JUMPING ONTO THE FLOODING BAND WAGON

JUMPING ONTO THE FLOODING BAND WAGON
The death of a neighbour's husband a few months ago gave me pause for thought in relation to the enormous turmoil and upheaval experienced by those that have been the victim of flooding recently. I think that living through such life changing events is very like the sudden death of a loved one.

Those of us fortunate to have close family and friends can be overwhelmed with gratitude for the offers of help and support when most needed. However, and I speak from personal experience here, we often forget, that once the funeral is over, the floods have subsided, and the excitement of the national interest in us is over, that's it, job done; not the case at all.

It is only once we get back to the humdrum daily grind of life, with time to pause and consider the impact of the loss, that we really need that help and support, and that's where Samaritans come into their own. It is returning home to the empty house, dealing with the clean up, all the paperwork and bureaucracy that is involved, that reality sets in, and along with it, the danger of depression. It is in the aftermath that practical help and moral support is most needed; and when most of us have long since moved on to do other things.

I raise this because I have been noting with interest the plethora of public figures, both local and national, keen to come down to offer their commiserations at the plight of those affected. Promises galore have been dished out, but beware of the language used. We have gone from statements along the lines of 'whatever money it takes will be spent', to '£10m will be made available', and then, only a few hours later, '£10m will be made available to some businesses'.

We can, sadly, expect a good deal more pussy footing around before it's all done and dusted. This is where locally we can expect, and should insist on, our local elected representatives to fight our corner; to ensure a fair deal for Somerset. This does not mean though that we should all be jumping on the band wagon, keen to get involved

Local councillors, who barely show their faces the rest of the year have hardly had the time to don their green wellies and Barbours before leaping into the fray. To what end? If local opinion, and anger, is anything to go by, then they are nothing but a media seeking nuisance getting in the way of the real work that is needed.

I understand that the fire service presence in response to the flooding has reached levels not seen since the dark days of the second world war. For once I can also praise local council officers, and in particular Paula Hewitt, who has been playing a key part in organising and co-ordinating the plans for recovery. 

Despite intense criticism of the Environment Agency, local workers on the ground have been truly remarkable, and tales of round the clock working are not unheard of.

The armed services have of course been brilliant in providing additional support although of course this is not without cost; the going rate for a helicopter is apparently £25k a time.

Meanwhile, back on dry land, the Samaritans have been responding in their own quiet way, setting up shop in the two flood assistance reception centres. Both Yeovil and Taunton branches have been working together to help alleviate some of the misery with a kind word or two, and a shoulder to cry on. This is in adding to extending  face-to-face contact, by going out on boats to access those who are stranded and afraid to leave their homes. Samaritans will continue to provide their usual round the clock support in the coming weeks and months, when everyone else has shut up shop and gone home.

It is at times like these that communities themselves show their mettle, without the need for token gestures from those who are out to prove a point. This is not, and never should be, about political manoeuvring. Shame on those that wish to use it as such.

NEWS SCOOPS – THE MORAL MAZE

Hearing accounts of Rebekah Brooks actions during her stint at both The Sun and the News of the World editor has highlighted for me the moral dilemma of those who report on our news stories.

Whilst bribery in any form is not to be condoned, the high level of interest seems to be centred on monies paid to those in public office. There does, however, not seem to be quite the same level of frenzied activity in uncovering those who accepted payment in exchange for information; or consideration for the fact that you can only bribe someone who is willing to be bribed. 

A recent conversation with a local newspaper editor in relation to the moral issues surrounding the reporting of breaking news stories has provided me with much food for thought. The discussion mainly centred on the dilemma that reporters and editors face when deciding whether or not to pursue a story that has seemingly landed in their lap.

Should the press report on matters that are ‘of public interest’ or ‘in the public interest’? There is a world of difference between the two.

On the one hand we have the public interest and enthusiasm of tabloid readers for the salacious and intimate details of others’ private lives, and their impending social or political demise when exposed. Such are the stories that make up the bulk of national news reporting from the red tops; running for as long as it takes to squeeze every last headline grabbing morsel from the tale of someone’s downfall.

