Ste Greenall - Campaigning for the Liberal Democrats in Huntingdon

An open letter to the local UKIP chairman

2011-06-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr Webster

I had a leaflet through the door tonight from you. It’s nice to see a bit of canvassing going on outside of election time.

However, the leaflet states one figure which needs further explanation.

It states that “apparently, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Councillors have recently claimed £1.25 million in personal expenses, which seems excessive.”

It would be excessive if only it were true.

The FULL costs of Huntingdon District Council’s allowances, expenses etc for 2010/11 was £425k. Check the HDC website, the full amounts are there.

As a recipient of one of the allowances in question, the £3,807 I was paid (gross by the way, before the tax man had his slice) is recompense for the hours on top of normal life that Councillors put in. I was recently asked by an old school friend why I got involved in local politics. I replied that it certainly wasn’t for the money. No wonder a former LibDem Council colleague of mine said recently, “I shall miss a lot of it, but at least I have my life back.”

I don’t suppose you’ll be issuing another leaflet any time soon, so perhaps I ought to drop the Hunts Post a line to put some clarity into things.

I am delighted to hear that HDC’s two UKIP members pledge their allowances to local causes. And, unlike ex UKIP Councillor Andrew Monk, they don’t claim expenses, though I accept his was a mere £82.80.

Mine, for the record was £0.00.

I hope you don’t mind me dropping you a line to dispute your leaflet, but I am reminded of a quote by the late Aneurin Bevan.

“This is my truth, tell me yours”

All the best

Cllr Ste Greenall
Huntingdon East Lib Dem Councillor

www.soundoffforjustice.org

2011-05-26T14:01:00.000-07:00

I do hope my MP isn't getting annoyed at me, after all, this is the second time I have written to him in a short space of time.

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Dear Mr Djanogly,

As one of your constituents, I am writing to ask you to consider signing Early Day Motion 1194: which calls on the government to reconsider its proposed cuts to Legal Aid.

These cuts will threaten access to justice for millions of people, with legal areas such as medical negligence, employment, immigration, welfare and family law being affected or take completely out of scope. I was alerted to the campaign, and have copied a section of this letter from the recommended text, but I have also tailored it myself.

The “Sound Off For Justice” campaign - for the positive reform of Legal Aid, (www.soundoffforjustice.org) - has consulted lawyers and those that will be directly affected by the proposed cuts. They are now suggesting alternative reforms to the current system. Importantly these reforms will ensure that the required savings can be made whilst safeguarding the public right to legal support and access to justice. It is of utmost importance that these alternatives are reviewed before the governmental response to the reforms on Legal Aid are published and subsequently go to the vote in the Treasury.

I am supporting the “Sound Off For Justice” campaign because I want to protect access to justice for the millions that stand to become more vulnerable should the Government's proposed reforms be accepted. I was surprised, but encouraged, to see your picture in issue 1289 of “Private Eye” at the recent “Sound Off For Justice” march. Would it be correct to assume that your agreeing to be pictured at the protest signals your agreement with the protest’s aims? I would find it very confusing if you didn’t support the aims of the protest that you went to the march, dressed casually.

May I encourage you to write separately to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon. Kenneth Clarke QC, MP, to express concerns on my behalf?

Thank you in anticipation of your support,

Yours sincerely

Ste Greenall
Snowy Way
Hartford
HUNTINGDON

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In many ways, this campaign reminds me of what our Liberal Democrat group on HDC is trying to do with regard to the voluntary sector grants - i.e. to protect the funding and seek more sensible - and fair - savings elsewhere.

I hope the campaign is a great success

2011-05-17T04:32:00.000-07:00

On 27th April, the Public Accounts Committee reported on the planned shake-up of the NHS. They said that “pushing through the changes while seeking £20 billion in efficiency savings may damage front-line services.” So I wrote to our MP Jonathan Djanogly, asking if he shared the concerns of that committee, which comprises MPs from all sides. Amongst a number of questions I asked, I was particularly keen to hear how Hinchingbrooke Hospital could be affected. Here's what I sent:

Dear Mr Djanogly,

Do you share the concerns of the Public Accounts Committee about Andrew Lansley's NHS plan? Please could you tell me what you will do to make sure their concerns are listened to?

I am not convinced that Andrew Lansley wants to listen to anyone about his NHS plans. The listening exercise seems like it might just be a PR stunt.

Where do you stand on making real changes to Lansley's NHS plans? For example will you push to remove promotion of competition within the NHS and place the focus on cooperation and quality of care instead? And how will it affect Hinchingbrooke Hospital, a place dear to me, having used it, and my son Ben was born there.

Yours sincerely,

Ste Greenall

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The reply I received answered some of my more general questions but made no reference at all to Hinchingbrooke. What’s more, the reply “answered” two points that were not even in my letter! This led me to wonder if I had merely received a standard reply, rather than a more specific one. Surely even a standard reply from the Huntingdon MP should include a reference to the main hospital in his constituency? After all, on his own website back in November, Mr Djanogly wrote “Hinchingbrooke Hospital is a well used and much admired local health facility. I will be looking to ensure that the level of care service provision is maintained at the current level.”

Here is the reply:

Dear Mr. Greenall,

Thank you for contacting me about the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)'s report into the NHS Landscape Review.

I would like to reassure you that the Government’s listening exercise is genuine. Ministers are taking the opportunity of the natural break in the legislative process to pause, listen, reflect on and improve these plans for NHS modernisation. Where there are good suggestions to improve the legislation and the implementation of our plans, changes will be made.

Although the PAC agreed that the Government's plan to modernise the NHS could help the NHS become a more efficient service, the PAC also asked a number of important questions about the modernisation plans. The Government recognises the importance of addressing these questions, and will seek to do so with the help of other frontline NHS staff, patients and members of the public during the listening exercise.

About the issue of trialling the Government's plans. The Government established its programme of 'pathfinders' late last year, to help test the NHS modernisation plans and ensure they work in the best interests of patients. The lessons learned from the pathfinder programme will feed into the listening exercise, helping ensure that the plans are improved still further.

Thank you for contacting me on this issue.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Djanogly

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I have had cause to use A & E at Hinchingbrooke twice myself in the past, and my son was born there. For that reason if no other, it has a place in my heart. Last year, our MP said “This is a testing time for Hinchingbrooke .......”let us all get behind our valued local hospital and not let constructive debate become damaging sniping.”

I hope Mr Djanogly doesn’t think that I am sniping in a damaging way. Hence, I do look forward to the results of Andrew Lansley’s listening exercise, which Mr Djanogly assures me is genuine. I sincerely hope that where good suggestions are made to improve the NHS, they are taken on board. After all, David Cameron promised last year “I'll cut the deficit, not the NHS." With the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing warning that the proposed NHS shake up represents a privatisation of the health service, we must hope Mr Cameron and his MPs are being sincere with us.

Yes to AV......and a big yes for Kev Sumner

2011-05-04T02:53:00.000-07:00

Only a day to go, leaflets have been delivered, doors knocked on, boards put up - the latest in Sparrowhawk Way (thanks David) - and tomorrow, the voters will decide.

It's looking like the AV vote isn't going the way of the YES campaign, but I feel quietly confident that Kev Sumner is going to join Mike Shellens and I as District Councillors in Huntingdon East. I had been anticipating a lot of grief at the doorsteps, but what came as a very pleasant surprise were (a) the number of people who said "you are doing a good job" (b) the number who recognised me, and said they'd voted for me last year (among the 2,075 !!) (c) that they were going to continue to support the Lib Dems.

That can only mean, in my eyes, that at least in our little patch, we have shown that we are true to our word, and we have done what we promised - to work hard, to scrutinise, to take on casework, and to ensure that the Conservatives don't get it all their own way.

THAT gate.......it just won't go away!

2011-04-15T05:10:00.000-07:00

When I was elected last year, I promised to try to persuade Churchmanor Estates to re-open the infamous "Wilkinsons Gate" and you may recall I was told it would stay closed on safety grounds.

I failed.

If you refer back to June and July 2010, on this blog, you can read all about it. I feel that this issue will never go away, as long as Churchmanor - a company professing to have the interests of OUR town centre at heart - keeps this gate closed. They will certainly win no fans by keeping it closed.

Today, I read on the Hunts Post website about the stationers, Colemans'. This shop's name was "used" by Town Centre Manager, Katy Sismore when telling us all how the town centre was "cutting the mustard" after a small business opened in premises above the present Colemans shop. Colemans are moving to a smaller unit.

Here's what it says in the Hunts Post:

Declining sales prompted Colemans’ contraction into its smaller premises, but managing director Joanna Patterson-Gordon said the firm remained “totally committed” to continuing its 30-year presence in Huntingdon. “We traded very successfully in Huntingdon until the gate (to St Germain Walk) went up – that had an impact overnight. It was like turning a tap off. Sales have been declining since,” she said.

I think this issue needs revisiting. And soon.

So why is the gate there?

Churchmanor told me (the letter is shown in full on the July 2010 blog pages) that the gate was closed, and remains closed, on grounds of health and safety. I have lost count of the number of people who have told me that they just don't believe it's just that, and one prominent member of the business community told me "we all know it was done to drive pedestrians past the Churchmanor properties such as Starbucks and Vision Express."

I can fully appreciate why Katy Sismore "talks up" the situation regarding the High Street, and whist the new "Barney's Plaice" looks quite smart, we still have a plethora of empty shop units. HDC has plans to build a £3 million multi-storey car-park, and when Sainsbury's moves up near the station, the idea is that three or more "recognised retail outlets" will move onto their present site.

If we aren't careful, though, we'll have a High Street containing just opticians, estate agents and mobile phone shops, which already make up around 20% of the shops in town. Anything that can be done to breathe life into the town centre should be done, and whilst it will be VERY late in the day, surely Churchmanor can help by taking that gate down. I'm sure most people are perfectly capable of looking after their own health and safety.

2011-04-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

Within a month of the formation of the Coalition Government last year, the following statement was published:- "Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Local Government Association Chair Baroness Eaton joined forces today to urge all councils to publish details of all spending over £500 in full and online as part of wider action to bring about a revolution in town hall openness and accountability." What's more "(Pickles) He makes clear that transparency and openness should be the default setting for the way councils do business, and calls on local government to move at speed to adopt this new approach." Now anyone reading this blog might wonder why that's a huge step forward. Simply put, it not only gives the general public morte access to what's going on, but it helps Councillors like me ask more detailed questions, both in Council, and at Overview and Scrutiny Panel meetings. The Huntingdonshire District Council website - http://www.huntingdontown.gov.uk/ - has published lists of items over £500, as well as publishing details of senior management salaries and expenses. I urge everyone to read the numbers. Ste

2011-03-17T04:04:00.000-07:00

On 9th March, in the House of Commons, it was pointed out at Prime Minister’s Questions that the Newcastle Citizens Advice Bureau dealt with more than 26,000 cases, supported by 75 volunteers, yet its budget has been slashed. Newcastle’s MP Catherine McKinnell asked “How can this shambolic situation possibly contribute towards the big society?”

David Cameron replied that the Government has made sure that the national funding for the CAB debt service has been maintained, and that is a vital part of it. He went on “I urge all local councils, whoever controls them - I have had this conversation with my own council - to make sure we do as much as we can to support CABs, which do such a vital job in our communities.”
I’d love Mr Cameron to have a word with OUR Council, because as has been well publicised, HDC plans to cut voluntary grants by 81% in two years – and the biggest recipient is Huntingdonshire CAB.

In addition, the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, has this to say: “In their approach to budget setting, the best councils are showing that they understand that a strong, thriving voluntary sector is more important now than ever and could be the key to providing high quality, good value services to their residents. But this is not the case everywhere. Councils that are failing to recognise the importance of the sector are being short sighted in their approach.”

I never thought I’d say this........but I agree with Eric!

In my view, HDC is being short-sighted, and whilst a review later this year may go towards a reduction in these cuts, a firm commitment to look more closely for other savings would give the voluntary sector more security.

2011-02-24T08:18:00.000-08:00

Mindful of all the presentations I have seen by representatives of the Voluntary Groups in our District, and the people I have met from those Groups, I thought I would say why I abstained from voting in support of the HDC Cabinet’s Budget 2011/12 and Medium Term Plan 2012 – 15 at last night’s full Council Meeting.

Prior to the vote, Council considered an amendment proposed by Liberal Democrat Leader Peter Downes. It asked that (a) The Council acknowledges the invaluable role of the voluntary sector in promoting well-being in Huntingdonshire (b)The Council welcomes the intention of the Executive Councillor for Finance and Customer Services to undertake a review of the way in which the Council offers support to local voluntary organisations (c) The Council recognises the need for the voluntary sector to have long term security for its forward planning and activity development; and (d) The Council requests the Cabinet to identify alternative savings to allow the financial support for the voluntary sector to be retained when the Medium Term Plan is reviewed during the coming year.

The brief debate which followed was interesting.

The first three parts to the proposal garnered a lot of support from all sides. Indeed, one Conservative Councillor said that those first three parts were a “no-brainer”. But when it came to the vote, whilst those three parts were accepted, the fourth was voted down. In my mind, the first three points are intentions – the fourth is a commitment. What’s more, if, as Council agreed, “Council recognised the need for long term security” surely that means FINANCIAL security? What else could it mean? To me, you can’t agree to (c) without following it up with (d). Since the Medium Term Plan sees 81% cuts in the Voluntary Groups’ financial support, and since we were being asked to vote for the Budget AND Medium Term Plan, as one, I could not support it.

In response to the Government's requirement for Local Authorities to publish new items of spending over £500, the job of scrutiny is made much clearer. The HDC website now contains summaries of expenditure for the months from April to December 2010, during which time £739,000 was spent on External Consultants, £368,000 on Hired Staff (temps), £56,000 on Mobile Telephones and Radios and £128,000 on Training. We learned that even in the Budget that was passed last night, just over £500,000 is earmarked for Consultants, £369,000 for Hired Staff , £375,000 for training and £49,000 for Mobile Phones.

