Breaking the Boundaries of Age

As I approach yet another landmark birthday later this month, I have taken the time to reflect on the rapidity of the changes that have occurred during my lifetime so far. Nowadays I might well be described, with a certain degree of accuracy, as a typical middle class, middle aged woman. It was not always the case, as my own upbringing was distinctly working class, although I did briefly benefit from the mixed blessing of a scholarship place at public school, before I ran away, and eventually left.

Certainly the values and morals of society today are very different from even 10 years ago. It is no longer possible, for example, for levels of abuse to remain uncovered and swept under the carpet in quite the same way, although I’d be the first to admit that we still have a very long way to go.

In our working lives jobs are no longer for life. It remains something of a surprise to me when I meet anyone who has held the same position in the same company for much longer than say 10 years. I’m on my fourth career myself, though admittedly not always by choice. There is of course the argument that change is good. We all know of the person who to all intents and purposes blocks any kind of progress, on the grounds that ‘we’ve always done it that way’. However, I would argue that new and different is not always necessarily better; the old cliché, ‘if it’s not broke, why fix it’ comes to mind.

Probably the key factor and facilitator of change has been the significant advances in technology. In tandem with this has been the need for me to adapt to these changes, not always very willingly I might add.

At a recent meeting of the Council of Governors at the RD&E NHS FT, where I represent Somerset, we discussed at some length the introduction of Electronic Patient Records, and both the benefits and drawbacks of such a move, and I have long since accepted that constant, relentless communication seems to be the order of the day, although I refuse to be a slave to my mobile phone, much to the annoyance of others.   

I strive not be typically representative of ‘middle England’, although my favoured activities and interests would fit nicely into that grouping.

With this in mind, I gave consideration to some meaningful way to celebrate my move from one decade to another. I admit that in the past I have always been quite ‘sniffy’ and snobbish about the dubious attractions of tattoos, until I carried out some research for an article on their history. It was with some trepidation therefore that I arrived for my appointment last week with Richard Sukeles, to have my first ever tattoo. I was very apprehensive, both in terms of the pain, and the risk that something so permanent might not be to my liking. I need not have worried, I have been delighted with the result and feel that in confronting my own prejudices I have made my point; that by remaining open minded and being receptive to new experiences the results can be quite surprising and liberating.  As for the design of my tattoo, suffice it to say it is something that perfectly capture the essence of me.

ETHNIC MINORITIES AS SPORTS COACHES

Headline news this week was the absence of ethnic minorities, and to a lesser degree, women, as sports coaches. It would seem that we have long since got over the issue of the nationality of those who play for our football teams across the country, as long as they play well enough to satisfy the fans’ lust for supremacy over rival teams. It would seem though, as all the fuss would lead us to believe, that when it comes to coaching activity the opportunities for these sporting heroes to show their mettle are very thin on the ground, if not virtually non-existent.

When it comes to selection there have naturally been calls, by the politically correct brigade, for quotas to be introduced

Were I in a position to influence, which thankfully I am not, the quota system is not something I would favour.

There are some who may think that this is a pretty poor analogy but I feel that the same applies to government, whether or at local or national level. We have for sometime seen similar cries for equity, particularly in relation to the balance of women in power.   

With next year’s elections just over the horizon each party will be battling it out for domination, although if early indicators are anything to go by it will be a close run thing. What is then likely to happen, is that keen to consolidate their tenuous hold on power, they will put their chums in place. In my experience of observing and challenging those in authority what tends to happen is that they surround themselves with sycophants to shore up their own egos.

I maintain my stance on this issue in much the same way; the only thing that should matter is that the best person for the job is chosen. We currently have a coalition government at national level and as we get closer to next May so we will begin to see the cosy pact they want us to believe previously existed unravel faster than you can pull at a loose thread on a sweater.

What should happen for whoever holds the balance of power is that those charged with holding high office, making key life changing decisions on behalf of those who voted them in, is that they should put their fears aside and go all out to find the very best person for the job regardless of their political allegiance. That way I believe we will get a better more equitable government. This is something that in the coming months we will all need to consider as we make up our minds about who will be best able to represent us.

At a local level there are already some authorities, albeit in the minority, that operate in this way; from the limited information I have gleaned it has had no adverse effect on their performance. Rather, were I in a position to take decisions about such appointments, I would fully expect to reap the rewards of having chosen well. Perhaps it is for this reason, when asked to participate in selection interviews for high ranking positions, I feel quite able to take some credit for the outcome. I may not be able to do their job, but I like to think that given the right assessment criteria, I can pick the best man, or woman, regardless of their ethnic origin.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS

The protests relating to the lack of affordable housing in London made national news this week, as one might expect. Certainly there is considerable evidence to support the growing need for housing of all types across the country, which in itself does much to fuel the anti-immigration argument.

However, it would be taking a rather simplistic view of the current situation to blame it all on incomers, many of whom do much to contribute towards our economy in one way or another. 

Locally there has been much angst and arm wringing as South Somerset once again gets ready to submit its local plan to the inspector. It has certainly been a very lengthy, time consuming and expensive process for everyone involved.

I always find it interesting to observe the extent to which, by and large, as long as everything is going well, most of us go about our daily business without too much consideration for the wider world beyond. It is only when we feel that our way of life is under threat that we take to the streets to fight our cause, as in this case.

Certainly where local planning is concerned there is always the tricky dichotomy between  overworked planning officers doing their best to apply rules not of their making, whilst being all too aware of the presumption in favour of planning permission being granted, unless evidence can be provided to the contrary. Sadly, the burden for gathering this evidence is increasingly falling on the shoulders of those local residents who feel that they will be most affected by any development. Whether the concern relates to the capacity of basic infrastructure, highways, school placement, the environment, or in the case of Somerset, worries over the impact on flooding, it certainly pays to do your homework.

