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
It is all over now!
Update: What a week-end! I was undecided at the beginning of the Germany v Argentina game as to who I wanted to win. By the end I was cheering Germany as they tore Argentina apart. Maradona's face was a sight to behold. No "hand of god" this time to save him. Whats more is that Germany were being written off before the tournament - because so called key players were missing. What this tournament has shown is that the so-called star players have under-performed looking tired and jaded.
Well done also to Holland who beat the Brazillian stars: England and others have a lot to learn from this world cup but we never seem to. Thhe FA, pundits and so-called knowlegeable journalists please note.
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It has been a mixed and very warm week-end: ending in the demise of the England football campaign at the World Cup. The players looked worn out. Obviously their leaguer form does not transfer easily to a new team. I am always surprised that they let England play in the tournament as it does not exist as a separate Country with its own Government. Maybe that is one reason we never seem to have the passion that other teams have. I am not sure that sacking the manager will make a blind bit of difference!
However it was offset by the Sleaford in Bloom entries and I managed to get round to seven of them on Saturday and Sunday. Obviously much work goes into making these Gardens attractive. The armed forces parade on Sunday morning also went off well, despite the heat. Also: the motor vehicle free zone that was established whilst it was on, allowed for the pleasure of being able to walk down Carre Street without being flattened.
So my thanks to all those who serve the town and the country well. Money isn't everything obviously!
Published Date:
29/06/2010
Modified Date:
04/07/2010