Whilst I very much welcome that a review will take place during 2011, to see what help can be offered to the Voluntary Groups, I remain disappointed that cuts of such a magnitude are still planned in 2013 and onwards. The MTP is, it has been stressed, a “living document”.

A comment was made during the discussions on the Voluntary Sector that Councillors should “Get Real”

If we are to believe, and why shouldn’t we, that opportunities for volunteers will be lost if these cuts go ahead, then we need planning, commitment, scrutiny and a willingness to make sure the cuts do not need to be made, assuming that’s what is meant by Big Society.

That’s reality !

Very belated Happy New Year

2011-01-13T01:22:00.000-08:00

Right, late New year resolution. To use this blog a heck of a lot more! Starting - late - today.

Alerted by another blogger to the Huntingdonshire District Council website, and the publication of all items of expenditure over £500 since April 2010, I have now copied all the data onto one large spreadsheet, so it can be analysed. It is mind-boggling, and whilst I am sure there are many good explanations for some of the spending, this data will be very valuable in the next few weeks.

The next few months at Council will be very interesting as the budget for 2011-12 will finally be signed off and the projected spend for future years will also be done. All of which will be subject to intense scrutiny, especially now that the HDC has published all items of expenditure over £500 for the 8 months April to November last year.

Meanwhile, I shall be putting time into trying to ensure that payments in grants to the voluntary sector are as protected as can be, or that alternative assistance can be found.

Tories reject Lib Dem bid to save voluntary organisations

2010-12-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

Huntingdonshire Tories have voted down a proposal from the Liberal Democrats that cuts in funding to voluntary organisations should be removed from next year’s draft budget.

Faced with a shortfall in resources, the ruling group on the District Council has made several unpopular proposals including a reduction of 81% in the funding for local voluntary bodies that provide much-needed services to the neediest people in the district.

Lib Dem Leader Peter Downes proposed an amendment that this cut be removed from the budget in order to give voluntary organisations funding stability so they could develop further in future. He offered a list of ways in which off-setting savings might be made.

The Tories rejected the amendment but said that the idea would be discussed further at the next meeting of the Economic Well-being Scrutiny Panel on Thursday, January 13th at 7 p.m. in Pathfinder House.

This decision followed an impressive presentation to the Council by representatives of the voluntary sector in Huntingdonshire. Julie Farrow of the Volunteer Forum explained how the small grant to the Forum enables it to help charities and voluntary organisations lever in grants for their work. Last year over £700,000 was generated in this way. Other speakers emphasised the value to the community of the voluntary sector. Mike Baker, LD Councillor for Ellington, said that doing voluntary work was satisfying to the volunteer as well as providing benefit to those in need. He highlighted the social car service as an example.

Huntingdon East Lib Dem councillor Ste Greenall pointed out that David Cameron himself had given his backing to supporting the voluntary sector as part of his vision of the ‘Big Society’.

Steve van de Kerkhove, LD councillor for Eynesbury East, said that St. Neots Town Council, which is controlled by the Lib Dems, would actually be increasing its grants to voluntary bodies in St. Neots next financial year.

Mike Shellens, LD Councillor for Huntingdon East, said that the Tory response was disappointing after the good words they had said about the work of volunteers. ‘The Tories in Huntingdonshire simply cannot bring themselves to accept that the Lib Dems might actually have some good ideas’.

Tough times ......tough decisions

2010-11-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

I've now been a District Councillor for 5 months, and it is clear as can be that Huntingdon District Council needs urgent action to address an alarming budget deficit. Last night, my Lib Dem colleague in Huntingdon East, Mike Shellens, put forward a motion for debate. In it he offered some suggestions as to ho the problems might be faced.

Despite some words of support from some Conservative members, others were, I am sad to say, quite dismissive of what Mike put forward. With a large majority in any event, the motion was defeated, although a few Conservatives did abstain - the closest, some might say, to getting them to vote in favour.

The meeting, as with MANY council meetings, was open to the public, and so, I publish now, the text of what Mike had to say:-

Members we find ourselves in unusually uncertain times:

Economy

Political

Funding

Revenue from charges

This motion reflects concerns expressed by members of both parties as well as independent members on the Economic Panel that it is foolhardy to pin all our plans onto a single forecast outcome.

Instead, we should prepare, now, contingency plans against various outcomes identifying now what we would have to do when, to meet whatever the outcome is.

It may be that things get better:

Extra savings before we “Pass Go” next April, providing a buffer,

The government takes fright at the post VAT rise fall off in retailing

and the rise in the savings ratio heightened by the fear of unemployment

and starts old fashioned Keynsian pump-priming using Local Authorities to inject cash into the economy. Etc.

In that case, we do not want to be committed to the pain of putting into operation plans to yield savings of £9.5m by 2014/15 if all we need is £6m. We should not sell Pathfinder House and move to portacabins on Alconbury Airfield unless it is strictly necessary.

On the other hand a perfect storm of:

adverse floors and ceilings,

higher inflation driven by the falling £ and Vat,

resistance to increased charges,

a large number of Housing Benefit victims deciding to come and join relatives in Huntingdon,

and extra unfunded obligations passed down from central government

could lead to a much more serious situation requiring ever more drastic surgery.

In my experience drastic surgery needs time to be planned, a move to Alconbury would take at least two years to implement. So it would be no use ending up at the dawn of the last year thinking “If only we had started planning for this 3 years ago!”

We need to manage the situation rather than simply administer it. We need to be on the front foot.

During the course of this year we have heard numbers of £5m, £6m, £8m £9.6m and now £10m as the level of savings needed over the plan period to balance the books. What makes us think that the current figure is going to be the actual one? We need to provide for variations.

So we need a variety of plans now, keep them under review as life changes around us, but implement only as and when needed, but with plans already considered.

I have 10 quick suggestions as to what could go into this mix.

This afternoon’s presentation on Balancing the Budget included some suggestions as to areas for consideration. Some of them are duplicated in the following list. But as the copies were committed before that meeting I shall not try and edit out areas on both our lists.

1) Any future increase in members’ allowance should be restricted to the rate of inflation. So do away with the official arbiter to whom we pay I think £5k p.a.

2) Narrower margins and no space under paragraph headings on council papers – only £10k a year savings, but a visible sign that we are trying.

3) Last year we recommended that we councillors share in the pain and reduce all allowances by 10%. This was kicked into the long grass. I understand that Honourable Members opposite refused any increase this year. Many of the Lib Dems implemented a reduction of 10% in accordance with our previous budget proposals.

We should all be moved to that lower scale with effect from 1 April next year,

we should freeze Members’ Allowances until 2014 at the earliest,

we should cap travel expenses to 40p per mile.

4) Move from the Imbucon payroll system to the NJC scales. As I understand it, under the current regime, long lasting employees can migrate well outside the range for the job. What is done is done, but we should stop any more silliness.

5) Voluntary redundancy is a personal challenge both financially and emotionally. Compulsory redundancy can be much worse. Instead, give sections the choice of reduced hours until things get better, using compulsory redundancy only if there is insufficient take up. From the employer’s point of view, this has the merit of retaining the pool of expertise and can be selectively unwound as demand increases in specific areas. It would be necessary to protect pension entitlement and that may take some time to effect so a case for early exploration.

6) Look hard at ourselves. Cut the numbers of District Councillors to 35 from 52, probably not implementable until 2016, but cutting the Cabinet to 7 rather than 10, and 1 Scrutiny Committee rather than 3 could be done now and would bring with it savings on allowances, travel expenses, printing, and officer time.

7) Sub-let Pathfinder House as staff numbers decrease. We should invite other local authority bodies to make use of spare space in Pathfinder House. (e.g. Connexions and Locality Team).

8) Share council tax collection and other back office services with other District Councils. Surely we do not each need to maintain our own complex computer system. In many areas, like Call Centres, we have much to offer others.

9) Sale and lease back of Pathfinder House and other assets should be evaluated.

10) Save huge amounts of back office costs by going unitary with the County.

On the other side, Lib Dems believe that we should not cut grants to voluntary organisations where there is a risk that this will cause more expenditure for us and the rest of the public sector if we take away the highly geared voluntary support that most of them provide.

My final suggestion is that we recognise that what we are about to receive will not make us truly thankful. Residents will suffer deterioration in the level of service that they receive from the Council.

We should therefore provide that little bit of sugar to help the medicine go down. For the towns, I would suggest reversing the decision on the toilets, deeply unpopular and, anecdotally for Huntingdon, diverting shoppers away from the Town Centre.

For the villages the retention of the Customer Service Centres is likely to be welcomed by those, often the most vulnerable and impecunious, who really need our services and would find the trip in from Farcet or the Gransdens both physically and financially daunting.

Members, we would be happy to discuss these suggestions further as long as the approach was not finding 57 reasons for not doing them but rather “What do we need to do to make them happen?”

Reply from Churchmanor

2010-07-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

Well, it was hardly a surprise when I received a reply to my letter to Churchmanor that they aren't about to re-open the gate across St Germain Walk. Shame, but that's the way it goes. Churchmanor's view clearly differs from that of many people in Huntingdon, including many who voted for me, but what surprised me in the letter was Churchmanor's attitude to the Post Office (who currently rent a property of which Churchmanor hold the freehold (as stated in the letter). Some people might suggest that Churchmanor aren't too happy at losing a client, but I couldn't possibly comment.

My letter to Churchmanor Estates

2010-06-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

Mr H. K. White

The Churchmanor Estates Company plc

Montague House

11 Black Horse Lane

Ipswich IP1 2EF

8^th June 2010

Dear Mr White,

St. Germain Street Gate

I was elected as Lib. Dem. District Councillor for Huntingdon East at the recent elections, having never before stood in an election of any kind. I have lived in the town since 1987, and seen many changes. Many of them, I am very pleased to say, for the better.

As a resident, I formerly used to use the passage which became closed off some years ago, by the so-called St. Germain Gate. This gate is notated as “controversial” not by me, but on www.huntingdontc.com – a website which can be found via a link from Churchmanor’s own website. Some years on, I was quite surprised, when asking residents of Huntingdon East ( I reckon on having canvassed over 1,800 this year ) what issues bothered them. Along with numerous topics, “that *****y gate” cropped up on many occasions.

It set me thinking, is there any reason, other than a pure commercial one of “forcing” footfall past some of the retail outlets redeveloped by Churchmanor, that the gate cannot be reopened, or better yet, removed? After all, most people who shop in town now are well aware of the shops such as Subway, Vision Express and Starbucks. Now, we hear the news that the Post Office is considering relocating from its present site, to “within WH Smiths”. Given that the opening hours may well be extended, that is good news. However, for those older folk who live in the area I represent, moving the Post Office to this proposed location will mean a walk of at least 800 yards or more, in addition to the distance they currently need to undertake. Unless of course, the gate is removed and they can enter the WH Smiths more readily.

I noted that one of your responses to past criticism of the gate was to cite that the area close to the passage constituted a “dangerous accident hotspot”. This might have led people to think that there had been a spate of accidents there. Was that ever the case? And is that area any more dangerous than the ring road, bus station, or any of the town centre car-parks? Surely the answer is to take measures to diminish the risk of accidents. Coupled with the publicity surrounding the re-opening of the gate, this could greatly enhance Churchmanor’s reputation in the town.

To quote from your website again “It is easy to rake over old coals on the rights and wrongs of any issue. However, to invest in a town centre that badly needs investment, decisions need to be taken which may not always be popular with some, but with future investment and planning they will lead to an improved town centre for all.” Forgive me if I am wrong, but I have found no mention anywhere on your website of Churchmanor’s position with regards the RESIDENTS of Huntingdon.

There are numerous web references to businesses, landowners, local authorities, institutions, but nowhere, the people without whom those organisations will thrive….council tax payers, customers…in short, the people of Huntingdon.

Churchmanor claims to "……care enough about Huntingdon to want to support local retail and to bring life back to this part of the town for future generations". But does Churchmanor care enough about the people who, if the Post Office is moved, will be inconvenienced?

The Post Office’s own consultation document talks of their possible relocation being 375 yards away. The buildings may be, but right now, the access, door to door, is NOT.

So, I write to you to ask for consideration, especially now the businesses that moved into the newly redeveloped area of Chequers Court have become well established, that the St Germain Gate is re-opened, as I believe it will demonstrate that Churchmanor does not just care about the stakeholders it is proud to service, but the people of this town.

I have been writing a blog which is available for open reading, and isn’t subject to the whim of an editor of any area of the media, editing or ignoring it. That said, the Hunts Post did publish a letter from me on this subject. I intend to wait a week or so before uploading this letter to my blog, and of course, I shall give Churchmanor access too, by uploading any reply you may send to me.

I hope you will give this consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Ste Greenall

Huntingdon East

6 Snowy Way

Hartford

HUNTINGDON

Cambs

PE29 1LQ

The gate

2010-06-17T02:47:00.000-07:00

Well, as I promised I would do in the build-up to the District Council elections, I am aiming to try (against a lot of odds, I have been told) to get Churchmanor Estates to remove, or at the very least RE-OPEN, the gate that they put across the passageway close to Wilkinsons, in St Germain Walk. Last Saturday, I took a stroll around to see for myself the possible impact of any arguments that Churchmanor might continue to put forwards.

Let me say, though, that I have written to one of the Directors, Howard White, to ask the company to reconsider their position, especially now that there is a strong possibility of the Post Office being relocated. In case you didn't know, the Post Office, currently next door to Sainsbury's, is looking to move into the WH Smith store in the High Street. This, in my view, changes "the goalposts" and lessens the argument for the gate being there. I wrote also that I intended to publish the letter I have sent, on this blog page, along with any reply I might receive, which is totally transparent, andf people can judge for themselves what they think.

