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.

Hospital Car Parking Charges

Labelled a ‘tax on the sick’, there has been considerable attention given to discussions over the weekend about concerns over the exorbitant rise in the cost of hospital car parking fees, and perhaps more importantly, the disparity that exists across the country. With the ever shrinking NHS budget, hospitals have had to cut their services right down to the bone. The sad reality is that a rising number of hospitals are increasingly looking to the revenue they are able to generate from car parking to boost their severely depleted funds. There has been the argument, one that I share, that as we all pay for the NHS through our taxes, it is blatantly unfair to then expect patients, and perhaps more importantly, their visitors, to pay through the nose for parking.

As the elected Somerset representative of the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital, I know that they, along with others, do make some concessions for certain categories of patient; cancer sufferers for example. This is a policy that I do not agree with at all. I say this from the position of someone who has benefited from cancer treatment at the hospital. I was able to take advantage of the temporary parking permit offered, and did not have to pay for my parking at all. I believe it is wrong to segregate patients in this way. For any patient receiving long term care, with multiple visits, and those who have lengthy stays in hospital and who rely on the continued support of family and friends, the level of hardship can be substantial. In many cases the illness will itself result in financial hardship, with a reduced level of income as a result.

What also needs to be considered is the huge impact the cost of parking can have on those who work in our hospitals. The problem is not going to go away without radical action. There are a small number of hospitals that do not charge for parking. If they are able to do so, surely the rest could adopt the same approach. Apparently it would cost £100m. from the NHS budget for all car parking charges to be abolished. The official stance is that it cannot be justified. I fail to see how we have got to the situation where we even have to consider car parking in the same pot of money as our health provision.

It may seem a huge sum, especially whilst we continue to plough our way out of recession, but in reality this is not much more than £1.50 per head of population.  Indeed, if it weren’t for the fact that, by default, we have created a society where it is virtually impossible, particularly in small rural communities, to get anywhere without a car, we would not find ourselves in this position. It may well get to the stage where people start to select the hospital in which they choose to have their treatment on the basis of their car parking charges.

Scottish Referendum Debate

To be perfectly honest I don’t have much of a view on whether or not Scotland decides to go it alone next month, except perhaps to stock up on supplies of my favourite things in the event that the vote goes their way and they decide to put a tax on Scottish raspberries, smoked salmon and whisky, of course. There has been a good deal of filibustering in recent weeks, with each side determined to have their say in persuading what appears to be a majority of those eligible to vote who remain firmly in the ‘undecided’ camp.  I did not witness the debate myself but if reports of it are anything to go by then neither side would be likely to get my vote. Apparently both Alistair Darling and Alex Salmond showed just how immature they were by their childish, shouting, argumentative manner during the proceedings. What one might have hoped for was intelligent, well considered deliberations, backed up by evidence to support their view. This was clearly not forthcoming. I understand that Salmond has not one, but three, plan Bs. I don’t believe that in the heat of the moment Darling, or the rest of us, were able to discover just what they are. I am beginning to think that perhaps this battle might have been better fought out in the boxing ring. At least then we could have all had a good wager on the outcome.

1400 Abused And Sex Lessons For 7 Year Olds

I spend a lot of time in the car. Hence, I get to hear the news, a lot. Two main news items, repeated every hour, caught my attention. Unsurprisingly, the shocking news of the level of child abuse uncovered in Rotherham was the main item. No matter how often it was repeated I continued to be horrified, although sadly, unsurprised. A spokesperson from the NSPCC commented that there had been ‘collective blindness’ in uncovering the extent. I would argue that a more appropriate phrase might have been ‘collective disregard’, and collusion. We can be sure that the figures quoted, of over 1400, only just scratch at the surface of the magnitude of this. For every one we now know about there will be countless others, and in many other cities across the country too. Abuse on this scale cannot possibly take place, over such a long period of time, without someone, somewhere, knowing about it.

The other news item, seemingly unconnected, was the call for sex education for 7 year olds. Once interviews with interested parties had taken place, I noticed the distinct sound of back-pedalling, as the social do-gooders began to talk about ‘relationships’ instead.

