…………nothing more completely baffles one who is full of trickery and duplicity, than straightforward and simple integrity in another.

We Liberal Democrats are wise to the trickery and duplicity of others. I trust you will agree that this must determine that we are ’straightforward’ and carry ’simple integrity’ as our sword.

If you are of a similar mind, with a distate for double-dealing, why not join us. There are easy ways to do this - click on the link at the left of this column or simply give me a call.

……….because out of 46 Members of  Mansfield District Council, I was lucky to have my name drawn out of the hat! The prize? To attend Becky’s Bash at the Civic Centre, where she was presented with the Jimmy Choo shoes promised by Mayor Egginton at the Olympic send-off in June. It was lovely to see the delight on Becky’s face as she was handed the shoes on a red velvet cushion, supplied by Bridal Finesse. She certainly scrubs up well; she wore a very short, deep purple dress which suited the golden shoes to perfection.

 Music was provided by a wonderfully talented band of Brunts School students and the food as ever was superb, beautifully served by the Sudexo staff. Jim and I were in the company of MDC Chairman, Alan Fell and his wife, your local Councillor Jill Usher and escort, Councillor Ted Dubowski and his wife and it was a most enjoyable evening. Thank you, Lady Luck!

Earlier in the day,I was in the Market Place among the massed crowds to see Rebecca as she took her tour of the town in an open-topped bus. I found the crowd rather overwhelming, it was so tightly packed and I was relieved to have Councillor Nick Bennett by my side. As the tallest of MDC’s councillors, he made me feel safe. Thanks, Nick.

…when people are having their homes re-possessed and looking for a way out is this the best the Labour Government can come up with?

Gordon Brown is set to usher in a new era of council housing by helping local authorities to buy repossessed and unsold properties. Cash and powers will also be made available so that town halls can intervene in the housing market.

There must be somewhere, within the labyrinths of government, a financial whiz who could come up with a more workable solution to the woes of people who put a lifetime’s work into owning their own homes. The young people of this country who have put a first step on the housing ownership ladder deserve better than to have their home being put into the part-ownership of local councils.

It’s time for this Government to wake up and smell the coffee and get off their collective backside.

………with guns on display and ‘camo’ gear and even a sniffer dog, Alfie, who was very friendly and welcoming to their arena, safe in the knowledge that there were no weapons or explosives to sniff out. He rolled over to let me tickle his tum and he was an absolute delight. I’m sure in ’sniffer mode’ he is less approachable!

The TA lads were collecting for the charity  Help for Heroes and raised £100. If you would like to know more about this charity and the work it does for injured soldiers and other forces personnel, log on to www.helpforheroes.org.uk

…….A new ‘fat map’ of Britain shows that obesity is becoming as big a problem in parts of the South of Britain as it is in the North. Dr Foster Research, the company that produced the map, said that obesity is becoming more of an issue in outlying areas and is no longer confined to urban areas. The Department of Health said obesity was the biggest challenge the country faced.

Another big problem facing the country is the lack of affordable housing - the Treasury has kept its hands on £200M pounds of council tenants’ money, rather than ploughing it back to build more council houses. Makes me wonder how on earth they are allowed to get away with it. MDC received a measly allowance from central government which places ever more constraints on local services.

As Cllr Paul Bettison from the Local Government Association is quoted: “At a time when more families are finding it difficult to get access to housing, it is unacceptable. This money could be spent building thousands of new council homes for people in genuine need.”

   ……….I have just returned from the raising of Mansfield’s flag of the 2012 Olympics at Watermeadows, which coincided with the raising of the flag in 400 venues around the country. To a fanfare from the Cornets of Blidworth Band and the waving of Union Flags, Mayor Egginton and party raised the flag, which billowed proudly at the top of the flagpole

Local townspeople joined the 1500m record holder (1964-69) and European Gold Medallist, John Wetton, Executive Mayor Tony Egginton and Rebecca Adlington’s family to celebrate the sporting potential of Great Britain. Local Councillors present with me were Christine Smith, Ted Dubowski, Nicholas Bennett, Derek Birkin, Sally Higgins  Steve Garner and Vic Bobo.

There is to be an official reception at the Civic Centre on Tuesday to welcome back double gold medal winner Rebecca Adlington and she will be taken in to Mansfield on an open-topped bus, so please do try to be there to welcome home our swimming heroine.

……..There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic, because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.

The louts who perpetrated the vandalism to cars and fencing after the wonderful Carnival day have shown a massive streak of cynicism allied to cowardice, performing their acts when any respecatble soul is in bed, or at least indoors. This being Sunday, I suppose we should in Christian fashion ‘forgive them for they know not what they do’, but I am only too sure they knew exactly what they were doing!!

