Alan's Everyday Life Blog: 2023

Friday 29 December 2023

My Relationship to Prince William, Prince Harry and Diana Frances Spencer

Lady Diana Spencer lived an extraordinary yet tragically short life. She was born Diana Frances Spencer on 1 July 1961 into British nobility, growing up privileged on the grand Sandringham estate. Though shy, she was thrust into the global spotlight when her engagement to Prince Charles was announced in February 1981, having met just months earlier. Their spectacular royal wedding on 29 July 1981, enchanted the world, as over 750 million people tuned in on television.

Diana also embraced motherhood after marrying Prince Charles and taking on royal duties. She gave birth to Prince William in 1982 and Prince Harry in 1984. However, there was trouble behind the scenes. Diana and Charles' incompatibility led them to formally separate in 1992, which the Prime Minister announced that December. Their divorce was finalized in 1996, but Diana remained beloved by the public and devoted to humanitarian causes. Fatefully, she died at the age of 36 after a car crash in Paris on the last day of August in 1997. Her sudden death sparked an unprecedented outpouring of grief and affection for the "People's Princess" all over the globe. Even decades later, Diana's grace, compassion and activism still inspire.

Charitable Work

Princess Diana was deeply devoted to charitable causes and used her immense fame and influence to bring awareness and support to multiple organizations and issues. Some of the key charities and social welfare efforts Diana supported include:

National AIDS Trust - Diana was a patron and worked to help reduce the stigma around AIDS/HIV while raising funds for education and treatment.

Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital - She regularly visited this leading children’s hospital in London and served as President of its charity fund from 1989 until her death.

Leprosy Mission - Traveled to visit leprosy victims in Indonesia and India as part of this group’s efforts to treat and rehabilitate people.

Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Fund - She made many private visits to its cancer facility and served as President of the charity from 1989 onward.

Campaign to Ban Landmines - Part of the effort to abolish use of landmines around the world, which later won the Nobel Peace Prize.

British Red Cross Youth Group - As patron of the group, she promoted humanitarian values and recruited over 13,000 new volunteers.

Centrepoint - Supported caring for London’s growing homeless youth population as patron of this prominent charity.

Through these efforts and more, Diana helped advance important causes, raise funds and awareness, as well as showing compassion to marginalized groups. Her legacy of charity work lives on through her sons' endeavours as well.

Death and Funeral

I well remember the day of her passing. I had risen early to prepare the bottle for my baby daughter, switched on the TV around 7am to catch up with some news as I fed her, and there it was on the news. I woke my wife and put the TV news on in the bedroom. We spent the day as I imagine one spends it when a close member of any family dies; quiet, numb, reflecting, and frankly, devastated. The only difference is that we stayed tuned to TV all day long watching for any and every development in the story.

Diana, Princess of Wales' funeral was held on September 6, 1997 in London. My wife's parents joined us to watch the whole event on TV from our home in Hemel Hempstead. The funeral was televised globally and began with a procession through the streets of London to Westminster Abbey that included Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Charles, and other members of the royal family who walked solemnly behind Diana's coffin. Afterwards, Diana's coffin travelled to her family's estate in Northamptonshire. It was very moving to watch the hearse journey through the streets and north along the M1 motorway, where people thronged bridges and threw down flowers as a mark of respect. Later that day, she was laid to rest on an island at the Oval Lake on the grounds of Althorp Park in a private ceremony.

My Relationship to Diana Frances Spencer

It came to my attention that there was a family connection to Diana through Family Search. Diana was my 13th cousin. These details were taken from that website on 29/12/2023.

13th cousins are quite distant...!

By the time you get to the 5th cousin level, genealogists estimate the average person potentially has over 1 million cousins in that group if considering historical populations. Rules of thumb suggest that on average, if you go back an extra generation in distance (from 5th cousins to 6th cousins for example), you might expect to double or triple the pool of cousins. So, to get to 13th there's going to be a considerable population .. !

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Thursday 28 December 2023

My Relationship to President Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln served as the 16th President of the United States from 4 March 1861 until death following his assassination on 15 April 1865.

Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky on 12 February 1809. As president, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and helped preserve the United States by leading the country during the American Civil War. Lincoln is still frequently ranked by scholars as one of the greatest US presidents due to his role in reuniting the country following the Civil War and ending slavery.

