Police commissioners who needs them?

The answer controversially is we do, we need someone awkward enough to tell, Kent's senior police officers when things are clearly in need of improvement, now don't get me wrong I'm not anti police as a default position but there have been times in the last few years, when I've thought who holds our Kent police to account, when things go wrong.

Well some would say that the Kent police authority, has held that role, and I would say that rather than a regulator, they've acted more like a fan club or supporters club. On the whole Kent police officers are as far as I can tell, in the main honest people doing a tough job, not a career many of us would be suited.

Still from time to time, there have in my opinion been times, when Kent police have got things badly wrong, such as heavy handed treatment at the climate camp, at Northfleet, a few years ago,along with other questionable occurrences.

It is my impression that over my years, of looking at events in Kent, that on the odd occasion Kent police, have shown themselves to have let us down, no big deal really, but I just wonder if members of the police authority, have ever held the chief constable to account, in any serious way, such that the post holder has had consider revising their CV.

It's fair to say that, as it has been reported in the local press, there is little public awareness, that in November, elections will take place for the new PCC position. Interestingly for me came news last week, that the current head of the police authority Anne Barnes, who has after devoting some considerable criticism of new police and crime commissioner role, has now decided to become a candidate.

Still my biggest criticism, of the current police authorities, is the question of what do they actually do, back last year I wrote how Kent police had concluded that thirty percent of reported rapes were in fact non crime, it seemed rather an extraordinary idea that almost one in three women would, go to their local police station to report a fictitious rape.

I think at the time, this was met with some disbelief in the community and yet as far as I can tell the police authority did nothing, apart from forget about it, Kent on Sunday, this weekend highlighted the lack of interest in the police crime commissioner on the front page and sadly reporting a ten percent rise in sexual offenses, could all this be related?

Maybe it's a question Anne Barnes could answer during her campaign for the commissioners job?

Finally if any one has a few grand to spare I wouldn't mind standing myself.

AN APOLOGY TO MR PETER MILES OF EAST NORTHDOWN HOUSE AND MR ANDREW MILES OF THE COACH HOUSE NORTHDOWN PARK.

On the 23^rd June 2009 to date, and 2^nd February 2010 to date, Bignews Margate published two items referring to the Coach House in Northdown Park.  Readers will be aware that following recent defamatory comments being submitted by anonymous bloggers, these two posts have now been removed from BigNews Margate site. 

Mr Peter Miles has drawn to my attention matters relating to these two items that shed light on the complex issues involved.  I would therefore like to apologise unreservedly to both Mr Peter Miles and his brother Mr Andrew Miles for any implication that they or others may have misconstrued from these items, concerning their intregrity and good character.  Mr Peter Miles has a record that is beyond reproach in terms of fighting corruption and maladministration here in Thanet and is a man I hold in high regard.

Race for life

Good luck to all those partaking of the Race for life event at Palm Bay, this morning.

Mrs Me leaves for race after her warm up routine is completed, which naturally includes advice to me to not to make a mess whist she is out and to make myself presentable by the time she returns.

Shame on Clive Hart's Labour Thanet Council as they now encourage censorship

Thanet Democrat!?

It will be interesting to know what next to expect from Clive Hart's time in office, in my view his dreadful administration is propped up with inducements made to anyone who will support his inept administration, tonight I was told that I could not write or report on the cabinet meeting so rather than argue the point, I left.

It looks to me that Thanet Labour are taking the route of militant extremists, in the past I have been challenge, last time I understand that one of the Thanet independent crowd, Labours allies, took exception to me reporting, although on that occasion, it was accepted that I was using my phone as a computer.

I can recall members of the public previously being encouraged to report on precedings, still clearly, these days as Labour reveal their ability or lack of it, they wish to curb reporting, and of course this is something, which I think many council officers, don't like either.

