Gone In A Flash

Where's the weekend gone?  I can't believe it's Sunday evening already.  It's been a good one and quite a quiet one compared to the last couple of weeks.

Yesterday we went to Sandwell Valley.  Waking up to grey clouds and quite heavy rain we wondered whether it was worth heading over but decided we should make the effort.  It rained all the way there but there were signs it was easing off as we arrived.

I think the weather put a lot of people off and so it was just seven of us who accompanied the guides around the reserve.  After a heavy downpour about half way round the sun started to break through and by the time we finished the walk I had completely dried off.

In the end it was worth the effort as we managed to see over 40 different species of birds.  These included Little Ringed Plover, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Willow Tit, Oyster Catcher, Lapwing, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Swallow, Swift and both House and Sand Martin.  All in all a very good day.

Today was also a grey and wet start but again has brightened up considerably.  Not that it makes a difference to me as I've not ventured out.  Clare, however, has been off doing the BRMB Walkathon (having text not long ago to say she has completed it, in a decent time as well!). For those who don't know the Walkathon is a 26 mile sponsored walk around Birmingham. It follows the 11 bus route which is the longest route in Europe.  She'll be shattered when she gets in and it means I'll have to cook dinner but I don't mind as she's done really well. 

Whilst she's been off walking the streets I've spent the day listening to music and going through CDs, keeping one eye on the football.  It's been a good day as I don't often get the chance to do it these days.

One final thing.  The British public voted against electoral reform so we keep the current system and the Liberal Democrats suffered heavy losses as expcted.  Nick Clegg really messed things up when he started going back on his word.  During last year's election I think the public thought that he might be different from the other politicians, that was his strong point and what got him the vote.  Now they realise he is just like all the others if not worse, he sold out and now he is paying the price.

Two Quick (But Important) Things

It's a big day today. Polling Day for the local elections.  Whilst there you will also have the chance to vote for electoral reform.  Do we keep the same system or do we go for AV?  There are decent arguments for both and I have made up my own mind as to which I prefer. 

The fact that the public have the chance to vote on reform is historic in itself but if they decide it is time for change then tomorrow will be a truly historic day for British politics.

Secondly, although I'm a little late in posting, this week is Hedgehog Awareness Week.  It is designed to highlight some of the problems hedgehogs face (from food shortages to Postmen dropping elastic bands) and ways you can help them.  Here are some useful tips.

Don’t use slug pellets or rat poison and get your neighbours to do the same.

Put out bowls of water in a heavy dish – hedgehogs are very prone to dehydration.

If you do get a hog in your garden then put out food for it (make sure you put it under a box so that cats and foxes can’t get to it. You can now buy hedgehog food called ‘Spikes’ – they go mad for the Spikes wet food. Meat based cat and dog food could also be used but NEVER BREAD AND MILK.

Make sure hedgehogs can get out of your pond or swimming pool by putting in a ramp.

Check your pea netting and football goal netting regularly – a hedgehog trapped in netting for a day in the sun will be very distressed and dehydrated.

Make sure you have plenty of ground coverage – a hedgehog loves to potter round in the undergrowth looking for your garden pests. If your garden is all concrete and turf then forget about attracting a hedgehog.

Make a log pile or a compost heap. Hogs love nosing around damp areas of the garden and a log pile or compost will attract lots of hedgehog food as well as possibly provide a place for a hedgehog to give birth or to hibernate.

Check your bonfires. Even if you leave a pile of sticks for a day check it before lighting it you never know what might of crawled in seeking refuge.

So there you go, two quick but important things.

For more on the voting reform go here.

For more on hedgehogs go here.

The Weekend (part 2)

I spent the day in front of the TV yesterday.  Watched a bit of the football, England beating Wales 2-0 in a World Cup Qualifier and watched the news coverage of the anti cuts demo in London (wishing I was there but to be honest it had passed me by).  I also watched the Boat Race (Oxford beating Cambridge emphatically).

