Two fat ladies - 88
You can't say that, sorry mate,
Dirtie Gertie, number 30,
Poor old Gertrude finds that hurty!
The Lords my Shepherd- 23
Sends Richard Dawkins off his tree
Gandhis Breakfast number 80
Now your getting slightly racist
A meal for two - 69
Dear oh dear, that's not fine!
Stop work - 65
Not the case if your still alive!
When I was a wee nipper, I used to love bingo on Clacton pier. The Bingo Masters lingo fascinated me. I don't know if it was because I was dyslexic, but I never realised the reason for the nicknames for the numbers. I just thought it was a secret code and that bingo Masters were members of some strange, pseudo Masonic organisation with its own peculiar language.
I'd be intrigued to know if the lingo is still used.
Wednesday, 25 October 2017
Tuesday, 24 October 2017
A Barnet Hero is in the press
Take your mind back five years. At that time, Barnet Council were not boasting that they "had not closed libraries, unlike evil Brent Council" (ed note: I added the word evil). No tweets like this back then
The reason? The Barnet Tories were at war with the local community in Friern Barnet, where they had closed the library. This happened on the 6th April. The Library was closed, a symbolic occupation took place and the local community realised they'd been shafted. The doors were shut and it seemed like all hope was lost. Then something extraordinary happened. On the same day, the Barnet Eye announced we were opening a "peoples library" on the village green outside. We invited residents to bring books and open our own library. To my utter amazement, over 400 people turned up, all bearing books. It was a truly memorable day and one of the proudest days of my life, to see such a spontaneous and joyous event occur. The event gave hope to the campaigners. As a result of the success, throughout the summer, pop up libraries were regularly held and a stock of books started to be built up. I stepped back, as the local community rightly wanted to run the campaign. The success was unprecendented. On the 22nd May, we even had the One Show come down and film the story. As the summer wore on, the people of Friern Barnet made their feelings clear and the council made it clear that they were not interested in listening.
As the summer wore on, I was wondering how the momentum of the campaign could be maintained. Despite bad press, national TV coverage and a regular library outside the library, Barnet Council were not in the least bit inclined to listen to the voters who elected them. On the 5th September, the story took a dramatic turn. We broke the story that the library had been occupied. We made our way straight there and spoke to "Dave". Initially the occupiers stated that they were protesting against the changes to laws in squatting, which were brought in by Finchley MP Mike Freer. Once the occupiers were brought up to speed, they soon fell in behind the campaign to reopen the library.
Around this time I first met Pete Phoenix, veteran social campaigner. The Barnet Eye met Pete and explained the full history of the Peoples library. The Save Friern Barnet Library campaign came down and had a chat. At first, they were worried that getting involved with the occupiers may damage their relationship with the council. They quickly realised that as Barnet were not behaving in good faith, the occupiers offered the best opportunity to save the library. By the 9th, everyone had pulled together. The Occupiers received an email from the council, offering to engage with them and explore the possibility of opening a library. The Barnet Eye arrived to film the momentus coming together of Occupiers, residents and campaigners. Pete Phoenix read the council's email and we filmed it.
As the people's library had built a stock of books, it was a simple matter of restocking the shelves, and putting together a rota. Barnet had initially engaged in talks, but then in an act of bad faith, changed tack and started eviction proceedings. This despite implying that the occupiers had a license. Sadly for the Barnet Tories, they completely botched the legal arguments.
By February 2013 the council had capitulated. The Library was reopened as a volunteer run library. Not ideal, but at least there is still a library on the site. Pete Phoenix was the key figure amongst a whole slate of heroes.
I assumed that with the victory, we'd waved bye bye to Pete Phoenix. He had other projects and protest to fight. Then the Bohemia in Finchley closed. The owners, Antic, closed the doors and the fine building closed. Shortly after, I got an excited call from Helen Michael to say that Pete Phoenix had turned up with a group of occupiers and reopened it. I immediately went along and offered my services to help Pete put live music on. The occupiers asked the owners to grant them a licence to use the premises until it could be re let. Rather stupidly, the owners refused and there was a violent eviction. Wheras Pete and his group sought to protect and cherish the building, a new group moved in after, who trashed it and did tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. The good news was that Pete's protest put it on the map and it has been reborn as the Bohemia N12. There is beer brewed on site and live music.