Going back to when the gate was put up, one of the arguments was that with the number of delivery lorries turning, close to where the passageway runs, there was an accident waiting to happen. My argument in my letter was that that the chances of an accident caused between a behicle and a pedestrian is far greater on the Sainsbury's car-park, or even Huntingdon bus-station. If we are to worry about every vehicle on the road causing an accident, we had better all stay at home!

At the time of writing, I have not yet had a reply from Churchmanor, and it isn't quite a week since I sent my letter to Mr White, so I will hang on a few more days before I publish what I sent on this blog page. If Churchmanor reply, I shall publish what they say. If they don't then I shall say so.

I will leave it for the people of Huntingdon to draw their conclusions.

One thing I would say is that I spoke to two couples who were parking their car on the disabled car-park in town, which, if you want to visit Sainsbury's or the Post Office, is BEHIND the gate, thus requiring someone less able to get around, to make a long detour.

I can't promise that things will change, but I can promise to keep the pressure on. Because despite what Churchmanor would like it to be the case, many HUNTINGDON RESIDENTS are still unhappy about that gate.

Lib Dems - winning again in Huntingdon East!!!

2010-06-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

It's getting to be a winning smile that Lib Dem leader in Huntingdonshire, Peter Downes, wears these days. Here he is, pictured below, immediately after the result was announced.

The votes were cast as follows:-

Ann Beevor (Labour) 221

Andrew Bish (Tory) 662

Bill Hemsley (Tory) 519

Patrick Kadawere (Labour) 155

Debbie Scales (Lib Dem ) 890

Kevin Sumner (Lib Dem) 860

So Peter made a "thank you speech", watched by Returning Officer David Monks, CEO of Huntingdonshire District Council.

In percentage terms, I make that Labour - 11.4% / Tory - 35.7% / Liberal Democrats - 52.9%!!

Us over 50%

Tories below 40!

Compared with the Hunts East District election at the same time as the General and where the Greens got 4%, we are up 7%, Labour is up 1%, and the Tories are down 4%.

At the time of the 2005 General Election Lib Dems had never won a seat in Huntingdon.

Now we have 5 Town Cllrs,

3 District Cllrs

1 County Cllr

.....and it is all because we have a class team that delivers the goods when it matters, which is both between elections and during them.

Thursday's Town Council by-election

2010-06-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

On Thursday last week there was a Town Council election in Huntingdon, and it proved a fantastic night to be a Liberal Democrat. It is the rule that a maximum of two elections be held on the same day, and so with the General Election and District Council elections being held on May 6th, the Town Council election was delayed until 27th.

Following on so quickly from the General Election, there was a fear that the turnout would be poor, but in the end it was 24.8% - very respectable given the circumstances. The outcome might prove a further barometer for Lib Dem support in Huntingdon East, so after a quick-fire campaign, voting began at 7.00 a.m.

By 7.45 p.m., things were still fairly quiet, as the picture below shows. Left of the photo is Lizzie Shrapnel, telling for the Lib Dems, and Conservative Town Councillor, Susan Mulcahy.

By 8.00 p.m. it got a little busier, so with Chris Jordan operating as a "runner", the telling returns were fed back to Lib Dem HQ, which on this occasion was the MS Support Centre, near the Olympic Gym. But as the picture below shows, there was no queue on this occasion!

The result was expected around 11.00 p.m., once the boxes were al collected in, and count would be......in Hartford Village Hall.

So time for a pint at the Barley Mow before the count began!

Hot enough ??

2010-05-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

Met up with Kevin Sumner today to knock on doors on the hottest day of the year so far. Not ideal canvassing conditions but the feedback we had was very good, and it looks like our vote is holding up, ahead of Thursday. The boards and diamonds are starting to appear around town, and we have finally seen signs of Tory activity, in the shape of a leaflet through the doors. One thing is very noticeable. Despite the leaflets saying "local conservatives", one of the chaps, Mr Bish, whilst living in Huntingdon, doesn't live in Huntingdon East. The other, Mr Hensley, lives a little further afield.....errrr....WARBOYS.

I feel certain that our two candidates, Debbie and Kevin, have everything it takes to be successful, and we are all just hoping that people aren't too "election-fatigued", and do vote on Thursday.

Ben begins his GCSE's in earnest this week, so it could be a little tense in the Greenall household, but we feel sure he'll be giving it his best shot.

Two barbeques this weekend - hot enough, or what?

Like first day at big school!

2010-05-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

Along with my new Lib Dem buddy, Steve van der Kerkhove, from St Neots, Wednesday 19th May will go down as our first District Council meeting. As Steve said, it was like first day at big school. Once again, I took pictures where you wouldn't normally get to see them, though since I have now realised that many main Council meetings are open to the public, it is open season on 'reporting' what goes on.

The first picture shows Steve and I after we took our seats. The second, moments later, came when Steve slopped his coffee over the table, but somehow managed to get some inside his phone. The picture where Steve is sitting on the green chair was when all the new councillors, and some of those who were re-elected, had their pictures taken for the passes we will get issued with, as well as the website.

The meeting was the AGM of the District Council and I'd been told to expect it wouldn't last much mote than 90 minutes, as it was mainly to swear in new leaders and ratify the committees we will all sit on. Proceedings began with a prayer from Father Paul Maddison, from St Ives. Wasn't expecting that. Next on the agenda - Chairman's Announcements - which gave outgoing Chairman John Davies a chance to thank various people, make a presentation to a chap who has been on the Council for yonks - can't remember his name but I think he's from Warboys.

The new Chairman was sworn in, and it was Jeff Dutton, who was elected unopposed. Which was just as well for Jeff because he had an acceptance speech already written! Fact is that even if the Lib Dems had put someone forward, the Tory would win because there are more of their councillors than the rest. When it came to electing a Vice Chairman though, Peter Downes, Lib Dem leader on the District Council, proposed Mike Baker, who is a nice chap; taught at Hinchingbrooke and still does DofE courses up there. Mike Shellens seconded him. But when it came to the vote, even though all the Lib Dems PLUS the two UKIP members voted for Mike, he was defeated by a lady called Barbara Boddington, for the Tories. Now clearly she had been expecting to win.

Why?

Remember I had said we had all gone for photos, BEFORE the AGM started? Well, Barbara had been photographed WEARING THE VICE CHAIR'S CHAIN!!! So she obviously knew she was a shoe in.

Ian Bates, who is the current Leader of the Council, was re-elected to do it again.

I was elected onto the "Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Economic Well-Being" committee, which basically is a sub-group that challenges the financial plans. I shall look forward to that.

So that was that.....apart from Steve spilling his coffee, no fun and games.

It is going to take some getting used to being on a council where, whatever your INDIVIDUAL views might be, I get an impression that the Tories will always get something through, because of their majority....we need more Lib Dems, but the next elections are a year away :-(

The new building is nice, but I can't help thinking it is too big. For a start, the ceilings are really high, If each floor had been a few feet lower, think of the materials and labour that could have been saved building it. Hmmmmm....that's for another day.

Meanwhile, I am delighted, though I can claim miniscule credit, to find out that two families in Barn Close have won the right for the County Council to look again at re-siting a bus stop right behind their houses. Just shows that when someone, as Stephanie has done, writes an effective letter and makes sure it gets to the best person, change can happen. All I did was add grease to the wheels here and there. I hope the bus-stop gets moved soon.

First District Council meeting this week

2010-05-17T04:57:00.000-07:00

I will be attending my first District Council meeting this coming wednesday, when I also expect that the Committee I shall be sitting on will be ratified.

Meanwhile, a few iussues are raising their heads, which I am getting involved in. The first one, which actually cropped up in the few weeks before the election, is the siting of a bus stop in Salpey Road, which directly overlooks houses in Barn close. This isn's a case of "not inmy back yard", as there is a perfectly good stopping space just 100 yards up the road, and which is offset from the road itself, and adjacent to a footpath. Why this wasn't used in the first place, I shall never know. What is more worrying, however, is that I have had sight of an e-mail which suggests residents were consulted.

They weren't!

Huntingdon Town Council by-election

2010-05-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

Hardly seems like we have drawn breath since the General Election, and yet we're off to the polls again. There are two seats up for grabs on Huntingdon Town Council, and we in the Lib Dems have two excellent candidates, in Debbie Scales and Kevin Sumner. Both Debbie and Kevin put in many a worthwhile shift campaigning for me in the District Council elections and Martin Land in the General Election. They are fantastic candidates, and I wholeheartedly commend them to you. I have scanned our latest leaflet, Focus, which tells you more about Debbie and Kevin's backgrounds.

Like myself, Debbie and Kevin live in the ward, and I am delighted to be able to help their campaigns by delivering leaflets. Part of my pledge to the constituents of Huntingdon East was to keep in touch, and to help in this aim, I shall be keeping this blog page as up to date as I can, as well as my Facebook page, which you are very welcome to join. The latest leaflet contains my e-mail address and phone number, and the same applies to Debbie and Kevin.

Can it be true?

2010-05-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

The Liberal Democrats in coalition with the Conservatives.

When I went to sign a declaration form last night, in order that I can be a fully fledged District Councillor, I discovered, in conversation with David Monks, the CEO of Huntingdonshire District Council, that he is a rugby league fan, and if truth be told, supports Wigan.

I heard an ice-cream van in Biggleswade playing “Liberty Bell” – the theme tune to Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

I took Ben to the driving range and was hitting shots with my driver - straight and over 200 yards.

David Beckham addresses an audience of FIFA, without notes.

2010-05-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

It's been a funny old week, but it began with the Brampton Spartans under 16s ending their season in the only way they knew how - a bucket of cold water over Manager Mick Forsdick's head!

Politically, almost a week has gone by, I have had a large box file, a lever arch file, a diary, various letters and invitations, a request to fill out a CRB form, and God knows what else. Loads of stuff. But I am very much looking forward to attending my first council meeting, which will be on 19th May - just a week away. It is the District Council AGM, and I expect a new leader will be elected.

I have had the letter of thanks to the constituents that I sent to the Hunts Post published. Meanwhile, nationally, the Lib Dems have gone into a full blown 5 year coalition with the Tories. Not what I would have picked from the outset, but the early indications are quite sound, actually. Certainly, the two local MPs, quoted in the Hunts Post, are way off target. Mr Djanogly predicted a "distinct possibility of another election in the near future". Doh! Unless he was meaning the up and coming Huntingdon Town Council elections! No - didn't think so.

Shailesh Vara accused the Lib Dems of "putting electoral reform and their own self interest ahead of the good of the British people". He said that On Tuesday (presumably around lunchtime - press deadline for the Hunts Post). Within a few hours, though, the BBC website was saying "Out of the hung parliament delivered by the electorate's verdict, the Lib Dems and Tories have conjured up Britain's first coalition government in 70 years.Lib Dem MPs will sit around the Cabinet table with their fellow Tory government ministers. Individual Tories, expecting high office, will have been sacrificed on the altar of getting a deal done.

To arrive at this position, unthinkable during the worst exchanges of the election campaign, stumbling block after stumbling block has just melted away.Compromise has been the order of the day."

It is obviously far too soon to know how this will all pan out, but for now, I'm prepared to sit back and watch.

However, as far as Hunts East is concerned, the Liberal Democrats won the seat this time around, and I shall work to my utmost to do the best for all 9,000 in the ward.

10th May 2010

2010-05-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Back to work after the campaign. Tiredness has kicked in, the adrenalin has died down, and having got home tonight, for the first Lib Dem group since the election I forgot my agenda!

I have had lots of really nice messages, which include the following:-

"Well, I looked at your blog. I'm surprised you had time to do it while you were electioneering. The pictures convey the excitement and industry of the campaign. All you are left with now is the work that lies ahead."

"Congratulations on being elected as Councillor for the Huntingdon East Ward, your welcome pack is on its way to you."

"I have just looked on the Huntingdon District Council website and I see you got elected"

"WELL DONE YOU!!!"

"Many congratulations Councillor Greenall, just seen the election results on the web - well done!"

Very encouraging. I am beginning to realise the enormity of the task ahead, but I am certainly looking forward to it. Meanwhile the picture at the top shows that I won't be claiming for a handyman on my expenses :-)

Ste

The count .........and afterwards

2010-05-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

WOW!!!! I made it. The result is below, I did it with a majority of 309 votes, so many thanks to those who voted for me, and I shall represent the people of Huntingdon East to the best of my ability. Here's the result, taken from the Hunts DC website:

Huntingdon East Ward

Saeed Akthar The Conservative Party 1766

Stephen Greenall Liberal Democrat 2075 - Elected

Patrick Kadewere The Labour Party 453

Jeff Knott The Green Party 202

The pictures are as follows:

The first one is the bundles of paper that got me elected!!! 2,075 with a cross against my name.

The second one shows the notice as you went into the count. Ignore the bit that says "No Admittance to St Ivo pupils", as I saw some that were, and one has now become a Facebook friend as he wanted the Liberal Democrats to win.

Third one: After spending 10 hours of Election Day in the Polling Station in Hartford Village Hall, I couldn't believe the conversation that took place at 7.15 am the morning after.

Ben went off to do the paper round. He phones me soon afterwards

Ben: "Dad, why is there a picture of the Village Hall in the paper?

Me: "Which paper? Which Village Hall?

Ben: "Like.....OUR Village Hall!"

Me: "Which paper? Cambridge News?"

Ben: "No, The Times"

Me: "Eh? You sure?"

Ben "Yeah.....you can see the writing"

At which point I jumped out of bed and cycled round for a copy.errrm.......three copies. So the third picture is me, with the Times, on the balcony at the Ivo, whilst the count for the MP is taking place below.

Next picture shows the counting taking place in the Sports Hall and the final one is me with the Monster Raving Loony, Lord Toby Jug.

2010-05-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

I am totally wasted....what a long campaign and battle it has been. Good luck, Sid, it's between you and me.

See you at the Ivo.

Election day #3

2010-05-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well first of all two questions.

