Domestic violence

Have been to a couple of events about domestic violence in the last week.  Last Thursday went to a candlelit vigil on the high-street that aimed to emphasise the problem, which got a good response, although the wind had a negative impact on the candlelit part of the vigil!

On Monday a more lighthearted event was a quiz night to raise funds for the White Ribbon Alliance.  Our team (The Read Roses - all Labour party members!) started strongly but we didn't do so well on Tube stations and ended up coming 5th.  Was a really fun evening.

Go here for info about men working to end men’s violence against women.  visit here to find local services.  This isn't just an issue for women, so if you a man affected you can also find out about help there.

Water water everywhere...

... went to the River and Rowing Museum in Henley with some visitors.  The Wind in the Willow's exhibit was a hit with the smallest member of the party, requiring 3 looks at each item.  But when looking around at the 'grown up' bits on the role of water and flood plains I'm afraid all I could think of was the terrible flooding in Cumbria over the last few days and the canoeist Chris Wheeler's death in Devon.  I just hope there isn't more to come over the next few weeks.

Flooding bill is in Queen's speech

As flagged on this blog a while back, the flooding bill is going ahead and has reached the next step today

Losing the vote

I spotted this and thought what a shame.  I obviously want people to vote for me when I stand for the council but even more important is that people can vote at all!

I am a sad individual and really like being able to vote, it reminds me of the struggle over the centuries to get the vote for everyone, I always think of the pictures of suffragettes going to the polling station when I vote.  We’re lucky to be taught about it in school in history lessons, but there are many people even today in countries around the world who don’t have the right to vote.  At least in this country if you don’t like your representatives you can vote for someone else!

It seems a pity to miss out just because you don’t return the form.  You’ve got until the end of the week to do it if you haven’t yet.

Preventing flooding

Given the currently weather (and for those who suffered from the flooding in 2007 in Whitley and Whitley Wood) this article is worth a read as it shows how much work is going on behind the scenes to try to prevent it happening again.  It also mentions the Flooding Bill that I first got details on at a meeting back in September, which should improve the national situation too.

Remembering

I spent the afternoon of this Remembrance Sunday delivering leaflets and calling on people who I have work outstanding for (or finished).

However I did take time to think about the fallen in wars current and in the past and to observe the silence. I have no way of knowing what it must feel like to be under fire but I know how much I admire the bravery of those who put themselves on the line: this story is incredible.
On Wednesday I will ask my class to join me in a 2 minute silence at 11am. Probably heralded by the fire alarm (not so silent).

A puzzle

A colleague (who is unreasonably organised) has organised our office secret santa today. Now nothing unusual about that but due to lots of cheating (ie it becoming known who is buying a present for whom) he has devised a system such that

1.  No one (including him) knows who is buying a present for who
2.  There is no chance of anyone being given themselves to buy a present for.

How has he done it?

(a clue - he has used sealed envelopes and labelled the envelopes)

What's Labour?

Last week on Helston Gardens I was asked by 3 young girls "What's the Labour party? Does it mean when women have babies".

The conversation continued: "Labour means work".  "My Dad works", "My mum AND my dad work".  "Well the Labour party was set up so that people who do the work have a say".  "Are you the only lady?".  "I am the only one visiting your street today, but there lots of women involved - when you grow up you could do it"  "Will you come and meet my mum?"  "And ours"

.

This video gets across the message I was trying to give them.  It's a bit sentimental, but it reminds me that in the end it's worth campaigning for the right thing, whether that's stopping cars parking on pavements or a fair deal on climate change, and politics makes a difference to people's lives.