  …….The Carnival was a HUGE SUCCESS!

Following the official opening by MDC Chairman, Alan Fell, the Carnival swung into action. The crowds were massive and the stalls did a roaring trade. The climbing wall was a draw for the children and was ever in use. Harry from Ashfield Community Radio did a sterling job on the PA and and played some terrific music and kept everyone informed about the activities, which included a display by Mansfield Taekwondo expert Richard Robinson.

 My particular concern was the toy and dressing-up tent, which was enjoyed by boys and girls alike……girls dressing up as Bob the Builder and boys donning skirts and blouses…..what a lark!

The face painting had long queues all afternoon and of course, the trampolines and bouncy castles were never still. All this was free but there was a chance to spend money on the stalls and food vans.

I held a rat - lovely,  a snake, also lovely and there was a tortoise bigger than my dog!

Sad news…..overnight there was a considerable amount of petty vandalsim around the estate to cars and fences - some people can’t bear for others to have a good time!! We all have an idea as to the perpetrators, but unfortunately, no witnesses.

……The Highways Agency is launching a campaign to fight the problem of litter on trunk roads and motorways across the East Midlands. As part of The ‘Bag it, Bin it’ campaign, drivers are being encouraged to pick up a Highways Agency litter bag to put rubbish in and dispose of it in a bin when they reach their destination - rather than throwing it from a car window. Not only is litter unsightly and a threat to the environment, but clearing rubbish from roadside verges and central reservations puts the workers at risk of injury from moving traffic and diverts resources away from road maintenance and repairs. Highways Agency “Bag it and Bin it” litter bags can be found in service stations across the country.

…….growing on the park took place on Wednesday and BTCV found a total of 21 species (excluding grasses) in the wildflower meadow at the top end of Peafield Park.

Friends of Peafield Park are planning to plant species that are not evident in the meadow to increase the variety of  flowers. We shall be taking instructions from Flis, MDC’s Parks Conservation Officer who is very ‘clued up’ on these matters. It’s amazing to think that so many species are thriving in the wild; they have not been planted but are Mother Nature’s contribution to the surroundings that are enjoyed by so many residents.

……and at tonight’s final planning meeting, we shall be putting the finishing touches in place; tomorrow brings the hope of fine weather, thanks to a lot of prayer. We shall be out early tomorrow morning, pitching tents and raising marquees and gazebos all with the help of Mansfield’s TA. My particular job is manning the dressing-up tent, where we have specially-made outfits for the children. I hope to get time off to go on one of the Ranger-led walks around the woodland and alongside the river Maun - it would be an especial treat to see the kingfishers!

Yesterday we had a photocall with the Green Flag and the decision was made as to where to place the flagpole. So far this year has been very successful for Peafields Park and we can expect a lot of fun at the Carnival, so do come along if you can and help make Peafield Playscheme’s  foray into the world of  ‘Big Events’ a day to remember.

……..in the Nottinghamshire Renaissance Heritage Awards, scooping the top award which recognises excellence in Museums and Heritage Societies and  have also received accreditation from the Museums, Libraries and Archive Council.

The museum staff are deservedly very proud to have won the award which marks Mansfield Museum as the best in the County.

 …….….not only has Mansfield’s very own Golden Girl, Rebecca Adlington,  got two Golds at the Olympics, breaking records as though they were chipped plates, but Team GB are in THIRD PLACE in the medal tally so far.

I am always ‘banging on’ about being proud to be British, but, oh my, this week has topped it all!!!

Further to my post on Think Tank Tosh, would politicians please note that this Olympics success story is not confined to the South; we northerners are doing our bit.

… Today more than ever we need creative minds to address the issues of the age and the most urgent is: how can humanity know so much, achieve so much, yet fail so many people so badly.

The Liberal Democrat Party is constantly striving to make changes to benefit all people. If you would like to help us in this battle, do please contact me or click on the link at left of this column ‘Join the Liberal Democrats’

……….I have been holding off with an opinion about the thinktank that has advised northerners to move south, because they in their ‘infinite wisdom’ have arrived at the conclusion that there is little or no chance of things getting any better for anyone living north of Watford.

I have taken a few deep breaths and still can’t get beyond the thought that the people who are members of these so-called thinktanks appear to know little about life beyond their own back yards. If they want to get a true grasp of life ‘up north’ they should live the life and walk the walk. There is, apparently, a great negativity about these people, that could be changed by their mixing with the wholesome people of the north. OK, so I am in the Midlands, but am neither so blinkered, nor so inexperienced in life’s hardships as to be unaware of the difficulties  that exist for people in the terraces and back streets. I have lived the life and walked the walk. I have gone from a well to do family, to living in a 1 bedroom flat, to owning a two up, two down semi and I have run the gauntlet of life through good and bad times.

