Will Barley RIP
The son of a good friend and neighbour died last week aged just 17 years old. Will Barley lived three houses away from us in Crofton and was the most good natured young lad you could ever have wished to have known. His dad and I are both Sheffield United fans and in spite of taking Will to Bramall Lane on numerous occasions, to Cardiff for the play off final and to Old Trafford for the FA Cup semi versus Arsenal we still couldn't convert him to be a 100% Blade. His final match was at the Lane the week before his death to watch the Blades draw with Sheffield Wednesday. He kept on persisting with Leeds as his Number 1 team with the Blades as Number 2.
He was sports mad and he will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure to have known him during his short life.
RIP Will and keep scoring the goals and hitting the runs up there in Heaven.
Published Date:
05/05/2008
Modified Date:
05/05/2008
School Closures
Our local school in Crofton, Shay Lane Infants is at the top of last week's list of potential school closures owing to falling uptake. Amazing isn't it?
I always thought that smaller class sizes were one of the main desirables of our education system. Now we're close to achieving better, i.e. smaller pupil to teacher ratios the Council tries to reverse the trend by closing schools and lumping the kids into other schools, more than likely increasing the pupil to teacher ratios.
How are the kids from closed schools to travel to and from their new schools? Why, mum will get the car out and just run them up the road to Crofton Junior or over to Walton School- good carbon footprint management!
Oh, another coincidence, we've just got a newly built school in the next village, Walton. Is closing Shay Lane just a way of shipping kids into the new Walton school and justifying its existence?
I've just thought of a better cost cutting exercise- do we really need all our councillors? Don't believe we do- Cutting some of these out could be a useful exercise, saving a few bob in expenses? MPs too? Wouldn't one MP for Wakefield district instead of the current four save some more money- yes I did read the exhorbitant expense claiming especially by Mr Balls and his missus!
Published Date:
01/11/2007
Modified Date:
01/11/2007
Tragedy of Coppers Lake, Crofton
UPDATE 18th APRIL 2008
Hooray! The orange fence has gone.
Still ultra low waterlevel.
Still no fish.
Still no fishing platforms.
Vote for the current councillors? Dream on.
UPDATE- 23rd MARCH 2008
The latest update is that there is no update!
We still have about six inches of water in the lake, no fish and an ugly plastic orange "safety" fence surrounding the lake. The fence is now ripped and is keeping no-one and nothing away from the lake. We've even had swans getting their heads stuck in the fence- I know because I cut one loose.
Let's face it, there is little or no prospect of the lake being restored to its correct level or to its previous fishing status, even though its publicised on the Wakefield MDC website as a fishing lake.
How could the council get it so wrong? I'm sure they'll trot out the old Flood Defence excuse. I'll just put it down to incompetence.
UPDATE - 1stNOVEMBER 2007
We've still got the bright orange fence, erected as safety measure although kids just go through the holes in the fence or round the side of the fence. The top end of the lake remains unfenced. Nothing else has been done to the lake although our local MP has apparently promised to sort something out in the future. It seems to be just a political botch job by our caring council. Fewer people are visiting the park these days- why would they? No fishing and the ducks are behind the fence, too far away to feed. Thank you WMDC!
(Not all the fish were removed though (another botch job) - I've seen some still in the lake, although its now too shallow for fishing)
UPDATE- 24th AUGUST 2007
A bright orange safety fence has been erected around most of the lake. I say most because only the dam wall and half the bankside has been fenced. Dogs and children can still get into the lake edge and its mud. A few bits of debris have been removed from the overflow grill and left on the dam wall. The rest of the lake is as it was. The swans have managed to raise one cygnet out of the six fledges. The water level remains about 2 feet below its former level except when it rains hard, in which case the level rises and runs down the overflow. The sleepers covering the overflow at the back of the dam wall are still not secured over the overflow (since the floods) and present an obvious danger to children.
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May I through the Wakefield Express make the local Angling Community and Crofton residents aware of the apparent situation of "Coppers Lake" which is situated in Crofton Park off Doncaster Road?
Up untill this spring the lake provided excellent free fishing for local anglers, in particular for the youngsters of Crofton. Many youngsters have learned to fish here and the lake was a quiet haven for our older residents during the summer days.
the lake in its original state
We were informed by the Council earlier this year of plans to desilt the lake during the summer and were invited to view plans in Crofton Community Library which entailed lowering the water level, removing the fish, removing the rubbish from the lake, removing the silt by pushing to each side, planting of reedbeds along each side, refilling and finally restocking the fish. This sounded a reasonable plan although the number of anglers able to fish the lake looked to be severely reduced. Representions to the Council and Parish Council were made recently and a promise received to review the installation of fishing platforms in order to accomodate more anglers. As far as I'm aware no consultation with either residents or anglers apart from this has taken place.
The level of water was duly reduced and the fish removed. The problems then appeared to start.
The resident nesting pair of swans were left high and dry and had to resort to wading through the mud lake bed to reach open water. Thanks to the efforts of a couple of locals, the swans have amazingly fledged six cygnets.
