I’m a controversialist and catalyst, quietly enabling others to develop by providing different ideas and views of the world. Born in London in the early 1950s and initially trained as a research chemist I retired as a senior project manager after 35 years in the IT industry. Retirement is about community give-back and finding some equilibrium. Founder and Honorary Secretary of the Anthony Powell Society. Chairman of my GP's patient group.
Another instalment in my occasional series documenting some of the underbelly of Britain. Britain which we wouldn’t like visitors to see and which we wish wasn’t there. The trash, abused, decaying, destitute and otherwise buggered parts of our environment. Those parts which symbolise the current economic malaise; parts which, were the country flourishing, wouldn’t be there, would be better cared for, or made less inconvenient.
I’ve blogged this “yard” before in Buggered Britain #13.
As you can see, it doesn’t materially improve with keeping.
Early yesterday (Sunday) morning I went photographing in central London. It was a glorious bright, warm, sunny morning in which the Albert Memorial, in Kensington Gardens looked absolutely stunning.
Later in the morning the Italian Gardens at the NE corner of Kensington Gardens (near Lancaster Gate station) were equally delightful, if rather more populated by the time we got there in mid-morning.
Italian Garden Kensington Gardens, London; 28 July 2013
Another in our series highlighting articles you may have missed …
Unfortunately top billing this week has to go to Prime Minister David Cameron’s desire to impose a “porn block” on every internet connection. Needless to say the internet has been awash with people decrying the scheme as unworkable censorship. Some has been the usual squealing about anything we don’t like but much has been sensible commentary on the abhorrence of censorship and the practicalities of why the system won’t work. Those of you who know me, and who follow here, will be able to guess my view. Here is a selection of articles:
Original news item from the Independent: David Cameron cracks down on online pornography with ‘porn block’ option
The anotherangryvoice blog shouts against David Cameron’s “national wank register” although the article is more rational and practical than that sounds.
Meanwhile in measured fashion New Statesman asks 10 questions about Cameron’s ‘war on porn’
While in PC Pro the smaller ISPs are resisting.
Another blogger maintains the proposed UK porn filter is a threat, not a safeguard.
Milena Popova looks at the proposals from the perspective of an abuse survivor.
Finally there is the inevitable e-petition on the government website: Do Not Force ISP Filtering of Pornography and Other Content. At the time of writing it has just over 25,000 signatures. Whether you agree or not I’d urge everyone to sign as 100,000 should ensure a parliamentary debate, which is about the best we can do in exercising our full democratic power.
Now let’s return to the usual rather more amusing and esoteric fare. Big ears! Yes ears (and noses) really do grow as we age.
Here’s an interesting, if slightly contentious, article on why we should fight back against those who are determined to kill off obesity. Yes, we know there may be risks (for some) in obesity but moral blackmail isn’t the answer and quality of life does matter.
At last an explanation for all those tales of werewolves. Apparently sleep quality declines around the full moon.
Still on things medically orientated, scientists are increasingly demonstrating that there are links between faulty body clocks and mental illness although it should be stressed that a correlation doesn’t prove causation.
Well who would have guessed? Bottlenose dolphins use names to identify each other. Wolves too it seems. You mean all animals don’t? I bet they do; just because we can’t understand what name our cat or dog calls itself!
A couple of writers for Practical Fishkeeping magazine go snorkelling in an English river and are surprised by the amazing biodiversity.
Oh dear, here we go again … More sleight of hand in the finance industry. Nationwide Building Society is working out how to issue shares and remain mutual. Ho hum …
Meanwhile some fun … I love it when eccentric, guerilla ideas take off. Apparently campaigners have planted cannabis seeds all over a German town and the authorities are struggling to keep up with destroying the resulting sudden growth.
More fun, but more seriously … apparently the Tory party’s plans to claw back EU powers have been thrown into disarray after an official study describes the London-Brussels balance as ‘broadly appropriate’. As usual though, I bet they ignore their advisers.
And now for a true British eccentric. Obituary for the 7th Marquis of Anglesey, historian of the British Cavalry, who died last week.
Kleptocracy
A ruling body or order of thieves.
A government by thieves; a nation ruled by this kind of government.
Hence a government characterized by rampant greed and corruption.
[See also politics, from the words “poly” meaning “many”, and “ticks” meaning “blood-sucking parasites.”]
The first use recorded by the OED is in 1819 although regular use does seem to appear until the late-1960s.
National Marine Week isn’t so much a week as a fortnight as it runs from Saturday 27 July right through to Sunday 11 August.
The UK’s marine areas are home to a number of amazing and unexpected creatures like dolphins and basking sharks as well as corals and all manner of shellfish. Organised by The Wildlife Trusts National Marine Week is intended to celebrate these marvellous animals and encourage us to go out and explore our local seashores.
If you’ve ever wanted to watch puffins, spy on bathing grey seals or see dolphins then this is your opportunity. You can also learn more about sea plants and beaches. There are a range of activities on offer, including remarkable rock pool rambles and marine treasure hunts for every member of the family.
As always there is much more information over on the National Marine week website at www.wildlifetrusts.org/living-seas/get-involved/national-marine-week.
Eyemouth is a small town in Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders just 8 miles north of Berwick-upon-Tweed. It gets its name from the Eye Water flowing into the North Sea, and the natural harbour, formed by the river mouth, has been used as far back as the 1200s and probably much further.
The festival, which celebrates the town’s fishing heritage, is a week long fête built around the crowning of the 69th Herring Queen. There is the usual wide range of events from a procession with pipe bands through sandcastle building and pie eating to the Service of the Sea.
Love Parks Week runs during the usual extended week of 27 July to 4 August.
Quality green spaces are essential to healthy, happy communities. And Love Parks Week celebrates and showcases just this as well as campaigning for continual reinvestment in green space.
And of course summer is the perfect time to visit your local green spaces and remember what it’s like to breathe outside of a city-fuelled environment and recall the heady days of childhood! Even better is that such visits can reduce illnesses — apparently a walk in the park every day reduces the likelihood of heart attacks, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Love Parks Week website lists over 400 events taking place across the UK — everything from sports days and picnics to brass bands and Shakespeare — so there should be something happening near you.
OK so here goes with my answer to the second of our fourth series of questions. Ready? … Go …
Question 2: Why are manhole covers round?
I’m so surprised at even having to be asked this, as I would have thought the answer was obvious: as a safeguard against square aliens, of course.
I mean what other possible reason could there be? It isn’t as if they’re really easier to make than heptagonal covers, is it? Nor easier than square ones.
And it can’t be that a round cover would use less material than a polygonal one, can it. That would just be silly! How could any right-minded person think such a thing?
No the only possible answer is that they’re to guard against square alien invaders …
See what I mean?
Eccentric looks at life through the thoughts of a retired working thinker
