Darling Buds

As today is the last day of the month I thought I’d do a round up of events coming soon in May.
First up we have the annual May Day festivities at Forest Farm Peace Garden on Sunday May 2nd followed by a sale of organic starter vegetable and herb plants grown in the garden by volunteers on Sunday May 16th.
Then there was something on Thursday May 6th, what was it now? Oh yes, it’s the Aldborough Hall Farm Beer Festival which runs for 4 days up to May 9th. Did you know we have a local brewery? It’s called the Ha'penny Brewing Company and we do like to support local business, don’t we?

This clashes with the 65th anniversary celebrations of VE day over at Fairlop Waters on Saturday May 8th. Apparently our organiser has arranged for not only a life size model of a WWII Spitfire fighter plane but also the Shepherd Neame brew of the same name in the bar. Yet another reason for a bus route along Forest Road.

Over the same weekend we have Fairtrade Family Fun on the Southbank at Potters Fields. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Plenty of stuff for the kids.

Moving on we have our coffee morning on Thursday May 20th where Matthew Maple will give us an update on Barkingside Regeneration. Later that day there is a Full Council Meeting. I think this is the ceremonial one where the Mayor gets elected, which could be fun depending upon the outcome of the count on the afternoon of May 7th. The following week, May 27th, is the one where the Cabinet gets elected, or not as the case may be.

And of course there is the nail biting and intriguing climax to Premier League football over the next 9 days. Can Chelsea pip ManU for the title? Does anybody actually want the final Champions League place? Can West Ham pluck relegation out of the jaws of survival? Who needs elections when you have excitement like this?

Ilford/Woodford - Hustings

This was a joint Hustings for Ilford North and Chingford & Woodford Green constituencies held in the South Woodford Muslim Community Centre. Recorded by Khalid Sharif of IG-Soc.

Wednesday 28th April 2010
Kindly arranged by:
Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations (FORMO)

Ilford North:
Labour: Sonia Nabila Klein
LibDem: Alex Berhanu
Green: Caroline Allen
Christian Alliance: Rev Robert Hampson

Chingford & Woodford Green:
Labour: Catharine Arakelian
LibDem: Dr Geoff Seeff

Chair: Nadia Ali

Ilford South - Hustings

For our members and readers in Ilford South here is a recording of the Ilford South Hustings provided again by our friend Khalid Sharif of IG-Soc.

Tuesday 27th April 2010
Kindly arranged by:
Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations
Albert Road, Day Care Community Centre, Ilford, IG1 1HW

Michael Gapes - Labour
Toby Boutle - Conservative
Anood Al-Samerai - Liberal Democrat
Wilson Chowdhry - Green

Chair: Mohammed Asif, CEO - Engage

Booze in the Park

We are puzzled by this Licence application by Redbridge Council to Redbridge Council for a booze licence in Hainault Forest Country Park.
“Allow both live and recorded music and alcohol sale until 2:00am during events. Regular sale of alcohol from Café on daily basis, Hainault Forest Country Park”

Hmmmm? A few questions need to be answered. There was a proposal some while back for a Pub in the Park but it didn’t fly, so is this the thin end of the wedge? We will try to find out, but it is election time so you do have the opportunity to quiz anybody who knocks on your door canvassing.

Ilford North – Hustings

I was going to do a write up of the Ilford North Hustings held in the Baptist Church in Ashurst Drive, but the Ilford North Fellowship of Churches has kindly provided a record on youtube in 8 parts, so you can see/listen for yourself. Hat tip to my friend Khalid down in Ilford south.

Part 1 of 8


Part 2 of 8


Part 3 of 8


Part 4 of 8


Part 5 of 8


Part 6 of 8


Part 7 of 8


Part 8 of 8


Note: The BNP candidate was not invited and the UKIP candidate did not turn up.

Ilford North – UKIP

Introducing Henri Van der Stighelen, the UK Independence Party candidate for Ilford North.

