65 years ago today

A few years ago Joe and I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau and Krakow.  It was a trip organised as part of his teacher training and although money was tight at the time we decided it was an important visit, especially for Joe given the subjects he teaches. 

It's now 65 years since the camp was liberated, although liberation may be too strong a word considering the few thousand survivors of an estimated 1.1million that lost their lives there.

There is nothing to be said about such atrocities that others haven't said before or better.  Information about holocaust memorial day is here. 

One thing that I hadn't expected to upset me when I visited Krakow was visiting all the empty synagogues in the old Jewish quarter of Krakow.  They are now almost all museums and only the smallest is used as a synagogue - a huge part of Poland's people and culture was wiped out in just a few years.  It made it seem more possible that it could happen anywhere.  People say never again, but of course it does happen again.  As individuals we can only resist the hatred and fear that leads to communities dividing and turning on each other.

Met with housing minister and great news on the Avenue site

As anyone who has been looking at Whitley News will have seen there is some great news on the funding for new council houisng to be built on the old site of the Avenue school:  40 units of top quality homes for over-55s.  My opinion is that council owned and managed housing is more accountable and preferable to housing association when possible.
Anyway because of this when I heard that John Healey, Minister for Housing, was visiting Reading to look at the regeneration plans for Dee Park I decided to pop along.  He was extremely friendly and when I mentioned the new development he knew all about it and said he thought it would be great for older people but also releive some pressure on demand for council housing for younger families as some people will choose to move to these from their previous home.

Help for Haiti

Lots of leftwing bloggers have posted the following.  I was slow off the mark because I was in a news blackout on tuesday and wednesday (work conference in Manchester... didn't see a telly, paper or website!).  I will be donating money I've saved over the last week or so by being trapped by the snow!  The DEC has set up an appeal as well now.

A huge 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti last night. This is one of the worst disasters to befall crisis ridden Haiti. The extent of the devastation is still unclear but it is likely thousands have died and many, many more are trapped in the rubble. The early signs are not good: with communications down across the country Haiti’s large expatriate population are still unclear what has happened to their relatives and friends.
We’d urge all of our readers to donate to the disaster relief charities, and ask other bloggers to crosspost this message to spread the word about how to help.
Oxfam has long experience in Haiti, and they are rushing in teams from around the region to respond where they’re needed most. They already have a team in Port-au-Prince and their response will include providing clean water, shelter and sanitation.
UNICEF have issued a statement that “Children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster, and UNICEF is there for them.” UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund.
Medicins san Frontieres are responding to the Earthquake in Haiti with their usual speed and efficiency and any donations would be of a great help.
Mercy Corps are also seeking donations so they can expand their aid efforts in Haiti.
More organisations seeking donations are available here.
Please help in whatever way you can.

Whitley News!

I've been working with councillors on a new website for  Whitley ward.  I'm hoping it will be really useful to residents:  there is section on local news, a calendar of events (which I'm hoping residents will want to add events to), updates on Reading news and weather, useful links and contact details and more.  Take a look and let me know any feedback - improvements etc.  If you want to submit an event, story or photo then get in touch too.

Guess it shows what you can do when you're stuck in my house!  For the last few days I've been working at home and, slightly sadly have even worked today.  But I've also had time on my hands and so have the councillor team!

Snow again...

My husband helped dig a gritterer (grit man?) out earlier so he could get back to work after having done a 14 hour shift yesterday.  I gather West berks have run out of grit but I'm not sure how useful the grit will be in Reading anyway - our neighbour said it was a snow plow job...

... my Aunt has walked in to work at the RBH today but everyone else I know has stayed home.

Here's a picture of our back garden earlier.  Looks bigger and neater in the snow (no weeds!)


UPDATE 11.45:  W berks have now got some more grit - have been lent some by West Sussex council!

Boiler scrappage scheme

Just watched the news and saw the boiler scrappage scheme is starting today.  Looking out of the window as the snow falls and £400 subsidy from the government to replace inefficient boilers looks attractive (we saved up for a new boiler last year already) This has got to be a winner for everyone:  obviously for the people with lower bills, but also for industry and for the environment as well.

Worth a look!

Looking back on 2009

It’s now over six months since I started helping and working with Whitley’s local councillors. Its been a privilege to get more involved in the community.

 

For example I’ve helped with a petition to get a safer route to school in front of the Northumberland Avenue/Whitley Wood Road shops, and to stop vehicles driving up on to the pavement, which is a danger to pedestrians. The council has now agreed install bollards early in the new year to make it safer for pedestrians.

I’ve attended residents’ meetings and spoken to Government Ministers about the Flooding Bill and unemployment.

 As well as this, I’ve helped the councillors with very specific local consultations on issues ranging from tree planting to tackling anti-social behaviour and been out in all weathers.  During this time I’ve learned a lot and hopefully been of help.