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7/29/2019 SL November 2012
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27 November 2012
PicturebyMarziaNicod
emi-Ehikioya
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This Shirley poppy grew on Rev. Wilks grave in St. Johns graveyard , Shirley
Marzia Nicodemi-EhikioyaEditor, linguist, outspoken campaigner
on local and national issues. Loves opera,
books and libraries.
Russell ElliottPassionate believer and advocate of
alternative - Just cos something has
always been done a particular way
doesnt make it the best!
Andrew PellingFormer Shirley resident, Councillor,
London Assembly Member & MP.Investment Banker & commentator
for insidecroydon.com
Robert DilGraphic Design Consultant and
Co-owner of TD Studio in Addiscombe.
Loves playing music & diving.
Giovannan Ricciardelli
Travel Consultant specialised in Events.
Loves entertaining, swimming, cooking
Italian food. Seriously interested in
architecture and interior design.
Andrew DunsmoreTop London photographer, runs
Picture Partnership in his Shirley
Studio or on location. He helps
you take better pictures.
Nathalie Baron
Ayurvedic therapist, loves natural remedies,
nature, books & writing
Stuart CollinsShirley resident, former Mayor of
Croydon and Councillor. Loves
music and cats.
Nadia NazirIT Consultant and Interior
Decorator, loves to sew, knit
and bake.
Helen Campbell-MacDonaldPractitioner of alternative medicine
and regular contributor to
Alternatives page.
Jill LatterMiniaturist, Shirley resident for
more than 50 years, makes
beautiful cakes.
Tom DunsmoreFamily man. Retired engineer. Has
worked abroad. Speaks Spanish.
Enjoys travel.
Interested in
being part of our
online magazine?
Please contact us
on
Charles Parkof Planning Partnership Ltd, Shirley.
The man to look for if you want
something special for your home.
7/29/2019 SL November 2012
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ContentsShirley Life 5
Focus on PCCsby Editor 9
Parabens: what are they? 15
Ayurveda: Achieve total wellbeingby Nathalie Baron 18Giovannas Column 20
Useful websites 23
Snippets about rubbish in Croydonby Marzia 23
GLA Sketchby Andrew Pelling 26
Allergy - A gut reactionby Helen Campbell-MacDonald 28
Charity gig 30
Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign Update 31About Librariesby Alan Gibbons 34
Shirley Community Centre 46
About Andrew Dunsmore of Picture Partnership, Shirley 51
Shirley Library: December Activities 54
Stand up from dawnbarclay.com 58
Planning: Are we being cheated?by Editor 60
Front Cover: Mushrooms in Shirley
Editorial TeamNathalie Baron, Tom Dunsmore, Jill Latter, Marzia Nicodemi-Ehikioya
(Editor), Andrew Pelling, Russell Elliott (Advertising Consultant), Robert Dil
(Graphic Design Consultant) and Nadia Nazir (Website Administrator).
ContactsT: 07940 415532 E: [email protected] W: www.shirleylife.com
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Is Life too short to do-it yourself? Garden maintenance & grass cutting
Painting and decorating
Flat pack furniture assembly
Shelf, mirror, picture hanging
Jet washing of drives, patios, decking
Changing of light bulbs Garages and sheds cleared
NOG Property Maintenance
Free estimates and no call out feeJust call NOG for a no obligation quote on
07909 948118or 8776 1909 or email [email protected]
7/29/2019 SL November 2012
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Shakespeare belongs to the world and is not
local to Shirley. Does that mean that Shirley
residents should not read his works? There
is an obsession with localism in Croydon and
beyond. There is a strident dichotomy (a sharp and
paradoxical contrast) in what we read in the localTwitter pond and press: I have lived in different
parts of the world and have always played my part
and contributed into the community I lived in.
I have known many local people, in different
continents, who have done nothing for anybody
outside their small circle of friends.
The fact that we live in Shirley does not mean that we cannot discuss and
enjoy what goes on in the big world outside Shirley. Thus, being true to itsethos and not being false to any person, Shirley Life is introducing a new
column that will focus on issues that touch our lives, starting with the farcical
elections of PCCs on page 9.
Polonius is described as a windbag, a busy-body, officious, garrulous,
impertinent, tedious old fool but he is also a rambler of wisdom but some
of his utterances are embedded in our hearts:
This above all: to thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!
Inspirational quotes and Chicken Soup for the Soul books/websites
I like anything that can put a smile on peoples faces and this month I chose
the story of a baby giraffe. Read it on page 58.Picture Partnership, TD Print, St. Johns Church and a calendar
I often visit TD Print in Addiscombe (see page 6) for my many projects and
was surprised to see a magnificent calendar being put together. Rob has
new machines and can now do prints on heavier card and at larger sizes
in house. Such a relief because I am so tired of online disappointing
products: you think they are cheap at the onset and end up with nasty
surprises regarding price and quality. I was even happier when I realized
that Andrew had taken the pictures. It is nice to see two members of
Shirley Life Editorial Team hard at work in the community. Enjoy the spread
on pages 52 and 53.
5
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Editor
Libraries in Croydon
On Wednesday 21 November 2012 at 6.30pm we attended the Corporate
Services Committee where Croydon Council proceeded to privatize
Croydonpublic Libraries without a mandate. It was a sad evening.
The Committee refused to name John Laing Integrated Services as the
chosen bidder, a secret that had already been leaked. It was ridiculous.From the Agenda: Recommendations for contract award are made in a
report elsewhere on
this agenda but
which is considered
to contain exempt
information.
Next month, on 11
December, Shirley
Library will celebrate
75 years of service. It
will be not be a joyful
anniversary.
Elizabeth Ash and I
went to the newly
refurbished Laing runLibrary in Hounslow
where there is a cold
automated service to
borrow and return
books. Will people,
young or old, be
encouraged to read?
The social cost of
this mistake will be
disastrous.
Please read Alan
Gibbonss plea for
Libraries on page 34.
As he says: We fight
on.
http://insidecroydon.com/2012/11/22/secrets-and-libraries-croydon-adds-to-shabby-reputation/
http://insidecroydon.com/2012/11/22/secrets-and-libraries-croydon-adds-to-shabby-reputation/http://insidecroydon.com/2012/11/22/secrets-and-libraries-croydon-adds-to-shabby-reputation/7/29/2019 SL November 2012
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It is my strong belief that this piece of legislation is one of the worst ideas
that were ever conceived. The principles are flawed and the
implementation of the role is open to interpretation: #incompetence. The Home Office definition of the role of the PCC is emotionally
charged and populist in content. See Home Office website.
I wonder how many people
accessed the Home Office
website and read about the role of
a Police and Crime Commissioner
(PCC). From the derisible numberof those who voted, one is entitled
to believe that they were not many.
How many people in London
realize that the Mayor of London is
also the PCC for the Met Police? It
is also not clear if he receives an
additional salary for this role.The Metropolitan Police
Federation wrote*: Many of the
candidates are standing under
party political banners (although
the Met, of course, has a deputy
mayor for policing instead of a
PCC and is elected by nobody the Mayor appoints him). Shirley
Life will focus on MOPAC and
deputy mayors in the next issue.
*http://www.metfed.org.uk/metline?id=1869
9
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/public/what-is-pcc/
Focus on ashambolic farce:
the election ofPCCs
http://www.metfed.org.uk/metline?id=1869http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/public/what-is-pcc/http://www.metfed.org.uk/metline?id=1869http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners/public/what-is-pcc/7/29/2019 SL November 2012
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EXPRESS TIMBER211 Wickham Road, Shirley
020 8656 9596
Personal service at its best
and you get exactly
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Call uson 8776 2562 or 07590 202547
for further details
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PCCs will cut crime:
By definition it is Police
that should lead the fight
against crime and liaise
with the communities
where they work. Policedoes not need yet
another layer of
bureaucracy. More
recycled quangos under
different names are sprouting. Police is not perfect and is implementing
internal restructuring and getting rid of lot of layers of dead wood.