To say that there is no hope is tantamount to throwing in the towel and that is NOT what we British are about. We are a proud race and those up north are perhaps the proudest, even though they may be considered by southerners to be of least importance in the scheme of things.

Success is all  relative; not everything in life hinges upon material success and prosperity. I know full well, from experience, that money helps to grease the wheels of life and to live a life in poverty is not a happy existence. 

However, by this Thinktank publishing such tosh, they are insulting some of the strongest people in this country. To survive whilst sucking on a silver spoon is a simple task; to survive without a spoon at all is a monumental task and those who do so should be admired.

…because it’s Mansfield in Bloom Day. The judges are touring the whole of the District to assess the floral displays and the Best Gardens and parks. I am attending in my role as a member of Friends of Peafield Park, to show the judges how much our park means to us and to prove our involvement.

I was out litter-picking today in readiness for the visit and it was encouraging to see so little litter around, both on the estate and in the park. Perhaps the message is finally getting across, that litter is an eyesore and spoils the estate and park for others. We must keep our fingers crossed that Mansfield will win the ‘Small City’ award, which is to be announced next month at a ceremony in Chester.

….and Britain is still a tip, according to the Express, which claims that councils are ‘either unable or unwilling to get to grips with fly-tipping and littering’.

Here in Mansfield we have a special project to address the issues of litter and fly-tipping; to report fly-tipping, graffiti, abandoned cars or other environmental crimes, call the Grimebusters hotline on 01623 463463.

There have been a number of prosecutions this year, with fines upwards of £500 in some cases.  

All I can say is ‘Thank Heavens for MDC’s Grimebusters initiative’

…….to treat disabled fans, as opposed to the news that 18 out of 20 Premiership football clubs are failing to provide enough space for disabled fans, while also increasing the price of disabled season tickets, according to research by the Liberal Democrats and our spokesman for sport, Don Foster, said ”It’s shameful that so many Premiership clubs can’t be bothered to provide enough space for disabled fans. Football clubs are taking disabled fans for granted.”

Mansfield Town Football Club owners are providing the following facilities for disabled fans according to their website: ‘they can gain entry into Field Mill ground for the normal matchday price anywhere in the ground (apart from the West Stand upper) and will also receive a personal assistant complimentary ticket’.

Now that’s good relations; I believe that the new owners are showing that they have heart and understanding. I wish them every success.

……..as I said, it’s my birthday and two lads have just knocked at my door to ask if I need my car cleaning. Do I? They are still in one piece even though I almost pounced on them with gratitude! When I bought my car, I swore I would clean it every Sunday. You know the saying…the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. 

My car was in need of a good clean, so how fortuitous that these two young lads should turn up, full of enterprise and with bucket and sponges at the ready.

Cory and his mate, James, have done a terrific job and ‘Butch’ looks showroom clean. What a birthday gift, even if I did have to pay them! Well worth it!!!!!!

..getting old is a fascinating thing; the older you get, the older you want to get.

This is oh, so true. Today is my birthday and it says on so many of my cards, ‘ MANY HAPPY RETURNS’. I am hoping for many happy returns; there is still so much for me to do before I shuffle off this mortal coil!  I have a book of things to do before I’m old and boring and I have achieved quite a good number, but I am stuck on the one where I have to teach my grandparents something new ( I lost my last grandparent in ‘85) and the one where I have to learn to play a musical instrument (does a comb and paper count, do you think, or the tambourine?)

The Liberal Democrat Party is very old, having been formed as the Whigs  during the reign of Charles II (1630-1685) and after some changes over the years has evolved, to become the Liberal Democrats.

We see change as a necessity for survival and we are hoping soon to see a change in the Labour Party, from being the party that rules, to the party that sits in opposition and to see the Liberal Democrats change from being a party in opposition to the party that rules!

If you would like to join us and help us become the ‘Party that Rules’ there are many ways to become a member and these are clearly shown around this site, both to the left and right of this column. Hope to hear from you soon.

….”Nice work if you can get it”

Britain’s Olympic squad will be outnumbered two to one in Beijing by politicians, civil servants and BBC staff whose trips to China will cost the public almost £7 million, (according to the Telegraph)How obscene is that, when we have people living in poverty in this country? How ever high the cost of living rises there will always be some free-loaders who will milk the system.

Don Foster, the Liberal Democrat spokesman on culture, media and sport, said: “I’m simply staggered by the amount of money being spent by public bodies sending their staff to the Games for questionable reasons and benefits.