Pete and the rest of the occupiers more recently have played a pivotal role in the protests against the redevelopment of Sweets Way, where local residents in social housingwere booted out out to allow a developer to put up an estate for more well heeled people. They have also been active in protests against the gentrification of the Dollis Valley. Sadly Barnet seems to have become gentrification central, our biggest export being social housing tenants.
Through all of these struggles I developed a huge respect for Pete and recognised a man who was very much prepared to stand for his principles. I consider him a friend. Therefore I was chuffed to see this tweet earlier today.
It is perhaps ironic that the library that the Barnet Tories closed is the one which they then decided was the model for the rest of the service (volunteer run at arms length). The man who tried to shut it, Ex Councillor Robert Rams was booted out at the next council election. On the day that the library trustees took the keys, I wrote the following
There is a council election next year. I sincerely hope that today's story in the Guardian reminds people just how dishonest and untrustworthy the Barnet Tories can be when they think no one is looking. So let's all put our glasses together for Pete Phoenix, who showed sleepy Barnet the power of direct action.
Thanks for drawing attention to our £7m investment in new tech & refurbs to keep all libraries open! @BrentLabour closed 1/2 theirs instead. https://t.co/xVufwSIzg7— Barnet Conservatives (@BarnetTories) October 5, 2017
The reason? The Barnet Tories were at war with the local community in Friern Barnet, where they had closed the library. This happened on the 6th April. The Library was closed, a symbolic occupation took place and the local community realised they'd been shafted. The doors were shut and it seemed like all hope was lost. Then something extraordinary happened. On the same day, the Barnet Eye announced we were opening a "peoples library" on the village green outside. We invited residents to bring books and open our own library. To my utter amazement, over 400 people turned up, all bearing books. It was a truly memorable day and one of the proudest days of my life, to see such a spontaneous and joyous event occur. The event gave hope to the campaigners. As a result of the success, throughout the summer, pop up libraries were regularly held and a stock of books started to be built up. I stepped back, as the local community rightly wanted to run the campaign. The success was unprecendented. On the 22nd May, we even had the One Show come down and film the story. As the summer wore on, the people of Friern Barnet made their feelings clear and the council made it clear that they were not interested in listening.
As the summer wore on, I was wondering how the momentum of the campaign could be maintained. Despite bad press, national TV coverage and a regular library outside the library, Barnet Council were not in the least bit inclined to listen to the voters who elected them. On the 5th September, the story took a dramatic turn. We broke the story that the library had been occupied. We made our way straight there and spoke to "Dave". Initially the occupiers stated that they were protesting against the changes to laws in squatting, which were brought in by Finchley MP Mike Freer. Once the occupiers were brought up to speed, they soon fell in behind the campaign to reopen the library.
Around this time I first met Pete Phoenix, veteran social campaigner. The Barnet Eye met Pete and explained the full history of the Peoples library. The Save Friern Barnet Library campaign came down and had a chat. At first, they were worried that getting involved with the occupiers may damage their relationship with the council. They quickly realised that as Barnet were not behaving in good faith, the occupiers offered the best opportunity to save the library. By the 9th, everyone had pulled together. The Occupiers received an email from the council, offering to engage with them and explore the possibility of opening a library. The Barnet Eye arrived to film the momentus coming together of Occupiers, residents and campaigners. Pete Phoenix read the council's email and we filmed it.
As the people's library had built a stock of books, it was a simple matter of restocking the shelves, and putting together a rota. Barnet had initially engaged in talks, but then in an act of bad faith, changed tack and started eviction proceedings. This despite implying that the occupiers had a license. Sadly for the Barnet Tories, they completely botched the legal arguments.
By February 2013 the council had capitulated. The Library was reopened as a volunteer run library. Not ideal, but at least there is still a library on the site. Pete Phoenix was the key figure amongst a whole slate of heroes.
I assumed that with the victory, we'd waved bye bye to Pete Phoenix. He had other projects and protest to fight. Then the Bohemia in Finchley closed. The owners, Antic, closed the doors and the fine building closed. Shortly after, I got an excited call from Helen Michael to say that Pete Phoenix had turned up with a group of occupiers and reopened it. I immediately went along and offered my services to help Pete put live music on. The occupiers asked the owners to grant them a licence to use the premises until it could be re let. Rather stupidly, the owners refused and there was a violent eviction. Wheras Pete and his group sought to protect and cherish the building, a new group moved in after, who trashed it and did tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. The good news was that Pete's protest put it on the map and it has been reborn as the Bohemia N12. There is beer brewed on site and live music.
