tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15281747038076341502024-03-05T16:53:11.005+00:00The World According to Ian JelfThoughts, views, musings and comment from someone who sees the world just that little bit differently.......Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-27792473170926974672013-04-10T10:36:00.001+00:002013-04-10T10:40:13.045+00:00Ian Jelf Guided Tours Spring Walks Series 2013 <br />
Welcome to the first part of my Spring series of Ian Jelf Public Walks.<br />
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<b>Saturday 20 April 2013</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A brand new <b>Birmingham Sculpture Trail</b>, looking at some of Birmingham's amazing collection of public art. (Morning, 11.00am - c1.00pm)<br />
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<b>Sunday 19 May 2013</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A <b>Dudley Discovery Walk</b>, looking at the "Capital of the Black Country" and its many surprises. (Afternoon. 2.30pm - c4.30pm)<br />
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<b>Saturday 1 June 2013</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My long awaited <b>"Bearwood & Warley Wander"</b>, around the delights of Victorian Bearwood and the surprising rural charm of Warley Woods and Lightwoods. (Afternoon, slightly longer walk, 2.30pm - c5.00pm)<br />
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<b>Sunday 2 June 2013</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Bridgnorth, a Town of Two Halves</b>, the High and Low Towns of Shropshire's unique riverside fortress. Timed so that people can make a day of it using the Severn Valley Railway if necessary (2.30pm - 4.30pm)<br />
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To book and of the walks, or if you have any queries, then just drop an e-mail to ian@bluebadge.co.uk .<br />
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<i>I've made a slight increase in cost (to £9.00). I've done this partly to ensure than I can keep running the walks for smaller groups. I've had some good feedback about keeping the numbers down and this the best way of ensuring that. It's the way to keep me in business, not to pay for a holiday home in Antibes!</i><br />
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I've really appreciated the support these walks have had, especially over the cold winter. I'm looking forward to meeting more friends, old and new, during what I really hope will be better weather!<br />
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All the best.<br />
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Ian Jelf<br />
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Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-73346327535793843932012-09-13T07:14:00.003+00:002012-09-13T07:15:03.850+00:00<br />
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<st1:personname><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; font-size: 36.0pt;">Ian Jelf</span></b></st1:personname><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; font-size: 36.0pt;"> Guided </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; font-size: 36.0pt;">Tours</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; font-size: 36.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; font-size: 28.0pt;">Autumn
Walks Series 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Hello there!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Well, after a
successful spring and summer season of Ian Jelf Guided Tours walks and that
amazing summer of national celebration and sport, here at last is my autumn
series of walking tours around the </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Midlands</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Some of these,
like </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Wolverhampton</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Shrewsbury</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> are the result of requests while others are a mixture of old
favourites with a new slant and some walks which I think will appeal to some of
my more long-standing customers.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">And as the nights
draw in and we think of Halloween (!) there are some of the ever popular walks
with a ghostly, ghoulish and downright grisly theme…….</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday 23 September </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span lang="EN-GB"> A to B<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday 7 October </span></b><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB">Tamworth</span></b></st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB"> Old and New<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Saturday 13 October Mediaeval </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB">Shrewsbury</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Thursday 25 October Ghosts of Old Bridgnorth (evening)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday 28 October </span></b><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB">Wolverhampton</span></b></st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Saturday 3 November Ghosts of Old </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span lang="EN-GB"> (evening)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">To book any of these, simply drop me an
e-mail to <a href="mailto:ian@bluebadge.co.uk">ian@bluebadge.co.uk</a> then pay
(currently £8 per person) when you turn up. Guests
are very welcome and if you know anyone else who’d like to go on my mailing
list, do please let me know.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I need a reasonable number of bookings to
ensure that these go ahead so I appreciate people booking as much in advance as
possible. If you’ve any questions, do
just drop me an e-mail.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Many thanks and best wishes.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i>Ian</i></span></div>
Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-41030179640493931502012-04-17T06:55:00.001+00:002012-04-17T07:03:46.070+00:00Ian Jelf Public Walks: King's Norton & Birmingham's Forgotten Canal, Sunday 22 April 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eYiRT7rPOHX1KZlf1sulsh_pcY5ieie4rDmdkPhlqjv4xB60EN-XtMTMEFzCePiuRkL8fcQ5qaPKrIs76toMcp9QYUpmUQM9fK8N0NRJ8CKRNyBmznn9UvmMzvMwpSMRD5Ssu7djpGw/s1600/LH+035a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eYiRT7rPOHX1KZlf1sulsh_pcY5ieie4rDmdkPhlqjv4xB60EN-XtMTMEFzCePiuRkL8fcQ5qaPKrIs76toMcp9QYUpmUQM9fK8N0NRJ8CKRNyBmznn9UvmMzvMwpSMRD5Ssu7djpGw/s320/LH+035a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd5wxwlm2x-RhZRtqet5-DnNQUhuGrInV_Ei8juCmihTq_WzzDQ-w_zIaM5FWclvolYmYduLtCekloAtCyuWg7CCHSxHtlvUNsbNP0WUoPx7Uktxi-gVqrNz7n24SdYI4a9EVoe40Ma8/s1600/LH+080a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd5wxwlm2x-RhZRtqet5-DnNQUhuGrInV_Ei8juCmihTq_WzzDQ-w_zIaM5FWclvolYmYduLtCekloAtCyuWg7CCHSxHtlvUNsbNP0WUoPx7Uktxi-gVqrNz7n24SdYI4a9EVoe40Ma8/s200/LH+080a.jpg" width="101" /></a>I'm running a slightly unusual walking tour this Sunday in the Birmingham suburb of King's Norton.<br />
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Once a separate Worcestershire village, it still has a lot of village attributes. But it also allows some exploration of transport modes (roads, railways and above all canals) and has some real contrasts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The walk costs £8pp. You can pay on the day but you need to book in advance by sending an e-mail to ian@bluebadge.co.uk . We meet for a 10.30am departure outside the main (Cotteridge) entrance to King's Norton Station and finish nearby about 1.00pm.<br />