“The Olympics are always an incredible spectacle but that does not give people the right to waste taxpayers’ money.  Anyone who does use public funds to go on this type of trip must be held to account and made to justify exactly what they managed to achieve during their attendance in Beijing.”  Hear Hear!

Whenever the grass mowing teams arrive to mow the grass verges in Leeming Ward, they seem to pay litttle heed to the litter including beer and pop cans, plastic bottles and the like. They ride their mowing machines over the whole lot and leave sharp shards of metal and plastic around on the play areas with, apparently, little thought for children who might play there.

The following story picked up from The Mirror by way of the LGA website tells a vastly different story.

‘PLASTIC FLOWERS BANNED FROM GRAVEYARD  - A council has banned plastic flowers from a graveyard on health and safety grounds. Keynsham Town Council officials say it could be dangerous if they get caught in lawnmowers and spray bits of plastic around.’

What happened to the ‘happy medium’? Why is there no middle ground?

….to think that whilst in hospital you may be sharing your space with pests. I never kill any living creature - I catch any home invaders and put them outdoors. I really quite like spiders, especially those that are known as September spiders. However, the thought of being ill, possibly confined to a hospital bed and having creepy-crawlies at close quarters, being unable to remove them to the garden, makes even my skin crawl.

According to reports this is happening and Sandra Gidley, Lib Dem spokesman for Health,  commenting on figures released today that reveal there have been 20,000 incidents of pest infestation in NHS hospitals in the past two years, said: “People will be revolted by this news and need to know that vermin control is stopping the spread of disease.”

………………a story in the Telegraph tells of the massive increases in the revenue from speeding fines.
‘Revenue from speeding tickets has quadrupled over a decade, coinciding with increases in the value of fines, the number of cameras and the number of tickets issued.  Home Office figures reveal that 1.8 million tickets are being issued each year, compared to only 713,000 issued in 1997.  £104.6 million was collected in revenue in 2006 compared to £28.5 million a decade earlier.’

Also the fines from illegal parking are swelling the coffers of local government. I parked in Derby the other day and didn’t see the parking meter because it was painted black and set against a dark background. Of course, I got back to my car after 20 minutes and had a PCN stuck to my windscreen. I dutifully paid my fine; I didn’t really have a leg to stand on, but I have sent a letter to Derby City Council  suggesting that had the parking meter been painted black and yellow, I would have noticed it and paid to park. A cynic might believe that it was intentionally placed in a difficult to see position…… what do you think?

I have never before had a PCN  - I clearly see the sense in paying £1 as opposed to £50 (or £25 if paid within 14 days)I just wish I could have clearly seen the meter.

……………..King’s Lynn and West Norfolk District Council has spent £450 on a scheme to provide 39 local takeaways and restaurants with new four-holed salt shakers which have been proved to reduce salt intake.

A far cheaper solution would be a circle of tinfoil in the lid, with only 4 holes in it! Change it daily in the interests of health and Bob’s your father’s brother! £450 available to spend on more vital schemes.
 

………………….By perseverance, the snail reached the Ark.

My school motto was ‘Persevere’ and the stubborn nature of my childhood has evolved into perseverance and a will to succeed. 

We Libdems have learned a lot about perseverance over the years; we don’t give up easily. If you would like to join us, there are a number of ways to do so: you can contact me by way of the details at right of site or click on ‘Join the Liberal Democrat Party’ at left of site.

……..for the chop. Thanks to Jill Usher and me, your local councillors, a joint meeting of the Highways, Housing and Street Cleansing departments of MDC inspected the whole estate to assess the requirements regarding weed spraying and/or removal.

All areas of the estate are the responsibility of one of these three departments - after consulting with various documents and maps, the decision will be made as to where responsibility lies. Once this is established, the weeds will be dealt with.

The path to the rear of Trusley Walk has already been cleared; I put in a request for the weeds to be chopped, as the residents of numbers 14-17 trusley Walk and 26-32 Litton Road must have a free exit from the rear of their properties, in the interests of safety.

……..we British are renowned for our sense of fair play and the proposed price rises by ‘British’ Gas are far from fair. 

On 30 July, commenting on the British Gas decision to raise gas prices by 35% and electricity prices by 9%, Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said:

“For many families, and particularly for the elderly and the vulnerable, this will be a devastating price rise.

“The announcement may have been made in a hot spell in July, but when winter comes round thousands will be forced to choose between heating their homes and cooking their meals.

“British Gas has thousands of customers paying fixed rates, but when those terms expire they will be hit with staggeringly high bills.

“Instead of fighting over who should be sitting in Number 10, ministers need to be dealing with the real issues that are causing real problems for people across the country.

“Energy companies are benefiting from a £9bn windfall yet continue to hike up their prices on the Government’s watch. This is unacceptable.”