It is hardly surprising when I suddenly find that I’m the most popular person around, unless of course the application does not go the way they would wish. For significant developments, or those with the potential for a negative impact on the factors mentioned above, the decision will fall to the area committees to make.

Unfortunately, and my point in raising the subject at all, is that this not where it ends. We are increasingly seeing the situation, where having been granted permission for a development, with an agreed percentage of affordable housing included as a condition, the developer will some time later look to have this condition modified, or removed altogether, usually on grounds of the lack of viability of the project.

Thus we find ourselves in a catch 22 situation, with the developer saying that they cannot complete construction whilst the affordable housing condition remains. Despite great unease among both planning officers, and locally elected council representatives it would seem that there is little to be done. I know that we all need somewhere to live, but I don’t believe we should be held to ransom in such a way in order to satisfy greedy unscrupulous developers.

Likewise, there seems to be no mechanism in place at all to penalise those who go ahead with construction without gaining planning permission first. All the offenders need to do is to submit an application retrospectively; this doesn’t say much for the rest of us who do our best to be law abiding citizens. Personally I blame Eric Pickles for such nonsense. 

Celebrity Wines

With Christmas fast approaching my thoughts naturally turn to the problem of present buying for my wine loving friends. There is of course wine, or for those with time and money to spare, a vineyard perhaps?

Whilst owning a vineyard, or having one named after them, may be the perfect present for the person who has everything, the rest of us will be searching for present solutions that won’t break the bank. So, why not treat your loved one to a bottle or two from a vineyard with connections to their favourite star?

The trend of towards celebrities investing their cash in vineyards is not a recent one. In ancient times, leading philosophers, playwrights and politicians often owned vineyards for personal use.

Nowadays, there are many reasons why celebrities choose to become involved in the winemaking industry. Some do it just because they seem to need the ego trip, whilst others go down this route because of the tax benefits it can bring about. It certainly saves nipping down to the supermarket every time Simon Cowell pops round for a drink.

Some, such as film director Francis Ford Coppola, come from families with a long history of winemaking, while others, such as actor Gerard Depardieu, have been lifelong wine enthusiasts. He even lists winemaker as his occupation on his passport, and is involved in a number of wineries around the world. Interestingly, and not to be recommended, he stated in a recent interview that he consumes as much as 14 bottles, a day! It definitely puts my own more modest consumption into perspective.

Johnny Depp bought his former girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis, a vineyard estate just NW of St. Tropez, but despite his reputation as something of a serious wine connoisseur, recent reports suggest his wine drinking days are over.  

David Beckham also acquired a vineyard in Napa, California, for his wife’s birthday in 2008; but unlike others who use their celebrity status as a selling tool in the wine industry, their wine is for the consumption of friends and family only.

His old boss, former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, a real wine buff, was reported to be purchasing a vineyard in France last year for several million pounds. With the publication of his best-selling book last year, he should even have money left to spare.

Winemaking can become a second career for some, like former racing driver Mario Andretti, who purchased his Andretti Winery, also in California, as a hobby in 1996. His wines sell for up to £70 a bottle, with the premium brand, Montona, named after his home village in Croatia.

Irish born actor Sam Neill, who now lives in New Zealand, has called his winery situated in the well regarded Central Otago region on the South Island, Two Paddocks. The Proprietor’s Reserve, Last Chance, Pinot Noir, sells for around £35.

There are different degrees of involvement, and nearly all of them collaborate with an established winemaker but nonetheless it can be a very lucrative business.

Some celebrities lend their names to a special “one off” wine production, as in the case of Pol Roger’s famous Cuvée Winston Churchill, and for many years Rothschild has employed famous artists, including Prince Charles, to design labels for their wines.

Here are some ‘celebrity’ suggestions for solving that present buying dilemma this Christmas.

Francis Ford Coppola – Inglenook, Rubicon, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA. Purchased from profits made out of The Godfather films, this is serious winemaking at its best. Pricey, the exceptional Classic Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely one for keeping, and my top choice at around £50.

Gerard Depardieu – Chateau de Tigne, Anjou, France (and others). He is very active and hands on. The rosé is inexpensive, at under £10 a bottle, and would be number two on my wish list.

Antonio Banderas – Anta Banderas, Ribera del Duero, Spain. Try the ‘a10’, Tempranillo with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, at under £20.

Sting – Tenuta il Palagio, Tuscany, Italy. Each release is named after one of his songs; his ‘Sister Moon’ red blend gets good reviews, and his ‘Message in a Bottle’, costs just £12.50.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt – Chateau Miraval, Brignoles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France. First put on sale to the public last years at £13 a bottle, It sold out within days. An award-winning rosé, Pink Floyd (the group recorded part of their album, The Wall, here) is also produced.

Lionel Messi – Bodega Valentin Bianchi, Argentina. All profits from his wine ‘Leo’, go to his charitable foundation. Two reds made from Malbec, and a white called Torrontés are produced.

Nick Faldo – Katnook Estate, Coonawarra, Australia. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc are available.

David Ginola – Coste Brulade, Provence, France. Silver medal award-winning rosé produced.

Ian Botham and Bob Willis – McLaren Vale, South Australia. The BMW wine range was created in conjunction with Australian winemaker Geoff Merrill, producing a Chardonnay, a Cabernet and a Shiraz.

Graham Norton – Invivo, the New Zealand company that supplies his chat show wines, put out a special Sauvignon Blanc under his name this year.

