Exercise log since 2018 (and Roman Road Keto Brunch)

After a run yesterday I checked my watch app (currently called Zepp Life) and I found I had been for 1700 miles of walks and ran 1100 miles since 26/5/18 (also 1546 miles of Cycling). Celebrated with Keto brunch in Fiesta Café, Roman Road.
 

Roman Road: Bad and Good

The Bad: Off message but on Friday I was walking along Roman Road, E3 when a woman came out of one of the "shops" and threw two large white takeaway polystyrene cups into the gutter. She then turned around and

went back into the shop again. I was astonished.

I opened the door of the shop and asked the women (who was behind the counter) if she is going to clear the cups? She replied no, she pays plenty of money for street cleaners to clean up and that is what they are there for. I told her that I had taken a picture of the rubbish on my phone and that if she did not clear it up I would report her for littering to Tower Hamlets Council.

To which she urged me to go forth and pass water (or something like that). I said it was her choice and walked away. Not that it made any difference but there was no road sweepers anywhere insight. About 30 minutes later I walked past the shop and it appeared that the cups had been cleared away. 

The Good: By coincidence that night I had a very pleasant crimbo drink and meal with 3 old friends (we all use to be UNISON housing stewards in Tower Hamlets Council) in Roman Road . We had drinks in the Angel and Crown where the pub staff and regulars couldn't have been more friendly followed by an excellent meal at Meze & Barbeque restaurant (see photo).

Interviewed by Central China TV about "the Cuts"

This lunch time I was interviewed by a reporter from Central China TV about the impact that the cuts have had and will have on public services in the UK.

Central China TV is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China.

What was interesting (to me at least) was that an international Chinese TV Broadcaster is investigating issues involving poverty and deprivation in the UK when traditionally in "the West" we would consider ourselves to be the ones who should be sending TV crews to China to report on such issues. 

The interview itself and the questions asked were entirely professional and appropriate.

Apparently most news coverage in China about the UK is very positive and usually covers things such as technological advances and does not look at the darker side of our society.

I tried to be careful  in my answers and avoid slang or make any stereotypical assumptions.  Afterwards I did ask the reporter if I may have offended Chinese viewers by mentioning that in the UK, we often find that there is a crisis of overcrowding caused by different generations of families having to live together.  This is because grown up sons and daughters have nowhere else to go.  I was very gently put in my place when she replied that many Chinese may well want their extended family to live together or nearby but not in overcrowded conditions.

If the interview is used I may be able to get a web site link.

(the picture is taken outside Broderick House off Roman Road, E3 which I use to manage as a Housing Estate officer several years ago - I also learnt that in China instead of saying "cheese" when you take a photograph you say the Chinese equivalent for "aubergines")

Tower Hamlets Housing Strike 1999 – Bill Wakefield

This is my 2nd self indulgent post on the 10th anniversary of this strike. See previous post here.

Pictured standing in full flow addressing a strike meeting in Jack Dash House is Bill Wakefield (white shirt). Now Bill was (is) let us a say a strong minded and passionate East End Labour movement activist.

He was a former Tower Hamlets Council NUPE branch secretary; then a Labour Councillor (then after the inevitable fall out - an independent Councillor), he was defeated as an independent Councillor but still remains as an active Resident rep and Pensioner activist.

Bill is very much a “marmite” person – you either love him or loath him. Most of us love him.

It was really important that during the strike we had the support of residents and their leaders. Slashing the number of local housing offices would affect jobs but also access to services. Our success during the strike I think was down to this united front of workers and residents arguing together for the same thing. Bill as a residents rep was a very vocal and practical supporter of the strike. He could also get away with things as a retired tenant rep that employees could not.

Bill is very much a local character, he is a real proper East End “face” (in the true sense of the word), who would do what he thought was right, usually regardless of any opposition. For example he was a strong supporter of the late Queen's Mother, Queen Elizabeth and use to write to the local newspaper, the East End Advertiser every year on her birthday to thank her for her support in the East End during the Second World War. This use to upset some folk, however as far as I am aware, no one ever had the bottle to openly challenge him on this.

I still bump into Bill from time to time in the Roman Road Market. Bill will always say hello and have a friendly chat. A few years ago I remember someone describing Bill as a “genuine East End Gent”. I for one would not disagree.

UPDATE: sad news Feb 2011