A Helping Hand

I've mentioned the Canalside Heritage Centre on here a few times, as it's an exciting and worthwhile project. The plan is to turn some derelict lock cottages into a heritage, arts and educational centre.

The work is progressing well, with the renovations are really making a difference to how the buildings look. Interestingly, most of the building materials have been delivered by boat, as the location is difficult for wheeled vehicles.

The projet team have recently entered a competition that is being run by Marks and Spencer's, to win a biomass boiler, which is worth £12.500.

A member of the project team was out in Beeston today to promote the competition and to get shoppers to vote for them.

They are presently running second, so to help them win, I am asking everyone who reads this post, if they would kindly pop over to the M&S website and vote. The project is listed under the Central East area.

The website address is accessed through this Weblink

Thanks. And I'll let you all know if you have made a difference.

In Or Out?

On June 23rd, the UK has a vote on whether it want's to remain in the European Union, or come out.  It joined in 1973, and is one of 28 countries that make up the EU.

I went along to the Parish Church tonight, as there was going to be a debate about whether the country would be better off being in or going out. I was hoping to get some sort of answer, as I really don't know at the moment. Yes, I can see the advantages, and I can also see the problems. One being in how the EU actually operates, and what unfair influence it can have on a country.

There were a group of six people, sadly in a way all men, that were going to answer questions suggested by the audience. I submitted one about getting to the actual facts, despite all the scare stories, false information and general propaganda instigated by both sides.  This panel consisted of a couple of academics from the University of Nottingham. One Greek and one from Pennsylvania, America. Both professors. Also present was the BBC's local political correspondent John Hess.

There were around a hundred people in the audience, who were mainly of the older generation. As people were entering the church, they are asked if they would like to vote; in, out or don't know. I of course voted 'don't know'.

The discussion went on for a couple of hours, and touched on subjects like trade, immigration and travel. It was quite interesting to hear a discussion, rather than a dogfight, which you usually get with politicians.

At the end though I still am not fully convinced either way. But as John Hess said, everyone should vote, even if it means tossing a coin.  Heads in, tails out.

'X' Marks The Spot

Today the UK goes to the polls to vote for who is going to be their next MP, and which party will be in charge of the country for the next five years. We've had loads of promotional bumf through the letterbox over the last few weeks from all the parties that have put up candidates, telling us how wonderful their party is and what amazing things they are going to do to make the country better and richer.

I popped down to my polling station after work which used a local church hall for it's base to use my vote. It was actually quite a difficult decision to make. I had six candidates to choose from. I instantly ignored three of them, but it took some thought of who to pick from the remaining three, as I consider one candidate to be a friend, another I've met a few times, and the other represents the party I feel closer too.  So after some consideration I put my X in the box. Just have to wait until tomorrow to find out how everyone did, and whether my choice made it through.

I also had to vote for councillors to represent me on our local council. This was much easier, as I was allowed to vote for two people, so didn't take so much brain power.

Stand Up And Be Counted

There has been a recent publicity drive by the council, reminding people that they should register, so they can vote in both future local and national elections. Not that many people do. In most elections, only around a third to a half of the population put their X in the box. It may have something to do with the lack of choice, or people have realised that politicians don't keep their promises once elected. Personally I think everyone should be made to vote & there should be a box on the voting form which says something like 'I don't like any of the candidates'.