Article Archive

Sunday 1 November 2009

(Circuit mission magazine 2009)

When there are no all age worship services, Sunday school is held in the church school room and is moderated by Joan Charlesworth and Chris Snelson.

Sunday school starts with a short prayer by Mrs Charlesworth. After this, the main part of the lesson gets underway consisting of some of us reading passages from New Testament chapters in the Bible, discussions about the Word of God or Mrs Charlesworth reading from a related religious book- One she has regularly used down the years is called ‘The Boil in the Bag Meditations’ by Ernest J. Hewitt.

Over the years, our group has increased in its attendees and has become much more varied in terms of age meaning that the younger children get creative with colouring pencils, while the older members of the group discuss important issues such as poverty, the environment and the broader aspects of religion. One particular lively discussion that sticks out in my memory was about MPs expenses!

As part of our missionary work, we write messages of hope in cards for the sick and Mrs Charlesworth keeps records of the birthdays of members of our group. Through Sunday school, several members, including me, have contributed to conducting the church service and reading bible readings, prayers and poems before the service and during the service.

We conclude with a prayer for any individuals who are present and those who are unable to attend the service. Chris hands out some confectionary, the carpet is rolled and the chairs are stacked until the next Sunday school.

Unemployment just keeps getting worse. Newspaper copy reading… “it has risen to the highest level in a certain amount of years” is being common place.

According to the Office of National Statistics (Sometimes you wish they did not exist because of the very serious figures they produce) unemployment increased by 210,000 to 2.47m in the three months to July, taking the jobless rate to 7.9%.

BBC News have highlighted a handful of the human stories behind these statistics and they are heartbreaking. It was difficult to hear the story of Peter Baldry who is literally counting the pennies to try and make ends meet for as long as he can. There are millions of similar stories like Peter’s and for those of us who have jobs, food to eat and stable homes to live in, as a society we need to reflect and think about those in need. Perhaps, if possible help in what ever way we can.

Equally as worrying is the level of youth unemployment that we now have in this country. 947,000 youngsters are not in employment, education or training. How can we be potentially allowing the confidence of what is the future of this country to be shattered by a lack of opportunity?

I am under no illusions that this task is a mammoth one, but what annoys me is when Education Minister Jim Knight spins the same line that unemployment is falling and lower than average rates of unemployment than the G7 and the EU. He does not really seem to publicly acknowledge the severity of unemployment.

On the September 13 edition of Meet the Press With David Gregory, author Joshua Cooper Ramo pointed out that “limited job growth” is “not the way to have a powerful country” and that America “needs a massive rethink of the way we deal with unemployment in this country.”

Mr Ramo also touched on a very interesting point about changing the way jobs are created and “retraining people in jobs that they’re that they’re usually out of in one or two years.”

For all we say about our politicians, they are intelligent people.

Let’s have a Commons debate to spark innovative ways to create good, well paying jobs with real prospects.

Because if governments just plough a little bit of money into a jobs fund, unemployment will not match figures from the 80s and 90s, but exceed them.

So the people of Japan have well and truly spoken.

Exit polls show that The Democratic Party of Japan has secured a huge landslide victory over the incumbent Liberal Democratic Party of Prime Minister Taro Aso after 50 years in power.

It is incredible that any party could win so many elections and yet not bring a lot of change to a country who is crying out for jobs and more money in their pockets.

Politics is one of the greatest institutions to improve people’s lives, but in Japan it has not lived up to what it should be.

Japan will no longer be the world’s third largest economy, a position that will be surrendered to China.

I am sceptical about the change that the new government can bring. Yukio Hatoyama wants to reform the bureaucracy and boost welfare, but where are the economic and political resources to do this?

Empty words must be turned into meaningful action, or Japan will continue to lose money and lose their reputation as one of the world’s leading economies.

Thursday 27 August 2009

(North and East Manchester Advertiser)

Exciting times lie ahead for Manchester Settlement after the centre moved into its new home in The New Roundhouse on Ashton Old Road, Openshaw.