It has come to a sad and sorry state of affairs when we talk of ‘teaching’ children about relationships. I would have thought that learning how to build relationships, whether social or sexual, is something that in a well balanced society takes place naturally, beginning in the school playground; learning to take turns, sharing, give and take. Given the parlous state of our education budgets I would have thought the money could be better spent on educating children to achieve decent levels in the core subjects, where as a country we still languish near the bottom of the league tables. I can well recall some 50 years later my first ever kiss, in the cloakroom at junior school, and didn’t feel at all damaged by it. He was captain of the boys’ team, I was captain of the girls’ team, and I can still remember his name; surprising really, given how many kisses I’ve had since.  

Back to these broken young lives in Rotherham. As young as they were, they will have experienced more ‘sex’ education, of the worst possible kind, and the effect that unhealthy relationships can have, as a result of the grooming that undoubtedly took place. It was no coincidence that the vast majority of the girls, and they were mainly girls, were in care. The perpetrators knew how to pick their victims; the most vulnerable in our society. In these cases the blame lays firmly at the door of those responsible for their care. I know from my own experience that such youngsters can be difficult to deal with. So would we be, if we had led the tragic lives that had caused them to be in care.

I return once again to ‘sex education for 7 year olds’. How will it make those in receipt of these ‘relationship’ classes feel, to discover, in many cases, just how dysfunctional their lives are at home? I doubt that those making such daft decisions have any idea. Any available money, if indeed there is any, would be far better spent on preventing such abuse. Somerset County Council was recently criticised publicly for employing a very highly paid head of Children’s Services. At the time I defended this action, if for no other reason than that I intend to make sure we get our money’s worth in protecting our children. Sorry is just not good enough. I want to see heads roll. 

The Lure Of Lego

I don’t ever recall having owned a Lego set, and I confess that I haven’t given it much thought over the years, until my interest was piqued by a news item this week when reports came in of the theft of £180,000 of Lego.

At first I thought, ‘That seems to me to be an awful lot of Lego,’ ‘quickly followed by, ‘Why would anyone want to steal so much Lego?’

Naturally, I had to find out, and what I discovered gave me quite a shock. Lego is big business, huge in fact, with investment sites dedicated to it.

The name itself comes from an abbreviation of two Danish words ‘leg godt’, meaning ‘play well’, and ironically one Latin translation is ‘I put together.’

In 1932 Ole Kirk Kristiansen, established his first business, making stepladders, ironing boards and wooden toys.

It began as a small carpenter’s workshop, and with just a handful of employees, took on the name Lego in 1934. It is now the world’s third largest toy manufacturer, and is still in the hands of the family, having been passed down to the founder’s grandson.

Of all the products they produce the ubiquitous Lego brick is the one that most of us will be familiar with, and continues to be the foundation of all development. It has been twice named ‘Toy of the Century’.

The brick was launched in its present form in 1958, and it is its interlocking-tubing principle that makes it unique, offering those of all ages unlimited possibilities and endless amusement.

In 1935, its first construction toy, a wooden duck, marketed as ‘Kirk’s Sandgame’ was made.

Now in its 80^th year, Lego building sets have become very collectable for both children and adults, in addition to serious investors.

The changes have been modest, but really began to develop with movie licensing deals, building a strong marketing connection with such films as Star Wars, Batman, and Toy Story.

There have been regular releases of creative building sets, often as a series, and these include the Space series, and the Lego City series.

Once the craze for collecting Lego started sets, particularly those still in their sealed boxes, started to go up in price rapidly. The attraction is that because Lego are constantly updating their products, they rarely stay the same for long, thereby becoming more collectable.

A quick internet trawl showed that the most expensive Lego figures, introduced as part of a set of 16 minifigs, sealed in opaque bags so that the buyer did not know what they were getting, were introduced in 2010, and followed up in 2013 by Series 10.

This release included a limited edition (only 5000 were produced) gold chrome plated figure, Mr. Gold. With his top hat, monocle, and his jewel-topped cane he has become the most expensive minifig on the market, and could fetch up to £700, or more.   

However, earlier this year, a 20-year old auto glass repairman, paid $15,000 for a one-of-kind, piece from the discontinued Lego Bionicle line, a platinum Avohkii Mask of Light, which is believed to be the most expensive Lego piece ever sold. That takes some beating!

British Bake Off - Baked Alaska Debacle

I was amused to see front page headlines this week over the Baked Alaska debacle at the Great British Bake Off. Although I have seen it from time to time, I’m not a regular viewer of the programme but as a professional cook, and former chef to the British Ambassador to the United Nations in New York for some years, it brought to mind my own near disaster.

