A day in the life of a Labour movement activist

I had a busy day today but a really worthwhile one. Started off by cycling to West Ham station to meet my Councillor Ward Colleague (and fellow Deputy Mayor) Charlene Mclean and hand out leaflets to commuters, supporting Sadiq Khan, who is standing to be re-elected as London Mayor in May. It was cold but at least it was not raining!

Then went into Central London (via tube & Ken Bike) to chair a forum meeting of UNISON London Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) representatives from 10 different funds. We had Eve Keith, who is the UNISON Staff Pension fund manager as our guest speaker, who gave a fascinating account of her day job. Afterwards we also discussed problems with fund administration, taxation and the London CIV.

Ken biked to UNISON centre for lunch at canteen (with by chance a long standing Labour NEC member).

On the way via Ken Bike to another LGPS Pension meeting in Islington Town Hall (this time with Councillors & officers) I stopped off on route to show support and solidarity to members of UCU (University and College Union) at their picket line in Tavistock Square who are on strike over pensions and pay.

This was the first time I have ever been inside Islington Town Hall and it is a stunning building.

Afterwards I took tube back to West Ham, picked up my bike and cycled to East Ham Town Hall for a Cabinet meeting. At this meeting I presented two reports. First one was the possible purchase of a newly build block of flats in East Ham for Council tenants. Which is subject to terms being agreed but I am really pleased that we are actively seeking to acquire desperately needed homes using Right to Buy receipts and prudential borrowing. This was agreed in principal.

The second proposal was the Cyclical Decorations & Repairs Programme.  Another positive report. As well as building and acquiring new homes we are going to decorate and improve our existing housing stock. This was passed as well.

I cycled home very happy.  

My First Mobike

My first @MobikeUK. #ForestGate to #WestHam. Took 5 minutes to download to phone & then ride.

Easy to unlock. Ride ok but not as stable as @SantanderCycles. (aka "Ken Bikes")

Bit small for big blokes.

No gears? Problem if hills.

"Bell" better.

Plenty of amused comments by passersby about Bike. Some thought it was free. Lots of smiles rather than grimaces.

50p for 30 mins rather £2 for Ken Bikes

but #lossleader ? Cheaper than bus, tube and taxi. Save the planet and get fit?

Cycle to Work Day: Wednesday 14 September 2016

This is a fantastic initiative by the London Cycling Campaign. My union work takes me across London and I find cycling often takes less time to get there than public transport or by car.

 

There are also a number of relatively quiet and attractive routes you can take even in busy London.

 

Yesterday, I took the fast cycle "Super Highways" from Stratford to Merton but on the way back took Route 20 for part of the way which went along the River Wandle and Parks.  Then I cycled to Euston via the Thames. (I did then get a bit lost but never mind about that)

 

Today I went via a hired "Ken Bike" (now sponsored by the Santander) through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Victoria Park and along Regent Canal into Euston. A (largely) glorious and traffic free route into the centre of London. The sunshine helped make it a lovely commute.

 

"On Cycle to Work Day, London Cycling Campaign are running ten London BikeTubes - a series of rides to help people commute by bike for the fist time.

Ten guided rides will set of from different corners of
London and accompany people to central points in the city.

The rides are coordinated by experienced ride leaders and
supported by volunteer marshals. You can join the ride nearest to home and jump of at the point nearest your workplace.

Halfords will be on hand offering free checks to bikes
to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable ride to work.

Register now: www.lcc.org.uk/biketubes

Santander have kindly offered to loan free bikes to anyone
who pledges their miles at www.cycletoworkday.org
@london_cycling biketubes@lcc.org.uk"

London Triathlon 2014

Off message but following massive Christmas greediness and self indulgence, as a punishment, I have entered the Olympic distance London Triathlon which takes place on Sunday 2 August 2014.

I now have 6  months to get into shape for the 1.6k open water swim, followed by 40k cycle and 10k run.

I have joined the local borough leisure centre service "Newham Active" and for the first time in decades, I have been swimming and in the gym.

For £36 per month you get unlimited access to the 3 Newham swimming baths and gyms. I still have Wanstead flats to go running and can use Ken Bikes into work and back.

I do however need to buy a bike (problem if you live a flat) and a wetsuit.

I have also in the boot of my car and on my hall landing, 12 boxes of West Ham ward Labour leaflets to help distribute. Join the Labour Party and you can get fit for free delivering lots of leaflets!

I will be seeking sponsorship on behalf of the charity "Alone in London".  Who are a youth homelessness charity that has been supporting young people since 1972. It provides a range of services to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and last year engaged with over 2000 people including those in Newham.

I supported them when I ran (very slowly and very painfully) the London Marathon in 2012.

If you want to sponsor me you can at this Just Giving web page online or by mobile phone text.  I will also have a traditional hard copy sponsor form. 

So far fellow Newham Labour Councillor Terry Paul  is also taking part in the Triathlon but we are busy trying to "persuade" various other folk to also take the plunge.

I will post every now and then on my progress.