Are any other Hunts DC candidates carrying out "telling" work (6 hours so far, 5 more to come) AND updating a blog and Facebook?

Who are the additional followers that I have acquired just today? Oh, I just looked....cheers people. Thanks for keeping an eye on me :-)

Brilliant news, and it gives me the impetus to work even harder. I have a few more pictures.

This was the polling station at 3.15; rare to have a queue at this time, but it has been quite busy, and the cinder toffee from the Retro Sweet Shop has been going down a storm.

And what better a way to spend a short break from the hustings than a nice pint, on this occasion at the King of the Belgians. Thanks to Damo for the pint and taking the picture.

Meanwhile, back at the Committee Rooms, the results from the telling are being compiled into the LibDem election systems. I wonder what it is telling us.

For now, Ste signing off at 4.15 pm

Election day #2

2010-05-06T04:05:00.000-07:00

Second break of the day, and this time, I'll be visiting the Retro Sweet Shop for some cinder toffee, and a pint in the King of the Belgians.

The second stint I just spent was alongside Claire Dutton, who is a Town Councillor for the Tories, and she is the wife of Jeff Dutton, who is a District Councillor, and hope to be Chairman of the District Council in the near future.

It is often hard to tell what people are thinking before they go into the Polling Booths, but there are some who clearly show their intentions.

The pictures above tell their own story. Ben's mate Harrison, who plays in goal for the mighty Brampton Spartans, lives with his mum and step dad, Michelle and Trevor, on the main road into town. When we met on the touchline on Tuesday following Spartans fantastic victory over Alconbury (we've now played 19, won 15, drawn three, lost one all season) they told me they had already voted for me as a postal vote, but could they put a board up?

Too damn right, and later that day, it was installed.

The other picture is me coming out of the polling station at 11.45 a.m. with Barry Mitchell. Barry was the original bass guitarist with Queen, and still plays a mean bass. However, his latest venture is the Retro Sweet Shop in Huntingdon, and I am off there shortly to get some lucky LibDem cinder toffee.

The adrenalin is rushing through me, and it's proving to be a battle royale.

The inexperienced first timer versus the likeable Tory Mayor of Huntingdon.

Let's hear it for the boy.......GREEEEENAAAWL, GREEEEENAAAWL, GREEEEENAAAWL!

Election day

2010-05-06T01:37:00.000-07:00

6.15 a.m. Early start, shower, shave, quick drink, and off to do some "telling" for two hours at the Polling Station. Out of the house at around 6.45 a.m., and the man who will be sitting opposite me for the next two hours is Saeed Akthar, who is the Tory candidate, and clearly, we are in a two-horse race. It's me or him, by the time the counting is done tomorrow. He's a really nice bloke, and we wished each other well.

The first two hours flew by, and I was relieved when David Priestman, the man who is standing down from the seat, came to take over at 9.00. So I wandered down to the Barley Mow for bacon butties and a brew. Fantastic.

Then a quick call home to update the blog and Facebook.

Then it'll be back on duty for two more hours.

It's strange to see people whose doors I have been knocking on over the last four weeks, turn up to vote. They are using the main hall this year, and it has been a busy start, I have had many good wishes, but then, so has "Sid".

Blimey, it's 9.45 already. Doesn't time fly when you have an election to win.

Eyelids / Match-sticks

2010-05-05T08:25:00.001-07:00

I don't know how Brown, Clegg and Cameron do it! I am knackered. Mind you, I have had to do a 9-5 daily at Pro-Spray, working the numbers for my employers, but I am almost done now, for two days, and I am looking forward to a decent night's sleep, and a hard day round Huntingdon East. I am aiming to take plenty of pictures throughout the day, and, if they will allow me, at the count as well, on Friday, so I can produce a full diary of the two days events.

Thanks to anyone who has sent nice messages, they are appreciated.

I really need a good night's sleep tonight, so I shall turn in early.

I shall leave with the words of my favourite song of the last few years.

Elbow - One Day Like This

Drinking in the morning sun
Blinking in the morning sun
Shaking off the heavy one
Heavy like a loaded gun

What made me behave that way?
Using words I never say
I can only think it must be love
Oh, anyway, it's looking like a beautiful day

Someone tell me how I feel
It's silly wrong but vivid right
Oh, kiss me like the final meal
Yeah, kiss me like we die tonight

Cause holy cow, I love your eyes
And only now I see the light
Yeah, lying with me half-awake
Oh, anyway, it's looking like a beautiful day

When my face is chamois-creased
If you think I winked, I did
Laugh politely at repeats
Yeah, kiss me when my lips are thin

Cause holy cow, I love your eyes
And only now I see you like
Yeah, lying with me half-awake
Stumbling over what to say
Well, anyway, it's looking like a beautiful day

So throw those curtains wide!
One day like this a year'd see me right!

(for life)

Taking it to the streets

2010-05-04T04:32:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that when it came to knocking on doors for the first time, there was more than a hint of nervousness in me - something I didn't expect. Of course when you have knocked on a few doors, and had some responses, it starts to get easier. It was made easier still for me by going out initially with Mike Shellens, and then more recently with my neighbour, a life long Liberal, Peter Clark. I think Peter and I came to think of ourselves as Vince and Nick! And what is more, having two people together worked wonders for us in "my home patch" - the Birds Estate. Over 1,000 voters, over 600 houses, and many hours of walking, knocking, delivering.

On a few occasions, we encountered Saeed Akthar, the Conservative candidate, who was usually with Mike Simpson (who is already a Conservative District Councillor for Huntingdon East) and Jeff Dutton, who lives near me but serves Huntingdon North. I am bound to say this, aren't I, but I felt we had more spring in our step as we campaigned, and going from the feedback this time, compared with the last District Council elections two years ago, I felt a real sense of things moving our way.

Of course, I could end up with egg on my face for saying that, but with only a couple of exceptions, the Lib Dem vote is holding well, or has strengthened. Going purely from the reactions Peter and I have been getting, we feel we are taking votes from the Conservatives in our patch of Huntingdon East.

The main thrust of the campaigning is now done, but there is a lot still to do, and last minute 'focused' work to do. As for the day itself, now less than 48 hours away, I am being "told" by the campaign team where they want me, and what they want me to do, and despite initial protestations, I shall take their guidance - they haven't been wrong yet.

What that will permit me to do is take a few breaks during the day, and update this blog as the day goes by.

One last appeal - if you are a first time reader, having had a leaflet yesterday with the blog address on, please send me an e-mail on ste.greenall@ntlworld.co.uk if you would like a board or diamond.

And remember - a vote for me ensures a Lib Dem voice in Pathfinder House. A vote for Martin Land keeps the sitting MP, Jonathan Djanogly, out. In Huntingdon, it really is as simple as that.

Sunday May 2nd - well there is SOMEONE out there

2010-05-02T02:06:00.000-07:00

At the time of this campaign starting, I had only used this blog for family nonsense and a bit of fun. In the last three weeks it has become a tool of my campaign. And whilst it is only a few, I have 6 followers. That may increase when the weekend leaflets go out.

It is getting to what they call the "business end" of the campaign, and the battle for votes gets more intense. Well, in some areas. Those people who have had postal votes have voted already, in many cases, so if they have not been telling me porkies on the doorsteps, I have quite a few in the bag already, which is nice.

Out canvassing with Peter Clark yesterday, we picked up on several things which have been common to this campaign. We have met traditional Tory votes who, in many cases because they have lost faith in their MP, are switching sides, and because they don't like Gordon Brown and his Labour Government, are going to vote Liberal Democrat. Actually, I know of one who is going to vote for me but can't bring herself to go "all the way" and vote for Martin Land, so instead, to make her feel she hasn't helped either side in the General Election, she is backing Lord Toby Jug. A number of people are going to vote for me simply because they like me, so I am going to have to work especially hard to prove them right , if I am elected.

I respect those who have voted for someone other than me. I just hope that if I am elected, I'll be judged on who I am, and not where I live or what others have not done in the past.

Today, when you hold down a very busy full time job, and have been working in the evenings and at weekend on the campaign, it is very tempting to think....awwwww look at that rain, I think I will give today a miss. Well, I am going to show that you can work in the rain, and with over 1,000 leaflets to deliver, I shall be out there. And anyone reading this who lives near me, on the Birds Estate, who hasn't met me on the doorstep, but has had a leaflet giving my blog address, if you want me to call round, send me an e-mail to ste.greenall@ntlworld.com and I'll make a convenient time to pop over. Can't say fairer than that.

Before I sign off this posting, I'd like to draw attention to the leaflets you will be receiving today.

I have listed seven things I will do if elected. Please read them through. But please note the second one on the list. It says:

I WILL URGE THAT ALLOWANCES ARE CUT BY 10% IMMEDIATELY, AND EXPENSES REVIEWED.

This is something I think David Cameron is now proposing for MPs. Will local Tories support the idea at District level? You can be sure I will be asking.

Meanwhile, can I say publicly, thanks to everyone who has a board up at their house, or a diamond at their window? There are not very many round here, but the picture at the top of the shows me next to one.

Vote for me.......won't you?

2010-04-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

When I moved to Huntingdonshire – to Godmanchester, actually – in 1987, from St Helens, probably the last thing on my mind was politics. Settling into an area which was new to both me and Ailsa, we quickly started to enjoy our new life in the South, and we have lived down here ever since, moving to Hartford in 1995.
I joined the Liberal Democrats for two reasons: I liked their national policies, but I was impressed with the way they communicated LOCALLY with the electorate, all the year round. I have never been keen on any system which sees a large majority, whether that was the Thatcher government of 1983 or the Blair one of 1997. Nor, come to that, the majority of Conservatives on the Huntingdonshire District Council. There needs to be a balance of views; a different opinion, if you like. But other than putting leaflets through doors, I have never been “active” in politics before.
So why should you vote for a bloke who has real NO political experience....or should I say, HAD no experience until he started knocking on your doors?
My answer is that you have to start somewhere, and sometime. My time is now. I am an accountant, though people who have worked with me would say I am anything but a typical one.
· For four years, I worked for Homepride Foods in Cambridge – I was Fred the Flour Grader’s money man.
· I spent eight years with Cambridge United during their highly successful years in the 1990’s – I sold Dion Dublin to Manchester United
· I was headhunted to Norwich City by Delia Smith
· I spent time working for Anglia TV’s multimedia arm, marketing and promoting their CD and web-based material for Schools
· My present job is Financial Controller of Pro-Spray Automotive Finishes Ltd. We are now based in Biggleswade after a serious fire threatened the company’s future. I steered the company through a £4.5 million insurance claim, and we are doing well in our new HQ. Our current credit rating is 97 out of 100.
· I was PTA Chairman at Houghton School for a year, and drew up the financial case for lottery funding for Houghton School’s very successful Out Of School Club.
· I have been heavily involved with Youth Football – Brampton Spartans – for eight years. I won the Hunts FA Administrator of the Year award four years ago.
· I have been the Snowy Way Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator.
· I have had a family membership of Hartford Conservation Group for 8 years.
I hope that gives a brief flavour of the drive, professionalism and enthusiasm I have for my work and my spare time. I will bring all of that experience with me if elected. Huntingdonshire District Council faces severe financial problems in the years ahead. I will use my expertise to make those figures understandable, in simple terms, to the people of Huntingdon East, and beyond. Looking at the Council’s own current projections, the reserves they built up over the years are going to run out in 2014. That is just four years away. The Council has been relying on interest earned on its reserves. If you have a savings account, you’ll know how the interest you earn has fallen away, and if you have a level of spending that you don’t cut, you have to eat into your savings to keep going. That’s what the Council have been doing, and borrowing as well, to help pay for the new Pathfinder House.
The Liberal Democrat group on the District Council has a voice, but we need it to be a louder one. Nationally, the Tories have been saying how, after thirteen years in power, the Labour Government is tired, and there is a need for change. Locally, I believe there is a need for change. More Liberal Democrats are needed on your Council – the one which sets your Rates and spends your money.
The statement that politicians hear views "at the doorsteps" is a very true one. I have had, for example, immigration, the guided bus, MPs expenses row, closure of Huntingdon toilets, council tax, jobs in the public sector and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, plus many more, but specifically those. The last one in particular is dear to me. I have twice had brilliant outpatient treatment there, but I shall always have a huge fondness for the place as Ben was born there in 1994. I will pledge, if elected in Huntingdon East, to learn about the issues from all sides, but of one thing I am sure. With much uncertainty surrounding the future of the hospital and how it works, I will use every endeavour to keep it in our community, and in the hands of the NHS. I will seek to talk to all, from union reps, cleaners, nurses, office staff....right through to those who by the stroke of a pen on a contract, decide how it will be run.

The situation with toilets in town would be laughable, if it were not happening before our eyes. Money spent on refurbishments, wasted because the loos are locked. I thought the District Councillors wanted to encourage people to visit the town. Seems that idea is 'down the pan'. Lib Dems on the District Council tell me that alternative proposals fell on deaf ears. Ah well, if elected, I will shout down those same ears.

The guided bus. Well, David Cameron is on record so many times of saying how the Conservatives will cut waste. Pity he didn't get the local Conservatives "on message" when they voted through £300,000 worth of "corner cutting" in Hartford. Sadly, Councillor Dutton, pictured in the Hunts Post complaining about the situation, either did nothing, or not enough, to persuade his fellow Conservatives on the council that it was a bad idea. I'll give Jeff credit for at least saying it was a waste of money. If elected, I shall be asking how many buses per day are using that road, and how much time is saved.

As an accountant, I look forward to reviewing the Council's accounts, as from what I am led to believe, problems lie ahead. I intend to make a start by proposing that ALL Councillors take a 10% cut in expenses and emoluments. It may be a small gesture, but it will help when trying to explain any future cuts which may happen.

Above all, I will bring the same enthusiasm, vigour, drive and fresh approach, locally, which Nick Clegg has brought nationally. Whatever happens on May 6th, you can be sure that in Huntingdon East, Lib Dems will be working for fairness.