While President Lincoln faced immense challenges and criticism during his time in office, he was able to accomplish amazing things thanks to the support of a handful of remarkable individuals. Each one played an integral part in helping Lincoln steer the nation through the tumultuous Civil War era and began moving the country towards granting freedom and rights for all.

It's fascinating to consider how different history may have turned out if not for these key allies believing in and standing by Lincoln's vision. Chase, Grant, Seward and Stanton supported him militarily and politically through crucial decisions and policies. Greeley and Douglass advocated for abolition from critical perspectives outside of government. And Mary Todd Lincoln remained devoted to her husband personally throughout unimaginable hardships.

Together this group of allies formed an incredible network that empowered Lincoln to follow his conscience and do what he felt was right for the American people. None of his notable achievements would have been possible without the shared commitment of these individuals. Their partnership illustrates how genuine compassion and moral courage can triumph over even the darkest of times when good people commit to working as one.

While Abraham Lincoln's legacy lives on primarily through his impactful leadership of the nation during turbulent times, it's clear he was also a gifted wordsmith in his own right. His renowned speeches and personal letters reveal a beautifully thoughtful and articulate writer.

As with many great figures who accomplished immense amounts, Lincoln seemingly didn't find spare time to author books among the endless demands of governing through crisis. Yet in a way, the volumes of his papers, writings and iconic speeches that he did leave us might as well be considered books in their richness and timelessness.

Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address in particular is a masterclass in concision, packing an immense ethical charge into just a few passionate minutes of prose. Measured against any golden standard of oratory, it shines eternally. Papers like his famous letter to Greeley on slavery further cemented Lincoln's place among history's most brilliant communicators.

The Gettysburg Address is considered one of the greatest speeches in American history. It was a short speech that Abraham Lincoln delivered on 19 November 1863 at the dedication ceremony for the National Cemetery of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania four months after the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg, where the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy. Over 50,000 soldiers from both sides were casualties in the massive battle.

Lincoln's carefully crafted 272-word speech consecrated the cemetery grounds as a final resting place and memorial for the Union soldiers who died in the bloody battle.

"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Instead of simply dedicating the new cemetery, Lincoln reframed the purpose and meaning of the Civil War in his speech. He described it as a struggle to test whether the nation "conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal" could long endure.

Lincoln's eloquent speech redefined the war as one fighting to preserve the union and guarantee equal rights of all, not just soldiers who died at Gettysburg. This gave the war a broader purpose beyond simply defeating the Confederacy.

The address concluded by challenging the nation to highly resolve that these soldiers shall not have died in vain, and that "this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.”

The speech took Lincoln around two minutes to deliver but played a huge role in further defining the moral purpose of the Civil War and renewing national commitment to defeating the Confederacy. It's tremendously concise but hugely impactful framework has resonated for generations as a defining expression of American democracy.

The legacy of Lincoln and his allies' cooperation continues to inspire those fighting for justice and equality today.

His assassination

In November 1864, Lincoln was re-elected to a second term, defeating Democratic candidate George B. McClellan. But just a few months later, on 14 April 1865, Lincoln was attending a play called "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C with his wife Mary Todd Lincoln. During intermission, John Wilkes Booth entered Lincoln's uncovered viewing box and shot him in the back of the head with a single-shot Derringer pistol at close range.

As shocked screams erupted in the theatre, Booth shouted "Sic semper tyrannis!" (Latin for "Thus always to tyrants") and escaped out the back of the theatre. Lincoln was carried across the street to the Petersen House, where he lingered unconscious for 9 hours before passing away the next morning on 15 April.

The assassination of President Lincoln was a tragic loss for the American nation at a pivotal moment in its history. It's heartbreaking to reflect on all he had yet to achieve in rebuilding the post-Civil War era.

While there were certainly many factors fueling John Wilkes Booth’s hatred, the catalyst seems to have been Lincoln’s unwavering commitment to equality and justice. Ending the tyranny of slavery was Lincoln's noble vision, though a controversial step for some. His second-term victory had signalled an even brighter future ahead.

Yet despite the motives, no action can undo the pain of that fateful night or console Mary Todd in her grief. While Booth escaped earthly justice, history rightly judges him as igniting more division. His co-conspirators also met grim fates.

