VOTE YES TO MOTION 10: TO KEEP LINK BETWEEN CO-OP GROUP & CO-OP PARTY

As a regular shopper in my local Co-op store and Co-op Party (& Labour) Councillor you would expect nothing less.

Check out 

"For over 100 years, the Co-operative Party and the co-operative movement have worked together to build a society where power and wealth are shared. Today, that work still continues through our partnerships with the various co-operative retail societies.

From securing new protections for shop workers who face violence and abuse at work to promoting campaigns such as fairtrade and fair tax, the Co-operative Party and the Co-operative Group are a powerful force for positive change. But to keep delivering on behalf of the co-operative movement, we need your support.

If you’re entitled to vote, you have until midday on 13th May to cast your vote.

Co-operative Party was founded in 1917 by the co-operative movement – made up of member and employee-owned businesses determined to change how business is done and who shares its rewards.

That relationship continues today, with the Co-op supermarkets and retail societies on your high street continuing to support our Party and campaign with us on crucial issues like food poverty, ending violence against shopworkers, and promoting Fairtrade.

Vote Yes to Motion 10 to ensure our work continues.

Havering-atte-Bower 4.5 mile circular walk

Another late post. This is a nice little 4.5 mile circular walk in East London with some great views of London and lovely countryside despite being so near to built up areas. Some rolling countryside and woods but nothing difficult. 

Started at Bedford Park with coffee (and hot sausage roll with brown sauce) at the modern cafe/visitor centre. 

Weather wasn't great, a bit wet and muddy but rain had stopped. Saw a large herd of wild deer outside park. 

Highlight of walk was the massive "Wellingtonia Redwood" trees (see above) in the former Royal hunting ground now called Havering Country Park. 

There is a deer park in Bedford Park where people fed the deer carrots (contrary to signs) through the fence. Walled garden was closed which was a shame. 

Since it was St Patricks Day we stopped off for a drink (and a pint of guinness for me) at the Orange Tree pub beer garden. 

Check out "Walking in Essex" by Peter Aylmer and Facebook link other photos. See map of route below.

Getting out the Labour Postal vote in West Ham, Plaistow & Canning Town

 

Yesterday I spent the morning in West Ham ward with our local MP, Lyn Brown, my colleague Cllr Charlene Mclean (and our super young pioneer) and our top activist Varghese . 

We were calling at all Labour supporters who are postal voters to remind them to fill out their 3 votes for:-

1. Sadiq Khan as London Mayor, 
2. Unmesh Desai as local City & East London Assembly member and 
3. Labour - for the List candidates.  

It was a lovely warm, spring day day so many residents were out and the contact rate was not great but Labour support was pretty solid. 

In the afternoon, Lyn and I joined Plaistow West & Canning East ward Councillors John Morris & Simon Rush with local activist Veronica. We were later joined by my UNISON colleague and Hackney Wick Councillor, Joseph Ogundemuren.  

Again, many residents were out but very firm support for Sadiq and Labour from those who were in.

Register to vote online if you you are not registered by 11.59pm 16 April 2024 https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote . It usually takes only 5 minutes. 

Applications to have a postal vote have to be by this Wednesday 17/4/24 by 5pm https://www.newham.gov.uk/council/vote-post

"Education stalwart remembered as Mayor of Newham leads tributes to former councillor Graham Lane"

 I did not know Graham that well. He stood down as a Councillor in 2010 the same year that I first stood. 

However, I did go to various political events and campaigns (see posts) with him and found him polite, thoughtful and well informed. 

I did enjoy his book "How Different Governments Have Weakened Local Government and Democracy"  

A true public servant. 

"On behalf of everyone at Newham Council, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE has offered deepest condolences to the widow, family and friends of former councillor Graham Lane who died on Thursday 25 March 2024.

Graham Lane served as a Newham councillor for 24 years from 1986-2010, having been elected as a Labour councillor for former Hudson ward between 1986 to 2002; and Plaistow South ward in the West Ham parliamentary constituency between 2002-2010. He served as a member of the Social Housing Committee and the chair of the Education Committee at the Council, in addition as the Labour Chair of the Education Committee of the Local Government Association where he also led the statutory National Employers for Teachers body.

Mayor Fiaz said: “Graham was a dedicated Labour councillor resolutely committed to improving the opportunities and outcomes for all Newham residents, particularly our children and young people. His passion for education and youth services in our borough has been an inspiration, and we continue his legacy through our enduring commitment to make Newham the best place for children and young people to realise their ambitions and achieve their potential.

“He started his career as an inspiring teacher at Little Ilford Secondary School, and during his time on the Council was instrumental in establishing the Newham Sixth Form College in Plaistow. His focused commitment to improve the outcomes and life chances for all children and young people in Newham extended to a passionate advocacy at national level. He was instrumental in the introduction of Educational Maintenance Grants for 16-19 year-olds so that those from non-traditional and working class backgrounds could access further and higher education.

“It is this legacy of honourable, honest and ethical public service that will be cherished by all who were so privileged in knowing Graham. My thoughts and prayers to his beloved wife Isabel, and his family and friends who will forever love him at this saddest of times.”

Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Councillor Neil Wilson, said: “I was privileged to know and work alongside Graham in political circles for over 40 years. Throughout that time his commitment to the young people of the borough, and nationally, both in education and youth services, inspired me and many others in our involvement as councillors, governors and officers. He was a very active councillor in Plaistow, who served his constituents well, and was always diligent and conscientious in all aspects of his council work.”

During his time as a Councillor in Newham, Graham played a major role in the development of community and inclusive education; alongside forging productive and positive working relations between school governors, teachers and the Council. As a member of the Newham Music Trust, Graham promoted the development of music enrichment services for children and young people across the schools in the borough; and was a member of the Plaistow Community Forum advocating strongly in the interests of local residents.

In 2013, Graham published the notable book ‘How different Governments have weakened Local Government and Democracy’, reflecting on his experience as a councillor.

He was also a board member of the National Youth Agency; the Open University Council; the National Institute of Adult Education; the European Lifelong Learning Commission; the Institute for Education Business Excellence; Partnership for Young London; the Young People Now Foundation; the National Learning and Work Institute; and Youth Access.

Newham Councillors will be paying tribute to former councillor Graham Lane at the Annual Council Meeting on 23 May 2024 taking place from 7.00pm at the Old Town Hall Stratford.

Graham Lane’s funeral will be held on Friday 26 April at 11am, at Manor Park Crematorium, Sebert Road, E7 0NP. At the family’s request, donations instead of flowers would be kindly received for the Alzheimer’s Society, c/o Co-op Funeralcare, 148 North Street, Romford RM1 1DL".

Buying a House 1990's vs. 2020

 This is the first time I have posted on a tweet by Radio and TV day time host but this is really important and explains why so many young people despair that they will ever be able to buy a home. 

Hat tip London Nurse 

Update: Facebook have come back saying these figures are unfair and the house income chart is wrong. https://fullfact.org/online/house-prices-1990-2020/... . However, this pretty much mirrors our experience buying a home in London in 1989 which we could now not buy if had same job in 2020

International Workers’ Memorial Day 2024 - Remember the Dead & Fight for the Living

A very powerful video from UNISON. This year since WMD is on a Sunday my branch will be organising our annual wreath laying event on the Friday before (Friday 26 April at 1pm) outside the "Clasping Hands" Statute in Three Mill Green, Stratford, E3

This is the site of a historic "accident" where a number of workers sacrificed their lives while attempting to rescue their colleagues.

Members and Staff Safety officers from a number of Housing Associations are expected but all welcome to pay their respects. Guest speakers invited. 

Further details to follow. 

Capital Ring 4. Crystal Palace to Streatham (& the source of "Peckham Springs"?)

 

Gill and I are walking around London via "The Capital Ring" (78 miles with 15 separate routes). While it is not a race and we can take as long as we want to complete, we have been busy lately with various other "commitments". So this post is more than a little late (we did the walk last month). Will try and catch up.

We started at Crystal Palace station and thankfully this was a short route (4.1 miles) since it rained and rained nearly all the way. Not so heavy that you had to give up but we were pretty soggy but it was not cold o windy for March. 

South London is surprisingly hilly in parts (by London standards). There was nothing too steep and some great views. This route was mostly suburban but lots of parks, commons and remnants of ancient forests (such as the Great North Wood). There was even a 19th Century mansion in Norwood Grove where we stopped for coffee (flasks) and treats under a tree while sheltering from the rain. 

When we came towards Streatham Common we were amazed at the wonderful "Rockery Gardens" which are well worth a visit. There used to be famous mineral water wells here which are now sadly unused (and reminded me not unkindly of another more modern, South London mineral water site, called "Peckham Springs")

Streatham Common is a real London "Green Lung" and it must be a fantastic community asset. We finished with a beer at the local Spoons (which now may be closed for a refurbishment so check). 

Will post more pictures of walk on Facebook 

West Ham welcomes Sadiq Khan as London Labour Mayoral Candidate

 

Today we met up with Cllr James Beckles in West Ham Ward (Newham, London) who is standing as a "Labour List" candidate in next months London Assembly Elections. He was with the East London & City candidate, Unmesh Desai and we had a special guest turn up - our London Labour Mayoral candidate, Sadiq Khan. 

As well as East Ham MP, Stephen Timms, Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, councillors and many local Party activists from across the borough (including the one and only John Saunders). Footballers in the Park also stopped to join us and listen. 

After short speeches from James, Unmesh and Sadiq, we split up into canvass teams. Two teams went to canvass West Ham while the others left for Forest Gate South. 

I led one team of 4 canvassers and was pleased that we had 46 contacts, the overwhelming majority being solid Labour. I was also really pleased when a local resident came up to us and explained she was a new Labour Party member and wanted to volunteer to deliver leaflets. She explained that she had been a Labour supporter for many years but had only just joined the Party in order to help get rid of this "rotten Tory Government". 

After coffee in the Sawmill, I stopped off to deliver leaflets to volunteers and took some photos of trip hazards that had been brought to my attention as case work. A good day. 

Newham Voices - April 2024: Abbey Gardens

 

Just finished reading the latest from our community newspaper "Newham Voices". To mark Community Garden Week they feature West Ham (not Stratford!!!) Abbey Gardens. Apart from this geographical error - a good read. 

Britain has had 14 years of chaos under the Tories. It's time to get Britain's future back...

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