Pete and the rest of the occupiers more recently have played a pivotal role in the protests against the redevelopment of Sweets Way, where local residents in social housingwere booted out out to allow a developer to put up an estate for more well heeled people. They have also been active in protests against the gentrification of the Dollis Valley. Sadly Barnet seems to have become gentrification central, our biggest export being social housing tenants.
Through all of these struggles I developed a huge respect for Pete and recognised a man who was very much prepared to stand for his principles. I consider him a friend. Therefore I was chuffed to see this tweet earlier today.
The Guardian devoted a whole two page spread to Pete today. I was delighted and it made my journey to work a pleasure. I immediately decided that I would contribute this blog, to remind our local readers just how much we owe Pete and his occupy colleagues. As I started putting this blog together, I started re-reading the blogs. The Friern Barnet library story is a truly amazing tale. I've not been back to the library since the handover. It is amazing to think that for nine months, it was the focal point of all things good in the local Barnet political scene and many friendships and alliances were forged there. I saw people I'd never dreamed of cooperating and working together. Rabbi's, retired accountants, councillors, council officials all sitting in a circle in a meeting chaired by an anarchist from Occupy.What Phoenix has learned from 30 years of direct action: ‘You have to be relentless’ https://t.co/oPNo4dW5q7 #olsx #protest #sustainable— Phoenix Rainbow (@phoenixsrainbow) October 23, 2017
It is perhaps ironic that the library that the Barnet Tories closed is the one which they then decided was the model for the rest of the service (volunteer run at arms length). The man who tried to shut it, Ex Councillor Robert Rams was booted out at the next council election. On the day that the library trustees took the keys, I wrote the following
I am proud that I have played some small part in saving Friern Barnet Library. I am proud to be recognised as one of the Famous Five Barnet Bloggers. We have facilitated change in this leafy suburban paradise. Today is yet another victory for the causes we support, but not because the keys to the library changed hands today. It is a victory because the community packed out the library and they have shown that they cannot be ignored. That is the real victory today
There is a council election next year. I sincerely hope that today's story in the Guardian reminds people just how dishonest and untrustworthy the Barnet Tories can be when they think no one is looking. So let's all put our glasses together for Pete Phoenix, who showed sleepy Barnet the power of direct action.
Monday, 23 October 2017
What is the point of the @BarnetCouncil Twitter account?
An article caught our eye on the new A Better Mill Hill Blog. It details major roadworks today in Mill Hill and the lack of information available from the council about what is going on. As the Mill Hill blog shows, the signage is woefully inadequate and there is no information on the councils Twitter feed or on their website detailing the roadworks. Here is what they said:-
Urgent News Update - Major Road surfacing in Mill Hill Broadway Mon 23rd October
Today we learned of major resurfacing works in Mill Hill Broadway on Monday 23 October between 08:00 and 18:00. We have tweeted to alert residents to avoid the area. Parking has been suspended and there is likely to be significant congestion, especially in rush hour.
We believe that when such major roadworks is being undertaken, the council should ensure that the contractors ensure proper signage (two sided so unmissable) is put up well in advance. We would also like to see signs advising motorists to avoid the area placed at all strategic junctions.
Of course roadworks have to be undertaken, but these should be planned and residents kept informed. We believe that the council should use its Twitter feed and Roads website to keep residents properly informed of all roadworks, closures and maintenance that affects road users. Mill Hill Broadway is the Borough's busiest railway station, so a plan should have been put in place to minimise disruption. If passengers are being dropped off for trains connecting to inter city or air services, this could have disastrous implications.
We believe that websites and twitter feeds should be used to pass on useful information concerning our neighbourhood. All too often, they are simply used for PR purposes for Barnet Council.
----
Now as you can see they raise the point as to why the Council doesn't use its Twitter account to alert residents to such issues. We had a look at the Councils Twitter account and there is all manner of rather worthy information there that is all very nice such as this
Barnet Council is paying a member of staff to administer this account. I take the view that if my taxes are paying someones wages, I want them to do something useful. Updates on roadworks etc would be practical and useful. Surely this should be a number 1 priority for the council tweeters? It really isn't rocket science is it. Oh and do remember to take your chewing gum home as you chew madly in the congestion on the Broadway today!
