Michael Edwards for South Derbyshire

The Indian High Commission visited The Council House in Nottingham today as a part of a weekend of events.  Their Minister of Co-ordination, Raj Bagchi, keeps in touch with Nottingham because of the 12,000 people of Indian origin living in the city.

He brought two suggestions -  

- the Commission are trying to collect diaries and momentoes from people who lived during the days of Briatin's control of India; they even prepared to pay for material;

- in June, the UN declared (2nd October) the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ and asked that events are organised to mark the day. 

On Wednesday, Amir Khan and his opponent in a forthcoming fight, Scott Lawton, were at The Council House for a press conference.  We had a chance to chat with Amir and once we'd exhausted the recent 60th anniversary of India and Pakistan's independence, I shared with him my new found knowledge of ballet.  He was well impressed. 

The Indian High Commission visited The Council House in Nottingham today as a part of a weekend of events.  Their Minister of Co-ordination, Raj Bagchi, keeps in touch with Nottingham because of the 12,000 people of Indian origin living in the city.

He brought two suggestions -  

- the Commission are trying to collect diaries and momentoes from people who lived during the days of Briatin's control of India; they even prepared to pay for material;

- in June, the UN declared (2nd October) the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ and asked that events are organised to mark the day. 

On Wednesday, Amir Khan and his opponent in a forthcoming fight, Scott Lawton, were at The Council House for a press conference.  We had a chance to chat with Amir and once we'd exhausted the recent 60th anniversary of India and Pakistan's independence, I shared with him my new found knowledge of ballet.  He was well impressed. 

The Indian High Commission visited The Council House in Nottingham today as a part of a weekend of events.  Their Minister of Co-ordination, Raj Bagchi, keeps in touch with Nottingham because of the 12,000 people of Indian origin living in the city.

He brought two suggestions -  

- the Commission are trying to collect diaries and momentoes from people who lived during the days of Briatin's control of India; they even prepared to pay for material;

- in June, the UN declared (2nd October) the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ and asked that events are organised to mark the day. 

On Wednesday, Amir Khan and his opponent in a forthcoming fight, Scott Lawton, were at The Council House for a press conference.  We had a chance to chat with Amir and once we'd exhausted the recent 60th anniversary of India and Pakistan's independence, I shared with him my new found knowledge of ballet.  He was well impressed. 

Went to the ballet last night as part of the City Council’s official party.  Didn’t particularly want to, but my partner missed the code words in my question as to whether we really wanted to go and she said yes.   

And of course, it’s wasted on me cos I can’t appreciate it in the way many do.  Recognising only some of the music and that from TV coverage of ice dancing.  Stylised dancing that beats “Riverdance” only because it allows the use of the arms.  (I’m trying desperately to avoid references to lager adverts and “no strides”.)   

It was a worthwhile cause, Russian ballet stars performing two sets of dances each for a charity helping kiddies needing operations back in Russia.  Very no frills.  Recorded music, hardly any special lighting and no programme to read.   

The audience loved it.  And I’m grateful for the existence of ballet fan bloggers cos it’s the only way I’ve been able to find out who performed and to what - http://www.ballet.co.uk/dcforum/news/3845.html  

Went to the ballet last night as part of the City Council’s official party.  Didn’t particularly want to, but my partner missed the code words in my question as to whether we really wanted to go and she said yes.   

And of course, it’s wasted on me cos I can’t appreciate it in the way many do.  Recognising only some of the music and that from TV coverage of ice dancing.  Stylised dancing that beats “Riverdance” only because it allows the use of the arms.  (I’m trying desperately to avoid references to lager adverts and “no strides”.)   

It was a worthwhile cause, Russian ballet stars performing two sets of dances each for a charity helping kiddies needing operations back in Russia.  Very no frills.  Recorded music, hardly any special lighting and no programme to read.   

The audience loved it.  And I’m grateful for the existence of ballet fan bloggers cos it’s the only way I’ve been able to find out who performed and to what - http://www.ballet.co.uk/dcforum/news/3845.html  

Went to the ballet last night as part of the City Council’s official party.  Didn’t particularly want to, but my partner missed the code words in my question as to whether we really wanted to go and she said yes.   

And of course, it’s wasted on me cos I can’t appreciate it in the way many do.  Recognising only some of the music and that from TV coverage of ice dancing.  Stylised dancing that beats “Riverdance” only because it allows the use of the arms.  (I’m trying desperately to avoid references to lager adverts and “no strides”.)   

It was a worthwhile cause, Russian ballet stars performing two sets of dances each for a charity helping kiddies needing operations back in Russia.  Very no frills.  Recorded music, hardly any special lighting and no programme to read.   

The audience loved it.  And I’m grateful for the existence of ballet fan bloggers cos it’s the only way I’ve been able to find out who performed and to what - http://www.ballet.co.uk/dcforum/news/3845.html  

The Jesse Jackson tour visited Nottingham today, as part of the commemoration of the abolition of slave trades act and to promote the Equanomics UK campaign for greater economic equailty, especially for black and ethnic minorities.

The coach arrived outside the Council House and in the few minutes it took for Jesse's party to disembark, quite a number of local people lined up to meet and greet him. 

Inside Councillors and leaders of local partnerships met to hear him speak.  There were three particular messages I took from his speech -

1. that helping people who need help is not a zero sum game, cos more people paying in and not taking out increases our capacity to achieve more and get more done;

2. he described how greater equality in sports excellence was a social phenomena, because in the world of sport, the goals are clear and the rules are public;

3. communities could exhort parents to help their children develop more effectively, particularly regarding their education attainment, by adopting a set of rules which were simply spoken and easily remembered; it's possible the Council could pick up on a version of these as part of our community cohesion work.