The Ambassador was giving a formal dinner for the Japanese Ambassador, and there would have been around 24 guests present. I had decided to make Baked Alaska for pudding, calling it ‘Mount Fuji’ in his honour. To make an impact I made two large ones, and as I removed one from the oven it slid off the tray onto the floor. You have never seen anyone whip up another dozen egg whites so fast in all your life! So, although the assembled guests had to wait a little longer for their pud, I had narrowly managed to avert disaster, and to save our diplomatic reputation.

I can also recall, more recently, several cases of sabotage, where an unscrupulous manager would remove my baking efforts from the oven when I was absent from the kitchen, in an attempt to undermine my authority. It worked, I went, but I am much the happier for the experience. 

My real point, however, is that Baked Alaska is actually not that difficult to make. In this case we must always bear in mind that this is television, and the cynic in me says that this may well have more to do with improving failing ratings perhaps?

Carswell - To Defect Or Not To Defect

There has been much hand wringing over the Douglas Carswell’s to UKIP this week.

What dismays me, is the willingness with which he, and others before him, ‘give up allegiance to one state in exchange for allegiance to another’; in effect abandoning ‘a cause or doctrine to which one is bound by some tie, allegiance, or duty.’

I declare my own loyalty to the Conservative party here, lest anyone feels obliged to give me an ear bashing.

If I feel that decisions made are wrong for those I represent, or that my party behaves badly, then I speak out. It is the least I can do. I resist towing the party line, and there are times when I have questioned my own allegiance, and considered leaving.

I regularly approached by other parties to join them, and much as I might admire and respect their differing views, I have never considered defecting. This is partly due to my own stubbornness, but there is also the part that feels, much like a marriage. I’m in for the long haul and if I leave, things will never change.

Carswell’s Blog entry is headed ‘It’s Time for Change’. Perhaps his constituency, when counting the cost of the by-election, will think so too. What he appears not to acknowledge, is that he is part of the problem.

Europe seems to be at the centre of much dissatisfaction; rightly so. I have always been, and remain, a Eurosceptic , believing we were tricked into joining. However, what we must consider, until we regain full command of our own finances, is the cost of leaving, and the impact this will have on our recovery from a deep and painful recession.

Carswell complains of the Westminster ‘clique’, and I consider he is accurate in his assessment of the spin and positioning that takes place. What he does not recognise, though, in his naivety, is that cliques exist at all levels of government, from local parish councils upwards, just as they do in business; it is a sad fact of life. His defection may be more a case of sour grapes in response to his own dismay at not having broken into Cameron’s inner circle, joining a new clique of his own; because no-one would listen.

It is disingenuous of him to comment on other parties’ ‘safe seats’, when by defecting he appears to have been handed his own ‘safe seat’ on a plate. I would be skeptical of any party that so readily abandoned their own selected candidate, Roger Lord, because a richer plum landed in their pocket. This says much about their principles, or lack of them.

I do believe the current government is serious about change, but that in many cases our elected representatives are so far removed from what really matters to the man on the street the pace and form of the change is out of kilter with expectations.

Change cannot happen overnight, but with the need existing on so many fronts, what I want to see is more focus on the real issues, not the flurry of kneejerk reactions and ill thought out policies we see in response to yet another crisis.

Nehru said, ‘Our chief defect is that we are more given to talking about things than to doing them.’ I’ve always been more of a doer, even if I sometimes get it wrong. What Carswell’s constituents need to ask, is ‘What has he done? If available reference material is to be believed, quite a lot it would seem. I for one wish he’d hung in there.

Vacuum Cleaner Ban Sucks

In the same week that we saw Clacton MP Douglas Carswell defect to UKIP, more fuel has been added to the anti-EU brigade’s fire. This is hardly surprising as consumers are urged not to panic buy, and of course ignoring the advice, in the wake of the impending EU legislation that will see vacuum models with power ratings above 1600kw being banned.

According to Hoover, whose name had become synonymous with vacuum cleaners, until the arrival of Henry and Dyson, wattage is an important consideration because motor power alone does not guarantee better suction.

With sales up by 40% at least our local retailers are benefitting from yet another attempt to dictate what we do in our own homes. It is this nonsense, a further infringement of our right as consumers to choose what we buy, and how we live our lives, that will surely serve to consolidate feelings of dissatisfaction.

