tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74760584765185176092011-08-02T01:06:39.725ZMartin's completely random muttering, musing, rants, thoughts and life on the Isle of Wight.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.comBlogger581100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-13104524267807962182009-07-19T00:10:00.001+01:002009-07-19T00:12:23.352+01:00

This blog is no longer maintained. It has been moved into the new version of our family blog. Please visit http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/category/mutterings/ for the latest mutterings. Thanks for reading.

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-62107526412354958032009-07-18T20:56:00.002+01:002009-07-19T00:16:35.331+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment.This is the last post in my series. I may blog more on the subject of Badman (click on the keyword to see!) but in even more random fashion. I have saved what

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-44181403991105025292009-07-16T21:04:00.002+01:002009-07-19T00:16:59.013+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/ Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment. OK, this is a biggy for democracy lovers out there. Anyone who holds to the principle “legislate at haste, repent at leisure” (he says mangling a quotation,

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-91273329762088699812009-07-13T20:32:00.002+01:002009-07-19T00:17:14.218+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/ Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment. OK, the following was released after a Freedom of Information request. 5. Known to social care[1] 25 of the 90 LAs asked responded (28% response rate). •

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-5706904773021541402009-07-13T19:40:00.002+01:002009-07-19T00:17:28.859+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/ Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment. Erm yes. Except, no. The Badman review makes some recommendations for extra support for home educators. It also dresses up some unnecessary and intrusive

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-71377697666417945732009-07-13T19:24:00.002+01:002009-07-19T00:17:41.600+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/ Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment. The Badman review calls for a new definition of what constitutes a suitable and efficient education: “Recommendation 2 That the DCSF review the current

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-11570200125378676262009-07-13T17:47:00.002+01:002009-07-19T00:18:09.853+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/ Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment. Apparently the new measures proposed aren’t going to cost anything significant, and the recommendations that would cost money (essential the only ones that might

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-48903741904907638862009-07-05T16:20:00.002+01:002009-07-19T00:18:49.615+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/ Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment. This is a no-brainer for some local authorities. How can we possibly ensure all children are safe if we can’t see them? How can we possibly ensure the child’s

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-20917525040456324622009-07-04T10:35:00.004+01:002009-07-19T00:19:01.288+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/ Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment. Alternative title: Nanny knows best I have mentioned previously that the evidence base for Badman’s recommendations is missing. So what is the driving force

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-18844711639992167822009-07-03T18:06:00.003+01:002009-07-19T00:19:15.816+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/ Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment. The second part in my ongoing analysis of the governments initiative to rush anti home education legislation through parliament. For part one click here. Some

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-34106381038089302622009-07-01T18:58:00.007+01:002009-07-19T00:19:31.711+01:00

This blog is an archive only version, the content has been moved to http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2009/07/the-great-educational-balls-up-series-overview/ Please visit the new site for the latest content and comments or to post a comment. I have been wondering how on earth to coherently blog about the Badman review and the proposed government legislation announced immediately it was accepted by

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-87478529776209198702009-07-01T18:19:00.003+01:002009-07-01T18:26:40.303+01:00

I was once sat in a doctors surgery, rather bored, waiting for my turn to go and be poked and prodded. As I sat in the half empty room someone came in, picked up a chair and left. No-one batted an eyelid. No-one missed the chair. We were all still sitting comfortably. Then someone else came in and took a chair. Same reaction. It occured to me that they could gradually take the chairs away

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-53910902543853633782009-05-09T21:25:00.001Z2009-05-09T21:34:53.555Z

We have just finished watching The Speaker on the iPlayer.  It has been a really interesting watch (it was originally the rest of the family but I got hooked too) and fascinating watching the different personalities and the changes evident in some of the young people taking part.  Duncan drove me mad at first, one dimensional, all froth and no substance, but his performances mellowed, he took on

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-62488596515936988692009-04-21T09:30:00.003Z2009-04-21T09:46:44.018Z

"Eco Island is an ambitious change programme. It will turn the Isle of Wight into the ultimate Eco Island, with strong communities and the lowest carbon footprint in England by 2020." (Eco Island website)So, what happened to Eco Island? I know some things are happening, but after all the flash, whizz and bang of the launch conference and Big Green Picnic it has mostly gone eerily quite. What

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-83980321905833140262009-04-18T21:03:00.002Z2009-04-18T21:07:14.977Z

....is the plague of signs on our esplanades. I think they should all be removed, there are now so many that no-one pays them any attention and they are just a blot on the landscape. If we have to have signs lets have happy friendly ones that welcome people and invite them to have fun, rather than a myriad of metal monsters telling us we can't do anything at all.