There are good officers out there doing The Job (available online).Accountability to the electorate: I doubt it. Move over, are the MPs
and local councillors accountable to the electorate? They beg us, the
plebs, to elect them and then, once they have joined the gravy train,
in the UK and Europe, they believe that they are untouchable.
Ensuring value for money: The Home Office has the power to
prevent any precept increases deemed to be excessive. It was the
police authority's responsibility to set the budget for the force area,which includes allocating itself enough money from the overall policing
budget to ensure that it can discharge its own functions effectively. It
will now be the PCCs responsibility.The public does not need to feed
more fat cats in time of proclaimed austerity for the plebs. Police
officers are members of the public who pay for the Police precept and
whose families have little social lives. (Their leave may be cancelled at
any time and they can be asked to work around the clock, often
beyond human endurance.) Did the government purposefully run a
sham election so that they could rule police by stealth? Value for
money has become a mantra for pushing forward any half-baked
programme. This exercise isnotvalue for money.
Impartiality: PCCs will be required to swear an oath of impartiality
when they are elected to office. The swearing of an oath will be an
important symbol of impartiality, emphasising both the significance of
this new role in local communities and that PCCs are there to serve the
people, not a political party or any one section of their electorate. This
definition is a joke and in contempt of the publics intelligence.
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www.shi r leyelect r ical .com
A contemporary cafe with great food
served in a pleasant and friendly
atmosphere at 219 Wickham Road,
in the Library Parade
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Accountability: More spin about
PCCs being accountable, a murky
grey area around the formation of
panels and bureaucracy with
fragmentation of roles. How many
public meetings will be held andhow public will the meetings be?
Has the government got detailed
plans or are they making up rules as
it fits their plans? #omnishamble
Summary
As widely predicted, the elections
for PCCs across England and Waleshave been shambolic. It is clear that
this will go down as one of the
lowest turnouts in a UK election in
history. I did question the idea of
police and crime commissioners
when they were first proposed.
While the aim of placing the policeunder greater local accountability
and scrutiny is laudable, I question
whether the best option is to vest all
those powers in the hands of a
single person, and whether crime
prevention should be removed from
other related public services such as health and youth services.
I am also gravely concerned over the way PCCs were foisted on local
people. Its almost as if the policy was set up to fail: as well as holding
the elections at one of the worst times of the year, the government even
refused to send out election statements to all households free of charge,
as is done with all other elections.
The abysmal turnout for this poll should serve as the clearest signal yet
that this policy is a failure and must be revisited by the government.To
make them listen, we have got to take a stand and exercise ourdemocratic and human rights.
Editor
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Parabens: what are they?So, what are parabens?
Parabens are used to prevent the growth of microbes in cosmetic products
and can be absorbed through the skin, blood and digestive system. They
have been found in biopsies from breast tumors at concentrations similar to
those found in consumer products. Parabens are found in nearly all urine
samples from U.S. adults of a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and
geographic backgrounds.
Products that may contain parabens
Parabens are several distinct chemicals with similar a molecular structure.Four of these occur frequently in cosmetics: ethylparaben, butylparaben,
methylparaben and propylparaben. Methylparaben and propylparaben are
the most common of these, each appearing in well over 10,000 of the
25,000 products in the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep
database.
Parabens appear mostly in personal care products that contain significant
amounts of water, such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions and facial and
shower cleansers and scrubs. While concentration limits are recommended
for each paraben, these recommendations do not account for the use of
multiple parabens in a single product or for exposure to parabens from
several products by a single individual.
Health Concerns
EWG's Skin Deep database, which compares cosmetic ingredients to over
50 international toxicity databases, indicates that parabens are linked to
cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity,neurotoxicity and skin irritation. Since parabens are used to kill bacteria in
water-based solutions, they inherently have some toxicity to cells.
A 2004 UK study detected traces of five parabens in the breast cancer
tumors of 19 out of 20 women studied. This small study does not prove a
causal relationship between parabens and breast cancer, but it is important
because it detected the presence of intact parabens unaltered by the
bodys metabolism which is an indication of the chemicals' ability to
penetrate skin and remain in breast tissue.Of greatest concern is that parabens are known to disrupt hormone
function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and
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reproductive toxicity. Parabens mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen
receptors on cells. They also increase the expression of genes usually
regulated by estradiol (a form of estrogen); these genes cause human breast
tumor cells to grow and multiply in cellular studies.
Cosmetic manufacturers, particularly those in the natural/organic sector,
are seeking effective alternatives to prevent microbial growth in personalcare products. Another solution is to sell products with a shorter shelf life.
Companies are testing new product formulations and have created
preservative-free products with a shelf life of six months to one full year. For
the products most people use daily their favorite lotion, face wash or
shampoo products are likely to be used up before they would expire.
safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=291
After doing some research a couple of years ago, I decided not to buy any
products that have parabens in them. It is not an easy task because a large
percentage of the products we buy for everyday use contain some form of
paraben and it can be difficult to find products that do not use them.
Why, you might ask? Because companies use parabens, that cost very
little to manufacture and use, to prolong the shelf life of their products.
It is profit that they are after, nothing else.
There are, of course, ethical companies that are prepared to sell products
with a shorter shelf life and that are testing new product formulations thuscreating preservative-free products with a shelf life of six months to one full
year. I know that there have been studies on both sides of the argument
about what parabens are and whether parabens are bad or parabens are
safe. My body and health are important to me and I do think that, in doubt,
it is best to avoid any product that contains parabens.
I read all labels and put any product that contains ethylparaben,
butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, heptylparaben and otherchemical compounds based on parahydroxybenzoic acid back on the shelf.
In the USA, the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 (H.R.2359) was introduced in
June 2011. European legislation is complex and about to be rolled out in
2013 in all EU countries. However, many in the UK has not heard of
parabens.
NB: Always read the labels and check ingredients. We will all go
eventually but we can all enjoy a long and healthy life before ourdeparture. Editor
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/safecosmetics.0rg/article.php?id=291http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/safecosmetics.0rg/article.php?id=291http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/safecosmetics.0rg/article.php?id=291http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/safecosmetics.0rg/article.php?id=291http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/safecosmetics.0rg/article.php?id=2917/29/2019 SL November 2012
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Nathalies ColumnBe beautiful naturally with Ayurveda - Part 1
We all aspire to be beautiful and to maintain a youthful
appearance. With Ayurveda, it is possible to achieve both
without surgery, chemicals or courses of treatments costing
thousands of pounds. This month, I would like to share with you a few
Ayurvedic health and beauty tips to help you achieve radiant skin and
inner beauty.
Poor diet, smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise, lack of sleep,
and stress are major contributors to premature ageing and poor
complexion. They also zap your energy levels and make you feel tired andlethargic.
In a time poor society, we have a tendency to go always for quick and
instant fixes. It is not surprising then that the convenience food
consumption has seriously increased over the years. Similarly, the beauty
industry makes millions selling instant potions full of chemicals that do
not hold back the years but instead overload the body with harmful
substances.With convenience we sacrifice quality. However, there a few simple
changes that you could make to your lifestyle that would help you improve
your well-being and help you achieve timeless beauty.
First of all, what you eat and drink shows on your skin, so ditch the junk,
processed, microwaved and deep fried food. They are devoid of life
energy and vital nutrients and create havoc with your digestive system.
They dull the skin and cause pimples, blackheads and premature aging.You feed your skin from the inside out, therefore the foundation of a great
complexion is a healthy diet supported by a healthy digestion. Poor
digestion leads to toxin formation and to malabsorption of essential
nutrients.
To ensure good digestion and healthy nourishment, follow these
simple rules:
Make your first drink of the day a ginger & lemon tea to be taken on anempty stomach. It stimulates the digestive fire which is low in the
morning and cleanses and detoxifies the body. Just squeeze half a
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lemon, grate or slice some fresh ginger according to taste, pour hot
water and enjoy. This a great drink to also have throughout the day and
particularly before meals to stimulate the digestive fire. As Christmas is
approaching why not make it a little Christmassy by adding some
warming spices such as pieces of cinnamon and a few cloves. Eat when hungry. This is how your stomach talks to you. Hunger means
that your stomach is ready for another meal and the digestive juices
are all fired up to receive food.
