demonstrating new skills learnt in a week long series of workshops. Contact George for further information on 0151 260 2996.
Finale – Sunday 30th November
Devonshire House Hotel, Edge Lane, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 – 7:00 – 11:00pm A fun, happy celebration of Global Citizenship, led by the Polish community. All groups that took part in the Kensington One World Festival will perform at the event. Dancers, musicians, bands and poets will come together to delight you. Free buffet.
Other Events
Storytelling
An international storyteller with fables from Africa and beyond, in Kensington schools during the whole of November.
Yambi Africa Plays
On the Immigration and Asylum process in the UK. Norris Green and Anfield.
Kick Racism Out of Football
An anti racist football tournament. To be confirmed.
Contact Mark Jackson on 0151 233 6153 for more information.
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Facebook Sickie exposure - that never was!
I read two interesting articles today, one about how a guy in Australia had been caught by his boss at AAPT, who was a friend of his on Facebook, throwing a sickie. He was going to be investigated for disciplinary offences.
The second was saying that the whole story was invented and the guy was just mischevious with a vivid imagination. Okay, fair do's
But in a strange twist of fate, I understand that AAPT, the guy's firm are now having to issue retractions saying that he was never sick and the emails with his boss never took place and they were not investigating him for anything.
It seems to me, as this story grows and grows exponentially, AAPT are going to be mightily fed-up with this guy, Kyle Doyle (what a name!) and I wonder if they will now sack him anyway??
You couldn't make it up
The second was saying that the whole story was invented and the guy was just mischevious with a vivid imagination. Okay, fair do's
But in a strange twist of fate, I understand that AAPT, the guy's firm are now having to issue retractions saying that he was never sick and the emails with his boss never took place and they were not investigating him for anything.
It seems to me, as this story grows and grows exponentially, AAPT are going to be mightily fed-up with this guy, Kyle Doyle (what a name!) and I wonder if they will now sack him anyway??
You couldn't make it up
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Get radio active - the return of KVFM
Remember KVFM 87.7FM? Read more here and here and here and here and lots of other places too.
Great news from Steve Faragher, see below!
We have funding for the return of the mighty KVFM in 2009 (April) for a whole 19 days on air.
If you are interested in learning the skills to make your own radio programme then we are running four taster days in November and December.
The dates for the first two taster sessions are
12th and 19th November
1 to 3.30pm at Venture Housing Boaler Street.
the December dates and venues are to be confirmed
The main training will commence in January for ten weeks prior to the broadcast in April 2009
Places are strictly limited so book now by emailing me or calling the numbers below
www.kvfm2007.mypodcast.com listen again to the 2007 broadcast
Regards
Stephen Faragher
m:07792854307 landline 0151 259 7497
Great news from Steve Faragher, see below!
We have funding for the return of the mighty KVFM in 2009 (April) for a whole 19 days on air.
If you are interested in learning the skills to make your own radio programme then we are running four taster days in November and December.
The dates for the first two taster sessions are
12th and 19th November
1 to 3.30pm at Venture Housing Boaler Street.
the December dates and venues are to be confirmed
The main training will commence in January for ten weeks prior to the broadcast in April 2009
Places are strictly limited so book now by emailing me or calling the numbers below
www.kvfm2007.mypodcast.com listen again to the 2007 broadcast
Regards
Stephen Faragher
m:07792854307 landline 0151 259 7497
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Warning: We have entered a whole new reality, step carefully!
The Prime Minister has won international plaudits for his approach. Paul Krugman, an American economist who was today awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics, said: "Mr. Brown and Alistair Darling, the chancellor of the Exchequer, have defined the character of the worldwide rescue effort, with other wealthy nations playing catch-up.
"This is an unexpected turn of events. The British government is, after all, very much a junior partner when it comes to world economic affairs.
"But the Brown government has shown itself willing to think clearly about the financial crisis, and act quickly on its conclusions. And this combination of clarity and decisiveness hasn't been matched by any other Western government."
