Campaigning for Labour Candidate Keir Cozens in Great Yarmouth

This Saturday and Sunday, Gill and I were in Great Yarmouth to canvass and leaflet for Keir. The train cost only £45 for the two of us (with railcard) return. We stayed in a cheap & cheerful B&B near Britannia Pier. I have been working off and on in Norfolk supporting UNISON members since 2007 (my LGPS pension is looked after by the Norfolk pension fund). Great Yarmouth, also always reminds me of living in Colwyn Bay, North Wales as a boy.

Keir and his team were super friendly and welcoming. A well organised office, refreshments, no waiting around or confusion. On Saturday afternoon I went to a small village with a canvass team and enjoyed some decent political conversations (and ice creams!).  The weather was warm and sunny. 

Sunday, was unexpectedly damp and I had to buy a new cagoule on way to 10.30 start. This time I went with a team to an adjacent resort, while Gill delivered leaflets. Our star team member was Labour attack dog, Aubrey (see photo top right).  Again some more good political conversations including a UNISON local government member who was very supportive. 

There was difficult conversations as well. A few residents were disenchanted with all parties, many said they have never been door knocked before and were somewhat pleased we were there to speak to them, despite the rain. One resident however, demanded a "dry" leaflet but at that stage they were all pretty soggy. Overall though, another positive canvass. 

In the afternoon I helped Gill finish off her leaflet round. It was along the coast and there was a band playing in the distance and glorious views over the beach. We were dropped off and picked up promptly when we finished. Canvassing was halted at 4pm for the England Euros game. 

If at all possible, London Labour supporters should get themselves out of London in the next few days and into the winnable battlegrounds outside. 25% of all Labour members live in London (not a great statistic which needs to be worked upon). There are more than enough members in London for our marginal and target seats (candidates will of course disagree). On polling day itself, Keir will need all the help they can get. 

Would recommend if you do come to Great Yarmouth and you stay overnight that you check out Misha - Indian & Bangladeshi Dining (misharestaurant.co.uk). We had one of our best meals in a long time here. 

Staff at East of England landlord to strike for nine days over pay

 

Hat tip Clarion UNISON Facebook page "Solidarity to Unite Housing association members taking strike action over their pay cuts. Hopefully Clarion UNISON members will be taking similar action next month". 

"Nearly 60 workers at Freebridge Community Housing, based in King’s Lynn, were balloted by Unite the Union to take part in industrial action.

The 7,000-home landlord offered employees a 5% pay increase and a £500 non-consolidated payment, Unite claimed. The union argued that this represents a real-terms pay cut with retail price index inflation at 10.7%.

The striking workers are responsible for providing home maintenance repairs and estate services, Freebridge said.

Many of the workers, who perform roles including cleaning, are paid little more than the national minimum wage and are struggling to pay their bills, Unite said.

The nine strike days are 21, 29, 30 and 31 August and on 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 September.

A weekend away in Norfolk

Off  message but last weekend following English lockdown easing, we hired a self catering chalet in the Norfolk broads and had 2 marvellous days walking in the local countryside. It was great to wake up somewhere different. We even went out on Saturday for a nice outdoor pub lunch (and quickly got fed up with a couple of noisy pub bores on the next door table. We had forgotten about this occasional downside of the Great British pub) .  

On Sunday we walked the 5.5 mile  "How Hill and Ludham" walk from this pathfinder guide book. The start of the walk at How Hill is only 30m high (but classed as a hill in this very flat part of Norfolk). 

I loved the remoteness and the "big skies" you find in Norfolk and East Anglia. The history, the chocolate box villages and all the stunning scenery you come across is unbeatable.  

One thing I noticed is the impressive detached brick house bottom left. It has a plaque on it which says "District Nurse, Norfolk Country Council 1955 (see bottom left of collage). I assume this is from a time when employers cared about the housing need of their workers. 

The walk itself was well sign posted with no obstacles (or angry dogs, gamekeepers or horses) and the directions clear and accurate. 

Warham and Wighton from Wells-Next-The-Sea Walk

This is off message and a little late but last month I went for a weekend in Cromer, Norfolk and went on this fantastic 8.5mile walk on the Saturday starting in Wells. The Norfolk coast and countryside is simply stunning.

The blue, big Eastern skies as well as warm-ish weather did help of course. The first part of the walk along the harbour, coastline and then salt marshes was especially beautiful.

The iron age Warham camp (top right of collage) was incredibly well preserved considering its age and very atmospheric. It is incredible that you can wonder freely over a huge historic structure that is over 2,000 years old .

Had a very pleasant lunch in the Carpenter Arms in Wighton (with Danish host Carsten) and then cross country walk back to Wells.

National LGPS Procurement Framework. How to save your fund time and money. LAPFF 2013

Nicola Mark from Norfolk Local Government Pension Scheme (in which I have a number of UNISON members at my employer who are in this scheme) spoke about funds working together on procurement to save time and money.

If they did this then they would not have to independently undertake the full European Union (the infamous and expensive "OJEU") procurement process as well as achieving efficiencies by acting together.

They would also retain local services and decision process. 39 LGPS funds have so far expressed an interest. 

(picture LAPFF tweet)

The Longest Strike in History: Burston School Rally 5 Sept 2010

This incredible strike in a rural Norfolk school went on for 25 years - from 1914 to 1939!  There is now a museum in the village and an annual Labour movement rally to commemorate it, which I hope to visit this year.  Check out more on the history here.