SHAME ON THANET COUNCIL AND SHAME ON CLIVE HART'S THANET LABOUR PARTY

P S While the public are still admitted to council meetings, go along, if nothing else, to witness for your  self how Labour stumble through proceedings.

PPS The contempt shown by local government staff never ceases to amaze me, still I've written to CEO Sue McGonigal, previously Thanet Council staff have locked me out of public meetings, and locked me in the building they really are that indifferent to any public service ethos.

A loose end this week

I won't linger to much on the downside of the Olympics, other than for some of us the fallout is a lot of spare time.

Anyhoo the sun is still shining and I've had a chance to clear up a bit in the garden, which in reality means, I've hacked a few bushes and trees and just hope that Mrs Me does not a) notice or b) notice and offer a commentary on where and how I could improve after explaining what a mess I've made.

Still irrespective of all that I intend to go to the council meeting tonight, where I can watch highly competent people, such as Cllr Clive Hart, formalise decisions that have of coarse already been agreed.

Highlights tonight will include, the consideration of a petition by residents of Birchington asking to retain a particularly good street sweeper, as you might expect the heartless blighters who run the council are minded, to ignore the public wishes and that old favourite of Thanetonline, the Royal Sands is also up for discussion, still unlike me the and mess in my back garden, Thanet council can save any embarrassment, by claiming that the deal is confidential and can only be discussed in private.

Tonights agenda click here, meeting kicks off at 19:00 sharp, at the council offices top floor.

Thank you Hanna of EDF plus Fox Update

Couple of surprising events, first this morning, I feel it necessary to thank Hanna of EDF for doing something which is generally outside the experience of most of us who use call centres, which was to deal with an account query, promptly and in a timely manner even calling back with in the ten minutes promised, well done, this made up for the 6 or 7 seven minute wait to have the call answered.

As you can see (above) last night, young Master Fox, made a fresh house call l and once again the family cat Missy, seems to be on familiar terms, frankly I question her loyalty, admittedly her predecessor Mr Puss was not adverse to inviting the neighbours cats round, however it always seemed fair enough given the hospitality he'd received elsewhere, the only real conflict of interests were the mice he liked bring in, notably the spectacular occasion he dropped a rodent on a bed at three in the morning.

Security scare - Intruder escapes

For the second time, in a just over a week, a brazen intruder, has breached security here at Flaig Mansions, last week Mrs Me's viewing of Corrie, was rudely interrupted when a fox cub strolled into dining room, hesitating, as it considered whether to catch up on the soaps or take a look-see at the contents of the kitchen, when challenged it strolled toward patio door, pausing with the arrogance and attitude of youth, and a look which could have been interpreted as,  "what are you going to do granddad?"

Since then Mrs Me has had at first one slipper go missing, followed by the second, from near the patio door, initially Missy the cat was in the frame, since she has considerable form, no respecter of property often borrowing small items of clothing from the airer, and regularly the dish cloth, in an act of wanton defiance.

fox at door 

Last night 20:44, the fox cub, once again had to be ejected, when caught, on what I take to have been a social call, since it appears to have struck up a relationship with Missy, I just hope the fox is not grooming Missy until it gets hungry and Missy gets a bit bigger.

Missy looks on as the fox leaves

I've no big problem with people feeding foxes but it does encourage them to enter peoples homes and although rare, there are reports of these animals attacking young children.

Corporate Resources and Transformation?

What the heck is that?, good question but fear not, our air head Labour administration at Thanet Council have managed to procure an expert in corporate resources and transformation and are appointing one Mr Philip Hamberger as it's Director.

I assume this appointment is not a minute too soon, as the lead paragraph on Thanet Councils website witters on "Following a proposal to reshape the council's senior management structure within existing budgets crikey it must be at least a good twelve months since the last "reshape" or was it a "restructure" of senior top bods.

Anyhow Mr Hamberger has good references and a wide experience including at least three similar jobs in the last seven years, quite an achievement, still in my world somewhat lower down the old food chain I've worked for the same company for roughly that period allowing for company takeovers.