.
Urgent News Update - Major Road surfacing in Mill Hill Broadway Mon 23rd October
Today we learned of major resurfacing works in Mill Hill Broadway on Monday 23 October between 08:00 and 18:00. We have tweeted to alert residents to avoid the area. Parking has been suspended and there is likely to be significant congestion, especially in rush hour.
We believe that when such major roadworks is being undertaken, the council should ensure that the contractors ensure proper signage (two sided so unmissable) is put up well in advance. We would also like to see signs advising motorists to avoid the area placed at all strategic junctions.
Of course roadworks have to be undertaken, but these should be planned and residents kept informed. We believe that the council should use its Twitter feed and Roads website to keep residents properly informed of all roadworks, closures and maintenance that affects road users. Mill Hill Broadway is the Borough's busiest railway station, so a plan should have been put in place to minimise disruption. If passengers are being dropped off for trains connecting to inter city or air services, this could have disastrous implications.
We believe that websites and twitter feeds should be used to pass on useful information concerning our neighbourhood. All too often, they are simply used for PR purposes for Barnet Council.
----
Now as you can see they raise the point as to why the Council doesn't use its Twitter account to alert residents to such issues. We had a look at the Councils Twitter account and there is all manner of rather worthy information there that is all very nice such as this
Of course we'd love to see everyone putting chewing gum in the bin, but in terms of why a resident might follow the Council Twitter site, do they really follow it to be pontificated at? Surely Twitter is at it's best when we are getting up to date useful information on it.You'll get a fine if caught dropping a cigarette butt or some gum. Use a bin or take it home. #ourneighbourhoods https://t.co/r0DHNAl0Yi pic.twitter.com/DZBxzcgNJg— Barnet Council (@BarnetCouncil) October 22, 2017
Barnet Council is paying a member of staff to administer this account. I take the view that if my taxes are paying someones wages, I want them to do something useful. Updates on roadworks etc would be practical and useful. Surely this should be a number 1 priority for the council tweeters? It really isn't rocket science is it. Oh and do remember to take your chewing gum home as you chew madly in the congestion on the Broadway today!
.
Sunday, 22 October 2017
The Tweets of The Week in The London Borough of Barnet 22/10/2017
And without further ado (or adon't), it's Sunday so it's our most popular regular feature. The world through the eyes of our local twits!
1. Simon is worried about Virgin Media damaging our local trees
1. Simon is worried about Virgin Media damaging our local trees
2. There is a new edition of the Mill Hill Mag!@BarnetCouncil allow @virginmedia to damage our #StreetTrees. @ChippingTories don’t care about #Barnet #trees @barnetsociety @Barneteye pic.twitter.com/wF7yCIbQmt— Simon (@simonsjc1) October 21, 2017
3. Anne is interested in the history of the local village green in Cricklewood!Hope you have read the GUIDE here is a linked animation for you !!! Read all about #millhill @Barneteye @BarnetCouncil @MillHillRFC pic.twitter.com/OBWrIgj5Vo— Mill Hill Broadway (@MillHillBwy) October 19, 2017
4. Burnt Oak Police have found some lost property. Is it yours? I'm sure they'd love to give it back to you!There’s a rather interesting history of the green space here: https://t.co/nAn9RSlgGC— Anne Clarke (@anne_clarke) October 19, 2017
5. 2nd Edgware Scouts look like they've been having some fun!Someone seems to have lost their goods on Watling Avenue, they will be kept at Colindale police station if you want to tell us whos they are pic.twitter.com/Sd1zXuvn96— Burnt Oak Police (@MPSBurntOak) October 20, 2017
— 2nd Edgware Scouts (@2ndEdgwareScout) October 21, 20176. A date for your diary at Colindale Library
7. If you are looking for the most exciting Jewish Centre in North London, then this could be the place for you!The Power of now! Mindfulness! Learn the basic concepts with Nicola Borthwick at Colindale Library, Sat 28 Oct https://t.co/djDOOzorcz pic.twitter.com/qD0AXEn0Qv— Barnet Libraries (@BarnetLibraries) October 21, 2017
8. Are you ready for major traffic disruption in Mill Hill? You may want to adjust your plansSunday Oct 8, 2017 (5778) Live music + dancing @ChabadHendon the most exciting Jewish centre in North London Golders Green #Hendon #golders pic.twitter.com/V1P7Uu3xHR— Bruce Paizen (@BrucePaizen) October 12, 2017