Eat fresh food and, if possible, make sure it is organic. I have found a
company called Riverford to offer excellent value for money. I like the
fact that I am supporting a local business and it is from the farm to my
plate.
http://www.riverford.co.uk/
Favour warm cooked food, especially during the coldest months of the
year.
Eat if possible your main meal at lunchtime when digestion is at its
strongest.
Favour fish over meat. If eating meat, eat chicken or turkey.
Avoid large amounts of cheese, particularly hard cheese. Eat instead
soft cheese.
Reduce alcohol consumption or, if you can, avoid alcohol altogether.
Hydrate yourself, hydrate your cells, hydrate your skin. Drink plenty of
water throughout the day. At this time of year water should always be
taken hot/warm or at best room temperature. Warm water on its own is
good but if you prefer something a little bit more flavoursome, experiment
with flavoured green teas and herbal teas. If you have a sweet tooth, tryliquorice tea: it is wholesome and warming and will satisfy any sweet
cravings. I particularly like Yogi Licorice tea as an whole rounder and Tea
Pig Liquorice and Peppermint tea after meals to ease digestion. For
something uplifting and energising, try for instance Lemongrass & Ginger
by Pukka Herbs. As mentioned before, lemon and ginger tea is also great
throughout the day and particularly before meals.
In the next edition I will move on from nutrition to give you advice on de-
stressing and beauty routines to keep you looking youthful.
Take care of your health.
19
www.gardenofpomegranates.com
http://www.riverford.co.uk/http://www.gardenofpomegranates.com/http://www.riverford.co.uk/http://www.gardenofpomegranates.com/7/29/2019 SL November 2012
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Giovannas ColumnThis month I thought that I should
suggest to you some mushroom recipes;
it is in fact the right season for them.In my country porcini mushrooms are a
delicacy and, after picking them, we let
them dry before storing them in jars to
use them throughout the year.
If you have never picked mushrooms
before, I recommend showing your
mushrooms to an expert beforeattempting to eat them. Some can be
very poisonous.
Enjoy your cooking!!!!
Risotto ai funghi (Mushroom risotto)
Ingredients
50 g butter, plus extra to serve 1 onion, finely chopped
300 g superfino Carnaroli rice
3 tbsp plus 1 tsp white wine
20 g dried porcini, soaked in warm water for
20 minutes
1 litre hot chicken or vegetable stock,
preferably home-made 2 tbsp olive oil
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
200g wild mushrooms
20g finely grated Parmesan cheese
4 tbsp chopped parsley
black pepper
Method
1 Melt the butter in a heavy-based casserole over medium heat. Add
the onion and cook very slowly for 5-7 minutes until soft.
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2 Add the rice and stir for a few
minutes until heated through and
well-coated with the butter.
3 Stirring continuously, add the white
wine and cook for a few minute toallow the alcohol to evaporate.
4 Drain the dried mushrooms, squeeze
out any excess moisture and add
them to the rice.
5 Add a ladleful of hot stock and stir
until absorbed. Continue to add the
stock a ladleful at a time, stirringcontinuously, until all the stock is
absorbed - about 15-17 minutes.
When cooked, the rice should be 'al dente' - tender but firm in the
centre.
6 Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add
the garlic and gently fry for a few seconds until transparent, taking
care not to let it colour.7Add all the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Fry for about 5 minutes, stirring, until the mushrooms start to release
their juice.
8 When the rice is cooked, stir in the mushrooms. Leave to stand for
1 minute.
9 Add the butter, Parmesan and parsley, stirring vigorously with a
wooden spoon.
10 Season to taste and serve.
Wild Mushrooms Crostini
This Italian dish is extremely popular because of its versatility: it can be
served as a snack or antipasto, or with drinks. Crostini can be topped
with chicken liver pate, a mixture of tomato, mozzarella and basil, or
grilled vegetables. This version using wild mushrooms is exceptionallygood, even if you can't get hold of any wild ones and have to buy
mushrooms from shops instead.
21
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Ingredients
400g mixed wild mushrooms (or whatever
you can get)
2 garlic cloves, 1 finely chopped
1 small fresh red chilli, finely chopped 8 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp coarsely chopped parsley
1 tbsp marjoram leaves (to replace the nepitella or wild mint used in
Tuscany)
4 larges slices Pugliese bread
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1 Clean the mushrooms thoroughly and cut them into cubes.
2 Fry the finely chopped garlic and chilli in six tablespoons of the olive
oil, and before the garlic starts to colour, add the mushrooms.
3 Saute or stir-fry them briefly for a few minutes only so that they retain
their crisp texture.
4Add the parsley, marjoram and some salt and pepper.
5 Meanwhile, toast the slices of bread on both sides, then rub themvery slightly with the whole garlic clove.
6 Brush with the remaining olive oil and top with the mushrooms.
7 Serve immediately.
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USEFUL WEBSITES If you want to knowwhat is going on in Croydon
insidecroydon.com
If you are looking for a reliable person to build your own
website www.nadianazir.com
Bradleys for the best frozen fish around
(quality, price and great choice)
www.frozenfishdirect.co.uk
For superb and traditional shoe repairs
www.traditionalshoerepairs.co.uk
For books and health products that might change a few
things in your life for the better
www.credence.org
LIBRARIES Save Croydon Libraries Campaign
soslibrary.blogspot.com
Alan Wylie's Stop the Privatisation of Public Libraries
http://dontprivatiselibraries.blogspot.co.uk/
Ian Anstice's Public Libraries Newshttp: //www.publiclibrariesnews.com/
Alan Gibbons's Diary
http://alangibbons.net/
The Library Campaign
http://www.librarycampaign.com/
Voices for the Bookhttp://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/
http://insidecroydon.com/http://insidecroydon.com/http://www.nadianazir.com/http://www.nadianazir.com/http://frozenfishdirect.co.uk/http://frozenfishdirect.co.uk/http://www.traditionalshoerepairs.co.uk/http://www.traditionalshoerepairs.co.uk/http://www.credence.org/http://www.credence.org/http://soslibrary.blogspot.com/http://soslibrary.blogspot.com/http://dontprivatiselibraries.blogspot.co.uk/http://dontprivatiselibraries.blogspot.co.uk/http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/http://alangibbons.net/http://alangibbons.net/http://www.librarycampaign.com/http://www.librarycampaign.com/http://www.librarycampaign.com/http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/http://insidecroydon.com/http://www.nadianazir.com/http://frozenfishdirect.co.uk/http://www.traditionalshoerepairs.co.uk/http://www.credence.org/http://soslibrary.blogspot.com/http://dontprivatiselibraries.blogspot.co.uk/http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/http://alangibbons.net/http://www.librarycampaign.com/http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/7/29/2019 SL November 2012
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Snippets about rubbish in CroydonFamiliar sight
The blue boxes are usually
emptied before the wheelie
in my road and this is the
typical mess I find on
Tuesday morning. I know
that one can see far worse
than this but why should
the boxes and bits of
paper be left on the pavement? I am not singled out: this particular morning,
I had left early and returned home around noon. Other residents had the time
to clear any mess they found. I keep our property clean but we pay Croydon
Council to clean pavements and the highway.
Weekly or fortnightly collections?
Eric Pickles warned councils over weekly bin collections: English
councils that fail to provide a weekly bin collection could lose
some public funding, ministers have warned.
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said there was no
plausible reason why some councils had fortnightly rounds, and
residents deserved better. He promised to look closely at the grant fundinggiven to councils.
The Local Government Association said many people were happy with
fortnightly collections and there was no one-size-fits-all solution. Many
councils have moved away from weekly collections in recent years, arguing
that alternate weekly collections for household-and-food waste and
recyclable items are more efficient and popular with residents.
Mr Pickles's warning came as the government announced the details of extra
funding for councils to help them either reinstate or maintain their weeklyservice or pursue other waste management projects.
Mr Pickles used the announcement to give a veiled warning to councils -
which have a statutory duty to provide an efficient bin service - that do not
have weekly collections.
