2011 November

Entries from November 30th, 2011

Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt

November 30th, 2011 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

It was such a privilege (and such fun) to be invited to present some of the awards at the annual prize-giving for young athletes from St Albans Special Olympics (SOSA). The event took place at the Old Town Hall. The room was buzzing.
The first picture shows me presenting the Terry Carter Award for Swimming to [...]

George Osborne needs some animal magic

November 29th, 2011 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

I’m leery about making an instant pronouncement about today’s Autumn Statement from Chancellor George Osborne before I have read tomorrow’s analysis. Clearly we are in a real hole.
No-one really knows how the global economy is going to play out. It almost has the feel of August 1914 when people watched helplessly as the trains [...]

Banning the sale of scrap metal for cash

November 29th, 2011 · 5 Comments · Sandy's blog

I have just had brought to my attention an e-petition on the government website calling for the banning of sale of scrap metal for cash. The explanatory preamble explains the issue perfectly:
Due to a significant rise in value, metal has become a much sought after commodity. This increased demand has resulted in a sharp [...]

A re-opening of the previous public inquiry still makes the most sense if we want to stop the Helioslough lorry terminal

November 25th, 2011 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

Along with other witnesses to the previous freight terminal inquiry, David Parry and I were invited to comment on the latest submissions from Helioslough arguing that the Park Street freight terminal should go ahead. St Albans District Council also submitted a critique which is an excellent piece of work and STRiFE offered their own arguments [...]

Who is Justin Bieber?

November 24th, 2011 · 4 Comments · Sandy's blog

You’re part of a panel in front of 600 sixth formers filling St Albans Abbey nave. The young questioner poses the question, “Justin Bieber and the media are promoting underage sex. Does this mean teenage pregnancies are acceptable?” The chair turns to me. “Sandy?”
The stuff of nightmares, except this was the actual final question in [...]

The Os-borne Identity

November 22nd, 2011 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

I’m not the biggest fan of spoof videos on U-Tube but The Os-borne Identity launched today by the World Development Movement made me laugh. It stars Rufus Jones as Mr O.
As the series continues, it will make some serious points. Go, watch and enjoy at http://therealgeorgeosborne.com

Time to rethink how rail fares will be increased – and how compensation for delays is triggered and paid

November 22nd, 2011 · 1 Comment · Sandy's blog

Thoughtful rail fare briefing and follow-up discussion with the Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) yesterday afternoon at the House of Commons.
Some people argue that crowded peak hour trains and rising passenger numbers suggest that fare rises are not a problem. But not everyone who uses the railway is wealthy – particularly if they are buying [...]

Doves of remembrance at St Albans Abbey

November 20th, 2011 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

This afternoon saw the annual ecunemical service of remembrance organised jointly by St Albans Bereavement Network (SABN – http://www.sabn.org.uk/) and St Albans Abbey.
It was a glorious November afternoon before the service for the release of a flock of white doves at the west end of the cathedral. The birds soared into the dazzling blue sky, [...]

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Was Gladstone a paragon of mastication?

November 19th, 2011 · 1 Comment · Sandy's blog

My recent visit to Gladstone’s Library at Hawarden dredged an odd piece of historical flotsam from the recesses of my memory. It was back in the 1970s, I was campaigning for the Liberals in Cambridge, and a middle-aged lady explained why the family would never vote for the party.
Her grandmother had been made to chew [...]

European countries should take a lead from France and ban the burqa?

November 18th, 2011 · 3 Comments · Sandy's blog

The scene was the library of The Queen’s School, Bushey. The event was a qualifying round for the schools’ Debating Matters competition organised by the Institute of Ideas. I was there as one of the judges.
As well as debating the pros and cons of the burqa, other topics tackled in this particular round were whether [...]