The water level has been left about two feet below the original level to a maximum depth of about one foot. Reeds or grasses have been planted in the muddy lake edge but the workmen have now disappeared taking the surrounding safety fence with them.
Not a scrap of rubbish or silt has been removed from the lake and the fish have not been restocked, but what would be the point of restocking them anyway into just 12 inches of water? In short the lake is now a complete eyesore and a smelly one at that.
Hopefully someone from Wakefield Council or Crofton Parish Council will reply to my letter explaining that the lake will soon be returned to a fit state with a healthy stock of fish, a good depth of water, sufficient spots for anglers and a thriving bird life and that its current state is just a temporary blip. I have my doubts but would love to be wrong as in my opinion Crofton just cannot afford to lose a prize amenity that is used by young and old alike. Enjoy the photographs!
lake at its lowest level
Struggling swan in the mud
The new water level with people playing in the mud.
Published Date:
22/06/2007
Modified Date:
05/05/2008
TRUANCY
Following this week's revelations that truancy has risen in some areas, here's an idea to reduce truancy at school and as a side benefit reduce vandalism and also a hidden bonus?
Why not change the school day to begin at dinnertime and end at suppertime. Kids would get the lie-in that they all seem to crave, getting up at 12 or 1 o'clock before making their way to school. They'd stay there untill 7 or 8 o'clock, come home and straight to bed after they've been fed. Parents would be home from work at teatime and kick any truants sitting at home watching "Deal or No Deal" up to school.
By the time the kids came home there'd be no time left for street walking, corner hanging and whatever else they get up to most evenings. Vandalism decreases at a stroke- those that way inclined to be vandals wouldn't be so keen on doing it in the mornings would they? The conscientious children would rise at a decent hour and complete their homework before school.
Ok, there are some problems such as who'd make sure they actually went to school after dinner, but no more so than with the afternoon period of the current school hours. Parents could fetch the younger ones home at suppertime when the nights are drawing in. Think of the new period of Quality Time for mum and dad between getting home from work and the kids coming home!
And here's the big bonus- the dreaded school run that congests the roads between 8 and 9 am every day would disappear- leaving the workers of the country a much easier run to work. Now that's got to be worth consideration hasn't it?
Published Date:
22/09/2006
Modified Date:
22/09/2006
Pete Doherty
WJust who is PETE DOHERTY? I read about the bloke everytime I pick up a National Newspaper. He's always associated with drugs of any description and the article always asks "Will Kate Moss stand by him or ditch him this time?" Who cares one way or the other? My wife tells me he's a singer with a band- must be very good 'cos I've never ever heard him sing. For that matter who is Kate Moss? A model apparently. Would we miss either of these two "celebrities" if we never heard of or read about them ever again?
I think not!
Print something better in place of dross about these two please!
Published Date:
28/08/2006
Modified Date:
28/08/2006
Recent Terror Alert
Does anyone else find it strange that most Airline passengers seem more worried about being delayed or missing their holiday than they are about their airplane being blown up by terrorists? All we've heard is how they'll manage to get to their destinations on time. I guess its a great tribute to our Security Services that we take for granted that now a plot is uncovered they'll keep us safe during our flights. Well done fellas!
I read that the UK is intending to introduce Israeli style security to our airports. Great move. I've been to Israel and they are thorough in the extreme. You are questioned intensively by young soldiers carrying side arms about your movements during your stay in Israel, what you did, where did you stay, did you speak to Israeli Nationals? Anyone appearing remotely suspicious is removed behind a screen and thoroughly searched along with their luggage. Sounds extreme but boy, you feel safe on an Israeli flight! And before anyone asks, we took off on time as well.
Banning all hand luggage should also continue indefinitely in my opinion. As well as a security risk its also a pain in the neck, some passengers take more into the cabin than they check in. Ever been on a flight where all you can take onboard is the plastic bag of essentials? Much easier access getting in and out of the plane, no bags, bottles and other bulky items poking you in the kidneys as passengers behind try to push you down the aisle. Much better.
Did I really hear on radio a well known National Politician actually suggest that if we withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan and condemned Israel's recent actions then Terrorist threats on the UK would disappear immediately? There's a name for MPs like this or maybe a white feather prominently carried into the House of Commons would suffice?
Published Date:
14/08/2006
Modified Date:
14/08/2006
Disgust at the Greyhound Industry
Like many people I have spent a few enjoyable evenings going to the Dogs, or as its alternatively known Greyhound Racing. I was until recently however totally unaware of the horrendous fate that awaits most of the runners face upon their retirement from the track. It is estimated by the RSPCA that up to 12,000 greyhounds a year are destroyed for no other reason than they have come to the end of their useful racing life, which for an animal that normally lives until 14 years of age is often at the ripe old age of 4 or 5. The National Greyhound Racing Club has a Policy that should ensure that dogs are found suitable homes in their retirement but all too often dogs become "unaccounted for". Of the 10,000 dogs retiring from the "official" tracks in a year, the Club funds homes for 3,000 of them- the rest? The problem is apparently worse at the unofficial or "flapping" tracks. Many dogs are merely turned out into the street to fend for themselves or for someone else to take care off- one way or the other.
