My next Newham London, West Ham ward, virtual Councillor surgery is tomorrow (Saturday 6 June) from 10am to 11am. Please email John.Gray@Newham.Gov.uk and I will contact your by phone, or by Zoom, or by Skype or by GoToMeeting or by Teams.
You ca…Read more…
UNISON Labour Link Q&A and discussion with Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
The National elected lay committee of UNISON’s political fund, which is affiliated to the Labour Party, met up yesterday in a virtual meeting with Angela Rayner MP.
Angela is a life long UNISON member and former member of this Committee before she was…Read more…
Justice for George Floyd
A “thank you” to UNISON Community from their NEC Members
(This message sent today to the 82,000 UNISON members who work in the Housing Associations and Voluntary Sector.
May I also pay a personal tribute to my NEC colleague, Denise, who as well as her trade union responsibilities is also a care worker …Read more…
Newham Heritage Month 1-30 June
Check out Newham Heritage Month website and the range of recordings, videos and photos available to download and virtual events to sign up for.
I have just listened to residents reminiscing about VE day; life in post war Newham for a bus co…Read more…
Essex Way (and a Badger)
Off message. A glorious circular walk today, firstly along the Essex Way then self guided way back to starting point at Millers Green, Ongar. The weather was warm and sunny but with a lovely breeze.
On way back we saw a young badger running up a ditch…Read more…
Midnight Cowboy
Off message but “lock down” for me has meant more time for watching classic films on Netflix.
Last week I watched film noir thriller “Vertigo” directed by Hitchcock, which I think I have seen before but no idea when.
Tonight I watched “Midnight …Read more…
50th Anniversary of Equal Pay with Angela Rayner MP & Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Hat tip Labour Unions “The Equal Pay Act was fought for and won by women organising through their unions & a Labour Government taking action, but 50 years on we still don’t have equal pay. We shouldn’t have to wait another 50 years.That’s why women…Read more…
Joint Covid-19 visit to Newham Council Repairs & Maintenance depot (& future plans)
This morning at 8am I went on a joint walkabout with Cllr Shaban Mohammed, management and local Unite trade union reps of our Council Housing repairs (RMS) depot in Bridge Road E15. We were there to inspect the new social distancing arrangements in the…Read more…
Vote for Worker Board Members at Walmart AGM for better Governance and to tackle Covid-19 pandemic
Today I took part as a pension trustee in a online seminar with USA Walmart workers and their trade union, about governance and the abysmal response of the retail giant Walmart to the Covid-19 emergency.
Their workers spoke about the dangerously confu…Read more…
What happens when the clapping stops?
This is from a fantastic series of new political posters from “Labour Designers”. Hat tip LabourlistRead more…
Newham Council response to support Homeless during Covid-19
I was invited by my UNISON branch executive colleague, Lola Oyewusi (who is also a Parish Councillor) to participate in a FaceBook Live discussion on Sunday on supporting the Homeless during Covid-19.
Lola also invited Cllr Sharon Thompson, who i…Read more…
Fight to Save Historic East End Matchgirl’s Grave
“We have written to the Secretary of State for Justice and await his reply. Please rally your MP to help us at least pause this brutal mounding process…
The Matchgirls Memorial
Patrons: Anita Dobson, Diana Holland, Barbara Plantwww.matchgirls1888.o…Read more…
Impact of Covid-19 on homeless
Lola works in housing and is a member of my UNISON branch. I have a clash tomorrow but I have sent Lola a 3 minute video with our experience in Newham London and some ideas about the future. I will be watching later to find out what is happening in Bir…Read more…
“build affordable Homes for Heroes”
Very interesting (and topical) housing initiative led by G15
“Join us to build affordable Homes for Heroes
An alliance of housing associations, offsite manufacturing firms and many others across the property sector has launched a call to the private…Read more…
Do you have a question for the Newham Health and Wellbeing Board about Covid-19?
Do you have a question for the Newham Health and Wellbeing Board about Covid-19?
On Wednesday 27 May, at 6pm, Newham Health and Wellbeing board will be answering some of your questions about Covid-19. Do you have a question about the nature …Read more…
Wanstead flats babies (and a striking red)
Off message but main photo from Saturday run with Gill (or “very slow jog”) and cute picture of Canadian Geese family alongside Alexandria Lake, in Wanstead flats.
Below is a lovely moth or butterfly, we came across when stretching outside the Golden …Read more…
UNISON PAYS TRIBUTE TO DENIS KEATINGS
Regional Tribute
“It is with great sadness that we report the death of our much loved friend and comrade Denis Keatings, Joint Regional Convenor of UNISON NI. He will be greatly missed by generations of UNISON members whose causes he championed throug…Read more…
“earliest known photo of a mass gathering of people in London – the Chartist meeting on Kennington Common, 10 April 1848”
Hat tip Ali G
“This is a daguerreotype (an early form of photograph) of the Chartist meeting held at Kennington Common on 10th April 1848. It was the last time the Chartists attempted to present a petition to Parliament. Fearing an attempted revolutio…Read more…
“Welcome to the new Red Brick blog! The place for progressive housing policy debate”
Check out the new home for Red Brick blog, if you are interested in housing policy and debate then this should be your first port of call. Read more…