And so spake the Daily Telegraph yesterday
And then there was the Reuters piece today
And the SNP are being mangled for their parochial economic views, what price the union now Mr Salmond?
Do not adjust your set! They are all proper quotations. Gobsmacking, n'est ce pas?
The bounciest of "bounces" have never bounced quite so high since the introduction of the bouncy rubber balls of the 1970s (mine had glitter suspended in it).
08 Ambassadors turn out for Sheffield Hillsborough LP members
Lots of thanks must go to Liverpool Labour Party 08 Ambassadors who gave up of their time at the weekend to show the city and its delights off to the LP members of Sheffield Hillsborough.
We met up for drinks on Friday night at their hotel - the ubiquitous Dev, then on Saturday we had a very busy but very well spent day, beginning with a tour of the Town Hall. The Lord Mayor was there to welcome us and join us on the tour, which was as always beautifully carried out by Steve Binns, with an extra frisson as he told us about the tricks that David Blunkett used to get up to when they went to school together. (Most of the members present are friends of DBs).
We then walked over to William Brown Street via Turning the Place over, which was much admired, and one group went into the Walker for the afternoon, while another group went on a train under the river and over to Birkenhead, both to look at the Liverpool skyline from the other side and go on the tram down to the transport museum.
My group then went into St George's Hall for a look round and then footsore I dropped them back at the hotel for a cup of tea and a rest before they got ready for a Union retirement party that night.
They had a further look round on Sunday, at the Albert Dock and various other places.
It was a great weekend, I reckon that my personal contribution to the 2.5million extra visitors to the city during 08 must be quite significant. I deserve a gold 08 badge, if there is such a thing!
We are now thinking about some kind of a return journey with highlights including the Lady Bower and the Winter Garden.
Local and European Poetry evening - how can you resist?
Shameless self-publicity maybe, but I bet it is a fab evening all the same.
Please read this email from George Mc Kane
Dear friends
You are invited to The Costa Coffee Cafe 13 Bold Street, Liverpool on Thursday evening 23rd October from 7.30pm - to 9.30pm for an evening of local and European poetry with George and Gosia and young people from Liverpool's International renowned Yellow House - an evening of love, passion, humor and honesty - guaranteed.
This is an evening for Lovers, Artists and Poets - that’s you - so come along - how can you resist - coffee and listening and seeing George and Gosia and friends from Yellow House - if that’s not enough George’s best friend Brian Wake will be his guest.
I promise you an evening you will never forget - George.
“George is a fantastic performer, a great storyteller, a magician, a shaman. He has travelled throughout the world performing and everyone loves him - he is wonderful, full of stories, passion and poetry and he’s lovely” - George’s Mum
“I remember working with George in Paris all those years ago - he’s a case - he’s off his cake - I love him” - Charles Baudelaire
“I would love sitting in The Café Tambourine listening to George - his words go in one ear and stay there. To know life is to know George” - Vincent Van Gogh
Nominated by the British Council for European Youth Award
Yellow House - Radio City Local Heroes - Community Project of the Year Award Winner 2007 - 8
George and Gosia Mc Kane - Cultural Champions 2008 - Kensington Community Regeneration Award
Nationwide Community &Heritage Awards - NW Regional Winner - Community Groups
Yellow House
Developing young people through the arts
and the arts through young people.
www.yellowhouse.info
Please read this email from George Mc Kane
Dear friends
You are invited to The Costa Coffee Cafe 13 Bold Street, Liverpool on Thursday evening 23rd October from 7.30pm - to 9.30pm for an evening of local and European poetry with George and Gosia and young people from Liverpool's International renowned Yellow House - an evening of love, passion, humor and honesty - guaranteed.
This is an evening for Lovers, Artists and Poets - that’s you - so come along - how can you resist - coffee and listening and seeing George and Gosia and friends from Yellow House - if that’s not enough George’s best friend Brian Wake will be his guest.
I promise you an evening you will never forget - George.
