I spent most of today up on the Foreshore censusing away. Have to say that it is looking really good. Lots of work taking place on the gardens and the flower-beds, the bowling greens are looking exceptionally well and all of the seats up on the Southern Foreshore have been nicely painted.
Lots of business owners up there painting and cleaning away.
With all that activity, new paint, and industry the foreshore is starting to sparkle in the spring sunshine. All is well and the town is waiting, waiting for the hustle and the bustle that will be the Easter break.
And then....... there is the Bola's firesite. A gaping wound in the busiest part of this lovely resort. After all this time it can only be described as a real shame, a real crying shame. Will anything ever be done?
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Thursday, 31 March 2011
A Ridiculous Decision...........
For the upcoming local elections, ELDC, in their wisdom, have decided to move the Polling Station previously located at the Welcome Inn to the Southview Hotel. Thoroughly ridiculous.
There have been problems with the Welcome being a Polling Station due to the access provided for the disabled, which has been the subject of complaints to ELDC. So they have decided not to use The Welcome. This is fair enough but why on earth move it to the Southview Hotel? This location is only just within the town boundary and is more than two miles from some of the houses that fall into the area of St. Clements Ward that need to use it and is convenient to none. This flies in the face of ELDC's green policy about reducing CO2 emissions by forcing people to go out there.
How on earth do they expect the elderly, the disabled and those without transport to get there? Are they expecting them to walk? Would you?
At a time when the number of people going out to vote is falling this really is ridiculous and is offering no encouragement for people to turn out to cast their votes. Indeed I would go further than that and suggest that it is actually hindering them from doing so.
I have tried to contact ELDC about this but as yet have had no reply from them. I do believe that this is a fiat accompli and that nothing that is said is going to change their mind. Having said that I would encourage anybody that is going to be affected by this change of location to contact ELDC on 01507 601111 to voice your displeasure.
At the moment I am looking into having some transport provided up to Southview to try and alleviate this poor situation for all voters and I will be posting on this again when I have more news.
In the meantime let ELDC know what you think of this ridiculous decision.
Sunday, 27 March 2011
ASDA For Skegness??
My brother Mark, who I do not always see eye-to-eye with but why should we always agree, raised an interesting point about supermarkets in general and ASDA in particular.
To quote his Facebook statement " I went to boston this afternoon, did a bit of shopping at ASDA. I hope that they don't come to Skegness with a similar store because they sell everything that you will need under one roof and I mean everything. How can we encourage shops into the Town Centre when we allow supermarkets to be built or to expand to sell everything most people need day to day and then sell them so cheap no shop in town can compete?"
Now that is one view, which holds a lot of merit. What about the other views, which are equally meritorious?
What about those people who want to see an ASDA in Skegness because they want to see the shopping experience in the town improved? They want to see more competition between supermarkets and see prices being lowered with a wider range of good available.
Who is right and who is wrong? Is there a right or a wrong in this? Do we need another supermarket, or do we want to encourage more Town Centre shops? Is there room in the local economy as things stand for Town Centre shops to succeed, or have things already gone too far?
People have commented that there are too many Charity Shops, Pound Shops and "Tat Shops" and not enough shops of quality. Names such as Primark and Matalan coming into the Town Centre have also been mentioned. Would this be good for the town or would the arrival of one of these huge national chains mean the demise of some of the shops that we already have in the town?
Now. As far as I can find out the arrival of ASDA is most certainly not imminent, if they come here at all. I cannot find any planning permission that has been applied for and there is no indication from ASDA that they are considering locating a store here. But what if they were? What if any big store wanted to come here? Would you be for it or against it? Would it put too much pressure on the Town Centre shops or is that not an issue? Should we be stopping anymore large retailers from coming into the town and encouraging more independent retailers?
Whatever you believe and whichever camp you sit in on this, if it ever does happen it is going to generate a huge amount of debate and controversy. I find myself torn between the arguments at the moment and don't know which way I would jump. If you had to make the decision, what would it be?