Relocation was decided once workers realised that the previous building on Bosworth Street had insufficient space to allow all of their projects to be carried out.

An official opening day in June was attended by more than 100 people, and the building was named after the settlements original home, The Roundhouse on Every Street in Ancoats.

Play schemes will be held during Easter and summer holidays with a maximum intake of 50 children aged between six and 12 years.

The first play scheme at the new building proved to be a success, with more than 130 children registering and there has been a full capacity on numerous occasions. Children have visited Eureka, Blackpool Zoo and Camelot.

Clare McGlone of Manchester Settlement, said: “The settlement has been helping people in East Manchester since 1895. Our aim is to continue to help local people realise their own potential and make better lives for themselves and their families.”

“We are busy looking at other after school activities for children – so watch this space.

“We have received a lot of interest from community members and residents; everyone wants to know who we are, what we do and what is on offer at the new building. We have asked residents to come forward with suggestions of activities that they want to do at the New Roundhouse, we have had a very good response and hope to have a variety of creative, educational, health related and fun activities on offer in the coming months.

“Young people who attend our projects and activities are happy that they have the opportunity to be involved in the new roundhouse, as the building is modern and bright and is a great space for them.

The Settlement is a registered Independent school and as a result of its funding for adult education, there are vacancies for teaching assistant and adult tutors to deliver a variety of sessions.

Interested applicants can call Clare on 0161 614 8448 to apply for any one of these positions and to receive more information.

See www.manchestersettlement.org.uk

Thursday 13 August 2009

(North and East Manchester Advertiser)

I was surprised to see that 64 per cent of respondents in a July poll believed that there should be a limit on how many children parents have.

Expanding family sizes contribute to an ever growing population. Parents who want their children to enter higher education and have good jobs may find that having excessive numbers of children will create a greater demand for these institutions and on the jobs market.

I am not saying do not have any kids at all, but there are so many parents who cannot look after themselves, let alone provide for children. It almost seems silly how you need identification to buy an 18 rated DVD, but you do not need a licence to become a parent.

Chris and Wendy Jeub from Monument, Colorado has 15 children five boys and 10 girls. Apparently they belong to a ‘Quiverfull movement’ that rejects birth control. “Wendy and I believe God wants us to trust him in our family planning.” This is the type of ridiculous statement that makes one question the motives behind the reasons that man and woman choose to have children. Well, the family now has a US TV series for their efforts.

I am not sure if it is fair to bring children into the world should the child have to suffer from material and cultural deprivation, and endure the bullying, mental and psychological effects that can come from scarcity?

It was your choice to have a baby. Perhaps a limit on how many children parents have may need to be looked at. Have one child, two or maybe even three, but do you really need more?

Tuesday 21 July 2009

(Manchester Evening News)

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1127043_new_parking_powers_for_councils

Drivers who double park or block dropped kerbs can be hit with an instant £70 fine under new powers given to councils.

Parking bosses now no longer have to put up warning notices to be able to issue the penalty notices.

Blocking the road by double parking, and blocking a dropped kerb intended to help wheelchair users and people with prams cross, are both offences in the Highway Code.

But until now councils have only been able to issue fines if there are either yellow lines or a warning notice.

The new powers could also be used to fine people who block a dropped kerb to a house or a drive, but in these cases the homeowner would need to ask the council to take action.

The change in the rules was welcomed by Coun Derek Antrobus, head of planning at Salford council.

He warned: “Parking attendants will be looking to enforce all these extended powers.”

Those who flout the rules will get a £70 fine, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

Thursday 9 April 2009

(North and East Manchester Advertiser)

http://www.nemadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/1107694_helping_people_into_employment

A community-based resource centre is helping people gain important skills and qualifications to get into employment.

The Waterloo Centre, based in Cheetham Hill, is a centre occupied primarily by three non-profit organisations; CS Plus, First Asian Trust Limited (a registered charity) and Manchester Asian Care Limited.

There are three main organisations currently delivering a range of different services for the community including Employment, Learning and Domiciliary Care Services.

