Public sector strike rallies staged across UK- as reported by the BBC
Unions accuse the government of failing to participate in proper negotiations in recent weeks, a claim rejected by ministers
Tens of thousands of people have joined rallies around the UK as a public sector strike over pensions disrupted schools, hospitals and other services.
About two thirds of state schools shut, and thousands of hospital operations were postponed, as unions estimated up to two million people went on strike.
But Prime Minister David Cameron described the action as a "damp squib".
Unions object to government plans to make their members pay more and work longer to earn their pensions.
The strike has had the following effects:
- Department for Education figures suggest 62% of England's 21,700 state schools were closed, with another 14% partly shut
- In Scotland 98% of the 2,700 council-run schools closed, according to local authority body Cosla, while in Wales 80% of schools were shut. In Northern Ireland, just over half of about 1,200 schools closed
- South East Coast Ambulance Service says it is only responding to "life-threatening emergencies"; London Ambulance Service tells BBC London it is "struggling", is unable to respond to many 999 calls and prioritising life-threatening cases
- NHS managers say a little fewer than 7,000 of approximately 30,000 routine operations have been cancelled or postponedacross the UK as well as tens of thousands of appointments
- BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smithtweeted: "(Health Secretary) Andrew Lansley says patients who have ops cancelled today will still be seen within 18-week limit."
- In Northern Ireland, no bus or train services are operating
- Plane arrivals and take-offs at Britain's two biggest airports - Heathrow and Gatwick - are said to be largely unaffected with only a few cancellations of in-bound transatlantic flights to Heathrow
- The Local Government Association said about a third of England and Wales council staff were not in work, equating to about 670,000 out of 2.1 million. Unions estimate about 300,000 public sector workers are on strike in Scotland while 170,000 workers in Wales are taking action
- Just 14 job centres out of more than 900 across the UK have closed, according to the Cabinet Office
- An office in London's West End was stormed at about 15:50 GMT by a group of protesters believed to be from the Occupy London anti-capitalist campaign group
- Scotland Yard said that, as of 16:15 GMT, it had made 52 arrests for a variety of offences
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the public sector was "under attack" by the government, adding that the action was justified.
"With the scale of change the government are trying to force through, making people work much, much longer and get much, much less, that's the call people have made," he said.
Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members who work for the UK Border Agency have gone on strike but airport sources suggested to the BBC that immigration controls were at two thirds of normal staffing levels - more than the 30-50% predicted previously.
More than 1,000 demonstrations were expected across the UK
The Immigration Services Union says 80% to 90% of staff are striking, with 22 out of 23 workers at Calais port not showing up for work and, as far as they are aware, none of their members working at Heathrow.
A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "Early signs show our contingency plans are minimising the impact of strike action, but waiting times at some ports may still be slightly longer than normal."
A Downing Street spokesman said: "I think what it shows is that our contingency plans have been reasonably effective in mitigating the impact of the strikes.
"Obviously, there has been an impact on schools and we always knew that there would be a significant impact on schools.
"We are confident that all the essential services have been maintained throughout the day. A lot of non-urgent work was rescheduled."
Simon Walker, of the Institute of Directors, told the BBC News Channel the strike was doing "significant damage" to the economy.
"If you're damaging the productive capacity of this country you're really doing huge damage to the fabric of the economy and that will last a long time and impact on all of us," he said.
Strike day
We went rock climbing at bigrock. we thought about going to london and about joining the demos here, but in the end this was just too good of an opportunity to pass it up!
:D
I am getting better at it and traffs still scampering up walls like theyre horizontal- obviously Simon is amazing at climbing and gives very good advice- so its him we have to thank for our improvement!
Traff managed to fall off the wall and land on his thumb. bless him. but he was being silly at the time...
I told you things would creep onto the tree...
the battenberg of festive joy is making a nest in the lower bows of our christmas tree.
Monday, 28 November 2011
Pancake goes for a run.
An athletes breakfast..bacon, scrambled eggs, pancakes...all at little chef! it was amazing- best resturant is wisbech 2010 too! oh yeah.
All ready for his race! the norwich half marathon- we had to get up at 6 and leave at 6:30 it's amazing how awake he looks!
they do things a bit different in norfolk....
Winner! :D
Traff ran for the charity "missing" which helps to find missing people and either reunite them with their families or lay their families minds to rest. he did a really good time! 1 hr 41 min on the official clock and less than that on the time chip.
It was absolutely freezing! Andy and I ate doughnuts whilst watching all the runners cross the finish line! super healthy.
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Konvertable christmas tree- Bedford arts
My creations...let me explain them...Konvertable is an art project run by Bedford arts center, the xmas creations will be used to decorate an xmas tree ate the chrisymas tree festival- but this is with a twist.