People are starting to realise that a vote for the Lib Dems is NOT a wasted vote, and in Huntingdon East, it is a vote for action, not words.

If you ever want to contact me, use ste.greenall@ntlworld.com or join my group on Facebook

List of Famous Diamonds

2010-04-29T03:24:00.000-07:00

On-line encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA has a page listing famous diamonds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_famous_diamonds

For some reason, it is yet to list the recently discovered Greenall Diamond.

Printed on Liberal Democrat orange, with bold black writing, this strain of diamond has been found recently in various parts of the town of Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Sometimes affixed to wood by means of a white backing and screws, this flawed gem has also been seen in the windows of homes. Experts have been baffled by the sheer numbers of these previously rare stones, but they predict that they will be around for some time to come.

Notice of polls

2010-04-29T03:22:00.000-07:00

I hope I can get one of these for my scrap-book, for when the campaign is over.

This bloke came up to me ......

2010-04-29T03:14:00.000-07:00

....well, I tell a fib. He came up to one of our people, David Lewisohn, and showed him a poster he had made for his car. It said "I am 72 and have voted Tory all my life. Not any more."

Anyone with interest in politics would have to agree that this campaign has been unlike any before it, with style being measured as well as substance, but with people REALLY taking more than a passing interest in what is going on.

A house that we canvassed earlier this week has yielded an excellent site for displaying a board, and here it is, in all it's highly visible glory, seen by thousands daily.

Where's Ste been ???

2010-04-29T01:22:00.000-07:00

Apologies all, I managed to lock myself out of my Blogger password and in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the local elections, I managed to keep myself locked out. But it's good to be back.

A lot of people have been asking me about what the issues are that I am fighting this campaign on, so I am going to summarise them below. Before I do, though, I have to say to anyone thinking of getting involved in a campaign like this:

Make sure you have plenty of stamina
Be prepared to expect the unexpected
Don't be afraid of dogs - most won't bite you
Promise nothing you cannot deliver
Be nice to those who are probably not going to vote for you, but even nicer to those who are!
Watch out for letter boxes with brushes in them - it is hard to push single page leaflets through them
Hope for fine weather
Observe the nice things you see and learn from them
Respect your opponents - but disagree with them if you think they are wrong
Get plenty sleep

In the case of number 10, I have failed miserably!

At the time of writing there is less than a week to go now before the polls open. Over the weekend, and because there simply isn't enought time/space to put a full description of what I am about on the last leaflet we deliver, I will post it on this blog, so you can read more, always assuming you want to, of course.

With a few short days of campaigning left, most of The Birds Estate has been covered and the rest will follow. After that, it's a case of filling in the gaps, and persuading more people to support my campaign.

· I will insist that the ludicrous toilet-closure policy is revisited
· I will urge that allowances are cut by 10% immediately, and expenses reviewed
· I will request an immediate assessment of vacant properties to bring them back into usage
· I will fight tooth and nail for the retention of our green spaces, such as Riverside Park
· I will communicate all the year round every year
· I will work to ensure that the town centre is vibrant and a place that people want come to
· I will do what I have always done – I’ll work with vigour and enthusiasm

8 sunny days in a row

2010-04-24T01:42:00.000-07:00

Can't wait to get out again today and keep the campaign going, but having done the papers first thing, and seen another diamond, the next job is to go into town and get the shopping done.

After that, there's the small matter of making sure that the various helpers we have deliver the leaflets that arrived last night. The way it works is that the 'constituency' is divided up into chunks of about 800 homes, and then subdivided to about 100, and bundled, so each distributor can do 100, and not take up too much time. I did have input into my parts of the leaflet, but the back of it has a message from Martin Land, who is standing for MP, and Nick Clegg. And one of Nick's lines is......A strong vote for the Liberal Democrats .....means an end of the stitch-up between the two old parties.

The Sky TV debate on Thursday did see David Cameron make a stronger showing, but he had to; as I thought the week before he was poor. Not that I am complaining. But if Thursday were a boxing match, you would have to say Cameron failed to land a decent punch.

Keep smiling :-)

Running for Election

2010-04-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Don't we all have occasion to see a photgraph of ourselves and think "Oh no....look at that lardy bloke". I do anyway. Not that we should ALL think that way. But for someone who preaches careful eating and exercise to my teenage son, as you can see, I don't practice what I preach!

However, with thanks to Ian Percy, who runs each weekend with me, here's someone genuinely running for office, with my LibDem rosette. Ian and I take a 7 mile run, from Houghton, across the meadow to Hemingford Abbotts, then Hemingford Grey, back into St Ives over the town bridge, and back to Houghton down the Thicket.

Two weeks of canvassing to go, and I am gradually getting through the piles of work needed, with lots more doors to knock on.

Diamonds and Boards

2010-04-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

This board is in the garden of two lovely people, both strong Lib Dems, but who have never had a board before. I had a had a long chat with them on Tuesday. As a result of the board going up, three Greenall Lib Dem diamonds will soon be on display as well in other houses.

The house with the board also has a diamond in the window, and three other houses have taken diamonds tonight. The campaign is going well so far, but there is a long way to go, and lots of houses to knock on.

I had the chance to proof read the latest leaflet which will be printed soon - in Upton, Huntingdon - for weekend delivery. Mr Djanogly has faced criticism for failing to practice what he preaches, and instead of having his leaflets printed in his constituency, instead they are printed 100 miles away in Guildford. I am pleased to say our are printed in Upton. We have a local man, who knows the area well, and uses local business.

What are the issues I am campaigning on?

2010-04-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

The statement that politicians hear views "at the doorsteps" is a very true one. I have had, for example, immigration, the guided bus, MPs expenses row, closure of Huntingdon toilets, council tax, jobs in the public sector and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, plus many more, but specifically those. The last one in particular is dear to me. I have twice had brilliant outpatient treatment there, but I shall always have a huge fondness for the place as Ben was born there in 1994. I will pledge, if elected in Huntingdon East, to learn about the issues from all sides, but of one thing I am sure. With much uncertainty surrounding the future of the hospital and how it operates (I mean as a public facility, not as in taking someone's appendix out ;-) I will use every endeavour to keep it in our community, and in the hands of the NHS. I will seek to talk to all, from union reps, cleaners, nurses, office staff....right through to those who by the stroke of a pen on a contract, decide how it will be run.

The situation with toilets in town would be laughable, if it were not happening before our eyes. Money spent on refurbishments, wasted because the loos are locked. I thought the District Councillors wanted to encourage people to visit the town. Seems that idea is 'down the pan'. Lib Dems on the District Council tell me that alternative proposals fell on deaf ears. Ah well, if elected, I will shout down those same ears.

The guided bus. Well, David Cameron is on record so many times of saying how the Conservatives will cut waste. Pity he didn't get the local Conservatives "on message" when they voted through £300,000 worth of "corner cutting" in Hartford. Sadly, Councillor Dutton, pictured in the Hunts Post complaining about the situation, either did nothing, or not enough, to persuade his fellow Conservatives on the council that it was a bad idea. I'll give Jeff credit for at least saying it was a waste of money.

If elected, under the Freedom of Information Act, I shall be asking how many buses per day are using that road, and how much time is saved.

As an accountant, I am looking forward to reviewing the Council's accounts, as from what I am lead to believe, problems lie ahead. I intend to make a start by proposing that ALL Councillors take a 10% cut in expenses and emoluments. It may be a small gesture, but it will help when trying to explain any future cuts which may happen.

Above all, I will bring the same enthusiasm, vigour, drive and fresh approach, locally, that Nick Clegg has brought nationally. Whatever happens on May 6th, you can be sure that in Huntingdon East, Lib Dems will be working for fairness.

People are starting to realise that a vote for the Lib Dems is NOT a wasted vote, and in Huntingdon East, it is a vote for action, not words.

If you ever want to contact me, use ste.greenall@ntlworld.com

Campaigning goes up a gear

2010-04-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

Young and old alike, putting together the large mailshot that will be in the post by now and on its way to the postal voters. Not that the Lib Dems are doing things any differently to the Tories. In fact I KNOW the Tories did such a targeted mailshot as they sent one to Ailsa today. (proving you can't ALWAYS believe what you get told on the doorstep!) Mr Djanogly is pictured on his leaflet claiming "a record of action".

I love the picture of Mr Djanogly outside a school, not for the faces on the kids around him, but the bloke in the background looking distinctly bored as he looks in the opposite direction out of a window.

But here's something you should note.

In that same leaflet, Mr Djanogly lists "3 Positive Reasons to Vote for (him)"

Third one being "Jonathan promotes commerce in Huntingdonshire".

It goes on to say that he "......visits locals businesses every month. Being a Shadow Business Minister means Jonathan understands the concerns of companies and the importance between politics and industry" It then notes a link to www.jonathandjanogly.com/business.

So I visited that link.

The page was blank (11.30 pm, Tuesday 20th April) See the screenshot below. However, here's a question for Jonathan. On these weekly visits to local businesses, have you ever spotted any printing companies?

Surely yes?

A cursory Google search and I found 17 at least.

One of them is Lodge Printers, in Upton, within the constituency. Used by the Lib Dems.

Jonathan expresses his local support by getting his leaflet printed in.......Guildford!

Putting the postcode of the TPF Group and Conservative HQ in Huntingdon into AA RoutePlanner tells you that Mr. Djanogly, the man who "understands the concerns of companies", rewards local business by handing work to a company in Conservative MP Anne Milton's constituency!

On his website, Mr. Djanogly states that this is ".....an exciting period for Huntingdonshire, which presents local people and businesses with big challenges, as well as great opportunities"

Unless, of course, you happen to run a printing firm!

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Last few days....wheeeeew!

2010-04-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

The campaign is now well underway, and what a few days it has been. Out canvassing throughout Huntingdon East on Saturday and Sunday, a meeting round at David Lewisohn's house, and afternoon of leaflet sorting on Monday. Visiting the MANY houses with Greenall & Land boards on Sunday....for a first-timer, it's all getting very exciting, and whatever happens, these are thrilling times.

I am delighted to welcome Jonny Hyde onto the team. Jonny approached me through the Brampton Spartans connections and he's been a great asset in a short time, setting up my Facebook Group, and assisting with the laborious take of sorting leaflets.

Sunday morning began with the usual start when Ben has an early morning kick off for Brampton Spartans under 16s. i.e. Dad gets to provide "cover" for doing the paper round. He's been working for Mr Mahmood at Hartford Village Stores for nearly three years, and the rounds takes in Owl Way, Hawk Drive, Falcon Way, Tawny Crescent and Snowy Way. So, whereas I get the distinct impression that David Cameron only gets on his bike for photo opportunities now and again, I DO use the bike for doing the round, weekly, and in all weathers. Higher up this page you'll see me looking at The Mail on Sunday, of all papers, and the ASTONISHING headline "Clegg Nicks The Top Spot". Let's hope that is still true on May 7th, early hours.

As I said, I use the bike for the paper round, but for lots of other things too. If you look closely at the picture below, you'll see a yellow sticker on the bike; a bit tatty now, but proof that I cycled on the "Save Hinchingbrooke Hospital" march a few years ago. Here's a picture taken last Sunday morning just before I went out with the Sunday papers.

Yes, that bag is as heavy as it looks! After getting the papers done, I dropped Ben in Brampton for Spartans' game at home to Chatteris, and set about meeting some of the fantastic people who have put up boards in town. And despite what our current local MP said on Radio Cambridgeshire last week, one of the issues that came up a lot was last year's expenses row.

It has been suggested to me that it was "old news". Well it's not yet a year since the Daily Telegraph ran the story of Mr Djanogly's expenses, on their website. Click to open the link http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5368993/MPs-expenses-Tory-MP-Jonathan-Djanogly-claimed-almost-5000-for-automatic-gates.html

However, that was then, this is now.....or should I say, this is Huntingdon East.

When Saturday Comes.......17th April

2010-04-17T04:43:00.000-07:00

An early start on the paper round, and it could be a scorcher. Wearing the rosette around town whilst shopping was a good idea. Several people stopped and asked about it. I met Anthea Cox who is Labour's candidate against Mr Djanogly, and the team which was campaigning with her- I have to say quite small - team. Giving out balloons. She didn't seem to have much in the way of LOCAL leaflets, and by that I mean specific to Huntingdon. No sign - at 11.25 am anyway - of any of the District Council candidates. The Rotary Club were promoting an event in the Commemoration Hall where you could have your blood pressure tested, so I took the opportunity, and Dave, who looked far fitter than most in there, took the picture for me. I scored 137 / 94, which I was a bit disappointed with but it was suggested that the 94 part was 'stress related' (note to self - earlier to bed, cut out the coffee, bit more exercise)

Hitting the campaign trail

2010-04-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

I am very new to local politics, after Councillor Mike Shellens talked me into standing as a Prospective District Councillor for Huntingdon East for the Liberal Democrats. But I really do feel I have the financial and administrative expertise, plus drive and enthusiasm to make a difference – otherwise I wouldn’t have agreed to try. And so a few weeks ago, I collected the relevant signatures in order to put my name forwards.

A whole new set of skills to learn; checking the register, finding out if people want a postal vote, learning about issues "on the doorstep". Actually in reality, it can be, "on the drive" or "at the garage door" but so far, most people have been great to deal with. It is almost inevitable that you will encounter a few who don't agree, or in the case of one guy, don't want to even talk. Fair play.....but those of you who do want to speak, or write to me. My e-mail address is ste.greenall@ntlworld.com.

It’s been very eye-opening, hearing what people think, whether that be unhappy at the public loos being closed, the huge costs of Pathfinder House, the “waste of money” guided bus (not my words, a lady in Eagle Way!) But I am getting the feeling that people are happy to support a party which nationally is about fairness but locally, tries to engage with people. And having finished last night at about 8.25, I went home and watched the debates.