All of these wines are all available to buy online in the UK. Most are available for around £10, up to a whopping £100+ a bottle.

 

 

 

Wines to go with Paella

I’ve always been a fan of rice dishes, part of which stems from the time I spent as a newly-wed naval wife, in Hong Kong, where special fried rice was the order of the day practically every lunchtime, spent sunbathing by the pool at the naval base, Tamar. Those were the days.

Closer to home, and with Spain emphatically holding onto pole position as the top holiday destination for us Brits, many families will have returned from their time in the sun, sporting bronzed bodies, Having got the kids kitted out ready for a new school year, they will be looking forward to catching up with friends and inviting them round for a bite to eat.

There can be few better ways to entertain than to produce a steaming dish of fragrant paella. Easy on the washing up, with the ability to be eked out to accommodate extra guests, it provides a flavoursome reminder evocative of sunny, relaxing times, and is a real crowd pleaser.

Although Paella originates from Valencia, where it is generally cooked with meat, which could include chicken, rabbit and even snails; it is only outside Valencia that ‘mixed’ paella, containing both meat and fish, is served. Recipes vary - and are much argued over - but typically the dish will include chicken or rabbit, prawns, mussels or clams, red peppers, pimento and saffron-flavoured rice. Some prefer Paella Negra, a seafood dish made with squid ink, which turns the rice black.

It is one of those dishes with many different interpretations, and goes well with a wide range of wines or other beverages you might choose to accompany it.

Paella is typically eaten at relaxed, informal gatherings so I'd avoid those knockout new world wines packed full or fruit, or reds, high in tannins.

If you’re a bit hesitant about the idea of matching fish and red wine you might automatically think of pairing paella with a white wine, but the heartiness of the dish makes it just as good a match with a rosé or a red.

When considering Spanish wines our thoughts automatically turn to Rioja, but there is a lot more to Spanish wines than this perennial pub favourite, particularly as many of the lower priced offerings provide little of the character and flavour associated with a good reserva. So now is the opportunity to try something a little different.

Traditionally, the Spanish drink rosé or a crisp Spanish white wine such as albariňo with their paella, and lovers of sparkling wines often enjoy a good Cava. Outside Spain, the lighter reds and rosés from Languedoc-Roussillon would go well, and there are now some characterful whites wines, with an earthy richness, made from Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, on the market.

For non-wine lovers, in Valencia, the beer of choice is local brand, Estrella De Levante from Murcia, or other popular native beers such as Ambar from Zaragoza. My personal preference would be a bone dry Spanish fino sherry.

The following wines are available from local supermarkets, and for armchair shoppers, also from a number of online channels.

For those keen to hunt out supermarket bargains, this website might be worth a look - www.supermarketspecialoffers.com

 

Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay, 2013, SE Australia. 13%, £7.99

An undemanding wine, well balanced, and with a soft texture.

 

Yellow Tail Pink Moscato, NV, SE Australia. 7.5%, £7.99

Cheap and cheerful, and low in alcohol so easy to quaff.

 

Gold Label Rosé, 2012, Languedoc, France. 12.5% £7.99

A refreshing fruity, rosé from the South of France, a blend of Syrah and other grapes.

Codorniu, Brut, Cava, NV, Spain. 11.5%, £8.99

Made from the traditional Catalan varieties, a good example, made by a long standing maker with a good reputation. Bubbly always makes the party go with a swing.

 

Magnus Hill Chardonnay, 2013, Adelaide Hills, S. Australia. 12%, £9.99

This comes from a cooler climate area, giving a restrained elegance and minerality, with a long finish.

 

Val do Salnes Albariño, 2011, Galicia, Spain. 12% £11.99

A light and intensely fruity wine from the birthplace of this grape variety.

 

Ropiteau Auxey-Duresses 2007, Burgundy, France. 13%, £19.99

A classy wine, where bottle ageing has added to its complexity, giving a creamy oak character.

 

Marques de Monistrol Vintage Cava Rosé Brut. 11.5%, £13

Medal winning Cava from a well established wine maker; superbly refreshing and good value.

 

Gonzalez Byass Delicado Fino. 15.5%, £13.99

A limited production, made for Waitrose, and has exceptional finesse. 

One Rule For One.....

When one puts oneself forward to represent the views and opinions of others, particularly when it comes to planning matters, on occasions some difficult decisions have to be taken. Thankfully, in my 11+ years as the SSDC District Councillor for Neroche ward, which covers the villages of Ashill, Donyatt, Broadway and Horton, I have probably been faced with this situation only a handful of times. Something of a challenge, and not always one to be relished; I am mindful of the quote ‘You cannot please all of the people all of the time..’, but at least I can try.

One such occasion occurred earlier this week when the application for a gypsy/traveller site was brought before Area West for decision.

By the narrowest of margins the decision was made to go against the planning officer’s recommendation for approval, and to refuse the application. I believe it was the right decision but not for the reasons one might expect.

When applications for such sites are submitted emotions run high. Rightly, or wrongly, there continues to be a stigma attached to such applications, mainly brought about by fear, and the anti-social behaviour that is sometimes associated with the residents of such sites.  In spite of such behaviour, what we must always be careful of is tarring everyone with the same brush. In the case of this particular applicant, he is well regarded by those local residents who have known him for osme years. Unlike some other applicants, in any planning context, he did everything by the book, and did not choose to occupy the site in advance of any decision being made.

In my capacity as District Councillor it is my responsibility, and indeed a duty, to represent all parties involved should they seek my advice; to offer unbiased, objective assistance, but above all, to remain open minded until all evidence has been produced. This can sometimes be difficult for people to understand.