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You can find more details on my work Facebook site at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/393068530718677/">https://www.facebook.com/events/393068530718677/</a> .Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-58526294697207885292012-04-04T17:59:00.000+00:002012-04-04T17:59:43.871+00:00Easter Walking Tours<h3><i><span lang="EN-GB">More from the Ian Jelf Guided </span><st1:place><st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">Tours Spring</span></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><st1:postalcode><span lang="EN-GB">2012</span></st1:postalcode></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> Season</span></i></h3><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Fancy something to fill the Easter weekend that’s fun, healthy, sociable and doesn’t involve watching “The Great Escape” or James Bond on the telly? Then join one (or both!) of my walking tours over Easter.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">There are two of them, on in Bromsgrove on </span><st1:date day="7" month="4" year="2012"><span lang="EN-GB">Saturday 7 April 2012</span></st1:date><span lang="EN-GB"> and the other in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> on Easter Monday </span><st1:date day="9" month="4" year="2012"><span lang="EN-GB">9 April 2012</span></st1:date><span lang="EN-GB">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The Bromsgrove walk is a classic bit of Ian Jelf, though I say it myself. It involves taking a town that isn’t famous for being especially, well, famous and uncovering all sorts of hidden surprises and delights.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> walk is a bit different and is an idea I’ve been working on for a while. It’s called “Now and Then” and takes a look at how </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> has changed over the years using old photographs and drawings.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Both walks begin at </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="0"><span lang="EN-GB">11.00am</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-GB"> and last for about two hours. The cost of each is £8pp but you do need to book in advance to ensure a place. To do this, simply drop an e-mail to <a href="mailto:ian@bluebadge.co.uk">ian@bluebadge.co.uk</a> or a text to (o7976) 251785.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-84698474128529397722012-03-19T11:45:00.000+00:002012-03-19T11:45:09.962+00:00Ian Jelf Public Walks: Bournville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaAxJpiVUcVg6vNsgTWkdXSmOszYhVYK07TM9uufH3z2WYzq07DFmZFrViAKU0cfZCZ923uS-izjW2CwunPN-pm2XTJZk3sa-yHr2J4iuHYmI8bqz3EJIvPCvfMDiuFrhBPcAi5zG_ow/s1600/B+123+Selly+Manor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaAxJpiVUcVg6vNsgTWkdXSmOszYhVYK07TM9uufH3z2WYzq07DFmZFrViAKU0cfZCZ923uS-izjW2CwunPN-pm2XTJZk3sa-yHr2J4iuHYmI8bqz3EJIvPCvfMDiuFrhBPcAi5zG_ow/s320/B+123+Selly+Manor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Do you fancy joining me for a walking tour of the fascinating Birmingham suburb of Bournville this Saturday (24 March 2012)?<br />
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There's a lot more to the area than a visit to the Cadbury World attraction, you know. This was probably the world's first planned "Garden Village", established in the 1890s to liberate workers from slum housing and allowing them to live in green landscaped with fresh air, quality housing and excellent social facilities.<br />
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The walk shows us how the village has experimented with housing styles, relieved unemployment, dealt with heritage, religion and the problems of alcohol and much more besides.<br />
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The walk starts in front of Lloyds TSB which is on Sycamore Road, very close to Bournville Village Green. Bournville Station is about a 10 minute walk away and Outer Circle 11 buses stop nearby. It lasts about two hours and ends back nearby. The cost is £8 per person and you can pay on the day. You do need to book in advance, though; just send me an e-mail to ian@bluebadge.co.uk .<br />
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It's a great walk and at a lovely time of year to see the place. I hope you can join me.<br />
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</div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-15924354193995788702012-02-23T10:30:00.000+00:002012-02-23T10:30:42.081+00:00Ian Jelf Public Walks: Spring 2012<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’m announcing the Spring 2012 season of my public walking.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, what's new?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Well, I'm re-running the "Ghosts of Old Sutton Coldfield" walk on the evening of Sunday 18 March. That's Mothering Sunday, so I reasoned that an evening was probably a better time to do a walk that day, as many of you will no doubt be "occupied" during the day!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are two NEW walks in Birmingham City Centre, one (on Saturday 14 April 2012) looking at Crime and Punishment through the ages and the other (on Easter Monday) using pictures to show how the City has changed and changed again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Further out, there's another new walk in King's Norton (Sunday </span><st1:date day="22" month="4" year="2012"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">22 April 2012</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">), including a lot of off-roading on lesser-known canals as well as some super old buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And staying on the South side of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> there's a walk in the stunning garden </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">village</span></st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bournville</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> on </span><st1:date day="24" month="3" year="2012"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Saturday 24 March 2012</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. There really is more to Bournville than chocolate, I promise!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Oh and completing the set, on Easter Saturday, why don't you join me for a less-obvious destination and come for a walk around the North Worcestershire town of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bromsgrove</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. There's a lot to see and if you want to make a day of it then the brilliant Avoncroft Museum of Buildings isn't far away and nor are the Lickey Hills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, in brief, the programme is:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><st1:date day="18" month="3" year="2012"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sunday 18 March 2012</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Spectral Sutton Coldfield </span><st1:time hour="19" minute="0"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">7.00pm - 9.00pm</span></st1:time></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><st1:date day="24" month="3" year="2012"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Saturday 24 March 2012</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bournville</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Village</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="0"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">11.00am - 1.00pm</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> =20<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Easter </span><st1:date day="7" month="4" year="2012"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Saturday 7 April 2012</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bromsgrove </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="0"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">11.00am - 1.00pm</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Easter Monday </span><st1:date day="9" month="4" year="2012"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">9 April 2012</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Now and Then </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="0"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">11.00am - 1.00pm</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><st1:date day="14" month="4" year="2012"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Saturday 14 April 2012</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Crime & Punishment </span><st1:time hour="10" minute="30"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">10.30am - 1.00pm</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><st1:date day="22" month="4" year="2012"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sunday 22 April 2012</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">King's Norton...and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">'s forgotten Canal </span><st1:time hour="10" minute="30"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">10.30am - 1.30pm</span></st1:time></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:time hour="10" minute="30"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></st1:time></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:time hour="10" minute="30"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></st1:time></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:time hour="10" minute="30"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All the walks cost £8 per person. Advance booking is essential. Just send an e-mail to ian@bluebadge.co.uk to reserve your space. You can just pay when you turn up, though.