“George is a fantastic performer, a great storyteller, a magician, a shaman. He has travelled throughout the world performing and everyone loves him - he is wonderful, full of stories, passion and poetry and he’s lovely” - George’s Mum
“I remember working with George in Paris all those years ago - he’s a case - he’s off his cake - I love him” - Charles Baudelaire
“I would love sitting in The Café Tambourine listening to George - his words go in one ear and stay there. To know life is to know George” - Vincent Van Gogh
Nominated by the British Council for European Youth Award
Yellow House - Radio City Local Heroes - Community Project of the Year Award Winner 2007 - 8
George and Gosia Mc Kane - Cultural Champions 2008 - Kensington Community Regeneration Award
Nationwide Community &Heritage Awards - NW Regional Winner - Community Groups
Yellow House
Developing young people through the arts
and the arts through young people.
www.yellowhouse.info
Check your driving licence
Apparently the (old) new driving licences have only a 10 year lifespan, you have to renew them every ten years. Probably because you will have changed the way you look after such a length of time - as with a passport, and they are used to prove identity as much as they are to demonstrate your legal permission and ability to drive.
July 2008 was the tenth anniversary of the new cards, so if you were one of the first holders of the new pink photo cards then it is time to check it over and see whether you are now due to renew.
It costs £17.50 to renew, not a huge sum over a ten year period, a lot cheaper than a passport, but the fine if you don't do it is big - £1000. So it is important you are on top of this.
Renewals are being sent out but only if you have kept DVLA up to date with your address changes (and if you have not then you are breaking the law, so you only have yourself to blame if you dont get the renewal).
Have a look at the information below the driver name on the front of your licence. Can you see 4b with a date? That is your expiry date when you need to renew.
Nobody has actually been prosecuted yet, but it can only be a matter of time!
July 2008 was the tenth anniversary of the new cards, so if you were one of the first holders of the new pink photo cards then it is time to check it over and see whether you are now due to renew.
It costs £17.50 to renew, not a huge sum over a ten year period, a lot cheaper than a passport, but the fine if you don't do it is big - £1000. So it is important you are on top of this.
Renewals are being sent out but only if you have kept DVLA up to date with your address changes (and if you have not then you are breaking the law, so you only have yourself to blame if you dont get the renewal).
Have a look at the information below the driver name on the front of your licence. Can you see 4b with a date? That is your expiry date when you need to renew.
Nobody has actually been prosecuted yet, but it can only be a matter of time!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Wilson Henry treasure hunt
I am in serious danger of breaking my own golden rule here, but what the hell. I have always refrained from talking about work on my blog but it was so exciting on Friday that I feel compelled to tell you about it.
We have two days a year at work where we go out together socially during the afternoon, as a full team.
Friday was one of those dates, a few days after the year-end when we can celebrate the work we have done during the previous year.
The team were talking about a treasure hunt they had done the year before, down on the river front, at the Albert Dock and along the Pier Head. They had bought the treasure hunt off the internet and they were disappointed to learn that some of the clues were hidden behind the re-development hordings at the Pier Head.
I had designed a couple of treasure hunts, for cars, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s for Yarm Sports and Social Club and I reckoned I could probably do a decent one on foot, so I made the offer.
Robert and I spent about 4 or 5 hours putting the route together, taking photos of things that might constitute clues around a circular route, from Victoria Street, to Castle Street, to Dale Street to William Brown Street and all those wonderful places there.
The route took in the Town Hall (with a chance to see the Lord Mayor SuperLambanana) and the biennial exhibitions nearby, the Liverpool World Museum (and in particular The Beat Goes On exhibition) and the Walker Art Gallery (and in particular Ben Johnson's City Scape - and amazingly he was actually IN the gallery when one of the team's went in and they got his autograph and asked him the questions directly!) and St George's Hall and St John's Gardens.
I worried endlessly about one or other of the clues having been removed in the two weeks since I had set the quiz, but amazingly one team found every single one of them. It was, if I say so myself, something of a triumph, and I was particularly chuffed, or should I say "made up" given the number of biennial art displays that the tour took in, with those competitors who told me that they had never been in some of those places before and were determined to go back and explore them properly at their leisure in future.
