tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16246749709875166922024-03-13T07:07:55.137-07:00Out of Time"Authory" musings about writing, books, education, history and life in general Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-14881396873223574942018-11-09T14:51:00.000-08:002018-11-09T14:51:43.384-08:00Families at War<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Remembrance has always been a strong element in my family history. As a child I never understood why, but years later I completely understand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Family history is a passion for me-I love to discover where I came from and each person's history is fascinating. I first heard about the "uncles" when I was eleven. I had a school project to do and the old photos of the First World War came out in force. The looked strange and really old. The First World War was eons ago as far as I was concerned.Yet it was only my grandparent's generation who had experienced it. My dad's family were the ones in question-mum's father was only 18 at the end of the war and was in a reserved occupation and unable to join up. Which was good-because he met Grandma who was working on munitions in Vickers at Barrow-without that meeting I would not have been here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So the "Wilkinson" side was most prominent. This was Nannie's family-my paternal grandma-the soldier she showed me was her brother John. The tinted picture was not terribly flattering-really emphasising his heavy jaw. However, he looked quite young. The story was that he had joined up but had been rejected due to poor eye-sight. Lucky I thought. Not so lucky because later in the war when they were running out of men they relaxed the rules and off he went to the Royal Garrison Artillery and the Somme. He was shot and injured in March 1918 and succumbed to his wounds dying peacefully (as his commanding officer told the family in the obligatory letter of condolence) on 28th March 1918 in Wimereaux Field Hospital. The family story was told of the bill Great Granny received for his burial blanket, of the poem written for him by Canon Rawnsley and of his name on the war memorial at St Andrew's church in Coniston. Later I discovered much more, including his last leave two weeks before he was killed, a mystery fiance "F" in his diary and mourning which was carried on for the rest of his mother's life. He is remembered by all of us, and in my uncle's second name as well as many Johns in following generations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My sister and her friend took me for my 40th birthday to find his grave. It was the first time I had been to a war grave and we took a rose to place beside him. I wasn't prepared for the sadness and emotion I felt and how humbling the experience would be. The small cemetery in a typical Northern French village is unusual because the grave stones are flat to the ground rather than upright, due to subsidence. We found him and I spared a thought for his mother-who only saw a sepia photograph of the original wooden cross marking his grave. His sister, my Nannie and my Granddad did visit in the 1950s, one of three such graves. Granddad had served and lost two of his brothers, so one can only guess what he was feeling revisiting the Somme so many years later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These stories will follow in the next blog</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Barrow-in-Furness LA13, UK54.124632 -3.180107799999973453.975684 -3.5028312999999733 54.273579999999995 -2.8573842999999735tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-65660682838193310662018-11-06T13:49:00.002-08:002018-11-06T13:49:34.779-08:00Back again...<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Contrary to rumour-I am still, in fact, alive! I have had a variety of reasons for not writing-but I hope I can resume now and will endeavour to write more frequently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some book news-which will be of interest I hope: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Firstly-many people have been asking me recently when the next <i>Out of Time</i> novel is out! It has been long delayed-both in the writing and the production for many reasons. I am at the point where the story is reaching its conclusion. Its a longer book than the others and has been beset with delays and changes, but its on its way finally. Publication hopefully will be next year. The title is "The Michaelmas Stones" after lots of debate and deliberation. A few twists and turns in this one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, one of the delays has come from my other books-I was commissioned to write a picture comparison history of Barrow-in-Furness. This was a successful title and was followed by "Secret Barrow" -my personal favourite and "Work in Barrow". A slight departure came next with the "Lake Windermere, Grasmere and Coniston Water Through Time" and last but not least-"50 Buildings of Barrow." I am commissioned to do two more next year and am in preparation for these. All books are Amberley Books and can be found in the usual places.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A busy time is ahead-writing, a school history project, Patron of Reading Visits and Furness Abbey Fellowship activities. Luckily, my time is my own for five months-seasonal work can be useful! I have lots of fairs planned so my books will be available for Christmas presents.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Barrow-in-Furness LA13, UK54.124632 -3.180107799999973453.975684 -3.5028312999999733 54.273579999999995 -2.8573842999999735tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-46573313329403596802017-08-24T04:42:00.000-07:002017-08-24T04:43:59.739-07:00Closure... coming to a park near you<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Play parks are little havens of space and recreation set aside to allow people in urban developments to have a safe space for children to play. I admit I have never given it a lot of thought before... I have visited many, having brought up three children and now as a grandparent we are revisiting and discovering new ones. We moved last year and were pleased to see there was a small park behind our house-over the last ten months we have observed its use casually. Children of all ages, accompanied and unaccompanied have used the park at all times of the day and evening. No trouble or issues have arisen from what we have seen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">So it was with great surprise that we discovered a notice saying the park was closed by the council. Other parents were upset and astonished and the local paper covered the story. The reason given for closure was "health and safety". So apparently the park is unsafe. I am no expert on "h and s", but having worked with children I judge myself to alert to hazards and I can say the park does not pose any high risks from my observations. The safety floor is raising slightly in a couple of places and the equipment needs a lick of paint but other than that it appears sturdy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Obviously, being a complete cynic I interpret this as a sure fire way to close anything-its hard to disprove and nobody wants litigation following accidents-but I believe its a calculated way of saving money. The council is in an unenviable situation. Its funding has been slashed and it must make cutbacks-however the public outcry would be so much louder if frontline services were cut-so its simpler to attack soft targets like parks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">However, there are underlying issues to this which need addressing. First, no public consultation was given. An edict was issued in council without any alternative solution, such as public donations, help from local businesses etc. In fact some councillors allege they didn't know about it at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Secondly -the children in the town require safe places to play-period! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Thirdly- these play parks are often part of a planning requirement when housing developments are initiated. However, after ten years the developer ceases to be responsible and it is passed to the council-who now are unable or unwilling to fund its maintenance. Now this seems to me a massive piece of hoodwinking. There is an obvious flaw in the planning policy which needs solving. What is the point of planning agreements if they are only temporary? It makes a mockery of the whole process. Its easy for the builder to offer a park to get the project off the ground-but then ten years on-they wash their hands completely-as apparently do the council. How many of us realised this? This requires a complete change in council planning policy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Last week on my way to the abbey I passed the park next to Red River-part of the housing estate on Lesh Lane. Guess what? A massive padlock around the gate closing the park to the public ! No notice or information to the public-just an arbitrary closure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">So is this the thin end of the wedge? I would say yes. I have heard via a reliable source that these are the first of many closures! So residents of Barrow are you going to watch while your children's play areas disappear one by one? It IS happening before your eyes, by stealth and silence. Erroneous reasons are being used which is probably why nobody has been informed properly. What is the point of elected officials if they "didn't know anything about it" or are complicit in rubber stamping the edict of the paid officials in their quest to "save money". In the scheme of things, how much money will it actually save? Where will it end?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On my walk I also noticed the dilapidated state of the Greenway to the abbey. Gates removed or hanging off, litter in abundance, overgrown banks-yet the farm boundaries appear to have been renewed. How long will it be before this is closed too due to "health and safety"? My musing over this might be misplaced but the state of the path has degenerated over the last few months. On to Abbotswood- a remarkable place under the care of the council again. Although trees have been removed where unsafe the general state of some pathways and fencing is looking poor and again, the "h and s" spectre hangs heavily over this too. If play parks can close so swiftly and without consultation, what would stop this policy being extended to places like the woods? This is not a point of fact-merely my own musing... but it could happen- after all, a wood is not an essential service is it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I hope there is a solution to this and while I condemn the council for this action, I do have a certain sympathy for them. Money is short and cutbacks have to be made-but surely we can be a little creative and innovative before we decide to remove the facilities which enhance the town. We talk about attracting new people to the town-this is never going to happen. The town is looking like a slum, knee deep in litter and weeds-the infrastructure is collapsing, shops are non-existent and rubbish removal is unreliable. Its time this changed before its too late</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Barrow-in-Furness LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-15090555873201249992017-08-13T04:55:00.000-07:002017-08-13T04:55:23.243-07:00Long time, no speak...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This blog has probably been consigned to history seeing as its an age since I wrote anything on here. I have had many issues and events which have prevented me from doing so- and to be honest with the enormity of some of them the blogging seemed unimportant. However, I do at this moment feel inclined to write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The world appears to be descending into chaos as we watch. The extreme polarisation of political views across the world is staggering and frightening. I'm not too keen on the "genital measuring" (or sabre rattling as they used to call it) of certain "so-called" alpha males in the world either. However, there can't be much to worry about as I believe (according to the Daily Mail) that Cumbria is the safest place to be during a nuclear attack. I am assuming that the two nuclear power stations we sit between and the nuclear submarine base we are situated on have assumed protection from a Potteresque cloak of invisibility.