Still, through the darkness shone examples like biographer Shelby Foote, who said "Lincoln freed the slaves, and in doing so saved the United States. In saving it, he made it worth saving.” Such wisdom reminds us that even our darkest hours can sow hope if leaders choose light over spite.

May we honour Lincoln's values by continuing his work with courage, empathy and care for all people. In this spirit alone, perhaps, his noble spirit is not fully slain.

My Relationship to President Abraham Lincoln

I was made aware of a relationship to President Abraham Lincoln through Family Search. He's my 8th cousin four times removed. These details are taken from Family Search on 28/12/2023.

How many people living today might also be 8th cousins?

Most people likely have between tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of living 8th cousins.

Rules of thumb suggest that on average, if you go back an extra generation in distance (from 5th cousins to 6th cousins for example), you might expect to double or triple the pool of cousins. Factors like intermarriage, migrations, and community size can increase or decrease those numbers.

So while an exact count isn't possible without extensive genealogy mapping, it’s reasonable to estimate most people likely have between 50,000 to 200,000+ living 8th cousins. Potentially more in the upper hundreds of thousands for some. It depends greatly on family lines.

In summary, tens or hundreds of thousands would be a sensible ballpark range for the likely number of living 8th cousins for most people of European descent.

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Wednesday 27 December 2023

My Relationship to Helen Keller

Helen Keller was born 27 June 1880 in Tuscumbia, Colbert, Alabama, United States. She became ill with an unknown illness described as "spinal meningitis" at the age of 19 months, which left her both deaf and blind.

With the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan, who taught her how to communicate using tactile sign language, Keller learned to read, write, and even speak English fluently and attended Radcliffe College, graduating cum laude in 1904.

Keller was a lifelong advocate for disability rights and challenged perceptions of deaf-blind people. She worked to educate the public about deafness and blindness through stories of her life and experiences.

Keller travelled all over the U.S.A. and made several international trips to highlight the capabilities and potential of deaf-blind people. She gave many inspirational speeches and lectures on her life experiences.

She lobbied for improved access to education for deaf-blind children. Thanks to her advocacy, programs were established across the U.S.A. to teach students using methods similar to those that Anne Sullivan taught her.

Keller helped establish workshops for deaf-blind people to learn daily living and vocational skills, challenging the notion they could not work or contribute. This helped increase employment opportunities.

She wrote an autobiography called "The Story of My Life" in 1903 to share her story with a wide audience. The book was a huge success and helped spread understanding of blindness/deafness issues. Here are a few quotes from that book that stand out:

— "My world is bounded by all senses except that of sight."

— "To me, beauty itself consists in clarity, order and harmony."

— "It is impossible for me to think without judging or reasoning, therefore I develop images of all that comes within the range of my experience, whether by the sense of touch, the movements of my fingers, or my muscular sense."

— "The appeal of nature is always infinitely sweet to me, and the scent of spring flowers even more delightful than their color. Their unfolding leaves seem as sensitive as hands, and their turning to the light as real as sight."

Along with Sullivan, Keller travelled to attend conferences on deafness and literacy education to share the best teaching practices and lessons they discovered together. Sullivan and Keller co-founded the Helen Keller International organization which works to combat the causes and effects of blindness and malnutrition worldwide.

Keller fought tirelessly against discrimination by raising awareness of deaf-blind capabilities. She said "the most pathetic person in the world is one who has sight but has no vision."

She authored 12 published books* and was friends with important historical figures like Mark Twain and Alexander Graham Bell.

Helen Keller's friendship with legendary American author Mark Twain was quite remarkable. Keller first met Twain in 1894 when she was 14 years old, and she was immediately intrigued by his wit and humour despite being unable to see him or hear his voice. Twain was fascinated by Keller's intelligence, curiosity, and ability to converse fluidly despite her disabilities. He called her a "little girl with a mighty mind."

The two developed a close friendship and would correspond frequently by letter in the following years. Twain acted as a mentor to Keller and offered advice/guidance. Both enjoyed lively conversations on literature, culture, philosophy and politics. By sharing Twain's writings with her, Anne Sullivan introduced Keller to American idioms and ways of thinking.