In this particular case, at the public Area West Committee meeting, held in Crewkerne, there were many objectors present. In the main, and certainly those from the community I represent, conducted themselves in an appropriate way, sticking to the facts and the evidence they had gained; thankfully with the absence of the distasteful jeering, heckling mentality that one sometimes witnesses. On the other hand, one particular speaker, who announced himself as a prospective parliamentary candidate for next year’s general election, did himself and his party no favours at all by attempting to highjack the meeting for political purposes, and in the process revealed his ignorance of how local government works. Not a very promising sign for some wanting to represent a wider community. His remarks, in as much as he was permitted to air them, amounted to blatant racism in an attempt to stir up the assembled crowd. Fortunately for all of us, his comments were greeted with universal disgust. Had he been allowed to continue, I believe that he would have put the democratic process in jeopardy. Interestingly, I am familiar with several of his County Councillor colleagues, and I do not believe that they would ever behave in such a way.

However, although it pains me to say so, I believe the point he was trying to make, in connection with the current legislation that permits gypsy/traveller sites to be treated as exceptions to normal planning rules, is right. Yes, I do believe there is room for everyone in our society, and that we should all be treated equally, but whether it be to do with racial, ethnic, religious or gender equality. In fact, I hold a formal Equality & Diversity qualification. I do not though, subscribe to the view that in order to achieve equality we should have in place legislation that to all intents and purposes by its very nature discriminates against the majority. This only serves to increase division and encourages animosity. I consider that the only way to achieve this is through education and exposure to different experiences, not by the big stick approach.

In the case of this application, I felt strongly that this was just not the right site. I’m a bit of traditionalist and I am of the opinion that there is a need to protect our heritage. I feel that the impact of the site on a Grade2* listed property would be detrimental, particularly as there was a recommendation to raise the pitches some height above ground level as a protection against flooding, which in itself seems extraordinary. The application was not helped either by the continued failure of statutory consultees to apply themselves to providing appropriate accurate timely information. The person I feel most sorry for is the poor planning officer, who is only trying to apply the rules that exist, whether or not he personally agrees with them. One good thing has however come out of all this. The boorish naysayers who maintained that ‘This is all a fix, a done deal’ were once again proved wrong by the power of democracy. I’d like to be there when they eat their hats.

Adults Grooming on the Internet

It is no secret to anyone that knows me that I’ve been in the market for a man for some time. Whilst very independent, I believe that having a significant other in one’s life has a multitude of tangible benefits. In my search for the illusive shining knight on a white horse I have explored all means open to me, including internet dating sites, many and varied.

It was not without interest therefore, that I happened to catch sight of a recent interview with a woman this week, of a similar age to myself, who had been targeted on the internet, and ‘groomed’, before being lulled into parting with her hard earned cash as part of an increasingly prevalent scam. Sadly, this is not the first time I have heard of stories of a similar vein.

I would never describe myself as gullible or naive, but it did hit a raw note, where the scenario was alarmingly similar to one I almost became a victim of only a few weeks ago, when I discovered that I had also been well and truly groomed.

The grooming took place over a period of six months, where after making initial contact and exchanging photographs and a few details about our lives, I’d receive an email once every week or so. Like the other women that I’ve since heard of, the story was a plausible one; he had been widowed five years ago, lived in Lucan, and as a construction engineer he was currently working abroad in Malaysia, and was due to return at the end of August. So far, so good. The messages were all above board, friendly and pleasant. Being a fairly suspicious type I noted that not long after we began communicating via our personal emails he was no longer to be found on the dating site. Not that unusual, and when I questioned it, he replied that there was no need any longer as he thought he’d found the woman of his dreams, to which my repost was something along the lines of ‘don’t be so daft’. When I asked for more specific details as to his planned return, he responded by saying that the project had been held up and that he had been asked to stay on to rectify sub-standard work carried out by another contractor. Then, over the August bank holiday weekend I had an email asking if I would accept some money from Canada into my bank account ($32,000 it transpired) to pay for additional materials, with the explanation that he had no access to his account from there. That was when the alarm bells rang loud and clear and I immediately called the police. To my surprise they weren’t at all interested, and I then spent a fruitless weekend trying to contact all and sundry to follow this up, all the while trying not to alert the man in question, playing him along to maintain contact in case he could be traced. Not a bit of it. The fraud office only wanted to know whether or not I felt threatened, and whilst logging my call, they were not going to do anything else and said they did not have contact with other crime agencies. The National Crime Agency’s website for reporting suspicious activity was out of action and no-one was there to speak to at their office. A call to the police commissioner’s office also proved fruitless. So, I gave up, having come to the conclusion that in this country, unless you are a father wanting to remove your child from hospital for treatment abroad, investigation of criminal activity only takes place between 9-5, Monday to Friday.

Being fairly street-wise I’m very lucky not to be daft enough to fall for such a con, but there are many out there who, feeling lonely and susceptible to influence, will allow themselves, almost consciously, to be lulled into thinking that the person piling on the endearments genuinely cares for them. The problem is that those who fall victim to these vile people who target the vulnerable are often too embarrassed to admit it to anyone. This problem is not confined to women; I know of several men who have also fallen prey to such activity. In my case, if I were ever in a position to locate the person in question, I would have no qualms in dealing with them. Whilst the main focus of our attention is quite rightly on protecting children who are targeted in this way, usually for sexual reasons, the lesson for me has been that when it comes to illegal activity, thanks to the internet, it is now a case of no holds barred, and we cannot depend on others to protect us.  

 

Living on benefits - practical help is needed, not a bunch of jobsworths!