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">To top it all there is the atrocious "alt-right" (or Nazi as they used to call it) events in Charlottesville US, where we can see a reinvention of Kristallnacht, again unchallenged by the leading politician of that country. As an amateur historian it is all too easy to draw comparisons and there are those much cleverer than I who can identify more refined similarities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then there is "history" what is its use if we do not look at what is gone and take lessons from it? We appear to rewrite it in the same way older people gloss over the difficult times in life and only remember the good times. Nostalgia is a glossy, rose-coloured view of the past and we tailor what we remember to suit our particular preferences and hopes. This is not authentic or real and presents a simplistic view which can then make the present seem worse than the past. This allows discontent to creep in and the constant harking back to the "good old days". I suppose I feed into this by writing about the past-but I do try to be balanced and to reflect the bad and the good alike. I have especially tried to do this in the book I have just completed "Work in Barrow-in-Furness". I have been amazed with how much I have discovered about cause and effect and I understand better why our town is how it is today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The "rose-coloured" aspect of history is a worrying one. Mary Beard one of my favourite historians has been vilified for suggesting that Roman Britain was multi-cultural-because this does not fit with the traditional view that many of us were taught. The objectors want to ignore or dismiss the evidence (of which there is much) because it impinges into their perceived knowledge of the subject. One only has to look at evidence in the museums dotted along Hadrian's Wall to know that diversity was the order of the day. It worries me when historians, scientists and teachers are attacked-indeed in a number of countries today we are seeing such people being arrested or gagged and history is being rewritten. We must not allow this to happen here. We must accept our history "warts and all". We, as many other countries have shameful and reprehensible acts in our past. It is pointless, in my opinion to apologise after so long-this achieves nothing-but we must own up and accept our misdemeanours. Rather than apologise let's demonstrate in the way our politicians speak and act that we have learnt form those errors and that we will fight tooth and nail to avoid them happening again. Let us show we <em>can </em>learn from the past and secure a better future for our children. Most of all, let us ensure we never gag, limit, remove those who speak these uncomfortable truths because we do not have to look too far back in history to see where this leads.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hadrian's wall manned by Romans, Spanish, French,<br />
Belgians, Germans, Romanians and North Africans</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Barrow-in-Furness LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-54012025171670211942016-07-25T15:16:00.000-07:002016-07-25T15:16:08.244-07:00Books, adventures and Enid Blyton<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Books tend to be a bit of a passion with me. I love reading them. I even love writing them. I love sharing them. Books fill my house. We are supposed to be clearing out because we are "supposed" to be moving (you can tell this isn't a positive as far as I'm concerned)so thinning them out would be a good idea. I say this because last time we moved they had to get two vans because we had so much junk. I clearly remember (as do the Mr Shifters) that they were about to set off and I said, "Oh have you cleared the small bedroom then?". They looked puzzled. I pointed to the door on the landing, opening the door. There were thirty boxes of books standing neatly to attention. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"What's in 'em love?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Books," I said, smiling nervously.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"But we've already put loads of books in the van!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I shuffled a bit-feeling rather embarrassed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">They said no more and began carting the heavy boxes down the stairs. When they finished they looked relieved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"I've never seen anyone with as many books! Have you actually read 'em all?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I admitted there might be on or two not yet read, but most had been... if not cover to cover, then dipping in and out for research. I don't think they believed me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Obviously, having been a teacher, Patron of Reading, mother and Grandma I have always believed in reading... and books. I replicated my birthdays and Christmas for my children by loading up the books. I love giving books, but love receiving them more. Relatives groan when they ask what I want as a gift-they can't understand the joy of unwrapping a book. The feel, the look and the smell! My heart misses a beat. Yes, I've dabbled with Kindle but its not the same!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I first began book collecting at about 7 years old. I used to get 2/6d pocket money and every Saturday we went to town. Every Saturday I would mount the stairs to the top floor of my favourite shop-Heaths. I'm glad to say its still a thriving book shop today-in fact they are promoting my new book. In front of me were shelves full of every sort of book, but my favourites were "Armada Paperbacks" and in particular Enid Blyton. Ideally the books were 2/6d. I amassed quite a collection-many of which... you guessed it... I still have!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FFFDDMSSE0CchjkhulT8iQwDDtK2cm3aWZdruKwdgDVZMxWVwBFpiStLS7SXCJ2jKhsxbwTzSOE18g-1Kc0g0HZ93QTqkB9yt75Xg0bApaeMguyMtGaEudkMO2Cnc25TY5jCRCPamTs/s1600/blyton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FFFDDMSSE0CchjkhulT8iQwDDtK2cm3aWZdruKwdgDVZMxWVwBFpiStLS7SXCJ2jKhsxbwTzSOE18g-1Kc0g0HZ93QTqkB9yt75Xg0bApaeMguyMtGaEudkMO2Cnc25TY5jCRCPamTs/s320/blyton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now I know old Enid gets a bit of a dissing theses days. They've even had the audacity to rewrite some! Look I can live with jolly japes, lashing of ginger beer and macaroons and I really don't mind the Dicks, Nobbys and Fannys at all! I mean-would you rewrite Roald Dahl or Mark Twain? I know she was a middle class snob but frankly I don't care! It never prevented me from enjoying the adventures and stories where children were clever and in charge. I never felt disadvantaged when reading about Darrel Rivers (or Waters as she mystifyingly became in later imprints)at Malory Towers. It never occurred to me that these children were privileged and rich; in fact I felt sorry that their mothers and fathers sent them away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> I never batted an eye-lid at the comic working class characters, gardeners, maids and char ladies- after all I was still watching Sunday afternoon films with Kathleen Harrison talking in faux cockney "thank you very much, I'm sure!" I never recognised the oblique racism of the "gypsy" characters or circus performers, I took each character for their own worth-very two dimensional, either goodies or baddies! Even in 1965 the language was a little twee, but the stories overcame all that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Whether it was "The Faraway Tree" or Famous Five I lapped them up. My favourite series was "The Five Find-Outers and Dog"-always a scary and exciting adventure, with disguises, tough criminals and a really stupid policeman Mr Goon who the hero "Fatty" (Algernon Trotteville to his parents)never failed to humiliate. After all-what other author would get away with a protagonist called Fatty?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I admit-my own books occasionally have a passing nod to Enid-the influence is embedded and I am still, at 59 waiting for a really big adventure. I still hold the hope that I will discover a long lost treasure-you will have seen me lurking at Furness Abbey! Surely, even in these sophisticated times, children still want the same? I certainly see them looking for clues at the abbey when they have read my Out of Time books-and why not? What's wrong with a ripping yarn?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtvNUSUgOMXDj7mYmQnFJ0rFMhKvyB_Qx4Yz9ojzlCENyhV099XZmpwTFa3gvMZxg0AnCcsnlhO9bUgL2nePrdvXBBH6QT1lQIPnecDTyJCwWNTeKkxG553b_hwNRXjggg7CZCVI3-I4/s1600/blyton_1466209f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtvNUSUgOMXDj7mYmQnFJ0rFMhKvyB_Qx4Yz9ojzlCENyhV099XZmpwTFa3gvMZxg0AnCcsnlhO9bUgL2nePrdvXBBH6QT1lQIPnecDTyJCwWNTeKkxG553b_hwNRXjggg7CZCVI3-I4/s400/blyton_1466209f.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Surely, the whole point about books is escapism and creating pictures in your head? If I am reading fiction I want to be transported away from mundane and pedestrian things, into a new or alien world. If I read any book at all it must feed my imagination first, whether it is fact or fiction. It's great to have "real life" or gritty books with a social message, but not always! Sometimes just let me escape to the 1950s. Let me explore the dungeons of the medieval castle on the island off the coast of Cornwall (all adventures happen in Cornwall! Or the Lake District if you're reading Ransome). Let me disturb smugglers, track down the petty thief, find secret messages and most definitely, let me sup on steaming hot chocolate with plenty of home baked scones and jam. Most of all leave the old favourites alone! They are what they are and it is an act of anachronistic vandalism to update them. And don't even get me started on Beatrix Potter and Emma Thompson! Oh and did I tell you? My mother chose my first name "Gillian" after Enid's daughter!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Barrow-in-Furness LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-15780562633438690872016-05-26T04:45:00.000-07:002016-05-26T04:48:16.550-07:00Keyboard Warriors, Localisation and People Power<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can hardly believe I am writing this after two years of hard campaigning, ups and downs and anguish-but we have a result! The Planning Inspector has turned down the appeal by Story Homes for housing at Manor Road within the Furness Abbey Conservation Area. This is a triumph for local opinion and democratic protests. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOytT9xtu2PokO-SspJeCL1EA9_QDskiTMLT_-Qtj7UWMortredZ1uC1lkseKBxmWbUJxlK0CRM7252lIRiIcSfZsV7MwOuGvCYgTMOQoGnKT0K7nfTwCyWiN1eJhHRWsn82i_dz_zmiQ/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOytT9xtu2PokO-SspJeCL1EA9_QDskiTMLT_-Qtj7UWMortredZ1uC1lkseKBxmWbUJxlK0CRM7252lIRiIcSfZsV7MwOuGvCYgTMOQoGnKT0K7nfTwCyWiN1eJhHRWsn82i_dz_zmiQ/s400/IMG_2338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">We -a merry band of warriors- decided on Facebook-against the odds to stand up for this last piece of rurality-a barrier between the 21st century and the past. Meetings were held and local support was rallied. What started as a rather desperate attempt to halt this ill advised building proposal soon grew into a wave of protest and it became clear that we were voicing the feelings of most local people who know and love the field approach through the West Gate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The commentary was unfortunately less than clear from the bodies we hoped would stand forthright against this-but this did not deter us. We battled on regardless and took flack from those (few) who disagreed with us and we were delighted that finally the council showed their mettle and rejected the plans without hesitation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Naturally, an appeal was expected-and it was an eye opener. The power of money and influence was evident in that the appellant had the funds to bring in expensive consultants, specialists and lawyers. The council had less to spend but my goodness they fought the good fight! The 3,000 signatures on the petition helped too. The appeal stretched over a week and then a further day was needed later on. However, this was probably the decider-the site visit must have told the whole story (no pun intended). Nobody visiting could fail to see the harm (less than significant or otherwise) that would be done to the abbey approach. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Whatever the reasons (and the are outlined in the report) the inspector cut through the flim-flam and saw what we -the local people saw. He understood the emotional and aesthetic impact that this block of green has as one wander towards the West Gate and the build up of anticipation as you reach the point where the red sandstone of the abbey reveals itself through the gate and the trees. He cannot have failed to understand the historic importance of our amazing abbey and appreciated that to build a housing estate-however high status and beautiful-would detract from the reverence and spirituality of the approach. In short the scales fell from his eyes and the heritage outweighed commercial interest and development.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Our little group, I know, will be delighted. We believed in this wholeheartedly and our actions were not from self-interest or nimbyism. Neither were we opposed to Story Homes or the landowner in principle. However, this field was not the right place to build anything. We firmly believe that our actions have safeguarded the future of Furness Abbey and we brought together people of all political persuasions and viewpoints for the greater good. Never again will we accept that the little man or individual cannot stand up for their beliefs-this is a test case and I wish other protesters of a similar persuasion strength and belief in a just cause-it can be done. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com1Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-18431543192590762592016-03-10T14:34:00.000-08:002016-03-10T14:34:17.131-08:00Public consultations and planning-a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, that's at least 5 days of my life I won't get back! The final day of the appeal Story Homes vs Barrow Council ended today after a tediously long day listening to the most repetitive and boring testimony from the appellant and finished off with a yomp (that inspector certainly walks fast) around the whole site.