Each pompom will be fitted with an MP3 player and headphones, they will play peoples memories of christmas for other peoples to listen too- which is very very cool.
the "cups" will be used as light shades for the fairy lights, so the idea is that they change the light and colour.
soooo, all of my delights will be exhibited from the 30th-3rd in st peters, bedford- along with everyone elses- I'm not special!
this one is made from fabric, ribbons, angel hair tinsel and yarn. with dangley buttons. WELL proud of this!
my light shade- I cut slits in it ad threaded beads through so they will (hopefully) turm the light red..or just melt..I'm hoping the 1st option!
I wanted to cut out the pattern in the gold ribbon, but I'm too cack handed. :(
I also recorded a memory. :)
Thank you bedford arts center for a lovely afternoon :D x
Grandad Trafford came to stay
Traff made roast dinner for himself, his grandad and I- his best yet!
check out our gravy boat.
we also fed the ducks- we found a freaky purple headed one! (no dirty puns please).
check out our gravy boat.
we also fed the ducks- we found a freaky purple headed one! (no dirty puns please).
Thursday, 24 November 2011
..yeah, I got a bit excited...
The labels took me ages- just 4 presents left to get and I'm all done!
And I haven't even heard the christmas wrapping song yet!
:D
I've ordered christmas from amazon..it gets delivered on the 3rd december.
:D
today I ordered our christmas tree from amazon!
Traff insisted we have a black one, with silver and purple decorations..it will probably be mostly silver and purple, but I have loads of pretty things that are multicoloured that will sneak their way onto the tree whilst he isn't looking!
:P
I got us some mirror baubles and some pretty fairy lights that look like snowflakes too.
I'm so excited this year- lord knows why and it's one month to go tomorrow!
I might start my christmas wrapping in a bit- get it all done whilst I've got time- a month sounds like ages, but I don't finish work until the 16th december- and I know it will go really quickly, and I'll need to post things to wales- doesn't look like we're going to get to go back before now.
eeeeek.
today I ordered our christmas tree from amazon!
Traff insisted we have a black one, with silver and purple decorations..it will probably be mostly silver and purple, but I have loads of pretty things that are multicoloured that will sneak their way onto the tree whilst he isn't looking!
:P
I got us some mirror baubles and some pretty fairy lights that look like snowflakes too.
I'm so excited this year- lord knows why and it's one month to go tomorrow!
I might start my christmas wrapping in a bit- get it all done whilst I've got time- a month sounds like ages, but I don't finish work until the 16th december- and I know it will go really quickly, and I'll need to post things to wales- doesn't look like we're going to get to go back before now.
eeeeek.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Oh, the WANT...
Olympus E-PL1 Compact System Camera - Black (14-42mm Black Lens Kit)
I kinda want it in navy blue, but in honesty I don't care what colour it is I just WANT in!
its massively reduced right now too- from £640 to £250.
and it has all posh settings and art filters and I would like it very very much.
:D
Gumtree things :D
I've been poorly and signed off work- I go back on monday.
Since I've been starting to feel better, Traff's been on at me to get the front room sorted- as its still packed from when we moved.
on a whim last night I gumtree'd it and I will soon be the proud owner of these beautiful things:
A pine DVD/ CD rack- as one of the huge tubs in the front room is all CDs- and it's only £10!
AANNDDD this is amazing- for all our papers and bits and bobs:
This a pre-war sideboard I think. It has some really lovely carving on it.
It's dimensions are 41"H x 53" W x 19" Deep.
the dimensions are the only sticking point- I misread them as CM. and if they were CM this would EASILY fit into my car..however, in inches, perhaps not :S
Rach is coming to pick it up wit me as its a lady who's selling it- didn't want to freak her out bey bringing my wife, but I'm starting to think I'll need to get my dad to help us with his massive car!
eeek!
but, this will finally allow us to unpack..and its only £35.
so, all in all I'm pleased, cheaper than IKEA and better quality furnature too! thank you gumtree! :D
Since I've been starting to feel better, Traff's been on at me to get the front room sorted- as its still packed from when we moved.
on a whim last night I gumtree'd it and I will soon be the proud owner of these beautiful things:
A pine DVD/ CD rack- as one of the huge tubs in the front room is all CDs- and it's only £10!
AANNDDD this is amazing- for all our papers and bits and bobs:
This a pre-war sideboard I think. It has some really lovely carving on it.
It's dimensions are 41"H x 53" W x 19" Deep.
the dimensions are the only sticking point- I misread them as CM. and if they were CM this would EASILY fit into my car..however, in inches, perhaps not :S
Rach is coming to pick it up wit me as its a lady who's selling it- didn't want to freak her out bey bringing my wife, but I'm starting to think I'll need to get my dad to help us with his massive car!
eeek!
but, this will finally allow us to unpack..and its only £35.
so, all in all I'm pleased, cheaper than IKEA and better quality furnature too! thank you gumtree! :D
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Vintage hair :D
Kirstie and Abi are coming to stay with me 16th-18th december- we're going to do lots of exciting things- and a shopping and exhibition trip to cambridge, so, in order to look our best, we're going to get our hair done in a vintage style...ooh, what to choose?!