I blame our MEPs. Content to get on board the EU gravy train, once on board, they appear to do little to halt these petty intrusions. Minor as they may seem on the surface, collectively, over a period of years, we have seen a slow and steady creep of EU interference since we joined in 1973, more than 40 years ago. I wouldn’t mind betting that a peek into their homes will reveal that they are not planning to tow the line, and practice what they are preaching to the rest of us. In many cases it is likely to be of no personal consequence to them, as it will be their poorly paid maids who will have the onerous task of trying to clean their mansions, with less effective equipment.

Respected consumer group Which? has urged shoppers to buy the more powerful models while they still could, saying “if you’re in the market for a powerful vacuum, you should act quickly, before all of the models currently available sell out”.

I’m all in favour of energy ratings, allowing us to choose what we want from an appliance.

If low power models of electrical appliances are in fact equally effective, then why would we have been buying more powerful models? Critics say cleaners satisfying the new rule may use less power but householders will have to use them for longer – so they are likely to use the same amount of electricity in the long run. The more powerful models do the job more quickly, saving time and energy.

How dare they dictate to us what we can and cannot import into Britain. I feel much the same way over energy saving light bulbs, which are not only ugly, but provide poor quality light.

If we’re not careful they will soon be telling us how many sheets of toilet paper we are permitted to use according to our bowel movements, where no doubt a measuring device to calculate output will soon be installed. We are now 30 years past the predictions outlined in George Orwell’s iconic novel, 1984, and if things continue in the same way he won’t have been far wrong.

I can appreciate our need to reduce power consumption but where is the freedom of choice in how we use that power? I live alone and my energy consumption compared to the average household is extremely low, and I bitterly resent measures such as this. The referendum can’t come soon enough, and if things continue this way for much longer, to my mind there will be little doubt as to the outcome.

Hospital Food

Another week and another ill thought out edict from health Minister Jeremy Hunt. I do wonder who is advising him.

The saga of the quality, or lack of it rather, of what passes for food in our hospitals has reared its ugly head, again. It was almost exactly a year ago that the topic was last aired. At the time my comments provoked a response from patients in defense of Yeovil and Treliske hospitals. This is as it should be.

My experience at both establishments was extremely poor, and I stand by my observations, but we all have different experiences and to have the opportunity to express our opinions and exchange views is healthy.

I feel that the problem is one of consistency and expectation. As individuals we all have different needs and the manifestation of these is likely to be more enhanced when we feel unwell. There can be no ‘one size fits all’ approach, where hospitals are under continuing threat of financial ruin and the nature of their operation is a constantly moving feast.

It is encouraging to think that the quality of the hospital food offered is considered to be high on the list of priorities, but I’m afraid we have been there before.

Back in 1999 we had Prue Leith, Jamie Oliver in 2011, and as recently as last year Heston was calling for an end to poor hospital food.

I fear it is unlikely to happen any time soon. I can accept that in some cases there has been a real effort to improve the quality of what is offered but overall, to keep costs down, short cuts are still being taken. There remains a surprising amount of pre-prepared items used, of the type found in cheap and cheerful discount stores, which often contain preservatives and other chemicals.

As the Minister calls for fish twice a week, I couldn’t help but think of those people who do not like fish, and for the price available, what fish will hospitals be able to afford to provide? I fear it may well be the bread-crumbed, fried offerings, previously frozen, as served up in some cut price pub chains. Hardly a healthy alternative.

Tap water is also to be made available. I only hope patients are not subjected to the lime-scale laden water in this area, which is so hard you can see and taste it.

Personal menu plans are to take priority too, which will no doubt pose a challenge to hard pressed nursing staff. I never know from one day to the next what I might be in the mood to eat, or when; a situation exacerbated when I feel poorly, and where a well known brand of tomato soup, or a boiled egg, is sometimes the one thing that will do the trick.

The health and safety brigade will have us believe that our visiting friends and relatives pose too much of a danger if permitted to bring in more than the odd grape to quench the pangs of hunger, but in many other countries family are encouraged to play an active part in the recovery of their loved ones.

One person’s definition of healthy food that appeals to a waning appetite is not necessarily the same for all of us. There can be no common prescription for a nutritious meal without costly administration, which could be, to my mind, better spent on other aspects of our health care. As with most things, it is a little of what you fancy that does you the most good.    