Basat Mahmood, project manager for the Waterloo Centre, said: “FAST JobNET, is a new deal for disabled people and providing job brokers who support disabled people on Incapacity Benefit and other health related benefits into sustainable employment.

“Our services include one-to-one help with CV making, job search, interview technique, Construction Skills and Certificate Skills cards, Security Industry Authority cards and in-work support, which is delivered across Manchester.

“CS Plus provides learning support including Learndirect facilities, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), Sewing and Design and Construction Skills and Certificate Skills courses.

Manchester Asian Care Limited provides domiciliary care services to older and disabled people in Manchester, Trafford and Bury.”

All organisations based at the Waterloo Centre market their services across Greater Manchester concentrating on the most deprived wards in Trafford, Salford and Manchester.

They are particularly active in areas such as Old Trafford, Broughton, Ordsall, Cheetham, Harpurhey, Crumpsall, Moston and Blackley.

Local people in these inner city wards are primarily long term unemployed with few or no qualifications.

They have been disadvantaged in schooling, work experience and skills training.

New communities have come into these areas including refugee communities (Somalia, Eritrean, Nigerian and other West African communities), as well as the new EU enlargement communities of Poles and Lithuanians.

Some of what their collective provision focuses on is supporting the learners’ progression into additional learning; preparing and supporting people on incapacity benefit; lone parent benefit and other health related benefits on their journey into employment.

Since 2006-2008, the Waterloo Centre has been responsible for engaging 723 new learners and 328 people on Incapacity Benefit or health related benefits.

They have provided information advice and guidance to 877 customers; securing sustained employment for 541 people and achieving 430 skills for life test passes in literacy and numeracy.

The centre is open Monday to Friday; 9am to 6pm and is fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), along with five accessible and 30 parking spaces.

There is also a fully accessible Learndirect ICT suite, including induction loop system, audible/visual fire alarm, large text software; text to sound conversion. There are hot/cold refreshments facilities.

The centre is easily accessible by bus, metrolink and car.

Mr Mahmood said: “To reinforce our delivery and commitment to making sustainable change in these areas, over the next three years we will open new resource centres in Old Trafford and Manchester (Harpurhey) and Salford.

“In 2009/10 the Waterloo Centre will continue to make improvements to facilitate our customers’ journey into employment. For example, we will be improving crèche facilities, enhancing the ICT suite, and having closer integration with Learndirect.

“We will also purchase and refurbish the first of the new additional resource centres in Harpurhey, the most deprived ward in Manchester and the third most deprived in England.”

Thursday 27 March 2009

(North and East Manchester Advertiser)

http://www.nemadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/1105017_obama_should_do_more_over_cuba

Secretary for the Manchester Cuban Solidarity Campaign group Mark Burton has expressed doubts about the impact of President Barack Obama’s decision to lift some sanctions on Cuba.

“At the moment Obama is not lifting this cruel and illegal blockade. He is merely lifting some elements,” he said.

“Those that affect expatriate Cubans who wish to send money to families or who wish to visit home. However in both cases restrictions look like they will remain. Secondly they are restrictions on those that affect US farmers who wish to sell foodstuffs to this natural regional market,” he added.

Cubans can now visit America annually instead of once every three years and the President has also dropped a requirement that Havana pay cash in advance for US food imports.

This provision was included in the $410 billion spending bill that Mr Obama signed into law.

A move seen as an indication of Obama’s willingness to improve relations with Cuba worsened by the Bush administration.

Relations between the two countries first deteroriated on 7 February 1962 when President John F Kennedy imposed an economic and trade sanction embargo on Cuba after Fidel Castro confiscated US property on the island.

“We need to remind ourselves of what the blockade means- and we must not forget that it was strengthened by George Bush senior and Bill Clinton.”

Mr Burton pointed out specific details of the blockade.

“The blockade actually means that no Cuban products or raw materials may enter the US, US companies and foreign subsidiaries are banned from trade with Cuba and Cuba must pay cash up front when importing US food.

“As well as this, ships which dock in Cuba may not dock in the US for six months, US citizens are banned from spending money or receiving gifts in Cuba without special permission, in effect a travel ban and US residents with family on the island are limited to one visit every three years.”