Anyhoo the sun is shining lets just forget this bland public announcement, which is below if your that interested, of course things you might want to know, such as how much money is the bloke/role going to save or cost, are missing, as are details of what effects it will have if any on improving services. The main thing is Cllr Clive Hart retains his tenuous grip on power and he seems happy even if nobody else does.

TDC Announcement


Following a proposal to reshape the council's senior management structure within existing budgets, Thanet District Council is delighted to announce that yesterday (Thursday 19 July) the General Purposes Committee confirmed the recommendation of the Appointments Panel to appoint Mr Philip Hamberger as the new Director of Corporate Resources and Transformation. 


Philip comes to the council with excellent references and a wide experience, including - in the last seven years:
Assistant Director Commercial & Transactional Services (Slough Borough Council)
Programme Director of Change (East Herts Council)
Assistant Chief Executive (Basildon Council)


Philip has designed, implemented and driven to conclusion significant and sustainable improvement programmes across large complex organisations as well as successfully managed teams and developed talent within those organisations which is exactly the mix that the council was seeking.


Philip will be relocating to Thanet and will officially start his role on the 30 July 2012.


Philip is keen to meet his new team and improve his knowledge of Thanet so that he can start adding value as quickly as possible.
Leader of the council, Cllr Clive Hart said: "We're absolutely delighted to welcome Philip to the council. He brings enormous knowledge and experience, and he'll be instrumental in the ongoing work of the council.


"The selection process has been tough, but the council is ambitious and we were always determined to recruit the very best person within our existing budget. I have every confidence that Philip will relish the challenge, and I look forward to working closely with him as the council's plans for the area come to fruition."

Margate Torched

Thanks to Mrs Me for the photographs, unfortunately I myself was busy on vital work on the countries transport infrastructure, this last Thursday and as you might all know, a bit cynical where the Olympics are concerned.

I doubt that any of us would eschew the nobility of athleticism, it's just all the blood suckers from the top knobs through to purveyors of unhealthy food and spivs in the security business making it more Shambollix than Olympics.

courtesy of Turner Contemporary

I understand that there was a good turnout from the public and of course the usual compliment of local politicians looking for a photo opp and something to fill their day, it appears the public were excluded from the gallery for an cosy photo, including county councillor Mike Hill a leading member of the secretive Conservative administration, Clive Hart leader of Thanet Labour and Cllr Will Scobie, who it has been rumoured was given the role of Margate mayor, so that he can get himself elected to Kent County Council next year and trouser KCC allowances currently 13 grand a year, which added to Thanet council allowances is probably better than working for a living.

Not sure why Amada Honey, Corporate Director of Customer and Communities, had to leave her desk in these times of austerity to look at a flame, particularly since her salary is costing the taxpayer around £660 a day (calculated at £159,000 PA divided by 48 working weeks 5 days a week not allowing for public sector sickies or indeed jollies, events, training sessions, seminars or any of that malarkey) but hell why not.

Toxic South Thanet Labour Website?

Shock Horror, having been too busy/bored to post just recently I thought I'd check through comments etc. only to find that my browser would not allow me to view Bignews Margate.

My browser Chrome, warned me that a link on my webpage "contains content from www.souththanetlabour.org.uk, a site known to distribute malware.

No doubt this is some sort of glitch and I have now removed the link from this site.

Still I was considering a post not on malicious software but the malicious actions of the Public and Commercial Services Union who have selfishly called a strike to disrupt boarder services, the day before the Olympics, and why? presumably to blackmail the government into a list of outrageous demands to allow it's 250,000 members to continue to bleed the taxpayers dry. 

I could go on but what's the point public sector workers will continue their quest to suck the life blood out of the economy and taxpayers will continue to pray that one day, that public sector gets paid for what their worth.