The Jesse Jackson tour visited Nottingham today, as part of the commemoration of the abolition of slave trades act and to promote the Equanomics UK campaign for greater economic equailty, especially for black and ethnic minorities.

The coach arrived outside the Council House and in the few minutes it took for Jesse's party to disembark, quite a number of local people lined up to meet and greet him. 

Inside Councillors and leaders of local partnerships met to hear him speak.  There were three particular messages I took from his speech -

1. that helping people who need help is not a zero sum game, cos more people paying in and not taking out increases our capacity to achieve more and get more done;

2. he described how greater equality in sports excellence was a social phenomena, because in the world of sport, the goals are clear and the rules are public;

3. communities could exhort parents to help their children develop more effectively, particularly regarding their education attainment, by adopting a set of rules which were simply spoken and easily remembered; it's possible the Council could pick up on a version of these as part of our community cohesion work.

The Jesse Jackson tour visited Nottingham today, as part of the commemoration of the abolition of slave trades act and to promote the Equanomics UK campaign for greater economic equailty, especially for black and ethnic minorities.

The coach arrived outside the Council House and in the few minutes it took for Jesse's party to disembark, quite a number of local people lined up to meet and greet him. 

Inside Councillors and leaders of local partnerships met to hear him speak.  There were three particular messages I took from his speech -

1. that helping people who need help is not a zero sum game, cos more people paying in and not taking out increases our capacity to achieve more and get more done;

2. he described how greater equality in sports excellence was a social phenomena, because in the world of sport, the goals are clear and the rules are public;

3. communities could exhort parents to help their children develop more effectively, particularly regarding their education attainment, by adopting a set of rules which were simply spoken and easily remembered; it's possible the Council could pick up on a version of these as part of our community cohesion work.

A handsome mosaic to celebrate the history of one of our neighbourhoods was opened today. 

(Picking up on Lyons' exhortations for us to be place-shapers) the mosaic celebrates the source of a brook which was converted to a pool and for centuries was where people called in by, on the way south to Nottingham, through the Sherwood Forest, or to bathe & take advantage of the water's healing qualities.   

Time and the march of progress buried the brook and got rid of the well, but the St.Ann's Well gave its name to a large part of the modern city and it's time to celebrate its existence and role again, as part of giving the Wells neighbourhood in Mapperley ward a new sense of place and pride. 

Helped by 2 artists, the mosiac was made by local people and children during the school holidays. 

The opening speech, with a fuller explanation of the history of the well, is available at - http://www.michaeledwards.labour.co.uk/ViewPage.cfm?Page=19712 

A handsome mosaic to celebrate the history of one of our neighbourhoods was opened today. 

(Picking up on Lyons' exhortations for us to be place-shapers) the mosaic celebrates the source of a brook which was converted to a pool and for centuries was where people called in by, on the way south to Nottingham, through the Sherwood Forest, or to bathe & take advantage of the water's healing qualities.   

Time and the march of progress buried the brook and got rid of the well, but the St.Ann's Well gave its name to a large part of the modern city and it's time to celebrate its existence and role again, as part of giving the Wells neighbourhood in Mapperley ward a new sense of place and pride. 

Helped by 2 artists, the mosiac was made by local people and children during the school holidays. 

The opening speech, with a fuller explanation of the history of the well, is available at - http://www.michaeledwards.labour.co.uk/ViewPage.cfm?Page=19712 

A handsome mosaic to celebrate the history of one of our neighbourhoods was opened today. 

(Picking up on Lyons' exhortations for us to be place-shapers) the mosaic celebrates the source of a brook which was converted to a pool and for centuries was where people called in by, on the way south to Nottingham, through the Sherwood Forest, or to bathe & take advantage of the water's healing qualities.   

Time and the march of progress buried the brook and got rid of the well, but the St.Ann's Well gave its name to a large part of the modern city and it's time to celebrate its existence and role again, as part of giving the Wells neighbourhood in Mapperley ward a new sense of place and pride. 

Helped by 2 artists, the mosiac was made by local people and children during the school holidays. 

The opening speech, with a fuller explanation of the history of the well, is available at - http://www.michaeledwards.labour.co.uk/ViewPage.cfm?Page=19712 

It's a sign of the times that I now show more interest in the GCSE grades of the pupils at the comprehensive secondary school that I chair, than I ever did for my own O-levels. 

Back in the late seventies, you'd wait a day (yes, a whole day) for the results to posted on to you by the school using the postcard you'd set out. 

One lad actually went into to school to get his results - very strange - although now I think about it, he did go on to be head boy. 

The culture is so different now, which is part of the reason for progress. 

My school probably serves the most challenged cohort in the East Midlands.   And today, 48% of its year 11 achieved 5 good GCSEs.  Up from 32% last year, 22% the year before, and not many years on since only 7% or so did.  So over double the rate of attainment in just 2 years.  (And it was a pleasure to see pupils from the school featured on regional ITV in the evening.) 

And for the first time, over half of Nottingham schools' year 11 have achieved 5 good GCSEs. 

A different culture concerning attainment is part of the reason for progress, but other reasons include a focus on improvement, in the quality of teaching, learning, leadership and management.  And we'd have gone nowhere without the extra resources in Nottingham, made possible by the Labour government.  Huge increases in revenue spending and something like 40 times the amount of capital for improvements and repairs (and that's before you start counting school replacement and renewal programmes like Building Schools for the Future & the new Academies). 

Under the Tories, we were going nowhere, despite all the revenues from oil.  Annual cuts in staff and moving money away from the children who needed help most. 

Britain in the near future will only have 500,000 unskilled jobs.  And we needed to ensure our most needy kids get a better chance to achieve in life. 