Friday, 25 March 2011
4 CRB Checks .......... Why?
Now, before I start, let me say that I am all for the protection of children and the vulnerable in our society. There are enough examples of them being harmed to show that we need to be on our guard. It is not the protection that I am finding frustrating, it is the way it is done.
Let me explain.
At this moment in time I am the proud owner of 3 CRB checks.
I have these running at the same time:
List 99 CRB (Required for schools as I am a Governor at Skegness Grammar School).
A CRB check for my work on the Census.
A CRB check as I have volunteered to be a Gamesmaker at the 2012 Olympics.
Now I would have thought that little lot would just about be enough for anybody, but it would appear not. I have been told I now need another CRB check to allow me to coach cricket in schools!!! Why? I have been asked to join the team providing the Chance To Shine coaching system in local schools on behalf of the England and Wales Cricket Board and as a part of this I have been told I need a CRB check. I have informed them of the ones I already have but that is not good enough. I need another one.
Now I am not having a go at the ECB here as they are only following the rules. It is the rules that need sorting out. Why can there not be one CRB check that can be used for any activity requiring one. Surely they can only ask so many questions and check so many data-bases to prove you are not a threat to children or the vulnerable. Unless I am missing something here this is necessary red-tape that could be simplified and not have a detrimental effect on the safety of those that need protecting and it needs doing!
Thankfully the ridiculous rules that they wanted to put into place a two or three years ago have been scrapped otherwise the whole system could have ground to a halt by now.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Come On, Help Out. Skegness Needs You!!
SKEGNESS CARNIVAL |
CHURCH FARM MUSEUM |
Two of Skegness's most famous institutions have put out a call for people to come forward to volunteer to help take them into the future.
Skegness Carnival is looking for people to take on positions on the organising committee. Without new blood there is a distinct possibility that the Carnival could fold. Skegness without a Carnival? Can that be imagined? This really is an institution in Skegness and has been running for more than 100 years. If you are interested please contact Brian Chapman on 01754 761617 or email brianchpman@hotmail.co.uk (Please note that this is the correct spelling of the email address there is no a in the first part of chapman).
The second of our institutions looking for help is Church Farm Museum. The Museum Chairman, Steve Kirk, has called for people to volunteer to help out in many different roles at the museum. The museum is going to be entirely run by volunteers, to the best of my knowledge, and really needs your help. There is to be an event at the Embassy Theatre Arts Room on Friday 25th March from 10.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. You can pop in during these times for a chat and get more information.
I would be more than happy to hear directly from anybody and pass your details onto the relevant people.
These calls for help give people an ideal opportunity to get involved in the local community for the good of both the residents and visitors alike. If you have any spare time please do consider getting involved. These are very worthwhile institutions and really do deserve your support.
Help these organisations, help the town of Skegness and help yourselves!!!!
Skegness Carnival is looking for people to take on positions on the organising committee. Without new blood there is a distinct possibility that the Carnival could fold. Skegness without a Carnival? Can that be imagined? This really is an institution in Skegness and has been running for more than 100 years. If you are interested please contact Brian Chapman on 01754 761617 or email brianchpman@hotmail.co.uk (Please note that this is the correct spelling of the email address there is no a in the first part of chapman).
The second of our institutions looking for help is Church Farm Museum. The Museum Chairman, Steve Kirk, has called for people to volunteer to help out in many different roles at the museum. The museum is going to be entirely run by volunteers, to the best of my knowledge, and really needs your help. There is to be an event at the Embassy Theatre Arts Room on Friday 25th March from 10.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. You can pop in during these times for a chat and get more information.
I would be more than happy to hear directly from anybody and pass your details onto the relevant people.
These calls for help give people an ideal opportunity to get involved in the local community for the good of both the residents and visitors alike. If you have any spare time please do consider getting involved. These are very worthwhile institutions and really do deserve your support.
Help these organisations, help the town of Skegness and help yourselves!!!!
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
It's A Mystery.........