A high point in an otherwise frustrating day

The day started badly and didn't finish too well, still on the way home an experiment in navigation involving narrow country lanes through which I macheted my way out of London following a change in route preferences from fast to shortest on the satnav resulted in a brief but fantastic view of Southern England even with the distant but noisy M25 in the background.

Still tomorrow is another day.

KENTWATCH - Councils cannot get enough of the Olympics

Sorry for not the following the mainstream mindless hysteria over the Hackney and Stratford Olympics, for me the joy was short lived, up to winning the Olympic bid, the Olympics was accepted on the premise, that they would be delivered for a mere 2 billion, much emphasis was place on these being affordable games, not long after the costing catapulted to a eye watering 8 billion.

Yes many of us will be swept up in the endless promotion, the BBC daily prostitutes itself with torch madness, in which seemingly rational BBC journalists daily talk utter bollix about the torch progress,  still what much of this has to do with sport, who knows.

For me the true winners of the Olympics are big business and despots, whether it be purveyors of unhealthy food products high fat sugar salt, the military for being allowed to dust off otherwise never used rapier missiles, control freaks creating no go areas for commuters and business.

As we witnessed with the last Olympics in China, the country was able to white wash its human rights abuses including the criminal and brutal oppression of Tibet and of course ever since it has been business as usual.

The United Kingdom is not comparable, we have problems but these are minor, in comparison, still the propagandists amongst us, cannot resist, which is perhaps why Cameron offered extra dollops of money to organisers, to pep up the ceremonies and of coarse lessor political entities cannot help but try and wrap themselves in a little hype.

So it comes as little surprise to spot Olympic branding on Margate sea front and who's behind this, well Thanet council cancelled Margate's Big Event for torch madness and of course Kent council who often cannot grit roads in the winter can find money to pay for flags tied up on lamposts. 

Me I'd like to see children safe in the community and old people looked after anyhoo enjoy the celebration, county councillor Mike Hill OBE had this to say about KCC wasting money on Olympic branding “The brightly coloured Olympic and Paralympic branding will give the county a real feeling of celebration and help bring the Games atmosphere to Kent’s communities.” yes lets not worry about he and his fellow Tories covering up governance issues with a bit of fluff.

Local tourism boss Sandra Matthews-Marsh (visit Kent) added this “With excellent special coach routes, and train services to Stratford from Ebbsfleet, the Games are on our doorstep and we are a host county for the Paralympic Road Cycling events. This is going to be atruly memorable summer. I may be corrected on this but as I understand under Olympic time tables, trains services face severe disruption. 

KENTWATCH - KENT TORIES IN YET ANOTHER COVER UP?

Frankly tales of Kent's Conservative council secretive inner circle, drain me, but fortunately should you wish indulge, an interesting story appears courtesy of KentOnline and Paul Francis.

The last few years, of writing this blog, it has been clear to me that residents are deliberately, presented information by Kent Council, which in the main suits the ruling Conservative party. 

Over the years it has been difficult to come by information, on various issues, media spend, lavish payments to staff, councillors use of chauffeur driven limousines, expensive travel, entertainment, it seems only the freedom of information act, has allowed the grudging trickle of information, it's seems apparent, that Paul Carter's administration will never allow us, to know for instance how Kent child services degenerated to point that placed children at risk in the county and who is responsible.

Boring as it has become, it seems Kent Council leader Tory Cllr Paul Carter and his cabinet are once again sitting on information that should be in the public domain.

Understand this, not just cranks tapping out blogs are uncomfortable with the secrecy surrounding KCC, I'm sure last December quite a few of Carter's own colleagues were disquieted that for some weeks the senior officer of the council had been away from her desk for some long time before Paul Carter decided to mention a hitherto secret redundancy.

Some businessmen in Kent have been perturb as Kent Council has in the last few years, blundered into various commercial activities, still you'll be pleased to know that a report has been prepared independently, unfortunately if you've read Paul Francis account or even if you haven't you probably wont be shocked to find out that although the report has been recently leaked to Kent Messenger papers, Paul Carter and his inner circle choose not to release it to fellow councillors.