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who knows how it will turn out? I go from positivity to negativity quicker than a magnet and I really couldn't read the mood. Today our barrister seemed to make some good points and the other lot droned on and on with very little variation. If I had been the inspector I would have awarded us the win due to total boredom! However, in this system that's not how it works. It was hard to see what does work to be honest because interventions were prohibited in the main and it was all very legal-speak. Common sense and plain truths were not the order of the day and it made me think that opinion or judgment is very transient and ethereal. Really, you can make any case at all and fly in the face of reality. One example was the "rurality" of Manor Road and the adjoining Manor Farm and the field in question. Ironically, as we completed the site visit a pungent smell of manure drifted around our nostrils and as if to amplify the point a cow mooed very loudly! I could not help but comment that the cow must be an urban cow-then adding that I was in no way trying to influence the decision!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAI7VHLlPluU7hdxdOkmtLz20X3x4-ItErcUjYvVvbNsBHcaYQPVLO3q445rcOXLAGwDBUrgTK0no0_AjrRbxz-Zmxi9_09LchSVBG7GnY-PSL6OX6W7a7Ed3QGdChMgl83Fj1G-AgZA/s1600/12573674_826718377454609_4785904039243224515_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAI7VHLlPluU7hdxdOkmtLz20X3x4-ItErcUjYvVvbNsBHcaYQPVLO3q445rcOXLAGwDBUrgTK0no0_AjrRbxz-Zmxi9_09LchSVBG7GnY-PSL6OX6W7a7Ed3QGdChMgl83Fj1G-AgZA/s640/12573674_826718377454609_4785904039243224515_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Urban cows at Manor Road</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So much energy, effort and angst over one small field. But that's the point-it is the last field and it provides a buffer between old and new. Yes, its close to schools and a road and power lines-but it has the effect of calm and tranquility as soon as you cross its threshold. The ambiance begins as you walk down the lane and the 21st century recedes into the background. And No, Mr Lancaster it doesn't happen once you go through the 13th century gateway (insignificant though you deem it to be). The whole journey builds the anticipation and the pleasure of the final reveal of the magnificent abbey and this will be diminished by the noise of an urban estate just metres away. Yes we can see the blank brick wall of the Sixth Form College, but this is way out in peripheral vision-38 houses will be within a stones throw and I won't be able to miss them. Peripheral they are not!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Courtesy Story Homes-this will cause less than significant damage to the heritage approach apparently</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But when the tale is told... yes by idiots (because they can't see the value of what's in front of them), the sound and fury means nothing! They can't tell me -or you how to feel, when to feel it or whether it's important. They can't convince me by repeating the same quotation from English Heritage that there will be "less than significant harm" done to the heritage asset (Furness Abbey to you and me). In my book-less than significant harm means that there is <i>some harm! </i>With a nationally important Grade 1 Listed building should we allow ANY harm at all? What of the local appraisal of "harm" and protecting this much loved heritage environment? Over three thousand people objected-this was mentioned only once and pooh-poohed by the appellant's barrister as insignificant. So, if we have a system which goes to public consultation-that would mean they want to know our views wouldn't it? But then to dismiss it at stage two as irrelevant is incongruous and unfair! Granted our merry little band got a limited hearing-but it's not representative is it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end it comes down to power-power derived from money-of which Story Homes have shed loads. They can go the course-and sit with an expensive criminal lawyer, two experts and a consultant and secretary-all beavering behind the scenes (quite noisily sometimes too) to refute, argue and contradict. Our little hard pressed council have the Planning Officer, barrister and solicitor and one expert-not present today. So its David and Goliath all over again! And I'm afraid I'm a sucker for the underdog... aren't you?</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-48570438457414290232016-01-30T14:53:00.000-08:002016-01-31T01:35:48.209-08:00When is a field not a field?<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="background-color: blue;"><b><span style="color: white;">When is a field not a field?</span></b></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><b><span style="color: white;"> Easy answer? When it has houses on it! </span></b></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">After watching the process of a planning appeal this week against Barrow Council's decision to turn down the development by Story Homes at Manor Road, I despair of local people ever having a voice. Don't get me wrong, the process is all very fair and the inspector diligent in ensuring all parties have a chance to put their cases. However, the rigidity of the process eliminates the chance to rebut certain aspects because it can be objected to in terms of "new" evidence. Of course it isn't new evidence, but it's classed as new because it hasn't been introduced in the mountains of files and paper accrued since the screening stage of the debate. Our little protest group-who has been active since day one, said our piece, but when trying to correct some blatant misinformation re the historic value of this little field, we were slapped down by the opposition flatly. Sadly, the objection was upheld and we were unable to correct this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Naturally, the developer has appointed a costly barrister-who believe me is thorough and uncompromising-and good. The council have appointed a very competent young woman, and as good as she is, you can bet your life the council couldn't spend the same type of money that the developer has. So, we already have an unbalance. Allegedly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Maybe the appeal will fail. So where does that leave us? Well-maybe the land owner and the developer will pack in then and there. After all, 38 houses -neither here nor there to a big company like Story Homes. However, There is a great deal at stake here-for a start the landowner allegedly </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">stands to lose a huge sum; pension fund, self-interest-whats one paltry field? But let us examine... I am using barrister speak here... let us e</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">xamine,the possibility that the 38 houses are merely a subterfuge, a test case, a blind. Maybe... other land owners are sitting waiting in the wings for payday too. Who knows? There are lots of fields round there and those don't have the annoyance of being part of a conservation area. These being adopted would finally urbanise the whole of Rating Lane up to and including Manor Farm and with some clever planning an enterprising speculative developer would sweep that site up and extend his greedy reach behind and beyond. Of course this is all in my fevered imagination... nothing more than a conspiracy theory... I am a writer after all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In our real world, it could never happen. After all the land is protected with being close to the abbey. Isn't it? But then with set backs, buffers and planting I'm sure any new builds in those locations would enhance and improve the scrappy fields. Let's face it-they are "urban edge" (whatever that means)-they have power lines and walls etc (watch out Lake District-you have pylons and power lines too). So the superior (definitely NOT standard houses-because they will have decorative roundels, gables and sandstone facing-and you KNOW Barrow is crying out for a better class of housing-because we all apparently live in slums) will improve all this field stuff! And of course-I am sure there are no landowners queuing up with their hands held out-most of them are guardians of the land and take care to conserve it for the future generations-don't they?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I'm glad we cleared that up! It would be unbearable if the future of our green fields, heritage and countryside was at risk from the highest bidder. It would be unthinkable that a massive, wealthy developer, who can fund litigation up to the highest level would be able to overcome extensive local opposition and even the council's rejection of their scheme wouldn't it? If the council win- surely the developer will cease - if its only for 38 houses-wouldn't be worth the while-they've made their point anyway? However, if it goes further- until they finally win-then one must wonder what comes next, because you can take a good bet that it won't stop at 38 houses... and if in the meantime if the council is bankrupted... well, hey... it's only Barrow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">But of course...none of this is true... is it? It's all in my imagination... isn't it? Oh... and put me down for the house that overlooks the abbey!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The blog has been amended to remove speculation about Sixth Form College-apparently this is not owned by the LA (Cumbria) and no plans are afoot to cease the use of the site for education despite amalgamation with another college. This was written as a speculative piece and I apologise for the inaccuracy of that comment. On the other hand, it is a great relief that this is so as it means further speculative development is less likely because of access; though of course not entirely impossible.</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-25203504967830921612016-01-11T07:46:00.000-08:002016-01-11T10:46:38.801-08:00Time's little tricks<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> With David Bowie's passing today it stirs a lot of memories and thoughts. I already hate January so maybe this melancholy turn of mind is just amplified with this news. I liked Bowie... I remember the first time I listened to Hunky Dory... when I didn't like him that much! On a rare occasion I skipped school (in Sixth form I might add) a girl called Melanie took me to her house for a cuppa. We weren't friends as such but we found refuge in each other's truancy. I was 16 and shy. She put on a record (as we used to call it)-Hunky Dory... I had heard of it of course but was more of an Elton John fan-but I felt duty bound to listen and enthuse politely. It was a bit "far out" for me at the time and Bowie was one of the artistes on Top of the Pops who provoked the most expletives from my dad-who didn't really embrace the androgynous nature of David Bowie- or in fact any of those who dressed less than masculinely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That said, my boyfriend who appeared the next year on, did like Bowie and we always shared music and often (with odd exceptions) adopted each others tastes. So Bowie then became the portfolio of our young adult lives. The significant songs matched to significant events and the memories attached. The excitement and familiarity of songs over the years passing to our children too-one of whom came to our 70s Pearl wedding dressed as Aladdin Sane! So, there is a catch in the throat and a small tear in the corner of the eye. Its not because he is a celebrity. Its because he has written the soundtrack to our and many others lives. Because he symbolises our lost youth and reminds us that we are all mortal! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time plays a nasty little trick on us poor mortals-when we are young we hear our elders reminiscing about youth, which we dismiss. We have a quiet arrogance-we secretly believe we will not age or die. But suddenly, we wake up one day and we realise we have probably already had more years on earth than we are likely to have left. And its a shock! The death of someone immortalized on the screen or disc is a shock to us because it nudges our own mortality. When a young person dies its tragic and we acknowledge this-but we pretend its rare and unusual. Some of us say things like "only the good die young" to make it seem acceptable. But in this pretense that life goes on forever we feel the need to rationalize when it obviously doesn't! We trot out platitudes like "he had a good innings" or "he was getting on"- but it just isn't true-its never a good innings. All deaths are painful to those loved ones left behind and it matters not if you are 5 or 95! Life is precious and we want to hang on to it. Days like today just amplify the fact that death is one thing nobody-no matter how wealthy, successful, clever, beautiful or famous can avoid forever! And that's what makes it sad! That's what in the end is the great leveler and when we react or mourn-granted at different levels and extremes-to the death of someone like Bowie-its that human connection. We aren't just mourning him... we are mourning our own eventual demise too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When a young person dies its tragic and we acknowledge this-but we pretend its rare and unusual.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-38205258641311329822015-11-05T13:01:00.000-08:002015-11-05T13:01:12.713-08:00If ye break faith with us who die...<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">I</span></span>n Flanders Field the poppies blow<br /><br />Between the crosses, row on row<br /><br /><br />