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-60071494382804212862009-03-20T18:24:00.002Z2009-03-20T18:28:21.142Z

So many times I have problems with companies who compound basic mistakes by completely failing to deal with them. Not so the folks at Outdoor Action. They supplied me with a tent at an excellent price, with no premium for delivery to the Isle of Wight. Good start. Very fast delivery, but unfortunately the additional sun canopy I ordered was supplied in the wrong colour. A simple error, and

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-30417222315730631592009-02-08T21:10:00.001Z2009-02-08T21:12:41.195Z

Just tried to log in to my online British Gas account in order to sort out the complete mess they have made of my billing (having spent half an hour on the phone to submit meter readings for a house move, which I had already submitted online). I got this message:"Access to your online bill is temporarily unavailable. If the time is between 7am - 11pm Monday to Saturday, please try again in a few

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-62778485090517721662008-12-30T13:01:00.003Z2008-12-30T16:25:15.188Z

I have pneumonia. This is causing no small measure of pain and discomfort, and now it has been diagnosed and my wife has collected by prescription antibiotics I would like to start taking them and getting better. But I can't. Being more diligent than me, Susan read the leaflet in the pack, only to discover that the capsules contain sunset yellow, a colourant which can cause an allergic

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-72847505195940061552008-11-15T22:51:00.004Z2008-11-15T22:57:25.987Z

I have recently put together a new site for our Cafe Church efforts. It's at www.cafechurch.info The design is entirely WordPress based, a concept many have used before but I'm just experimenting with as a way of keeping things up to date as easily as possible, having been impressed with WordPress since ditching Blogger on the Island 2000 site. Only laziness prevents me moving this blog over

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-24512850986177492652008-11-15T22:49:00.001Z2008-11-15T22:51:40.709Z

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-4435307259941464202008-11-04T19:21:00.003Z2008-11-04T19:28:39.379Z

No Timewasters Please. It's been used in classified ads for ages, and I am now seeing it more and more on our local Freecycle list. But what is it really going to achieve? Ah, they don't want people to waste their time, I'll carry on looking for someone who doesn't give a **** how much of their time I waste.I'm now off to put a sign in my car saying "No car thieves please".

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-69799170818052556572008-11-01T21:53:00.003Z2008-11-01T22:05:50.301Z

I have just watched what must be the funniest episode of Have I Got News For You. Hosted by Tom Baker, who has clearly completely lost it, most of the show was spent (for me anyway) creasing up at the expressions as Paul Merton, Chris Addison and Ian Hislop tried desperately to figure out a way of tunnelling out to escape the crushing boredom of Vince Cable and the raving lunacy of Tom Baker.

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-77046877139053313082008-06-07T14:48:00.002+01:002008-06-07T15:08:13.451+01:00

Sorting through some old files I discovered something I started writing when I was researching suburbs and transport at university about 7 years ago. I couldn't decide what to do with it, so thought I'd post it here. Then I'll have an empty folder....The cliché has it that "An Englishman's house is his castle" and in many ways that phrase still seems to ring true today. Research into

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-88361696248506458012008-04-23T22:01:00.004Z2008-04-23T22:19:32.796Z

Well, it has been a hectic few months. Not helped by being asked to do some work for Waverley Excursions about the MV Balmoral in March. While most welcome in income terms and an interesting piece of work, it was one of those that required dropping everything. Only some stuff couldn't be dropped. So we've been busy. Still, clearly leads to less time to spend grumbling.... But I'm back, I'm

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-38268106502448153962008-01-24T15:38:00.000Z2008-01-24T15:40:02.255Z

In need of some cheering up, so I thought I would further spread my epic (cough) first YouTube video.