As featured in Yeovil Press:

http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2014/10/27/south-somerset-news-living-on-benefits-practical-help-is-needed-not-a-bunch-of-jobsworths/

Councillor to live on benefits for a week

As featured in Yeovil Press:

http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2014/10/19/south-somerset-news-councillor-to-live-on-benefits-for-a-week/

Collecting Dragons

With the kids now having broken up for the summer holidays and parents tearing their hair out trying to decide how to keep them occupied, my thoughts have turned to the recently launched Taunton Deane Dragon trail.

There have been sightings all around town of these brightly coloured dragons these last few weeks, although they are so attractive that I've been rather dismayed at the 'keep off signs'; as an adult I can barely resist climbing aboard, so goodness knows how one might control a toddler!

Dragons have been part of our mythology for hundreds of years, inspiring both fear and hatred on the one hand, and considered divine guardians on the other. They are popular as collectables but I soon discovered, to my regret, that the breadth of those that are available is enormous.

Certain brands are considered more collectable than others so to kick start you off here are some of the fashionable brands you might look for;-

Enchantica began with with Holland Studio Craft (HSC), in 1987 and was taken over by Royal Doulton from 1996, until sold again in 2005 to Xystos. In addition to producing figurines they also sell books and many of the figures are modelled after characters in the stories. Enchantica dragons are considered to be top quality for collectors. Special pieces might include:-

• Paint trials: test pieces where colours are tried out before production
• Artist proofs (A/P): pieces painted for shows, where few were released for sale.
• Pattern pieces: painted by the senior artist and used by other artists as a reference for the production pieces (each piece is hand painted).

These pieces are not considered part of a production run, so they will not be numbered or have a certificate, but as always be cautious and check provenance and authenticity.
If a piece was re-painted by a professional painter such as Tina Sherratt and Caroline Briggs, it will generally be worth more.

Dragonsite is a new high-quality label, and Andrew Bill who helped to launch Enchantica and was one of their primary sculptors, now works for them. Included under the Dragonsite label are the Verbum Magnus, Hap Henriksen Resurrection and Nene Thomas fairies ranges.Danbury Mint makes three different sets of dragons, including 6 large Treasure dragons and the four elemental dragons (earth, air, water and fire), and 12 small fabulous dragons All sculpted by John Woodward who was himself an Enchantica sculptor. He is now retired, so his work is increasingly sought after.

Franklin Mint is based in the USA, and produce a wide range of collectables. Their dragon range is sculpted by famous fantasy artist Michael Whelan. His work is numbered and certificated, Fanklin Mint also produce a new range of bronze dragons, which tend to be more expensive, based on works by Julie Bell and Boris Valejo.

Where pricing is concerned, the bigger the piece the more expensive it is, and if the piece you are buying needs to be shipped or posted do take out insurance as breakages are common.

Dinky Toys

As the summer gets fully under way, and the offspring, now free from the fetters of education, fly the nest, many parents will be tearing down the teenage posters, all too keen to paint the walls a fetching shade of magnolia, ready to transform their teenagers’ bedroom into something more suitable for the occasional visitor to sleep in.

It is also likely, that whilst too good to throw away, old and much loved toys will be packed up and stored in the loft, ready for the next generation to arrive.

Amongst them may well be Dinky Toys passed down from previous generations. They may be small but they remain big business for collectors, so before climbing up to the attic, sorting through them could reveal treasures worthy enough to fetch thousands of pounds; enough to pay for the re-decoration perhaps?

Dinky Toys is one of the most famous names. Started by Meccano, they were originally miniature models of vehicles, made at their factory in Liverpool, England from 1935 to 1979.  

Initially six vehicles were produced, all cast in lead (series 22, designated from a to f); a sports car, sports coupe, a truck, delivery van, a farm tractor and a tank. Thereafter different series soon began to appear as they increased the range of models.

These early versions were inaccurate representations, with die-cast bodies, chassis and wheels with rubber tyres. By the end of 1935 there were around 200 different models, including ships, aeroplanes and small trains, available in packs of six. Individual boxes were not introduced until 1952, which is useful to know when trying to date your finds.

Company liveries began to be used to decorate the vehicles, although production was halted for the factory to concentrate on the war effort between 1941 and 1945.

There were also problems in the early days with zinc pest, causing the metal to crumble prematurely, so it is rare to find surviving examples from this time that are in good condition. 

Unboxed items in good condition can still be bought for a few pounds, but rare models can go for thousands, as a look at their official site shows. Super toys and commercials are especially sought after. An early delivery van from 1937 sold for £10,000 in 1994.

There are so many different types of Dinky Toys to collect that most collectors prefer to focus on one particular area, which could be planes, military, TV collectables or sports cars.

Although the internet is a good source, many collectors though still favour swapmeets that allow the models to be examined more closely before buying. Technology, along with innovation and competition from abroad, meant that well-produced traditional British toys like Dinky Toys were destined to meet their eventual demise. The factory finally closed its doors in November 1979, with other well known companies such Corgi Toys and Matchbox, eventually following suit, as the companies were sold to foreign investors.

The History of British Dinky Toys 1934-1964 by Cecil Gibson is a must have for serious collectors, but even in its paperback form a new copy, if you can find one, will set you back £50.