He revealed that despite the daily hardships that Cubans face, they are better off than if they lived in comparable countries such as Jamaica and Dominican Republic and better off than many in the so called developed countries.

“Life expectancy at birth in Cuba is 76 years old for males, and 80 years old for females. Manchester’s life expectancy is 71.2 years old for males and 77.6 years old for females.

“Harpurhey’s life expectancy for males is 67.6 years old and 75.4 for females.

“The UK’s life expectancy for males is 77 years old, while females live on average until 81 years old. The United States life expectancy is 75 years old and 80 years old respectively.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s life expectancy for males and females is 69 years old and 75 years old.

“In other words Cuba is almost identical to the UK as a whole and better than its neighbours USA and Jamaica, the one a far richer country and the other one of comparable income but without the welfare system that there is in Cuba.”

He also assessed Mr Obama’s first few months as President.

“He has made some predictable but disappointing moves in the intensification of the war in Afghanistan and full backing for Israel.

“On the plus side, Guantanamo Bay will be closed (but USA will still use detention centres in other countries and the US will hold onto this piece of Cuban territory).

“There has been some reduction in the aggression against Cuba and at last recognition of the urgent task of responding to climate change, although we will have to wait to see if the response will be anything like sufficient.”

March 2009 edition.

(College magazine: Xaverian X-press)

Is that newspaper worth binning or reading? Is MTV base really a better alternative than Sky News? There are various ways of keeping up to date with current affairs; whether it is through listening to news broadcasts, reading online articles or buying newspapers. However, it seems that not enough members of the population are aware of events home and abroad. The indirect initiative to encourage more people to read newspapers enables you to pick up a free edition of the Metro and the Manchester Evening News in Piccadilly Gardens, and in various places around Manchester. The hope is that more people will be actively involved in finding out what is going on in the world. A common reason for such ignorance of daily news is time constraints. Well, that is a reasonable justification. After all there are only so many hours in a day. Some may also just not have any interest in the news. The cynics may tell you that the news produces nothing but bad news- A teenager getting stabbed one day, shootings in London and bombs being set off in conflicts that civilians are forced to bear the brunt of. News is not about finding the most negative stories, but it is about bringing the truth to the people and allowing them to gain a knowledge and understanding of it.

The Plastic Logic’s factory in Dresden is creating an alternative method for reading the news. An electronic reader (Pictured) is being tested that if successful may change how we read our news. Technology is an unbelievable revolution but if we suddenly find that the only ways we can read news is by pulling out our e-readers, then surely this kills the traditions of the newspaper industry. Nothing can compensate for the texture of the newspaper when you open it and turn the pages. Could you buy another e-reader as easily as a newspaper if you misplaced it? Then again an e-reader would eliminate the problems I get when we are reading a newspaper and parts of it end up in the direction of the passenger sitting beside us!

This was not something I could figure out myself. Paper or paperless? Which is the best and most appropriate form of media? I spoke to Cleland Thom (Pictured), one of the UK’s leading journalism trainers, and director of Cleland Thom Journalism Training Effective Online Courses. He is an expert on the media; from broadcast journalism to speed-reading. Interviewing Margaret Thatcher, yes the ‘Iron Lady’ herself and finding his way onto the Arsenal bus after one of their many FA Cup Final appearances are just two of an extensive list of things he has done. The man who made me his youngest ever mentor student on his premier gold mentoring scheme; I could think of no one better to ask.

When asked on his opinion of just what the future is for media he said that he “thinks there will always be a place for printed newspapers. But there will be far fewer of them – the nationals will survive, but many locals and magazines will switch to online presence. The recession is already forcing many closures, and the titles that do survive will be forced to go online because it’s cheaper and easier to produce. Also, the global warming lobby will eventually force the closure of many printed products. He goes onto to say that he “prefers printed papers – partly because they are 100% reliable. I can put one in my bag and guarantee it’ll be there wherever and whenever I want to read it. That’s important to me. Even with all the latest technology, the web is unreliable, servers go down, pix are too big to download and you can’t use it on planes or in lifts or on the tube!”