Of all the things that could be occupying the minds of the good people of Skegness, one thing appears to be growing in importance. WHO IS MICKEY MOUSE?
Now for those of you who don't know what I am talking about, Mickey Mouse has been seen out running in the west of Skegness and in the village of Burgh-Le-Marsh. Apparently the scamp has been waving at passing cars as he jogs along.
All of my eqnquiries regarding the identity of the person inside the suit have come to nought.
So I ask again who is Mickey Mouse? It is indeed a mystery!!
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Not Famous People, Just Wonderful People........
I was in my favourite curry house for a take-away last evening, The Agra on Drummond Road. Standing having a bottle of Cobra when three people came out of the restaurant and into the bar area having finished their meal. The Agra was absolutley packed with people also waiting for tables and the staff were flat-out.
One of the people who had just left the restaurant asked me where the nearest taxi-rank was as they wanted to go to the Vine Hotel where they were staying. I said that it wasn't far and they could perhaps walk down there. The lady said "I don't think I would make it. We have just cycled 90 miles today and I am just too tired".
After a bit of probing I found out that these people had cycled from Leicester Clock Tower to Skegness Clock Tower for a charity dedicated to Prostate Cancer. They were not athletes or what they termed "real cyclists" they just wanted to do their bit. Well cycling 90 miles for charity is in my eyes more than doing your bit!!!!
As I live very near to the Vine Hotel I said "Sit yourselves down and as soon as my meal is ready I will drive you down there".
This I did and when getting out of my car the chap sat next to me shook me by the hand and said how grateful he was for my kindness. Lovely thing to say but in my eyes it was a very small act when compared to what they had done.
I don't know their names but I do know that they are wonderful people who had just raised over £2,500 for charity through their own efforts. A three minute car ride seemed to be the least I could do.
The Prostate Cancer Charity can be found at:
http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/
You can make a donation at the site if you so wish.
One of the people who had just left the restaurant asked me where the nearest taxi-rank was as they wanted to go to the Vine Hotel where they were staying. I said that it wasn't far and they could perhaps walk down there. The lady said "I don't think I would make it. We have just cycled 90 miles today and I am just too tired".
After a bit of probing I found out that these people had cycled from Leicester Clock Tower to Skegness Clock Tower for a charity dedicated to Prostate Cancer. They were not athletes or what they termed "real cyclists" they just wanted to do their bit. Well cycling 90 miles for charity is in my eyes more than doing your bit!!!!
As I live very near to the Vine Hotel I said "Sit yourselves down and as soon as my meal is ready I will drive you down there".
This I did and when getting out of my car the chap sat next to me shook me by the hand and said how grateful he was for my kindness. Lovely thing to say but in my eyes it was a very small act when compared to what they had done.
I don't know their names but I do know that they are wonderful people who had just raised over £2,500 for charity through their own efforts. A three minute car ride seemed to be the least I could do.
The Prostate Cancer Charity can be found at:
http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/
You can make a donation at the site if you so wish.
Friday, 18 March 2011
And Yet Another Famous Man.......
Attended the launch of the Lincolnshire No 2 AV Campaign today at Lincoln. The guest speaker was a political hero of mine Kenneth Clarke, QC, MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.
He gave an excellent presentation as to why we should vote No 2 AV. He talked for the best part of half an hours, in a very knowledgable way without the use of any notes at all. He was very impressive. Afterwards he took questions on a wide range of subjects.
After the presentation and question and answer session there was refreshments, during which I was introduced to Mr Clarke. A very nice man. I don't always agree with his policies but still think he is an asset to both the Conservative Party and the nation.
On 5th May please vote NO 2 AV.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Met A Very Famous Man Today......
Roy Hudd in Coronation Street. |
A man who has been one of my comedic heroes for as long as I can remember. The wonderful Mr Roy Hudd OBE.
