LITTER, LITTER EVERYWHERE

I am often contacted by local residents expressing their concerns over the amount of litter that continues to mar our streets, highways and recreation areas. These residents expect me, in my capacity as their county councillor, to ‘do something’ about getting it collected.

Most people take a certain amount of pride in their environment and there is a strong feeling that our litter strewn highways present a poor image for those visiting the area and I am inclined to agree.

I must confess here that I have a personal obsession with litter; the reason I have rarely ventured anywhere near a public beach in over 30 years. I only have to see one discarded cigarette end, crisp packet or drink can and I’m off. Contrary to popular belief this is not a class issue. I often find it difficult to hold my tongue, sometimes failing to do so and receiving verbal abuse for my pains, each time I pass an office building, pub or bar and see smokers throwing their cigarettes on the ground. Who do they think is going to clean it up?

I can well recall inspecting a five-star hotel on one occasion when awoken in the middle of the night by noise coming from a nearby pub. On looking out of the window I happened to see the night porter having a quick smoke, then dropping the discarded end on the ground in front of the entrance; a clear indication of a complete lack of regard, and not someone I would wish to employ.

Littering is entirely anti-social, and the less responsible members of our society should be held to account for such behaviour; especially those who fly tip.

Much as I might try my best to persuade the powers that be to collect the litter, it seems absurd that we should have to employ people, paid for by our tax payers’ money, to pick up the rubbish discarded by others with such gay abandon. No matter how frequently litter collection is carried out, in just a few days there will always be more. Surely in times of austerity and government funding cuts there must be better things to spend our money on; education, transport and heath spring most readily to mind.

There is the argument that the solution to the problem lies in education but I believe that this is a cop out. Everyone knows that it is wrong to litter. The problem is that people just do not care and there are few consequences.

I am no fan of the ‘big brother’ society but perhaps the answer is dashboard cameras to capture evidence of items being flung out of car windows, and a willingness to prosecute. Better still, community service for the offenders – picking up litter.

I have just returned from a visit to India, where litter remains an enormous problem. In an effort to address this there is now a 2% levy on all bills to fund their ‘clean India’ campaign. Perhaps if our government were to consider doing the same, the public outcry alone may be enough to change behaviour. I live in hope. As frustrating as it may be to see litter, any anger should be directed to the culprits, not hard working local authority employees who have enough to cope with.

BA Flight BA198 Mumbai to London

BA Flight BA198 Mumbai to London

What has happened to customer service? I am fiercely patriotic and expect the best from our national airline. 

Having checked in and booked my seat for my flight today, late yesterday evening. To be informed later that the flight was cancelled. OK, so stuff happens, and apparently I am booked on the same flight tomorrow. However, at no point was I informed that my flight category had been downgraded, and did not discover this until I tried to book myself a seat. 

I have called BA on many occasions in the last 8 hours, including a 40 minute call to a UK number, failing all other options, which has cost me £60, only to find that I was speaking to someone in Delhi anyway, who put me on hold for most of the time and then could not take a decision!  

I have not been able to find even one person who will either call me back, or at the very least explain why I was not transferred to the later flight at the same category, or who will tell me what the situation is re: hotel bill, other expenses or any compensation. 

This is quite unacceptable by any standards. Apart from anything else I find it impossible to travel on long flights in economy, which is why I have not been on any long haul flights for sometime. This particular trip was really important as I was visiting a number of centres where I had helped to raise funds to see that underprivileged women could finish their education - I am not a wealthy person, and in order to take the trip I cashed in a pension to pay for the upgraded flight. 

As things stand I shall never be able to say a good word about BA again, and will ensure that everyone knows just how I feel. It is truly shameful. 

Peaceful Silent Protest

‘Thank you for participating’. I must have had dozens of people come up to me expressing this sentiment.

Little had I realised that on my first visit to Pune, India, for six years since having had breast cancer surgery here in 2005 I would be actively participating in my first ever demonstration.

I had arrived the night before and had planned to have lunch with Rotarian colleagues who had called to postpone our meeting until the evening on account of the demonstration (a Morcha) that was to take place in the city that day. There was widespread news of the chaos that would ensue with 18 roads closed and 7,000 police deployed to set up road blocks. ‘This is something I just have to see.’ I told my hosts who thought I was quite mad. I am not one given to demonstrating and had fully planned to pop along to have a quick look and make my exit.