Sadly, when Twain lost his own daughter and experienced financial troubles late in life, the stress took a toll on his health. But he and Keller remained close. Their intergenerational bond demonstrated the power of compassion and friendship to overcome limitations and bring people together. Keller greatly admired Twain's work throughout her life.

Keller first met Alexander Graham Bell in 1887, when he was working to develop methods to teach the deaf how to communicate. He was impressed by her potential. Bell advocated for Keller to receive further education after she learned the language as a young child. He helped enrolled her in the Perkins Institute for the Blind.

Keller regarded Bell as a brilliant mentor who gave her confidence in her abilities. He encouraged her to follow her dreams of going to college. Through their regular meetings, Bell tutored Keller in physics, mechanics and inventions. She credited his teachings for sparking her life-long curiosity in science.

Bell saw Keller as like family. He lent financial support so she could attend college at Radcliffe, and came to her graduation ceremony. They maintained a correspondence filled with discussions of their work. Bell felt Keller demonstrated what people with disabilities could achieve with opportunities. This cross-generational bond of friendship and mentorship played a role in shaping both their lives and advocacy for improving communication methods.

She never married or had children. Keller remained an advocate and inspiration for disabled people until she died on 1 June 1968 at Easton, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States. She was buried on 5 June 1968 at Washington National Cathedral, Washington, District of Columbia, United States.

*Books:

1. The Story of My Life (1903) - Her first autobiography, which became an international bestseller.

Best Selling book Amazon.co.uk

2. The World I Live In (1908) - A series of essays describing her perceptions of nature, art, social justice and more without sight or hearing. BUY this book on Amazon

3. Midstream: My Later Life (1929) - A sequel autobiography recounting her later life experiences as an activist and public figure. BUY this book on Amazon

4. Helen Keller's Journal (1938) - A compilation of diary entries over several decades discussing her spiritual beliefs and political views. BUY this book on Amazon

5. Teacher (1943) - A biography honoring the pivotal role of her teacher Anne Sullivan in her life and education. BUY this book on Amazon

6. Let Us Have Faith (1940) - Essays exploring faith, philosophy and perception of the world beyond the physical senses. BUY this book on Amazon

7. Peace at Eventide (1957) - Reflections on ageing, inspiration and spirituality later in life.

8. The Open Door (1957) - Counsel on overcoming prejudice and pursuing equality for all people. BUY on Amazon

9. My Religion (1927) - Essays sharing her transcendentalist views on connecting with God and spirituality.

10. Optimism (1903) - Essays advocating for optimism as a philosophy to face life challenges.

11. The Story of My Life (1954) - A revised autobiography with additional perspective late in life.

12. Light in my Darkness (1977) - A collection of letters Keller wrote over many decades.

My Relationship to Helen Keller

It was brought to my attention through Family Search that Helen Keller was a 13th cousin of mine. My relationship to Helen Keller is taken from familysearch.org on 27 December 2023:

13th cousins are quite distant...!

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Royal Mail Redirection

COMPLAINT

(15/12/2023)

Today 2 envelopes arrived with "Redirection - First Class" stickers on them. One from the Office of the Public Guardian should have arrived here a month ago. Another should have arrived a couple of weeks ago from *********** Bank but arrived only today. The redirect address "** ********" was crossed out in biro. Bottom of sticker says "Expires ****24 Ref 776******" - I'm wondering if you have redirected any more of my mails without my permission. I imagine that the redirect was done for the previous owner of ******** as that is when he moved out. Certainly, surname "Winter" at ** ***** should not be redirected.

REPLY

(19 Dec 2023)

Dear Alan

I’m sorry your mail has accidentally been included in the redirected mail for the previous occupiers of your address.

Within the huge volumes of mail we redirect for customers, few problems arise - but we take every failure seriously, and have investigated the matter for you.

My investigations have included checking that the name and address details provided in the Redirection instructions have been added to our systems correctly, and that they exclude any reference to your own mail.

I have also taken the following positive action on your behalf:

• Logged and reported the full details of your complaint

• Passed these details to my colleagues in our delivery operation

• Confirmed with the local delivery office manager that they are aware mail addressed to you shouldn’t be redirected

• Requested that further steps be taken to ensure correct instructions are clearly displayed about which mail is included in the redirection request

• Requested that the postal personnel dealing with your mail take extra steps to ensure your mail is delivered as addressed.