A "Needle Man" is apparently in attendance at some tracks to dispose of dogs whose only crime has been to stop running quickly. An article in the Sunday Times on Sunday highlighted the problem and claims to have found a man in Seaham who has in the last 15 years shot and buried in his garden 12,000 greyhounds, sometimes killing up to 40 dogs on a "good" day.
Truth or Fiction- make your own minds up, I know what my opinion is having read the article and editorial which may be found at the Sunday Times website www.timesonline.co.uk .
Anyone who is moved to action or further thought, may I suggest that you visit a website run by some smashing people called TIA Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue at Sowerby Bridge- www.tiagreyhounds.org.uk or even better visit them and see the kennells full of greyhounds and lurchers which are a greyhound crossbred with another breed. There are often 60 dogs awaiting a new home.
As I said at the start of the article I personally was blissfully unaware of the disgrace that seems to be now unfolding untill we visited TIA and adopted a lurcher pup. He was the result of a litter of 10 pups rescued from an allotment in Wolverhampton. 5 found homes and 5 ended up in the TIA Kennells- they've all now found "forever homes" and like the greyhounds will make lovely family pets.
The Greyhound Racing Industry is in denial, the Bookmakers just want to make their money from it and TV just turns a blind eye and continues to screen and fund the industry. Come on Government- get involved, we claim to be a Nation of Doglovers.
Published Date:
21/07/2006
Modified Date:
21/07/2006
Our American Cousins
My wife and I have just spent a week on a cruise of Alaska. Yeah, I know, lucky so and so but this was one we'd planned and saved for our Silver Wedding Anniversary. Great holiday but what was it like being with over a thousand Americans and a handful of Brits on board a ship for a week? Having worked for two American Companies and had plenty of dealings with Americans of all ages and sizes I wasn't quite prepared for a week locked up with them.
I know that Stereotyping is not a good idea but boy can these people eat! The buffet dining room on ship was open 24 hours a day and they needed to be to feed the Yanks. I've never seen dinner plates piled so high with food and generally polished off with consumate ease only to be followed by a dinner plate full of desserts. Yes, a dinner plate. One lady eating with us failed to eat her plate of desserts, only reaching half way around the plate. Luckily her husband was on hand to complete the task having already eaten his plate full. Needless to say we felt a little sick and could eat no more ourselves. On one occasion at about 4pm during "afternoon tea" the dining room staff were laying out desserts ready for the evening meal session only to be beseiged by Americans demanding their share of the new offerings to eat before their evening meal.
I can't say that all the Americans did their Nation proud in the eating stakes as plenty of them dined in the on board Restaraunts which served smaller portions of gourmet food. Whilst we didn't hear any complaining about the meagre portions what we don't know is whether they visited the buffet room at a leter time in the evening?
Due to all this eating the general size of Americans is larger and taller than the average Brit. Some are obviously too large for their own health and the Government warnings on obesity obviously have their foundations over the watedr in the US.
The question we were most asked after hearing us speak was "So where are you from then, Honey?". Yorkshire folk will be dismayed but maybe not surprised to hear that almost everyone had never heard of Wakefield, Leeds, Yorkshire.... If its not London or Southampton (Cruise ship docking point) then they're lost. We resorted to saying "England" (they don't understand Britain or UK), "Right in the centre". Near Manchester brought some welcome recognition from some although for most it was still a mystery that anyone could exist and survive outside of London. Again not all were so ignorant of God's Own County and the Yanks who had visited the UK spoke fondly of Yorkshire.
Not many children were on board- some very well behaved ones (on vacation as reward for graduating at 16 years old- I somehow can't remember receiving a cruise ship holiday when I was 16!) and some not so well behaved. We saw a few classic tantrums thrown and both my wife and I quickly related them to what we see on TV most days of the week- and I thought it was all made up for comedy TV!
What really hurts when you're over there is the price of fuel and the vehicles being driven. Petrol prices varied from about 20p in Canadadian and US cities up to about 35p in remote Alaskan towns. Ow! And the vehicles- this is the land of 4x4 trucks/ pickups/ SVs. More so in Alaska where they need them to get around when it snows but also in the cities. I don't think the Americans have bought into the initiatives that we're used to over here; taxes on fuel, emissions, engine sizes over here, guzzle the gas over there.
Think we have nothing on TV in England? Try going to the States and find anything to watch. So many channels with so little on them, unless you like adverts and baseball.
Funniest thing we heard on the cruise was when an American drawl anounced that she'd seen a Beaver swimming along the Tracy Arm which is a 1000feet deep, half mile wide Fjord in Alaska. That river's going to take some damming Mr Beaver! (It was actually a Seal). I know it could easily have been a Brit that misidentified the creature but remember many Americans just don't go into the countryside and learn about their nature. By the way the Fur Trade is alive and well in Alaska as is the Ivory Trade (walrus tusks!), which was a bit of a shocker for us.
As I said Stereotyping is never a good idea, we met lots of very friendly Americans from all over the country, not all of them are parochial, eat to excess and behave badly, so I apologise unreservedly to any of our American Cousins who falls into this category.
Published Date:
19/07/2006
Modified Date:
19/07/2006