So, a day to be proud of what our children and schools have achieved, and of what Labour in government, national & local, has done for the country. 

It's a sign of the times that I now show more interest in the GCSE grades of the pupils at the comprehensive secondary school that I chair, than I ever did for my own O-levels. 

Back in the late seventies, you'd wait a day (yes, a whole day) for the results to posted on to you by the school using the postcard you'd set out. 

One lad actually went into to school to get his results - very strange - although now I think about it, he did go on to be head boy. 

The culture is so different now, which is part of the reason for progress. 

My school probably serves the most challenged cohort in the East Midlands.   And today, 48% of its year 11 achieved 5 good GCSEs.  Up from 32% last year, 22% the year before, and not many years on since only 7% or so did.  So over double the rate of attainment in just 2 years.  (And it was a pleasure to see pupils from the school featured on regional ITV in the evening.) 

And for the first time, over half of Nottingham schools' year 11 have achieved 5 good GCSEs. 

A different culture concerning attainment is part of the reason for progress, but other reasons include a focus on improvement, in the quality of teaching, learning, leadership and management.  And we'd have gone nowhere without the extra resources in Nottingham, made possible by the Labour government.  Huge increases in revenue spending and something like 40 times the amount of capital for improvements and repairs (and that's before you start counting school replacement and renewal programmes like Building Schools for the Future & the new Academies). 

Under the Tories, we were going nowhere, despite all the revenues from oil.  Annual cuts in staff and moving money away from the children who needed help most. 

Britain in the near future will only have 500,000 unskilled jobs.  And we needed to ensure our most needy kids get a better chance to achieve in life. 

So, a day to be proud of what our children and schools have achieved, and of what Labour in government, national & local, has done for the country. 

It's a sign of the times that I now show more interest in the GCSE grades of the pupils at the comprehensive secondary school that I chair, than I ever did for my own O-levels. 

Back in the late seventies, you'd wait a day (yes, a whole day) for the results to posted on to you by the school using the postcard you'd set out. 

One lad actually went into to school to get his results - very strange - although now I think about it, he did go on to be head boy. 

The culture is so different now, which is part of the reason for progress. 

My school probably serves the most challenged cohort in the East Midlands.   And today, 48% of its year 11 achieved 5 good GCSEs.  Up from 32% last year, 22% the year before, and not many years on since only 7% or so did.  So over double the rate of attainment in just 2 years.  (And it was a pleasure to see pupils from the school featured on regional ITV in the evening.) 

And for the first time, over half of Nottingham schools' year 11 have achieved 5 good GCSEs. 

A different culture concerning attainment is part of the reason for progress, but other reasons include a focus on improvement, in the quality of teaching, learning, leadership and management.  And we'd have gone nowhere without the extra resources in Nottingham, made possible by the Labour government.  Huge increases in revenue spending and something like 40 times the amount of capital for improvements and repairs (and that's before you start counting school replacement and renewal programmes like Building Schools for the Future & the new Academies). 

Under the Tories, we were going nowhere, despite all the revenues from oil.  Annual cuts in staff and moving money away from the children who needed help most. 

Britain in the near future will only have 500,000 unskilled jobs.  And we needed to ensure our most needy kids get a better chance to achieve in life. 

So, a day to be proud of what our children and schools have achieved, and of what Labour in government, national & local, has done for the country. 

On Sunday, Nottingham held a celebration of the 60th anniversary of India & Pakistan's independence. 

Events included poetry reading in The Council House (including some by my local shopkeeper) and a fashion show in the new Old Market Square where the models held strutting poses for long times against indian music with a heavy beat.   There were stalls in the square and music & dance.  (Unfortunately, the rain took away a lot of the casual vistors that the events were geared to reach).  Much of the emphasis of the week's local events has been to look forward. 

The BBC 2 documentary "The Day India Burned - Partition" (shown last Tuesday) raised serious criticisms of the handover.  Complaints included the lack of British troops at the handover and not telling the public the proposed boundaries of the new countries until after independence was declared. 

On Sunday, Nottingham held a celebration of the 60th anniversary of India & Pakistan's independence. 

Events included poetry reading in The Council House (including some by my local shopkeeper) and a fashion show in the new Old Market Square where the models held strutting poses for long times against indian music with a heavy beat.   There were stalls in the square and music & dance.  (Unfortunately, the rain took away a lot of the casual vistors that the events were geared to reach).  Much of the emphasis of the week's local events has been to look forward. 

The BBC 2 documentary "The Day India Burned - Partition" (shown last Tuesday) raised serious criticisms of the handover.  Complaints included the lack of British troops at the handover and not telling the public the proposed boundaries of the new countries until after independence was declared. 

On Sunday, Nottingham held a celebration of the 60th anniversary of India & Pakistan's independence. 

Events included poetry reading in The Council House (including some by my local shopkeeper) and a fashion show in the new Old Market Square where the models held strutting poses for long times against indian music with a heavy beat.   There were stalls in the square and music & dance.  (Unfortunately, the rain took away a lot of the casual vistors that the events were geared to reach).  Much of the emphasis of the week's local events has been to look forward. 

The BBC 2 documentary "The Day India Burned - Partition" (shown last Tuesday) raised serious criticisms of the handover.  Complaints included the lack of British troops at the handover and not telling the public the proposed boundaries of the new countries until after independence was declared. 

The latest review of ideas for new policies for the Tory Party is universally recognised as a step to the right. 

A surprise is the very detailed aspects of parts of the review.  Why get into advocating rubber wheels for trains?  It can work and could be part of a solution for expanding the capacity available on a railway line, but so can lengthening trains and introducing moving block signal control systems. 

And what about something as universal as allowing left turns at a junction against a red light?  In my ward, we have problems enough with existing signalled junctions. 