It is far too early to start to try to guess the impact of the history-making debate between the three main leaders, but for once, I have to agree with what Gordon Brown kept saying.

"I have to agree with Nick".

Review of the Year

2009-12-14T12:30:00.000-08:00

I don't know if the BBC still go in for a Review of the Year, beyond the Sports Review, but I thought it would be cool to re-inivigorate my blog with a Ste review of 2009.

Despite waking up for much of the year to doom and gloom on FiveLive, 2009 hasn’t been too bad a year. And with the recent purchase of a "Pure" DAB alarm clock

with digital stations, waking up in the dark to “Passion for the Planet.com” means the days now start with decent music, instead of Wake Up to Money!

Gig of the year

Although I didn’t see a huge number, there are several contenders. The legendary Terry Reid, back in his – and my adopted – hometown, playing the Montagu Club, of all places. What a performer. Ian Anderson’s show at Peterborough was ok, but no more. Elbow at Wembley, magnificent. Coldplay at Old Trafford, an awesome show, but given that I don’t want to give one performer all the accolades, I am nominating my gig of the year as John Bramwell, of I Am Kloot at Junction 2 in Cambridge. Not just because Damo and I met him on the way in and bought him a beer, but with no more than 80 in the tiny auditorium, it was more than an intimate performance. Here’s Johnny…and me, before I started growing my flowing locks again!

Album of the year

Typical that I manage to pick an album of the year which came out in 1976. However, despite tuning in to some awesome new bands, and Mumford and Sons and The Fancy Toys would have to be right up there, it was the ‘discovery’ of Terry Reid which was the jaw-dropper of the year. If you have never heard of him, then shame on your house. Get him googled now, get onto You Tube, and discover this brilliant performer and read his history. And buy his truly wonderful 1976 album, Seed of Memory.

Close second comes a man who, sadly, was dead at just 26 years of age. So affected by the music of Nick Drake was I that when the opportunity presented itself, I took a detour into Tanworth in Arden and sat for a few minutes in contemplative silence at his graveside. Many have done the same before me; more will in the future. Five Leaves Left was a close second in my choice of album.

Play of the year

This is a bit of a one horse race….as Ailsa and I have seen just the one show this year, called Sign of the Times, and starring Stephen Tomkinson, which we went to see on the spur of the moment, at Cambridge Arts Theatre. We have tickets for The 39 Steps, in London, over Christmas, so if that is excellent, it’ll go into the running for next year.

Film of the year

There’s a danger with lists like these that you choose what is freshest in the memory, and in this category I might be deemed to fall foul of that very thing. However, the impact of The Age of Stupid should not be underestimated, and if you care about this wonderful planet of ours, then get it watched and join up to 10:10….cos we are rapidly stripping the planet earth of its natural resources and our great-grandchildren won’t have a chance to post things like this on the web cos there won’t be a planet earth left.

Football team of the year

No contest!!

Here are the current Cambridge and District under 16b league LEADERS.

Go Spartans.

Steven Birrell - what a star!

2009-02-15T00:27:00.000-08:00

Apart from the man himself, anyone reading this who doesn't know him could be wondering who Steven Birrell is. And why would anyone write in a blog about someone they haven't seen for over two years?

Thing is, thanks to e-mail, Facebook, and yes, even blogs, you can keep 'in touch' so easily these days. Steven worked for Scottish FDF whilst I was at FDF in London, and we shared many things, often at a distance, usually relating to football. I felt very humbled when I was one of few people who Steven shared the news of his father's illness with cancer, and though I know at the time it was a small thing for me, I was honoured to be included as absent guest when Steven and his friends held a fund raising dinner for Maggie's, a hospice up in Scotland. My role in that dinner was to obtain a signed Manchester United shirt...using nothing more than the cheekiness of an e-mail, a bit of ready wit, and the offer of a postage stamp. Man U didn't even ask for their money back. I wonder where that shirt is now?

Steven has been in touch via Facebook again lately....you're a good 'un, lad. Kepp smiling.

Since I last blogged, we have had a great weekend in Centerparcs in Thetford, where, on the Sunday evening, it snowed. Two weeks later, later it feels like it only just stopped. Not in good enough time though to prevent yet another Brampton Spartans match falling foul. Chatteris away, on this occasions. I was looking forward to going there, being our first match on that part of the Fens since I discovered the song by Half Man Half Biscuit, about the place (see much earlier in the blog pages). Never mind, no doubt we'll no play on a mid week evening in May! What's Chatteris if we're not there?

Doesn't music shape your life if you let it. Certain tunes remind of certain things, though right now, I have iTunes playing The Best of Focus in the background which I bought for five tracks I like and the one that is playing is an previously little heard (by me) instrumental called Focus II. I have to thank Steve Stride for sending me the recent Bruce Springsteen album, and as far as freebies go, you can't beat the one I got with The Independent whilst at Centerparcs. A number of Sigur Ros tunes....one of which you will have heard before if you manage to sit through plugs for BBc documentaries.

Ah, now, Hot Chip's Over and Over just come on. This reminds me of driving to Stansted last August on the way to Guernsey. "Like a monkey with a minature cymbal" ....nice line.

The tiles are going back today. We took advantage of a Topps Tiles deal where you buy tiles to see if they look right, and we need some for the ensuite floor. We like the size (they are big ones); we like the texture (bobbly surface....less slippy) But the colour just doesn't work I am afraid.

Viva La Vida.....Coldplay...my mind's back in California. Did I tell you that we bought tickets for their show at Lancashire Old Trafford Cricket Ground next August? I have now.

Yeah, well that's it for now. I need to help with the chores....not the most exciting of Sundays but that's down to snow, no thaw and Chatteris.

A week goes by

2009-01-24T03:48:00.000-08:00

A week ago, my boss announced he was leaving the company. We don't know what is happening into the future as yet, but I guess we will in due course. So it has been a strange week in many ways.

Thursday was interesting. Ailsa had had a bad day at work so we talked it through and demolished a bottle of white wine in the process, and then we spent an hour on my Facebook page, during which time we used the chat facility, and found out that Damo doesn't have any I Am Kloot albums. Damo (Damian Feasby, for it is he) is related to the Priest family - they of Brampton Spartans fame - and he and I have been swapping music, sharing concerts, and generally talking about football, despite the fact that Damo is West Ham United fan! He's also a Spartans under 15 fan as well, so we'll let him off.

At the time of writing, he has probably Googled all he can about I Am Kloot, but I am going to burn him a set of CDs. I hope the band don't mind; I paid full whack for mine. We saw them last year in concert at Delamere Forewst supporting Elbow, and it ws one of the best gigs I have ever been to. My 'poor' cover of Not A Reasonable Man is NOT in the shops now ....but you can hear it on YouTube.

I had to scrape frost off the car today, before I came here to count stocks (I'm at work) but I ended up catching up a lot of things, so I am fair set for Monday. Mike is back and we might get to hear more about his imminent departure to pastures new. Or is that pasta new, because he'll be working from Italy.

All of this makes admitting to having watched the Celebrity Big Brother final a bit crass, but at least Coolio didn't win. I was hoping Terry Christian would, but he finished second to Ulrika Johnnson.

I'm gonna drive home now, and I think I'll have a listen to the second I Am Kloot album. Ailsa's going for coffee later with Gilly and Jane, when they will decide who is cooking what next weekend. We're off to Center Parcs

24th September 2007

2009-01-15T04:22:00.000-08:00

My name is Ste Greenall.

Born in St Helens, September 24th 1957.

And I like to think I can come up with good ideas from time to time, and plan and organise them. So….what could I do to mark 24th September 2007? Well, it all started off with one of those daft ideas, whereby you want to celebrate your birthday in just a bit of a different way, and then the daft idea suddenly starts to seem like it might work.

Typically, though, I started to plan it even before I knew anyone might fancy it. The idea was that, because I had started to try learning the guitar three years ago, a bunch of us could get instruments together, and record some songs, and burn them on to CDs. i.e. make our OWN album!

So…what would we need?

People

Instruments

Recording equipment

Ideas of what songs to play

Oh, and the small matter of WHERE to do it. Given that I had an idea that some of those I would be inviting might not want to play or sing, it would have to be somewhere that the non-participants could also relax and have a nice weekend. Location would be determined by where the guests all live, and to try to ensure everyone could get there fairly easily.

So given that my tentative (and as yet uninvited) list would have people from London, North Wales, Shropshire, Sheffield, Merseyside, and me and my wife and son, Ailsa and Ben in Cambridgeshire, it seemed like Derbyshire would be a good idea. The three of us had stayed in a really nice cottage in Northumberland in August 2006 – and I had found that cottage on a website which offered links to similar properties. So …..after a bit of internet searching, I found what looked like an ideal location, and fired off the following e-mail to the owners of a barn and annexe that could cope with an invasion of 16 people. The barn was called Holestone, and the owners were Steve and Vicki Clemerson. Here’s what I wrote, in September 2006:

Hi folks
Next year, to celebrate my 50th, I am thinking about renting somewhere ‘out of the way’ so a group of family and friends can get together……and record an album! A few of us play instruments for fun, and we thought it would be a grand idea to get together to have a fun time, and make some music. And record it ;-)

I’d be looking to book both properties for a three day stint, starting Friday 21st September, for three nights. Can you advise on availability and price, at this stage?
Many thanks
Ste Greenall

The following e-mail came back to me:
Dear Steve

That sounds wonderful!

The weekend of 21st September 2007 is available in our large cottage (The Barn), sleeping 12, or both The Barn & The Stables, sleeping 16 people in total. The Barn has ample room to dine and seat 16 people. The cost for 3 nights in The Barn on its own is £899, or £1073 if both cottages are taken. Prices include all linen, towels, electricity, central heating & logs.

We look forward to hearing from you and do hope that you decide to have your 50th birthday musical album making weekend here! And if you do, we hope its nice weather, so you can have the windows open, so we can listen!!

If you'd like us to send our brochure, booking form etc, please email your address.

Please note that future emails should be sent to info@hmbarns.co.uk, Vicki & Steve Clemerson

By now, after having looked at the website for the barn, I was totally convinced we were going to do it, and having sounded everyone out, and decided that having been made redundant just three days AFTER first contacting Vicki, to hell with it….my employer and their redundancy money could cough up, and I would pay for the barn.

Several weeks went by, we got Christmas out of the way, and, with no job (at the time) I sent out my formal invites, by e-mail:

Greetings, people

Well, it’s about time I finally got around to sending out official invites to my planned birthday get together in the Peak District. So this is it. Don’t print the e-mail – stay eco-friendly, and save it on your pc. The idea had evolved from “getting together” somewhere out of the way, into taking instruments and recording what we do, if not for worldwide release, then to give out as CDs to anyone who might be interested. It’ll be a nice way to remind ourselves of what will hopefully be a great time, in a relaxed atmosphere. Plus of course, a table tennis / darts / pool tournament.

We’ll be staying at Holestone Moor Barns (check out this link http://www.hmbarns.co.uk ) near Ashover in Derbyshire’s Peak District. I’m sure some will fancy a walk, climb, or maybe just chill out at the barns; the facilities look great. The nearest town of any size is Matlock, which is four miles away. The owners, Vicki and Steve, seem really nice people, and Vicki has even agreed to guest on our CD! They have a pool table, table tennis, darts etc….

Down the road, in Ashover, is the Old Poets Corner pub, which in 2006 won the CAMRA Pub of the Year for Cider and Perry, but they also have a fantastic range of beer. What more, they regularly put on live entertainment, and the landlord plays guitar as well. I have cheekily asked if we can play whilst we are there, which ups the anti a bit, but Ian (McCully who for his sins teaches me, and occasionally these days, Ben) and I played a few tunes last weekend, mainly Bob Dylan, Tull etc, and we reckon we could do some acoustic stuff and some rock stuff. Of course, we pretty much know each other, though for some, it will be a first meet up and others the first time of seeing in a while, but hey ho….let’s party. I haven’t heard from the pub yet, so let’s see what happens on that score. The Old Poets Corner has a website which you can find at http://www.oldpoets.co.uk

WHO
Me, Ailsa and Ben / Fiona (Ailsa’s sister, for them what don’t know) husband Andrew and Michael / Louise and Elliot / Stu and Clare / Tom and Amy / Ian Kay and Mike Jones / Ian McCully and Alison Cochrane – Ian’s good lady…we’ll all know one another better, it’ll be like Big Brother, but without the racism!

WHEN
The barns are booked from Friday 21st to Monday 24th September, which is the actual day of my 50th, and I hope you’ll all be able to get a bit of time out

COST
To you, dear folks, nowt, zilch, zero…as far as the accommodation goes….Melanie’s paying ;-)

However, we will need to agree what to take by way of food; it’ll be like going to Centre Parcs, for those of you who have been there. So by the time we whack out the food bill, it shouldn’t amount to a fortune between us all. We may even be able to buy food on the farm…I’ll check that one out.

MUSIC
Well we’re gonna have to start agreeing what to play, and maybe try to get together somehow for some jamming, but I have a fair idea of what we all like, we just need to agree a set list.

Songs which have already been bandied about are:-
Teenage Kicks500 MilesLetter from America
Wond’ring’ AloudSubterranean Homesick BluesBlowin’ in the WindRuby Tuesday

Bring it on home. Led Zep
Roadhouse blues, Doors
Hard to Handle, Otis or Commitments
Midnight rambler
Gimme shelter
Li'l Red Rooster
Baby please don't go (down to New Orleans), Paul Butterfield as opposed to Van the man's version.
Any Yardbirds....

But that is by no means a set list, just a few suggestions; if you have some of your own, share ‘em out. The last block came from Mike Jones, who presumably can belt them out on his harmonica.

Ian Mc Cully will be able – because he’s a genius – suggest a few easy ones for us to learn.

EQUIPMENT
We bring our own instruments, but if anyone amongst us knows what we need, amplification and speakers-wise, it is Ian Mc who has been there many times and owns the t-shirt. If we have to hire a PA, maybe we should check out prices soon.