After the race it was time to get ready for Clare's works night out. This was a follow on from the Christmas meal for those people that couldn't make it last time. 14 of us in total, with one or two new faces.  The meal was at Anderson's Bar & Grill in St Paul's Square.  I've already mentioned it on this blog but just to recap it specialises in steak but also has a veggie option.  Last night I opted for the whipped goats cheese with cracked black pepper, marinated beetroot and truffle honey dressing as my starter and  a lovely tart tatin for my main. Just like last time I missed out on a desert and cheese board. 

I like Anderson's and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, not only was the food good but I met some really nice people as well.  All in all a really good night out.

Today started with breakfast and newspapers at the cafe in Sainsbury's before doing the shopping. Although I had a fair amount to drink last night I was tired more than anything else (losing an hour as the clocks went forward last night, BST begins!) and so have had quite a quiet day, catching up on the TV I missed over the last couple of nights (Friday Night Dinner, White Van Man).

Clare and I did pop out early this afternoon for a walk around the park. We took some bread to feed the ducks but they were not interested.  With the daffodils in full bloom and the trees in bud the park, well bits of it, looked lovely in the Spring sunshine.

A good weekend despite England's cricketers losing to Sri Lanka in the quarter finals of the Cricket World Cup!

Japan Relief Download

The news over the last couple of weeks has been dominated by two stories.  The uprising in Libya and the subsequent descent towards civil war.  The genocide that followed and now the introduction, by the UN, of a no fly zone. Britain, France and America have taken the lead and have targeted some of Colonel Gaddafi's military infrastructure.  There has been divided opinion on whether or not the west should intervene. This is due in no small part to what happened in Iraq when there was no clear strategy.  At the moment there are no plans to send in ground troops but I can see that changing in the coming months.

The second news story has been the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan.  The footage of the earthquake and tsunami has been staggering and the scale of the devastation is unbelievable.

The details about the nuclear plant at Fukushima seem to change from one day to the next with 4 out of 6 of the reactors in various states of meltdown.  The small team of workers still there are constantly being withdrawn as there seems to have been some radiation that has escaped.

Due to the nuclear problem there seems to be less aid agencies on the ground and Japan now needs all the help it can get.  This is why Audio Antihero have put together an album that can be downloaded for £3.99.  The proceeds of which go to a number of charities including Red Cross, Save The Children and The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

Details can be found here.

Bull Ring

Clare and I went into Birmingham to do some shopping today.  Whilst heading through the Bull Ring we came across a protest outside Topshop.  A handful of demonstrators who are unhappy with the tax avoidance of the company and want to draw attention to the fact.  As we got closer we saw security staff try to physically remove them.  They told the protesters that they were on private property and that they would use reasonable force to eject them.

I saw one protester grabbed around the throat by a security operative whilst another started pushing him in the chest.  An elderly gentleman who was just passing, but tried to intervene when two security staff started dragging a woman across the floor, was also pushed in the chest by security before being dragged out (it took two of them to attack an old man).

A lot of shoppers watched or filmed it but most were outraged at the level of violence Bull Ring security staff used.  I also saw a family of shoppers (mom, dad and daughter) escorted from the centre after they tried to complain about the violence the staff were using on what was basically a small group of women.

When we left the centre the police had arrived but, as expected, took the side of the security staff. 

I've just been onto the Bull Ring website so I could contact them regarding the incident but it seems they do not want people to get in touch as the page does not exist.  All I can say is that the Bull Ring and their staff are a disgrace and are quite happy to use violence against women who, regardless of what you believe, are doing nothing more than causing a bit of a nuisance.

We Won!

In a surprise U-turn the government have abandoned their plans to sell off England's forests!

The move to sell 40,000 acres of woodland has been abandoned by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman claiming that the government has listened to the people.

I like to think that campaigning can and does work but I'm left with an underlying feeling that there wasn't enough of a fight.  Don't get me wrong, I'm chuffed the government has ditched the plan but it just seemed too easy and that worries me. Perhaps I'm just cynical. Anyway, here's what the Woodland Trust have to say about it.

Save England's ancient forests

It doesn't end here...


Whilst welcoming Government intentions to abandon plans for disposal of public forests, the campaign to protect and restore England's ancient forests must go on, warns the Woodland Trust.