9. Fancy a bit of mosaic making this half term?Are you ready for traffic Armageddon in Mill Hill Broadway as resurfacing works commence? pic.twitter.com/6c1wxT11JW— A Better Mill Hill (@ABetterMillHill) October 22, 2017
10. Some of the UK's finest musicians have been recording at Mill Hill Music Complex this weekIt's half term! Crafty kids will love Roman mosaic making at Chipping Barnet library! https://t.co/wqTRvPhSER #BarnetlibrariesFestival pic.twitter.com/2rOaqnN9Yf— Barnet Libraries (@BarnetLibraries) October 21, 2017
And don't fgorget to follow 'em if you like what you see!Tony and Mark at Mill Hill Studios in London finishing the new ESP album...so excited...x pic.twitter.com/qSqu22WcIm— peter coyle (@rawedgespassion) October 12, 2017
Saturday, 21 October 2017
The Saturday List #151 - The ten sayings that can get me through anything
I thought I'd share my top ten with you.
1. "Faint heart never won fair lady". My Dad used to say this, whenever a situation required a little courage (as opposed to Dutch courage). Whenever I am about to do something scary and daunting, this is what I tell myself.
2. "If you don't try, then it's goodbye". This was the last line of a chorus of a False Dots song written by Allen Ashley and myself. As a songwriter, it is one of those really frustrating songs that has a great vibe, but just doesn't really work as well as it should. But the chorus is great. This is what I sing to myself if I need to run for a bus, or when I've been doing charity 10k runs and needed to push myself on.
3. "I may be old, I may be past it, but I don't quit". These words were spoken by Judge Dredd in an 2000AD comic strip, as he was battling a younger, stronger assassin who was taunting him. Most useful in 5-A-side football against the young whippersnappers.
4. "Think like a king, live like a king". My Dad once said this to me whilst purchasing some ham at a delicatessen shop in Mill Hill. He always bought ham, cut thick from the bone. I'd foolishly asked him why he didn't simply buy a packet. He said that he only bought the best, because anything else was false economy. He said that you should give yourself the very best, because no one else will. I have always lived by this. Always good advice at the Deli counter.
5. "Don't look at the splinter in your brothers eye, when you have a plank in your own". This is a biblical phrase from Jesus. He was berating hypocrites who can see everyone elses minor faults, without seeing they are the biggest problem. When I get cross with people, I always try and ask myself whether the plank is in my eye. Whenever I hear people sounding off about religion, if I don't see a degree of humility and self criticism, I conclude that they are the hypocrites that were being referred to.
6. "Feelings may change, we're helpless they must". A line from a song by Richard Hell and The Voidoids (Betrayal takes two). This song got me through a very bleak time. Feelings do change. If they didn't we'd never move on. It is strange how I find one of the most cynical songs ever to also be one of the most inspirational. I often sing myself this song when I am feeling down.
7. "He thinks he's Picasso!". I used to work for a Hungarian painter and decorater called Mickey Domegal, who passed away many years ago. Mickey believed that a good job was a job done as quickly as possible, where he could collect the cash and move onto the next job. I was once carefully painting the eve's of a house in Golders Green, when Mickey looked up and made this exclamation. His view was that I should slosh the paint on as quickly as possible and get on. He explained that it was idiotic trying to get the same finish on something 30' up that no one would ever look at, as you would on a front door. Whenever I see someone pointlessly over elaborating, I think of this and it makes me smile.
8. "No one has dignity on the toilet". This was another one of my Dad's gems. We were chatting and he told me that when he arrived in the UK as an Aussie bomber pilot, many stuffy RAF officers looked down their noses at their colonial counterparts. My Dad found this condescending attitude insufferable. He told me that he once accidentally walked in on the worst of the lot, sitting on the throne. The poor chap was mortified, but my Dad thought it was hilarious. The next time the guy irritated him, my father replied "at least I know how to operate a doorlock" and the guy never bothered him again. He said he realised that if someone was a pompous jerk, all you had to do was visualise them on the loo and they suddenly seemed rather ridiculous and harmless. It works.
