Both of my Grandfathers served in the Second World War. My maternal Grandfather (“Taid” in Welsh) was a sergeant in the RAF See his discharge papers above. He had also managed to live through the carnage of Gallipoli and the Western Front in the First …Read more…
VE Day 75
Today is the 75th anniversary of #VEDay
Events have been adapted to mark the occasion at home.
11am – national two-minute silence
3pm – Toast to heroes of World War Two
9pm – Address by the Queen followed by ‘We’ll Meet Again’…Read more…
Newham Reflections – VE Day 75th anniversary
Newham Reflections – VE Day 75th anniversary
“I can’t eat applause…Maybe vote for someone sensible next time, eh?”
Love it. Tonight at 8pm there was yet again a fantastic response from local residents who were clapping, cheering and banging on saucepans for our Carers and key workers. But I think this picture stops and makes you think…
Hat tip photo Ali GRead more…
10 Years as a Councillor – New(ham) Kids on the Block 2010
Today is the 10th anniversary of my election as a Councillor for West Ham ward in the London Borough of Newham. The picture above was taken before an induction event held a few days later for newly elected Councillors.
It has been a privilege and a ho…Read more…
A gentler way to talk about pensions
Hat tip Henry Tapper and I totally agree with Henry (on this matter)
“Yesterday afternoon I had a chat with Glyn Jenkins. Most of my conversations with Glyn over the years have been in the bar of Unison’s Marylebone’s offices. Glyn is old school …Read more…
“A legendary social worker (and Labour movement activist) has retired” Dave Draycott
I have just congratulated on Facebook, Dave Draycott, a former Newham Council social worker and Leeds Labour movement activist (legend) on his retirement.
Dave has been a social worker for 44 years and a very active trade unionist, who also served as …Read more…
A Newham Greenways & Waterways Circular Walk
Yesterday Gill and I went on a wonderful 3 mile circular walk in Newham, starting in West Ham Memorial Recreation Park E15 (once the home of West Ham FC). We walked through the Park to join the Greenway footpath (in the footsteps of Gandhi) then turne…Read more…
Newham Mayor update on Covid-19 to Labour members
Covid-19 impacts Newham more, 214 confirmed deaths & why community testing and contact tracing is keySo now we have the evidence, which I reported three weeks ago and since: ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived neighbourhoods…Read more…
Wearing Red for Key Workers on May Day
This afternoon I took part in a Zoom meeting with the Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, our TUC regional secretary, Sam Gurney and Newham Council shop stewards from UNISON, Unite and GMB.
We were all wearing red to mark “May Day” and we wanted to show sol…Read more…
UNISON welcomes Supreme Court decision on ethical LGPS investment
This is an important legal ruling that effectively stops the UK £300 billion Council pension funds being told they cannot decide where to invest unless it is pleases the current foreign or defence secretary. Well done to Greater London UNISON act…Read more…
Cockneyish Thought for Today
Even though I have lived and worked in the East End of London for some 30 years, I had to stop and think about this one for a little while….
Hat tip UNISON AGS Roger McKenzie. I suspect from a London Underground Station information board. Read more…
Newham Council joins minutes silence in honour of fallen key workers
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz today led councillors, staff and officers of Newham Council in observing a minute’s silence.Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz today led councillors, staff and officers of Newham Council in observing a minute’s silence to honour the frontline NHS …Read more…
Labour Leader Keir Starmer’s Workers’ Memorial Day Message
Workers Memorial Day 2020 – A one minutes silence of pictures
Pictures from trades unions via TUC and from last year’s Newham/ UNISON eventRead more…
Zoom call with Thangam Debbonaire MP, Shadow Housing Secretary & Labour LG Housing Leads
This morning I took part in a virtual meeting with the new Shadow Housing Secretary, Thangam Debbonaire MP, chaired by Cllr Darren Rodwell (Leader of Barking & Dagenham Council). The Leader of Labour Local Government, Cllr Nick Forbes, also present…Read more…
Remember COVID-19 dead this International Workers’ Memorial Day
“Tuesday 28 April is International Workers’ Memorial Day, when we remember all those who have died because of their work – and renew our pledge to fight for the living.In the year of coronavirus, this day of commemoration has never been more important….Read more…
The “Spanish” flu epidemic & a Canadian Bolshevik Revolt in Wales
For the reasons given in my post from 2008 (see below) I have been conscious of the impact of viral pandemics from an early age.
There are some 80 graves of Canadian soldiers at the Marble Church in Bodelwyddan, North Wales.
Up to 76 of them may ha…Read more…
Hey guys!!! it’s Dettol o’clock!!!
The latest idiocy from the “leader” of the free world. The BBC reports that disinfectant firms have had to issue public warnings that people should not inject or drink their products to treat Covid-19.
Hat tip my UNISON comrade, Eddie Brand, who as th…Read more…