Cleland says that journalists have more to tell readers than ever before. “From a journalist’s point of view, there’s never been more news around than there is now – locally, nationally and internationally. Economic crisis, global warming, terrorism, social unrest, wars, crime, and natural disasters most weeks – I wish I was a young journalist again, I’d have a field day! News isn’t dying.”

He admits that news can only carry out its function of holding people accountable and bringing them to justice “if there is a journalist who has the time, skills and perseverance to get to the truth.”

Meanwhile, he has some choice words for those who remain cynical about the media suggesting that “if they don’t like it – don’t buy it. Or maybe go and live in somewhere that has a State controlled press?”

In an ever-growing competitive industry where job cuts and redundancies are happening left, right and centre, he says that his business is doing very well. “We’re actually growing at the moment, more rapidly than we’ve ever done. But we cannot take anything for granted. I’ve always said that one person’s storm is another person’s chance to sell umbrellas. And we’re selling quite a few at the moment.”

Whether the media is paper based or paperless, one thing’s for sure- it’s not going to disappear.

Thursday 12 March 2009

(North and East Manchester Advertiser)

http://www.nemadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/1102032_threat_to_our_mail_should_be_stamped_out

North and east Manchester political leaders have made it clear that they do not want the Royal Mail to be privatised.

Last week, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson introduced a government Bill into the House of Lords to part privatise 30 per cent of the Royal Mail.

Lord Mandelson and many government ministers argue that privatisation is essential for the modernisation of the post office.

He told the BBC that new investment was sorely needed as Royal Mail “was in danger of running out of money.”

However, approximately 125 Labour MPs oppose the scheme. They have expressed concerns about full privatisation, job cuts and Labour breaking a campaign pledge to keep services in public ownership.

A total of 145 MPs have signed a Commons motion against the plan.

Labour MP for Manchester Blackley, Graham Stringer spoke at a rally in Albert Square organised by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in support of stopping the privatisation of the Royal Mail.

“There is absolutely no need to sell part of the Royal Mail off. One only has to have a look at other partial privations which show that the private sector gets the profits and the taxpayer gets the debt.

“We want modernisation not privatisation. It is ridiculous that the Royal Mail have to deliver their private sector competitors letters and in doing so they are being forced to subsidise them. If they didn’t have to subside their competitors an extra £100 million a year, this money could be used to improve the service.

“Peter Mandelson has done many good things for the Labour Party and the country, but he has got this one wrong.”

Harpurhey Councillor Paul Fairweather said: “All three Harpurhey councillors are 100 per cent behind the campaign to keep the Post Office public.

“We campaigned very hard to keep our sub post office on Rochdale Road and we would fight every inch to keep our main Harpurhey Post Office at Barnes Green.

“Our main post office provides an invaluable and important public service for the people of North Manchester.

“Most of the banks have pulled out of the Harpurhey and Collyhurst area so the post office is truly the ‘People’s Bank.’

Councillor Pat Karney echoed Fairweather’s sentiments. He said: “The Postal Service like any other body has to keep up to date and be responsive to customers.

“I don’t think that the privatisation of the water, utility and telephone service has brought great benefits to the consumer. Clearly the postal service has to take account of modern communications systems like email. I personally receive about 100 emails a day but I still receive about ten to fifteen letters. We need to lift the threat of privatisation and get everyone together, managers, staff and consumers, to plan for a modern public postal service.

People are not daft; they know that many changes have to be made with the growth of information technology. The local post office should be developed into the ‘people’s bank’ – it would be a better job than many of the present banks.”

Ancoats and Clayton councillor and City Council Deputy Leader Jim Battle said: “We expect the Royal Mail to provide a high quality affordable service, to secure employment and protect post office workers’ pension schemes.

We recognise that the trade unions and others are concerned that current Government proposals may undermine the Royal Mail and we urge the Government and MPs to carefully re-consider these plans and secure a viable future for this national asset.”

For more information log on to www.cwunorthwest.org