When I discovered the reasons for the demonstration I decided that I would join them to show my support and four hours later found myself caught up in one of the most profound experiences of my life.

Around 1.2 million people of the Maratha caste were expected to gather and march in silent protest against the ‘reservation’ system imposed by the government 60 years ago. Intended to rectify the imbalance in social mobility it has meant that those of the Maratha caste feel that they are at an unfair disadvantage when pitching for jobs or educational placements where others of a lower caste are given preference regardless of experience or achievement. There was also concern about the recent rape and murder of a young girl in Kopardi that had received international publicity. The crowd, made up of all age groups and all professions, were intending to present a list of their demands to the government.

I usually stay well clear of crowded places so this was a big decision for me, to be surrounded by such a throng of people. I found it really emotional, and may well have been the only westerner there. The whole thing was incredibly well organised by team leaders who directed everybody by blowing whistles, obtaining immediate and total obedience, and with loud speakers reminding everyone that this was a peaceful process. Free water and snacks were provided and I did not see one piece of litter anywhere, which in itself is nothing short of amazing.

To be there to witness the solidarity and discipline of the crowds, was truly awesome. Almost complete silence amongst more than 1 million people was unbelievable.

The police, although much in evidence, had no helmets, no guns and no riot shields. News reports have stated that there was not one arrest or untoward incident. I think we have a lot to learn from the peaceful way in which this demonstration took place. This event is something that will stay in my memory forever.

Giving women a second chance

With students at the Navi Diva Centre; celebrating success at Sarangpur Centre; guests of honour at Ankleshwar Rotary Club; trying out the local mode of transport .....

Ilminster Rotarians John Wood and Linda Piggott-Vijeh were joined by John's wife Beverley to meet first hand the 116 women who have benefited from a jointly funded literacy project in rural areas of Gujarat.

Initiated by Manish Shah of the Rotary Club of Ankleshwar, the project has provided an inspirational lifeline for these women, aged from 17 to 35, many of whom are mothers, to complete their education. This will give them better opportunities to be able to obtain good employment and to improve the lives of their families.

The women study for 5 hours a day at one of six centres across the area and all will be taking their grade 10 examinations next month.

Said Linda 'This has been a truly humbling experience, which has brought me to tears. To hear of the individual stories of hardship and in some cases, violence, that these women have had to overcome is heart rending; all just because they want to be educated. This is something that we take for granted at home, whereas here their equipment consists of an empty room, and few few worn text books. Nothing else, no desks, no air conditioning, no computers, just a desire to better their lives and those of their families. This is what Rotary is really all about'.

For more information contact - manish@shroffit.com or

Linda Piggott-Vijeh - Shalimar Hotel, Ankleshwar (until Tues.20th) +91 2646220803

Basking in the success of others

As much as it generates the ‘feel good’ factor to be successful in one’s own endeavours, I find that I get nearly as much pleasure in being invited to share in the success of others.

In that respect this past month has certainly been one of achievement. One of my many godchildren has at last graduated from university, which was not something easily achieved due to her dyslexia, and has also landed a great job with a great company. In addition to this a young lad I supported through college, on the verge of expulsion on more than one occasion, has also been successful in getting into paid employment. Not to be outdone, my niece, who had a difficult upbringing, got head-hunted for her dream job. Cheers all round.

I confess to feeling inordinately proud of them all. It is the younger generation after all, that whilst gainfully employed, will shore up our country’s coffers to see me into old age.

At the time of writing I am biding my time at Heathrow, waiting for a flight to India, on my way to witness first-hand the results of a jointly funded project in Gujarat to provide educational opportunities for women. Initiated by my Ilminster Rotary colleague, John Wood and his wife Beverley, I basked in the reflected glory of the achievement, which took place during my tenure as President. I have long been a champion of education in all of its forms
And will be thrilled to meet all 116 of them prior to them taking their exams. I know from personal accounts that many have suffered personal and emotional abuse; all because they wanted to learn and improve their life chances.

Closer to home, last week I attended Wadham School’s Awards Evening, which is always an uplifting experience. What became apparent during the presentations is that although we must not forget that educational attainment is to be applauded, there is much, much more to being educated than gaining high marks in exams. This was borne out by Bethany Lacey’s achievement in being ranked the No.1 tennis player in Somerset and others who in their chosen field had done particularly well. Good schools, no matter what their status, will always aim to provide a real community atmosphere in which achievement and good behaviour flourish.

