Someday I Will Treat You Good

Ofsteded

Posted in school by Andrew Brown on May 16th, 2008

KnightsI’ve just had some informal feedback on the Ofsted inspection that Knights Academy (part of the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation that I’m a governor of) has just been through and it seems very positive indeed.

Hatcham follows next week.

When the reports are published I’ll reflect on this more fully.

In the meantime my congratulations to staff and pupils at Knights.

Graffiti in East London

Posted in Civic Society by Andrew Brown on May 16th, 2008

I’ve never been a big fan of graffiti, probably one reason I was such an active advocate of Love Lewisham as a councillor, but I did always recognise there was often differences in the intent of those doing the deed.

That’s been brought into sharp relief by a couple of pieces of stenciling I’ve seen on my way to and from work over the last few days.

(more…)

When we said New Routemaster…

Posted in Politics by Andrew Brown on May 15th, 2008

You didn’t take us seriously did you?

It’s enough to give a politician a bad name…

Honesty and Competence

(Via The Tory Troll)

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links for 2008-05-15

Posted in Lewisham by Andrew Brown on May 15th, 2008

The Blackheath Bugle

Posted in Lewisham by Andrew Brown on May 14th, 2008

Don’t know how I’ve missed The Blackheath Bugle but obviously that needs to be rectified.  The About page says:

Think of this as Blackheath’s local paper… If you’ve ever received a local paper in Blackheath, you’ll know that it tends not to be very local. This Blackheath blog, whilst generally not being on paper, will be local.

Anyway expect to see links to posts from the blog in the round up of Lewisham bloggery from now on.

Mayor and Cabinet 14 May 2008

Posted in Lewisham by Andrew Brown on May 14th, 2008

Not much of an agenda as you’ll see, and it’s probably one of those meetings that are scheduled  just in case the Overview & Scrutiny Business Panel take issue with any of the items that went before the Mayor and Cabinet last time.

A rare event in my day, but possibly more frequent now.

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Another Stir Fry

Posted in food by Andrew Brown on May 14th, 2008

Stir fry

Can you go wrong with a stir fry?

This one is tofu marinaded in soy sauce, garlic and fresh ginger, which you shallow fry in the wok and then remove.

Then fry the onion, orange pepper, chili and greens, adding more soy and sesame oil to taste.

Return the tofu to the wok and serve over noodles.

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Taser Discharges

Posted in Civic Society by Andrew Brown on May 13th, 2008

You’ll perhaps remember me wondering whether one of our Green councillors was truly serious in worrying about Tasers being used on children.

So I’m interested in the Home Office’s figures:

The latest Taser statistics published today include figures from the first half of the Taser trial which was launched on 1 September 2007. The number of Taser usages for the period between 1 September 2007 and 29 February 2008 was 252 (236 of which were in last three months). Tasers were actually only discharged in 31 situations (of which 25 discharges were in the last three months) indicating that drawing or aiming the Taser is enough of a deterrent in most situations.

These figures are across 10 police forces and unfortunately there’s no breakdown to the Lewisham level (the Met account for 7 of the 31) or on the ages of those who have been the unhappy recipients of the shock.

But ACPO’s spokesman gives a clear view of who they think are likely to find themselves on the wrong end of this weapon:

Taser provides officers with an additional tool to defuse high risk situations involving extreme violence or the threat of such violence, protecting the public and officers from serious harm. In certain circumstances, its use can be more appropriate than conventional firearms in resolving dangerous situations safely and without injury to any person.

For other reasons I’ve also been reminded over the last week of this video of Richard Brunstrom being tasered.

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links for 2008-05-13

Posted in Lewisham by Andrew Brown on May 13th, 2008

Brian Paddick’s Diary

Posted in Lewisham, Politics by Andrew Brown on May 12th, 2008

Like everyone else in politics Brian Paddick has sold his diary to The Mail on Sunday. The difference is that his are funny:

Find myself broadcasting on Deptford Pensioners Radio station in East London. Wonder, not for first time, who exactly my Press officer is working for.

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