Now this is what I call enterprising and Tone has some very good questions:
WEMBLEY MATTERS News and views on local politics, the environment, climate change, culture and local history
Sunday 28 May 2017
Something different: Tone's Coffee Shop Hustings Thursday June 1st
Now this is what I call enterprising and Tone has some very good questions:
Keep up the pressure on school funding by using School Cuts website
The School Cuts website has been updated. You can now see which candidates have made the pledge to support proper funding for schools and the impact on particular schools of the manifesto promises of the three main parties.
The School Cuts site is embedded here so you can get information by typing directly into the search engine above.
At the time of writing this was the candidate response for Brent seats:
Half-term pond-dipping and mini-beast hunt at Welsh Harp Centre
Welsh Harp Education Centre Half Term Fun
£3
Join us at the Education Centre for a day filled with adventure!30th and 31st May
Activities on both days:
10.30am –12.00pm Pond Dipping
Dip your net to find out what creatures call the ponds home. Explore the meadow and create a piece of art.
£3 per child
1pm –2.30pm Mini-beast Safari
Hunt in the woodland for mini-beasts and go on our wildlife quiz trail.
£3 per child.
Limited spaces so book now!
Phone: 07734 871 728
Email: welshharpcentre@thames21.org.uk
Pay in cash on the day, or by BACS transfer before the day – details available on request.
Terms & Conditions:
- Children can only participate with a supervising adult. This adult is responsible during the visit for making sure that:
- The child/ren they have brought are supervised at all times and are responsible for their behaviour.
- Minimum ratio of 1 adult to 3 children.
- Adult supervisor will need to provide any specific medication for children.
- All visitors should bring their own lunch with them on the day if they plan to stay for both sessions.
- We have a maximum group size of 25 children so children will only be admitted if booked in advance.
- Each session costs £3 per child.
- All activities are suitable for ages 5 and over. Children aged 4 and under who are not participating in activities are free of charge.
- Children and adults should wear comfortable outdoor clothing that may get dirty.
- Bookings must only be cancelled in extenuating circumstances and Thames21 must be notified at least 3 days in advance.
TUSC standing in Brent election
When I was a teacher I always enjoyed running mock school elections. They are a great educational resource combining an introduction to democratic processes (and their limitations) and writing, speaking and debating skills. I was interested to see campaigning posters at Queens Park Community School when I attended Education Question Time at the school on Friday.
TUSC is standing in the school election although they are standing down nationally in order to back a Corbyn led government LINK.
The election will be held on June 7th, the day before the General Election proper and I look forward to hearing the result.
These are the Lib Dem and Labour posters. I will be happy to publish any from other parties standing at the school that weren't on display in the foyer.
Saturday 27 May 2017
Brent Central candidates have their say on the school funding issue
With some hustings cancelled due to the Manchester incident last night was one of the few chances to hear from Brent Central's General Election candidates.
It was a sometime rumbustious meeting but well chaired by Lucy Cox with Labour supporters in the majority. I am afraid my camera work is very shaky as a result from being fresh out of hospital and failed completely when the Ukip candidiate began to speak. My apologies.
This extract focuses on school funding which is very much the question of the moment although of course the purpose and focus of education is also a matter of debate.
I will be publishing more of what Shaka Lish the Green Party had to say on the Brent Green Party blog LINK
South Kilburn - the Non-consultation putting putting entrepreneurs ahead of residents
 |
| The official Brent Council view - is this the reality? |
Guest post by Pete Firmin, South Kilburn resident
I went to the consultation on the future of the Granville Centre on Wednesday afternoon LINK with another member of our Tenants and Residents Association Committee. Not because we think those events are particularly useful, but because if no-one goes and makes critical remarks, they will say everyone welcomes their proposals. [Although sometimes they say that anyway]
We were greeted by someone from the Architects, who told us "this is what we are going to do". Of course, the architects are given a remit to carry out, but this is a long way from what consultation should be - the latest in a long line of Brent consultations where you are told what is going to happen, whether you like it or not.