I have to say I was completley taken aback. I am working for the Census and one of my responsibilities is to deal with the local hotels. I was doing the business in a hotel on the sea-front when the lady owner said. "There's Mr Hudd, do you know him"? I replied "Why would I". She said "He is a very famous man, Mr Roy Hudd". "THE Roy Hudd", I replied. "Yes" she said.
Like a child I walked up to him and introduced myself. He was very charming and took the time to have a chat with me. He was everything I would have expected him to be, friendly, charming and very funny. It was a honour to have met him and to have shook his hand.
I have now met both of my all-time comedic heroes, Roy Hudd and Ken Dodd. I feel I am a very lucky bloke to have done so.
I am feeling somewhat star-struck I think!!!
Monday, 14 March 2011
English Women Are Unattractive - What???
According to the Daily News, a paper in America, the CEO of Burger King has stated that English women are unattractive. I would like to make clear they are NOT my words. I know I am a bit daft but I do not have a death-wish.
Bernando Hees, made the statement recently at a University in America. He was pleased that they are so unattractive because it meant that he was not put off by them whilst working for his degree, which he took in England at The University of Warwick.
Not only has he insulted all of you ladies out there but he also had the temerity to state that our food is terrible as well. This coming from the head of a Burger Chain. Gee up neddy.
This man is quite obviously a wonderful advert for the American male and also for the company he works for. Perhaps if he hadn't brought his burgers over here, our food would be of a higher quality.
I shall not be darkening the doors of one of his Burger King "restaurants" again that is for sure.
As Del Boy would say "What a plonker".
Monday, 7 March 2011
Major Improvements for Seathorne School, Winthorpe
Seathorne Primary School in Winthorpe is set to benefit from around £3.5m of improvements, which will see substantial refurbishment and a new kitchen, library, staffroom and several new classrooms.
The modernisation programme will include a multi-use hall with activity studio, enhanced entrance, reception and office area and a new classroom configuration with better storage and toilet facilities. There will be a new kitchen, staffroom, library, new classrooms and breakout areas. Other features will include a flexible and adaptable learning environment and a range of improvements for better community use facilities.
It is also intended to link the existing building and nursery to the new sections of the building.
Councillor Mark Smith, Conservative Member for Skegness North, states: “I am delighted that Lincolnshire County Council has committed this investment in Seathorne Primary School, which is a well-managed school supported by a great governing body. I hope that this helps inspire the children to achieve the highest possible outcomes in the future. Excellent facilities help aspirational families to maximise their potential and I look forward to watching the development grow to fruition”.
The project aims to be completed by autumn 2012.
Coming hard on the recent announcement of the huge investment in the Skegness Academy, this really is great news for the school community as well as the wider community of Skegness and Winthorpe.
Friday, 4 March 2011
Don't Dump The Dog Dirt - Skegness Seafront
I went down to North parade extension this morning to meet up with Stefan Krause, the Town Centre Manager, Paul Marshall of Coastal Access For All, of which I am also a member, and a fantastic bunch of fellas from the HOPE Volunteer Group, who were undertaking a clean-up of the area, to discuss the growing problem of Dog Dirt being left around in the area.
Some of the areas on the walks up on the seafront can only be described as disgusting, with some of the pathways littered with Dog Dirt. Why is this? I ask the question because there is really no need for this to be the case. Why are people taking their dogs out for a walk, knowing that they will do their business, and then ignoring the mess that is being left behind, mess that is not only an unsightly nuisance but is actually a health hazard?
I apologise to all you responsible dog owners out there, but I have to say the answer is a total lack of responsibility on the part of a proportion of our dog owners. Sorry to be so blunt but there is actually no other reason that I can think of.
Much discussion was had this morning about how this can be resolved. Enforcement was discussed, more dog dirt bins, banning dog owners from the seafront and other ideas. All worthy thoughts, but if they were implemented would they make a difference? Do our dog owning community really want to have an Enforcement Officer out and about trying to catch the culprits? Do they really want access to the seafront area taken away or further restrictions in place? I am sure the answer is no!! Why would you want that? As for more dog dirt bins. Well, from what I saw this morning they would make no difference. Why do I say that? Simply because there was dog dirt left on the ground within a few feet of the existing bins, all of which were virtually empty.