‘It’s not a wasted vote – it’s a wasted opportunity’.
A vote for a party other than labour or conservative is a ‘wasted vote’. How many times have we heard that? ‘Why vote for a party that will not win?’ These arguments simply don’t stack up. Human nature tends to compel many to associate with winners. No one disputes this and we can’t change human nature, but we should not allow it to be manipulated.
The Government is a government for the people – not the electorate. Governments in the UK are elected with about 12 to 13 million votes and that has not changed much for more than 60 years. So let’s understand, the Government are selected by about 20% of the 60+ million people they will govern. This is only possible because non voters for whatever reason are not counted. The ‘wasted vote’ argument may also have swayed some people to vote with labour or the conservatives so the actual vote for the Government may also be artificially high.
Never before have our politicians been so disconnected from the people – the expenses scandal, the war in Iraq that has now moved on to Afghanistan are just some examples that reinforces this point.
This is a time for change and the first thing we need to change is to resist the ‘wasted vote’ argument and vote with the 80% of the people who don’t want the ‘best of a bad lot’. Don’t be swayed either by the opinion polls that prop up this ‘wasted vote’ con.
Let’s vote for what we believe in. Many Britains object to our £45M/day or £16B/year contribution to the EU – especially since we were ‘taken in’ without being consulted. However, without a so called ‘wasted vote’ for the UK Independence Party this will not change and soon it will not be possible to change.
It is not a ‘wasted vote ‘ it’s a ‘wasted opportunity’ – a ‘wasted vote’ is voting for something you don’t believe in or not bothering to vote.

Note: All the candidates for Ilford North have been offered 250 words on this blog. They will be published if and when they are received. Click the label below to see who’s in.

Ilford North – Liberal Democrat

Introducing Alex Berhanu, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Ilford North.

This election offers you an historic opportunity to change British politics for good and I have ten reasons why I should be the most ideal candidiate for Ilford North.

Liberal Democrats have been calling for complete reform of our political system, long before politicians became so discredited by the expenses scandal. Whilst Conservatives were arguing for yet more deregulation, we warned that the UK economy was running out of control. Guided by Vince Cable we lead the way in charting a path back to economic stability. The LibDems were the only major party to have opposed the futile war in Iraq, and we championed green policies long before they became fashionable.

He was born in Ethiopia and was imprisoned and tortured for five years for his liberal thinking. He lost most of his family in the 1984 famine. He has lived and worked in the UK for 20 years and been a teacher and lecturer for more than half of his life. In 2005 Alex has been award an accolade from Duchess of Wessex for his perseverance and turing adverse circumstance into success as well his passionate teaching prowess. He has initiated and been involved in several charitable undertakings and served as Board of Director for World University Service, president of Walsall Credit Union, Amnesty International. School Governor, VSO, and TRA.

Alex says “A vote for either of the established parties won’t change anything – indeed it is inexplicable how a ‘conservative’ party can suddenly claim to stand for change! Voting Liberal Democrat is the only way to send a powerful message that people expect and deserve better from our leaders. Electing as many LibDem MPs as possible is the only way to guarantee real change and ensure an end to the current corrupt political system. Fairness and opportunity are at the heart of all our beliefs and, as we have demonstrated on Redbridge Council, when we are elected we are hard working and effective representatives.

Alex Berhanu

Note: All the candidates for Ilford North have been offered 250 words on this blog. They will be published if and when they are received. Click the label below to see who’s in.

Ilford North – Christian Peoples Alliance

Introducing Robert Hampson, the Christian Peoples Alliance candidate for Ilford North.

Robert Hampson is standing to oppose and reverse the de-Christianization of British public life.

Religious people whose chief desire is to serve God and live a decent life are increasingly made to feel awkward and even ashamed. Only recently a nurse after forty years was told she could no longer wear a small cross around her neck. The reason given was ‘health and safety’ but we all know the true reason. It is fear of upsetting non-Christians. Robert calls this ‘cultural suicide’. It is not only Christians who suffer, it is all religious people. It is no accident that Anti-Semitism is on the rise and Muslims are consistently portrayed negatively in the media. As Chairman of the East London Three Faiths Forum, a society of Jews, Christians and Muslims, Robert has worked tirelessly to build bridges and trust between the religious communities. However this is often an uphill struggle with religion so undervalued and often despised.

Where society does not respect Christian Faith it certainly does not respect other faiths. A more robust Christian identity will not undermine the position of other people of faith, rather enhance it. Robert seeks to put this squarely at the forefront of political debate.

Robert is a keen horse rider and married to Florence. He also teaches philosophy at Heythrop College, London, runs a small holiday company called ‘Luthertour.com’ which specializes in historical study tours in Germany and is a school governor. He enjoys being busy.