At this stage, I don’t know what else we need to think about, but let’s get cracking on preparation and look forward to a grand weekend away.

I’m really looking forward to it - I hope you are….or will be ;-)

Please share any ideas you have amongst us all……

Ste

Thus began the countdown ….
By the time September 2007 came, Ian Kay had had to drop out, but Tom had invited Sophie, is girlfriend.
Ailsa, Ben and I set off from home, aiming to arrive first, but when we got there, after a delay in the M1, Ian and Alison had beaten us to it. Soon after, Louise and Elliot were there so we had a good look round and started to divvy up the bedrooms. The accommodation was not as we expected it from the website – it was better. Every little attention to detail had been addressed, and within five minutes, I just knew we would have a great time.
Once everyone had arrived, we set up the gear in the lounge of the barn, ordered a mega Indian takeaway, and retired early for a swift start.
To be honest, we ended up choosing some songs we hadn’t even suggested beforehand, but in the main, we were happy enough to have had a really great time.
One song I was determined to try to do was Blowing in the Wind, because we had invited Vikki, and her friend Lynne to join us:

Hi Ste

It all sounds wonderful. As well as being in the choir, Lynne and I are in a small group of 5 'girls', and one of our songs is Blowin' in the wind. We sang in 4 different venues at Wirksworth Festival a couple of weekends ago.

None of us will come on Friday (you want some time to yourselves!).

I'm actually not sure if Lynne can make Saturday lunchtime as she works in a pub. But I'll let you know. If she can't, it's no problem ... she's coming in the evening anyway so we'll sing and drum ourselves.

As it was Vikki and Lynne were the best singers on the CD, although the bloke who played guitar for them wasn’t bad either ;-)
When it was all over, I sent everyone a final e-mail:
Hiya folks

Thanks YET again for sharing a great weekend with me.

Our master musician/sound engineer/producer, the maestro Mr McCully, has presented me with the master CD. Could those of you who took pictures get them on a disc to me, and I will hopefully persuade Steve Stride (ex Aston Villa, now semi-retired home creator of CDs) to make up a good sleeve….c’mon, we have to do this properly!

Oh and by the way….it’s not bad at all……some brilliant memories of a good laugh down at the barn.

Speak soon

Ste

It took a bit longer then I’d hoped to get the CD sleeves done, but it was well worth the wait.
The final track listing was as follows:
Track 1 The Holestone Stomp featuring Ian McCully on bass guitar, Stu Greenall on drums, Mike “Howlin” Jones on harmonica….this leads into Boulevard of Broken Dreams featuring Ian McCully on lead guitar, Stu Greenall on drums, Mike “Howlin” Jones on harmonica, Tom Greenall on bass, Ste Greenall on vocals

Track 2 Wond’ring Aloud – Ste Greenall on acoustic guitar and vocals

Track 3 Not a Reasonable Man - Ste Greenall on acoustic guitar and vocals, Mike “Howlin” Jones on devastating harmonica solo

Track 4 Stoned In The Hole - Ian McCully on lead guitar, Stu Greenall on drums, Mike “Howlin” Jones on harmonica, Tom Greenall on bass, Ste Greenall on “lyrics and fearsome squawking”

Track 5 Crazy - Ian McCully on acoustic guitar, Ben Greenall on drums, Mike “Howlin” Jones on slightly audible tambourine, Tom Greenall on bass, and Ste Greenall on totally inaudible bongos. Introducing “Gnarled and Beserkly” – the awesome trio that is Louise, Stu and Amy Greenall!

Track 6 Blowin’ In The Wind - Ste Greenall on acoustic guitar, Vicky Clemerson and Lynne Atkin on hauntingly lovely & and ‘in tune’ vocals, Lynne Atkin on djemba

Then we went to the pub…….but when we came back…………

Track 7 Daydream Believer - Ian McCully on acoustic guitar, Stu Greenall on drums, Mike Jones on tambourine, EVERYBODY on vocals

Track 8 Honky Tonk Women- Ian McCully on acoustic guitar, Stu Greenall on drums, Mike Jones on tambourine, Ste Greenall on “Erm” influenced vocals, Mike Jones on assistant vocals!

Track 9 Someday The Sun Won’t Shine For You - Ste Greenall on acoustic guitar and vocals, Mike “Howlin” Jones on harmonica, Stu Greenall on drums, Tom Greenall on bass, Louise Greenall on background laughing!

Track 10 To Be Sad Is A Mad Way To Be - Ste Greenall on acoustic guitar and vocals, Stu Greenall on drums …….which ALMOST became Subterranean Home sick Blues

Track 11 STILL Crazy after all these beers- Ian McCully on acoustic guitar, special guest Mike Yapp on drums, Ste Greenall on totally inaudible bongos. Once more…. “Gnarled and Beserkly” – with more prominent presence from Amy, of the trio of Louise, Stu and Amy Greenall

Track 12 Space Oddity - Ian McCully on acoustic guitar, Ste, Louise and Stu Greenall on vocals, Mike Jones on tambourine, Stu Greenall on drums, Mike Jones on completely inaudible ‘countdown’, Stu Greenall on handclaps

Track 13 Waterloo Sunset - Ian McCully on acoustic guitar and backing vocals, Ste and Louise Greenall plus Mike Jones on lead vocals, - Ian McCully on acoustic guitar, Louise Greenall on “sha – la – las”

Track 14 Sunny Afternoon - Ian McCully on acoustic guitar, Stu Greenall on drums, Mike Jones on tambourine, Ste and Louise Greenall on lead vocals, Tom Greenall

Track 15 I Will Survive - Ian McCully on acoustic guitar, Ste and Amy Greenall on the Gloria Gaynor bits, Mike Jones on tambourine, Stu Greenall on drums

Track 16 All You Need Is Love - Ian McCully on acoustic guitar, Ste Greenall on vocals, all kinds of people on backing vocals, Stu Greenall on drums

Track 17 Handbags and Gladrags - Ian McCully on glorious acoustic guitar, Stu Greenall on drums, Ste Greenall on vocals and “yeah”, Mike “Howlin”Jones on harmonica

Track 18 Maggie May- Ian McCully on equally glorious acoustic guitar, Stu Greenall on drums, Ste Greenall on vocals, Mike “Howlin”Jones on harmonica, background chatter and glass clinking….the guests!

A daft little idea…….a fantastic weekend. I was so glad that in September 2006,
spent lunch time in Covent Garden, wond'ring aloud.

Oh, and I named the group THE HOLESTONE BAND

Wond'ring aloud -- how we feel today. Last night sipped the sunset -- my hands in her hair. We are our own saviours as we start both our hearts beating life into each other. Wond'ring aloud -- will the years treat us well. As she floats in the kitchen, I taste the smell of toast as the butter runs. Then she comes, spilling crumbs on the bed and I shake my head. And it's only the giving that makes you what you are.

(Wond’ring Aloud – Jethro Tull)

Ste Greenall (aged 50!!)
Hartford, Huntingdon

I did something amazing today

2009-01-15T00:59:00.000-08:00

.....well, yesterday, actually, but since I stole the title of the daily blog from the Blood Service, I thought it best to say when it was.

6.47 p.m. Wednesday 14th January, to be exact.

I can't remember the exact date I first gave blood, but it was when I worked at Metal Box, so it would have been around 1981. Anyway, in those days, with big employers (and we had about 1,200 on the site) the National Blood Service, or whatever they were called then, used to come out to factories, and set up somewhere like the canteen. That's where I gave my first donation - the Metal Box staff canteen. And I did so every time they came, until I left Metal Box in 1984, and lapsed :-(

They caught up with me eventually, and I now donate fairly regularly. It always bugs me that more people don't donate, although at Huntingdon Commemoration Hall last evening, they were very booked up and over-ran. Ailsa didn't have an appointment but she came along. She DIDN'T lapse after leaving Metal Box, and has now given 30-odd times. Last night was my 22nd and after 3 more I will get a little badge.

You know, more people would donate if the criteria for RECEIVING it was you had to have at least given a few times. I know some people, for a number of reasons, can't. But it is pleasing to see that the upper age limit for donating has been lifted. No wonder there were pictures in the latest newsletter of people receiving awards for 75 donations. Now if Tony Hancock, in his famous 60's show "Hancock's Half Hour, was right, then each time you donate, you give "nearly an armful" so 75 donations has to be several body's worth.

Last night was the first time in ages I have seen someone "not well" afterwards, and he had to lie down with his feet raised. As he was on the next bed to me, I had to hope he wouldn't chuck up. I said earlier, we donated in the Commemoration Hall in the High Street, which is used for all manner of things, concerts (small time) shows, the annual panto, bring and buy sales, 'liquidation' sales. In fact, I bought my last Reebok trainers there. But in addition to this place, I have donated in an old church building near Holborn, the Main Freemasons' Lodge in Covent Garden - a building you might be familiar with if you watch "Spooks" as they use the big door and lamps outside as if the M15 headquarters! I have donated in the Dolphin Hotel in St. Ives, a mobile unit on the industrial estate in Godmanchester, and a few times in Godmanchester Baptist Church, which was formerly a little factory. It was somewhat disconcerting to be laid down, a needle in my arm, with images of religion, and Jesus beckoning from a locally made tapestry which said "I Am the Resurrection and the Life".

And afterwards, as always, a cup of tea and a pack of ginger nuts or custard creams.

Try it, if you never gave before. Trust me, the worst bit is ripping the plaster off your hairy arm the day afterwards.

Tunes and Sweets and Fags

2009-01-14T04:12:00.000-08:00

I have been digging out a few old CDs lately, to complement the newer ones like Coldplay and The Script, and have been enjoying the likes of Earth Wind and Fire and Alanis Morrisette, whose Jagged Little Pill album is that of a rather angry young lady. But isn't it funny how it only takes hearing a track from the past to trigger a prompted memory response.

Take last evening for example. Ailsa and I went to the gym, and amongst several songs which "sounded good when you haven't heard them in a while" was .......ermmmm...Lambada! It reminded me of the fortnight we spent in Cyprus in 1989, when the weather was excellent, and we came back to scrape ice from the car windscreen at Luton Airport. Scraping ice from car windscreens is something that is a bit of a habit at the moment.

Yesterday, I took the company banking into Biggleswade and discovered a lovely little traditional sweet shop, racked out with humbugs, rhubarb & custard, pear drops, licquorice stick and jars and jars of the stuff which used to rot our teeth before we were 8. I treated the girls in the office to some chocolate mice and the rest of the staff had Milky Ways, Sherbet Dabs and Milky Bars.

Later, after Kev Croot asked me to get him a pack of Old Holborn, I thought "this is the first time I have stood in a queue to buy ciggies since I used to pick up 20 Embassy tipped for mey dad in the days when kids could buy cigs on an errand. I was not surprised by the extent of the warnings on packs, but amazed to see the survival of such brands as Senior Service, Park Drive and Woodbines.

Sadly, the little sweet shop doesn't sell sweet cigarette - I guess it is not PC in these non-enlightened times.

Heart Attack and Vine

2009-01-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

Well, we have been back from the USA for over a week now, and I am just about back in synch. It seems that my body-clock has been affected more this time than on four previous trips to America. Tuesday last week I went to bed very early and woke bolt upright at 5.30 am. so I got up and got to work on time for a change. The drive to our new place, at Biggleswade, isn't much fun in the dark, home and back, so roll on lighter nights and mornings.

We had a quiet weekend because Ben's football match was called off as early as Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon, Ailsa and I went into Huntingdon, with a coffee on the agenda. But we got a shock when we found that Debs had closed her shop, De-Lites. Just an A4 notice on the door to thank all her customers. A victim of the competition from Costa and Starbucks no doubt. We didn't flick a coin...we don't like Starbucks, so we went to Costa.

Whilst in San Diego, we were treated to a new dish - Ceviche - defined on Wikipedia as a form of citrus-marinated seafood appetizer, popular in mainly Latin American countries like Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Bolivia. Both finfish and shellfish are used; finfish is typically raw while shellfish is typically cooked. It's popular in the Benham household as well, so armed with a googled recipe, Ailsa set about having a go at making it. The result was brilliant, and there is some over for tonight. Only downside ??? It's not cheap to make, when fresh sea bass and avacado are included as well as shrimp.

On Sunday, and with his putter hand itching to give his new "Taylor Made" putter a proper try, I agreed with Ben that nine holes of golf would be a good idea. Good choice...we played the Manor Course at Pidley and despite three penalty strokes, I still equalled my best of 49. The first hole, played over a small lake, has often seen me put one straight into the water. Imagine my pleasure to see a poorly hit tee shot fly low and 'skim' across the surface, Barnes Wallis style....only to find as we walked to the green that the lake was frozen, and the ball had flown off the ice! Actually, it shows I am not the only one who can't hit a decent tee shot on this hole; there were four balls actually on the ice, which will no doubt sink when it melts. Highlight of my golf day was a five on the long par 5 6th. Best I had ever had before was a fortunate 7. So I was very pleased.

In the evening we watched the latest "LoveFilm" mailing - No Country For Good Men - which we watched through to the end, but not overly impressed with. You'd like it if you like blood and gore, though.

Today came the news of the death of the retired, but formerly very popular BBC sport presenter David Vine, making me wonder if Tom Waits had foreseen David's demise years ago, when he wrote and recorded the song "Heart Attack and Vine". I wondered if it would make a good newspaper headline.......but it already has ;-)

A week on

2009-01-10T13:08:00.000-08:00

Getting up for work on Monday was a pain, but with a set of accounts to get done by Wednesday noon, it was important to get back into the swing. On the other hand Ailsa had booked Monday off, so her and Ben had a nice lie in. Ailsa got up at 9:20 whilst Ben eventually surfaced at 2pm! I assisted Ben all this week with the papers but he will be on his own next week. He collected another £12.50 in tips that had been handed into the shop. Friday morning was the warmest so far this week at 0 degrees and it has been as cold as -6 degrees therefore requiring the removal of ice each morning from the car, with the journey home tonight very foggy.