Once again, please accept my sincere apologies for the problem you've had, and thanks for taking the time to make us aware of this.

Regards

K***** *******

Royal Mail

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Thursday 14 December 2023

Security Vulnerability Alert!

Apparently reporting security vulnerabilities is a big thing these days. Makes me wonder what’s really going on. Find out more about these bug bounty programs:

Meta Bug Bounty Program

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Thursday 19 October 2023

Reporting vehicles without TAX or MOT

If the vehicle is abandoned the police cannot deal with it. You need to report abandoned vehicles to your local council.

Abandoned vehicles* report to Wyre Council. Use this Form but if it is taxed, report to Police.

* a car, van, motorcycle or other vehicle.

If it does not have an MOT report it to Police.

If it has no insurance report it to Police.

ADVERTISED FOR SALE

A council has powers to deal with cars being advertised for sale on public land under the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Act 2005; Councils can issue fixed penalty notices if two or more cars are parked within 500 metres of each other, have the same owner and the Council has proof that they are advertised or have been advertised for sale locally or online.

Report a vehicle with no MOT

Contact your local police to report a car, van, motorcycle or other vehicle that does not have an MOT.

You can only report a vehicle with no MOT to the police if it’s being used on a road.

You need the vehicle’s:

number plate (registration number)
make and model
colour
location

If the vehicle is abandoned the police cannot deal with it. You need to report abandoned vehicles to your local council.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) cannot take action against a vehicle with no MOT.

What happens next

The police will investigate your report and the driver may get a fine. The maximum fine is £1,000.

Report an untaxed vehicle

If you see an untaxed vehicle on a road, you can report it. Your report is anonymous and will be investigated. Report it here.

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Sunday 8 October 2023

News from Number 13

This week I took Mum to see the nurse at the doctor's surgery, and then we decided to pop over to Fleetwood for the market.

It's a very busy market in the North West and a popular coach trip destination. They're still working on repairing/replacing the roof of this market so there is still scaffolding up around some stalls. This made pushing Mum's wheelchair around the various obstacles sometimes challenging. And when you have an electric scooter followed by a chain of people coming in one direction, and me pushing the wheelchair followed by a chain of people coming in the other direction, and no traffic lights to help out, well, you can but imagine!

On other days I've been delving into poe.com where many different artificial intelligence specialists are gathered. It's been entertaining. I've posted some of what I've been up to on a new Facebook Profile of AI Ally, and transferred some of my first articles from this blog over to a new AIAlly blog. From image generation, poetry, article creation, cartoon ideas, scripts, etc. I even had a chat with an AI based on Fred Weasley who is ultra-knowledgeable about Harry Potter's world.

While some of these AIs could be more accurate in terms of up-to-date accuracy, I do find them quite useful, or fun. Google has had a great run on being the champion in finding answers to queries I might have had in the past, but with AI, readable useable answers are coming up very fast.

I like this chap. I think the intro says it all. If you click the image you'll be taken to his answer to my question, "Can you confirm that Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Just asking for a friend."

If you'd like a bit more AI, here's the result of my query asking for ArticleBot for an item about two humorous ladies shopping in a supermarket (also adapted into AI Ally).

What else? Well, the other activity of mine is keeping a couple of Facebook Groups in check as I Administer them throughout the week. That, and reading the engrossing daily stories of life as an Arriva bus driver on a friend's Facebook Profile, all keep me well occupied. So apart from shoving a few crocus bulbs into the tubs, some of which you can see through the window of my conservatory above, and generally cleaning out said room earlier today, that's about me done for the time being.

JIMMY SAVILLE

I saw on TV this morning that the BBC are going to be running a series about Jimmy Saville, the renowned 70s DJ who led an up-tempo life mixing with all sorts of people, even though he also had a shady life being suspected of inappropriate sexual activity especially with minors, even though he was never charged in his lifetime. I met the guy once. I was a guest backstage in London in 1974 at a Mr Universe / Miss Universe competition when Jimmy Saville, who was compering the show, suddenly burst into the changing room, jangling his gold chain jewellery and wobbling his trademark big-fat-cigar.