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There is always debate at this time about the poppy and whether it should or shouldn't be worn, whether it glorifies war or is purely an act of remembrance. As with everything that endures over a long time, its meaning can become muddled and incongruous-usually because we have lost the meaning or because we anachronistically place our own flawed interpretation onto it. It has become a political instrument though it was never meant to be and I am a little irked by its detractors.</div>
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I am not one of those who dogmatically insists that everyone should wear a poppy, not would I insult or criticize you whether you did or did not! Neither would I post one of those passive/aggressive Facebook declarations which threatens and vilifies for either wearing or not wearing a poppy. To me the essence of the poppy is about choice- when it first began a huge majority of the population was proud to wear one-mainly because they all knew or had lost someone in the terrible war. As time moves on the remembrance is more distant and perhaps more collective, but certainly in my own case I remember the young men in the family (great uncles) who had no chance to live their lives as I have done. I like the poppy for its simplicity, for its symbolism. I don't see it as jingoistic or political and I certainly can't associate it with racism.If it is perceived as such-then the fault lies with those who have tried to use the poppy to promote a right wing nationalistic interpretation-not the poppy itself.</div>
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I refuse to abandon it or wear a "white" poppy on the strength of this. The whole point of the poppy is that it is red-to symbolise the blood spent for our freedom. The white apologist poppy is almost an insult-what's the point? Nothing is more poignant than the silent fluttering of the thousands of poppies falling from the ceiling of the Albert Hall at the end of the Remembrance ceremony. Each one representing the fallen-yours and mine... and even the apologists. It has nothing to do with glorification and sentimentality, it has to do with humanity and loss... and remembrance. So, although I would never wish to inflict my choice upon you... please don't try and denigrate mine and many others who are still proud to wear the poppy, in thanks for those long past and in the hope that by remembering we might one day stop the bloodshed and aggression in the world. We have not yet learnt from our mistakes, but if we extinguish remembrance, because it is not always presented in the way we would like then we have lost an important lesson. </div>
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So I will wear my poppy and will not be made to feel guilty because it might represent something it isn't meant to! Flanders Fields by Canadian McCrae is poignant, because he was there. He died of meningitis and pneumonia at the Canadian Hospital in Boulogne-a less obvious casualty of war and buried at Wimereaux Cemetery. He experienced the worst of the war but he believed he was making a difference and believed in what he was doing-as most men at the front did. Who are we a hundred years later to criticise and denigrate the beliefs of a man who was proud to sacrifice his life-not just for his country but for the "Empire"? To do so is not only anachronistic but also a little insulting. We might not hold those views now-but we have no right to manipulate them into a time when things were very different.</div>
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<br /> "If ye break faith with us who die<br /><br /> We shall not sleep, though poppies grow <br /><br /> In Flanders fields."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
In the same cemetery lies my great uncle John Wilkinson-one of three uncles who died. He was rejected at the start of the war due to poor eye-sight, but was recalled in 1917 when men were needed to replenish the human cannon fodder. I am sure he went with the same beliefs as McCrae-I am also sure they must have questioned why they were there, but that is part of the tragedy of war-which is probably as true today as it was then. The poppy still stands for those men and as simple as it is I think it does its job admirably.</div>
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In Flander's Fields the poppies blow<br /><br /> Between the crosses, row on row, <br /><br /> That mark our place; and in the sky <br /><br /> The larks, still bravely singing, fly <br /><br /><br /> Scarce heard amid the guns below. <br /><br /> We are the Dead. Short days ago <br /><br /> We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, <br /><br /> Loved and were loved, and now we lie <br /><br /> In Flanders fields. <br /><br /> Take up our quarrel with the foe: <br /><br /><br /> To you from failing hands we throw <br /><br /><br /> The torch; be yours to hold it high. <br /><br /><br /> If ye break faith with us who die <br /><br /><br /> We shall not sleep, though poppies grow <br /><br /><br /> In Flanders fields.<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEijV7Xh-ZJWGTUsCj_E7rxwvsWwmeFzVlNlPJSFk_x1k2JPVKz2p31B79hjVZQns45BJUlrC9zexe-8aa_tnJTbzFkbkcfGvKhEECHQwL_EBmD_3GOBZkQ8JpM13F12vfwzgZxoKdEiI8oTiNOa5nHyI70uQOHuTR1wm0GlmMM8o4PBC19DemkMYFSVfNsUcNAD88XD1dGZ4d-zQubPqRCHLUf_C-G85A=" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My politics has veered left to right, right to left through the years, cherry picking certain elements, admiring certain political strengths but never coming down wholly on one side or another-mainly because I have a distinct aptitude for seeing value in many opinions and being persuadable. In fact I have reached a point where I don't think there is a party to represent me totally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, has brought this into sharp relief. I have to declare I have found what Jeremy Corbyn has had to say quite refreshing. He appears to be honest, steadfast and genuine-time will tell I suppose and some of what he says convinces me. Obviously, there are bits that I have problems with-mainly due to personal circumstances-son and husband working in the nuclear industry, my town reliant on the success of Trident... but his stance on the NHS, housing and refugees resonate well! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I think back. My brief flirtation with Thatcher (ok ok I know-I grew out of it) but again-circumstance defined some of that too- a GLC mortgage-when we were struggling to get a house in London, the feeling in the early days that if you work hard you are rewarded. Then Maggie lost it totally and became a raging dictator...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember the feeling of euphoria when Blair and new Labour emerged from the ashes of old Labour! The sort of politics that seemed all encompassing-a genuine guy and all that! Then Blair lost it totally and became a raging dictator and got us into an illegal war-well we know what that led to...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So middle of the road it was. Lib Dem -a bit loosey goosey and less extreme than the other two.Well that turned out well! An alliance from hell with the Tories-and this lot more about elitism than ever-no room for social mobility and removal of much of the public service built up in the halcyon days of Labour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So look to family, friends and acquaintances. I have a schism in my family-one half rabid red -t'other bright blue! So no help there! Friends-a spectrum of colour! On the red team- I have to say-united in hatred of Thatcher and all things Tory-but shades of red from cerise to pink! This highlighted even more with the Corbyn issue-I have friends I would previously have marked as just socialists... now? Well hard to say what to call them-disagreeing as vehemently with each other as if they were on different sides. Blue team-Tories more united and gloating over the Corbyn emergence and believing everything the Murdoch press tells them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't think I am a stupid person-but I am confused! I believe British politics is in a mess and the electorate are fed up with disingenuous politicians who only seem to be concerned with image and self-promotion. I know this is not all politicians-but the public do tend to tar all with the same brush! I think this is why Corbyn is appealing to so many-he has, on record stuck to his guns for 40 odd years. We might not like what he says and we might fear the effect he will have-but what you see is what you get! Its that and his traditional views on housing, education and the NHS which are impressive-he actually does believe in fairness and equality. I don't know if he's good or bad for the country. He is in opposition now and I don't know whether he will lead Labour to victory. But at the very least he has promoted a massive debate and I believe he could be exactly the catalyst we need to kick start politics again and throw off the shackles of this elitist, unsympathetic, feudal Tory government. Surely anyone who can promote this level of debate and rock the foundations of a political system which has become unreliable and untrustworthy must be for the public good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, come voting day-what type of party do I want to vote for? One that values people, all kinds, all creeds, colours and persuasions. One that cares for the old, the young, the sick, the disabled, the homeless, the weak, the vulnerable... one that watches the pennies and spends on the right things and values public service. One that invests in children and education-but allows professionals space and doesn't quantify success with league tables, one that pays nurses and doctors properly and doesn't stop people's drugs because they are too expensive...in short a party that cares. It remains to be seen if JC is the new messiah! One can hope-or dream...</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-51846664333222978742015-08-25T15:30:00.000-07:002015-08-25T15:30:01.295-07:00Unexpected adventures<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't you just love spontaneity? I do! Today after a good walk to Bosun's Locker for lunch a friend and I noticed the ferry boat for Piel Island was in-we suddenly decided to go for it! Boat rides are always exciting and we were giddy as a couple of school girls (well quite mature school girls it has to be said). We alighted on the jetty at the island and proceeded to explore the medieval castle! It was just as I remembered it-it must be 20 years since I last went! Obviously, those familiar with Out of Time Secret of the Swan know that George and Sid visit the island too. So it was great fun locating where the action occurred!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferry to the Pile of Fouldray</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> We found where I had located the oubliette! Even though I knew there was no such item-I couldn't help but look for it! We wandered for some time and reflected what a great place to take children to! The ferry was a fiver return and you had from 11am till 5pm to return! The beaches and the castle make it a rich adventure for any child-add a picnic or bar meal from the pub and you have a fine day out! Entry to the castle is free courtesy of English Heritage </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gate house</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outer ward</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Anyway... back to our explorations... suddenly we came upon the stone below! I had never seen this before and a shudder of deja vu or something prickled my neck! It said Aug 193? The final figure looked to be either a 4 or a 9! For my purposes it has to be 1934... the exact year George and Sid explored! How weird -reality mimicking fiction-or is it the other way around? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think George and Sid might have more adventures after today-after all its too good not to follow up isn't it?</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Keep</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-21117244917316573352015-08-19T11:56:00.001-07:002015-08-19T11:56:50.986-07:00We're all going to the zoo...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another trip out was to the South Lakes Animal Park at Dalton. I am not a lover of zoos but this one has its conservation message and breeding programmes so as the young man we were trying to entertain wanted to go we gave it a whirl. Ignoring the annoyance of parking at the now defunct entrance and then having to find the new one, parking was quite extensive. It was quite a trek for anyone with mobility issues however... or pushing a buggy as we were.