Actually, the presence of ice was one of the reasons we were delayed at Heathrow last Sunday whilst they cleared ice off the wings of a plane!

We're still going through tissues like it is going out of fashion, and this time of year is a right pain. No Christmas to look forward to, BUT...we are off to Center Parcs in three weeks.

I am still playing "holiday music" including the burned John Mayer CDs and The Script which Cath Corp let me borrow, for burning.

There's no game to watch tomorrow. The referee has called it off, albeit early, but the pitches are rock solid.

Late round up from the USA

2009-01-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

I have just grabbed a moment for a quick update on Friday.

We had a "family meal" at the Red Robin in Anaheim, where we mainly at burgers and drank beer before going to the Honda Centre for the ice hockey. Peter had got hold of "gold tickets" from a business colleague, so we had premier parking, excellent seats and what a game. The visitors were Philadelphia Flyers - 2nd in the league table, and Anaheim Ducks are down near the bottom. Flyers took the lead after about 30 seconds of the first period. Ducks equalised with moments left, but not before two lengthy two-man fist fights and lots of clattering into the perspex. Ducks went in front in the second period, but it ended at 4-4 and with no goals in the final period, they played 5 minutes extra time. Still no more goals so it went to a shoot-out - the hockey equivalent of football's penalty shoot out. Of course, we English don't do thos etwo well, so despite the fact we could claim to have been a part of the biggest attendance at a Ducks game at the Honda Centre....errrr Center...over 17,500, the Ducks failed in their shoot out, so Flyers got the points. Reading the advertising on the way out, sadly, we may not be tempted back to this Arena in April to watch Britney Spears.

I am going to become a Ducks fan, because any team with a player whose name sounds like a male appendage - Chris Pronger - as well as TWO named Neidermayer (fans of National Lampoon's Animal House will understand) needs all the support it can get.

We just looked on BBCi as well, to check out the FA Cup scores, and noting that whilst it it cool here today - 56 degrees - back home, loads ofgames have been postponed due to frozen pitches, including Histon, just down the road from us.

So we'll be boarding BA 279 with a few layers.

9 years since we came out here.....it won't be nine before we come back.

A New Year yesterday ....

2009-01-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

We had a great New Year's Eve round at Scott and Marcie's playing games, eating, drinking, chatting, drinking, and....drinking.

One thing I found strange is that American TV brings in the New Year at Times Square at 12.00 Eastern Time......then 3.00 am, their time, is midnight LA time....so they show the revellers still celebrating in New York.

We had a lie in next day, an excellent beef dinner for New Year, then slumped round the TV watching a DVD..."3.10 to Yuma" with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe. Very good. We rounded the evening off as many other evenings with games of dice and cards.

It's hockey time later at Anaheim, and then sadly on a plane back tomorrow, so this will be the last blog update from this side of the Atlantic.

Nearly a New Year

2008-12-31T14:51:00.000-08:00

We arrived back in Laguna Hills on Tuesday evening after a great couple of nights in San Diego.

Before that though we played nine holes of golf on the San Clemente municipal course, highlighted for Ben by having a buggy. His driving of the buggy was almost as good as his driving on the course, but he soon got the hang of it. We were paired off with two local guys, who fortunately were not low handicappers!

Saturday evening was spent around the family table, playing games again. Always a good laugh at this time of year.

On Sunday, Sarah drove us about 70 miles south to San Diego, and we spent the afternoon at the Zoo, where amongst other stuff, we saw pandas for the first time ever, for real. The only disappointment was thay you always expect them to be very black and very white. These were in need of a wash and one spent all its time sleeping in a bush. Still, we had a good time. In the evening, after dropping bags at the Marriott on Coronado Island (which Sarah booked for us at $42 a night!!! - cos she does part time work for Marriott) we went into the Gaslamp District which was alive to the sound of San Diego Chargers fans enjoying their team's win to take them into the Superbowl play-offs.

We ate at Croce's - a jazz bar/restaurant owned and run by the wife of the late Jim Croce. So the place was stacked out with memorabilia. Lovely meal, great ambience. Later, Sarah took us to her favourite ice cream parlour called Ghiardelli's (I think the spelling is right).

Next day we took a walk around Coronado, and then Sarah collected us to show off where she lives. After a few Wii games, we went bowling. My best EVER bowling score is 155, so you can imagine I was not cuffed to get 141, yet Ben beat me by 1.

In the evening, we were splendidly entertained by the Benham family. Their daughter Celeste stayed with us, with Sarah, 18 months ago, and to show their thanks they shared their home with us for the evening. The highlight for Ben being use of their brand new, custom made pool table. The highlight for me, a sampling session of Phil's collection of fine tequilas. He gave me a bottle to bring home....and it's not a Jose Cuervo!

Onto Tuesday, after breakfast we went over to see the Hotel del Coranado. Now you learn something new everyday....on this occasion, that scenes from the Monroe/Lemmon film "Some Like It Hot" were filmed there made, which for an interesting nosey around. At $500 a night for the cheapest rooms, I can't think we'll ever stay there.

Then we went back into town, and visited the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier, and we did the audio tour. I love those things, and though Ben and Sarah hit their boredom threshold, Ailsa and I did pretty much the full tour.

To wind the day, Sarah wanted to take us to Benihani Restaurant. It's best described as a Wagamama, but where they cook the food actually on a huge hot plate on the middle of your table. It was exceptional, and it's high time this company came to the UK! We had special fried rice, shrimp, steak, grilled Japanese veg.....washed down with a nice drop of wine, plus the chef who cooked for us was entertaining; juggling his spatula, flicking shrimp tails into his hat. A top man, was Juan.

Then we came back to Laguna Hills and played Mexican Train (dominoes) again, until 1.30 a.m. So we decided a lie-in was appropriate ;-)

Tonight, we are going out to friends of Peter and Margaret to a New Year party. Sarah has gone off into LA to meet friends; Samantha is taking Ben to the movies.

The weather in the last week, has been MUCH kinder than when we first arrived, so today, it is about 68 degrees. Tomorow has the makings of a lazy day, but Friday we'll be going to the Ice Hockey at Anaheim.

We have kept in touch with people via e-mail and Facebook, plus not only reading news and sport on the BBC website, but watching Premiership games on the Fox Soccer Channel.

It's now 3.20 pm in California so less than an hour to New Year back home.

So ..... Happy New Year to all our reader! (s)

Late on Boxing Day .......

2008-12-27T00:02:00.000-08:00

...actually, it is just turned midnight so it's the 27th, and we're having a great time. The Nash family have treated us to some great hospitality, a lovely Christmas dinner, and unlimited use of the house.....and laptops ;-)

It has been fun keeping in touch with everyone via e-mail and Facebook, as well as enjoying the Californian lifestyle for the Festive Season.

Ben has been spending holiday money and has just about cleaned Macy's out of Calvin Kleins, whilst the best I have mustered is buying a couple of CDs for our hosts.

We are hoping to play golf tomorrow in San Clemente and then we're off to San Diego on Sunday for two nights.

We managed to watch three Premiership games today and have been keeping in touch with UK news via the BBC website.

The tune of the holiday so far is without doubt Black and Gold by Sam Sparro, which keeps bobbing up everywhere, including, bizarrely, on RADIO ONE!!!! which Margaret has on trial in her new car. It literally went "Pete Tong" at about 4.00 pm LA time - midnight back home - 8 hours and a bit ago.

Happy Christmas.....to those we love

2008-12-24T19:25:00.000-08:00

Now is the solstice of the year.
Winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Join together 'neath the mistletoe,
By the holy oak whereon it grows.
Seven druids dance in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Praise be to the distant sister sun,
Joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Ring on, ring out.
Ring on, ring out.

Christmas time....mistletoe and wine

2008-12-24T18:51:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve, 7.00 pm in LA, so it's Christmas day in Britain. Yesterday we went to Knott's Berry Farm with Samantha and went on some excellent rides, including the Silver Bullet, which throws you all over the place. We also went on the Ghost Rider, which is a good old fashioned wooden rollercoaster.

We're looking forward to a good ol' Christmas dinner tomorrow, and on Friday and Saturday, looking forward to eating out with friends of Margaret and Peter's.

At the same time, thinking of our relatives whereever they may be.....Rainhill, Shropshire or on a boat in the Atlantic. Love to you all.

Twenty past six there, twenty past ten here

2008-12-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

We arrived in the USA to the usual welcome from homeland security...us and all the other non-Americans, queueing ages to be allowed into the land of the free. So it was great to finally see Margaret here to collect us in the new family Honda bus!

The flight was a bit late out of the UK, but the good news was we got upgraded to Business Class (different class ;-) Fully reclining seats, loads of space, and the in flight entertainment was good too. Enjoyed listening to Elbow, Coldplay and The Script as well as watching a couple of films and doing the usual Independent sudoku. The fish pie was ok, and the service was impressive. The flight hardly seemed to last the 11 hours that it really did.

One thing that struck me at LAX was a total lack of anything that told you it was Christmas, but Margaret, Peter, Sarah and Samantha have more than made up for that with lots of festive decorations. There were no decoartions at the airport at all. And few that were visible on the drive down to Laguna Hills, but once we got amongst the houses, plenty were decorated with lights.

We are aiming to go to Knott's Berry Farm on Tuesday, which is a theme park, but we may cancel if it is still raining. It's not too bad, but a bit disappointing for the time of year. It promises to be better later in the week.

First time we visited the USA, in 1988, you felt totally out of touch with the rest of the planet. What a difference the internet has made. I just checked my e-mail, had a look at the BBC website, and read messages from familiar faces, which is nice. We also watched Sky Sports News at 5.00 yesterday (1.00 in the morning UK time) so we caught up with all the Sunday footy.

We spent Monday morning shopping in the mall at Irvine. We bought a few things to put under the tree, and had coffee sewrved by some grumpy girl who didn't say "you're welcome" or "have a nice day"...not even once.

Paper boys

2008-12-20T00:31:00.000-08:00

Ben took up a paper round in April 2007 and after just one week, already was getting help from me; help I freely offered by the way, with Saturdays and Sundays. The papers are just so big on those days.

Today is Ben's last day on the round before we leave (we'll be off to Heathrow "when we're ready") so I collected the papers in the car and we delivered without the bikes today. Ben's picked up some nice tips, but better still, I think, after we persuaded him to send his customers a card, he has had some nice ones back, with his name on.

It's not bad doing the papers. the early start's a pain somedays, but you get to feel you are a link with the stories of the outside world for many.

No-one gets the Independent Though (apart from me). Nearly all Mail and Telegraph readers near us.

We are almost ready to go now. Bags packed and weighed....tickets printed....and we'll be on our way to the hotel near the airport, and flying at 10.15 am in the morning.

Later edit.....the trip to Heathrow didn't quite go as planned as we thought it would be nice to start the holiday off with a bite to eat at Pizza Express in Huntingdoin High Street. But we got there just after 5.00 to find they were booked up. So Plan B was a trip to Tesco's where we bought butties, drinks, and more loose tea to take for Margaret, along with more sweets for Sarah and Samantha, to go with the loose tea, mustard powder and chocolate digestives we already had in the suitcases.

We had booked a night in the Sheraton at Heathrow for the pleasantly inexpensive amount of £59.00 for the room, to include parking for the two weeks; a cost cheaper by £13 than what we paid to leave the car at Stansted for just a week, in August.

We ate and shot back to the room to see who won Strictly Come Dancing.

Almost the longest day

2008-12-20T00:11:00.000-08:00

The winter solstice is the name given to the shortest day - or longest night - and if it ISN'T that today, then it is round about now. The word solstice always puts me in mind of one of the best Christmas tunes - Jethro Tull's Ring Out Solstice Bells....but today I have two tunes going round in my head and both of them are because of other people.

Firstly, my mum and dad are fans of a series called Early Doors, and I was persuaded to watch an episode last week at their house. I really enjoyed it, not knowing dad was watching my reactions to it, and ordered my the boxed set, which was a nice gesture. But he'd already had me on a Google hunt for the words to the theme tune - a track by Roddy Frame from his 2002 "Surf" cd.

The track is Small World and I can't remember the last time my dad recommended a piece of music I was so attracted to. The chorus goes

Rushing through the stars,
Captivated by the worlds beyond
So far...... unknown.....
Floating in a car
Past the gates of mustdestroy.com

You aren't alone
It's a small world and you've grown

The next piece of music, totally different, is by Half Man Half Biscuit, and a result of an e-mail swap with Ian Kay. Just a question from Ian if I had any of their music.

I hadn't.

So, selected purely for its title alone, I bought "For What Is Chatteris" from the iTunes store.

Musically, miles away from Roddy Frame.

Lyrically, very clever and incisive

Like a game-bird reserve short on pheasants
Weavers’ cottages devoid of tenants
A market town that lacks quintessence
That’s Chatteris without your presence
Three good butchers, two fine chandlers
An indoor pool and a first class cake shop
Ofsted plaudits, envy of the Fens
Crick barriers at both ends

But what’s Chatteris if you’re not there?

Well, Ailsa won't be there for two weeks, and not will her work colleagues, as they are now on Christmas shut down, but my workmates, the Pro-Spray people, will still be at it until Wednesday.

Friday 19th December

2008-12-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

Well, it's almost Christmas 2008, and this year, Christmas will be very different because we're leaving the UK shores for the first time at Yuletide. On Sunday morning, we'll be flying with BA from Heathrow to Los Angeles International.

Gotta be honest, right now, I haven't got my head round the concept of not being in the UK for Christmas...no place like home, and all that. But Ben's making up for my current lack of adrenalin.

The last week or so hasn't been the ideal preparation though. We have all had a bug of some sort. Bad chest and coughing, me. But it's getting better....so finger's crossed.