A local T-junction between major local roads was recently renewed to provide bigger pedestrian refuges for parents pushing babies in chairs, or for carers helping others in wheelchairs.  And the signalling changed to reflect the new layout, with the introduction of left & right-turner egress lanes for the side road.   

I once walked across the main road at the junction, as prompted by a green man, only to find myself in conflict with a driver who had to stop quickly, having come out of a left-turners lane. 

And why?  Because the new signals were introduced to change together for left and right-turners alike, unless a pedestrian had pressed a button whilst waiting to cross the main road.  (The plan had been to maximise traffic flow.)  Quickly learnt behaviour meant some drivers were no longer watching the red light for the left hand lane, but setting off at the same time as the right-turners.  

Pedestrians have complained.  Changes have been implemented, including a delay to left-turners, but it's taking months and extra signage to get the learnt behaviour changed.  And it won't be of much consolation to the John Redwoods of this world that the complaints are coming from residents of the most right-wing voting estate in my ward.

Getting the numbers of people killed and seriously injured down has taken some serious investment and application over many years.  We are down to level of reviewing individual junctions and refining existing provision. 

A blanket change to the meaning of the red light will have unmeasurable costs and consequences.   

Is it possible that John Redwood didn't have pedestrians in mind when he advocated such a policy? 

The latest review of ideas for new policies for the Tory Party is universally recognised as a step to the right. 

A surprise is the very detailed aspects of parts of the review.  Why get into advocating rubber wheels for trains?  It can work and could be part of a solution for expanding the capacity available on a railway line, but so can lengthening trains and introducing moving block signal control systems. 

And what about something as universal as allowing left turns at a junction against a red light?  In my ward, we have problems enough with existing signalled junctions. 

A local T-junction between major local roads was recently renewed to provide bigger pedestrian refuges for parents pushing babies in chairs, or for carers helping others in wheelchairs.  And the signalling changed to reflect the new layout, with the introduction of left & right-turner egress lanes for the side road.   

I once walked across the main road at the junction, as prompted by a green man, only to find myself in conflict with a driver who had to stop quickly, having come out of a left-turners lane. 

And why?  Because the new signals were introduced to change together for left and right-turners alike, unless a pedestrian had pressed a button whilst waiting to cross the main road.  (The plan had been to maximise traffic flow.)  Quickly learnt behaviour meant some drivers were no longer watching the red light for the left hand lane, but setting off at the same time as the right-turners.  

Pedestrians have complained.  Changes have been implemented, including a delay to left-turners, but it's taking months and extra signage to get the learnt behaviour changed.  And it won't be of much consolation to the John Redwoods of this world that the complaints are coming from residents of the most right-wing voting estate in my ward.

Getting the numbers of people killed and seriously injured down has taken some serious investment and application over many years.  We are down to level of reviewing individual junctions and refining existing provision. 

A blanket change to the meaning of the red light will have unmeasurable costs and consequences.   

Is it possible that John Redwood didn't have pedestrians in mind when he advocated such a policy? 

The latest review of ideas for new policies for the Tory Party is universally recognised as a step to the right. 

A surprise is the very detailed aspects of parts of the review.  Why get into advocating rubber wheels for trains?  It can work and could be part of a solution for expanding the capacity available on a railway line, but so can lengthening trains and introducing moving block signal control systems. 

And what about something as universal as allowing left turns at a junction against a red light?  In my ward, we have problems enough with existing signalled junctions. 

A local T-junction between major local roads was recently renewed to provide bigger pedestrian refuges for parents pushing babies in chairs, or for carers helping others in wheelchairs.  And the signalling changed to reflect the new layout, with the introduction of left & right-turner egress lanes for the side road.   

I once walked across the main road at the junction, as prompted by a green man, only to find myself in conflict with a driver who had to stop quickly, having come out of a left-turners lane. 

And why?  Because the new signals were introduced to change together for left and right-turners alike, unless a pedestrian had pressed a button whilst waiting to cross the main road.  (The plan had been to maximise traffic flow.)  Quickly learnt behaviour meant some drivers were no longer watching the red light for the left hand lane, but setting off at the same time as the right-turners.  

Pedestrians have complained.  Changes have been implemented, including a delay to left-turners, but it's taking months and extra signage to get the learnt behaviour changed.  And it won't be of much consolation to the John Redwoods of this world that the complaints are coming from residents of the most right-wing voting estate in my ward.

Getting the numbers of people killed and seriously injured down has taken some serious investment and application over many years.  We are down to level of reviewing individual junctions and refining existing provision. 

A blanket change to the meaning of the red light will have unmeasurable costs and consequences.   

Is it possible that John Redwood didn't have pedestrians in mind when he advocated such a policy? 

Went to a funeral in the very rural Shropshire / Herefordshire borders today.  Such a contrast to Nottingham. 

The funeral was of my Mum's cousin, who was a farmer.  

Printed in the order sheet, after the hymns and prayers was a poem - "The Farmer feeds them all".  The poem starts -

  "The politician talks and talks  ... "

and holds forth on a range of professions & occupations before ending

  "art and science soon would fade, and commerce dead would fall,

  "If the farmer ceased to reap and sow, for the farmer feeds them all."

Why so hard on politicians?  Don't they know party politics is the sign of a free society?  Didn't they hear Tony Blair say that "politics is where people stand tall"? 

Fortunately, no-one asked me what I did for a living today.  (Oh, Michael?  He joined British Rail, as a computer programmer.) 

Still, I suppose we all want people to celebrate what we do.  (I am waiting for that first tribute to computer programmers.  And no, the Alexei Sayle song doesn't count.) 

