Mr Jones - Ukraine 1932 (and 2022) BBC iPlayer

 

Recently I watch this film on BBC iPlayer. This is about a Welsh  journalist, Gareth Jones, who exposed the "Holodomor" (Great famine)  in Ukraine during the 1930s. This famine killed millions and was caused either intentionally and/or  due to incompetence by Stalin, the Soviet Union dictator.  

Not an easy film to watch but will give you a greater under standing why Ukraine is fighting so bravely against Putin's invasion. 

UNISON Community Conference 2023 - Day 2

I posted on Day 1 here on the UNISON annual Seminar/conference for Community (Housing Association & Voluntary sector workers). Which went pretty well. 

Denise and I started the 2nd day leafleting delegates as they arrived for conference and chatting to them about us standing in the forthcoming UNISON NEC elections. 

Supporters of our opponents were there, handing out leaflets, which is fair enough, however they were being supplemented by local non UNISON members, selling ultra left papers and some (not all) were being typically aggressive and intimidating. Water off a duck's back to me. 

I welcomed the opportunity to explain to delegates why I walked out of conference last year due to the NECs imposturer President being there.  https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2022/03/why-we-walked-out-of-unison-community.html

Check out my account of the day based on my twitter feed below:-

Conference opened with a welcome speech by our Chair followed by standing orders report (some very nice words and gift of flowers to long serving @unisontheunion staff who are retiring). Next, our
@UNISONCommVol annual report was accepted.

Then motions & amendments. Powerful arguments & sharing of personal experiences- Young Members, fire & rehire. Sick pay in Social care & levels of sick pay.

My Greater London Vol org branch colleague @jcreed551 moves his branch motion on the outrage that many low paid workers are being charged for their own #DBS checks!

Motion 7: Championing a real #livingwage for Community. This motion had a bumper of great speakers - low paid workers telling it as it is...especially Denise Thomas my NEC running mate.

More imp motions & debates on social care, charity sector pay, women in community, staff crisis, survival of LGBT+ services, regional development and legacy of year #disabled worker.

There was a standing ovation for our long standing, Cymru Wales, NEC member, Sian Stockham, a low paid care worker, on the announcement she had been awarded an OBE. 

Conference is now over. At station with my branch and employer colleague @JoeOgundemuren. It was great to hear so many young members from London and elsewhere speaking & participating in our
@unisontheunion democracy. 

There was some great debates but disappointing that a small number of speakers chose to spend all their time attacking the Labour Party rather than the Tories. Then they all finished their speeches calling for unity? Shows their priorities I suppose. 

Worlds End walk

 

I have been enjoying looking at pictures from some great walks Gill and I went on during the recent holidays. The 5 mile circular "World's End" walk near Wrexham/Horseshoe Pass was magnificent. So dramatic yet so peaceful and a real sense of isolation. 

Probably not a place to visit during the height of the summer, since access is only by a very narrow road with only limited passing places (and parking) with a ford to drive across. 

Enjoy this walk if you can :

Walk / Hike: Eglwyseg Glen Circular

0 reviews

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4.99 mi

2 h 27 min

Description

5 miles from "The Clwydian Way" booklet. “This Walk passes through some of the most spectacular country in North Wales”. Start car park at World's End. From Llangollen take A542 Ruthin Road. Take lane on left one mile before Valle Crucis Abbey, sign posted World's End. Car park just to north of Ford at world's end, on left hand side, at the top of the hill. From car park head down the lane towards the ford at world end, then continue down the lane past the old Manor House, to the bend in the lane at Ty Canol. Turn right here and follow the track, as ou tlined, past Pant Glas and Glyn, then down to Plas Yn Eglwyseg, Eglwyseg Glen. Take the small link path over to the Offa dyke path, then turn left and follow this trail, below the great cliffs of Craig Arthur, back to car park"

UNISON and the Welsh labour movement, Mark Drakeford's speech

The First Minister helped to launch UNISON Cymru Wales' permanent exhibition in Cardiff on 18 November 2021.

Hat tip @LondonNurse2015