Then there are those accounts, seemingly of a similar nature, where the issues uncovered are ‘in the public interest‘; where the actions of those concerned have in some way had an impact, often negative, affecting the lives of the public at large.

The two may well be linked, but at a local level different factors come into play in making the finely balanced judgements on whether to report or not.  Far from providing juicy gossip fodder to raise readership figures, albeit temporarily, there does need to be consideration of the implications of bringing to light such personal issues as adultery, fraud, dishonesty; a whole raft of situations. 

Were I in a position to influence our local media, one question I would ask is ‘What will be achieved by bringing this matter into the public domain?’  In addition to the perpetrator, it may well be that others are involved, family, friends, colleagues, who in turn may become the innocent victims of someone else’s behaviour, words or actions.

I believe that in the case of our local regional press, which has a much closer relationship with its readers than the national press, there is a duty of responsibility in the reporting of events. Whilst a news ‘scoop’ may well satisfy certain editorial egos, a responsible editor, in addition to taking into account any legal implications, will want to consider the effect on its readership and the local community.

I’d call this responsible reporting; something we should all be proud of in relation to our local media. This is why they are so valued and trusted. 

5p for plastic bags - what a load of rubbish

In the latest round of policies designed to beat us all about the head, and make us change our behaviour, whether we like it or not, I see that plastic carrier bags are once again the target.
Clearly the efforts of supermarkets to charge us all through the nose to buy 'bags for life', and then tout them around town, effectively providing them with free advertising, have not been as effective as intended.
I do not use supermarkets if I can avoid them, but then I don't have a large hungry family to feed, or to wash or clean for. Unless I've got friends staying, I doubt that I shop more than once a week, and then usually just for a pint of milk to satisfy my craving for that early morning cuppa.
However, the sad demise of our local shops continues. Supermarkets are now more determined than ever to encroach on that last bastion of private ownership, with their town centre 'mini markets' and 'express' stores. It would seem that we may now well be paying 5p a time for the privilege of having a bag in which to carry away their goods.
What the 5p is for I've yet to determine. Is it to pay towards the cost of handling the discarded bags as they litter the countryside, or in an effort to dissuade us from using them altogether? Either way, the climate change brigade, as well meaning as they may be, have got it all wrong, again.
The nonsense being espoused about the supposed cuts in carbon emissions could quite easily be solved; by doing more to ensure that as responsible citizens we do not litter. I am constantly appalled by the flagrant way that my fellow citizens litter our streets with gay abandon. That's where we should be putting our energy and money, not paying to clear up after them.
We've all done it. On entering the supermarket for our daily paper and the odd loaf of bread or packet of sugar, which they artfully place towards the rear of the store, we are forced to pass all of their tempting discounted offers and BOGOF offers along the way. Eventually we arrive at the checkout, where we are then required to check ourselves out (I refuse), thereby saving the supermarket money, only to find that as a result of responding to those impulse buys we couldn't resist, we need .... another bag or two to pack them in. So not only have we spent more money than we had intended, but are to be penalised even further.
Not once, in all the years that we have been battling away to reduce landfill, have I seen anything other than token evidence of supermarkets being required to engage in a meaningful way to reduce the amount of unwanted packaging that is produced. They are the driving force here in terms of how their products are presented to us. It is no longer possible, in many cases, to buy just one apple, one baking potato or one banana. We are being coerced into buying more than we need, and it seems to me to be grossly unfair that once again, whilst we line their pockets, we are required to pay the consequences and stump up for their advertising as well.
Fortunately I shan't have to suffer; I've been saving and collecting my used plastic bags for years, and should have enough to see me through my lifetime. A small, but sweet, revenge.

Throwing Toys out of the Pram

I don’t know what it is about adults "throwing toys out of the pram" but there’s been a lot of it going on recently.

It must be something to do with the appalling weather we’ve been experiencing where saint-like tolerance is increasingly in short supply.

Virtually every organisation I’m involved with seems to be struggling with upset of one kind or another, and on an unprecedented level.  I’d like to add here that as far as I’m aware, I am NOT the common denominator in the midst of all this angst.