As for my relative, well, the man's care, concern & love for the countryside & the animals shone through in the tributes. 

The full version of the poem is available at - http://www.drainage.org/newsletters/LICO%20March%202005%20Newsletter.pdf - page 11; and was attributed to the Creemore Echo, March 18, 2005

Went to a funeral in the very rural Shropshire / Herefordshire borders today.  Such a contrast to Nottingham. 

The funeral was of my Mum's cousin, who was a farmer.  

Printed in the order sheet, after the hymns and prayers was a poem - "The Farmer feeds them all".  The poem starts -

  "The politician talks and talks  ... "

and holds forth on a range of professions & occupations before ending

  "art and science soon would fade, and commerce dead would fall,

  "If the farmer ceased to reap and sow, for the farmer feeds them all."

Why so hard on politicians?  Don't they know party politics is the sign of a free society?  Didn't they hear Tony Blair say that "politics is where people stand tall"? 

Fortunately, no-one asked me what I did for a living today.  (Oh, Michael?  He joined British Rail, as a computer programmer.) 

Still, I suppose we all want people to celebrate what we do.  (I am waiting for that first tribute to computer programmers.  And no, the Alexei Sayle song doesn't count.) 

As for my relative, well, the man's care, concern & love for the countryside & the animals shone through in the tributes. 

The full version of the poem is available at - http://www.drainage.org/newsletters/LICO%20March%202005%20Newsletter.pdf - page 11; and was attributed to the Creemore Echo, March 18, 2005

Went to a funeral in the very rural Shropshire / Herefordshire borders today.  Such a contrast to Nottingham. 

The funeral was of my Mum's cousin, who was a farmer.  

Printed in the order sheet, after the hymns and prayers was a poem - "The Farmer feeds them all".  The poem starts -

  "The politician talks and talks  ... "

and holds forth on a range of professions & occupations before ending

  "art and science soon would fade, and commerce dead would fall,

  "If the farmer ceased to reap and sow, for the farmer feeds them all."

Why so hard on politicians?  Don't they know party politics is the sign of a free society?  Didn't they hear Tony Blair say that "politics is where people stand tall"? 

Fortunately, no-one asked me what I did for a living today.  (Oh, Michael?  He joined British Rail, as a computer programmer.) 

Still, I suppose we all want people to celebrate what we do.  (I am waiting for that first tribute to computer programmers.  And no, the Alexei Sayle song doesn't count.) 

As for my relative, well, the man's care, concern & love for the countryside & the animals shone through in the tributes. 

The full version of the poem is available at - http://www.drainage.org/newsletters/LICO%20March%202005%20Newsletter.pdf - page 11; and was attributed to the Creemore Echo, March 18, 2005

Salop's first competitive game at the New Gay Meadow.  Capacity of 10,000, currently licensed to hold 8,000 and 3,069 turn up.  This when playing in the cup against a side 2 divisions above us and on the bounce from a 4-0 away win. 

Way too early to form a judgement - maybe Colcehester just aren't a draw.  And we won - so why be miserable. 

Standing pitchside before the game, a steward asked whether I needed help finding my seat.  "No, just taking the scene in".  "Great, isn't it."  "I prefer the old Gay Meadow."  "But, it's so much better. The toilets at least".  So I tried them and went back to complain.  "No toilet paper."  The lack of ivy growing down the side of the cubicle was to be regarded as some compensation. 

The new stadium is so different.  No raised touchlines to keep the River Severn out and the ball in.  No trees overhanging the stand.  No stantions blocking the view from the side. 

But other features remain the same.  The ability to tilt the pitch 5 degrees to help the side that's gone a goal down with 10 minutes to go in a cup tie.  It led to numerous runs at our defence and the inevitable (cast-iron) penalty.  (The penalty save was less predictable.) 

The arrangements are to be proven and it was a sight to see hundreds of people walking in columns down the sides of the old A5 for a quarter of a mile or more. 

The worry remains that facilities, be it shopping or football, need to be at the heart of towns and cities, so that all the existing transport arrangements support a decison by potential visitors to go.  

Salop's first competitive game at the New Gay Meadow.  Capacity of 10,000, currently licensed to hold 8,000 and 3,069 turn up.  This when playing in the cup against a side 2 divisions above us and on the bounce from a 4-0 away win. 

Way too early to form a judgement - maybe Colcehester just aren't a draw.  And we won - so why be miserable. 

Standing pitchside before the game, a steward asked whether I needed help finding my seat.  "No, just taking the scene in".  "Great, isn't it."  "I prefer the old Gay Meadow."  "But, it's so much better. The toilets at least".  So I tried them and went back to complain.  "No toilet paper."  The lack of ivy growing down the side of the cubicle was to be regarded as some compensation. 

The new stadium is so different.  No raised touchlines to keep the River Severn out and the ball in.  No trees overhanging the stand.  No stantions blocking the view from the side. 

But other features remain the same.  The ability to tilt the pitch 5 degrees to help the side that's gone a goal down with 10 minutes to go in a cup tie.  It led to numerous runs at our defence and the inevitable (cast-iron) penalty.  (The penalty save was less predictable.) 

The arrangements are to be proven and it was a sight to see hundreds of people walking in columns down the sides of the old A5 for a quarter of a mile or more. 

The worry remains that facilities, be it shopping or football, need to be at the heart of towns and cities, so that all the existing transport arrangements support a decison by potential visitors to go.  

Salop's first competitive game at the New Gay Meadow.  Capacity of 10,000, currently licensed to hold 8,000 and 3,069 turn up.  This when playing in the cup against a side 2 divisions above us and on the bounce from a 4-0 away win. 

Way too early to form a judgement - maybe Colcehester just aren't a draw.  And we won - so why be miserable. 