</span></st1:time></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:time hour="10" minute="30"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></st1:time></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:time hour="10" minute="30"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Oh and if you've any questions, just drop a line ot the same e-mail address.<br />
<br />
All the best and hope to see you soon</span></st1:time></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-70229945707961354192012-01-03T17:20:00.001+00:002012-01-06T10:03:17.619+00:00Ian Jelf Winter Public Walks Series<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB">Happy New Year!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB">To start the new year, to blow away the cobwebs and to walk off some of the extra pounds gained over Christmas, why not join me for one or two (or more) of this little season of guided walks I’m putting on over the next few weeks?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB">There are some old favourites like a couple of looks at offbeat and unusual </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> to start the New Year. Then there are two walks in the </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Black Country</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">, in Wednesbury and Bilston. Quite a few people have asked for tours over that way and I’ve chosen these so that people in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> can reach them easily, too, on the Metro. Also in response to requests, I’m running walks in the fascinating </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> suburb of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Northfield</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> and also in </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Solihull</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">, which has all sorts of tales up its sleeve.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB">Last but absolutely not least, some of the most popular walks I did last year were the “Ghosts of Old Birmingham” ones, so building on this I’m pleased to offer “Spectral Sutton Coldfield” as a new spin off. Do watch out for more of these.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; tab-stops: 144.0pt;"><st1:date day="8" month="1" year="2012"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday 8 January 2012</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">: the Basics! </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="0"><span lang="EN-GB">11.00am – 1.00pm</span></st1:time></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><st1:date day="21" month="1" year="2012"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Saturday 21 January 2012</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Northfield</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> afternoon walk </span><st1:time hour="14" minute="0"><span lang="EN-GB">2.00pm – 4.00pm</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><st1:date day="4" month="2" year="2012"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Saturday 4 February 2012</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Wednesbury 11.00am – 1.00pm<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><st1:date day="11" month="2" year="2012"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Saturday 11 February 2012</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Spectral Sutton Coldfield </span><st1:time hour="19" minute="0"><span lang="EN-GB">7.00pm – 9.00pm</span></st1:time><b><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><st1:date day="12" month="2" year="2012"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday 12 February 2012</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Bilston 11.00am – 1.00pm<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><st1:date day="19" month="2" year="2012"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday 19 February 2012</span></b></st1:date><b><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></b><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Solihull</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><st1:time hour="14" minute="0"><span lang="EN-GB">2.00pm – 4.00pm</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">To book any of these, simply drop me an e-mail to <a href="mailto:ian@bluebadge.co.uk">ian@bluebadge.co.uk</a> then pay (£8 per person) when you turn up. Guests are very welcome and if you know anyone else who’d like to go on my mailing list, do please let me know.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I need a reasonable number of bookings to ensure that these go ahead so I appreciate people booking as much in advance as possible. If you’ve any questions, do just drop me an e-mail to <a href="mailto:ian@bluebadge.co.uk">ian@bluebadge.co.uk</a>. Please don't turn up without booking and receiving a confirmation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Many thanks and best wishes for a happy, peaceful, prosperous and above all healthy 2012.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Ian</span></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-58188459486603836672011-12-21T19:25:00.000+00:002011-12-21T19:25:39.422+00:00Aston Manor Road Transport Museum<div><br />
</div><div>Some of you will know of the <a href="http://www.amrtm.org/" target="_blank">Aston Manor Road Transport Museum,</a> a collection of vintage public transport vehicles, moistly from the West Midlands, which has existed for many years inside the old Witton Tram Depot in Birmingham.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Well, after a long period of uncertainty, issues surrounding the future of the building and the funding of the Museum have come to a head and the collection needs to find a new home. This is a long, involved story and rather sad story which I won't recount here, although you can read more about it <a href="http://www.amrtm.org/future.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Well, through the good offices of Walsall council, a new home has been found in Aldridge (hooray!) but (<i>there's always a "but", isn't there?</i>) the Museum now have the not insignificant logistical problem of actually moving a lot of the exhibits. To make matters worse, the City Council want possession of the site by 28 December 2011; not a good time of year to arrange this, is it? Given the fact that these are in many cases full-sized vehicles and pieces of heavy equipment this really is a major issue and the good folks there have appealed for help. Specifically, they need things like a fork lift capable of lifting up to a ton, a suitable vehicle onto which to lift them and similar help at the Aldridge end.</div><div><br />
</div><div>If anyone reading this knows of someone able to provide help in this manner, could they contact Richard from the Museum on 0121-449 4606 as a matter of some urgency.</div><div><br />
</div><div>And even if you can't passing this message on via the likes of Facebook and Twitter would be appreciated. I can't help personally but am happy to use my online presence to spread the word that help is needed.</div><div><br />