9. "He's faster than you, more skilful than you, but he can't do anything when he's on his backside". This was the advice I was given by an old manager of a football team I played for. I always played in defence. The team we were playing had a superstar striker. My manager wanted me to kick him off the park. He felt that if I could impose myself at the start, the guy would "disappear". He said that "fear is a great tool". It was a lesson I took on board. Useful on a football field, less so elsewhere.
10. "The only good reason to not do something you want to do, is because you physically can't". I spent a hell of a lot of time with my mum in her final years. She'd had a stroke and lost the ability to communicate effectively. Strangely, I found that if I had a couple of Guinness with her and she relaxed she'd become quite lucid. One of the last conversations I had with her, she told me that she had no regrets. She said she was so pleased that before she had a stroke and became housebound, she'd travelled and seen everything she'd wanted to. She said that she'd have hated to have been stuck, living with regrets. I asked her if she had any. She said the only real one was that she'd not persuaded my Dad to retire a couple of years earlier. I think she was probably right. I always let this advice guide me, when my wife, who is far more sensible and cautious than I, tries to inject some financial realism into our relationship!
Friday, 20 October 2017
The Friday Joke - 20//10/2017
 |
A man is at work one day when he notices that his co-worker is wearing an earring.This man knows his co-worker to be a normally conservative fellow and is curious about his sudden change in 'fashion sense.'The man walks up to him and says, 'I didn't know you were into earrings.'
'Don't make such a big deal, it's only an earring,' he replies sheepishly.
His friend falls silent for a few minutes, but then his curiosity prods
him to say, "So, how long have you been wearing one?"
"Ever since my wife found it in my car."
(I always wondered how this trend got started.)
Have a great one!
Thursday, 19 October 2017
Chaos at the Council - The Freedom of Information systems goes haywire!
Yesterday, the Barnet Eye tried to check up on a few Freedom of Information requests. The first we looked at was one concerning expenses around council hospitality for dignitaries from Morphou in Cyprus.
This is the request and the link
Rather bizarrely, the link takes you to this request
Granville Point Building Control Application F/10/09886
We tweeted the issue to the council, who acknowledged the problem and are investigating. Since Barnet Council outsourced its IT systems to Capita there have been repeated cock ups, malfunctions and problems. These have been raised in audits and recovery plans have been drawn up to resolve the issue. A couple of years ago, we even saw the CEO of Barnet Council, Andrew Travers, get the boot following a spectacular IT failure the resulted in botched voters list being sent to polling stations on Election Day.
There is a simple reason for all of this. Changes to council systems and procedures are not being properly tested. Anyone who has ever worked in IT will know that if systems are properly designed, built and tested, they work well. If corners are cut to save money, they go spectacularly wrong and cost far more. If you have handed control to your supplier, they actually make more, as you have to pay them to fix it. You also have the reputation damage and the inconvenience to taxpayers. We have a council that is badly run by complacent councillors. The FOI system cock up is just the latest chapter in the litany of shame that Barnet Council IT has become.
This is the request and the link
| 3929896 | Hospitality costs for Morphou visits | 03 October 2017 |
Rather bizarrely, the link takes you to this request
Granville Point Building Control Application F/10/09886
We tweeted the issue to the council, who acknowledged the problem and are investigating. Since Barnet Council outsourced its IT systems to Capita there have been repeated cock ups, malfunctions and problems. These have been raised in audits and recovery plans have been drawn up to resolve the issue. A couple of years ago, we even saw the CEO of Barnet Council, Andrew Travers, get the boot following a spectacular IT failure the resulted in botched voters list being sent to polling stations on Election Day.
There is a simple reason for all of this. Changes to council systems and procedures are not being properly tested. Anyone who has ever worked in IT will know that if systems are properly designed, built and tested, they work well. If corners are cut to save money, they go spectacularly wrong and cost far more. If you have handed control to your supplier, they actually make more, as you have to pay them to fix it. You also have the reputation damage and the inconvenience to taxpayers. We have a council that is badly run by complacent councillors. The FOI system cock up is just the latest chapter in the litany of shame that Barnet Council IT has become.
