The 107th Anniversary of the Armistice: East Ham Cenotaph 2025

A belated post from last Tuesday. Another special Armistice Service in Newham. Well done to the Newham Catholic Deanery Schools, The Royal British Legion and Newham schools for organising such a well attended event and involving local children in remembering the sacrifice of so many. 
 

Newham Full Council Meeting 10.11.25 - Motion on Housing

A photo collage of myself speaking against a Green motion on housing and in favour of an amendment by my ward colleague, John Whitworth. 

I was to the point that while I recognise that political debate can be rough, the sheer hypocrisy of the Newham Greens is simply breath taking. They very "angrily" criticise Newham for not building more homes but when I check their party record while they were in power in Brighton, in 7 years they only built 497 homes while in the last 7 (actually 4) years Newham has built 1662 homes (more of course are needed). 

More than 3x than they built when they were in power in a much richer council! Thankfully now the Greens have been kicked out of power in Brighton by voters due to their incompetence. 

Hat tip pics to yet another John.

Remembrance Sunday in Portsmouth 2025

 

Early on the Sunday morning I went to a Royal Navy service at the Memorial in Southsea remembering the 25,000 sailors killed during World War One and World War Two, who were buried at sea and had no known grave. My Taid (maternal Welsh Grandfather) Frederick Matthews, MC RNVR, served in the Royal Naval Division 1915-1918. It was a very moving service. 

Afterwards I finished off my visit to the historic dockyard in Portsmouth (see earlier post) during which I visited HMS Warrior (built in 1860 by East London Iron workers, who later formed what became West Ham FC). See the photo in bottom right of collage of the pay differentials between the Captain of the Warrior and ordinary seaman.  It was about 20x as much per day. 

Pretty shocking but certainly a lot less than the current West Ham FC football player gets today compared to average Newham residents wages nowadays. 

I then toured the bombardment ship HMS M33 (centre) which is one of only 3 British ships to survive from World War One. It first served in the Gallipoli campaign, which my Grandfather, also took part in and as I clambered over the ship, I wondered if at the time he had seen it or heard its guns in action. 

Next I visited the National Naval museum followed by another boat tour to the Submarine museum at Gosport and did a quick tour of the second world war sub HMS Alliance, the first ever British sub HMS Holland and the museum.  

I missed out on the Explosion and Firepower Museum and boat trip. Next time... 

Portsmouth and the Wayfarers' Walk

 

To try and prove that I have a hinterland outside politics, unions, housing and pensions, below is another countryside walking post. While away for the weekend, Gill and I did this 6.5 mile circular route, in the rolling Hampshire countryside. 

It was a blue walk ("modest length, likely to include some modest uphill walking") from Jarrold, Ordnance Survey, Pathfinder series: book 12 "Hampshire and the New Forest". The weather was very kind and it was a lovely quiet walk through fields, lanes, woods, streams and a Roman Road. Overlooking Portsdown Hill and the historic "Palmerston's folly" Fort Widley.  

There was also the largest "Solar panel" farm I have ever seen and we even walked past a "Wanstead Farm" (many, many miles away from Wanstead flats which starts across the road from us). 

Very good free parking, benches to change footwear and WC facilities at the start in the car park at Purbrook Heath. Nearest public transport Purbrook. 

Check out further photos on https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=732243433&sk=grid

Portsmouth Historic Dockside 2025

Picture collage from my visit to the dockyard last Friday as part of a birthday weekend away. I started with a boat trip around the docks accompanied with a live, very entertaining  running commentary on modern Royal Navy and Civilian ships present and local history. 

Followed by a visit to HMS Victory which was covered in scaffolding due to a major refurbishment but was still fascinating. Due to the works there was an in person guided group tour which was also very good. Some of the party were visibly shocked at the cramped, smelly, dark, dangerous, living and working conditions that the sailors had to endure. 

Next was a visit to the remains of the Tudor warship, the Mary Rose. Which also seizes the imagination, especially the exhibits of personal belongings of the lost lost sailors. 

I finished that day with a visit to the Victory Gallery (museum) and returned on Sunday to see the other attractions. 

Vote Christina McAnea as UNISON General Secretary

 

My ballot paper came yesterday to my home address (you cannot vote online or by email). I have voted for Christina as did my branch, service group and our UNISON Parliament, the NEC. 

ALL unison members including the retired can vote. 

Just put a cross against the name (Christina please!), put the ballot paper in the free Stamped Address Envelope and pop into any Royal Mail letter box.

Take part in the most important UNISON election which is probably one of the biggest individual elections in UK. Some 1.3 million ballot papers have been issued. 

Labour Housing Group Newsletter - Renters' Rights are here!

 

A historic step forward for renters - late but well done for getting this across the line in face of significant opposition.

https://labourhousing.org/join/

Thundridge Walk

 

It’s been a while since I last shared a post about a walk, but today Gill and I drove to Thundridge, Hertfordshire (just 40 minutes by car from East London and 2 miles from the railway station in Ware) and enjoyed a beautiful 5.5-mile circular walk under big open skies, following a route from the OS website and Country Walking magazine.

The walk was gentle with a few ups and downs, mostly on good paths. Along the way, we spotted herds of deer, plenty of red kites, and lots of unseasonal ladybirds! There was a cafe at the start and a pub waiting for us at the end.

I’ll share more pictures on Facebook. Check link for route

Canning Town Street Surgery

 

This lunch time I joined my colleague Shaban and local activist Robbie to take part in a Street Surgery in Canning Town North ward. 

By coincidence the area chosen was one I had been to previously in 2022 and it was an estate owned by 2 housing associations, L&Q and Sovereign Network. Shaban's ward colleague, Rita had a work commitment and could not make it. 

The canvass was largely very positive and Shaban was well known in the estate as an active Councillor, and being born and bred in Canning Town and as a local shopkeeper. 

There was a refurbishment scheme going on which was causing problems and concerns to residents which generated a lot of case work. 

I am always interested in Housing communal notice boards and L&Q seemed better than Sovereign but I noticed that their estate inspections seemed over due, but at least they were publicised unlike Sovereign.  Sovereign was also criticised by residents for not responding to emails. Newham Housing has I admit very similar issues. 

As Labour Group Chair I am planning to visit all Newham wards in the next few months. 

Celebrating the Live of Osmond "Peter" Daley

 

Today was the funeral of long standing London UNISON activist Peter (as I knew him) Daley. Peter was also a member of the UNISON Housing Associations Branch committee for many years and a firm supporter of the forces of light and reason in the Region. 

When he was younger, Peter had also served his county as a infantry soldier in the British Army in a dangerous conflict zone.  In more recent times he had worked as a residents liaison officer in a housing estate I know well, which was going through a "very  difficult" emergency block decant. He was very much a supportive but no nonsense, housing professional.  

He will be sadly missed. I had hoped to go to his funeral but was not able to due to a clash. Yvonne Green, the London UNISON convenor and other union activists were there in Birmingham today and I was able to watch the Committal on line. 

His family have requested donations to Cancer Research and London UNISON have agreed to donate £150 in his memory. 

Rest in Peace Peter