</div><div>If, as they say, you know a man who can, do get in touch with Richard.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Thanks.</div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-17008496129375894482011-12-19T19:57:00.000+00:002011-12-19T19:57:45.216+00:00Vegetarian Cuisine<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Mother-in-law is a vegetarian* so obviously needs a separate meal when she joins us for Christmas.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This often involves a bit of experimentation on Louise’s part, so tonight <i>our</i> meal was the “try out” for m-i-l’s Christmas Day lunch.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It was an unusual recipe: courgettes stuffed with ricotta and spinach and topped with pine nuts and roast breadcrumbs. It was very nice but it needed a little "something extra" to bring out the full flavour.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Louise though a bit more cranberry juice. I thought a lamb chop.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>* Eats fish. Don't get me started.</i></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-43361060851955369942011-12-18T18:39:00.007+00:002011-12-19T20:46:36.150+00:00Glass Houses, Stones, etc.I was having a rant during my Birmingham Walk today (<i>no, really?!</i>) about the fact that it's now possible to buy stupidly basic things in supermarkets, such a mashed potato, grated cheese and - saints preserve us - ice cubes.<br />
<br />
How embarrassed I am, therefore, to have come back to find that Louise is including in tonight's meal.......supermarket bought mashed potato with swede.<br />
<br />
<i>(Mind you I do love all root vegetables, the rest of what she's working on sounds delicious: chicken with feta.)</i>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-43881383159055373722011-12-13T19:39:00.001+00:002011-12-13T19:40:40.271+00:00Tropicana: Decision Day<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">While out today, I learned of the decision of North Somerset Council to press ahead with the demolition of the Weston-super-Mare’s old Open Air Swimming Pool, latterly the Tropicana.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This is a subject I’ve been writing and blogging about quite intensely recently, in the apparently vain hope that the structure would have a last-minute reprieve. Well, that hasn’t happened and now it looks as though the place will be demolished.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This is very sad, although <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16161746">today’s events in </a></span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16161746">Liege</a></span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> have rather put subjects like built heritage into perspective. It’s sad and regrettable. It’s not a tragedy.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Even now – eternal optimist that I am – I hope that it won’t happen and that sense will prevail. This is undoubtedly not likely but I won’t give up hope until the demolition gangs move in and the concrete ball swings. </span></p>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-87275599270678119892011-12-13T19:24:00.003+00:002011-12-14T10:24:34.205+00:00Liege<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Those of you that knew me back then might remember that I spent a lot of the early nineties tour managing, ie taking British groups on tours around </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Britain</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> and the Continent.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">For complex reasons I won’t go into here, I spent a lot (and I mean a <i>lot</i>) of that time staying with coach groups in the very pleasant Belgian city of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=Liege&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1920&bih=961&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x47c0f74b8eacfcfb:0x40099ab2f4d6b40,Li%C3%A8ge,+Belgium&gl=uk&ei=kKbnTs-YFYm48gOhsoz3CQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=7&ved=0CF4Q8gEwBg">Liege</a></span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">. So for that reason, I was especially horrified to hear today’s news story about <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16161746">the shootings and explosions there</a>. I know the Place Saint Lambert, where they took place, very well indeed. In fact I often went there to visit the Christmas Market which is on at the moment.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Of course, hearing about this sort of thing is always upsetting but when you know the place well, when you can imagine exactly where the reporters and witnesses are describing, it has a particularly disturbing resonance.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">For most people, tourism in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Belgium</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> follows a well trodden and highly touristy path around the Flemish cities of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Bruges</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Ghent</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Brussels</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">. So working in </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Wallonia</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">, the French-speaking Southern part of the country, was refreshingly different and I can to some extent thank the citizens of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Liege</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> for helping me to learn and to speak French, albeit with limitations!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Thus I’ve always had a fondness for the place, despite not having been there now for the best part of a decade I should think.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Chers Liegeois, je pense a vous.</i></p>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-64470322330698270712011-12-12T16:51:00.004+00:002011-12-12T17:00:34.288+00:00The Decline of the High Street: Expertise in Shops<div><br /></div>I've always believed - through years of good service and advice - that the place to buy quality photographic equipment was Jessops.<br /><br />Today, at their (recently refitted) Cherry Street shop in Birmingham, I realised that they have now basically become a cross between Argos, Dixons and Amazon. It was just as well that I knew what I wanted, because the assistant wouldn't have had anything to say to me on the subject, despite his nice Nikon-branded fleece, his fixed smile and the fact that a black & white portrait of him and his many colleagues was hanging in the shop.<br /><br />I asked, I was told that the product was cheaper online, I was ushered to a computer where he logged on to the Jessops site and he ordered the piece for me. It arrived. It was what I wanted and it was competitively priced. But it was a world away from previous purchases there, where friendly, knowledgeable assistants advised me advice about investing next in a prime lens, about experimenting one day with RAW and lots of other little snippets which have helped me to take better pictures over the years.<br /><br />I suppose they don't get that many people wanting that sort of in depth service nowadays. They probably sell mostly automated compacts. But it struck me as another nail in the coffin of the traditional High Street.Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-69015696777057793402011-12-11T17:14:00.004+00:002011-12-11T17:17:35.647+00:00Weston Tropicana Website<div><br /></div>A minor development on the Weston-super-Mare Tropicana story. All is not (yet) lost and there is a glimmer of hope.<br /><br />Perhaps you'd do me the service of just taking s look at this site (and even of signing the petition, although I'm of the view that it will require a lot more than <i>that </i>to make a difference)?<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.tropicanawestonsupermare.co.uk/default.aspx">http://www.tropicanawestonsupermare.co.uk/default.aspx</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Many thanks.</div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-65626231926392672972011-12-10T17:48:00.006+00:002011-12-10T18:19:56.662+00:00Some thoughts on this week's UK Veto at the EU.......<div><br /></div>Well, where do I begin? Is it the end of the EU? (No.) Am I a xenophobic Little Englander? (No.) Are we now in a two speed Europe (Yes and we have been since the early 1980s.) Can I imagine the UK outside the EU? (No.) Will the UK one day leave the EU and concentrate on Commonwealth and wider world trading? (No.)