Revd. Robert Hampson, Vicar of Holy Trinity, South Woodford

Note: All the candidates for Ilford North have been offered 250 words on this blog. They will be published if and when they are received. Click the label below to see who’s in.

England Expects

Thought I’d put the flag out today as it is Saint George’s Day.

Saint George is not only the patron saint of England. He is also the patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia, as well as the cities of Amersfoort, Beirut, Bteghrine, Cáceres, Ferrara, Freiburg, Genoa, Ljubljana, Gozo, Pomorie, Qormi, Lod and Moscow, Scouting, as well as a wide range of professions, organizations and disease sufferers.

He is best known for the slaying of the Dragon, but since he is the very stuff of myth and legend just what does that Dragon symbolise?

There should also be plenty of crosses to count in two weeks time. I understand that the Redbridge council election votes will be counted on Friday afternoon, May 7th, while the parliamentary counts start the previous evening.

Ilford North – Conservative

Introducing Lee Scott, the Conservative Party candidate for Ilford North.

The Government has doubled our national debt and plan to double it again. This is not a sound economic policy it is the route to bankruptcy. Once again Labour has wrecked the British economy. They are playing a short-term political game in the hope of deceiving the British people and clinging on to power. Our nation needs new leadership and direction that only the Conservatives can deliver.

Conservatives recognise that government alone cannot solve the huge problems we face. Our aim is to move power away from the centre to individuals and communities. We will work to expand the economy by cutting bureaucracy not by extra taxes on jobs. Our school reform plan will raise standards and improve discipline. We will ensure that everyone who can work does work. Social problems will be tackled through community based projects. We will maintain our backing of the NHS and give power and control to healthcare professionals. I will continue to campaign to protect services at King George hospital. If re-elected I will continue to commute from my home in the constituency to Westminster and will not take foreign trips at tax payers’ expense.

I've had the honour of representing all the residents of Ilford North since 2005. I want the best for Ilford North, because it is where I live and where my children went to school. But I also want to see my country given back its pride and its decency, and that is what I will work for if re-elected.

Lee Scott

Note: All the candidates for Ilford North have been offered 250 words on this blog. They will be published if and when they are received.

Ilford North – Labour

Introducing Sonia Klein, the Labour Party candidate for Ilford North.

Sonia Klein has been a grassroots, community activist since the age of 15 when she was active with a local women’s group in East London. Sonia joined the Labour Party in 1987 and was inspired in response to Mrs Thatcher’s policies of privatisation, deregulation and inequality.However, Sonia is does not support all Labour policy has been very vocal against the Iraq War and Trident. Still, she believes passionately in Labour core principals of social justice and equality, and hopes to influence policy development from within. Her background includes 23 years of professional experience, and is currently a Senior Consultant with Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Sonia has an MBA from George Washington University and is completing her PhD thesis in Innovation Theory.

Her campaign focuses on local economic development, inward investment and support of small businesses. Sonia has a long history of supporting entrepreneurial activities especially among women’s groups and young citizens. Sonia has a strong International trade background and hopes to stimulate Ilford North into becoming a sustainable, economic engine in 21st century global industries including low carbon markets.

Sonia’s says ‘know your candidate and elect someone who will aggressively fight to make Ilford North the best place it can be’.

Sonia Klein

Note: All the candidates for Ilford North have been offered 250 words on this blog. They will be published if and when they are received.

Ilford North – Green

Introducing Caroline Allen, the Green Party Candidate for Ilford North.

Originally from Essex I have lived and worked, as a Vet, in East and North London for the last decade. I joined the Green Party because of its strong positions on animal protection and the environment. I still believe no other party comes close on these important issues. However, the Green Party’s policies in other crucial areas are often overlooked and these are just as important to me.

The main political parties have presided over an extended period of increasing inequality, which I believe has a very damaging effect on society and especially young people. I believe that only the Green Party has an economics policy that can reverse this trend.

I am committed to strong public services, provided locally and offering employment for local people. The NHS is key to the well being of a community, and I am strongly opposed to the privitisation of the NHS and against the many hospital closures threatening healthcare, including in Ilford. Preventative health care is also an issue I am passionate about, I believe closures of local sports facilities are astonishingly short sighted and believe everyone should have access to green space within walking distance.