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a long wait in very hot sunshine but when we arrived at the cash desk we could buy a variety of options. We chose the cheapest-which allowed free entry for the boys. It cost £31 for two adults-we declined the offer of paying to feed the animals. One of the things we chose the zoo for was because Baby Jonah likes trains. We located this and found we had another payment of £1 each to pay. It was irritating again as I queued in a long line-by which time we also wanted ice cream-only to be told this kiosk didn't take cards and I would need to queue again! So we didn't bother and just got the tickets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We saw lots of animals and the most popular part was the open safari trail. It was exciting for the children and terrifying for the granny and auntie to see emus and lemurs in close proximity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the animals were easier to see than others and I don't think the heat helped with the smell. My personal impression was that there were lots of good ideas but it has an unfinished and slightly grubby feel to it. I know there is major reconstruction going on but some attention needs to be given to the general tidiness and appearance. However, as a family-if you purchase the best option and hold out against the gift shop, ice creams and extras it could be a cost effective day out. There is plenty to do-places to eat a picnic, a new adventure playground and the different animal experiences -all in all a good day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA15, UK54.1576333 -3.170287899999948454.0832378 -3.3316493999999484 54.2320288 -3.0089263999999485tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-22081828550004048672015-08-14T04:14:00.000-07:002015-08-14T04:14:03.829-07:00Further adventures<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well nobody can say we don't get out and about! We had another couple of trips in lovely sunny weather this week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We decided to take Great Grandma with us and this meant we had to look for somewhere with easier access whilst balancing with the needs of a young child! We had a delightful lunch at The Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge, al fresco as it turned out-very hot and sunny. We had sandwiches, drinks and a child's meal, spending around £40 for four of us-average I would say for a Lake district hotel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We sat beside the lake under the trees, with space for the six year old to wander and play. There was also a small adventure trail for children which is a good distr</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">action whilst waiting for food to arrive (it was very busy). The wasps were a nuisance around the tables and it might be an idea to put out some citronella candles to ward them off. Otherwise a very pleasant repast in beautiful surroundings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We then moved on to the more child centred activity of Fell Foot which is a National Trust property. Access was fairly easy although parking was tight due to the vast numbers of visitors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parking for non NT members is free but the cost is reasonable anyway. The grounds are beautiful and give open access to Lake Windermere which is a magnet for all children in hot weather. It is perfect for a picnic and you can easily spend the whole day there. The shop has the usual array of goods-high on the agenda drinks and ice-creams and the Boathouse cafe has delicious refreshments to sample indoors or out. A day here could be as cheap as you can make it-if you take a picnic you don't need to venture to the cafe and shop. Other activities include rowing and the ferry to Lakeside. A grand day out for any family.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-53734161111663413472015-08-11T14:24:00.002-07:002015-08-11T14:24:41.751-07:00Holiday adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a Grandma it's quite hard trying to make the school holidays fun. So I have been trying to get out and about with Noah- but couldn't help noticing how expensive things can be. This made me think that collecting a few really good activities together in my blog might useful to other Grans and hard pressed parents too. So I am going to post some visits and let you know what they are like and whether they are value for money over the next few weeks:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obviously, I will begin with Furness Abbey-an often forgotten little place-but one familiar to anyone who reads this blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a fantastic place which can take up a few hours for any family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It costs £4.20 for adults with concessions for seniors,children (U5s free) and local residents. Once inside there are extensive open grounds and ruins. It provides an adventure for curious children and is great for hide and seek (no climbing on the ruins though). There are picnic tables, toilets and hot and cold drinks available in the shop, which is well stocked with all kinds of things for both adults and children alike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course as well as the shop there is a splendid little museum housing </span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a range of interesting artefacts including the amazing Abbot's crosier and ring found in 2010. Take a picnic and you can spend the day there and tire your little ones out too!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The abbot's crosier (courtesy of English Heritage)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Today we went to another English Heritage property-Stott Park Bobbin Mill. This little gem is accessible from the Newby Bridge turning to Lakeside. It was fascinating and held the attention of our six year old. Again a fab day! We went on Bob's trail and won a small prize for collecting the letters and then we were fascinated by the tour of the mill! Lots to see! Again a shop and refreshments available and lots of picnic tables in a beautiful setting. After out picnic we went a walk to the top of the hill to discover the lovely High Dam! It was gorgeous trekking through the woods and looking at the flowers, trees and wildlife and the view at the top was breathtaking! Noah especially loved the echo he produced at the top! All this for a mere £6.80 per adult and £4 for children-again concessions and family tickets apply.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-6094024758842406282015-07-04T16:39:00.000-07:002015-07-04T16:39:48.449-07:00Dissolution and disillusion <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have actually been doing some research this last couple of weeks-in between my new job at Furness Abbey, winding up the TA training business and grandma duties! The only trouble is-it does distract me from the actual task of writing. Procrastination is the thief of time as they say-but when is dressed up in dusty tomes and interesting historical research it almost feels justified. I have been itching to write for weeks but just can't get on with it. I wrote 30 lines the other night and thought I had done well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, back to the research... I have been looking into monastic issues-partly because I was putting together a mini project for a school. I was uncovering the usual stuff and confirming; my image of the "monk" is mixed-I want to think that "our" Furness Abbey monks were a devout, caring and sincere lot... well they would be wouldn't they? Yes, I know about the abuses of the church, sale of indulgences and pardons-after all I did do Chaucer at uni... But not our lot! Not in Furness?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, it has been illuminating reading about what they actually DID get up to! When I take folk on a tour of the abbey, we start in the Outer Court, near to the Guest house and post monastic stables. "Here," I always say, "Is a safe haven for travellers. Travel was hard and dangerous in the middle ages and in monastic and religious houses people could be assured a safe bed, food and prayer-sort of a medieval Travelodge." So I was stunned to discover the record (first seen on Rievalux abbey Facebook page) of a fight which broke out at Furness between the monks and travellers. This resulted in three travellers being stabbed! So not quite a Travelodge then?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course I knew all about the "murder" at the abbey-I even included it in my last book, "The Cistercian Conspiracy". Three discontented monks decided to oust poor Abbot "L" or "T" depending on which interpretation you read. They bumped him off with deadly nightshade in the communion wine-and then disappeared! In the church, with the nightshade... sort of a Monastic Cluedo.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyP6ab3_Cmg-kZw-rOB6ly_zoiUM1p902Bw26sSjyvsqr2ZUZHRZZORUZtx8FjZfpb-hgXz4izVveHef1QI97UdakWdCQ9_9K7Yc8izE519-ICKHWoZWki0nweZ_xMQp0y_g5Z1Dop_U/s1600/john+stell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyP6ab3_Cmg-kZw-rOB6ly_zoiUM1p902Bw26sSjyvsqr2ZUZHRZZORUZtx8FjZfpb-hgXz4izVveHef1QI97UdakWdCQ9_9K7Yc8izE519-ICKHWoZWki0nweZ_xMQp0y_g5Z1Dop_U/s640/john+stell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of English Heritage</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there was Abbot Alexander Banke! A truly nasty piece of work. He evicted the villagers of Sellergarth, destroyed their homes so that he could extend the Parkland-for more sheep and hunting! His monks voted him out at one point but he managed to force his way back in again. I sincerely hope he does not turn out to be the abbot who was found avec crosier in the presbytery. He would be arrogant enough to want to be buried so close to the altar-but I'm hoping it isn't him! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, reading about the dissolution in terms of the abbey, I discover that Roger Pele the final abbot-turns out to have given in pretty quickly and handed over the keys after a little persuasion from Thomas Holcroft -the King's officer. He also managed to gain a pension and the living at Dalton church!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So maybe old Henry was right to turf them all out? Maybe life in the cloister was as corrupt as outside? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLrKxNpBlYFviOGo0SrtwktEgIwQguJGVWjYtz_U7Cg8P5xXhKwDPh1LTByzAblTA5hlJblDxwZxzKSXelHAsD73E_iagmrANz750LXXVBSTZWAATo2ms6mu_V0XBSRgr0cLNCAEZCWg/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLrKxNpBlYFviOGo0SrtwktEgIwQguJGVWjYtz_U7Cg8P5xXhKwDPh1LTByzAblTA5hlJblDxwZxzKSXelHAsD73E_iagmrANz750LXXVBSTZWAATo2ms6mu_V0XBSRgr0cLNCAEZCWg/s640/IMG_0267.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards the presbytery</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-86808901914955035332015-06-09T15:05:00.000-07:002015-06-09T15:05:52.715-07:00Coming up for air<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes you have to wonder what life is all about! Things move on at breakneck pace and you seem to be so busy you actually don't accomplish much. Sometimes you have a time in life when things happen around you, but impact massively on what you are doing and you seem to lose any control that you might have had.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well-that's what has been happening here since January. So not much done in the way of writing-but this will be remedied soon! I have acquired a new job too! One I wanted since I was 17-to work as a Historic Properties Steward at Furness Abbey. I have been on a circuitous route to get here-but here I am! Its great-first task of the day is to check the abbey and walk around-what a way to start the day! How lucky am I? I get to see my "precious" -the crosier to you and chat about the abbey and its history to anyone who will listen! I am only part time-but it is perfect! I love it-though not before I worried myself sick over the practical stuff... once again it became clear I learn by doing! Practice makes perfect of course! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpv45qpywEo1xjkcm7eywwqwC7jYJPLK_ong5Bvsz7Uh8IuyWJKKKIr3FxjXyHWb2tsoUw3OFyD7S4PjUyHilrruHb_-z4ZVOeIJHMaCfi1WSTqzxgyZZ_HnZpiFjQHTaddalqVqqmj0/s1600/tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpv45qpywEo1xjkcm7eywwqwC7jYJPLK_ong5Bvsz7Uh8IuyWJKKKIr3FxjXyHWb2tsoUw3OFyD7S4PjUyHilrruHb_-z4ZVOeIJHMaCfi1WSTqzxgyZZ_HnZpiFjQHTaddalqVqqmj0/s640/tunnel.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my spare time-I do the work for Furness Abbey Fellowship and we are busy organising the Medieval Fair-which is 5th September this year! I am also freelancing as an author/historian and working in local schools so I almost have the best fit for a job I could hope for! Granted I am not earning megabucks-but the job satisfaction outweighs that! Plus there is enough time to spend with grandchildren and family-which can have no price put upon it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its curious how life takes you down strange paths-a daily voyage of discovery! It isn't always what you wanted or thought it would be, but it is never boring. Sometimes its best just to embrace it and build from what you are dealt! Not easy-but always a challenge! Back to 9-5 or a school day? Don't think so! Variety is the spice of life and long may it continue!