Colonial Drive Planning Meeting - the outcomeEarlier today (well Wednesday night) I attended the Ealing Council planning committee where the Colonial Drive application was discussed. Let me thank all of the residents who attended the site visit last weekend or the planning committee meeting a few hours ago. In the meeting, residents Malcolm Haxby and Jan Hewlett as well as Southfield ward Councillor Harvey Rose, spoke up against the developer's planning application. They listed the many reasons why the set of 100 or more flats would be bad for both the skyline and the nature reserve, as well as the likely parking issues that the development ... (more) |
IDAHO - International Day Against Homophobia & TransphobiaI have always been committed to promoting equality for all; whether I'm signing a Parliamentary motion on human rights abuses in a foreign country, campaigning for Show Racism the Red Card by getting my footy boots on or fighting for ... Continue reading → (more) |
Market Harborough gets a Star Wars makeoverFrom the Harborough Mail: It may have happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but Star Wars has come to Harborough after street-signs inspired by the blockbuster were put up around town. Signs warning 'No X-Wings', advising motorists to look out for Jawas crossing St Mary's Road and pointing people in the direction of the cloud-city of Bespin and the spaceport Mos Eisley were placed around the town centre. There was even an R2-D2 near Sainsbury's in St Mary's Place. (more) |
Urlay Nook PlansThis afternoon was the "community consultation" on the proposal by Taylor Wimpey for houses on the field at Urlay Nook Rd opposite Hunters' Green. The developers invited ward and Parish Councillors for a private briefing before the public dropin session and all 3 ward councillors duly turned up, along with 2 representatives of the Parish Council. There is no doubt that the developers have put (more) |
I have my cup final ticket...... and even though it has a crease I won't be tempted to iron it - like this Hearts fan! (more) |
BUPA Great Manchester Run 2012I'm attempting to 'Run' the Bupa Great Manchester Run on Sunday to raise money for The Christie Hospital. If you felt able to sponsor me it would be greatly appreciated and would help a fantastic cause! To sponsor me please go to: http://www.justgiving.com/Victor-Chamberlain Thanks very much! (more) |
Reform Section 5"Insulting words or behaviour" are outlawed by Section 5, and this is having a chilling effect on free speech right across our country, in a wide range of communities. The law rightly protects us against unjust discrimination, incitement and violence. It should not be used to protect us from having our feelings hurt. It's time to reform Section 5. More on the Reform Section 5 website. (more) |
George Monbiot ducks the question on the dominance of private schoolsMichael Gove made a cleverly calculated speech last week, pointing out how every area of our national life is now dominated by the products of public schools. As the Guardian reported: "Around the cabinet table, a majority, including myself, were privately educated," Gove said. He added that the shadow chancellor, shadow business secretary, shadow Olympics secretary, among others, were also educated at private schools. "On the bench of our supreme court, in the precincts of the bar, in our medical schools and university science faculties, at the helm of FTSE 100 companies and in the boardrooms of our banks, independent ... (more) |
Willie Rennie's first year as Scottish Liberal Democrat LeaderTomorrow it's a year since Willie Rennie became Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader. What have been the highlights of that first year? Well, on his first day, I interviewed him for Liberal Democrat Voice and you can still listen to that here. He said that his priorities for his first hundred days were to work out what our message was, to sort out our organisation and to get out there and meet people, members and ordinary people on their doorsteps. So how has he done with these things and more? Articulating a clear message about what Liberal Democrats do For too ... (more) |
The Kinks' Music: PercyThe Kinks' final album for Pye Records is one that is literally impossible to listen to in the correct context, because that correct context has never existed. It was written as the soundtrack for the film Percy, an alleged comedy about a penis transplant starring Hywel Bennet and Britt Ekland, and so as programmatic music ... (more) |