He said a quick "hello" and his eyes swivelled around the room and then he went out. I asked my host what that was all about and was given the explanation that he was probably looking for the girls who would have been in a state of changing and he'd realised he was in the wrong place. The BBC is running this reflective series starting Monday, also on BBC iPlayer.

....

I should get out more, but we've had lots of wind, rain and grey skies this last week. Although, it has remained mild. Perhaps I'll be off now.

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Tuesday 19 September 2023

Corgi Appointment

I'm trying to get the gas service done at my Mum's old house.

I contacted Corgi Homeplan at the beginning of the month and they said that someone would be ringing to make an appointment. On the 5th my Mum took a call from someone who said he was "outside". My mum didn't understand and explained that she didn't live at the old address anymore and the phone call ended. Later, she told me the tale and it dawned on me that that was probably the engineer calling about the gas service. He must have turned up without making an appointment.

I called 1471 to get his number, called him back and explained the situation. He then arranged to make an appointment with us a few days later on Friday, the 8th. But on Friday the 8th I got a text message saying that he had to cancel because he had to go to the hospital.

My mum emailed Corgi, and they responded saying that the service had been done on the 5th and now wasn't due until next year.

I contacted Corgi explaining what had happened and they came back with a new appointment on the 15th. On the 14th my mum had to make an emergency appointment at the surgery needing me to take her, which was going to be on the 15th when the engineer was supposed to arrive to do the service. I emailed Corgi a couple of times to cancel the 15th, they didn't respond at first, but I then got text messages saying that the appointment was rearranged for Monday the 18th between 12 and 4 - in fact, there were three text messages confirming that

- but on the 18th I waited at Mum's empty house between 12 and 4 pm and no one turned up and no one called or texted me to say there'd been a change of plan. So, back to Corgi, who were very apologetic but were unable to contact the missing engineer.

So, now I wait in the hope of a new appointment.

Update...

So, a new appointment was arranged for Friday 22nd Sept. I was there from 8am until 12 noon. And you guessed it, he didn't turn up! I asked Corgi Homeplan to contact the engineer again. He phoned me, told me he'd do it on Monday 25th, that I should await his call before travelling to the premises. This time he turned up 5 minutes after I got there and the service was finally done.

This doesn't smack of a recommendation for Corgi Homeplan, does it? I have to say they answered the telephone promptly and politely at their help desk. Just a somewhat rogue engineer unable to sort out a schedule.

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Tuesday 12 September 2023

On Litter Patrol

Is my disguise working? On litter patrol this morning. Care for Cleveleys.

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Tuesday 5 September 2023

Rossall Beach

Paused for a moment during this evening's walk/litter pick to take this on Rossall Beach.

— at Rossall Beach

ROSSALL BEACH

Rossall Beach, with shingle and sand,

A coastal paradise so grand,

Dark clouds or clear blue skies above,

A place for peace and nature's love.

Swallows soar and dip and fly,

Seagulls glide across the sky,

When sun shines bright, a welcome heat,

A perfect spot to put up your feet.

Folk walk dogs and go for a run,

Or cycle along, or push their mum,

Anglers add bait and cast their line,

There's some, they say, who like their wine.

Rossall Beach, with all its charm,

A place to soothe, a tranquil balm,

Where worries cease and troubles end,

A haven where good memories blend.

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Monday 4 September 2023

Plant

This is my plant. It was about ten years old in 2013. Watered sometimes.

And Now.

And it's moved 3 times.

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Friday 25 August 2023

Litter Patrol

at Cleveleys Promenade.

It gets me out and active ...

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Tuesday 22 August 2023

- Alan's Other Blogs

Everyday Life Blog
AI Discoverer (dabbling in Artificial Intelligence)
Legends Story Time
Alan's Walks in South West Bedfordshire
Alan's Photography Blog
Alan's Bytes and Pieces (IT related) Blog
Alan's Blackpool and Lancashire Notes
Alan's Hemel Hempstead Notes
Houghton Regis Notes

Use this box to search all of Alan's blogs:

Author: Alan D Winter. Contact the Author. link

Saturday 25 February 2023

Planning in Houghton Regis: Monumental failure?

