Category: Local (To Me !!!)

Help Catch This Thug


‘Vile’ cyclist punches couple in road attack – Portsmouth News.

I have posted the entire article from the News.

This thug needs to be locked up.

cyclist

A COUPLE attacked by a cyclist have called for the ‘vile’ man to be caught.

Lee Dyer and his fiancé were both punched in the face after getting involved in an argument with a cyclist while driving to pick up relatives from Portsmouth ferry port.

Lee, 46, is now in danger of losing sight in his left eye due to his injuries.

Police have released a description of a man they wish to speak to, who is 5ft 6in, in his 40s with mousey brown hair and stubble. The man was riding a red and white-framed bike with white-rimmed tyres.

Lee and his fiancé Lisa Elphick-Smith, 49, both of Outram Road, Southsea said they had stopped at temporary traffic lights near the Co-op at The Hard when they saw two men on bikes acting dangerously.

Lisa said: ‘They were terrorising people on the pavement, so I said “you’re going to injure yourself or someone else” and then he started yelling abuse at me.’

The couple then drove off, riled but thinking that was the end of of the matter.

But the abusive cyclist hadn’t finished.

The couple had to stop at the next traffic lights under the railway bridge in Ordnance Row.

Lee said: ‘There was a massive bang on my side of the window and before I knew it, my door was flung open and I was punched in the face two times.

‘Then Lisa jumped out and ran around the back of the car telling him to stop, and then he punched her the face as well.’

Lisa said she jumped back and avoided the full brunt of the blow, but still ended up on the ground with a sore hip.

Lee said a woman in another car accidently ran over the abusive man’s companion’s bicycle.

Lee said: ‘I’m not a small person – 15-and-ahalf stone – so then I put up my hands and said, “right, that’s enough now”, they ran off and I was left stood there covered in blood.’

Lisa, a nurse, tended to Lee’s injuries. She said he had a haematoma in his left eye and might yet lose the use of that eye.

She said: ‘He still can’t see out of that eye.’

‘I want this guy caught.

‘I want him put away because I think he’s absolutely vile, a menace to society.’

The incident happened just before 6.30pm on Saturday, February 22. Police have only just released details.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information should call PC Greg Meacham at Southsea police station on 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111

View From The Conservatory


Scavenger
Scavenger

 

I don’t know what it is that I put in our meals but the one thing you can be sure of is this. If I throw any out for the birds, our neighbour’s cats will come round and fill up.

On the menu today was a mix of rice, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and onions. No meat !!! As you can see from the photo, the latest scavenger is not some skinny, starving waif.

Village’s struggle enters European stage – Portsmouth News


THE plight of villagers in Hambledon will be taken to Brussels following the visit of an influential Member of the European Parliament

What’s has this got to do with Brussels and the EU ?

While it is nice to know that one of our MEPs, Richard Ashworth, is taking an interest I fail to see how the EU can be involved.

This is part of a wider UK issue, much of which has been caused by lack of action by our local and national authorities.

Central government has systematically cut or removed funding for many of the organisations responsible for managing our environment. The net of this is a reduction in manpower leading to works, that have been carried out for hundreds of years, remaining undone.

Add to this the idiotic planning approvals that have seen homes built on flood plains and the huge developments in general that are replacing open ground, which can absorb water, with houses and roads which do not absorb water but cause accelerated run off.

These are local issues which should be dealt with at a local, to the UK, level. This is not a European issue.

Right now, we should be curtailing the sending of UK funds to foreign countries. That money should be spent to resolve local UK issues.

Village’s struggle enters European stage – Portsmouth News.

Fears over future of field at centre of three Hampshire villages


Fears over future of field at centre of three Hampshire villages – Portsmouth News.

The developers are out for one thing and one thing only, to line their own pockets and the sad thing is that our local planners are letting them get away with it. Taylor Wimpey are threatening to build 220 new homes on a beautiful piece of countryside just a short distance away  from an existing development of 275 homes.
Lynn McIver, speaking for Taylor Wimpey, has said

 ‘We are confident that this scheme will provide an attractive and sustainable development of much-needed housing in the area, as well as delivering affordable housing for local people.’

Decimating our local heritage, our beautiful countryside is never “attractive”. Hampshire is being eroded, one plot, one field, one farm at a time. This is just the latest foray by the developers and if allowed to proceed will be a disaster.

A consultation is scheduled to be held in Clanfield Memorial Hall, South Lane, on March 7, from 2pm to 7.30pm.

Be there and make your voices heard.

See also http://wp.me/pVDP6-1WO

Magistrate accused of damage to cars in Portsmouth !!!