Weekly bin collections are one of the most visible front-line services and
there is no plausible reason why councils should not deliver them to hard-
working residents. he said.
Local authorities currently receive 28bn in funding a year - calculated onthe basis of the local council tax base and how many people rely on local
services - to spend as they wish.
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Mr Pickles said it was not unreasonable that a decent bin service should be
among councils' objectives in return for receiving the money.
Mr Pickles added: We will be looking at the central government funding for
bin collections. If councils do not get their house in order and deliver this
basic public service then not only will they be held to account at the ballot
box.Mike Jones, chairman of the organisation's Environment Board said: What
matters most to people is that their waste is collected in a reliable, efficient
way which allows them to recycle easily. This can be achieved in different
ways, depending on local circumstances. For some homes, alternate weekly
collections would not be suitable. But many who do have their non-recyclable
waste collected fortnightly are happy with the arrangement.
According to the latest figures from the waste reduction consultancy Wrap,
54% of households in England have their bins collected every fortnight,compared with 44% weekly.
Some councils offer both weekly and fortnightly services in different areas
but Croydon Council imposes a one-size-fits-all measure all over the
Borough wards which clearly does not work as different families or areas
have different needs: our wheelie is one third full whilst others are overflowing.
At the recycling forum held on 29 August 2012 and organized by Croydon
Council nobody was happy with rubbish collection or recycling. We put
forward various proposals. We were promised feedback but receivedabsolutely nothing. So Croydon.
It is, however, true that Mr. Pickless clothing might fit the Leader of Croydon
Council.
Inferior, expensive and leaky bags
The site of Imperial Polythene has been down for some time. Are they still
trading? Any information would be gratefully received and acted upon.
25Marzia
Screenshot on 24 November 2012 at
http://www.imperialpolythene.com/index.html
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GLA Sketch by Andrew PellingWhat they give with one hand, they take with
another.
That, perhaps, is the art of modern day British
politics today.
Another example of the maxim's application
that was close to home in Croydon came to
the surface during questions to Mayor Boris
Johnson at City Hall.
Mayor Boris Johnson revealed that money
destined to help Croydon recover from the 8/8riots will be diverted to cover local police cuts.
When quizzed by ex-Croydon council leader
Valerie Shawcross and member for Lambeth
& Southwark about his by-election visit to
Croydon's London Road to back Andy Stranack, the Tory candidate,
Johnson talked of the destination of the 9 million of post-riot funding saying
thatOne of the things I made absolutely clear when I was there was that that
funding should be absolutely flexible and where it might be necessary to use
some of it to pay perhaps for extra safer neighbourhood constables or
whatever, PCSOs, then that might be possible.
It's bad enough that the money for our riot hit town has been so long coming
but now apparently the money is to be used with absolute flexibility to cover
cuts rather than boost Croydon. Brixton, post riots, had generous funding
from the Thatcher government but only modest amounts are comingCroydon's way and now with a sleight of hand the money we are given just
fills the cuts in other funding streams.
The questioning followed another example of a bad political habit - arguing
about procedure.
The first 16 minutes of the three hour meeting were spent on discussing how
the Mayor could be questioned on his proposed 500 million police cuts.
Better to have spent more time on the issue than process you would havethought.
The Assembly chairman also had to warn former MP and now London
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Assembly Member Andrew Dismore that he was not in Parliament now and
that the Assembly's standing order 2.10b required listening to fellow
members respectfully, in silence. Wouldn't it be better if the Speaker had
2.10b to insist on this good behaviour in the Commons?
Commissar Biggs, the Labour Assembly member for City & East, continued
from his seat best described in cricketing terms as being at silly point with
his constant sledging of the Mayor. The Mayor kept complaining to the
umpire, in this case the chair of the Assembly Jennette Arnold, about
constant chuntering.
As ever the Old Etonian Mayor had the chance to mock our lesser educated
London Assembly member Steve O'Connell whom he mocked for asking a
question about the Wandle Valley saying we share your objectives,
Comrade implying that his demands were too high saying My policy oncake - pro having and eating it.
This condescension is all a bit too patronising to the Croydon former
mortgage salesman who has aged ten years in the last eighteen months
helping the much more privileged Mayor get re-elected to his post.
It is fair to say that sometimes the Mayor gets nervous of questions from his
own side which occasionally risk a friendly fire incident. The suggestion from
Dick Tracey, the Conservative member for Wandsworth and Merton thatpolice station front desks should be manned by volunteers with no
knowledge of policing or the law was one that the Mayor had to deftly and
politely deflect without hurting the questioner's feelings - a care that Johnson
rarely accords to our man because he feels rather contemptuous of the
poorly hidden obsequiousness of the questions that O'Connell frequently
poses.
Labour spent whole tracts of the meeting on cuts to emergency services.
On these subjects the Mayor's occasional attempts at humour seemed veryout of place and he just gave the impression of being bored by the process
of actually being in charge of something.
Politics is not much fun when budgets are being cut and Boris looked out of
sorts. The Mayor had taken dishevelment to a new level with a raincoat
tossed over his chair and a Costa coffee paper cup clearly purchased just
before the meeting started but neglected.
May be the irresponsibility of being a back bench member for Croydon South,to succeed the retiring Richard Ottaway, is beginning to look attractive from
the Mayoral 8th floor of City Hall.
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Allergy - A gut reactionIt is now estimated that one in three people experience symptoms of
allergy; this being an over-reaction of the immune system to the bodys
environment (basically anything that can be touched, eaten, drunk,
breathed, or injected.)According to Chinese Medicine all illness has its origins in the gut. In
the Chinese system, organs of the body have an energetic link with
their polar opposite; the Heart is paired with the small intestine, the
Lungs with the large intestine, the Spleen with the stomach etc.
Treating allergic asthma, for example, would include attending to the
state of the intestines. (All health issues relate to the balancing of Yin
and Yang energy)This is interesting when we consider the current focus on leaky gut
syndrome as an explanation for the rising number of allergy sufferers.
When the gut wall becomes more permeable, or leaky, undigested
proteins are able to pass into the bloodstream where they are regarded
as foreign invaders; as such they can trigger an immune response that
is not just confined to the digestive tract.
There are many theories as to how the gut can become leaky:
Too early weaning with inappropriate food; a baby does not have
the enzyme function of an adult. As a babys gut is comparatively
porous, care must be taken not to introduce foods that are intestinal
irritants e.g. gluten
A lack of key nutrients such as zinc or essential fatty acids
Vaccination; this provokes an increase in the permeability of
membranes throughout the body. This is part of a response to atoxic problem; by becoming more porous, membranes facilitate the
passage of white blood cells (responsible for dealing with foreign
bodies, infection etc) into the gut cavity.
Gastrointestinal infection or infestations such as Candida
Frequent use of aspirin or injudicious consumption of alcohol
Inadequate production of digestive enzymes; this results in poor
break down of food and the possibility of large molecules enteringthe blood, or remaining to feed bacteria in the gut, which then
multiply.
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Another aspect of allergy and its link with the gut, relates to the special
immune cells of the digestive tract, called Peyers Patches. Normally
these cells are able to distinguish food molecules from harmful
organisms, but for some people the immune system does not react as
it should. Instead, antibodies are released and an inflammatory
response is initiated. Resulting symptoms include bloating, abdominal
pain and diarrhoea; food is not properly digested and the leaky gut
situation proceeds.
One problem with food allergy/intolerance is that complete avoidance
of the offending food is not by itself a viable solution. When a food is
withdrawn from the diet and strict avoidance maintained, re-
introduction at a later date can trigger an extreme reaction or
anaphylactic shock. It is believed that when a suspect food is taken on
a regular basis antibody complexes remain in circulation, but when it
is withdrawn the complexes are deposited in body tissues and severe
allergy symptoms can result. It is important therefore if you decide on
an elimination diet that you receive desensitisation treatment before
challenging yourself, especially if the food is difficult to avoid or likely to
be consumed accidentally.
Thankfully the gut can be healed. Homeopathic desensitising solutions
can be used to turn off over-reactions to specific substances. At the
same time a holistic approach to restoring health will ensure that ones
immune system function is balanced.