Well, the Bedford Rd area might have gone better, if all the little landowners had gotten together and plots east and west of it had come forward at the same time, to lessen the piecemeal approach that ensued. I know the original planning officer at CBC did his best to try to get more cohesion for an overall plan but it just didn't happen. Too many little landowners.

Linmere? I thought that area was going ok, as was HRN2, although I've never been a fan of renaming Thorn after the consortium's name of Bidwell West.

Mind you, I only landed in Houghton Regis at the end of 2006, and by then the developments were already a long way down the planning route. So, for me, it's been a journey of learning the footpaths, enjoying the walks, and recording what's been happening. There's still great walks to be had and it's important to keep on top of keeping those routes out from the urban mass as green as they can be. They're not only green corridors for wildlife, but also for humans and of course that means clearing up human (litter) waste, so people should help out with the Houghton Wombles where they can.

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Sunday 22 January 2023

Hemel Hempstead: Car Crash

In my late teens, I can recall crowding obliviously into a mini with about 7 other people and being driven by a drunk work colleague/friend from a disco in Kings Langley, back to my home in Hemel Hempstead.

Paul, the driver, went around sets of bollards the wrong way, drove fast, and irresponsibly. As I was in the back, and being squashed by lots of flesh, there was not a lot I could do to get him to stop.

Anyway, after driving recklessly he dropped most people off, and then myself.

He then carried on through Hemel Hempstead town centre, hit the brick wall in the central reservation, and put himself and another work colleague/friend in hospital for several weeks.

Lucky for the driver and other passengers no one was killed.

I didn't find out about the accident until a few days afterwards when I went to work. I had a lucky escape.

English Editor said,

In my youthful days, I recollect an incident where I found myself, regrettably oblivious, crammed inside a compact vehicle with approximately seven companions. The driver, Paul, who happened to be both a work colleague and a friend, was under the influence of alcohol as he spiritedly chauffeured us from a discotheque in Kings Langley to my abode in Hemel Hempstead.

Paul, in his intoxicated state, brazenly navigated through bollard sets in the opposite direction, propelled the vehicle with unwarranted speed, and exhibited a marked lack of responsibility. Unfortunately, being confined to the backseat and surrounded by a multitude of bodies, I found myself incapacitated to intervene and implore him to desist from his perilous course.

Subsequently, after his reckless escapade, he dropped off the majority of the passengers, including myself. Continuing his ill-advised journey, he proceeded through the heart of Hemel Hempstead town center, colliding with a brick wall that formed the central reservation. This grievous collision resulted in both Paul and another work colleague/friend being hospitalized for an extended duration of several weeks.

Fortuitously, no lives were lost among the driver and his fellow passengers. It was not until several days later, upon my arrival at work, that I learned of the unfortunate accident. I can only count myself fortunate to have escaped unscathed from this harrowing ordeal.

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Pets: CATS - NO THANKS!

I heard something on the radio today about a woman who paid several hundred pounds for a cat "off the Internet", but on inspection, she had decided it wasn't really for her. The supplier had gone through a lot of trouble to get the cat and had refused to give the lady her money back.

Well, I was amazed. Why pay for a cat?

I grew up with kittens crawling all over our house. The wild cats nearby were always procreating. Mum had some of them caught and put down, with help from the RSCPCA and like-minded neighbours, and some were taken in, weaned, and passed onto good homes after their earliest weeks of life.

I am sure that some were splayed before being passed on. Goodness only knows what the RSPCA and vets bills were, though to be fair, I think the RSPCA may have reduced their bill or didn't always charge.

Then we kept three of them; Patch, Whisky, and Hoppy. Patch was the oldest, wisest and cleverest cat I ever knew, and he lorded it over his wild cousins. A short-haired black and white, I would encourage him to walk around the perimeter of a disused bowling green with me. He would trot around, sniffing in the side bushes, as we went. Indoors, I trained him to sleep on a newspaper on a bed settee. You could practically have a conversation with him, and he seemed to make appropriate head nods.

Mum with "Patch"

Patch also took great care to keep an eye out for the other two house cats; if there was ever any likelihood of a fight with the outsiders, he'd sort it out. He only had to sit in the middle of his yard, and the outsiders would go away.

"Patch"

The three house cats would preen each other, licking each other's parts that they were unable to personally reach, like the back of the head. Whisky was a long-haired, ginger and white, cat, and by comparison to Patch, was quite dopey.