Paul Carter and other senior Conservative councillors hold their cards close to chest, still it's an unfortunate irony that the money on the table is that of hard working taxpayers of Kent and not the personal property of Tory toffs. 

Labour having a laugh?

I can only imagine the latest posting on the Thanet Lab blog has been written by Clive Hart, over the top with the cliché in the first paragraph "Thanet Labour have won an historic victory in Westgate-On-Sea" isn't everything historic, even these words, as they change the pixels on my screen from white to black.

The second para opens well enough "We are now delighted to welcome Councillor Jodie Hibbert as the newest member" I'm sure the newest Thanet councillor has the best wishes of us all, (God knows enough dinosaurs, roam Thanet council chamber, but the things rapidly decline, with this pompous statement  "This result sends a message to David Cameron and his Government that they are taking the country in the wrong direction. err no it doesn't, assuming anyone would trouble David Cameron with the results of a by election in some tin pot seaside town, they'd most likely point out just under 70% of the electorate rejected Labour, rather reassuring I'd say with the votes split in the main by various rightwing parties.

I find this comment to be rather cheeky  "Thanet Labour will continue to fight on behalf of the residents of Thanet and do everything we can to soften the blow of the Coalition's ill prepared plans." it prompts question what have Labour done for the people of Thanet, apart from attacking social housing and fighting jobs, oh and looking after Thanet Independent Group. 

I'd like to say Cllr Clive Hart "you couldn't make up" referring to this blog post but I'm afraid he probably has! Anyway, dear reader, go have a look at Thanet Lab blog and then feel free to make your comments back here, as it seems that Thanet Labour don't allow free comment, has anyone noticed how few Labour party members, take place in local debate, has the likes of Cllr David Green Mayor of Ramsgate been gagged?

Finally I don't doubt that Cllr Jodie Hibbert, will be in for a bit of a disappointment come the next council elections, still maybe she and Will Scobie could breath some life, in to a party that appears to have become a throwback to the looney labour party, of the nineteen seventies, during recent times we've seen one hardworking councillor, de-selected and replaced by a candidate having flirted with several leftwing parties, we've seen jobs given and created for  supporters outside the labour party costing thousands of pounds which have been diverted from community services.

Lunchtime thought - Are Southern water not telling us something ?

Sitting just by the Great Wall of Ramsgate having lunch in the adjacent cafe, as an Environment Agency van pulls up, out pops to a couple of people, one in what I take to be protective clothing.

After five or so minutes they return I assume a sample is placed in the back of the van.

The thought occurs is there anything Southern Water are keeping schtum about?

LABOUR WIN- Regime receives life line courtesy of UKIP

Good win and well done for Jodi Hibert and Labour, last night in the Westgate-on-sea by election, obviously this will strengthen Labours grip on power, perhaps this might be a good thing for the council.

Well done to everyone who took part especially , Bill Furness, James Maskell and more importantly the voters who took the time to go and vote, scores (draft figures) were as follows (courtesy of James Maskell)

Hibbert [LAB] - 482
Maskell [CON] - 377
Ashbee [IND] - 316
Elenor [UKIP] - 298
Furness [LIB] - 64
Mendelsohn [IND] - 22


Turnout 30.56%

No doubt without, the intervention of UKIP, James Maskell would have romped home to win the seat but still without the negativity and bias of the press reporting the coalition government,  Bill Furness a dedicated parish councillor (Birchington), would have scored far better.