Helen Campbell-MacDonald
Homeopath, specialising in Allergy and Environmental Therapy
P.S. With summer time a distant memory those who have suffered
from seasonal allergies may be breathing a sigh of relief. However,
before you forget about hay fever until next year, I would urge you to
note that it is a condition that responds very positively to homeopathy,
and the best way to rid yourself of hyper-sensitivity to pollens, grasses
etc. is to seek constitutional homeopathic treatment out of the pollen
season (i.e. in the winter months). Do get in touch if you would like to
discuss further, or obtain more information.
www.chestnuthomeopathy.co.uk
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Late December Screenings at the Spread Eagle
Dear FriendsIn advance of our January season, we will experiment with two
screenings that may entertain members who find the period between
Christmas Day and New Year uneventful. In both cases, there will be
one screening at 4.00pm.
There will be a completely different approach to the two days; the first
will be a chance to see a new film that's significantly different to any
we have screened so far, whilst the second offers a second chance to
see a popular previously-screened film that you may have missed.
In both cases, we will screen the film that receives the most votes from
members. Obviously, we only suggest that you vote for a film that you
would expect to see, if it's selected, and if you only plan to attend on
one day, please don't vote in relation to the other day.
Voting will be possible at the Spread Eagle on Monday but to save
time, we suggest that you send votes to Heather Hardie, by Monday
3 December to [email protected]
THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER at 4.00pm
Something a little bit different.
Choose from:
ANOTHER EARTH (2011 USA 92 mins)
On the night of the discovery of a duplicate planet in the solar system,
an ambitious young student (Brit Marling) and an accomplished
composer (William Mapother) cross paths in a tragic accident.
DAMSELS IN DISTRESS (2011 USA 99 mins)
Violet (Greta Gerwig) and her two cohorts set out to change the male-
dominated environment of the Seven Oaks college campus, and to
rescue their fellow students from depression, grunge and low
standards of every kind.
SHARKTOPUS (2010 USA 96 mins)A half-shark, half-octopus creature created for the military, causes
terror in Mexico while a scientist who helped created it tries to capture
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Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign Update
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The Goat1-3 BROOM ROAD
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For additional updates, film presentation reminders, etc,
please follow the Campaign on Twitter: @SaveDavidLean
33
and kill it. Produced by Roger Corman and fun viewing for 'so bad
its good' enthusiasts!
THE GUARD (2011 Ireland 96 mins)
An unorthodox Irish policeman (Brendan Gleeson) with a
confrontational personality is teamed up with an uptight FBI agent(Don Cheadle) to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.
THE HUNGER GAMES (2012 USA 142 mins)
In a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future, teenagers are selected by
lottery to participate in The Hunger Games, a televised fight to the
death. Talented archer Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)
volunteers to replace her younger sister to represent District 12.
FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER at 4.00pmChoose from one of the following films for a second chance to
see:
THE ANGELS SHARE(2012 UK 101 mins)
Young offender Robbie (Paul Brannigan) vows to turn his life around
after becoming a father. Finding legitimate work proves difficult, but
Robbies talent for whisky-tasting inspires a dubious get-rich-quick
plan.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011 USA/Spain 94 mins)
On a trip to Paris with his fianc's family, nostalgic screenwriter Gil
(Owen Wilson) finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s
every day at midnight.
DELICACY(2011 France 108 mins)
A offbeat romantic comedy about love, loss and renewal, featuring
Nathalie (Audrey Tautou) as a young widow who has thrown all her
energies into her career at the expense of her personal life.
THE WELL DIGGERS DAUGHTER (2011 France 107 mins)
Well-diggers daughter Patricia (Astrid Bergs-Frisbey) starts a
romance with wealthy Jacques (Nicolas Duvauchelle), but Jacques is
drafted to the First World War front and Patricia discovers she is
pregnant. Adrian Winchester, Campaign Chairman
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ABOUTLIBRARIES
We meet at a time when
the profile of libraries has
never been higher and the
challenges facing them
have never been more
pressing. Some school
libraries are closing or
being starved ofresources. School Library Services are diminishing in numbers.
The future of the public library service hangs in the balance.
In 2012, an OECD survey revealed that UK schoolchildren had fallen from
17th to 25th in its international league tables for standards in reading.
Disregarding some problems with the methodology of the reports, this is an
indication that there is a problem. South Korea is at the top of the rankings.
It is building 180 public libraries. In the UK over 200 are currently at risk.
10% of professional librarians jobs have been lost. Opening hours are beingcut. Book stocks are being reduced. Which of these two countries is serious
about reading?
Meanwhile a new National Literacy Trust survey indicates that the culture of
reading for pleasure is under very real pressure. The NLT survey of childrens
reading patterns was first conducted in 2005. Then four in 10 children said
they read daily in their own time. That figure is now down to three in ten. This
is deeply worrying and neglecting libraries, something this country has sadlybeen doing for some years now, can only add to the problem.
The social impact of poor literacy is clear: 70% of pupils permanently
excluded from school have difficulties in basic literacy skills. 25% of young
offenders are said to have reading skills below those of the average seven-
year-old. 60% of the prison population is said to have difficulties in basic
literacy skills and 40% had severe literacy problems.
Similarly, the Social Exclusion Unit reported that 80% of prisoners have
writing skills at or below the level expected of an 11-year-old child; theequivalent figure for reading is 50% (Social Exclusion Unit, 2002:6).
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80% of those arrested in the August riots had poor literacy levels.
Prisons have a statutory right to a library. Schools do not. Maybe if we paid
attention to the recent lobby for school libraries and changed that status
some of those sent to prison would have the literacy skills not to end up
there. If youngsters were inducted into the joy of reading by a good librarian
they might not end up in prison.
Can anything be done? Well, yes it can. When people pull together they can
make a difference for the better. Reforms improve things. Bad or neglectful
policy makes things worse.
In the December 2005 survey Childrens and Young Peoples Reading Habits
and Preferences, 21% of respondents stated that they would read more if
libraries were better, and 18% said they would read more if libraries were
closer.
In other words if the UK did what South Korea or Bolivia or India or South
Africa are doing, all of which have investment plans, we could make a
difference. If we had a plan like New Zealands: Public Libraries of New
Zealand A Strategic Framework 2012 2017, we could arrest the alleged
relative decline. The Kiwis Count survey, carried out by the State Services
Commission earlier this year, showed New Zealanders were visiting public
libraries more often and rated their service higher than any other publicservice.
We should be celebrating libraries as places where you can borrow books
physical and digital, where there are computers, printers and faxes, where
you can go from computer illiteracy to computer literacy, where there is a
space to meet, discuss and listen to stories, to do research and view art, for
the elderly to break their isolation and the young to fall in love with books and
stories and information and improve their chances in life, where communities
have a space to learn and to live.
Not all our libraries are this good, mainly because of government neglect.
Sometimes they are tired and of insufficient quality, but they wont get better
if they are closed or gutted. You wont get the library of tomorrow if you fail
to defend the library of today.
So what does the Minister ultimately in charge of libraries Maria Miller say:
Reading is the key to all education and learning and it is so important to
ensure that books and reading play an important part in childrens lives.So there must surely be a strategic plan to get the UK reading in book form
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The Chestnut ClinicSpecialising in the Identification &
Treatment of Allergic Disorders
Home Visit Service
Tel: 020 8462 5800 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chestnuthomeopathy.co.uk
20 Chestnut Avenue West Wickham BR4 9ES
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and digitally? Youd think so, wouldnt you? Maybe we will find it in the Future
Libraries Programme. Remember that?
Ten areas were chosen:
Northumberland with Durham
Bolton, with Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport,
Tameside, Trafford, Wigan
Bradford
Lincolnshire, with Rutland, Cambridgeshire, North East Lincs,
Peterborough
Suffolk
Oxfordshire with Kent
Herefordshire with Shropshire
Cornwall with Devon, Plymouth, Torbay
Lewisham with Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth and
Southwark
Kensington & Chelsea with Hammersmith & Fulham
Many of these authorities have made shocking cuts or handed over services
to volunteers, provident societies or other providers. In other words, it is
fragmentation caused by the absentee landlords at the DCMS.