Wednesday, 18 October 2017
Happy Birthday to Us! Nine years old
We will shortly be consulting on who we should be dishing out the gongs to this year! So if you know a charity, a person, a restaurant, a volunteer or anyone else who deserves recogniotion, please leave a comment and we'll get in touch!
Finally, thanks for all of your support over the past nine years. If no one read this blog, I wouldn't bother. This year we've seen our biggest ever story in terms of hits, so it is great to know we still matter!
As a little present to you, we've prepared a London Playlist of some of our favourite London tracks in the sidebar. Enjoy!
Tuesday, 17 October 2017
Harvey Weinstein is not a sex addict
I suppose that a few people may be shocked by this statement. However it is a100% clear to me that Mr Weinstein is not really someone who has a love or addiction of and to sex. His addiction is to control and power. The description of the encounters I have read have nothing at all to with having sex. It is clear that what Mr Weinstein enjoys is being in a situation where he can behave appallingly and without consequences. I contend that rape is never really about sex. It is a serious act of violence and should be treated as such. By classifying Weinstein as a sex addict implies that his violence and bullying is in some ways a forgivable compulsion. It isn't. It is merely the act of a despicable man who believed he could do as he pleased.
Monday, 16 October 2017
Join our campaign for a better cycle network in the London Borough of Barnet
The Barnet Eye has long been supportive of safer cycling provision in the London Borough of Barnet. To us it seems perverse that it is now safer to cycle in central London than in our leafy suburb. The reason for this is not rocket science. It is because the Mayor of London has been proactively installing segregated cycle lanes. The Barnet Eye currently has an office near New Bridge Street. We've been based their on and off since 1986. Over the last few years, the installation of proper cycle lanes has transformed the area from a cycle free zone to a mini Tour De France on a daily basis. We shot a short film one morning to illustrate the point.
You will see a scene like this any weekday rush hour morning. In Barnet, there has been minimal commitment to make cycling safe. Sadly as we see rising teenage obesity, we see less and less children in the cuburns cycling. This is for the perfectly good reason that it is dangerous.
Installing dedicated cycle lanes is expensive and disruptive to other forms of traffic, as anyone who has seen the massive infrastructure spending on the cycle superhighway project will know. It does however pay off. Cycles use far less road space, produce no pollution and require far less space for parking. In short, you get more road for your money.
So what can be done? What practical steps could be taken in the London Borough of Barnet? We've spoken to various campaigners. At a recent council meeting, one informed us that the council hadn't even understood the meaning of key facts in its own plan!
The Barnet Eye has some suggestions. We are not experts on cycling, however expert advice is what is needed. Our first suggestion is that Barnet should appoint a cycling Tsar.This should be someone who at the very least would be able to spot the errors in the council own plans.
The second thing should be to draw up a proper Barnet plan, in conjunction with local cycling groups. One key aspect is that all large developments should have a proper cycling plan. This does not mean a few bike parking spaces. It means proper safe routes. We believe that every rail and tube station, every school, every shopping centre and every large medical facility in the Borough should have a safe dedicated cycleway. This cannot be achieved overnight, but the first step is to identify the key sites that generate journeys, then work out some sort of schedule of priorities. We need to look for a few quick wins.
My suggestion would be to transform the old, disused Mill Hill the Hale to Edgware railway into a dedicated cycleway. This would provide a safe cycling route between Edgware Station/Shopping centre and Mill Hill Broadway. We believe it should also be possible to link the route to Edgware Hospital. This would make a statement that Barnet is serious about cycling. It would link two major transport hubs, a housing estate and a hospital. We'd also like to see a Boris Bike scheme rolled out for Mill Hill Broadway, The RAF Museum, Colindale Station, Hendon Station and Middlesex University. If this could be integrated with a rollout of safe cycle lanes, then even better.
There are all sorts of other improvements that have been made in central London, with changes to traffic light configurations and timings. One of the biggest risks to cyclists are motorists opening doors in front of them. It has been suggested that part of the Highway code and driving test should be to always open the drivers door with the wrong hand (in the UK the left hand). This may sound strange but it forces you to look around.
We find it rather strange that recently we had the sad case of a cyclist hitting a pedestrian and all manner of calls for legislation. I've lost count of the number of cyclist killed or maimed by HGV's but there is never any call for changes to the law. I believe that technology is available to massively reduce the risks to cyclists of HGV's but the road transport lobby have done a wonderful job of closing down such debates.
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