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0 LA13 United Kingdom55.378051 -3.4359729999999912.188302499999999 -86.05316049999999 90 79.18121450000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-34204005782565188302015-02-16T12:08:00.000-08:002015-02-16T12:08:38.450-08:00Heritage hugs and selling the ground from under our feet<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have to share this fab video of an amazing group of people who are battling to support and conserve the most complete Iron Age Fort in Britain at Oswestry. They have been valiantly battling the developers and Shropshire Council to protect the fort from the encroachment of planned housing on the foothills of the fort. So much for setting and sense of place? This obviously resonates with our own battle for the setting of our own heritage site-Furness Abbey. So it was fantastic to see this little video showing a Heritage Hug! Over 400 people climbed the hill and joined hands surrounding the summit! It signals a sea change in people's attitudes. The little man is standing up to the big business developer and the intransigent council. These people are from all ages, backgrounds and are definitely not Nimbys-which is usually the cry when people stand up for heritage or green field. Nobody benefits directly from opposing the encroachment onto a historical site. So you can guarantee that the motivation is genuine and not a conspiracy against the capitalist society.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8GUockp3BA&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8GUockp3BA&feature=youtu.be</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It looks as though we may have a bigger fight on our hands. Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse-the Lake District National Park decide that it is a good idea to sell off bits of land -previously donated or gifted to the nation, to preserve and conserve. So what happened? Does this mean that despite good-intentioned people in the past who had the foresight to save our landscape from the march of urbanisation have suddenly become irrelevant. When did the National Park get the nod from the "nation" the common people whom this park was created for, to sell off tarns and lakes? Bad enough that local aristocrats begin to sell off mountains, but a national body too? This has got to be one step too far! People will not stand for it-they will join together and oppose these high handed moves. Power to the people and more of it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the petition to start the ball rolling</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://www.change.org/p/david-cameron-mp-stop-the-sale-of-national-parks-lake-district?</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-20703520223502858502015-01-28T16:09:00.000-08:002015-01-29T14:27:10.493-08:00Perversions of history and a surfeit of Tudors<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are a contentious lot! I have been enjoying the TV adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall and in my little world I could not imagine the arguments and vitriol this has stimulated in the press! I totally devour historical fiction and love to read the many interpretations by various authors. Afterwards I often research, read or investigate the historical truth (well truth as far as historians allow) and make up my own mind. I like historical accuracy. I try very hard to be historically accurate in the facts I present in my novels-but they are fictionalised history wrapped around some real and incontrovertible facts. This is the way I believe Mantel and co work too-we can rarely KNOW what a historical character felt or emoted, we can only imagine the unpublished reactions to events in history and we can only surmise unrecorded conversations. In other words we fill in the gaps. I would argue that even in the serious tomes which are produced by "historians" there must be some poetic licence and interpretation. Bias must also creep in to some extent but I am shocked at some of the commentary following this massively successful piece of literature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For starters I was pleased to read a piece by my favourite historical fictioneer-CJ Sansom who specialises in the Tudor period with his infinitely splendid Shardlake series. He analysed the series and made a fairly balanced judgment; inputting some of his own opinions about the anti-hero Cromwell. This foolishly led me onto read the next few reports in the national press. I stumbled across a rather reactionary piece in the Catholic Herald- a bastion of the Catholic press (who knew they had their own press?). This piece was incredible in its bias-in my opinion, I couldn't believe that this man and his story-dead these 500 years was being used to rake up old religious differences. To claim that admiring Cromwell is encouraging anti-Catholicism is a bit OTT! He was a reformer-true and disliked Rome-but nowhere does Mantel suggest he is admirable. She humanises him, but why not? He was ruthless and ambitious-a follower of Machiavellian teaching, but he did have a human side. He wept at the news of Wolsey's death -this is a matter of record, but does that not suggest his humanity could have extended to other situations too? One can perhaps have a grudging admiration for his efficiency and powerful politics; but I am sure nobody out there would really use him as a role model! As for anti-Catholicism... I very much doubt that anyone with those intentions has awaited Mantel's novel to develop those feelings and give vent to their prejudice. The time is too far removed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I moved onto the next column by a certain David Starkey Esq. I should have know not to read on! I have read some of his history; not all bad but not all good either-but he has spent a lifetime studying history so I assume he does get it right sometimes. He is a right wing chap of course, so in certain instances this must colour his interpretation-after all we all have our own little preferences and nuances. However, he truly slated the "deliberate perversions of history" in Mantel's work (which took 5 years research by the way-so she ain't making it up.) He doesn't appear to understand the term "historical fiction" and berates Mantel for her "total fiction" and "lack of evidence". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am with him on accuracy as far as it goes-but there are massive gaps in our knowledge of the conversations, emotional responses and the human snippets of history. We occasionally catch glimpses in the historical record, but as anyone else who has done a year of a Masters in Historiography will know; all history is interpretation. After all, much early written history comes from one source. Monks. Now as much as I have a soft spot for all things monastic, they didn't exactly have no agenda! They reported according to their standpoint-which was Roman Catholicism. That isn't to say that there is no accurate history in there, but there have been extravagant claims which with hindsight can be seen as a biased interpretation. Whoever writes the history has an interest or a preference -in fact we know that the Tudors tried to rewrite history to prove their validity as a dynasty for example. So as pure as history might seem, it is open to manipulation and propaganda (see Goebbels/Hitler's interpretation of history).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe that historical fiction is often an introduction or taster, providing a framework to give us the feel for the time. Certainly, in my "Out of Time" books I present the story as fiction-but I research the nitty gritty and try to accurately portray the times I describe. However, I would not present it as factual. In fact I go to great pains to add an author's note explaining where and why I have taken liberties. I follow the school of Anya Seton and Barbara Erskine, flowing seamlessly (I hope) between historical periods and present day. I use these books in schools in the hope they will interest, inspire and eventually encourage a love of history and will draw the readers to extend their knowledge and engage with the physical history around us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what do I think of Wolf Hall? So far so good! This week I felt there were rather too many ponderous and meaningful silences-with Cromwell's impassive face concealing his calculations for his next move. It captures the period well, it modernises the characters enough for us to connect with and the characterisation is nothing new. We have a slimmer Henry-but he was still an athletic chap at this point, the usual suspects are all there and live up to my own visualisations. The difference is, this story is from Cromwell's perspective and it is that which makes it compelling. Not because I idolise or admire him but because it is <i>his</i> story with Henry and Anne and the rest as the supporting cast for a change. I will read no more commentaries-I gave up when I saw the headline "Damian Lewis took inspiration from Harry and Wills". And I dread to think what lies in "Cromwell was the Islamic State of his day". All I can say is-with all the detractors I think both books and programme are refreshingly different and at least 100% more accurate than "The Tudors" ; where it was thought "less confusing" to amalgamate Henry Vlll's two sisters into one. But then that was from the US not the BBC and despite the advantage of Jonathan Rhys Davies and Henry Cavill and the Hollywood touch, it does not hold a candle (literally) to this production.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmec4AkCjKK8TfAQVWjM_Ct9UU8D_KAyJ0bmA_sRRrxxMoyj0TR0ORYAY6gXNp_g2GWaBUdJQUbbCUC8M3hB9wi2-Z0orNLnFznbDQ-o6DOYsz-PXFDxXSie8w39nUsOzdgVixj-QGxE/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmec4AkCjKK8TfAQVWjM_Ct9UU8D_KAyJ0bmA_sRRrxxMoyj0TR0ORYAY6gXNp_g2GWaBUdJQUbbCUC8M3hB9wi2-Z0orNLnFznbDQ-o6DOYsz-PXFDxXSie8w39nUsOzdgVixj-QGxE/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gratuitous photo of Furness Abbey-the 1st large abbey dissolved by Henry Vlll and Thomas Cromwell in 1537</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-70839001696495769582015-01-11T09:06:00.000-08:002015-01-11T09:06:01.297-08:00Born asleep: A story of loss and hope<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thirty four years ago today, on a pretty similar bleak, grey day that only January can produce I was just walking into a parallel bleak grey mindset that has remained a part of me ever since. I was a patient in the then locally infamous Newham Maternity Hospital at Forest Gate awaiting the birth of our first child. A naiive 23 year old, I read every childcare and pregnancy book available to man and even borrowed my friend's midwifery book. This was either a blessing or a mistake because I devoured this too-pragmatically observing that although some awful things can happen-most people deliver safely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My pregnancy was uncomfortable, I enlarged to the size of a small blue whale, had constant sickness, fatigue and raised blood pressure. My registrar (I never saw the consultant until the day of delivery-he was much too important)was contentious from the off-disbelieving my dates. As a young "primagravida" (I picked up all the terms) I was suspected of knowing nothing... or having a brain... and when I argued and said that I had felt movement at the correct time for a first baby-she dismissed it as wind. She then reset my dates from 17 January 1981 to 28 February 1981!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I felt massive panic! I knew I was a novice at this pregnancy game but I knew my dates were not that far adrift. Cutting a long and painful story short-at about lunchtime on 11 January a baby monitor was strapped to my expanding girth and there was no rhythmic heart beat-just a dull empty crackle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, the worst 36 hours of my life began. I eventually delivered a 4lb 8oz boy at 10-30pm on 12 January 1981.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The breech birth was incredibly traumatic, painful and it was only due to the skill of the midwives that I came through in one piece. The NHS at its best-and its worst! Forest Gate Maternity hospital was busy, overcrowded, under-funded and had a bad reputation due to various cases of baby death and professional mistakes.(Sound familiar?) We had many complaints and indignities throughout the process-but the skill of the midwives got us through. A catalogue of errors would have made a lawyer rub his hands and I am sure we could have sued successfully.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We discussed with our GP what action to take-we were never inclined to litigate. After all-this would not bring Jonathan (that's what we called him) back, it wouldn't make us feel better and nothing positive could come from this. As far as we could see, it would put more financial pressure on an already restricted service. Instead we made formal complaints and decided next time to attend University College Hospital-which we did, under the amazing "Prof" Brant-the total antithesis of the consultant I had previously had. Later, I had equally excellent care at Furness General Hospital with my last child in 1993. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I blundered through the stages of grief and adopted the approach that if people ignored that we had had a baby-I would tell them! Cathartic for me -maybe not for them!There was no grief counselling then! I had my first piece of published writing in <i>Parents</i> magazine and campaigned for recognition of stillbirth-it was still taboo in '81! Luckily, people like Esther Rantzen suddenly began campaigning for better care and charities like SANDS (est 1978) started to gain a higher profile. I went onto have four more pregnancies-resulting in three live births.