Ashy King's Family

It doesn't happen often, but I find myself agreeing with Nick Clegg, who on being asked during an interview this morning, said that he felt the authorities had been heavy handed in dealing with the issue of Ashya King's removal from hospital by his parents. He is quite right. What possible good can it do for this poor, sick, vulnerable lad to be stuck in hospital on his own, whilst his parents languish in jail. For what? If reports are believed to be true, for simply trying to find the best possible treatment for their son. I have a lot of sympathy for them as I found myself, albeit as an adult, in a similar position 10 years ago when seeking treatment for breast cancer. Hospitals here wouldn't listen, and then refused to release my records so that I could go elsewhere. I ended up camping out in the hospital, and threatened with arrest because I refused to leave without my notes. At that time going abroad for treatment was the best possible decision I could have made. What is more likely to be the case here, as initially there were the usual cries of fear for his health, the danger his parents were putting him in, and the likelihood of his feeding tube battery running out, was that the hospital concerned were trying to cover themselves against possible claims of negligence. In the wake of the woeful inadequacies exposed by the authorities in Rotherham in protecting the young girls there from harm, we now witness an unseemly scrabble to action, where common sense should have prevailed.

Revenge Porn and Naked Photos

This week's headlines have focused on the public release of nude photos of celebrities, apparently due to their iCloud accounts being hacked. Despite the voice of sympathy from many, I believe they have only themselves to blame. I am happy to admit that perhaps I still live in the dark ages, but for some time I have been conscious of the dangers of the rapid advance of social media and the technology that enables it.
I have all the usual accounts, Facebook, twitter etc., but have long since stopped using them. I prefer to be a little more selective about who I share personal information with. Some years ago I hired a professional photographer to take nude photographs of me, prior to major surgery. Whilst I would feel no shame about these being released to the  public at large, ownership and distribution of them is entirely in my control, and never carried out over the internet.
Not entirely unconnected, last month I listened to a debate on the subject of the current trend for 'revenge porn', where those willing to pose in compromising positions then fall foul of their ex-partners, lovers, call them what you will, releasing them into the public domain. We are all responsible for our own actions, and must therefore reap the consequences. Incidentally, I understand that the photos are being exchanged for up to £70 a time. Whilst I'd never claim to be a celebrity, were I able to raise a similar sum for any of mine, I'm not at all sure that I'd be that concerned, as long I was the one pocketing the rewards.

Collecting Vacuum Cleaners

Although I like a clean and tidy house, I confess that domestic chores have never been very high up on my list of priorities in life. Having said that, in the midst of the vacuum cleaner furore over the new EU regulations restricting power levels to 1600kw or under, with further reductions planned for the future, the rush to buy more powerful models has been much reported as imports into the UK have been banned since 1st September.

Hence, vacuum cleaner enthusiast and Guinness Book of World Records holder, James Brown, from Derbyshire, made the headlines with his impressive collection of vacuum cleaners. He currently has 322 in his collection, which includes his own private collection of 50 Kirby models.

Visitors to the area can view the collection for free at his museum at 23, Market Street, Heanor, which he started up in 2010, with a grant from the Prince’s Trust.

Some of his older models are in demand for film production companies and most recently, James loaned a red Goblin vacuum cleaner to the BBC One period drama The Village.

James started his collection at the age of 8, using his pocket money to buy them from market stalls. He still reminisces about the Spinney 800 he once owned but had to get rid of when the sheer numbers threatened to take over the bedroom he shared with his brother. The oldest version in his possession is a Hoover 700, made in 1926.

Over the years he reckons he has spent up to £50,000 on amassing them, sourcing them mainly from house clear-outs, second-hand shops and also on eBay.

He says that although pre-WW2 vacuum cleaners were a luxury item and at the time cost a fortune, as much as £30 to £40 (when you could buy a car for just £100), modern vacuum cleaners just aren’t built to last, something I would have to agree on.

In commenting on changing styles, and the introduction of cloth bags in the 1960s, James says that the bagless cleaners that have fairly recently been hailed as a new invention have actually been around since the very beginning, in the early 1900s.

So keen was his interest, James gained a qualification in mechanical and electrical engineering, and taught himself to repair the appliances after collecting tips from fellow enthusiasts.

 

A little investigation has revealed that there are many different types including:

·         Upright

·         Canister

·         Drum

·         Wet/Dry

·         Pneumatic

·         Backpack

·         Hand-held

·         Cyclonic

·         Central

·         Constellation

 

What I have not been able to discover, so far, and what might well be a more manageable collection for some, is the vacuum cleaner bags themselves, with so many different kinds available there must surely be a market for them somewhere.