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Fish in a dish
he doesn't live in a cereal bowl. we were changing his tank.
he doesn't seem to mind it though.
He is definately getting bigger- his tail is massive now and he's getting a bit of a belly on him!
Peterborough
We went for dinner with Traff's family on saturday, but we got there whilst they were taking the dogs for a walk- so we walked into town for a pint in charters!
oh yeah!
by the time we'd just about walked to town they were ringing us to say they were back :( it was a bit of an organisation fail, but once we all managed to get together in the same place it was an ace evening!
:D
discoveries of the weekend :D
Abi- Thank you very much for my letter card and necklace :D I wore the necklace to peterborough on sunday- and I'm going to wear it to harrods for afternoon tea- as it matches my TV interference dress! yay!
Getting a letter on friday afternoon cheered my evening up. it's been a very long week!
Aldi = amazing
how cute are they?! 85% dark chocolate..yummy..with orange..oh yes, this is a sunday afternoon treat to die for!
I bought these for a snack as traff took us on a drive- the 16 miles he runs and I had a misguided idea that we could get out of the car and explore- I missed the turning for both farm shops, In one of the two places I could have pulled over some horses with riders were in, and in the other we were beaten by a volvo! gah!
how very 1940s we went for a sunday afternoon country drive to take in the views (with the roof shut, its winter, but sunnies on)
my investment for the christmas season. this had better be amazing.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Allotment
My wife, clearing up all the twiggy bits.
this is the bit I've been working on- the front is onions, behind that in the tub are herbs- I've tubbed them to stop them spreading like crazy, and that stick-looking thing is a raspberry bush so hopefully I'll have some fruit in summer! round the herb tup I've also planted some daffodils, so that'll be cheery in spring!
Traffs handiwork on the other side of the allotment- he was determined to have a conifer. and he's planted it very randomly, but he seems happy. behind the conifer I planted some more onions since the ground was dug, but we didn't have any plastic to cover it with (see photo below).
Traff appears to have been building a fort- banking up the sides of his flower beds.
Traffs fort and conifer tree. we dug the front of the allotment and planted more daffodils so they'll be pretty in the spring.
ALL of todays work- my bit on the left and traffs on the right and the daffoldils along the front- we have a long way to go yet, but you have to admit- this is a massive improvement on last time (the photos are in last month if you don't believe me!).
I have all the cloned plants from school to plant in spring, and I'm going to plant some pumpkin seeds too! :D
We're planning to leave the center of the allotment as a lawn and just digging beds round the outside for plants, fruits and veggies- since we don't have a garden so we can enjoy the summer when it comes- somewhere for BBQs and chilling out, so all this hard work will be worth it soon!
Lazy saturday
Traff and I went shopping in town- I bought a game for the Xbox and he bought ingredients for a cake he wanted to make from a recipie he found on something for the weekend.
he is such a good wife.
:D
I have also finished my xmas shopping for my mates! now just family to buy for and with over a month to go- this is a new level of organisation!
we put our bets on the football too- I put a pound on and the return would have been over £1000- damn you oxford utd for letting me down- all you had to do was WIN!
traffs cake was supposed to serve 16 as a kind of victoria sandwich style cake. we'll be eating cake for a very long time.
Might send this one in to something for the weekend!
I have also discovered morgans spiced and coke in a can. so all in all this was quite a successful saturday.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Bedford fireworks
I had an amazing evening at the fireworks! Jess, Si and I went to the white horse for dinner- it was lush! quite possibly the best pub food I've eaten in a long time!
and death by hot chocolate!
We met with helen, Michelle and some of Michelle's friends outside the rugby club to watch the fireworks display (opposite the fire engine).
Michelle bought sparklers for us!
The display was ok- It wasn't a patch on cardiff's but it was a laugh to be out. after the fireworks we went to the ship in town- which has t be the smallest pub in bedford! the 15 of us didn't even fit into the bar area- we had to sit outside!
although, this lead to the discovery of the coach house bar- which I like very much! :D
and death by hot chocolate!
We met with helen, Michelle and some of Michelle's friends outside the rugby club to watch the fireworks display (opposite the fire engine).
Michelle bought sparklers for us!
The display was ok- It wasn't a patch on cardiff's but it was a laugh to be out. after the fireworks we went to the ship in town- which has t be the smallest pub in bedford! the 15 of us didn't even fit into the bar area- we had to sit outside!
although, this lead to the discovery of the coach house bar- which I like very much! :D
Reply from photomarathon
Hi Lau
Thanks for the note. The picture that was selected was topic 4 - Super Powers - great shot!
All the best
Mathew
Photomarathon UK
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Is an Artist! or something like that- either way I'm delighted!
Out of all the thousands of entries mine got picked as one of the 45 to be displayed at waterloo tea gardens- I wonder which one they chose?
I emailed them to ask- I hope the email me back soon! eeek!
let me know if you go and see it...whatever it is! x
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