We welcome the opportunity for a more considered approach to the future of our much loved woodlands but our campaign continues. Whilst we welcome the removal of threats to public access, there is still an acute need for better protection of Ancient Woodland, our equivalent of the rainforests, and restoration of ancient woods planted with conifers.


Even if there are no sales of publicly owned forests, the worst of all worlds would be for there to be no change to the loopholes that have allowed 850 ancient woods to be threatened by built development over the past decade. Ministers have made strong commitments over the past few weeks to increase protection for ancient woods, and we will be holding them to these commitments.


As I write, there is a proposal to water down protection for ancient woodland in the planning system. We need your help to defeat this proposal by 28th February.

We must not let public passion and support for our woods and forests die down and now that ownership is no longer an issue, we must not lose sight of the need to increase protection for ancient forests and restore those planted with conifers, a once in a lifetime opportunity for woodland conservation.


Our campaign will continue and we urge everyone to continue to sign our petition and transfer their passion about who owns England's public woods to ensuring that all of England?s woods survive in the future.


Thank you for your continued support,

To sign the petition just click on the link below.

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/campaigning/Pages/woodland-trust-campaign-continues.aspx

He's Gone!

Just a quick update to my last post.  Yesterday, less than 24 hours after he said he would not stand down, Hosni Mubarak resigned as President of Egypt. The country is now in the hands of the military until elections can be held.

Today the people were once again on the streets, this time to clear up!  They were even replacing the cobbles, that only a couple of days before, they were using as missiles!

When the announcement was made I was in the cinema and didn't know until later that evening.

Fire In Cairo

Last night I watched the protests in Egypt (along with a TV audience of millions).  The January 25th movement seemed to have achieved their goal.  A speech by President Mubarak was expected to be his last, in which he would say he would stand down. 

As the crowds in Tahrir Square waited the rest of the world watched.  Twitter was alive with rumours that he was about to step aside.  Eventually Mubarak appeared on state TV. As he spoke it became clear he wasn't going to go.  He would stay until fair and open elections could be held. It seems that he had been set to go but then changed his mind.

Today, the crowds are still there (their 18th day) and it looks like there will be further blood shed (300 dead since the protests began).  Mubarak has been in power for 30 years but the people have had enough. Unemployment and poverty seem to have been the catalyst. Western leaders talk of democracy but behind the scenes are worried as Mubarak has kept Egypt stable. 

In the late 80s and early 90s there was a growing sense of change.  In the space of a couple of years we had the 1st Gulf War. The end of apartheid  which saw Mandela released after 25 years in jail. The fall of the Berlin Wall and, here in England, rioting on the streets helped see an end to the Poll Tax and with it Margaret Thatcher.  As events unfolded last night I felt that same sense of change in the air. This time the war is in Afghanistan and regime change in Egypt and Tunisia. At a time when there is unrest amongst the British public over government spending cuts it could be a very interesting couple of years indeed.

The Kenilworth Greenway

I went walking with friends earlier.  The Kenilworth Greenway is a disused railway line that runs between Berkswell and Kenilworth.  It is also part of the proposed route for the HS2 High Speed Rail Link.

We met at a friend's house in Balsall Common and headed over a couple of fields before joining the Greenway.  The walk itself is straight and flat, flanked on either side by trees.  The weather was blustery but mild and the trees provided some cover from the wind.  There were plenty of birds flitting amongst the trees and a Green Woodpecker flew in front of our path. 

I'm not sure how long the path is (between 4.5 and 6 miles depending on which website you use) but it took us a couple of hours to reach Kenilworth. 

Once we reached the end we made the short walk to Kenilworth Common and found a fallen branch to sit on while we ate lunch.  Whilst the others finished their food I wandered around and came across a Treecreeper. 

Another couple of hours to walk back, arriving home in time to watch the second half football scores roll in.  A record breaking day in the Premiership, 38 goals from 7 matches with Wolves v Man Utd yet to kick off!