Publishing Letters From Women

It was with a high degree of interest that I listened to reports this morning of concern over the small number of women who appear in the letters pages of our printed media. In my particularly case, given my frequent appearances, it is a cause of wry amusement; on occasion readers have even been known to complain about my prolific output. One can listen to all of the arguments about gender imbalance, and the fact that women just don't have the time to write, but this is plainly codswallop. In my particular case, I spend a lot of time in the car, and rather than listen to music, I prefer to hear what's going on in the world, hence my passion for BBC Radio 4. On reaching my destination, I have had the opportunity to shout out my opinion of whatever the hot topic of the day happens to be, in the privacy of my own car. By then I have also already formed the letter I want to write in my mind. Writing it down, and sending it out into the wider world, is the most blessed relief; the perfect way to relieve pent up frustration at the injustices of this world. If, and when, my penmanship is published, there is also the satisfaction of knowing that I may influence others, even if it is only to respond in disagreement; rather that than apathy. It certainly saves bashing my head against the wall, or beating up the cat. By the way, this took me less than 10 minutes to write. There are those who may say, 'I can see that it did by the lack of quality.' Who cares? Not me that's for sure.

Remembering Fallen Heroes

As we come up to 100th anniversary of the start of WW1 our thoughts move on from the marking of the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy on 6th June 1944, 70 years ago, or so I thought. 
In England we were fortunate enough not to have suffered German occupation but for the French it was another matter altogether. For them D-Day was just the beginning of something they had waited years for - liberation.
This came home to me during a visit to Normandy this last weekend, when I discovered that across the area, on successive days, local villagers were celebrating and commemorating the anniversary of their individual liberation as the allied troops moved south from the site of the D-Day landings. Representatives of local communities gathered at the British Cemetery in St. Charles de Percy to mark the momentous day upon which their communities once again belonged to them. The site itself, donated by the French government in gratitude, provides a moving final resting place for those who fell in pursuit of freedom. I was honoured to be invited along to witness veteran Gunner Colin Yate, age 92, and who served in the 153rd Field Regiment of the Leicestershire Yeomanry lay a wreath at the site, where many of his comrades are buried, including just one from the Somerset Light Infantry, Private T V Kendall. The graves here mark soldiers, sailors and airmen who were ambushed by the German Panzers as they made their way south. The youngest was just 17. For me, a salutary lesson in the futility of war; one we seem not to have learned from but which is forever in the minds of those whose lives were saved.  
 

Collecting Poppies

As the 100^th anniversary of the start of WW1 is being commemorated this week, I have been thinking about that symbol familiar to us all, the poppy.  

I first began to consider poppies, and their significance, when collecting items for a ‘poppy’ tombola as part of fund raising activities held last year to collect money for the Royal British Legion, which was celebrating its 80^th anniversary.

It was only then, as I hunted high and low in shops and car boots sales, that I began to realise just how popular poppies are as collectables. I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for a theme, and when it comes to poppy collectables the choice is vast; there is certainly no shortage of items available at all price levels, whether vintage or new. Jewellery items can range from commemorative watches with a ‘poppy’ wristband, to bracelets, brooches, rings and also crosses.

A recent search of household bits and pieces on one online site, which has over 24,000 items up for grabs, has produced curtains, bed linen, cushions, pictures and china ..... the list is endless.  

The gardeners amongst us may feel that poppies should only be seen in their natural environment, but even here there is also plenty of opportunity for variety. In addition to the traditional red poppy, the blue Himalayan poppy is increasingly popular, and packs of mixed seeds can be had for as little as 99p.

Caught up in the excitement of the moment, I have just ordered a 1940s style polka dot poppy tea dress in a show of solidarity, ready for the week ahead.

	Forgive the self-indulgence here, but poppies were the first flowers to grow on the soldiers’ graves on the battle fields of Flanders, and they also provided the inspiration behind this World War 1 poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’, by John McCrae.

In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Collecting Moomins

I must confess that ‘Moomins’ as collectables had almost completely passed me by. Until that is, I happened to listen in to a radio programme that covered the 100^th anniversary of the birth of their Finnish creator, Tove Jansson. Now it would seem that every time I mention Moomins to someone they respond with, ‘Oh yes, I know several people that collect them.’

So, to make up for lost time, this week I have been delving into the world of these delightful creatures, and their talented creator, Tove Jansson.

Jansson was a pictorial artist and author whose first book was published in 1945. Today her books have been translated into 44 languages, and the first TV animation, created in 1969, has since been aired in over 100 countries.

To mark the anniversary special ‘Jansson 100 centenary’ events will be held throughout the year, across many countries, including the UK.

Throughout her life, Tove Jansson, who died in 2001 at aged 86, demonstrated a multi-faceted creative talent, becoming one of the key artists in Finnish visual art during the post-war golden age of modernism.

Most widely known for having created the Moomins, her immense international success has made her one of the best-known Finnish artists in the world.

Born in the Katjanokka district of Helsinki Jansson grew up in an artist family whose open-minded and bohemian home atmosphere encouraged her to search for her own artistic expression. Her modeling assignments for her father, who was a well known sculptor, included modeling for the bronze sculpture ‘Convolvulus’ in Kaisaniemi Park, and for the mermaid in the sculpture ‘Water Nymphs’, which can be seen next to the Espa Stage in Esplanade Park. 

Jansson went on to study art in Stockholm and Helsinki, in addition to seeking inspiration from Paris and Italy.

At the age of 30, she rented an attic studio in the heart of Helsinki, which soon became the home where she lived and worked in the autumn and winter. She would spend her summers on the tiny island of Klovharu in the Gulf of Finland; her love of the sea can be seen in the diversity of her art.

She occupied her turret studio for 60 years, and it was here, that she created her most renowned paintings and texts, and where she completed her first book featuring Moomintroll.

The first Moomin book,The Moomins and the Great Flood, appeared in 1945,  published in Swedish and illustrated by Jansson herself. The book introduced Moomintroll and the others inhabitants of Moomin Valley, kick starting a series that became the most visible and widely known aspect of her artistic career.

