Sleaford new term: new dawn?
So! We are off to a new Term, in Sleaford and elsewhere, not just at School but at Westminster and in Lincolnshire and North Kesteven. Everyone is wondering what the next year or two will bring! The media is full of reports of various pressure groups making a special case as to why their bit should be protected against cuts: the whole pack of cards presumably will crash if their bit is pulled out. I can’t say I blame them I would do just the same. The time to worry would be if they were prevented from making their case.
The usual projects are, or will, be in the news again: The Maltings; Rec Road; Farm Bridge; Neighbourhood Watch; Housing and house prices, Cemetery Gates. Watch out for surprises! All is not what it seems!
Anyway, one thing has started and that is the new school term - with new uniforms. I noticed how much change it made to St Denys square after School with Sleaford benefitting from its smarter educational image. St George’s Academy, the High School and Carre’s Grammar all “strutting” their stuff. The media has taken up the story that School Uniform price wars are cutting the cost of buying: well maybe but many schools have special arrangements to ensure standards and Sleaford is no different. As a youngster the only place in Sheffield we could buy was at Cole Brothers. Very posh: but it was expensive and difficult to afford for families who were on short-time.
These days it is better organised: so far so good.
Published Date:
08/09/2010
Modified Date:
08/09/2010
Available for purpose! Sleaford opens up.
I have spent the morning on Lincoln Road near the new mini-roundabout looking at where a bus stop/shelter might just be located. The question has been raised again by the local District Councillor. And timely too! Holdingham Blog.
On other issues the Cemetery Gate and Cemetery access has again come to the fore: the philosophy as far as I am aware is to make Town facilities as available as possible for the purpose to which they were/and are intended. Let's hope this can now be resolved to everyones needs. Additionally there is the issue of Petrol prices and new Tesco store - lots of letters to the local press and a reminder from one that local agreements and refined business models do drive much of what we are charged and what is available. Obviously for things other than petrol.
I could go on, and hopefully will return to the subject, as what is expected to be a bumpy year unfolds.
Published Date:
01/09/2010
Modified Date:
01/09/2010
Is Rule Britannia a good omen for Sleaford?
More Ice Cream at Windsor Castle
I have been to quite a few places in the Summer Holidays, usually with family and the kids in tow, and have in the process visited several country estates. As far as the kids are concerned this has usually meant having plenty to do. So in the process I have become semi-expert on play equipment and mini-railways. I didn't realise how topical this had become whilst I was away.
We visited Hever Castle with its Anne Boleyn connection (and reminders everywhere), Belton House, Windsor Castle, Belvoir Castle and so on with Castle Howard still to come. We had planned all this before I read in the newspapers that Cool Britannia is out and Rule Britannia is in. With the "approval" of the prime minister!
Well fine but, with three or four kids to keep amused, it can work out pricey! They were more interested in ice-cream, what to eat in the cafe's, and the play areas available. Most of the above had a good collection of both and the mini railway at Belton was fine. I cheated and went on it myself.
However it did remind me that Sleaford has some good play areas these days and the mini-shop on Boston Road seemed to be doing well the last time I went down there.
So we are not too bad on that score - no matter what criticism the Town gets on other features.
Published Date:
21/08/2010
Modified Date:
22/08/2010
Open University for Sleaford Young People?
I was really pleased to see an education news item on the BBC web site (and teletext) today. The news was of a massive rise in the number of applicants for Open University places from the 18-24 age group. The benefits included the fact that 70% of students will also work as well as study (presumably either full or part-time).
The OU dates back to the early 1970's from a programme started in the days of Harold Wilson and initiated in the era of Ted Heath. My first recollection of it was going to a lecture by Robin Wilson at Reading University around 1973 - the mathematics subject matter fails me at this stage - all I remember was the flamboyant gear he was wearing - markedly different from his politician fathers more sedate and official looking dress.
So some good did come out of that generally maligned period. What is interesting is that this type of learning may be a way forward, and more effective in this IT age, to young people. Cheaper too!
But if it is a way for the young people of Sleaford we will need jobs for them to earn the dosh to fund their education (with the help hopefully of grants) and enough bandwidth locally to sensibly do the work using the internet.
Published Date:
07/08/2010
Modified Date:
20/08/2010
Sleaford enjoying its Open Spaces
One thing the summer weather has done, and at holiday times too, is to bring people out onto our Open Spaces and recreation grounds. Both Boston Road, and Lincoln Road, were being well used these last few days as I have walked into Sleaford! The new equipment on Boston Road seemed to be a success with the kids.
Hopefully the August weather will return to the glorious conditions of June and July.
The next week looks a bit more iffy than of late but not unusual for early August.
Fingers crossed.
Published Date:
02/08/2010
Modified Date:
03/08/2010
Summertime Blues!
Mungo Jerry had a hit many years ago about "In the Summertime" which reflected the mood in a long hot summer. I suppose it partly reflects this summer - although the eastern side has, for once, been much more favoured than the western side of the UK. Still it is about time Skegness, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes had a break from cool, wet summer weather. The signs are that there is more fine weather to come. Can't be bad can it!
It is better than the more serious stuff of economic gloom and doom that still pervades the media. I just can't get my mind around it at the moment. The last week or so has seen a day at Mablethorpe where it was so hot that we took a beach chalet where we could sit on the prom, in the shade, to get out of the heat. I can't remember when I last did that. The only downsidw were the jelly fish which the kids seem to know about but I didn't.
Other highlights were Heckington windmill which also had very tasty cafe food - plus the usual trips to Crazy Bongos and eating at MacDonalds (yes I know but that is what kids like) - and Belton House (mainly for the kids play area and mini train ride). So, one day I hope to be in a serious mood but wait a while yet - there is lots of material to get the teeth into - it is a matter of being in the right mood!
Published Date:
22/07/2010
Modified Date:
24/07/2010
The Ref wasn't that bad: the players were!
Lots of England fans in Sleaford watched the world cup final match on TV last Sunday evening. I started out fairly open minded about who to cheer but byy half-time I was definitely on the side of Spain. By the end I cheered their winning goal. Justice seemed to have been done in a game dominated by bad tackles and un-sportsmanlike behaviour.
The ref got lots of blame - from the Dutch supporters and players: support for the ref was even muted from those higher up in Fifa. One criticism for me is that the ref didn't send off players sooner than he did: one boot went into the chest of a Spanish player - a far worse offence than the ones Beckham and Rooney have been sent off for in previous international tournaments - but only received a yellow card.
All in all the blame seems to be aimed at the ref - tough justice! The players, especialy the Dutch, seem to have a lot to answer for. As for England: we have slipped sharply down the world rankings - as a reflection on how bad we were.
Published Date:
13/07/2010
Modified Date:
13/07/2010
Lots going on!
One of many photos I took last Saturday (3rd July).
It has been a busy week and not necessarily helped by the hot weather which seems to make many people, including me, listless. Any excuse you might say.
However one event, reported in the local newspaper and visited by me, my own family and lots of people - was the opening of the new river turning area, mooring and slipway near Eastgate Green. The fine weather helped enormously to make the event a big success. I was half expecting there wouldn't be enough water to allow for the boats to sail adequately but there was. The Water Authority don't seem to take as much out these days: I remember how low the water level was at that time in the dry summers of 1975 and 76.
I suppose when this hot weather, with attendant brown lawns and grass areas, finally relaxes its grip, it will be back to serious work. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Published Date:
09/07/2010
Modified Date:
09/07/2010