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-32233897065234102852007-12-06T19:14:00.001Z2009-07-19T00:21:06.056+01:00

This blog has moved, this post is now located at http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2007/12/frankfurt-hahn-airport-and-bus-to-frankfurt/

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-68373322004954384372007-12-01T20:14:00.000Z2007-12-01T20:59:33.791Z

We got back a couple of days ago from a lightening trip to Frankfurt. It was borne out of Ryanair's 1p flight deal, discovered thanks to the most excellent Martin Lewis and his splendid Moneysavingexpert.com website. When I say 1p, that was it. One solitary penny per person each way (inc. taxes). So 7 of us travelled from London Stansted to Frankfurt Hahn for 14p. Unfortunately it cost us

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-1356347440407559092007-11-05T15:30:00.000Z2007-11-05T15:32:52.986Z

For some odd reason I can't quite remember, the national anthem just came up at work, which reminded my of this which, unlike the Gordon Brown song, I found instantly on You Tube. Enjoy.

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-60626090836550815232007-10-25T20:10:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:49:26.832Z

Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear.The family are all (except DS who is allergic to milk) like pizza. Pizza of all kinds is popular, and sometimes only a Pizza Hut will do. I'm not saying that this is the finest pizza available, just that it has a certain something that others do not (DW makes finer pizzas). It is not a cheap business though, so for a treat a couple of weekends ago, while DS was away,

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-29279318119221395252007-10-13T19:46:00.000Z2007-11-05T15:34:06.606Z

In our house we have long been fans of Weird Al's ebay song, but yesterday DW came across a veritable treasure trove of Al's stuff on You Tube. A particular favourite is a classic Star Wars song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-gi4Nt_xxg but there are just too many great songs to list, go watch.

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-81032081741858151802007-10-10T20:03:00.001Z2007-10-10T20:12:05.644Z

If I want a diet drink, I'll buy a diet drink. If I don't, it appears I'm stuffed. Bought a can of RWhites (I think) lemonade (actually a colleague kindly bought it for me as I had run out of money so resorted to scrounging) only to discover it was stuffed with artificial sweeteners. Yuck! I understand some people prefer diet drinks, like their teeth more than I do, want to keep their colorie

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-693380746513702322007-10-05T23:12:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:32:46.926Z

Am I the only one who remembers this? Spitting Image song to the tune of "Golden Brown" but with words changed to suit Gordon? I was amazed I never heard it when he took over as PM. I can't find it on You Tube either, despite loads of other Spitting Image songs being on there. Did I dream it?

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-83972267600291791772007-08-14T12:26:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:53:08.626Z

...with being disenchanted.Life is good. I know I like to have a grumble and moan here, and that's the point of the blog, but really, I'm sick at tired of petty grumbling (he complained). Sometimes living here on the Isle of Wight we forget just how lucky we are to live here, and instead spend our time complaining about the cost of housing being pushed up by holiday home owners, overners (like

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-1212413155948105792007-07-20T19:15:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:28:34.922Z

I was going to rant about car drivers not giving way to cyclist travelling uphill, but see the Weekly Gripe has beaten me to it. (Great title by the way!). I share their grievance. Travelling along National Cycle Network 23 I had the same problem the other day. In a car, stopping to give way to a bike takes mere seconds and no effort (unless you count depressing the brake pedal). By following

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-55337277883837859802007-06-24T18:39:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:52:12.095Z

Went to a Changing Tunes concert last night. Wow, was it good, and boy, did it reiterate what a mess our prison system is (though I have to say no-one from the organisation was critical of the system per se, it was just apparent in my thoughts afterwards, based on some of the things said and unsaid).Changing Tunes is a charity that uses music to aid the rehabilitation of prisoners and

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-8476932178215597992007-06-20T22:56:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:50:41.610Z