It was with this in mind that I was especially pleased to join our current President, Harley Pope, to hand over our brand new ‘Service Above Self’ award to two worthy young ladies, Madeline Bennett and Molly Daniel, primarily for their work in supporting refugees. I was particularly keen that we took forward this initiative, based on the Rotary International motto, and with a globe as the trophy, signifying the wider world. Through my work in supporting vulnerable youngsters, as Childrens’ Champion for Somerset, I am all too aware of the influences that can make or break their fragile lives. When surrounded by negativity, and less than ideal personal circumstances, sometimes it can just be a small word of encouragement that will turn a young person’s life around and give them the hope they need to move forward and follow their dreams.

Praise someone today, and see their face light up

Launch of Ashill Outdoor Gym

ASHILL OUTDOOR GYM

CLLR LINDA VIJEH WILL PERFORM THE

OPENING CEREMONY ON 15 OCTOBER 2016 AT 11.30AM

In response to local identified need, five items of equipment have been installed in Ashill Playing Field, suitable for anyone 14 years of age and over.

*Are you at risk of ill health or have been recommended by health professionals to improve your fitness?

·         Do you enjoy exercise but can’t afford to join a gym?

·        Do you seek the camaraderie of exercising whilst chatting with friends?

Come along to the Opening Ceremony and find out how each piece of equipment can benefit you.  An Athletics Coach will be running 2 series of sessions to facilitate show you how to benefit from each piece of equipment.

The bonus – IT’S ALL FREE!!!

Ashill Parish Council is grateful to the Lottery, SSDC Community Fund and money provided by Cllr. Vijeh from her SCC Health & Well-being Scheme for funding this facility.

For more details contact Brenda Pyle -  brendapyle@btinternet.com

THE ARCHERS : Verdict

I have been listening to the Archers ever since I was a child. I would join my grandfather for breakfast on a Sunday morning, and over smoked haddock, still one of my favourite things to eat, we would listen to the omnibus edition together.

Some 50 years later I still tune in whenever I can, but in recent weeks it has been increasingly difficult for me to detach myself from the main storyline; it is only fiction after all.

I believe it is right that programmes like The Archers try to reflect our modern day society, but sometimes the story line is just too close to home for many people. Partly through my involvement with Samaritans, I have been a long-time supporter of some of some of our most vulnerable people, both adults and children, and I spend much of my working life listening to and defending those who are the victims of abuse.

Regular listeners will be familiar with the plotline relating to Rob and Helen Titchener that has dominated for some time.

Along with millions of others across the nation this week, I breathed a sigh of relief, when after months of speculation the ‘not guilty’ verdict was reached by the jury; phew, justice was seen to be done, but it was a close run thing.

Most of us, when we think of abuse, tend to think of the physical kind, involving violence or unwarranted sexual activity, where the evidence is often all too apparent. Almost on a daily basis our newspapers are peppered with graphic images of bruised faces, permanent disfigurement and other evidence of life threatening injuries as a result of such abuse.

In a civilised society, we must be outraged and intolerant of such behaviour, doing all that we can to bring the perpetrators to justice.

What the Archers has highlighted though is that the scars of mental and emotional abuse may not be outwardly visible but the invidious, constant, persistent chipping away at a person’s confidence and self-esteem can be much more damaging. This was the type of abuse, that for all of his false outward charm, Rob Titchener was able to inflict on his wife Helen over a long period of time.

Had she not stabbed him the situation could have continued for many years, until finally she became the shell of a person he was trying to engineer though his despicable behaviour.  

The fear of not being believed is very powerful as all too often, when confronted with the evidence, onlookers will be sceptical and disbelieving. This is all part of the perpetrator’s plan, and something we see especially with children, who are less likely to be believed over an adult, especially one who can be so convincing.

Much as I admire our legal system, the flaws in the jury were all too apparent. In such situations there is clearly a risk where the individuals concerned will always bring their own pre-conceived ideas and prejudices to bear in making judgment.

I have personal experience of this as a member of a jury some years ago. It is not something I would willingly experience again.

Thankfully things have moved on in recent years, with victims being more willing to come forward, but we still have a long way to go.