So come on dog owners, whether residents of Skegness or visitors. Hear this plea. Please be more responsible. Take some plastic bags with you and clean up after you beloved family pet. Then put the used bag in a bin. Doesn't have to be a special dog dirt bin any bin will do. You would be amazed at how many plastic bags containing dog dirt were found having been thrown away. What good is that? Cleaning up after your dog and then throwing the bag containing the offending material on the floor!
Please think of the community as a whole and do the right thing. Don't get your dog a bad name because it is not the fault of the animal is it?
CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG
Thank you.
Some of the areas on the walks up on the seafront can only be described as disgusting, with some of the pathways littered with Dog Dirt. Why is this? I ask the question because there is really no need for this to be the case. Why are people taking their dogs out for a walk, knowing that they will do their business, and then ignoring the mess that is being left behind, mess that is not only an unsightly nuisance but is actually a health hazard?
I apologise to all you responsible dog owners out there, but I have to say the answer is a total lack of responsibility on the part of a proportion of our dog owners. Sorry to be so blunt but there is actually no other reason that I can think of.
Much discussion was had this morning about how this can be resolved. Enforcement was discussed, more dog dirt bins, banning dog owners from the seafront and other ideas. All worthy thoughts, but if they were implemented would they make a difference? Do our dog owning community really want to have an Enforcement Officer out and about trying to catch the culprits? Do they really want access to the seafront area taken away or further restrictions in place? I am sure the answer is no!! Why would you want that? As for more dog dirt bins. Well, from what I saw this morning they would make no difference. Why do I say that? Simply because there was dog dirt left on the ground within a few feet of the existing bins, all of which were virtually empty.
So come on dog owners, whether residents of Skegness or visitors. Hear this plea. Please be more responsible. Take some plastic bags with you and clean up after you beloved family pet. Then put the used bag in a bin. Doesn't have to be a special dog dirt bin any bin will do. You would be amazed at how many plastic bags containing dog dirt were found having been thrown away. What good is that? Cleaning up after your dog and then throwing the bag containing the offending material on the floor!
Please think of the community as a whole and do the right thing. Don't get your dog a bad name because it is not the fault of the animal is it?
CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG
Thank you.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Pilgrim Hospital Not Up To Standard - Report Today
Just how worried should we be about the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust and the care and service it provides?
Towards the end of January ULHT was found to be overspent on it's budget by £14 million. That money needed to be found from the next year's budget. This was blogged by myself and can be read further down this site.
In August of 2010 the Care Quality Commission, the body responsible for ensuring high quality of care within the NHS, produced a report detailing failings within ULHT. This can be viewed by following this link:
http://www.cqc.org.uk/newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?FaArea1=customwidgets.content_view_1&cit_id=36570
Today, as reported on local TV Look North, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-12626000, the CQC has made a spot check visit to Pilgrim Hospital and found that care there is still not up to standard. As a result, the Trust has until 31 May to make its improvements to avoid possible prosecution or closure of services.
ULHT runs Pilgrim, Lincoln and Grantham hospitals, all establishments that people from Skegness and the surrounding area rely on for their hospital care. Given the reports of the over-spending and under-delivery of proper care and services, I think those that are responsible for the running of the Trust need to look to their laurels and get their organisation sorted out, and be extremely quick about it.
In a rural county such as Lincolnshire it is difficult enough to just get to hospital. Surely when patients do make the necessarily long and sometimes difficult journey to get there, they should expect a decent level of care? In addition, given the necessity to balance the budget because of the overspend it is going to be more difficult for the Trust to provide the required level of care!
Should we be worried? I think that probably we should!
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Monty Pythons Flying Football - LCFC
Imagine the scene. Monty Pythons all gathered round the table working on scripts for sketches for a new programme.