Back to The Kenilworth Greenway.  I never knew the place existed until today but it seemed very popular with walkers, cyclists and others just out walking the dog. There were people of all ages, from families with young kids to elderly people.  I know that it's original purpose was that of a railway line but I feel it would be great loss if the government drive a high speed rail link through it.  This is place to get away from the real world, a place where kids can learn about nature, a place where you can ride your bike without fear of traffic. It's a place where dog walkers stop for a chat and where wildlife thrives (Purple Hairstreak butterflies can be found close by in Crackley Wood).  I have been opposed to the HS2 since it's announcement and having walked a stretch of the route today I am certain that I made the right decision. 

Below is a link to the HS2 website and also a link to the Stop HS2 petition.

http://www.hs2.org.uk/

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-hs2/sign.html

Shopping and Green Spaces

Clare and I popped into Birmingham for a bit of shopping on Saturday, with lunch at The Green Room.  Clare was disappointed that they had changed the menu but the food was still good.  According to the waiter it is about to undergo some changes and will be expanding in the not too distant future.

Sunday was a lazy day.  A relaxing morning was followed by coffee and sandwiches (with my parents) at the cafe in Brueton Park.  Afterwards we went for a short walk before heading home.  Prior to heading out, there had been an influx of birds into the garden.  I counted 5 x Redwing, 2 x Song Thrush, 3 x Greenfinch, a pair of Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Great Tits, a Robin, a Long Tailed Tit, a Chaffinch and a Jay.  They seemed to all arrive at once and left just as quickly. 

The weekend was cold and although there is still someway to go Clare saw the first signs of spring, snowdrops and daffodils.

Whilst on the subject of nature, I'm sure most people are aware of the government's plan to sell of the nation's woodland. The Woodland Trust is also worried that a lot of our ancient forest will be sold and conservation work will grind to a halt.  If you believe that the government should be preserving our forests then you can help by signing the petition below.

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/campaigning/save-ancient-forests/Pages/fc-disposals-act-now.aspx

Promises and Lies

So the Conservative / Lib Dem coalition government voted to raise tuition fees as expected and also to be expected was the reaction of the student protesters in Parliament Square. 

This was the fourth demonstration against the rise in tuition fees, all of which have resulted in some disorder. This is to be expected as the politicians sit in their ivory towers putting their careers and big business in front of their constituents.  The protesters have no voice and are frustrated.  Heavy handed police tactics just serve to inflame the situation.  Yesterday was a good example of this. Students were told to leave Parliament Square via a certain route. As they did so the police blocked their path. Obviously this heightened the students anger and as they tried to break through the mounted police charged into them. 

Don't get me wrong, I understand the police have a job to do but having done many demos over the years (and having spoken to a Met Officer at a party a couple of years back) I know they like nothing more than a good punch up themselves.

Yesterday's violence was not the worst I have seen but the fact they managed to attack Prince Charles and Camilla's car as they travelled to the Royal Variety Show has meant that the story has gone around the world. Not only is this embarrassing for the government but also for the police as well.

So as the coalition government trot out the same tierd rhetoric about the need for cuts and tough decisions the younger generation have been deprived of higher education.  Made all the worse by the Liberal Democrats who signed a pledge prior to the election saying they would oppose any rise in fees. Now they have had a whiff of power they have back tracked and 21 Liberal Democrats voted for the rise.  So much for principals and so much for election promises.  People have been disaffected with politics for some time, that is why they turned to the Lib Dems.  It turns out they are even bigger liars than the other two parties.

There are a couple of silver linings.  Firstly, it is good to see our students out on the streets protesting about something they believe in.  Apathy has reigned for too long.  Secondly, once this short coalition is over Nick Clegg's political career will be washed up and the Lib Dems a spent political force for at least a generation.

I bumped into a mate not long ago.  He was handing out leaflets against job cuts in the public sector. As we chatted I noticed he was wearing a badge that said "I Still Hate Thatcher".  People don't forget and although I would never compare Nick Clegg to her, so far he will be remembered for being a liar and for selling out the party and his voters for his 15 minutes of fame.

I haven't demonstrated for years but watching yesterday's TV coverage of the protest and watching the debate in parliament perhaps it's time I stood up to be counted once again.