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So NHS fails: one NHS successes: three! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Had I litigated I think I would still be firmly locked into the anger stage of grief and may not have had other children, so I am glad I made the choice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Stillbirth is something, until you or someone you know experiences it, that people believe is rare and consigned to the history books. Sadly it isn't. Its still far too common. Amazing leaps forward have been made in pre-natal care and some very premature babies now survive. I myself was premature weighing only 3lbs-again because the placenta didn't function properly-but due to an amazing obstetrician Mr Garth Stoneham I survived and so did my mum. It seemed incongruous that I survived in 1957 and yet my son died in 1981. However, I do believe, that despite the standard of care I received, with a failing placenta, confusion over dates, a breech birth, I think retrospectively we would have been very lucky to have a successful outcome, but of course we will never know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thankfully, according to research <b>"Perinatal mortality rates have fallen by a third since 1982. It is felt that general improvements in healthcare, midwifery and neonatal intensive care are bringing about the gradual decline in deaths". </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I do become concerned that a lack of funds, resources and staff; which certainly contributed to my loss, is once again becoming apparent today. This always leads to a vicious circle of low staff morale, damage to reputations and possible closure. I hope that this will not happen! In an overworked system someone with problems or fitting the at risk demographic will be less secure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">According to research on 2012 <b>"a study of stillbirths in England showed the risk to be significantly higher where the growth restriction was not detected antenatally, suggesting this is an important avenue for reducing stillbirth rates in the future. It concluded strategy should focus on improving antenatal detection of growth restriction and subsequent management of pregnancy and delivery!"</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Surely, with the correct level of resourcing this is am area which can be improved. It is very hopeful, as long as financial cut backs don't prevent such progress. I am not foolish enough to believe that all stillbirths can be eradicated; it is part of natural selection; but any improvement for mothers is good and I like to think that as few people as possible would go through this traumatic experience as possible. Which is why we must fight tooth and nail to retain the quality of the NHS and ensure that we demand the continued support for our local services. Standards must always come under scrutiny and care must continue to improve. However, continued bad publicity and criticism must reduce-we could complain ourselves out of a service at all! Newham Hospital was soon replaced by a new and hopefully better hospital; but this won't happen at Furness-more likely the maternity service in its current form will disappear. Funding restrictions can be disguised as "improvement". Thirty four years on don't let us slip into the past-to an under-funded, poorly valued system used as a political football by the Tories! It's our NHS let's fight to keep it!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-83711798985068885002014-12-02T14:07:00.003-08:002014-12-02T14:07:29.234-08:00Civic Pride and common sense restored<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wondered if I would be writing a positive blog tonight-one tends to be a bit cynical about developers and councils, but I have to say I am delighted that I can!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Planning committee of Barrow Borough Council showed great resilience, wisdom and foresight in their decision to refuse planning permission for Story Homes to build 38 houses on the green field site on Manor Road. We have fought a public campaign for a year and its been a hard slog. We are an eclectic bunch-a range of ages, backgrounds, politics-but with one common cause-we all love and believe in the preservation of Furness Abbey. This one fact united us... and upwards of 3000 other people across Barrow, Cumbria and the world! Literally! This upsurge of public opinion could not fail to impress even the recalcitrant Story Homes and the council actually stated that it was not the normal response to planning applications in the borough. In fact it was uncommon and had certainly influenced the committee. This is not surprising -after all the committee are elected servants of the public and really ought to listen-but the impression is often that they don't!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am proud of our democratic system today and of the council! They were unafraid to stand up against the developers and risk going to appeal. Charles Wilton the Planning Officer countered the abusive and aggressive attack on the committee and the Planning Officers by Story Homes; which was unworthy and unprofessional. He justified the refusal with two main points- heritage and setting! This reason is more powerful than any other because the setting and heritage are sacrosanct and unchangeable. Once gone they cant be brought back and restored! This is too important to be ignored and the planners and committee saw the validity of this argument!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some of the issues which have arisen have surprised me. The procedural and structural issues which these things are governed by. For instance- the comment that English Heritage could have/should have done more. I accept-I initially believed that they would ride up "knight in shining armour-like" to help. I knew they cared about the abbey-after all-they have spent £2 million on holding it up. We at Furness Abbey Fellowship work with them and they frequently visit-indeed I had the pleasure of meeting Simon Thurley their CEO at the abbey! So I admit I was furious and devastated at their lack of action. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, after an initial barrage of ire via social media, we arrange to see the chap who had made the report. He was a very balanced, educated and knowledgeable man-who has spent many years visiting Furness Abbey and genuinely cares about it. We even viewed the field and discussed at length, the wall, the gateway and the heritage approach. He explained that it wasn't as easy as saying "No-its too near the abbey". In fact all kinds of structures were in place to stop him-the line he walks is strictly governed by a framework. This being so he can't comment on flooding, traffic etc because these are other agencies departments! The heritage he is concerned with is the actual abbey precinct-the peripheral wall and gate and approach have in fact been protected -because Story Homes had to amend plans on numerous occasions before EH would accept them. What they were left with were plans for an estate which they could not say would cause harm-but neither could they say it wouldn't! They can't make claims which can't be upheld in law! Therefore they are in a difficult position-they have had to settle for allowing plans which "might" do no harm. This seems ridiculous but they can only do what is allowed! Ideally they probably wouldn't want the houses but can't refuse outright.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the same vein the Cumbria Highways Department do us no favours. They too are limiting their judgment to the actual estate-which doesn't seem too harmful. However, someone needs to look objectively at the traffic issue-because its not good! Any Barrow resident knows that Rating Lane is a nightmare and is an accident waiting to happen-which this or any other similar development would exacerbate. We the public can see this-but in the red tape world of procedure, this is apparently impossible. Similarly, the flooding evidence is not strongly upheld because of predictive maps and graphs. Yet we see floods over the last few years-and we have photographic evidence!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So this very strange state of affairs is obviously why we all believe the planners and Councillors aren't listening to us! Its because they are all so tied up with regulation and red tape that they can't. This is where we need to look! We must somehow get rid of this chess game-it does us no favours and it allows people to manipulate the system. The basic rights and wrongs are forgotten in place of process driven rubbish! Today Joe Public has spoken and been listened to. The council have stepped out of the box and haven't been swayed by fancy words and big business. They have done the right thing! I hope that this is the final chapter-but if its not-trust me-we will go on! We will continue to fight-against the odds-until the day is finally won for good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-67658980656298904742014-11-13T17:49:00.000-08:002014-11-13T17:50:38.227-08:00Remembering. Dangerous? Disrespectful? Disappointing?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From being a child and hearing stories of sacrifice, bravery and loss during World War 1 I have been keyed into the "culture" of remembrance. My Granddad's tinted photograph of him on his cavalry mount, with his medals in the frame, was ever present. I was magnetically drawn to it. A brave soldier in times long ago-it seemed to me and even at six I was history mad. Ben Cowan left the world three months after I entered. I don't have any real memory of him but my dad, Nannie and aunts kept his memory alive with stories-so much so I almost believed I knew him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recall hearing the soundtrack to Lawrence of Arabia on the radio when I was about six. Oddly, I felt sad and the music made me think of Granddad. I don't know if this was subconscious but I later discovered he had served in Palestine and had actually seen TE Lawrence. He had spent 1914-18 on the Somme and then was deployed to the Holy Land where he remained until 1919. He was finally shipped out ill with malaria and dysentery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That connection with Granddad continued-I was shown a memorial at Barrow Railway Station-there was another Cowan. William Cowan Border Regiment it said. He was Granddad's brother and had worked for Furness Railway, like Granddad. He had been killed in 1917. Later I discovered another brother (he was one of 12 siblings), Bob, had died in 1916 on the 5th day of the Battle of the Somme. These ghostly figures-wafted in and out of my consciousness, only to be remembered when I had to undertake a project in 1st Year at the Grammar School on World War 1. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7qAM1TLXCVDWqFldNauyx6CoZlS1OxAlKbwxr-XJdfFh-p0mZQQ5W3YVzfOM1bkqHnuWo_I5VjY8Nfmm-iJqvwIvtURglqLgELoYbHmqUinEwOA14Ka_nHEl5qihW2aff0z68syfShU/s1600/Ben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7qAM1TLXCVDWqFldNauyx6CoZlS1OxAlKbwxr-XJdfFh-p0mZQQ5W3YVzfOM1bkqHnuWo_I5VjY8Nfmm-iJqvwIvtURglqLgELoYbHmqUinEwOA14Ka_nHEl5qihW2aff0z68syfShU/s320/Ben.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Cowan 4/7 Dragoons</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This time information and a picture came from my aunt. Another brother lost to the conflict. This time my Nannie's. I became fascinated in my family tree and this young man Gunner John Wilkinson began to grow in my mind.Many years later I finally managed to piece together more and more information about all three and my sister treated me to a War Graves trip for my 40th birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I began to understand why my usually tough dad cried at the Remembrance services and always wore a poppy. The gap between the generations narrowed. These "boys" were no longer ethereal shadows, they took on form and reality and their lives blossomed into proper biographies. As I stood next to the graves at Wimeraux, Faubourg d'Amiens and at the Thiepval Monument (Bob had not been found) their short lives resonated. I had two boys of my own-how would I have coped with them not coming back from war? How would I have watched them go in the first place? Then, looking at the thousands of graves stretching across France, how many other mothers must have suffered just like my great grandmother? Suddenly, the impact hit and I could see the vast enormity and horror of what had happened so long ago.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4VPov8pQatjfhz5ZN-H2HUqmpmcvTGMZE3_NIiIiJ5S6fSoTHOdMzXALMFvYBWtJbq0vd5eRwWyCpjiU07rqSZAt1c0qpLYjpm486TkyOGTt8DEcMeoI8YjnnzPPKcvP4sO0sF8f7d4/s1600/William.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4VPov8pQatjfhz5ZN-H2HUqmpmcvTGMZE3_NIiIiJ5S6fSoTHOdMzXALMFvYBWtJbq0vd5eRwWyCpjiU07rqSZAt1c0qpLYjpm486TkyOGTt8DEcMeoI8YjnnzPPKcvP4sO0sF8f7d4/s320/William.