Working for a small business I see how vibrant local businesses are important for communities. I will work to support local businesses and ensure shops remain within walking distance of people, restricting the power of supermarkets.

I believe the Green Party has the policies to make life better in Ilford North and beyond, and am proud to be their candidate.

Caroline Allen

Note: All the candidates for Ilford North have been offered 250 words on this blog. They will be published if and when they are received.

Cloud Cover

I don’t want to worry you all unnecessarily, but the last time Eyjafjallajökull erupted it lasted two years – from 1821 to 1823. But we didn’t have aeroplanes back then and we didn’t rely so much on imports for food.

The BBC Reports:

One of the UK's biggest fresh fruit importers said business had ground to a halt because of the disruption. Anthony Pile, chairman of Blue Skies, said the company was losing £100,000 a day as produce was rotting in Brazil and Africa."Losing a day is a disaster, losing three days is unbelievable and I don't know what we're going to do if we go into the middle of next week," he said.

Meanwhile the people who live close to airports are enjoying some peace and quiet, there are no vapour trails in the sky and the birds are singing. But panic buying has apparently set in and holiday bookings in Clacton, Blackpool and Brighton are surging.

And the Olympics are just two years away! It’s all about timing. If only it had stranded all the politicos and VIPs in Copenhagen last year. Still that’s Mother Nature for you, unpredictable but always ready to remind us who’s the boss.

Public v Private

There is currently an ideological battle going on, although you may be forgiven if you haven't noticed, between those who believe in Public sector services and those who believe in the Private sector, the market and competition.

The theory is that being subject to competition and the market drives productivity and efficiency and brings down unit costs and therefore prices at the point of sale. This works well to a point. Where customers are many and behave as a crowd, switching to another product or just stop buying, it does rather concentrate the minds of the producers or service providers if they want to stay in business. But that’s not the only factor. Volume creates it’s own downward pressure on prices. We saw the VCR in its infancy costing on average about £500, and at its demise 20 odd years later, at £50.

But the problem is that it doesn’t always work like this. There are some companies who have no incentive whatsoever to reduce their prices. They produce exclusive products or services for very few customers, so if everybody could afford them they would no longer be exclusive and they would lose their market niche.

Then there is another category of company who have the customer tied in. That is, the customer has no choice but to buy and to pay whatever the cost is. One example here is the drugs and medication procured by the National Health Service from the major Pharmaceutical companies.

Anyone who has had a look at the prices paid by government departments and local authorities to Private Companies will know that those prices are steep. They don’t mess about haggling. And there is masses of it. Drugs are but one item – ambulances, hospital equipment, beds, linen etc. School desks, chairs, books, etc. Police vehicles, uniforms, protective equipment, fire engines, military equipment [sic!]…. Then there are the people who build and maintain our roads, collect our rubbish, sit on quangoes and let’s not forget the ubiquitous and expensive Consultants. You could probably come up with a dozen more. Oh, mustn’t forget all those people building computer systems that don’t work

Now think about this! Public sector employees like nurses and teachers don’t actually get paid a great deal, but the people who are in charge do – the executives and the politicians. And it is those people who are responsible for wasting spending taxpayer’s money with the Private sector and don’t have the faintest idea of how to operate like Tescos. So, where do you think the axe will fall? And where should it fall?

The state just ain’t good at shopping. And if we privatise these services, i.e. contract them out where the state still pays the bill, it ain’t gonna get any better.

The Public and the Private sector do not exist in isolation. They are both interlocked within a highly complex economic system and both have an important part to play and both depend upon each other. I just wonder though; who exactly is ripping off the taxpayer and who would be squealing if the State did actually get a grip Tesco wise?

Meanwhile, Owen over on The Third Estate makes the case for pen pushers.

The March Hare

Redbridge residents took to the street again on Saturday 17 April to oppose plans to close the A&E department at King George hospital. About 200 marched from the green near the hospital through Seven Kings and into the centre of Ilford to hear local community and religious leaders condemn the plans. Organisers emphasised the need to maintain the campaign through the election period and keep ready for new challenges after May 6. Members of Redbridge NUT and of Unite the Union also joined the march with their banners and flags. A lively group of young churchgoers from St. Pauls Goodmayes brought their megaphone and for once the Chadwell Heath Greens had some competition to see who could chant slogans the loudest.

