Another place to look is 'Rabbit Lane', the cycle/footpath that runs from Cemetery Road to Porz Avenue on the western side of Houghton Hall Park. I've seen one there is November 2016, although it scurried away before I could get my camera ready.
Friday 31 July 2015
The Allure of Black Squirrels in Houghton Regis: A Rare Sight to Behold
I suppose people who live there are accustomed to black squirrels, but I think this is the first time I've ever seen them. Two were darting about on this tree that is close to a roof in Dell Close, Houghton Regis when I spotted them this afternoon.
Another place to look is 'Rabbit Lane', the cycle/footpath that runs from Cemetery Road to Porz Avenue on the western side of Houghton Hall Park. I've seen one there is November 2016, although it scurried away before I could get my camera ready.
Another place to look is 'Rabbit Lane', the cycle/footpath that runs from Cemetery Road to Porz Avenue on the western side of Houghton Hall Park. I've seen one there is November 2016, although it scurried away before I could get my camera ready.
Monday 27 July 2015
Time to Renew My Royal Mail Opt-Out
Anyone fed up with Royal Mail pushing unaddressed mail through their door can opt-out.
Apparently, my 2 years of opting out have now expired, so that explains why the postie is cramming more crap through my door.
Yes, I know it's a job creation scheme, for the leaflet designers, the printers, the bulk deliverers, the postman, the bin-men, the recycling centre sorting people, and paper-makers, but to be honest, it's mostly absolutely unwanted by anyone in my household, so I prefer to opt-out.
Bear in mind that the Royal Mail don't deliver election material, so you should still get that if you opt-out.
And also bear in mind that Royal Mail reckons that 75% of junk mail doesn't actually come from them. So you might want to invest in a "NO JUNK MAIL" sign for your letterbox, and then jump out on the first people that ignore that sign, to give them a piece of your mind, so that they get the message.
The process involves going to Royal Mail website, writing to an address, waiting while you receive back gumph explaining the process, and then filling out a form, and post it back to them. So much for being simple!
To save a bit of time, you could download the paperwork they sent to me click on the link in that to download the OPT-OUT FORM, fill that in and mail it off.
Once you've opted out, RM should send you a sticker saying OPTED-OUT which you need to put somewhere near your letter box - after all, the poor old postie can't be expected to remember EVERYONE who has opted out.
Tuesday 7 July 2015
Central Bedfordshire Council: Polling day questions finally answered
I posted a series of questions to the Returning officer at Central Beds Council at the beginning of June. Today I got a response. I find the answer to question 1 particularly worrying.
1. During the May elections I was informed that some voters were able to go into a polling station, give their name, and get ballot papers, even though they had no polling card on them, and neither were they asked for any other form of identity. What is the correct procedure for the staff at a polling station to follow in the event that a person does not have a polling card?
RESPONSE: The system currently still works on trust with or without the poll card. The poll clerk should repeat the line entry as it appears in the register and the elector confirms that they are that person.
2. During the count of ballot papers, boxes for Tithe Farm and Parkside were clearly visibly unattended for a long period, and open, at the rear of the tent. Why were they not attended and kept locked at all times?
RESPONSE: I have spoken with the Manager who administered the count within the marquee and he assures me that the ‘open mixing’ boxes were always in view should anybody have attempted to tamper with them.
3. Why were counting staff kept waiting for long periods, apparently waiting to count votes when there were many boxes piled up waiting to be counted?
RESPONSE: Until the supervisor has clearance from the central control that the verification figure or the count figure has been reconciled with the number of ballot papers issued at the polling station then there will always be a small period of time when the counters ‘appear to be doing nothing’. Quite often the central control requests that a recount takes place and therefore that process would be carried out before the next box is issued.
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