The Moomins are a tight-knit family — hippo-shaped creatures with easygoing and adventurous outlooks. The artwork on the comic strips is pared down and precise in composition, but provides beautiful portraits of ambling creatures in fields of flowers or rock-strewn beaches that are reminiscent of their Nordic background.

The comic strip found its audience amongst adults that continue to appreciate its gentle, droll, and yet whimsical sense of humour. House guests who overstay their welcome, modern art, movie stars, and high society; all topics that have captured the imagination of an international audience. 

Of interest to collectors of Moomin memorabilia, which includes a plethora of kitchenalia, pictures, ornaments, mugs books, and so much more........

London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts is hosting an exhibition this year, presenting original unseen photographs and material relating to her life and work, along with illustrated books and early first editions.

Examples of her Moomin comic strips published by the London Evening News in the 1950s and syndicated across the globe that helped make the Moomins a worldwide success will also be on show.

STAYING ON TRACK - COLLECTING SCALEXTRIC

I never cease to be amazed by how one seemingly insignificant conversation can have such an impact on the subjects I choose to explore for readers of this column. Or how much of a minefield it can open up, revealing in full my ignorance of the chosen topic.

This was the case recently with Scalextric cars. I had of course heard of them but when a little research threw up the term ‘slot car’ I knew I was in for trouble.

‘Slot cars’, of which Scalextric is just one version, are miniature powered cars or other vehicles whose movement is guided by a groove or ‘slot’ in the track on which it runs, held in place by a pin or blade on the underside of the car.

Whilst they are sometimes used to form part of scenic traffic layouts the vast majority are used in the (very) competitive hobby of slot car racing.

As one might expect nowadays, there are several clubs and websites dedicated to the sport.

In the case of Scalextric, it wasn’t until 1957 that Minimodels (UK) took the decision to convert its Scalex 1:30 clockwork racers to electricity, unveiling their new product at Harrogate Toy Fair. Thus what we know and love as the famous Scalextric was born.

Along with rival company, Victory Industries, which introduced its VIP line around the same time, Scalextric began using the newly developed plastic-molding technology to provide controllable slot racers for the mass market. The cars had authentic sturdy tin-plated bodies and were soon converted to the now familiar 1:32 scale.

Vince Albani, who hails from Norfolk, has a Scalextric collection of 850 cars that he began amassing as a child in 1967, and collectors can make a killing.

The first set to go on sale, which included a Ferrari 375 and Maserati 250F, cost the princely sum of £5 17s 6d (£5.87½p). Still in its original box it can now fetch £500.  

It was, however, in the 1960s that plastic models came onto the market, and because of their less durable nature they are much rarer and therefore the most collectable. A 1964 C70 Bugatti Type 59 can be worth as much as £3,000.

Unlike some of its competitors, Scalextric concentrated most of their efforts on producing Grand Prix racing models.

It is generally accepted that there was a dip in quality in the 1970s and 80s, but with the increased interest of serious adult collectors there has been a shift towards quality in recent years.

For those thinking of starting a collection, basic sets can be had for around £50, and the latest models of cars being driven by Button, Hamilton and their ilk cost around £35 each. As is often the case with collectables, unused vehicles, still in their original boxes will always fetch higher prices, and are of most interest to investors.

Colour can also be a major factor, with yellow models tending to be the rarest.

Do Exams Really Matter?

As the summer-long wait for ‘A’ level exam results comes to its conclusion this week, and with ‘GCSEs’ hot on their heels, but yet to come, it would seem that so far at least hearty congratulations are due all round. Students and staff at both local secondary schools, Wadham and Holyrood, have shown once again that the hard work and dedication of all concerned certainly pays off in terms of preparing our youngsters for a successful future. I confess to a vested interest here, as I creep relentlessly towards retirement; I need them all to be well qualified so that they can keep the economy going to ensure there is sufficient to pay my pension when the time comes!  

On a more serious note, I am mindful of those who may not have done as well as they might have liked. As I know too well, all is not lost, and time is on your side. I am on my fourth career, and would not be averse to just one more before I hang up my boots.

I am also aware of an interview with Sir Ken Robinson, and the high level of public attention that has resulted from his TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) speech. In it he advocates a radical change to the way in which we teach. This has prompted headlines along the lines of ‘Is dancing more important than maths? Whilst on the surface this may appear flagrantly inflammatory, in considering his views in more depth, if not entirely in agreement, I am inclined to see where he is coming from.  

Personally, I believe that a more formal style of teaching is important, especially where key subjects such as maths and English are concerned. It teaches us a certain level of discipline, which in such a competitive employment environment is necessary, along with the ‘bit of paper’ to prove one’s worth, sadly. That conventional approach to learning is what best suits me; sit me down, tell me what I’ve got to learn, give me the information, leave me to it and then test me. I have no time for the current trend towards producing portfolios, having recently completed two new qualifications by this method.

However, I can appreciate that others, and I would suggest the majority, prefer to carry out their learning in a variety of ways; not always sat behind the traditional desk, or in restricting the development of their knowledge to that of the usual academic subjects.

In his speech, Sir Ken shares his belief that ‘We are educating people out of their creativity’; that the hierarchy that places a higher value on the core curriculum subjects is out of kilter with our modern world.

I can see the argument that perhaps dance and the other ‘arty’ subjects are just as important as maths., where the opportunities for individual creativity in employment are greater than they have ever been.