Standing pitchside before the game, a steward asked whether I needed help finding my seat.  "No, just taking the scene in".  "Great, isn't it."  "I prefer the old Gay Meadow."  "But, it's so much better. The toilets at least".  So I tried them and went back to complain.  "No toilet paper."  The lack of ivy growing down the side of the cubicle was to be regarded as some compensation. 

The new stadium is so different.  No raised touchlines to keep the River Severn out and the ball in.  No trees overhanging the stand.  No stantions blocking the view from the side. 

But other features remain the same.  The ability to tilt the pitch 5 degrees to help the side that's gone a goal down with 10 minutes to go in a cup tie.  It led to numerous runs at our defence and the inevitable (cast-iron) penalty.  (The penalty save was less predictable.) 

The arrangements are to be proven and it was a sight to see hundreds of people walking in columns down the sides of the old A5 for a quarter of a mile or more. 

The worry remains that facilities, be it shopping or football, need to be at the heart of towns and cities, so that all the existing transport arrangements support a decison by potential visitors to go.  

A shame to hear that Tony Wilson has passed away.  Not that you can eulogise about him - films and commentary cast some doubts on his motive or character - and he joined in with a lot of it. 

But he was an advocate for Manchester and helped give Manchester a powerful identity.  He gave opportunity to musicians who would stand no chance in an X factor world of pop music. 

A shame to hear that Tony Wilson has passed away.  Not that you can eulogise about him - films and commentary cast some doubts on his motive or character - and he joined in with a lot of it. 

But he was an advocate for Manchester and helped give Manchester a powerful identity.  He gave opportunity to musicians who would stand no chance in an X factor world of pop music. 

A shame to hear that Tony Wilson has passed away.  Not that you can eulogise about him - films and commentary cast some doubts on his motive or character - and he joined in with a lot of it. 

But he was an advocate for Manchester and helped give Manchester a powerful identity.  He gave opportunity to musicians who would stand no chance in an X factor world of pop music. 

The opening day of the football season - way too early.  August bank holiday was better - intense heat for the first day kinda guaranteed the weather for the weekend too. 

What's worse Salop were at Lincoln, an easy trip for me, but a place where Salop often fails to get what they deserve.  And they finished above us last year.  So I had to drag myself to the game. 

Fortunately for us, so did the Lincoln players.  Salop had better presence & skill and were comfortably on top from early on. 

For all that, Salop didn't have many chances until the second half - and then Salop won by 4.  We're top of the league. 

Jimmy Sirrell once said the targets for the beginning of the season were get a point, score, get a win, have a clean sheet; and then do that all again away from home.  Well, full house in one day. 

Trouble is, have we had our best day on day one - with nothing like it to look forward to?  Or did it really say that we so needed to win that play-off in May cos the third tier is the level we deserve?  Just see how the doubts creep in. 

The opening day of the football season - way too early.  August bank holiday was better - intense heat for the first day kinda guaranteed the weather for the weekend too. 

What's worse Salop were at Lincoln, an easy trip for me, but a place where Salop often fails to get what they deserve.  And they finished above us last year.  So I had to drag myself to the game. 

Fortunately for us, so did the Lincoln players.  Salop had better presence & skill and were comfortably on top from early on. 

For all that, Salop didn't have many chances until the second half - and then Salop won by 4.  We're top of the league. 

Jimmy Sirrell once said the targets for the beginning of the season were get a point, score, get a win, have a clean sheet; and then do that all again away from home.  Well, full house in one day. 

Trouble is, have we had our best day on day one - with nothing like it to look forward to?  Or did it really say that we so needed to win that play-off in May cos the third tier is the level we deserve?  Just see how the doubts creep in. 

The opening day of the football season - way too early.  August bank holiday was better - intense heat for the first day kinda guaranteed the weather for the weekend too. 

What's worse Salop were at Lincoln, an easy trip for me, but a place where Salop often fails to get what they deserve.  And they finished above us last year.  So I had to drag myself to the game. 

Fortunately for us, so did the Lincoln players.  Salop had better presence & skill and were comfortably on top from early on. 

For all that, Salop didn't have many chances until the second half - and then Salop won by 4.  We're top of the league. 

Jimmy Sirrell once said the targets for the beginning of the season were get a point, score, get a win, have a clean sheet; and then do that all again away from home.  Well, full house in one day. 

Trouble is, have we had our best day on day one - with nothing like it to look forward to?  Or did it really say that we so needed to win that play-off in May cos the third tier is the level we deserve?  Just see how the doubts creep in. 

Another idyllic summer lunchtime in the new Old Market Square, with an African drum and dance group turning up to perform. 

Today, the Council is holding a stall as part of the launch of registration for the new electoral register (for 2008). 

And who knows - this register might be for the next General Election. 

The surprise for me was the number of people making an effort to register because registration can affect your credit rating. 

Overall though, registration has been too low in Nottingham and we need more people to get on roll. 

Another idyllic summer lunchtime in the new Old Market Square, with an African drum and dance group turning up to perform. 

Today, the Council is holding a stall as part of the launch of registration for the new electoral register (for 2008). 

And who knows - this register might be for the next General Election. 

The surprise for me was the number of people making an effort to register because registration can affect your credit rating. 

Overall though, registration has been too low in Nottingham and we need more people to get on roll. 

Another idyllic summer lunchtime in the new Old Market Square, with an African drum and dance group turning up to perform. 

Today, the Council is holding a stall as part of the launch of registration for the new electoral register (for 2008). 

And who knows - this register might be for the next General Election. 

The surprise for me was the number of people making an effort to register because registration can affect your credit rating. 

Overall though, registration has been too low in Nottingham and we need more people to get on roll. 