Bob Archer

Meanwhile “Labour would close A&E departments and maternity wards if it wins the election, health secretary Andy Burnham admitted today.” 7th April 2010, Daily Mail.

Not to worry? We do have a local Labour MP who writes “I have led the campaign to Save King George Hospital.” Really? He has, admittedly, turned up for the photo ops but I’m not aware that he has “led” the campaign. I think those activists who have organised events such as yesterdays, like Andy Walker and Wilson Chowdhry, plus all our councillors from whatever party, I must mention here Cllr Mrs Sladden in particular, not forgetting Lee Scott MP Ilford North and of course the Ilford Recorder and all the foot soldiers will be jolly pleased to note we have had such leadership.

Alice, hypothesises, "The March Hare will be much the most interesting, and perhaps as this is May it won't be raving mad -- at least not so mad as it was in March."

Employment Problems?

Need advice on employment problems?

Redundancy, disciplinary action, unfairly dismissed, discrimination, age discrimination etc?

Then pop along to the “drop in centre” for free advice, at Holy Trinity Church, Mossford Green, Barkingside, IG6 2BX on Tuesday 27 April from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No appointment necessary.

Summer Coffee Mornings

Yes I know there are elections on and you are all busy either trying to gain people's attention or trying to avoid it, but having booked them up I thought I’d let you know now so you can ponder the delights we have to offer while you attempt to make sense of it all.

Thursday 20th May 2010
Matthew Maple
The latest on Barkingside Regeneration

Thursday 24th June 2010
Ian Dowling
Treasures of the Local Studies Archive

Thursday 15th July 2010
Ron Jeffries
Fairlop Plain – Interests in Common

These are all held in the Hainault Room, Fullwell Cross Library 10:00am – 12:00noon

We do Tea and biscuits too, and it's all Fairtrade.

There is no charge for these events and they are open to all.

Team Sheets

The closing date for nominations for the local council elections was last Thursday at noon. The team sheets for the parties for each ward in Redbridge are now up on the council website here.

At a quick glance most of the existing councillors are standing again, although not necessarily in the same ward or for the same party.

We say farewell, for definite, to Cllrs Borrott, Corfield and Eyre. We wish them well in their retirement.

Interestingly, the smaller parties are trebling up rather than spreading their candidates over more wards. The Greens have 3 candidates in Chadwell and Wanstead while the BNP have 3 candidates in Hainault and UKIP 2. Meanwhile in Mayfield 'Respect - The Unity Coalition' have 3.
More later, maybe when I've had a proper look.

Update: Now had a detailed look through the list.

I want to mention 4 Cllrs elected in 2006 who are no longer with us – James Leal, Simon Green, Charles Elliman and Allan Burgess. I have also noticed a few more absentees – Cllrs Radford, V Sharma and Hughes. We wish them well in their retirement too.

Then we have those Cllrs moving wards. This could be that they wish to retire but are willing to stand as a paper candidate in an “unwinnable” ward but could also be the party wishing to place their “big guns” in a “safe” ward. But I’m not sure about the latter. So, to be on the safe side we wish Cllrs Staight, Javed, Turner, Tewari and Islam well in their retirement too.

There is also one nomination who, if elected, will have the distinction of having served as an elected councillor for three different parties.

Spring Boots

The last few days have seen some glorious spring weather, and just when I’m dusting off my walking boots to do the Aldborough Heritage Walk I have got a Barkingside 21 newsletter to deliver. Everywhere I went there was this face staring up at me from doormats – I’ve been having nightmares. Anyway back to that walk. I have already done it but not all at once nor in that order. I can recommend it. It was put together by Cllr Mrs Clark who is currently the borough’s heritage champion, and the well known Ron Jeffries. There are couple of mistakes on the detail, as you might have seen in last week’s Ilford Recorder, but nothing to worry about and these will be corrected in the next print run. Click to see the goodies on the trail.

This we hope will be the first of many. There are loads of under recognised gems in this borough and to treasure them we first need to know they are there.

Also the Fairlop Heritage Group are working with Jacqueline Eggleston, Project Manager for Fairlop Waters, on a heritage trail for that site and further afield, but this will encompass other aspects such as nature. Watch out for that.

