Comments for The Blog of the Leader of the London Borough of Havering

Comment on National Defence Medal by Pete McWilliams

Pete McWilliams — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:14:48 +0000

I agree with everything that has been said so far regarding the justification for awarding a National Defence medal. I would add the following. One phrase I find very offensive and insulting is taken from the MOD’s so-called justification for not awarding the NDM. I can’t recall the exact wording but it was something along the lines of “a medal is not considered appropriate just for serving in HM Forces”. That “just” makes me very angry because it involves:
(1) Being subject to military law as well as civilian law which means our on and off-duty behaviour has to be of a much higher standard than that of a civilian.
(2) Being on duty 24 hrs a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Admittedly, it is not always enforced but it is THERE if the service needs it.
(3) Having no right to strike – not that we’d want to anyway – but still a liberty that civilians enjoy and service personnel don’t.
(4) Vastly poorer pay and living conditions to civilians in the civil service. For example, I know that quite junior people in the FCO get their own houses or apartments when on foreign service. As far as I know, they are never required to live in barrack blocks.
(5) Being dictated to by people who have not served and who have no comprehension of what service life involves.

My answer is to ignore the MoD medal people who, in my opinion, enjoy little if any moral authority among the service and ex-service communities. Therefore, all the service and ex-service organisations should agree that as far as they are concerned the National Defence Medal is “official” and encourage all that qualify to wear the medal. Most of us would gladly pay for it. Indeed, I would gladly pay over the top for it as long as an appropriate proportion went to a service charity.

I accept of course that this could only apply to ex-service personnel but it is that community in particular that suffers the indignity of not having any appropriate symbol of their service. I don’t consider the Veterans Badge an appropriate symbol and I sincerely hope I do not offend anyone by that comment. I am ex-RAF, I served from 1967 to 1979 in the UK, Oman, Gibraltar and Germany. I was awarded the Veterans Badge some years ago.

Finally, if my understanding is correct, HM the Queen considered it appropriate that, for example, the Australians, should have a medal. Alas, not for poor British Tommy.

Sorry, the offensive words were JUST for serving in the HM Forces. The JUSTt was omitted in my text because I put it in angle brackets?????

Comment on Broadford Primary School Rebuild by Leader of Havering

Leader of Havering — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:27:17 +0000

Dear Mr Stallard,

We plan to make substantial improvements to our schools over the next 10 years. The grant we get from government, whilst welcome, is not going to be enough to deliver our ambition so we are reviewing how we can add to the money we get from government. The planning permission sought, and granted, was only for the school project. Any intention to dispose part of the site and its development would have to be subject to a subsequent application, requiring consultation in accordance with regulation.

Best wishes,

Cllr. Michael White

Comment on Broadford Primary School Rebuild by peter stallard

peter stallard — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:15:47 +0000

Hi,
Is there any assurance that none of the land within the curtilage of Broadford School will be sold off as housing as the original plans show an area to the frontage of Faringdon avenue for disposal, yet the submitted Planning application does not show this
Thanks

Comment on 20,000 Hits! by Leader of Havering

Leader of Havering — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:33:32 +0000

Dear Charlotte,

I am sorry to read of your difficulties with your neighbouring property. I will look into this straight away for you.

Michael

Comment on 20,000 Hits! by Charlotte Rose

Charlotte Rose — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:32:20 +0000

Hi there I am posting this blog as I am at the end of my tether and have run out of ideas to get this problem I have resolved. For the past 21/2 years I have been living next to and empty, privately owned property,of which all the windows have been smashed and have been for as far back as i can care to remember and it has now become a dumping ground for all of those around it seems, so now we have an array of fridges seatees and what ever else they can get rid of over there including food waste, from when tghey have missed the bin collection which as you can imagine is rotting and now housing rats and god knows what else, the smell on a warm day is in comparison to living next to a tip awful . I have a new baby due in January and so far have complained 3 times in th past 2 1/2 years also i know of numerous other neighbouring houses who have complained with no out come. It has been set alight on a number of occasions and is also encouraging criminal activity in the area as they are able to stash their goods there, im hoping you can help me with gettiong this problem resolved

Comment on August Bank Holiday at the Havering Show by mel

mel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:51:26 +0000

enjoyed the intertainment on the sunday although we felt that the kids rides were to short for the £2.50 per ride ( although you did get a full 8 mins on the huge bouncy slide etc). also noticed a lack of recycling bins as well, or were they tucked away some where?.

well done to every one who put on a great show in the main arena( even the birds of prey who flew away for a while).

Comment on August Bank Holiday at the Havering Show by Leader of Havering

Leader of Havering — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:20:03 +0000

Dear Alan,

The Majortettes did a fantastic job, I am really pleased that they were able to come along to the show this year and take part. I think you’re right that it would be good to have even more clubs and organisations taking part in the show and in other events across the borough.

Best wishes,

Michael

Comment on August Bank Holiday at the Havering Show by Alan

Alan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:34:17 +0000

I think it a real shame that there has not been one mention of the youngsters who took part in the Havering Town Show during the Bank Holiday…The HARMONY MAJORETTES are a small team who worked really hard for and over those two days and yet everyone has overlooked them. It is a really scary feet for such young children to perform in front of so many people – and I personally think they did extremely well. They are a local group based in Havering and when speaking to the organisers I was surprised to find that they were one of the few local entertainers performing that weekend. We really need more local, Havering based, clubs and organisations taking part.

Comment on Havering Show by LAURA HOWARD

LAURA HOWARD — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:07:10 +0000

YES THE CHARGES ARE RATHER STEEP FOR A STALL, BUT SAW YOUR STALL AT THE SHOW, AND GOT SOME CARDS ,ALL VERY WELL MADE AND PRICED TOO. DO YOU HAVE A WEB SITE OR SHOP TO BUY YOUR CARDS.

Comment on August Bank Holiday at the Havering Show by Steve O'Kane

Steve O'Kane — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:36:30 +0000

you forgot to mention Steve O’Kane and Fiona McBain….we really enjoyed them! Fantastic!
yours sincerely, Steve and Fiona……oh…what a give away.

Even though were part of the show, we also were “The Public” when not backstage, and we thought the Knights were brilliant, the M.C.s Ian and your goodself were excellent, and the whole vibe was of a great and friendly gathering of the community. The evident enjoyment of the crowd was testament to all the hard work, and I imagine all will now have to work hard at bettering it in 2010.
Well done to all concerned.