I was making a pitch for the City Council on Monday and ended up in the new Old Market Square to show the degree of our ambition we have for the city, showing off the new facilities & the large number of people using them. 

As I pitched, some CND members were walking silently around the square with placards, reminding people of the anniversary of the dropping of the atom bomb on Hiroshima and of the 140,000 who died. 

A new and perhaps unexpected use of the arena we've created.     

In the evening, I attended a residents' meeting at their new community centre in Honeywood - The Brickyard - to hear of progress and concerns on crime & tipping. 

A key concern is the separate garages created for residents when the estate was built in the sixties, but many of whom have given up on, such is the misuse and abuse. 

Surveys are not yielding enough information to allow for decisive action.  It transpires that with the loss of the old rating system, there's not been a need for the council to keep a log of the ownership of garages.  An unforeseen consequence of the introduction of the Poll tax.  The land register is supposed to have been updated with every sale for the last 15 years or so, but it's not clear how effective the requirement has been.

I was making a pitch for the City Council on Monday and ended up in the new Old Market Square to show the degree of our ambition we have for the city, showing off the new facilities & the large number of people using them. 

As I pitched, some CND members were walking silently around the square with placards, reminding people of the anniversary of the dropping of the atom bomb on Hiroshima and of the 140,000 who died. 

A new and perhaps unexpected use of the arena we've created.     

In the evening, I attended a residents' meeting at their new community centre in Honeywood - The Brickyard - to hear of progress and concerns on crime & tipping. 

A key concern is the separate garages created for residents when the estate was built in the sixties, but many of whom have given up on, such is the misuse and abuse. 

Surveys are not yielding enough information to allow for decisive action.  It transpires that with the loss of the old rating system, there's not been a need for the council to keep a log of the ownership of garages.  An unforeseen consequence of the introduction of the Poll tax.  The land register is supposed to have been updated with every sale for the last 15 years or so, but it's not clear how effective the requirement has been.

I was making a pitch for the City Council on Monday and ended up in the new Old Market Square to show the degree of our ambition we have for the city, showing off the new facilities & the large number of people using them. 

As I pitched, some CND members were walking silently around the square with placards, reminding people of the anniversary of the dropping of the atom bomb on Hiroshima and of the 140,000 who died. 

A new and perhaps unexpected use of the arena we've created.     

In the evening, I attended a residents' meeting at their new community centre in Honeywood - The Brickyard - to hear of progress and concerns on crime & tipping. 

A key concern is the separate garages created for residents when the estate was built in the sixties, but many of whom have given up on, such is the misuse and abuse. 

Surveys are not yielding enough information to allow for decisive action.  It transpires that with the loss of the old rating system, there's not been a need for the council to keep a log of the ownership of garages.  An unforeseen consequence of the introduction of the Poll tax.  The land register is supposed to have been updated with every sale for the last 15 years or so, but it's not clear how effective the requirement has been.

A beautiful sunny Sunday - the warmest day since April - so yeah - the Tiger Squad went canvassing.  This time in the neighbouring & marginal constituency of Gedling.   

And the results were good, 9 gains and 1 loss (someone didn't like the bans on smoking).  One lady even came out to give us cartons of orange juice as we canvassed. 

The scores reflect the step change in Labour’s poll fortunes since Gordon Brown’s arrival.   

Of course, canvassing is never that scientific, so it's nice to know that the good news is also being reported by the “Electoral Calculus” website - http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/ 

The Sunday Express of all papers had 60 suggestons for David Cameron on what to do to improve Tory party fortunes.  Towards the end, it got pretty light-hearted.  One was a civil partnership between him and Boris Johnson.  Another was dragging Britain towards an ocean island so that the Tories never had to answer a question about Europe again. 

A beautiful sunny Sunday - the warmest day since April - so yeah - the Tiger Squad went canvassing.  This time in the neighbouring & marginal constituency of Gedling.   

And the results were good, 9 gains and 1 loss (someone didn't like the bans on smoking).  One lady even came out to give us cartons of orange juice as we canvassed. 

The scores reflect the step change in Labour’s poll fortunes since Gordon Brown’s arrival.   

Of course, canvassing is never that scientific, so it's nice to know that the good news is also being reported by the “Electoral Calculus” website - http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/ 

The Sunday Express of all papers had 60 suggestons for David Cameron on what to do to improve Tory party fortunes.  Towards the end, it got pretty light-hearted.  One was a civil partnership between him and Boris Johnson.  Another was dragging Britain towards an ocean island so that the Tories never had to answer a question about Europe again. 

A beautiful sunny Sunday - the warmest day since April - so yeah - the Tiger Squad went canvassing.  This time in the neighbouring & marginal constituency of Gedling.   

And the results were good, 9 gains and 1 loss (someone didn't like the bans on smoking).  One lady even came out to give us cartons of orange juice as we canvassed. 

The scores reflect the step change in Labour’s poll fortunes since Gordon Brown’s arrival.   

Of course, canvassing is never that scientific, so it's nice to know that the good news is also being reported by the “Electoral Calculus” website - http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/ 

The Sunday Express of all papers had 60 suggestons for David Cameron on what to do to improve Tory party fortunes.  Towards the end, it got pretty light-hearted.  One was a civil partnership between him and Boris Johnson.  Another was dragging Britain towards an ocean island so that the Tories never had to answer a question about Europe again. 

There comes a time when you have to do something, and you know you're gonna get a kicking for it.  One of those times is the replacement of the cars used by the Lord Mayor and the Sheriff of Nottingham. 

Oh, don't worry says the political correspondent of the local newspaper.  We'll treat it with the respect it deserves and we'll give the public a chance to express their view. 

