What a dreadful story. A teacher trade union rep sacked for undertaking a staff welfare survey. What bullying behaviour. Her union makes an emergency application to an employment tribunal which finds that the school has acted “morally reprehensi…Read more…
Get Tested To Keep Your Loved Ones Safe
This morning my wife Gillian, booked online a “drive thorough” test at Newham Leisure Centre. She has been feeling poorly for a number of days with classic common cold symptoms (congestion, blocked noise and some coughing fits) but he…Read more…
A run around east London lakes
Friday I went for a fairly early morning solo run around Wanstead flats and park (Epping Forest). There was still some mist round and spots of winter sunshine which made it pretty magical.
Read more…
Newham – Voting for Change Launch Event
On Tuesday evening there was a well attended virtual launch of the Newham Campaign for a Committee Structure.
In May 2021 there will be a referendum of all Newham residents on whether they want to keep the Executive Mayor governance model or int…Read more…
Count me in! When it’s my turn, I’m getting Vaccinated! Goodbye Covid
London’s oldest football ground needs a new clubhouse roof
“The Old Spotted Dog Ground Trust is launching an appeal for urgent funds – £15,000 is needed to fix the clubhouse roof at Clapton CFC’s new home in Forest Gate.
The Old Spotted Dog is London’s oldest senior football ground and Clapton CFC became the …Read more…
How to Rent (and possibly avoid being evicted)
Hat tip blog “Nearly legal” (I had no idea of this requirement nor that a landlord cannot serve a section 21 eviction notice if they do not provide a copy to a tenant.
“MHCLG has published a new ‘How to Rent Guide’ today, 10 December 2020. As…Read more…
Lola for Labour Kent Police & Crime Commissioner May 2021
I was pleased to see that my UNISON branch comrade Lola Oyewusi has been selected by the Labour Party to be their candidate to be the next Kent Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) in the elections in May 2021.
Lola understands that she will be…Read more…
LAPFF webinar highlights video 2020 Dec 2-4
Check out highlights of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum virtual conference for 2020 (only 1 minute 40 secs). Despite the challenges of online webinars there was a number of excellent speakers and lively panel debates.
Check out some provoc…Read more…
UNISON Housing Association Branch Manager / Organiser post & Branch Organiser posts
My Greater London UNISON branch are currently advertising for two positions on the TUC/Jobs website
Branch Manager / Organiser
Salary
£41,250 per annum
Closing date
Sun, 03 Jan 2021 – 22:00
Branch Case worker / Organiser
Salary
£37,250
Closing date
S…Read more…
“Why my council is refusing to help the Home Office deport rough sleepers” Emine Ibrahim
Hat tip to an excellent article in the Guardian by my UNISON comrade and Housing Lead for Haringey Council, Cllr Emine Ibrahim. I am sure that Newham Council will support this but I was not allowed to bring this issue up at last weeks Cabinet meeting w…Read more…
The danger of a single story | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Tomorrow and Tuesday I am taking part in a UNISON ERA (Employment Rights Act) refresher training n zoom.
As part of the preparation for the courses the Tutor from (conel.ac.uk) has asked us to watch beforehand this marvellous video of the wr…Read more…
Post 2nd Lockdown circular walk around Little Baddow, Essex
Off message and hat tip to “Walking in Essex” by Peter Aylmer but today Gill and I went for a lovely 5 mile walk around Little Baddow, Essex, which is around 45 minutes drive from Forest Gate. The full walk is 10 miles but we split it in two.&nbs…Read more…
“Why you should get a seasonal flu vaccine this year”
Following this advice from Public Access Gill and I went for a free seasonal flu injection at our local Pharmacy.
“Last month Public Health England warned that people who had been infected with both flu and COVID-19 faced serious conse…Read more…
Newham Council Pension Fund wins LAPF “Good Governance Award”
Good Governance AwardWinner: London Borough of NewhamFinalistsEssex Pension FundLondon Borough of NewhamWest Midlands Pension FundI was really pleased to see that Newham won this award on Tuesday. Great work by the Pension Committee C…Read more…
LAUNCH OF THE NEWHAM CAMPAIGN FOR A COMMITTEE STRUCTURE – Tuesday 8th December 7pm
“Join us on Zoom for a public online meeting to launch Newham Voting for Change – the campaign for a committee structure in Newham.
In May 2021 Newham will hold a referendum on how the local council is run. We are campaigning for the committee sy…Read more…
West Ham Socialist Bakery & Red Flag Chocolate
Hat tip Country Standard. A fantastic historical clipping from “Labour Leader” newspaper Thursday 9 January 1913. The “Socialist and Labour Movement in West Ham” (now Newham) had set up a co-operative bakery not only to provide quality food and…Read more…
Ffermwr gyda Ffon mewn Storm Eira/Farmer with a Stick in a Snowstorm by Kyffin Williams (& World Aids Day)
Another print from a calendar published by National Library of Wales featuring the works of Welsh Artist, Kyffin Williams.I have been posting the paintings each month. This is Rhagfyr December 2020 and of course today December 1 is World Aids Da…Read more…
Petition: Fully fund schools for Covid-19 costs and provide relief for loss of income
Please share and support this campaign by a local Newham head teacher. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/555718/signatures/new
Hat tip my Labour Councillor & trade union comrade Sasha Das Gupta. Read more…
Newham Annual Rough Sleeping Winter Street Count 2020
On Thursday evening at 11pm I went to Newham Council Dockside Building, to be briefed and then take part, in the annual survey of the number of people sleeping on our streets. This is a national survey that all councils are expected to carry out …Read more…