Great fun but I hope that next year someone else takes a turn in organising the treasure hunt so that I can join in, and of course be part of the winning team!
We have two days a year at work where we go out together socially during the afternoon, as a full team.
Friday was one of those dates, a few days after the year-end when we can celebrate the work we have done during the previous year.
The team were talking about a treasure hunt they had done the year before, down on the river front, at the Albert Dock and along the Pier Head. They had bought the treasure hunt off the internet and they were disappointed to learn that some of the clues were hidden behind the re-development hordings at the Pier Head.
I had designed a couple of treasure hunts, for cars, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s for Yarm Sports and Social Club and I reckoned I could probably do a decent one on foot, so I made the offer.
Robert and I spent about 4 or 5 hours putting the route together, taking photos of things that might constitute clues around a circular route, from Victoria Street, to Castle Street, to Dale Street to William Brown Street and all those wonderful places there.
The route took in the Town Hall (with a chance to see the Lord Mayor SuperLambanana) and the biennial exhibitions nearby, the Liverpool World Museum (and in particular The Beat Goes On exhibition) and the Walker Art Gallery (and in particular Ben Johnson's City Scape - and amazingly he was actually IN the gallery when one of the team's went in and they got his autograph and asked him the questions directly!) and St George's Hall and St John's Gardens.
I worried endlessly about one or other of the clues having been removed in the two weeks since I had set the quiz, but amazingly one team found every single one of them. It was, if I say so myself, something of a triumph, and I was particularly chuffed, or should I say "made up" given the number of biennial art displays that the tour took in, with those competitors who told me that they had never been in some of those places before and were determined to go back and explore them properly at their leisure in future.
Great fun but I hope that next year someone else takes a turn in organising the treasure hunt so that I can join in, and of course be part of the winning team!
Unexpected stop-over
I got a text last week from a very dear, old friend from the Colne Valley. It asked me what time I take my lunch-hour. A strange sort of a question to ask I thought. I answered it anyway, and Stan texted back to say that he was flying away on holiday from Liverpool the following day and thought he might come over a few hours early and meet me for lunch before his check-in time. I accepted with alacrity.
I met him at Lime Street station, although his train was held up for 30 minutes at Edge Hill of all places because of a points failure at Lime Street which meant that every incoming train had to wait in a queue in order to come into the station.
We met and I drove us up to Yates's on Allerton Road for a spot of lunch. It was great to catch up on all of his news. And then I took him to the airport to catch his flight. Stan's father was Polish and he has become a follower of the Poland football team, which fits in well with his first love, Huddersfield Town. We talked about his travelling and his adventures and I told him about my councillor experiences. Stan and I worked very closely together in the Colne Valley in the run up to the 1997 General Election and we share very similar views about the other political parties, no names, no pack-drill. He has very incisive views about the party of administration in Liverpool and it was great to let off some steam with a sympathetic listener.
As I dropped him off, and hugged him, I told him not to make it four years before we see each other again. He said that having heard about our Merseyside Polonia project, he would definitely be back, an unexpected benefit I thought, from our local support of Gosia's work! So with a bit of luck, we wont leave it so long next time.
I met him at Lime Street station, although his train was held up for 30 minutes at Edge Hill of all places because of a points failure at Lime Street which meant that every incoming train had to wait in a queue in order to come into the station.
We met and I drove us up to Yates's on Allerton Road for a spot of lunch. It was great to catch up on all of his news. And then I took him to the airport to catch his flight. Stan's father was Polish and he has become a follower of the Poland football team, which fits in well with his first love, Huddersfield Town. We talked about his travelling and his adventures and I told him about my councillor experiences. Stan and I worked very closely together in the Colne Valley in the run up to the 1997 General Election and we share very similar views about the other political parties, no names, no pack-drill. He has very incisive views about the party of administration in Liverpool and it was great to let off some steam with a sympathetic listener.