And so it was that they published a considered article with - in the last sentence - a suggestion that the civics, going to events here, there & everywhere, whilst wearing dress & civic chains, could do so by public transport.  And lo, the web-surfers of the local newspaper have joined in with 58% of them saying, yes the Lord Mayor should travel by public transport. 

Postscript - having published an article to encourage people to say the Lord Mayor should use public transport, the local newspaper then published an opinion piece by one of its columnists to say a big civic car was needed. 

There comes a time when you have to do something, and you know you're gonna get a kicking for it.  One of those times is the replacement of the cars used by the Lord Mayor and the Sheriff of Nottingham. 

Oh, don't worry says the political correspondent of the local newspaper.  We'll treat it with the respect it deserves and we'll give the public a chance to express their view. 

And so it was that they published a considered article with - in the last sentence - a suggestion that the civics, going to events here, there & everywhere, whilst wearing dress & civic chains, could do so by public transport.  And lo, the web-surfers of the local newspaper have joined in with 58% of them saying, yes the Lord Mayor should travel by public transport. 

Postscript - having published an article to encourage people to say the Lord Mayor should use public transport, the local newspaper then published an opinion piece by one of its columnists to say a big civic car was needed. 

There comes a time when you have to do something, and you know you're gonna get a kicking for it.  One of those times is the replacement of the cars used by the Lord Mayor and the Sheriff of Nottingham. 

Oh, don't worry says the political correspondent of the local newspaper.  We'll treat it with the respect it deserves and we'll give the public a chance to express their view. 

And so it was that they published a considered article with - in the last sentence - a suggestion that the civics, going to events here, there & everywhere, whilst wearing dress & civic chains, could do so by public transport.  And lo, the web-surfers of the local newspaper have joined in with 58% of them saying, yes the Lord Mayor should travel by public transport. 

Postscript - having published an article to encourage people to say the Lord Mayor should use public transport, the local newspaper then published an opinion piece by one of its columnists to say a big civic car was needed. 

“Taking Liberties” was shown at the Broadway cinema this week.  Reviews of the film generally praise it for shedding an important light on what the reviewers say is an illiberal new Labour government.    

The film contains animation sequences to emphasis why civil liberties are important.  One sequence saying how the loss of liberty in 1930’s Germany led to “Kristallnacht”.  And yet the film ends with one of the peace-loving civil liberties protestors saying the way to protest was not just to write a letter to Tony Blair, but to wrap the letter around a stone and throw it through Tony Blair’s window.  Presumably, a justifiable “Kristallnacht”.    

This doesn’t negate the film.  Although you get a much better view if you check out alternative descriptions of the episodes portrayed in the film, as described in Wikipedia.  

And what about the measures that the Labour Gov’t have introduced on civil liberties?  Human Rights Act.  Freedom of Information Act.  Equalised the age of consent for gay men.  Introduced civil partnerships.    

(Saw “Moliere” the next day - that I can whole-heartedly recommend.)    

I’m not clear if anyone will ever put together a riposte to the film or offer a bit of balance.  So I’ve had a go, largely, it has to be said relying on wikipedia.     Cos of its length, I've now moved it to dedicated web-page - http://www.michaeledwards.labour.co.uk/ViewPage.cfm?Page=21983 

“Taking Liberties” was shown at the Broadway cinema this week.  Reviews of the film generally praise it for shedding an important light on what the reviewers say is an illiberal new Labour government.    

The film contains animation sequences to emphasis why civil liberties are important.  One sequence saying how the loss of liberty in 1930’s Germany led to “Kristallnacht”.  And yet the film ends with one of the peace-loving civil liberties protestors saying the way to protest was not just to write a letter to Tony Blair, but to wrap the letter around a stone and throw it through Tony Blair’s window.  Presumably, a justifiable “Kristallnacht”.    

This doesn’t negate the film.  Although you get a much better view if you check out alternative descriptions of the episodes portrayed in the film, as described in Wikipedia.  

And what about the measures that the Labour Gov’t have introduced on civil liberties?  Human Rights Act.  Freedom of Information Act.  Equalised the age of consent for gay men.  Introduced civil partnerships.    

(Saw “Moliere” the next day - that I can whole-heartedly recommend.)    

I’m not clear if anyone will ever put together a riposte to the film or offer a bit of balance.  So I’ve had a go, largely, it has to be said relying on wikipedia.     Cos of its length, I've now moved it to dedicated web-page - http://www.michaeledwards.labour.co.uk/ViewPage.cfm?Page=21983 

“Taking Liberties” was shown at the Broadway cinema this week.  Reviews of the film generally praise it for shedding an important light on what the reviewers say is an illiberal new Labour government.    

The film contains animation sequences to emphasis why civil liberties are important.  One sequence saying how the loss of liberty in 1930’s Germany led to “Kristallnacht”.  And yet the film ends with one of the peace-loving civil liberties protestors saying the way to protest was not just to write a letter to Tony Blair, but to wrap the letter around a stone and throw it through Tony Blair’s window.  Presumably, a justifiable “Kristallnacht”.    

This doesn’t negate the film.  Although you get a much better view if you check out alternative descriptions of the episodes portrayed in the film, as described in Wikipedia.  

And what about the measures that the Labour Gov’t have introduced on civil liberties?  Human Rights Act.  Freedom of Information Act.  Equalised the age of consent for gay men.  Introduced civil partnerships.    

(Saw “Moliere” the next day - that I can whole-heartedly recommend.)    

I’m not clear if anyone will ever put together a riposte to the film or offer a bit of balance.  So I’ve had a go, largely, it has to be said relying on wikipedia.     Cos of its length, I've now moved it to dedicated web-page - http://www.michaeledwards.labour.co.uk/ViewPage.cfm?Page=21983