In a bid to deal with the rising threat of terrorism, gun crime, grafitti, bunking off school and all the other evil things that would be rampant on our streets without our politicians keeping us safe, our Tone has hired storm troopers to patrol the capitals streets. You can see this one using his stop-and-search-for-no-flaming-reason-at-all powers, as this child should obviously be in school

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-1053957222173148062007-06-20T22:26:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:26:29.151Z

...Golden Brown is really starting to scare me. BBC news article sets out some of his views on education. Yet more tinkering at the edges, and essential lots more of the same, generally the sort of things most politicians spout. My concern is just how wedded "education" is becoming to "career" "aspirations" and "potential" (otherwise known as "money" "money" and "money". Gordon is not

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-62105137904944556592007-06-09T22:59:00.001Z2007-10-25T20:45:35.079Z

During a walking tour of Breda, I discovered the local authority there have decided to reopen the harbour, what a good idea. But impossible of course, since it was filled in in the '60s and an underground car park built across much of it. Yet wait, this is the Netherlands, engineering watercourses is a way of life, and they want their waterfront back, so the car park gets the heave-ho (with

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-73963674178662173622007-06-09T22:37:00.002Z2009-07-19T00:23:13.631+01:00

This blog has been moved. This post can now be found at http://wightweirdos.co.uk/ww/2007/06/belgian-drivers/

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-69757639319860702322007-06-05T22:29:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:52:32.742Z

Just finished Dan Kieran's book "I Fought the Law" which I stumbled on in WHSmith at the Port of Dover, having realised I was short of holiday reading. Great book - worrying and liberating at the same time. Think it may be one of those which has an impact on life - not quite sure what/how yet. Will probably write more later, but for now, go and buy a copy - it's worth it (but only if you can

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-5184679026479804852007-06-03T18:20:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:45:35.080Z

Father and I just decided we need a new approach to roadworks and other situations where lanes merge. The most efficient system is to use both lanes until the point when they must merge, then merge in turn. Unfortunately our mentality is to join the queue straight away, which actually leads to an inefficient system, with multiple merge points and porr utilisation of road space, hence longer

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-87866349455907100532007-06-02T23:15:00.003Z2007-10-25T20:46:28.162Z

Just posted on the family blog about how good cycle infrastructure is in the Netherlands (after a slightly petty gripe about signage at one junction) and that improving ours in the UK would almost certainly see a modal shift from car to bike. What I'm not sure about is how you change an anti-bike culture. The Dutch drive sensibly around cyclists, are tolerant of them making mistakes (and

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-14562330224057553682007-06-01T22:01:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:48:30.360Z

Discovered today I rather like the British art of queuing and similar niceties, but not the aggressive attitude towards those who flout our conventions. For example in the Netherlands, France and Belgium if you want to change lanes you pretty much just signal and move into traffic in the next lane. No-one flashes, swears, tries to ram you etc (one boy racer in a tarted up piece of *** broke the

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-33507472886234645992007-05-31T22:30:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:24:53.426Z

I am a Philistine and a country bumpkin.Went to Amsterdam today, too many people, too busy. Much nicer further south IMO (I am rather fond of Noord-Brabant). I lived for 16 years in London and never liked it greatly. Several years out of cities have only confirmed my views.Oh, and I'm a Philistine because we went to the Van Gogh museum and it was just some pictures. I liked a few very much,

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-68094377265802554812007-05-30T18:24:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:46:28.163Z

Cycled the 7.5km (5 miles or thereabouts for the terminally British) into Breda.Along the main road there was mostly a cycle lane on each side of the road, separate from the road and footpath. It was wide, well surfaced and had right of way over minor roads and entrances to premises. It's illegal to cycle on road if there is an adjacent cycle path. Some people think this should be the same in

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-15548545440381484102007-05-29T21:00:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:53:08.626Z

Worried about withdrawal symptoms. Anyway, have decided to "blog" on paper (I guess that makes it a journal really...) and type it up when I get home.Drove across a bit of France, Belgium and the Netherlands today. Their motorways mostly put us to shame with two exceptions, the woefully inadequate signs and the corkscrew junctions followed by 6" long slip roads. Hair raising.N.B. The dates of

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-18551852130812139052007-05-07T16:01:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:53:08.628Z

I provide tech support to various people both formally and informally, so when a friend emailed thishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRBIVRwvUeEI just had to post the link here.Enjoy!