How the news broke to a waiting world

Still lets look on the bright side maybe, Cllr Clive Hart can afford to develop a bit of backbone in dealing with some of the wild eyed, uniquely special people, that frighten the more rational amongst us, who make up his rag bag coalition group, he even he could now show some principle in dealing with homophobic colleagues, instead of a token and shabby 1 month suspension, he could give dish out a proper penalty and show some moral authority like his counter part Cllr Bob Bayford.

dark times indeed

I woke at five this morning, it was grey outside, fox cubs were playing in the garden, Missy the Cat was sleeping, me I was waking up in the back room having fallen asleep to the sound of BBC's news channel, very hypnotic the way the same headlines and stories, are repeated monotonously and any disturbing news filtering into my consciousness will be put to rights with BBC journalists gently giving child like explanations, and a dash of social perspective. If only local matters were so easily dealt with.

Still with the sun shining, for the later part of the morning over the hump and into early afternoon things have turned dark indeed, I was planning,  first to post the good news that Cllr Ken Gregory could put the past behind him, particularly in the context of Cllr Mike Harrisons Labour reaching agreement to be nice or whatever! to Cllr Ian Driver although troubled as most of us are, since the much publicised kerfuffle of Cllr Mike Harrison receiving a warning from Kent Police under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, required him according to press reports not to contact Cllr Driver, even through third parties, the shock that they can now work together with just a month if that having elapsed is compounded by this from Cllr Ian Driver reported  in the Telegraph "In my opinion Mike Harrison should be treated in the same way as Ken Gregory and suspended from his group. If he has any honour he should stand down as a councillor. I hope Mike Harrison will follow the terms of the notice. I will be complaining to the standards committee.

Just to clarify things, I've contacted Kent police, wondering if having made a complaint of some er hate crime I think, whether Cllr Mike Harrsion is now allowed to communicate with Cllr Driver and just out of curiosity, whether Cllr Ian Driver given the quick change in mood in their relationship, might have wasted police resources?

"Dark Forces" another quality production from the mysterious Independent Media Society (The Red Hall) left leaning group features Cllr John Worrow, who complains that nobody from the Conservative group, has apologised, since Cllr Ken Gregory left an abusive phone message,  and why should they, the comment was made by Ken Gregory in a private capacity, he has been suspended from the Tory group for six months, Mike Harrison who made homophobic comment, was suspended for a token one month, something the hapless and challenged Cllr Clive Hart Labour leader, ought to be ashamed of.

How astonishing is the behaviour of some councillors but how reasonable the decision of Thanet council's standards committee that he (Gregory) did not break its code of conduct, as he was acting privately.  Anyhow may I suggest you view the video below, and that all Thanet councillors take a chill pill, things are frankly out of hand, nobody even old gits like myself, gives a flying toss about homosexuality, (in either positive or negative sort of way) so please stop going on. Myself I get do however get hacked off when councillors take my money and then threaten me with police action for comments on this site.

Preoccupied

I've been preoccupied every two years, assuming I want to eat, by that I mean keep working, on the railway in my case, it's necessary to redo track safety courses, not the toughest thing in the world but even experienced people fail the basic competency, anyway I've had three days of new rule books, changed terms, tests and scenarios and flippin safety videos many of which are available on youtube but worth a gander for anyone who thinks the railway is playground..

Anyways the subject of other safety related videos came up, one of which was mentioned but not available at the time was this one in which at least one and possibly a couple of distracted trainspotters were lucky to not kill themselves,  Still little is new in this world and I stumbled across this next item a safety film for London Underground I guess from the 1940's? showing that the idea of using film to get over a message is not new, I just hope that they didn't electrocute one of the workers just to illustrate the dangers, fortunately safety is much improved, I can't imagine for a minute using un-insulated shovel near a live conductor rail (650-750 volts) Tomorrow hopefully I shall resume normal service.

What is this Driver week?

Not a supporter of Ian Driver myself, I find it strange that Driver thinks has a chance as  a candidate for the role Police and Crime Commissioner as per this announcement from Ian Driver?

"I will be standing on a progressive platform calling for the reform of old fashioned and unworkable drugs and prostitution laws which will save £billions in police funding, which can be re-invested into community policing and cracking down on crime and disorder. I also want to Kent Police to take a much tougher stance on domestic abuse, hate crime and dangerous driving."