"I have an idea. You have this football match played on a freezing cold night in front of about 2,000 spectators. First we have a loony bloke dressed up in a furry suit hopping about the place. Then when the football gets underway, we have the team in red and white playing as if they are in blind-folds. Somehow they go a goal in front, but that is just to build tension for the rest of the sketch. Now this is where we go really Monty Python.
We turn the Reds goalkeeper into a baby seal so that when the ball goes near him he slides about on his stomach, clapping his flippers together until he pushes the ball out to one of the blokes in blue who passes the ball into the net and then he goes and kisses and hugs all the other blokes in blue. Just to bring out the feminine side for those that like that sort of thing, you understand. Builds a bit more tension.
Then we get the teams to change ends, right? Don't ask me why it justs seems a good idea okay"
Well then what happens, is we get the team in blue to run about and pass the ball to each other with the grace of ballerinas, but not actually doing much else, whilst the team in red run about as if they don't know where the ball is, flapping their arms and puffin' and blowin'.
We then get the "star" of the piece to come onto the field because one of his red team-mates pulls a fetlock. Well the star starts sprinting up and down the field with the ball glued to his boot. This panics the blue lot and they start running round in circles shouting and pointing at each other. The "star" then kicks the ball into the middle of the blues penalty area where we have this huge great bloke, built like a tank, in a red shirt who tries to kick the ball into the net but can only manage to hit the ball with all the power of a two-year old, in the wrong direction. We will then have this hapless bloke in blue, who has his boots on the wrong feet, with his back to his goal who decides to help the tank-like geezer out by booting the ball into his own net. Then it gets better.
We will have the "star" again galloping down the pitch like a stallion on heat. When he gets near to the blues goal he nutmegs one of the blue players, great word that nutmegs, just made it up, sounds really funny doesn't it? After the nutmeg (really do like that one) the "star" kicks the ball into the middle of the blue penalty area. The important thing here is that the ball is going nowhere near the onion-bag, love these words, another really funny term, almost as good as nutmeg, and then we put the whole sketch into slow motion. We will have a blue player with a bag on his head who will attempt to kick the ball. What will happen is that the ball will be kicked oh, so slowly towards the onion-bag. We will have a bloke in huge great gloves who should try and stop it but all he will do is stand and watch the ball slowly drift into the back of the onion-bag. At this point we will get all the extras who are making up the crowd, won't push us over budget because there will not be that many there, to start falling on the floor laughing fit to bust, jumping up and down and waving red and white scarves. For comic effect we will dress some of them up to look like the players. So that's it. A great sketch in my opinon".
"Well yes, but is it believable enough though? You know good comedy needs to have a touch of realism to it?"
"Yeah perhaps your right. I have another good idea about sheep that roost in trees and a farmer trying to make money out of it"
"Right then that is much more believable".
"Okay we will go with that one then"
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Census 2011
I have been lucky enough to secure a position working for the Census 2011 in and around Skegness. I shall be working as a Special Enumerator, a fancy title for someone who delivers census forms and paperwork to muli-occumpancy dwellings such as hostels, hotels and hospitals and arranges for the forms to be completed and collected once they are filled in.
Much is being made in some areas of the press about whether or not people should take part in the census. I would suggest that it is very important that everybody does so.
Why do I say that? The information that is gathered is used to help ensure that the services provided locally match the needs of the population. All sorts of services are included in this including transport, health and education to name but a few. Skegness and the surrounding districts are known to be deprived areas so the information provided is very important to allow the correct decisions to be made regarding what the population need.
There has been some talk, as there always is, about the big brother state being nosey and the information provided not being safe. This really is scare-mongering. No individual information will be passed to any organisation whatsoever for any use. The only information that is released to the bodies responsible for providing public services is generic population data, for instance, how many people there are over 65 and not who those people are. All information is treated in the utmost confidence.
I would urge everybody to fill the forms in when they arrive. It is a legal requirement to do so and it is very important that the data produced is accurate. Don't be put off, fill your forms in when you get them. The correct public services being delivered to our community are too important not to take 10 minutes of your time.
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