A study in the Journal of Applied Ecology has found that regardless of size – gardens in Bristol contributed massively to the production of nectar for insects. Get rid of the lawn, or part of it, plant flowers and herbs (especially useful in cooking and well-being).
SURELY NOT IF, BUT WHEN?
Have the tory rebels lost their bottle, or are they biding their time? The crossing the House of Christian Wakeford will not create a stampede, but will cause many to consider other options. Quite understandably from MP’s point of view awaiting Sue Gray’s report is probably sensible. From Johnson’s position it is morally indefensible – he knows his actions have not been legal, although he seems to place himself above the law. He does not need to wait for Gray to tell him what he did. By delaying he may become the first Prime Minister of the UK in situ to be the subject of a criminal investigation.
PATHETIC
His latest excuse is “I cannot believe we would have gone ahead with an event that was against the rules – nobody warned me it was against the rules”. How pathetic and note the blame game of inserting the word ‘we’ into his excuse. Johnson – you are, at present. PM. You should known the rules all by your self as it was your cabinet that made them – and You were there.
BAKING
Maybe it is the cold weather but cheese and walnut loaf has been followed up by madeleines and tomorrow will be garibaldi’s. Cheese and walnut loaf on Sunday with marmite has been requested.
CHAOS
Magistrates are to be able to sentence convicted people to longer in prison to relieve pressure on Crown Courts. Lack of lawyers, and prison places will undermine Raab’s latest cock up. Most educated commentators (Thus eliminating readers of Mail and Telegraph) agree that short prison sentences are counterproductive. Underfunding for years is coming home to roost.
MORE NEW HOUSES IN SANDFORD
Plans are being promoted for more new houses in Sandford. I am not a NIMBY and was vaguely supportive of new Strongvox estate. However there is a limit to growth. So the arguments are :-
Sandford is not ideally located for commuters – rather tortuous bus journeys to Bristol and W-s-M. No new job opportunities have developed in the village over the 20 years I have been here.
Whilst traffic is not a real problem at present, it soon will be if the Banwell By-pass goes ahead with eastern terminus at TowerHead. And the associated housing that will goo with it. It is not rocket science to suggest that each new property will create at least one commuter journey per day.
No new facilities have been created in Sandford other than a fenced off football pitch for the Primary School. I am aware that incompetence may have been behind the lack of a new village hall.
The village school I believe is at capacity and I would be interested to see how projections to include the new houses impact on the school. Churchill Academy will probably love it with their new facilities which is a positive.
A bit of geography! Sandford is a linear settlement at the foot of the northern slope of the Mendips. It has no focal point – the pub is at the western limit of the village, the church reasonably central/west, the shop and school central, and the ski slope to the east end. The swing park is tucked away to the south west. the council had an opportunity to create a cohesive village but have missed it. They should compulsory purchase land by the school to create a viable social hub which includes a new village hall – if needed? I am sure this will cause a few chokes! But is it financially viable? Would new facilities for the school be able to double up? Maybe a hall which is used by the school for gym, lunch and assemblies and the public the rest of the time?
The shop could also benefit from refurbishment?
DAILY MAIL MISINFORMATION
They must be getting worried as todays headline was ‘British Troops sent to Ukraine’ and talks of imminent invasion and a bloodbath. The truth is we have sold some defensive anti-tank weapons to them and are providing some soldiers to train them how to use them. As for invasion – it remains a possibility rather than probability at the moment. The real reason for the headline is that Cummings has offered to testify under oath , along with others, that Johnson authorised the drinks party during lockdown. Tory donors are also calling for him to go.
DESPERATE
Military to be used to stem Channel crossings as Johnson seeks to stay PM. How do they do this – sink boats and kill people? I am seriously thinking that being English is as bad as being called a c***!
THINGS – MIGHT BE A RAMBLE
SHOWTIME
So Johnson launches Operation Red Meat, obviously unaware of the health aspects of red meat! Attacking The BBC seems to be the first target. Then attacking people trying to cross the Channel and ignoring the fact that most of them will have bona fide cases for remaining if they reach the UK. Lifting Covid restrictions which might be OK but seems to be rather risky before the good weather arrives. Throwing money at the NHS backlog – probably by paying private hospitals (privatisation by stealth). Throwing money at investment in skills. Sunak must be having a fit as Johnson spavs public money against the wall in an attempt to save his job and flat (recently redecorated at his own expense eventually).
Michael Fabricate has said The BBC has a witch hunt against Johnson which amounts to a coup attempt. What is he on? Even the Mail and Telegraph have reported the parties with disgust – and Corbyn was crucified by all media outlets 24/7. He should go home and play with his lego, or is it still Duplo for him?