"Without the backing of a big party machine I will be reliant on donations from the Kent public to fund my campaign and pay the £5,000 election deposit. This is a chance for the people of Kent to have powerful, independent and non-party political person heading up law and order in the county".

For myself I would like to see a candidate, and I'm sure this does not apply to anyone we know, who is "independent" whether flitting from Labour to obscure left wing socialist activist led organisations and back to Labour over several years qualifies someone as a non-party person, is a moot point,  I have my doubts.

I don't want someone who is happy have principles, involve the police and then for political expediency cuts a deal with someone we are lead to believe is involved in Hate Crime, which as we all know is never trivial but always vile and unforgivable.

The ideal independent candidate in my book would be a normal sort of working person, not involved in extreme politics, who earns their money in the real world economy not through public sector, quangos or welfare, who has a respect for police and public perhaps but with some objectivity, who can recognise issues such as Kent  Police finding 30% of reported rape cases being non crimes.

Elsewhere this Press Release from local conservatives makes interesting reading

Press Release 2 July 2012

Cllrs Driver and Harrison – Lies and Hypocrisy

The TDC Conservative Group notes with interest that Cllr Ian Driver and Cllr Mike Harrison have agreed to work together, after Cllr Harrison referred to Cllr Driver as a ‘shirt lifting gender bender’.

Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Bob Bayford commented: “This is a cynical arrangement which ensures that both parties continue to exercise influence via the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and both continue to collect their Special Responsibility Allowances for doing so.  

“Before receiving an Harrassment Notice from Kent Police and admitting that ‘I probably did say them things (sic)’, Cllr Harrison claimed on several occasions that his Facebook account had been hacked by the Conservative Group in an attempt to smear him.  He has never apologised for these outrageous lies. The Labour Group has failed to call him to account for this.

“They have also failed to officially register Cllr Harrison’s derisory one month’s suspension, a period which did not include a single council meeting.”

The sudden announcement of the Councillors’ rapprochement came just days after Cllr Driver was quoted in the Isle of Thanet Gazette on 22 June as saying: “There is no place for misogyny and homophobia in politics.  If you put yourself up for public office to represent people, that must include everyone regardless of their gender or sexuality.  If you have these views, you are not fit for public office.”

-ENDS-

Preston Rally & East Kent Show

Still in Grandad mode today, another first for me and I suspect my grand daughter, the Preston and East Kent Show, marvellous a sort of manageable County Show, plenty of variety  not too big and not to small,  can't really tell what a two year old makes of it all, driving out into the countryside, to a make shift car park, in a field, then queueing up, to pay for the privilege, dodging the rain, beer tent, fun fair, vintage cars, lorries, tractors and steam tractors.

I think a special mention should go to Preston Village Society, tea tent, nice cuppa and superb scones for a not unreasonable £2, thanks to all those who made it such a brilliant event, a perfect day out in pleasant part of Kent.

Wildlife at Wingham

In grandad mode this weekend, so fairly busy, couldn't give a toot for politics, have yet to scan the Sunday papers, pleasantly surprised yesterday by the quality and variety of Wingham Wildlife Park, having driven past many, many times thinking it's something to visit later and later rarely comes.

Still thankfully have one of our wonderful grand children staying for the weekend, so no excuse for sitting at home festering in front of laptop.

Spent around four hours and could have spent longer, although the car park was busy, inside the park, it didn't seem overly crowded, marvellous to sit and watch flamingoes, even better to watch our granddaughter enchanted by the meerkats.

Have to say that the park was has some great opportunities for children to have contact with animals  and importantly for parents of young children hand cleaner is available at every location where they come into contact.

A great variety of animals to see, even butterflies in the tropical section marvellous, and if you cannot find anything to enjoy, at Wingham Wildlife Park I'd surprised. I now regret driving past so often. Below is some film of a butterfly.