As I dropped him off, and hugged him, I told him not to make it four years before we see each other again. He said that having heard about our Merseyside Polonia project, he would definitely be back, an unexpected benefit I thought, from our local support of Gosia's work! So with a bit of luck, we wont leave it so long next time.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Holiday madness
My boss went on holiday on Wednesday to Egpyt. Only when they got off the plane they found out that they had inadvertently booked a 2009 holiday, rather than a 2008 holiday and had arrived a year early. Ooops!
John Moores Contemporary Art exhibition and competition
Lisa and Rosa and I had a brief visit to the Walker Art Gallery yesterday to look at the John Moores Contemporary Exhibition and Competition and to vote for our favourite piece of art. Lisa voted for Cornerways, an interesting mixed-media composition of a modern bungalow set in a flower landscape, and I went for the beautifully executed Special Relativity. Robert had already voted for Hero Worship when he was visiting me last week. I didn’t think much to “Fontana”, the art critic’s choice of winner at all though, it felt extremely dated to me. And I was not overly impressed with the close-up of a woman's genitals, named "Cunt" either, to be honest. See what you think, either pop in the Walker or check out the link. Who would you vote for?
Chilli Banana
It was Lisa’s husband John’s birthday this week so a group of us went for a meal at Chilli Banana on Lark Lane. A Thai restaurant, a very attractive room in an old building but with modern décor. I had never been before but they had been a few times. John and I had the banquet menu. We shared mixed starters which were lovely, especially the fishcakes, then we had hot and sour prawn soup which in my case I shared with Lisa and Georgia. It was tasty but as we got near to the bottom of the bowl it became far too hot and none of us could finish it. Then we had Thai Green Chicken Curry and Jasmine Rice which was simply delicious. It was not cheap though, those three courses cost me £25. Georgia ordered an accompaniment which was most strange, fluorescent pink, sweet tasting, like tiny crispy worms. I don’t know what it was, but nobody would eat it, except me. After the hot soup I just wanted something to cool my mouth down! We went afterwards into Negresco for a drink, which is a very atmospheric pub and another one I had not been in before.
I would recommend both.
I would recommend both.
FARA
It was FARA on Monday night – Fairfield Area Residents Association and quite a good turn out. We talked about RESPECT week next week and shared plans with each other for some of the exciting activities we can get involved in and some of the hard work that the various partners who deliver public services in Kensington will be doing. Wendy and I updated residents on our work, on issues we are dealing with, on the progress on Prescot Road and Drive houses, on our youth work in the parks and all sorts of other things.
Sergeant Simon Joyce from Kensington Community Police team told us about his team changes, George and Chris have now left and two new officers have come on board, so we have some new relationships to build. We brought three tickets for the Irish night at St Sebastians – Friday 24th October, it is going to be great. Contact me if you want a ticket and I will see you get some.
Sergeant Simon Joyce from Kensington Community Police team told us about his team changes, George and Chris have now left and two new officers have come on board, so we have some new relationships to build. We brought three tickets for the Irish night at St Sebastians – Friday 24th October, it is going to be great. Contact me if you want a ticket and I will see you get some.
Ten commandments
I am working with a LibDem councillor at the moment, Stuart Monkcom, who I sit on the Standards committee with, to come up with a statement of principles to guide member/officer behaviours and protocol. Originally known as the Ten commandments, it is meant to improve the poor behaviour that has merited LCC with only 1 star (that and poor financial planning).
It is proving quite a complex operation although we are doing our best to demonstrate our commitment to ethical governance by working together without rancour (and with cake and biscuits!) When we have finished, it needs to be shared with the working group, then with Standards Committee, then with Overview and Scrutiny and then with the groups and then with the council. So there will be an awful lot of hurdles to overcome if we are to be successful in having it adopted.
It is proving quite a complex operation although we are doing our best to demonstrate our commitment to ethical governance by working together without rancour (and with cake and biscuits!) When we have finished, it needs to be shared with the working group, then with Standards Committee, then with Overview and Scrutiny and then with the groups and then with the council. So there will be an awful lot of hurdles to overcome if we are to be successful in having it adopted.
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