I am firmly of the opinion that what is more important than anything is to be able to discover and unleash someone’s passion. This could equally be for solving difficult mathematical equations, as for creating a new dance step. It is only by tapping into someone’s enthusiasm that the individual concerned can really flourish. My passion has always been food. At the time I went to school it was unthinkable for a grammar school to offer it at ‘A’ level. This did not deter me later in life, when through personal circumstances I needed to find a way to keep a roof over my head, I took a leap into the unknown, and started cooking for a living, with no formal training. The journey from then on was extraordinary. Yes, I can spell, and am able to use my brain by adding up my purchases faster than any supermarket machine, but achieving the recognition I enjoyed as a cook has nothing to do with much more than being able to follow my passion. I needed very little, if any, motivation to want to be the best.

So, very well done to all of those who have sailed through their education thus far with flying colours. To the rest, you are not yet failures. There are many, ways to achieve something in life. The most important, which is something that cannot be taught, is your attitude.   

'Councils have a responsibility to spend money in the right places'

I note with interest a headline in a recent edition of The Daily Mirror -  'Councils have a responsibility to spend money in the right places', and the comments from MP Tessa Munt that followed, along with others made since. The news had in fact been reported here in Somerset some time before that. The article centred on the Interim Director of Children's Services at Somerset County Council, Peter Lewis, and the high salary he receives. Whilst I agree that with the current on-going financial difficulties, there should be public scrutiny of all expenditure, I feel obliged to comment more favourably on his appointment.
I was made aware of Peter Lewis's engagement long before I became a Somerset County Councillor, when I was Chair of Somerset Schools' Forum, having contacted him prior to him taking up his role. Given his track record of turning around Haringey, his appointment was very welcome as, make no mistake about it, Children's Services in Somerset were in a poor state. However, this demise had come about over a longer period of time than the previous incumbents of SCC would lead us to believe. 
Since joining SCC as a councillor I have had regular contact with Peter, and know that he is totally committed to turning around the welfare and education of all children in this county, to a point where we can all start to be proud once again. It has taken some time to put the necessary measures in place, and some key changes to personnel, but slowly we are beginning to reap the rewards of his influence. Peter expects, and indeed demands, the highest standards. Without doubt, to my mind at least, he always puts our children first. I am aware of several occasions where purely through his keen level of interest extraordinary things have happened, but because of the sensitive nature of much of the work involved, particularly in the area of safeguarding, it is not permissible to bring it into the public domain. He has a pragmatic approach towards problems, and while he is not perfect, and doesn't always get it right, none of us do.
Yes, the money he is paid may well fund rather a lot of social workers, but what we are trying to achieve down here in Somerset is to raise our game, and initial indications are that this is what is being achieved. I firmly believe that we should not, and indeed must not, count the cost when it comes to providing the very best outcomes for our children.  They are after all our future.
Summer is of course the time when MPs rush to their constituencies to show how keen they are to hear our views. I would argue that given the few who do turn out to meet their MPs, the time would be better spent elsewhere. When representing the electorate, it is the constant round the clock engagement that counts. I have had cause to contact several of our local MPs recently, over their failure to respond to issues in relation to children's services. I am pleased to say that although we may come from different ends of the political spectrum, Tessa Munt was not among them.

Illegal Immigrants - Counting The Cost

Here in the sunny Southwest we are well versed in enabling immigrants from other countries, who choose to settle in thus lovely part of the country, to integrate. However, it is not always without its problems and frustrations.

Almost 15 years ago, with the arrival of the first wave of immigrants into Chard and Ilminster, mainly from Portugal and Poland, I took it upon myself to start up English classes for speakers of other languages. I did this because I firmly believe that there is a place for those who wish to integrate and to contribute towards our society. On the other hand, there remains real fears over the arrival of illegal immigrants.

It was something of a shock to see Ilminster make national headlines yesterday with the discovery that a lorry containing 15 people had been seized at my local petrol station, just up the road from where I live.  

As the County Councillor for Ilminster I am aware of the work that will be going on behind the scenes to provide the assistance and support required to deal with the issue.

One key consideration though, and an observation that will not be welcomed by all, is the cost of the operation, both in terms of police resources and in caring for these wretched people until the situation is resolved. At a time when our resources are stretched to the limit the impact of this incident cannot be underestimated.

Naturally, while enquiries continue there will be much speculation. Whilst I’ve never been a fan of the ‘blame culture’ that has crept into our society, in this case, unless evidence is provided to the contrary, I believe it is the failure of our immigration service to control our borders that is at fault here; and no doubt we in Somerset will be left to pick up the bill.

Fortunately the health of those on board, which included a 15 year old boy, seems not to be of concern, and one can but hope that the powers that be were able to locate Kashmiri and Tigrinya speakers to translate, providing useful evidence and detail as to the background surrounding the discovery.

The news that the German driver has been arrested is to be welcomed. A closer look at the website of the company that owns the lorry, ‘Thermotraffic’, reveals that they ‘offer all industries in both the food and non-food area custom service packages’, perhaps an unfortunate statement in the circumstances.

What is especially worrying is that ‘Thermotraffic’, has been unable to confirm where the vehicle was going or where it had come from; no doubt a holding statement while they arrange for suitable damage limitation.

At the very least they must surely be fined. I would suggest as a minimum a sum equivalent to the costs involved. Perhaps to send a firmer message, put a ban on all of their vehicles from doing business here for a period of time. That will hurt.

In the meantime, with stories hitting our headlines daily of the strife experienced by innocent civilians in many parts of the world, I can only begin to imagine, while I sleep safe in my bed at night, the lengths that people will go to, risking life and limb, often paying huge sums of money to unscrupulous traffickers, to reach the safety of Europe and beyond. It is easy to condemn and pass judgment but, for the time being at least, my heart goes out to them, while we count the cost of this failure to protect our own shores.