<br /><div><br /></div><div>Had the UK not taken the position it had, then given government policy, a UK referendum on the change to our European Treaty obligations would have been necessary. Had such a referendum taken place, I think it would inevitably resulted in a heavy vote against acceptance.......putting us right into the position we're in now.</div><div><br /></div><div>People do love to blame "the bankers" for everything, forgetting that "the bankers" concerned are a tiny group of people, whereas the banking industry (which people would apparently like to shaft mercilessly until it ****s off somewhere else) employs thousands of ordinary people whose companies would at the very least contract, throwing more people out of work. Just what we need at the moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really am angry at the hypocrisy of the Labour Party stance in the last 48 hours. Had Gordon Brown or Ed Milliband been Prime Minister and gone off to this summit, do they really expect us to believe that they would have done anything different? And if they had, they'd have been slated for it anyway. They - and all UK politicians, including the remarkably subdued Liberal Democrats - know that tying the UK into a Euro-rescue policy would be both economically dangerous and electorally fatal.</div><div><br /></div><div>The fact is, "the bankers" didn't cause this particular problem. Nor even did the start of the recession in the US mortgage market cause it. <b>The Euro's problems stem from countries lying their way into the currency and then being allowed to do so by other countries that should have known better but which turned a blind eye in the name of the Great European Ideal.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>We're told that we're now "isolated". That might or might not be true. But given that the alternative was doing something we wouldn't want to do, then apparently "not being isolated" means "doing what other countries tell us"?</div><div><br /></div><div>And as has been said elsewhere, we're actually "isolated" in the same way that a passenger left on the dockside in Southampton was "isolated". When they missed the <i>Titanic</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-80762208411444924152011-12-04T10:37:00.000+00:002011-12-04T10:38:00.472+00:00Help: Structural Engineer Needed!<div>An odd request but using all avenues open to us.......</div><div><br /></div><div>I need to help find a structural engineer, preferably in the West of England but not essential if there's one elsewhere. (This is tied up with efforts to save the former Open Air Pool - "The Tropicana" - in Weston-s-Mare.)</div><div><br /></div><div>If you can help or know anyone who can, e-mail me at ian@bluebadge.co.uk and I'll pass on details as necessary.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you.</div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-85994205263624748962011-11-28T16:30:00.004+00:002011-12-12T20:25:20.749+00:00Mixed News in WestonNothing like ups and downs, is there?<br /><br />I began today reading this article:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/town_s_seafront_works_pick_up_award_1_1138720">http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/town_s_seafront_works_pick_up_award_1_1138720</a><div><br /></div><div>explaining that the new sea front works in Weston-s-Mare had been given an award. Good. Much needed work and a much deserved award. Makes the town appear to be on the up. All very positive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, this afternoon comes this:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/breaking_news_tropicana_set_for_demolition_1_1139246">http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/breaking_news_tropicana_set_for_demolition_1_1139246</a></div><div><br /></div><div>For those of you that don't know, the Tropicana was for a few years the name for what had for years been called simply "the bathing pool". This was Weston's vast open air swimming pool (able to accommodate 1,500 bathers at a time), venue for diving displays, beauty pageants (a young Diana Dors came third in a beauty contest here!) and a valuable swimming resource in a resort where the sea can sometimes be a bit far off.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the eighties it was redeveloped, losing the iconic art deco diving board but gaining a wave machine and some giant fruits down which one could slide into the pool. (It was better than I'm making it sound, honestly!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Then.......it was closed down. We were told that it was too expensive to run, that it wasn't suited to the British climate (only being able to open for part of the year), although how that differed from the previous sixty years seemed to be a moot point.</div><div><br /></div><div>Schemes to redevelop the pool came and went but always seemed to involve Something Else: an hotel, a bowling alley, a car park encroaching on the Beach Lawns opposite.</div><div><br /></div><div>And since the last of those schemes fell through, the place has effectively lain derelict, used to store materials for the seafront enhancement, an ignominious fate for so fine a structure.<br /><br />All the time, anyone with any sense sense (and there are plenty of those, believe me) has been saying that the answer is a remarkably simple one. Restore it as a pool, with a retractable roof, so that it could be used all year. It's in a good, accessible location and the town's only other swimming pool is well inland, on the edge of a suburban housing estate at Hutton Moor. The Tropicana site is ideal as a pool. To use modern parlance it's a no-brainer.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've become steadily more concerned by the apparent inability of the local council to understand that any pool scheme here needs to be simple to be affordable. But somehow, I always thought that the pool would, eventually come back. So today's news that demolition is likely has come as something of a bombshell.<br /><br />If these people allow (nay, cause) the loss of this facility, this monument, they will earn the enmity of all who truly love Weston-s-Mare. I for one will not forgive them. And I shall not be alone.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-6496307324551709272011-11-22T08:20:00.007+00:002011-11-22T08:39:29.956+00:00Ian Jelf Public Walks<div><br /></div>I have quite a pedigree of doing walking tours in both usual and distinctly "unusual" places.<br /><br /><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD8LASJ7Em9683DOkm0TD5CL08PMO5vEJXcQFo3C_v7WgewL112R7obortcVHR6WY1ZAY6w2ZDli1T-JK770P4rfm53MuqiMJkjH9VfYklGO17C2nh5Y7-Zr6qggVX9RY-LXz2GmdVrU/s200/W+020a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677736355069725474" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 115px; " />Well, I've now started running my own public tours in a small way, so that anyone, as long as they book in advance, can join in an Ian Jelf Walk. They're only occasional but they depend on uptake. I keep the groups deliberately small (usually a maximum of 20) and there's usually the<br />chance of a bit of sightseeing (or even shopping if you're that way inclined !) afterwards.<div><br /></div><div>At the moment, I have three walks on sale, namely:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sunday 27 November 2011 11am-1pm<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Saturday 3 December 2011 11am-1pm<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lichfield</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Wednesday 7 December 7pm-9pm<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ghosts of Old Shrewsbury</b></div><div><br /></div><div>All the walks cost £8 per person. Booking in advance but pay on the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can get more details either by sending me an e-mail to ian@bluebadge.co.uk or calling/texting on (07976) 251785. E-mail me and I'll add you to a mailing list, too, so you can be alerted to future walks.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you'd like more details of what I do and how I work, you can take a look at my website at <a href="http://www.bluebadge.co.uk/">www.bluebadge.co.uk</a> .