Month: March 2012

Care fears as Waterlooville day warden services are taken away


Over the last couple of years the media has been full of stories that indicate just how little the people of this country seem to care about the elderly and infirm. And for those that do care there is the feeling that the authorities cannot be trusted.

Here is an article that seems to promote that view, that once folk take the decision to move into care homes, they have no guarantee that the expected support services will continue. Even if they have signed contracts. This seems to be the experience of Paul Bayliss-Marten

Under the terms of his tenancy – and that of those in the other 69 flats in The Lodge, Lavender Road, Waterlooville – a warden was available from 9am to 9pm.

But that has been suddenly taken away by housing association Guinness Care and Support leaving Mr Bayliss-Marten, 61, with an alarm cord to pull if he gets into trouble.

Guinness announced last month that from April the daytime warden would be replaced by a mobile team during the day which responds when the alarm cord is pulled.

Question:

What happens when the “mobile team” is off-site ?

How will a resident have to wait for the “mobile team” compared to waiting for an on-site warden ?

The casual observer has to ask who is looking after the rights of these folk. Well one organisation, Age Concern (now part of Age UK) had this to say

Chris Perry, director of Age Concern Hampshire, said such changes are on the increase.

He added: ‘Many people take tenancies out on the understanding there is going to be a resident warden.

‘I can understand their concerns but equally from the point of view of the housing association I can understand they can’t have someone on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.’

Well that’s a nice balanced view but it doesn’t address the underlying problem that these folks have a tenancy agreement which provides for a Warden to be available from 9am to 9pm.

The housing association have changed the service that they are providing. Did they discuss things before hand or have they just ridden rough shod over the rights and wishes of the residents.
Care fears as Waterlooville day warden services are taken away – Local Health – The News.

Happy Birthday Roger – Supertramper


Roger Hodgson celebrates his 62nd birthday today. Founder member of Supertramp, one of the best “progressive” rock bands to come out of the UK, he was born in Portsmouth in 1950.

Hodgson composed and sang on most of their hits including Dreamer, The Logical Song and Breakfast in America.

Happy Birthday Roger

Supertramp musician born in city.

View From The Conservatory


This Chinook crossed the skies yesterday. As you can see the sky was a dull grey at the time. 24 hours later and the sun is shining, the sky is blue and look what I can see today.
This is Masher, showing his metal to the nettle….. he used to live in our kitchen but we caught him scratching at the inside of our stainless steel saucepans. Apart from the appearance we were a bit concerned about the shards of metal turning up with our bangers ‘n’ mash. So he was relegated to the garden.

Ever one for surrounding himself with the bright young things of the world he is surrounded by spring flora. So a few variety of Primula ……

……  and Magnolia ….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All being watched over by Chime the friendly cat ….

MoD set for U-turn on navy’s new fast jets


Due to mismanagement by both the previous and current governments, we have witnessed the systematic reduction of our military to a second-rate force on the world stage.

Now they, our current government, are demonstrating that they are hell-bent on delivering second-rate aircraft to the Royal Navy. These aircraft are to be used on the yet to be completed aircraft carriers.

Defence secretary Philip Hammond is expected to announce the UK will revert back to the jump-jet F-35B version of the US-built F-35 planes as opposed to the carrier variant F-35C which was the preferred option in the 2010 defence review.

In 2010, the government said Labour’s original choice of the F-35Bs was an ‘error’ it was ‘determined’ to rectify.

But it now appears the navy will have the shorter-range and less capable aircraft after all.

Why did our government not pay heed to their advisors that were clamoring to keep our carriers at sea using the Harriers as a stop-gap until we actually had a working fleet ?

All this chopping and changing in strategy will end up costing the UK many millions of excess charges and all to provide a less capable Royal Navy.
MoD set for U-turn on navy’s new fast jets – Local – The News.

This Lady Needs Your Help


Please take the time to listen to Doreen. This is heart-rending stuff. It is criminal that she isn’t receiving any real help from the authorities….but I’ll let her tell her own story

Congratulations Jensen


Jensen Button drove a superb race to take the win at the inaugural F1 race in Melbourne.

With Hamilton coming home in third place, behind Vettel, Maclaren have certainly  made a strong opening to their account for the 2012 season.

Hamilton will not be happy, having relinquished his pole /lead position to Button when he got bogged down at the start. Then, courtesy of the safety car, giving up track position to Vettel. Although he showed sufficient pace in the latter stages of the race,  he failed to reclaim 2nd place.

The annual Formula 1 circus has gotten off to a great start. All the indicators from todays race are that the 2012 season is going to be very interesting.

Looking forward to Sepang next weekend.

Fabrice Muamba – Here’s Hoping for Survival and Recovery


Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton Wanderers midfielder wa last night fighting for his life after collapsing  during his team’s FA Cup tie. He was admitted to The Heart Attack Centre of The London Chest Hospital and is said to be in a critically ill condition.

Shocking when you think how fit these guys are.

Lets hope he makes a successful recovery

Race Is Turned On Its Head


Now the safety car has been deployed we have a new race. Button and Hamilton had just both pitted but now Vettel has gained the advantage and is now placed hard up to Buttons gearbox.

Lucky or what ?

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Still Stuffed


Had a brilliant evening last night. Good food, good wine and good company. Thank you Rav and Wendy for a lovely meal. Rav your Chicken curry was, as usual, fabulous. Wendy that beautifully light crumble was the perfect finisher to the meal.

I’m Still Stuffed !!!

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