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Cowan 1st Border Regiment</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This experience was life changing for me and I have tried to pass it onto my own children. Its a vain hope that we can learn from this fairly recent history-after all 100 years in terms of family isn't that long. It can be easily dismissed if one doesn't know the human stories and trivialised and it seems to me its our responsibility to tell those stories to our children. I shared Michael Morpurgo's War Horse and Private Peaceful with pupils and we read the account of the Christmas Truce of 1914... all a little dramatic and sentimental. All a bit overblown and heart rending. But dangerous? Disrespectful? I don't think so. They were aimed at inspiring an emotional response, yes even sentimental, but not in a bad way. Yet the new Sainsbury's advert has been attacked for just those reasons-and of course because of the commercial purpose of an advert.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShGIsEcSQJx7fHgGOB1qi7wH5cH_DeAUbeAD6GG0MnH44qrN4Ib36RzzIQn2tb0-mF2r86-ln81hEVur322oHX4ZyuR6HFmfB2oWNk_QJ80aJclXgBJDEtKHn11Pa1h68KCRPQ50D250/s1600/John+Wilkinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShGIsEcSQJx7fHgGOB1qi7wH5cH_DeAUbeAD6GG0MnH44qrN4Ib36RzzIQn2tb0-mF2r86-ln81hEVur322oHX4ZyuR6HFmfB2oWNk_QJ80aJclXgBJDEtKHn11Pa1h68KCRPQ50D250/s320/John+Wilkinson.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunner John Wilkinson RGA</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Personally, I think we have to use every means possible to engage children and the general public. We want them to empathise and understand. In these days of horrific brutality and constant conflict people are almost desensitized and if this advert and the Tower poppies allow people to step back and say "Wow! I didn't realise how many died" or think "I won't vote for any government who implements an illegal war" then I don't care how schmaltzy or sentimental the means are. These things are memorable and make an impact. Its easy for commentators to declare that these things "beautify" or "trivialise" I don't believe they are right.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fKEYXxkpp6Kk2tL4SupLsC3P9hMGbmt1DYqHlMMSBpwM-rwunhDHHpWB2yREeOnn33dmPvRBEyTODw8DmuCQp516KRPVgB4PzxEvjCOX-FXcWpWxWffvvACGFdPC9wudYooWkEreZTU/s1600/Bob+Cowan+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fKEYXxkpp6Kk2tL4SupLsC3P9hMGbmt1DYqHlMMSBpwM-rwunhDHHpWB2yREeOnn33dmPvRBEyTODw8DmuCQp516KRPVgB4PzxEvjCOX-FXcWpWxWffvvACGFdPC9wudYooWkEreZTU/s320/Bob+Cowan+(3).jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob Cowan 8th Border Regiment</td></tr>
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<span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: right; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvlWAFabTxpgTjPAVLSjmAVtfpaT6mHwu8BpCFz6bgdhKBaqxDJx4s_2qRR-fnDObrhuWHB9N_92DqEUM4clvh3mJOAqRU1TGQWBTH71e6JYTY7oZsnM8n5lH8F7feja1wV4aSFMPIr4/s1600/William.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Yes Sainsburys has made an advert. Yes theyre making money. But they are donating money to <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=190910350986500" href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPoppyLegion" style="cursor: pointer;">Royal British Legion</a>! They are drawing attention to a relevant piece of history. I think people are missing the point! Its all meant to leave a bad taste in the mouth and its meant to play with the emotions! Its horrific to think human beings can put aside difference for a moment and then return to killing! Its poignant because its underlining this aspect of our very flawed nature! It also brings the devastation and futility of war to a new generation of people who connect with youtube videos. Maybe it will give people pause for thought..</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 29.54399871826172px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Imagine there's no countries </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 29.54399871826172px;">It isn't hard to do </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 29.54399871826172px;">Nothing to kill or die for </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 29.54399871826172px;">And no religion too </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 29.54399871826172px;">Imagine all the people living life in peace"</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-50008432360427727792014-10-17T12:44:00.003-07:002014-10-17T12:44:49.963-07:00Spooky stories getting darker!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well its almost here-the time for publication of my third YA fantasy story Out of Time 3: The Cistercian Conspiracy<a href="http://www.out-of-time.co.uk/">www.out-of-time.co.uk</a>! The official release date is 28th November but I have advance copies...many of them! Nothing makes the heart skip a beat more than unwrapping the new book for the first time! I am particularly pleased with this one as the cover is even more spectacular and mysterious than the previous two. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I absolutely love the cover and it is just as I envisaged it-thanks to a talented young man called Stuart Appley who has a company called Comely Media. He is a great historian and is in tune with my ideas-as evidenced by the cover and the promo films he did previously. Equally, congratulations go to Troubador Publishing and their Matador imprint-the quality of the book is excellent once again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what of the story? Well without giving too much away (after all I do want you all to actually buy it) this is a darker and more desperate tale. The story focuses on the third sibling in <i>Out of Time </i>and we meet new and old characters. Another time frame is introduced and we explore a real event in the rich history of Furness Abbey, the notorious murder of Abbot L or J depending on which interpretation you use. The story culminates in a fight with the dark side to win the treasure but the end leaves the reader with a cliff hanger!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To celebrate the third book I will be signing at a range of venues; kicking off with Dalton Library and Waterstones in Barrow-in-Furness on Saturday 29th November. I will post further details soon and I will be engaging with schools in the Cumbria area, offering author days and workshops. In 2015 I will hopefully be extending my reach to other areas as well and if you would like me to visit your bookshop, school or group you can locate me on the new website - <a href="http://www.out-of-time.co.uk/">www.out-of-time.co.uk</a> -again created by another talented person-Naomi Chadd of Windmill Websites.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-86537961460594783302014-09-07T15:35:00.000-07:002014-09-07T15:35:42.956-07:00The demise of heritage and my youth<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Its been a funny old week of ups and downs and sadly ending on a down. Photos are coming in on social media of a fire at Parkview School-or as I know it the Grammar School! Its actually not a fire its a total conflagration. I feel so sad to see it end in this way-bad enough that it was to be demolished but to end this way in an arbitrary fire seems disrespectful somehow. I know there are people out there who saw it as a symbol of outmoded elitism-and maybe it was-but despite that and the strict regime we worked under-it holds fond memories for me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPM3jX8K3_HCPdl03vA16VQlDpF1o4ItjLRVZHaJIFio7dC2CEZLTM7X4rxpKy3YUZixBxR2XfMqE5Zc0EswDZcbjdGvN33S7OIyEBvMMUPa2hbpMQ4KQdS17bBwvHiUWolOQKS9Tz9s/s1600/grammar+schools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPM3jX8K3_HCPdl03vA16VQlDpF1o4ItjLRVZHaJIFio7dC2CEZLTM7X4rxpKy3YUZixBxR2XfMqE5Zc0EswDZcbjdGvN33S7OIyEBvMMUPa2hbpMQ4KQdS17bBwvHiUWolOQKS9Tz9s/s1600/grammar+schools.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a lot to thank my old school for-I loved much of it-and spent the rest of the time I scuttled about like a frightened rabbit. However, it gave me the chance to meet some life long friends and in the last few years we built relationships that cant be diluted or destroyed by absence, distance or time. The building itself was a grand affair that smacked of academia (or at least in my 11 year old mind it did), it echoed with the footsteps of girls who had gone on to do great things and it provided aspiration to girls from all backgrounds. Yes, it was selective, but that was the idea-it might seem flawed to us but it served its purpose at the time. To judge it with post-comprehensive eyes is to do it a disservice. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFOJi6ppeF1VThWhQ88mOQ96WBcYnIQDA6_vHx7xFtBbe5Zdnc0domCuFJpinQYlC4g4D0ORjCyPOKwyX-vRKaC5VXWRQj0bj1GY7SBL0s3tZUz5dTHoHrZLgrm-QdbVzLwaU8l5rF28/s1600/gibbi+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFOJi6ppeF1VThWhQ88mOQ96WBcYnIQDA6_vHx7xFtBbe5Zdnc0domCuFJpinQYlC4g4D0ORjCyPOKwyX-vRKaC5VXWRQj0bj1GY7SBL0s3tZUz5dTHoHrZLgrm-QdbVzLwaU8l5rF28/s1600/gibbi+and+me.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before-Janet my school pal and me outside the Grammar School</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Personally I would have liked to have seen it preserved or conserved as it was a splendid building-and the Grammar Schools whether the detractors like it or not were important buildings in the history of the town-indeed two more lovely buildings wiped away-only preserved in photos. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fire tonight (courtesy Facebook)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Its a great loss and it pains me to see it go up in flames-one wonders who started it-it will certainly facilitate a speedier demolition and clearance, but whether vandals or others it has removed that final spark of hope that some element of it might be kept and remembered. I just hope that other important building sites don't suddenly find themselves "accidentally" damaged to allow a speedier conclusion. I would hate to hear of an accidental excavation by a rogue digger up at Manor Rd ... but who knows? But that is another story for another day. So tonight it is goodbye to the old school and good bye to my youth... it kind of signals the final coming of age-bridges (or schools) burnt forever.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1624674970987516692.post-7256682436896514302014-08-19T12:24:00.004-07:002014-08-19T12:25:05.548-07:00Just when you thought it was all over...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am afraid I have not blogged for some time for a number of reasons-work, family and busy. I had hoped I would be jolly and philosophical but no I am back to being Mrs Angry of Barrow with a splash of Emmeline Pankhurst and Bouddicca! I apologise in advance!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today three members of the press contacted me re the news that Story Homes had finally put in their planning for houses within the conservation area near to Furness Abbey on Manor Road. The outcry when their first proposal was introduced in March was huge! An online petition reached upwards of 2000 signatures very quickly and then individuals also sent opposing letters to the council planning department. Most local people were horrified that this small piece of green belt-the final piece on the approach to the amazing Furness Abbey was even being considered as a viable building site. At the preview of the plans Story Homes were arrogant in the extreme and certainly had no understanding of the local heritage. They openly admitted that they wanted to break into the Barrow area as we "don't have many homes of quality". Their original plans were for 50 homes with no special measures to safeguard the abbey perimeter wall and West Gate-with no provision for affordable housing.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After seeing the level of public opposition and indeed taking on board some of what was said-they tried to improve or streamline the plans-they had even suggested they would pop in a few affordable homes too. However this was not necessary because in the council housing plans for the district this was already catered for, they have dropped that and reduced it to 38 executive homes with upto 5 bedrooms-for workers who come to Barrow to work at BAE on new large contracts. So-not even for the local community. They have skipped over the heritage and environmental issues with a ludicrous "corridor" to protect the wall. Story Homes said it is confident the layout will alleviate any fears raised by the public about negative impact on the nearby Furness Abbey. Well actually the only possible way to do that is NOT to build at all! As for the flooding issues-these are rarely solved by adding more building which produces 50% more run off-and guess where it will all go? Yes down stream to the abbey itself!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They are trying to sweeten the pill by offering to create a playground in Barrow. Yeah...that will do it! Exchange a playground for a heritage conservation area! Perfect! After all we will all be admiring that in 900 years wont we?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway the battle lines are drawn-so if you want to help please sign the petition and state why you are opposed-or it isn't valid!</span> <br />
<a href="https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/jason-hipkiss-refuse-planning-permission-for-building-50-houses-on-land-near-furness-abbey">https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/jason-hipkiss-refuse-planning-permission-for-building-50-houses-on-land-near-furness-abbey</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13433237754843495664noreply@blogger.com0Cumbria LA13, UK54.1137543 -3.178835400000025454.039291299999995 -3.3401969000000253 54.1882173 -3.0174739000000255