And speaking of Nature there is a Songs at Dawn walk on Sunday 25 April 2010.

Fancy waking up at the crack of dawn to hear birds sing? It sounds quite a feat, but you only have to do this event once a year and it’s well worth the early start. There’s food included at the end as well.

After last year's very successful walk led by the Woodward brothers, they have been asked to lead the walk through Hainault Forest Country Park again to hear the songs of our native and migratory wildlife during their most important time of year - the breeding season. We’ll then enjoy a tasty selection of breakfast treats. From 4.45 am to 8 am. £3 per person. Booking is essential and all major card payments can be taken over the phone. The event is suitable for 11 yrs +.

Please contact the Nature Conservation Ranger Team on 020 8559 2316 or email

The Worm Turns

Ever since Nick Hurd, MP Ruislip-Northwood, adopted the Sustainable Communities Act for his Private Members Bill I have been on his newsletter mailing list. Most of it is locally focussed but sometimes there is an item of general, nay environmental, interest that catches my eye. Like this item. He is a governor for a local Junior School who have just installed a Wormery. I like worms. They are our garden friends unlike those bastard slugs and snails who strip my plants and lettuces. That’s why we need to ensure a balance of bio-diversity [see previous post] of birds who eat the damned things!

I [Nick Hurd] am Governor of Coteford School and was talking with the School Council about what we could do to protect the Environment. They came up with the great idea of a wormery to process all the food that gets wasted in the school. Hillingdon Council supported us with some funding and the worms are now happily producing compost from the food scraps. All very efficient - and a good example to other schools .

"A good example to other schools." But not just in Ruislip. Any Redbridge School Governors out there?

Mind you one could ask why so much food gets wasted in the first place but I suppose that’s just a step too far just at present. I really must do a review of “Waste” since they were so kind to give me a free copy.

Manifesto for Birds

Thought I’d keep it topical. In fact the RSPB do have a manifesto: “As a charity, the RSPB does not support any political party. Instead, we engage with all parties equally in a bid to raise the environment up the political agenda.” See their objectives here.

Want to know more? Well, the local branch [the North East London RSPB] are holding court at the James Leal Centre this coming Friday 9th April and Saturday 10th April from 10:30am to 3:30pm. The idea is for you to find out about the RSPB, local wildlife, and local bird walks in the area. There will be a special exhibition on their “sustainable homes for birds” programme showing how Swifts and Sparrows can nest inside a roof. The demo roof will only be available on Friday from 12 noon to 3.30 pm and from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm on Saturday.
The Nature Conservation Rangers are doing monthly topics for the International Year of Biodiversity and April is about birds, in particular, the house sparrow and swift. The Rangers latest events schedule is now up on the council website.

The James Leal Centre is in Ray Park, Snakes Lane East, Woodford Green, Ilford, Essex, IG8 7JQ

Game On

For those of you who do not find this season’s Premier League football fascinating and exciting, we now have the distraction of a General Election which will culminate two days earlier [maybe] on May 7th when BBCs Final Score tot up the points for each team in the parliamentary league table.

Here in Ilford North we have, so far, and according to “your next MP”, a choice of six. They are:

Alex Berhanu, Liberal Democrats
Caroline Allen, Green Party
Lee Scott, Conservative Party
Robert Hampson, Christian People’s Alliance
Sonia Klein, Labour Party
Danny Warville, BNP [added 14 April]
Henri van der Stighelen, UKIP [added 14 April]
And of course don’t vote at all.

If this doesn’t turn you on with anticipation and excitement, you might like to pop down the travel agents and book a months holiday where there is no wi-fi access. Alternatively you could put a big sign on your front door warning leafletters and canvassers of the doom that awaits them if they dare to ring your bell or rattle your letterbox. Other than that you could have a lie down with a strong cup of tea and some Fairtrade chocolate, or whatever your passion is. A good book, like ‘Bleak House” maybe?

Anyway, having given the Local Party leaders/ spokesmen the opportunity to have a say on this blog on the Local Elections I would now like to invite the candidates for Ilford North constituency to submit a 250 word statement for publication here. Optional of course.