Downing tools and upping sticks seems to be par for the course this year so far. Chief Execs.  and board members resigning at the drop of a hat, and it’s not just the men that have been behaving badly.

What bothers me about all of this is that clearly those individuals concerned feel that their own needs come before that of the greater good. I cannot deny that from time to time, with one endless meeting after another, I say to myself ‘Is it all worth it? Why am I bothering?’, and on occasion I do come close to saying ‘enough is enough’.

Then I step back and take the time to remind myself why indeed I bother at all. It seems rather trite to say ‘because I want to make a difference’ but that would neatly sum it all up.  

Providing a voice for those that don’t feel that they have one, to challenge authority on behalf of those that wouldn’t dare, to protect those that need it, to listen when no-one else will. These are the things that make all the time and effort worthwhile.

When a youngster in care recently said to me, ‘Linda, you have to come on the next residential, otherwise it wouldn’t be the same without you.’ I suddenly didn’t mind that it would mean giving up my weekend.

As we get older many of us become involved in a wide variety of charitable organisations, mainly in a voluntary capacity in the spirit of the ‘big society’.

This can mean a period of adjustment for those who have perhaps had high powered careers; learning to be the new kid on the block, not always in charge, and having to listen to the views of others, who in some cases we may not have due regard for. It can be a steep, but valuable, learning curve and open us up to new experiences, and a new way of thinking. If we remain open minded and willing to learn.

I have learned, that despite the frustrations, it is much easier to influence an organisation from within, but in order to do that we need to put our personal vexation to one side, and work towards achieving the best possible outcomes for all concerned.

 It is only by embracing this ethos that we can all pull together to make a real difference to a society where it is increasingly difficult to meet the ongoing challenges with a smile.

Food and 'The Art' of seduction

At Ilminster Rotary Club this last week, I was delighted to be asked to  step into the breach to provide a speaker for our weekly meeting at the Shrubbery Hotel. 
Never known to be short of a word or two, I took the opportunity to give a talk on 'Food and Seduction in The Arts'.
I have been wanting to develop this talk for some time, and Valentine's week seemed the perfect opportunity to give it an airing. Food and sex are the two things that we cannot live without, and for some time I have been interested in exploring the connection between the two. The extent to which throughout history food has been a key tool in the art of seduction is well documented in all of the arts, whether it be poetry, literature, painting, film or music.
In responding to my talk Past President Julie Fowler commented 'I shall now have to go home and seek out D H Lawrence's poem about figs, and do some research on the most aphrodisiac apple variety!' 
To get everyone in the mood I also provided a range of raffle prizes, including asparagus, chocolate and 'Saint Amour' wine, and a special Valentine menu. Kisses all round.

The art of sabring

Little did foodies Rick and Angela Turnamere know what they were letting themselves in for when they successfully bid for a wine tasting donated by myself, at a recent charity auction.
Riotous scenes ensued as the couple, along with 10 of their friends, ploughed their way through the 10 wines I had brought along, which included a blanc de noirs champagne and a delicious Hungarian Tokaji. 

As it was Valentine's week, I had also recently given a talk on 'Food and the Art of Seduction', and was persuaded to include this as part of the tasting. Having listened to a reading of D H Lawrence's seductive poem 'Figs', everyone soon got in the mood for something more adventurous so, with a borrowed sword, we had a spot of sabring. My first experience of this, and not as difficult as I thought it might be. A riotous evening all round.

The hostess, Angela Turnamere commented 'At the auction we googled Linda before we started bidding, and soon realised that we were going to have a great time, and a lot of fun. This was no ordinary wine tasting, it really was amazing, and I can't wait to get her to come and do another one.'

Is Milliband dumbing down?

It may well be my imagination but has the leader of the Labour Party, Ed Milliband, been dumbing down his accent in recent interviews? Perhaps this is an effort to appeal to the general populace?
Given Tony Blair's overt attempt to adopt an estuary accent and present himself as a 'man of the people', I would not be at all surprised. Whilst I am no great fan of a 'cut glass' upper class accent I do prefer those that represent us to be able to pronounce their words properly.