</div><div><br /></div><div>And to help a little business which began in a back bedroom in Warley and grew to run walks from Durham to Winchester, from Taunton to Norwich.....come along and/or spread the word!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-31298076596506769692011-11-16T14:52:00.005+00:002011-11-28T12:52:38.881+00:00Weston's Other Pier<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-GB">Let me tell you the story of a Pier. Not the one you think I’m going to talk about. Another one. And one that needs your help. Stick with me to the end and then follow the links and help to make a difference…….</span></i></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 49px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XitY1aHAwxCN84R9brUrBHIYBeH9ES7TgciKiGq5-JJrjfGiaIGPJ-H-ooWRPEuBR2vGnBoC_Nl4gexTRNzxpTZNIW-6_WzkwMYRDdF98Cibxfrk0DHJ4h2Gc5zjM6hTzqpIARMlSJk/s200/B+052a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675609665793304946" /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">At the Northern end of Weston-s-Mare, the end that hardly any casual visitor gets to these days, is the town’s other, forgotten Pier.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This isn’t the famous Grand Pier, burned spectacularly in 2008, speedily rebuilt and the subject of other Blog Posts of mine. This is something altogether different, more historic, more interesting and certainly more threatened. This, dear reader, is Birnbeck, or the “Old” Pier.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Birnbeck Pier was designed by a man called Eugenius Birch, the IK Brunel of pier-building who is said to have designed no fewer than 14 around the British coast. None of his designs is what you might call “ordinary” but Birnbeck is even more unusual, for rather than being a simple pier, it is in fact a pier-cum-bridge, linking the mainland with the rocky islet of Birnbeck.</span></p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbut5FG9_mv9O30qNtudJwusJq9xWajhuYEiBze6ueReygil-qC91SYES0DATxOTvCjBhUUj72-NMwU2d43nZZXXdMLUhI08fx1AiW1YcJtSj7cZ1Y8DVrAvkMeBzB0jgdlBZGBGq5H0E/s200/W+005a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675611762798717058" /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Bristol Channel</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> is subject to the second highest tidal rise and fall in the world (<i>before you ask, it's the </i></span><st1:place><i><span lang="EN-GB">Bay of Fundy</span></i></st1:place><i><span lang="EN-GB"> in </span></i><st1:country-region><st1:place><i><span lang="EN-GB">Canada</span></i></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB">) which makes shipping hazardous and finding landing places useable for much of the day deeply problematic. Birnbeck managed to meet those criteria though and as early as the 1840s there were plans for a suspension bridge linking the island with the mainland so that it could be used as a landing place. These plans were to say the least problematic and in the event, the town had to wait until 1867 before the Pier was eventually opened.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It’s hard for us to imagine now what a major event this was. Flags flew, holidays were proclaimed and Weston took its place among those seaside resorts which “had arrived”.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">We tend nowadays to think of piers as pleasure places, for promenading and for amusements and Birnbeck came to have all this. It shouldn’t be forgotten though that they originally had a practical purpose as landing places and in the pre-Severn Bridge Bristol Channel this passenger steamer traffic was significant. The relatively wealthy mining population of </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">South Wales</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> would descend on Weston <i>en masse</i> at weekends and holidays and Birnbeck was their point of arrival. Indeed, a much repeated legend with probably more than a grain of truth was that many day trippers never left the confines of the Pier, it having more than enough to keep them occupied.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">For those venturing further afield, horse drawn carriages met the ferries at the Pier and from</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> 1902 Weston’s electric trams arrived. By then, though, railway excursion traffic was becoming important, too and the focus of the town moved ever more Southward, prompting the opening of the Grand Pier in 1904. (The Grand Pier has managed to burn down twice; Birnbeck has managed it only once, on Boxing Day 1897.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">During WWII, Birnbeck was requisitioned by the Admiralty for weapons testing, receiving the designation “HMS Birnbeck”. Their “Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapons Development” carried out some work here concerning the famous “Bouncing Bomb”. As I'm always telling sceptics, there's real history in that mud. (<i>And by the way, it's not mud at all. It's ozone-rich sand. So there.</i>)</span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QyS3aP0ihch3Mvmpmy6_6urLalgwliMFqdUTiaQEUfQYm29m1Upp24D8mu3Pmo8wXq73AW4FL_DSDnhWhUChJTM0_6Tk5XQN8zc4DFVf-JYbG5jl4BUov9jSgDnEn3mFY01PViElQK4/s200/B+057a+Advert+on+Bristol+FS6G+L8579.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675640157773913298" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 101px; " /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">After the War it was quickly business as usual and the steamer services of P&A Campbell continued to bring visitors over from </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">South Wales</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">, as well as taking Weston holidaymakers on day trips to other English and Welsh resorts. Indeed, in 1962 </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Campbell</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">’s bought the Pier. But for a variety of reasons the writing was on the wall.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Perhaps the biggest single factor was the opening of the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB">Severn</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB">Bridge</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> in 1966. Steamers continued for a while until the last trip left in 1979. In 1994 the quickly deteriorating Pier was closed and has not reopened since. The RNLI still use it (having made repairs so that their crews can reach one of the few all day launching places in the area) but even they are reported to have gone looking elsewhere for a site, should the worst happen.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">New owners, promising much from hotels to apartments on the island have come and gone and competitions for new designs have seen some suggestions which might be charitably described as “different”.<br /><br />But what actually stands there, albeit crumbling, is a beautiful, elegant Victorian pleasure palace. For the past couple of years or so the wonderful vintage <a href="http://www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/">Carters Steam Fair</a> has come to Weston with its brilliant period fairground equipment. And you know what? People, even the iPhone X-Box generation, <i>love</i> the simple old-fashioned stuff, so there’s certainly a market for it. A period looking hotel on the island would seem to have some possibilities, too. After all, it works at </span><st1:place><a href="http://www.burghisland.com/"><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB">Burgh</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB">Island</span></st1:placetype></a></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">So where are we? Well the Pier has now been sold (again) to two local businessmen, so let’s await the next plans.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><i>But I told you this long story to try to get you interested in this fabulous bit of surviving (albeit dilapidated) Victorian social history. There is a body of people, interested, caring people, called <a href="http://www.birnbeck-pier.co.uk/">The Friends of the Old Pier Society</a>. You can check out their new website at</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.birnbeck-pier.co.uk/"><i>http://www.birnbeck-pier.co.uk</i></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><i>you can buy <a href="http://www.birnbeck-pier.co.uk/contact.html#buy">Stan Terrell's new book</a>, or, as I’ve done, you can<a href="http://www.birnbeck-pier.co.uk/contact.html"> join them</a> as a member.