Apart from pointing out that that isn't consultation, we said that their proposals - partitioning the large hall - effectively destroyed one of the few remaining community spaces in South Kilburn. She said it was underused by the community, to which we pointed out that that is because Brent has run down the services which did use it. Being from the architects, rather than those promoting the scheme, she didn't go there.
The main proposal is to partition the main hall to create workshops for entrepreneurs. SK Trust's sole emphasis now seems to be on "promoting entrepreneurs". Not quite sure how that fits in with representing all SK residents (as Brent always claims on behalf of SK Trust). And we were told `some' of those entrepreneurs will be local, which I take to mean most won't be.
The largest community space left will be about 1/3rd of the size of the large hall, meaning larger events (like the recent meeting with Zadie Smith, or the coming election hustings) could not be held there.It means the only largish `community' spaces left in SK will be tied to religious establishments, not the Council.
We were interviewed about the proposals on a video for the SK Trust, in which we said most of the above. Unfortunately the person filming asked us not to stray on to our criticisms of the SK Trust (now that would have made the visit worth it!).
As ever with such events, there was no-one present who actually favour and promote these proposals. So much for accountability. Leslie Barson from the Granville Centre and kitchen was there, and we went partly to support her and the work the Granville does, but they have their backs to the wall with no alternative but to accept what is happening.
I'm not naive enough to think that this steamroller can be stopped, but think it worth sharing so people know what is going on.
For the masochists among you, there is a further "consultation" on Wednesday 14th June, 3-8 p.m. at the Granville, renamed "South Kilburn Studios and Community Space @Granville
Friday 26 May 2017
Extra security at Wembley this weekend plus Manchester tributes
 |
| Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images |
On event days at Wembley roads in the area are very congested, particularly for the recently increased full capacity events, making acess for emergency vehicles extremely difficult.
The events in Manchester make this question even more relevant. I understand there is a special committee that keeps security in Wembley under constant review although its proceedings are not made public.
It appears that we may see armed police patrolling in Wembley this long weekend of Stadium events.
Meanwhile the Stadium has issued the following guidance to fans:
MESSAGE FOR FANS COMING TO WEMBLEY STADIUM
The safety of fans
is of paramount importance and we have robust security measures in
place at Wembley Stadium connected by EE. In collaboration with the
Metropolitan Police and the local authorities there will be an enhanced
security operation for all upcoming events.
All supporters
attending the upcoming matches at Wembley Stadium are advised to arrive
as early as possible to avoid queues and to support commemorations of
the tragic events in Manchester this week.
Fans can be
assured that all appropriate security measures are in place for the
upcoming matches, which includes thorough searches upon entrance to
Wembley Stadium, and they are encouraged to arrive as early as possible
to avoid any delays in entering the stadium. We strongly advise that
all supporters arrive at the stadium no later than 1 hour prior kick-off
to be inside for the start of the match and we encourage spectators to
not bring any bags or unnecessary items with them.
The FA plans to appropriately remember Monday’s Manchester attack before the kick-off of the Emirates FA Cup Final including:
- A period of silence will be observed prior to kick-off
- Commemorative wreaths will be laid by The President of the Football Association, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and The Football Association Chairman, Greg Clarke
- Arsenal and Chelsea players will wear black armbands as well as the match officials
In addition, all
four teams and match officials taking part in the Sky Bet Play-Off
Finals on Sunday and Monday will wear black armbands and observe a
period of silence prior to kick-off.
On Tuesday night
The FA lit the Wembley Arch in England colours to remember the victims
and to show support for all those affected by the attack, as well as
displaying ‘For Manchester’ on the front of the stadium.
The Emirates FA
Cup Final matchday programme was printed prior to this weekend’s
matches, so there is no reference to Monday night’s tragic events due to
print deadline. The FA will instead be showing its support with the
plans listed above.
We thank all supporters for their cooperation and understanding.
Saturday 27 May
Emirates FA Cup Final: Arsenal v Chelsea
17:30 kick-off
Sunday 28 May
Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final: Blackpool v Exeter City
15:00 kick-off
Monday 29 May
Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final: Huddersfield Town v Reading
15:00 kick-off
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)