Maybe we will find it in the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee report.
CSM report
The CSM report recognises that public libraries are: a vital and much loved
service. Good, but I think we knew that.
Recent campaigns against the closure of local libraries have highlighted the
strong attachment that many people feel to this service.
Well, thank you, but we do know that it is the ordinary people who have
continued to carry the banner for libraries, not the Ministers at the
department.
It is explicitly said that it is pressure from local campaigns that has led to this
report. We have an important role. We can make a difference.
Sadly, there is also a misguided criticism: much of the focus of the
campaigns has been on branches rather than the broader question of the
preservation- and if possible enhancement- of the library service.
This could, of course, be a mealy-mouthed way of further detaching libraries
from the project of creating a reading culture and having an educational role.
We have been talking about a national strategy since Moses was a lad!
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The library services role is enshrined in the 1964 Public Libraries and
Museums Act with its now notorious requirement to provide a
comprehensive and efficient service. It also requires the Secretary of State
to superintend the service.
In 2005 the Culture committee demanded more clarity on what
comprehensive and efficient meant. We are still waiting. It called leadership
in the sector woeful. Have Mr Vaizey, Mr Hunt and Mrs Miller changed that
perception by refusing to intervene in Lewisham, Bolton, the Isle of Wight?
Has Ed Vaizey who championed libraries in opposition continued to
champion them in office? I will leave that to you to judge.
The library service was considered a service under stress by a previous
report in 2005. This has been exacerbated dramatically by the economic
crisis. The Comprehensive Spending Review has cut the income of councilsby 28% and is the context within which all public services operate.
This is a personal comment and not Speak Up for Libraries coalition policy,
but I do not think we can win unless we are part of a broader fight to defeat
the unfair austerity drive of Chancellor George G Osborne who mischievously
says we are all in it together when the poor pay the cost of a crisis created
by the rich.
The CSM says the Arts Council England consultation is a good starting pointfor superintending the service. Could this be the same Arts Council that is to
restructure and cut staff by 21% as it seeks to reduce its administrative
costs?
Money allocated to libraries in the Arts Councils budget is tiny: 230.000 or
76 per library.
The Arts Council also allotted 6 million in grants, negligible compared to
the cuts.Surely the responsibility lies with the Secretary of State.
The Arts Council says: it is not the Arts Councils role to report back to the
DCMS on whether a library services meets the statutory requirements of the
1964 Act.
Ed Vaizey says: A 6 million fund has been provided by the Arts Council,
which is now responsible for superintending and promoting the library
service. Hansard -12th September 2012This sounds like a two-headed donkey devouring its own stomach. This
sounds like gross abdication of responsibility.
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The CSM report says there should be a full assessment of the needs, of
communities. Campaigners have been arguing for this for decades and there
is still no sign of it.
The report says the DCMS needs to do more to disseminate good practice.
Maybe it should have a national plan, but Mr Vaizey eschews these
responsibilities.
The DCMS has only used its power twice in 21 years, in Derbyshire and in
Wirral. Wirral of course was the moment campaigners forced Andy Burnham
to call in the attempt to close eleven of the boroughs libraries. There have
been other Wirrals but no interventions.
For all the DCMSs refusal to exercise its duty to superintend the library
service, libraries are not in terminal decline. Many flourish in spite of the
DCMS, not because of it.
Even though visits to libraries fell back between 2005/6 to 2010/11 from
48.2% of the adult population to 39.7%, there has been no significant
decrease over the last few years.
Childrens visits are high: 75.6%.
In 2011 there were 314 million visits and 300 million loans of books. The
library service is probably the second most important service after the NHS.Loans of childrens books showed a slight increase even though there had
been a 6.3% cut in library budgets and a 14% cut in stock acquisitions.
Libraries helped 2.5 million get online in a 2012 initiative.
In spite of poor leadership, particularly from the DCMS, the service has high
satisfaction rates from users and there is still widespread usage.
As I wrote on behalf of the Campaign for the Book: The UK, which has
performed relatively poorly in international comparisons, can ill afford to allowthe erosion of the mainstay of its reading culture, the public library service.
We need a greater focus on literacy and reading, not a weaker one. Any cost
savings will prove illusory as the impact of poor literacy levels in reduced
international competitiveness and social deprivation is seen. We need only
look at the fact that 80% of August rioters arrested had poor literacy levels.
Yet the government and councils continue to preside over the diminuition of
the service. In a Cilip survey of library authorities it was found that:
80% had reduced library staff. This is on top of a long term decline in staff
numbers. There has been a significant fall in professional librarian
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numbers. Annie Mauger said 700 gone out of 3,500. Volunteers have
increased 22% since 2010.
Council plans also oversee the following:
30% had reduced opening hours
14% had closed or would close libraries
13% had set up volunteer libraries
The High Court backed Brents decision to close half its libraries (six). This
was the council that came like thieves in the night to remove the plaque that
commemorated author Mark Twain opening it! We had the grotesque sight
of a Labour council - a Labour council - stripping a well-loved facility.
The High Court found that Gloucestershire and Somerset had failed to carry
out a sufficiently comprehensive and detailed analysis of local needs. The
threatened Gloucestershire libraries were in the more deprived communities.Any analysis of Gloucestershires recent plans suggest they are still failing to
provide a comprehensive and efficient service. Recent reports suggest an
utter shambles in the operation of what is left of its mobile libraries.
The Isle of Wight has closed five rather than eleven of its libraries. Court
rejected judicial review.
Dorset closed nine rather than 20 of its 34 libraries.
Annie Mauger of CILIP demonstrates the danger when councils go through
with closures. When a library closes 44% of users do not transfer to another
branch.
Are volunteer libraries the panacea? Hardly.
The CSM report says volunteer libraries must be given support so they do not
wither or be a victim ofclosure by stealth.This echoes the concerns of
campaigners over many months.
In its conclusions the report says not all libraries can be saved but that
wholesale closures are unhelpful. The authors are masters of
understatement. An element of national oversight is essential, it says. Well,
that is the legal remit in the Act. The Minister must provide a report by the end
of 2014. That smacks of urgency, doesnt it? The technical word for that, by
the way Mr Vaizey, is irony! It is worrying that the Arts Council will not have
the resources to play the role the report recommends.
Essentially, the report comes across as well meaning but toothless. It hints
at solutions, but fails to pursue them to their logical conclusions. It relies on
a body ACE that has been neutered by cuts.
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It asks the Minister to deliver a report by 2014 when the service is under
pressure now. It shies away from demanding a national strategy for libraries.
It says some councils are unaware of their duties but proposes no concrete
action to change that situation.
Ed Vaizey regularly tells us to look on the bright side and to stop being
moaning minnies. So how fares the fight to resist the destruction of the libraryservice? There are new central libraries, but if we allow the branch libraries
to wither it particularly discriminates against the biggest users, the young and
the elderly.
Initially we faced a situation where 600 libraries could close. We organised:
the Campaign for the Book conference attended by 200 people
local and national campaigners forced the Charteris report to stop eleven
closures in the Wirral we organised 110 Read ins
we organised the 350 strong Speak up for Libraries rally and lobby of
parliament
there has been direct action such as the New Cross and Friern Barnet
occupations and numerous other local rallies, protests and lobbies
on the school library front there have been lobbies in England and Scotland
We are fighting for our service. Oh that the DCMS showed equal passion.
The government and councils learned from that resistance and closure
became a less favoured option. Instead the focus shifted to hollowing out.
Job losses, open hour cuts, book stock cuts.
This is in line with the broader situation in the public sector.
Richard Seymour in the Guardian: Job losses are taking place over the long
term. The government plans to cut up to 710,000 jobs in the public sector.
Hundreds of thousands of jobs have indeed been lost since 2010, but as ofthe first quarter of this year the total public sector employment level was only
50,000 lower than in the last quarter of 2007. The main squeeze thus far has
been experienced as a cut in pay, pensions and conditions.