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-GB">The Grand Pier came back from disaster and a generation ago so did <a href="http://www.clevedonpier.com/">Clevedon Pier</a>, just up the coast (possibly the most beautiful in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Britain</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> but that’s another story I must write about one day).</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><i>Let’s get the Old Pier back, too and put some life into this lovely bit of Weston. </i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-61315615697744735362011-11-16T11:34:00.003+00:002011-11-16T11:38:01.941+00:00M Shed<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Yesterday I was lucky enough to be taken on a behind the scenes guided tour of <a href="http://mshed.org/">M Shed</a>, Bristol’s new museum which has gained a great deal of attention lately.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It has a remarkable number of parallels with </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">’s <a href="http://www.thinktank.ac/">Think Tank</a> and I thought it might me interesting to share here my thoughts about the place.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">M Shed replaced the old </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB">Bristol</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB">Industrial</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB">Museum</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">, a much loved attraction on the City’s dockside but one which was not particularly well known to visitors. It’s fair to say that the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB">Industrial</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB">Museum</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> had become rather “worn”, although this always begs the question of who allowed that to happen in the first place?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of Think Tank and miss Birmingham’s old </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB">Museum</span></st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB"> of </span><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB">Science</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> and Industry very much. I don’t like over-reliance on interactive displays, nor a tendency to concentrate <i>only</i> on younger visitors. So it’s fair to say that hearing a lot of buzz-words used in conjunction with M Shed didn’t fill me with optimism.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">First impressions were good, though. The new museum takes full advantage of its position on the docks, with huge picture windows giving a truly panoramic view of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Bristol</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">’s skyline.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The second Big Thing is that admission is still FREE. There are the usual donations elicited and nominal charges for things like guided tours but otherwise, people can come and go as they wish. Not an easy thing to achieve in this day and age and Bristol City Council is to be applauded for it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">We were led first to the Museum’s store, where objects not currently on display are held. As with most museums, M Shed can only show s relatively small part of its collection at any given time but they’ve approached this “problem” in an innovative way, undertaking to change a proportion of their displays every year. In this way, things don’t languish out of sight for ever and people are given something new to come and explore each year, encouraging return visits. The store was very reminiscent of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">’s Museum Store in Nechells, although it’s much more regularly accessible and the labelling was especially good so that even though things were stacked everywhere, you could easily see what they were.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Then it was into the Museum proper, which is arranged thematically rather than chronologically. As a chronological sort of person, I found this quite difficult, at least at first. But there’s no denying that it’s a though provoking approach and it does encourage looking at things from a different angle. There are three permanent galleries, looking at “Bristol Places”, “Bristol People” and “Bristol Life”.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">But this juxtaposing of related but different subjects does work to some extent. For example, in “Bristol People”, the section dealing with the difficult subject of the slave trade is cheek by jowl with sections looking at Bristol’s race relations and the famous (in Bristol anyway) bus boycott in the sixties, prompted by the local bus company refusing to employ non-white staff.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Talking of buses, bus building was a big </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Bristol</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> industry and they have, as one of the most prominent exhibits in “Bristol Places”, a complete </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Bristol</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> bus (<i>an FLF Lodekka, for the cognoscenti!</i>). This was used as a sort of “gateway” to exploring transport in the City generally, looking at waterways, roads, housing and factories.<br /><br />The interactive displays weren’t overdone. Indeed, I found those examining the topography of the City to be the most effective way of telling that story. However, they had loudspeakers, not microphones and when two (or three or four) are being used simultaneously I could imagine it might be jolly difficult to concentrate or even hear your “own”.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The “Bristol Life” gallery was a bit too left of field for me (<i>oh Museum traditionalist that I am!</i>) but might well work in bringing the place to the attention and interest of those who don’t normally visit museums. And in any case, out on the dockside there’s plenty more stuff to keep me enthralled with the cranes (a real feature of the city) boats and dockside railway all integral parts of the Museum.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">So, M Shed gets a pretty reasonable thumbs up from me; 7/10 for the statistically minded. Go and take a look.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-GB">(While you’re there, by the way, don’t miss out on the City’s many other attractions not least the splendid City Museum & Art Gallery up the hill near the University. This too is free and is felt to compliment M Shed. I rather liked the ethos that “M Shed shows </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Bristol</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> to the World, while the City Museum & Art Gallery shows the world to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Bristol</span></st1:place></st1:city></i><span lang="EN-GB"><i>.”)</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-30554126798063958132011-11-14T08:12:00.006+00:002011-11-14T09:34:34.586+00:00Why in Birmingham?By and large, I enjoy working in Birmingham very much. Actually, I enjoy it a <b>lot</b>.<div><br /></div><div>It is my birthplace and it has pretty much always been my home. People used to think of it as some post industrial hell-hole but in the last 25 years or so there has been a tremendous transformation in the City Centre that always leaves visitors impressed and to be honest many of the suburbs, attractions and parkland have always been remarkably at odds with the perceived view. To see the greenery spread out, to realise the great things that happened here, to hear its distinctive and lovely accent and to find amazing buildings and stories in unusual places is a wonderful thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>So it with some sadness that I've realised in recent months that it's becoming harder and harder to work in the place, at least doing City Centre walking tours. Why? Because of all the towns and cities where I do walks, this is virtually the only one where you can be guaranteed "interference" from unusual people while trying to do a walk.