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-48959203225805467592007-04-26T09:27:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:47:45.697Z

So often we here statements along the lines of "but if one less child dies..." or "if we can stop one child being abused...". Indeed the government cliche of the moment is "Every Child Matters". The trouble is, in a simplistic way I guess most of tend to agree with these sorts of statements. There is a problem in that statement though - the word "simplistic". These are not simple matters,

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-63063027469897889072007-04-18T22:02:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:49:26.833Z

Just been reading on the Solent TV website about a new survey which says the Isle of Wight is one of the worst places to bring up children. This is based on a survey of the things parents rate most important in an area, and then using statistical information to score each of these, duly weighted. Interestingly one of the important factors was "community spirit" - not quite sure what

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-86406833252053887172007-04-01T15:50:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:29:00.723Z

Ah, the Times Schools Supplement has done it again. And yes, I have renamed them, I don't think they're entitled to call themselves an Education paper, not until they start to seriously acknowledge that there are viable alternatives to traditional schooling, and I suspect that's not going to happen while their rag is purchased primarily by teachers and local authorities.This weeks front page

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-9188899076432083362007-03-28T21:05:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:44:33.594Z

Ok, so I may be slow, but I have now worked out my bleating about this government's approach to the voluntary sector a few weeks ago was quite timely. You see, dear old Mr Brown has just screwed the third sector - again. Tax is down to 20% from next year, whoppee! Oh, except there will be no 10% rate any more, so its only down as long as you are not on a low income. I have heard the income

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-91526882626139455372007-03-16T10:51:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:31:10.720Z

So, the government's screwed the third sector again. Yet more overspend on the Olympics, so the lottery will be mined deeper still to make up the short fall. For all the talk of supporting the voluntary and community sector, there never appears to be much action. Or money. Take a look at government grants available. They have a whole website listing them. Only they're virtually all closed

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-64003464258399213752007-02-21T20:32:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:53:44.825Z

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.Picture courtesy of Anneliese Myers

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-2510831349463996942007-02-17T20:08:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:46:19.056Z

I wonder just how much state control/surveillance the average Brit can stand? It appears the country will quite happily swallow almost anything as long as it is dressed up in terms of "protecting" the vulnerable - particularly children. The Government's "Every Child Matters" strategy is a classic. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there is some good stuff in it, but it takes us yet deeper into

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-70088192827504951402007-02-12T09:34:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:28:04.599Z

I have become an allotment holder! Well not quite, I have just started sharing an allotment with a friend. So, I have a year of hard work but hopefully lots of nice tasty veg. My garden is the size of a postage stamp, and I manage to grow a surprising amount on it, but it's just too small for serious growing. Looking forward to this, though my back isn't!On Sat DS (age nearly 5) and I

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-44548304343028167232007-02-09T18:14:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:53:44.826Z

A few weeks ago The Times published an article entitled:Bolt holes at a bargain priceYou think you can't buy a second home in Britain for less than £100,000? Think again, says Lucy Denyerhttp://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/buying_and_selling/article1294147.eceHmmm...... I wouldn't mind being able to afford a first home for under £100,000. Unfortunately the Isle of

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-83591458941318025752007-02-07T11:23:00.000Z2007-02-07T11:25:53.478Z

am I so disorganised? One blog post then nothing. Hmmmm. Will try harder.

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476058476518517609.post-77544553034087778692006-12-26T21:57:00.000Z2007-10-25T20:30:16.910Z

Sometimes I am certain of what I believe, what matters, what is right and what is wrong. Some nights I wake up too often to get into such lavish dreams.You see, I increasingly think life is just more complicated than the label-mongers would have us believe. We had my 'rents and brother (who has apparently discovered the Isle of Wight isn't really further away than the US) over today, and as

Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200275617846269113noreply@blogger.com0