Man faces magistrate accused of damage to cars in Portsmouth – Portsmouth News.

Good Grief !!!

This is the standard of journalism that is deemed acceptable in our local paper ……. ???

Man faces magistrate accused of damage to cars in Portsmouth

I saw this and immediately thought it was an article about a magistrate that had gone on a rampage and about the man that stood up to him.

Even the most basic word processor software has contextual and grammar checking alongside the standard spelling checkers. However, it seems that The News can’t afford to employ staff who can use it.

The following, pulled from the same article, is another example of the awkward phrasing that regularly appears in News articles.

Gavin Knight, 31, of Parade Court, Hilsea, denied to a magistrate damaging the vehicles in Wingfield Street, Turner Road and Watts Road, Portsmouth, on Saturday.

We regularly hear complaints, from employers, that our schools are not supplying new hire candidates with adequate standards of education. Isn’t it about time that our media mouth pieces set a decent example.

View From The Conservatory


Now I know what is causing those holes !!

Image
Picus viridis – Green Woodpecker, the largest of the three woodpeckers that breed in Britain

I had noticed several holes around the garden. Now I have caught the culprit, in the act.

Does he look contrite ? I don’t think so.

Image
Picus viridis – Green Woodpecker, the largest of the three woodpeckers that breed in Britain

Sorry about the picture quality. I had everything going against me. Time, shooting position, through double glazing with reflections etc. etc. I didn’t dare move to a position where I could brace myself. I had already spooked him once as I moved closer to the window.

As it happens, I only had a few seconds after this last shot. The neighbours cat came skulking round the corner and sent the pecker zipping over the fence. All that was left was his laughing call of derision.

I’m not sure if it was aimed at me or the cat.

Cams Mill – Fareham


Had a super meal, last evening, at Cams Mill, just outside of Fareham. We met up with some friends there after a big recommendation.
Cams-Mill-1
This is a brand new building, constructed in the style of the original tidal mill that stood nearby, around a century ago. I think they have struck the right balance. This place has old, rustic appeal and a friendly atmosphere. Definitely not one of your ultra modern, noisy, plastic pubs. This is a place to meet and enjoy the  social event, have a conversation without having to shout. Top it off with good food and drink.

Our small group started with Crispy Hampshire Hog (Breaded pork belly)with Cox’s Apple purée, London Porter Smoked Salmon Terrine with Cucumber, Quail’s Egg and Tomato Bread. For the mains we tried the Steamed Mussels In Seafarers & Lemon Sauce & Fries, Steak & Ale Pie with Mashed Potatoes, Winter Greens & Gravy, Pan-fried Calves’ Liver & Smoked Bacon served with Mustard Mash, Roasted Carrots in a Forest Mushroom Sauce and, finally, a Lamb Rump Steak served with New Boiled Potatoes and Minted  Peas.

The food  was well cooked, well presented and really tasty. All in our party commented on how tasty it was.  Portion sizes were about right, especially for me, since I am on a diet. If it hadn’t been for that “Vintage Ale & Molasses Sticky Toffee Pudding ” I would have met my daily target. Ah well !! As they say, you can’t have your cake and eat it.

The staff at the Mill are friendly and attentive without becoming obtrusive. Once we had finished our meal they left us to chat at our table with no pressure to move on. This was a Saturday night. When asked they delivered the bill promptly.

All in all a very nice experience. Not bad for £90 including the drinks.

Is Life Enough ?


Rapist locked up for life is branded danger to women – Portsmouth News.

Alexander Bell is behind bars after being found guilty of robbing and sexually assaulting a woman in her teens in August last year, also for twice raping a woman on the same night in October 2012.

During sentencing Judge Price described Bell as one of the most dangerous men he had seen at Portsmouth Crown Court in 18 years.

At least the sentence reflects the nature of the crime, three concurrent life sentences for a predator who has ruined the lives of the women that he attacked.

Physical wounds may be repaired but the effects of such an assault, on the minds of Bells victims, are immeasurable. One thing is certain these women will carry the memories for the rest of their lives.

The question that springs to mind is “What does “Life” actually mean ?”. Will Alexander Bell be considered for parole at any time ?

Anything less than whole life would be sacrilege, and an insult to those that Bell assaulted.

More stormy weather predicted – Portsmouth News


More stormy weather predicted – Portsmouth News.

Debbi Garrod, 50, of Langstone High Street, said her uPVC door was able to keep most of the water at bay. The sea crept 10 inches up her door.
‘When I opened the door the water came rushing in,’ she said.

‘I closed the door quickly and then it was just a little trickle.’

If she knew that it was 10 inches up her door, why did she open it ?

Is it just me ?