</div><div><br /></div><div>This varies from the mildly abusive (shouting at groups in the distance), through the whole spectrum of "latching on and pulling faces", "telling drunken stories of their own", "people with 'issues' coming and staring in a way that unnerves both me and the group" right up to "threatened physical abuse".</div><div><br /></div><div>Now whenever I mention this to anyone they always seem to think that this is an issue that would afflict any busy city centre, especially at night. But you know what? I have though I say it myself a pretty wide range of tour destinations and this really <i>is </i>a Birmingham phenomenon. I genuinely have no idea why.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've thought long and hard about posting this. After all, it's not likely to do either the City nor my business much good if I say these things, is it? But in recent weeks I have not done a single walking tour without some sort of incident of this nature and one day I'll simply pack up the umbrella and go and do this somewhere else. It doesn't happen in London (and I include inner city places like Lambeth and Bethnal Green in this), nor Bristol, nor Reading nor Nottingham. Nor many dozens of other places.<br /><br />Answers on a postcard please to the great question: "Why in Birmingham?"</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-57608279123130334692011-11-10T08:05:00.005+00:002011-11-10T08:30:42.246+00:00PoppiesOn the face of it, I'm pleased that <a href="http://www.fifa.com/">FIFA </a>has allowed England (and Wales) footballers to wear <a href="http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/">Poppies </a>on armbands during their games this weekend.<div><br /></div><div>However, there is a nagging doubt inside my mind that this is the right course of action.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are a set of rules in place designed to ensure complete "neutrality" in the game itself and banning <b>all </b>religious or political symbols. Now I don't believe that the Poppy is a religious symbol, nor a political one. But not everyone might see it that way and I suspect that one day other countries might well want to place symbols which we might not agree with on shirts. Better to ban everything; and stick to it. Keep it simple.</div><div><br />What has happened with leaders writing letters and the press becoming angry, smacks of that haughty attitude which we British are sometimes said to have when dealing with others. I don't think we do usually; but I can see traces of it in this.</div><div><br /></div><div>The solution of placing them on armbands seems to me a very good (clever, even) compromise. Everyone sticks to the rules, everyone is satisfied.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6aCE90ufn3zHA__JMaCU1dXs2Bxogj99XdDfFi1aGv4L-_Yp18JLEOLFtGwXJ0CgQNpvA3pufQd9tULJajSB9BM-OZqIzljgMPrpMTPgGFRLB2AqfuGBbNoO-fvqQzJSbXP-TnadSBg/s200/who_poppy_history_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673280162317798690" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 132px; " /><div>Remember the phrase "Wear You Poppy With Pride"? I always found that very moving and I genuinely <i>do </i>wear mine with pride, with a sense of remembrance. Nowadays, though, it sometimes seems to me that people wear them because they <i>think </i>they should, rather than because they actually want to. As soon as someone doesn't, everyone descends on them like vultures and people become indignant. (<i>That said, I did refuse a request from the tour manager of an overseas group to remove mine before a tour many years ago to avoid upsetting the clients. I refused but I'm self employed and they hire me, with all my views and foibles and that's the end of the matter.</i>)</div><div><br /></div><div>So if you haven't already bought one, go and make a <a href="http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/support-us/how-to-give">donation </a>for your Poppy. It is a visible and potent symbol of loss and remembrance and the funds raised go to a cause that is right and moral, good and commendable.</div><div><br /></div><div>But when you can't wear it.......you can't. And when that happens, nd your Poppy is still in your coat pocket and your donation is still in <a href="http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/">RBL's </a>collecting box. Job done.<br /></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-31844544663701849842011-11-09T09:04:00.002+00:002011-11-09T09:10:22.136+00:00Ouch!I've just been to the dentist, or more correctly to hygienist.<div><br /></div><div>No problem. My teeth have been fine, as far as I'm aware. Well, they <i>were</i>, until she started scraping around on them with that horrid hook thing they brandish with such gusto. Now they hurt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, she questioned me at length about what I eat. "Do you eat plenty of fruit?" she asked.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes,", I said, feeling distinctly sanctimonious.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh," came the reply "that's the problem. This leaves a lot of acid over the teeth which softens the enamel. That's why they seem so sensitive."</div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently fruit is okay (d'uh?!) as long as I have it with meals, don't "snack" on it and don't brush for at least an hour afterwards, otherwise I'll spread the acids all over the place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't life complicated?<br /><br />I'm off for a haircut later. I wonder if I'll find that I've been brushing my hair incorrectly?</div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-29659313053773537272011-11-01T11:56:00.005+00:002011-11-01T11:59:04.963+00:00Summer BabiesResearch has claimed, not for the first time, that summer-born babies struggle at school.<div><br /></div><div>Well, with a birthday on 22 August I feel reasonably well placed to comment on this.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>It's a load of drivel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although I *hated* school with a passion - and it hated me - I never "struggled".</div><div><br /></div><div>People are people; some are good at things and some aren't. I'm good at remembering stories and making Lamingtons. I'm bad at football and playing the trumpet.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's why I'm showing people around Symphony Hall, not playing in it. It also meant I never had to go to school on my birthday.......</div></div>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528174703807634150.post-70770813342191678262011-11-01T08:20:00.001+00:002011-11-01T08:22:18.089+00:00Computer Says "No"<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Have you noticed how – whatever you do nowadays – and expert will ask you to fill in a form or survey which bombards you with various statements and then asks if you “strongly agree, somewhat agree, are ambivalent…….”. Well, you know what I mean. I think it’s called a Box–Jenkins survey, if my memory of studying statistics thirty years ago (<i>ouch</i>) is correct.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve recently had this both at the doctor’s and at the bank and I’ve watched my mother be asked to do the same with regard to pain management at an arthritis clinic.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I suppose any tool to help comprehension is to be applauded. But there’s a slight nagging feeling inside me that this is turning the “professional” in front of me into a slave of the computer. After all, all this data is promptly fed in and then “the computer” says what the next step ought to be. It’s turning highly skilled professionals into data entry clerks. Sooner or later I fear I’m going to have a doctor say to me “Computer says no”.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Maybe the machines are closer to taking over than we thought.</p>Ian Jelfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16379669940374190805noreply@blogger.com1