What is happening is that the effects of the crisis are being carefully managed
and staggered. The offensive against popular living standards, whether
conducted in the private sector or the public sector, by employers or by the
government, is being done in a way that delays its worst effects within limits
imposed by the sweeping ambition of the structural adjustment programme.
What are the components of the current crisis?
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1) Branch closures
Gloucestershire
Visitors to Up Hatherley Library in Gloucestershire have dropped by more
than 20 per cent since it cut its opening hours last month.
Brent
VISITS to Brents libraries have dropped by more than 130,000 since sixbranches were closed in October last year, from 701,122 between April and
August 2011 to 565,179 for the same period this year. 54 per cent of users
from the closed libraries had not used a different library.
Bolton
According to the councils own figures, more than one in 10 people in Bolton
have stopped using a library since the closures.
LewishamThe same pattern is reflected in Lewisham where half the branches closed.
2) The Law.
Campaigners won some legal victories.
Gloucester and Somerset campaigners forced a High Court ruling, but
councils remain determined to close mobile libraries and to hand over
branches to volunteers. The judgement was damning.
Surrey County Council was ordered not to replace paid staff by volunteers.
Campaigners discovered that the plans, on the councils own admission,
would save no money.
Councillor Helyn Clack, Surrey County Councils cabinet member for
community services, said at a cabinet meeting in June: There are no
expected financial savings in 2012/2013 in the library service as a result of
community partnered libraries proposals, and there are no expected annual
savings as a result of the community partnered libraries proposals.
3) Job losses
According the latest figures an estimated 2159 library posts have been lost
this financial year but many more Librarians have been downgraded due to
service restructurings and many library staff have been pushed from pillar to
post in forced moves. All this upheaval has a negative effect on staff morale
and motivation and will surely ultimately lead to a poorer service.
Recent CIPFA figures had a 13% drop in staff before most of the cuts weremade.
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Barnet Unison has revealed that council bosses are proposing to reduce the
number of professional librarian positions from 24.5 to just six in a bid to
make budget savings of 500,000. The six remaining librarians will be moved
into back-of-house roles. Can this council really be fulfilling its statutory duties
with virtually no professional staff serving the public directly?
3) Opening hour cuts.People dont know where their library is open.
Numbers fall.
Councillors say the branch is no longer viable.
4) Volunteers
Volunteer libraries need a huge reservoir of people with time on their hands
and professional expertise. This is more common in the shires than the innercities.
No volunteer should substitute for a professional librarian.
The suspicion exists that some volunteer libraries are being set up to fail.
When there arent enough volunteers to sustain the branch councillors can
say there is insufficient interest in the community.
4) Outsourcing and privatisation
Cornwall has retreated on its plans. The fiasco led to sacking of the councilsleader Alec Robertson.
The consultation by Industrial Provident Society (IPS) the agency which
took control of Suffolks 44 libraries at the start of August was branded a
sham by Unison, with some workers claiming they felt too scared to even
ask questions.
Wokinghams Tory council have withdrawn plans for outsourcing. The council
leader called the anti-privatisation campaign laughable then withdrew theplans!
Plans to let private firms run 11 libraries in Berkshire have been scrapped.
LSSI has made little progress and seems to see the UK as very unpromising.
But the interest in this option continues, with Greenwich Leisure Ltd
apparently winning the Wandsworth libraries contract. Ipswich has its
Industrial and Provident Society. Again, does this kind of fragmentation
suggest any kind of strategic vision from the DCMS?In Durham 39 libraries, 15 leisure centres, two theatres, two museums, an
arts centre, an outdoor learning centre, and sports and art development,
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countryside and outdoor sport and leisure services could be outsourced to
a trust.
On another front, Tory Croydon has effectively pulled the plug on Upper
Norwood library.
5) EbooksA strategy is urgently needed or libraries will become redundant and
commercial book operations like Amazon are waiting in the wings.
As Phil Bradley says: Instead of paying 49 to Amazon to borrow one free
book a month, maybe the idea of borrowing unlimited numbers of books
from my library for nothing is an even better deal.
Again, this needs a strategy. Ed Vaizey has said this. Will his words on digital
reading lead to any more progress than his words on libraries in general?6) Premises sharing
Wolverhampton on new premises sharing: There has been a delight that a
library has been saved, but dismay that community hub plans are going
ahead.
A good example of the Council not closing libraries is Tettenhall Wood
Libraryonce a loved and popular facility serving its local community. Where
is it now? It hasnt closed, instead it has been turned into 5 bookcases up
a corner of a room in a community centre.
Ed Vaizey says he cant intervene willy nilly (where does he get his Woosterish
vocabulary?), a point repeated by Maria Miller when not intervening in three
authorities. The CSM report repeats this. But we have never had a crisis this
deep. Libraries have never faced such challenges. There have only been two
previous interventions, but there are many areas where there is not a
comprehensive and efficient service. Julia Donaldson and I, Gary and John
from Voices and Gloucestershire made this point to Vaizey to his face. Thereply was convivial, but essentially vacuous.
Where libraries are refurbished numbers rise dramatically as evidenced in
new libraries in Prescot, north Manchester and others. Change is possible,
but it needs will, a vision, commitment. None of those are evident from the
DCMS.
In Hampshire which has had its trouble visits to the library and book
borrowing are both on the increase for the first time in 14 years, the latest.The number of books borrowed at 51 county-run libraries is up by 4 per cent
to 6.7 million in 2011-12 compared with the previous 12 months. And the
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number of visitors has also increased by 2 per cent to 6.4 million over the
same period showing trips to the library are not a thing of the past
So campaigners have been very successful in raising the issue with the
public and blunting the initial onslaught. Some areas rethought their plans
for wholesale closures but the threat remains.
We have to be firm in principle, but flexible in tactics.
1 Pressure on the DCMS ministers to superintend the service and fulfill
their statutory duties.
2 Pressure on local councils.
3 Direct action where necessary (occupations, strikes, pickets, lobbies).
4 Legal action where it is suitable.5The maximum unity in action. We have a responsibility to act, but we act
in conditions not of our own choosing. We cant slip into voluntarism,
believing we have more power than we do. Similarly we must avoid the
danger that we blame one another when, though we have won the
argument, we still witness the bleeding of our libraries by a thousand
cuts. The government and the councils are responsible. We can debate
our differences but we must be cordial and know that we are on thesame side.
Lets leave the last word to Coronation Streets Jean Alexander Hilda
Ogden:
I am speaking for all the people who rely on libraries. They are the
lifeblood of our communities.
We rely on libraries for entertainment, for knowledge, to be able to go
out and meet people.
So many older people live on their own and libraries are a place where
people can go out and meet other people instead of staying inside
talking to themselves.
It is essential that they stay open. It is astonishing that people we elect
can close them down without a second thought. It is a scandal.
She is correct.
It is a scandal and it would be a scandal for us to relax our fight for thelibrary service.
We fight on.
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http://alangibbons.net/
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Shirley
CommunityCentre
Shrublands AvenueShirley, CroydonCR0 8JA
Phone: 020 8777 4298Email: [email protected]
Web: www.shirleycca.com
Are you looking for: A venue to hold off-si Do you need a local h
out of the view of pry Somewhere quiet to
Then Shirley Communiplace you are looking fo
Available to hire by the
Shirley Community Centre
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training?to hold meetings
g eyes?d interviews?
Centre could be the
y, half day or hour.
Shirley Community
CentreSituated in the heart of residential Shirley, the
Centre is a great venue for off-site training,meetings or interviews.
Served by the 198 and 194 buses, it has someoff-road parking.
The Centre Features a main hall, a meeting
room, a cafe area and a fully fitted kitchen. Itis fully accessible to wheelchair users and has adisabled facility.
There is a high-speed internet connectionaccessible viaWi-Fi and a pull down 274.3cmx 205.7cm screen for your presentations.
For more information or to view the site,please call our Site Manager NOG on020 8777 4298. He will be pleased to hearfrom you.