And to wrap up this post here is the Quote of the Day:

GB is due to ask QE to dissolve parliament (which may bring cheer to many disgruntled voters, depending on what she decides to dissolve it in) and we are to elect the next one on 6th May.
Stuart Jeffery

Stop Press: Elsewhere the Ilford South UKIP candidate is in trouble already, the BNP are having a bit of a tiff and a black Reverend has got it in for Margaret Hodge across the border in Barking.

Parish Notice

Yesterday, in case you hadn’t noticed, was April 1st so I have had to delay this post by one day, just in case anybody thinks it’s a spoof. April 1st marks the first day of another year for Barkingside 21. It is the day when membership fees are due and we are proud to announce that there will be no increase this year. In fact there has been no increase since our inauguration in 1999. The membership fee remains at £3 per person as it has been for the 11 years of our existence, although it has to be said that most members make an additional donation for which we are jolly grateful. We also have a regular income from Redbridge Council for looking after two public recycling points. This has meant that we have not had to approach the IMF [Area Committee 3] for top up funds since a £300 grant several years ago to kick start our coffee morning programme.

This remarkable achievement is due to sound and prudent financial management by our great helmsman, the Treasurer. Basically we don’t spend what we don’t have and we tailor our expenditure to our income. However, whilst we are financially solvent, these hard economic times have brought about a review of our spending and we are initiating some efficiency savings. Have you seen how much a second class stamp is? 32 pence! Thirty Two Pence! That’s almost 6s 6d. So, the database has been updated so that members with an email account receive their AGM pack electronically. This also saves on paper, envelopes and manpower. Plans to include biometric data on membership cards have been dropped as well as our Tripod replacement programme. Our special relationship with AHDA is stronger than ever and we remain committed members of NITO [North Ilford Treaty Organisation] although we are unhappy with the way subsidies are allocated by the British Union in Westminster.

So it is that the committee stand on their record of achievement and pledge continuance of our two main areas of expenditure – hire of halls for meetings and our hard copy newsletter [April edition at the printers now]. I can announce that the election will be held on 26th April 2010 at our Annual General Meeting details below.

Notice is hereby given of our
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be followed by a
PUBLIC MEETING
Speaker:
Jacqueline Eggleston
Project Manager Fairlop Waters
Date: Monday 26th April 2010
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Place: Aldborough Room, Fullwell Cross Library

New Kerbside Recycling Collection Scheme

EXCLUSIVE: In the last few days Redbridge Council, along with every other local authority in the country, has received a substantial government grant to introduce an innovative new Kerbside Recycling collection scheme. It is expected to be launched on, or soon after, May 7th 2010 and is aimed specifically at the next of kin of redundant councillors, Members of Parliament and their hopeful challengers.

Residents will be asked to leave their waste politicians at the edge of their property no later than 7am on the day after their normal bin collection day, with a packed lunch and an Identity badge. Here in Redbridge, officers are busily making arrangements to recruit sufficient men in white coats to collect and take them away to a new Barnabas Workshops recycling and rehabilitation centre at a refurbished WWII detention camp on Fairlop Plain. Here they will be remolded into useful members of society, before being referred to Job Centre Plus.

Macabre Find at Valentines Mansion

The Redbridge Crime Scene Investigation [CSI] team have sealed off Valentines Mansion. They have now been in attendance for several hours and having examined the whole area, have issued the press release below. We have obtained photographic evidence from an indpendent source but the gruesome nature of this crime prevents publication of all but the most sanitised of graphics.

At approximately 4.00 pm yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 31 March 2010, one dismembered and half eaten body was found outside the immediate vicinity of the Valentines Mansion walled gardens by a passing jogger. The deceased has been formally identified as one F. Pigeon who was known to regularly frequent the area and was responsible for the roaring trade of the local Dry Cleaners.

There are no reported sightings of any suspect, but one local, a Miss April Foule, points the finger of blame at another individual who also frequents this wilderness area harassing other park users. The suspect is described as follows: slate grey back and white underparts closely barred by orange. The individual uses a set of wings to manoeuvre around the park and some locals believe the individual goes by the name of S. Hawk. An artist's impression can be found here.

Locals have expressed their sympathies to the Pigeon Family. F Pigeon will be sorely missed; as he was a well known and valuable member of the community known as the Food Chain as well as a keen supporter of local business. If anyone has seen anything, please report in urgently at Birdstoppers and ask for DCI Robin Peck from the Nature Crime Squad.

Tajinder: Crime and Nature correspondent