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ACTIVITIES at the CentreMonday Youth Activities
Tuesday TenshinTsunami RyuBible Study Group
Wednesday Racquet ClubShirleyTableTennis Club
Thursday Racquet ClubRoad Cycling Club
Friday Friday ClubGKR Karate
Saturday Private Parties
Sunday SCF
Care Direct UK run its services for
OlderAdults in the south end part of theCentre.You can contact them 020 87762562 or 07590 202547 for furtherdetails.
What the CeThe main hall is complement
kitchen; there is a pool room
rooms suited to smaller com
The Centre is open for viewi
between 9 and 11am and 2 to
Availability...The Centre is available most
each afternoon and some eve
It is also very popular for pri
To hire the Centre, please coor email lettings4scca@h
For any other purpose or to c
Charity, please email scca-s
There is also a website,
to keep you ab
Shirley Com
Asso
The Centre is a
020 87Monday to Frida
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tre offers...by a well equipped
d there are two other
tee meetings.
from Monday to Friday
pm on Fridays only.
rnings, the early part of
gs.
e parties at weekends.
ct 020 8777 4298mail.co.uk.
tact the Trustees of the
ww.shirleycca.com,st of events.
Charges...Midweek charges for the main hall are:10 per hour until 5pm and 12.50 thereafter
(40 for a whole morning or afternoon, 50 for a whole evening)
For Private Parties and Committee Rooms,
please contact the Centreon
020 8777 42 98
unity Centre
ation
able for hire
4298om 9 to 11am
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BE VIGILANTIt is going to be a long battle
NO INCINERATOR NEAR PEOPLE
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About Andrew Dunsmoreof Picture Partnership,
Shirley
Picture Partnership in the CommunityWhen people ask for help, I like to think
that Picture Partnership, together with
everyone else, would always try to do
their best. If we help others, others will help others too and one day,
which will always come, one just never knows when, when we ask for
help - someone will say yes.
The only exception is when we are busy and unable to assist or,unfortunately, when some people ask for everything. I like to help those
that either need it or when others would benefit, even thought they would
never ask.
So when St Johns Church Flower organisers asked for help with pictures
- which is what I know and do - with their Flower Festival in the summer
I said 'Yes'. Especially as the diary permitted. The beauty is that people
appreciated what Picture Partnership did, and how we did it. In addition,
we suggested ways to make more use of the images in order to preserve
the memory of the event and publicise next years event.
We have also helped many schools and charities with various Photo
Shoot vouchers and by loaning our Royal Wedding Album to display at
their events, hopefully attracting more customers who would stay longer
and spend more - therefore raising more money for their good causes.
We should all help others, especially those who are less fortunate than
ourselves.
I was once told that, whilst it is great to receive a present or a gift, the
real pleasure is in giving.
A local business helping local people, - not just at Christmas.
@PPPictures
www.picturepartnership.co.uk.
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Photographs kindly provided by Picture Partnership Tel 020 8656 4024 www.picturepartnership.co.uk
Printing & design: TD Studio 353 Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon, CR0 6RG Tel 020 8656 0555
JANUARY 2013Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
31 1 newyears day 2 3 4 5 6 epiphany sunday
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
FEBRUARY 2013
28 29 30 31 1 2 3 candlemas sunday
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13ashwednesday 14valentines day 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 1 2 3
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Th ursday Friday Saturday Sunday
MARCH 2013
25 26 27 28 1 st davids day 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 motheringsunday
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 st patricks day
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 palmsunday
25 26 27 28 29 good friday 30 31 eastersunday
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
9.00amdecorating
churchfor easter
APRIL 2013
1 eastermonday 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 st georges day 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
MAY 2013
29 30 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 ascensionday 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 pentecost
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 trinity sunday
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
early may
bank holiday
springbank
holiday
JUNE 2013
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 fathers day
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
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JULY 2013
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
st johnspatronalfesti val
AUGUST 2013
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 bank holiday 27 28 29 30 31 1
Monday Tuesd ay Wed nesd ay Thursd ay Friday Saturday Sunday
SEPTEMBER 2013
26 27 28 29 30 31 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
Monday Tuesd ay Wed nesd ay Thursd ay Friday Saturday Sunday
NOVEMBER 2013
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 1
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
remembrance
sunday
allsaints sunday
OCTOBER 2013
30 1 2 3 4 5 6 Harvestfesti val
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
9.00amdecorating
churchfor harvest
DECEMBER 2013
25 26 27 28 29 30 1 advent sunday
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 christmas day 26 boxingday 27 28 29
30 31 newyears eve
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
9.00amdecorate
churchfor
christmas festival
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SAVE OURLIBRARIESand make yourvoice heard!!!
27 January 2011
IfyoustaysilentCLOS
ED
Thefarceisov
er:
CroydonLibrarieswereprivatisedon
21November2012
byaCouncilthatdo
esnotlisten
andholdsresidentsincontempt
originalimagebyTimZim
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SHIRLEY LIBRARY December 201275th Birthday celebrations
Come and join in the celebrations at Shirley Library this month as the library
celebrates its 75th birthday on Tuesday 11 December! You can also enjoy the MonthlyCraft Workshop and make Christmas decorations from 2.30-4.30pm
Afternoon tea on Monday 10 December Come and join us for a cup of tea or coffee
and some homemade cakes from 2.30-4.30pm
Saturday Celebrations in partnership with Spring Park Residents Association on
Saturday 15 December. Refreshments will be served through the day.
9 to 10: Breakfast Browse
10 to 10.30: Once upon a Rhyme11 to 12: Homework Hour (use the library to do your homework)
12noon to 2pm: Individual Pursuits (use of computers, individual reading and
research)
2.30 to 4: Saturday Crafts (Celebrations) Suitable for 4+
2.30 to 4.30: Needles and Pins (bring your knitting/sewing/embroidery and have a
chat)
Regular Activities
Teen Reading Group The group meets once a month to read and discuss books, recommend
books to each other, choose new books for the library and do lots of other book related
activities such as quizzes and games or any other activities that the members suggest on
Thursday 20 December from 4.30 to 5.30pm.
Saturday Crafts - on the following Saturday: 1 from 2.30 to 4pm. Christmas Crafts on
Saturday 15 from 2.30 to 4pmRhymetime Singing for babies and their parents and carers on Fridays: 7, 14 and 21 at
10am
Wiggle and Jiggle stopped and no longer runs
Storytime Stories and crafts for 3-7 year olds on Thursdays: 6, 13 and 20 at 2.15pm.
Once upon a RhymeA mix of rhyme, stories and a colouring sheet on Saturdays: 8 and 22
at 10am
Stories and Craft Sessions For 4-9 year olds and their parents and carers on Saturday: 14
from 2.30 to 3.30pm
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Chatterbooks is a fun and exciting, monthly reading group for 8 to 11 year olds. Make new
friends and chat about the books you have read as well as taking part in games and quizzes.
Thursday 6 from 4 to 5pm.
Board Games Do you like playing Scrabble, Monopoly, cards, chess and Battleship? We have
a selection of games which can be used in the library at any time. Just ask a member of staff.
Monthly Craft Workshops: Card Making on Tuesday 11 from 2.30 to 4.30pm
Stitch, Knit and Natter Get together with other knitters for a cup of tea and a chat. Beginners
welcome. Fridays 14 and 28 from 2.30 to 4.30pm
Ancestry Library Edition for beginners One off, one to one sessions will be offered on
Thursday mornings 9.30-10.30am. Please contact the library to reserve your place.
Computer sessions for beginners Learn to set up an email account, use Facebook, shoponline, use Word, Excel and Powerpoint or improve your typing skills on Monday, Tuesday and
Saturday mornings. Please contact the library for further details.
Our display boards are available for use free of charge to advertise your club or
society. Please contact Fiona or Irene at Shirley Library on 020 8726 6900 or email
Free Monthly Author/Speaker Talk
Local, retired, GP Dr Nicholas Cambridge will visit Shirley Library on Tuesday 11December to give a talk entitled From the Slaughter House of Blood to MrPickwick: Charles Dickens & Medicine.The talk, and subsequent Q&A, will take place between 2.15-3.30pm.Please reserve your place at the library.