His fur used to get very tangled up, and Patch used to help him try to sort it out. Licking and licking. There's no doubt in my mind that the long hair made Whisky very hot in summer.

"Whisky"

Finally, there was Hoppy, so called because she hopped around on account of (probably) having had a paw chewed off by her mother at birth. She was forever cutting the stub, so requiring lots of antibiotics and bandaging at various times. If she hurt that paw, you really felt it with her; it must have been so much agony. Because of these injuries, we rarely let her out, although she would often try to get out.

Unfortunately, one day, Hoppy made off through an open window on the first floor. There was an old chair about 4 feet below the window, and in turn, that chair was on the roof of a ground-floor building. I saw her go, and of course, I should have had the window closed. On the roof of the ground floor building, I think she whacked her stub again. She then panicked and leapt about 12 feet down towards the front door, where presumably she had decided to re-enter the house.
Well, that leap finished her. She fell onto the very hard surface, causing so much damage and injury, that it was decided it best to end her life.
Grandma was the name given to the female wild cat that was ALWAYS pregnant. She was Patch's mother, probably Hoppy's mother, and the mother of his sister, who I called Trixie; Patch and Trixie were so alike, except Trixie had a bit of ginger in her. But Trixie always stayed wild and had her own share of litters. So sooner had Grandma dropped a litter, than she was wailing for another mate.

The kittens we took in were a lot of fun — at times; we boys set up obstacle courses with cushions and cardboard boxes for them, for their amusement and our entertainment. So interesting watching them creep around corners, and pounce on one another. But the downside was kitten-poo and wee to clear up.

Obviously, you contain the area to be messed by not allowing them everywhere, and you train them where to go by putting their nose into their mess and then plonk them into the cat-litter box. But it all takes a while to teach and for them to learn.

No sooner were they trained, than it seemed they were sent off to new homes, and within a few weeks another batch of kittens was brought in from the wild.
The day Patch died was quite sad for me. He was probably about 10. I had been living away for a couple of years and had missed him. Then I moved back to my parents for a couple of months while my flat in Dunstable was being sold, and I was waiting for a house purchase to come through. It was while I was back there that Patch started staying out all night. He was in a neighbour's openly-accessed garden, just sitting on the pathway. Normally when I called him, he would come, but this time he wouldn't.

A couple of days passed. He would do a low growl if you tried to move him. I even persuaded Whisky to go and sit with him for a while! And he did!
Eventually, with great difficulty, he was manoeuvred into a vet box made of cardboard, and I started to carry him along the road to the vet. I'm sure he sensed where I was taking him. Suddenly, the cardboard box was soaked, as he had done a wee.
I struggled with the box, to keep him contained, and arrived without him having fallen through and run off.
But once at the vet's, that was that, unfortunately. Too ill to be recovered, you see.
So, with memories of cat hairs all over the house, recollections of school trousers always having pulled threads from crawling kittens, the ghastly smell of cat food on saucers, and cat litter always spreading out of the cat litter boxes, please forgive me. I'm afraid I couldn't put up with having a cat again.

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STV - Are Votes Fair? - Something I wrote in the 1980s

Are Votes Fair?

The Story of Fed-Upshire County By-Elections by Alan D. Winter

Purpose: A read and discuss document aimed at schools, education. An Argument for Repeal of the First Past The Post Electoral Method.

The election results were being announced for the three vacant seats on Fed-Upshire County Council. Party workers and helpers stood expectantly in huddles around the great hall.

"Here are the results of the Town division," announced the Returning Officer, " Harold Boggins, Conservative, 333; Fred Tike, Liberal Democrat, 1710; Benjamin Wasnik, Labour, 2957. I duly declare Benjamin Wasnik the county councillor for Town division."

Cheers from Labour supporters.

Later,
"Here are the results of the Country division. Mary Flower, Labour, 910; David Snelling, Liberal Democrat, 1754; Susan Topple, Conservative, 2113. I duly declare Susan Topple the County Councillor for Country Division."

Cheers from Conservative supporters.

Then, several hours later, after three recounts,
"Here are the results of the Village division. Graham Duke, Liberal Democrat 2040; Larry Lake, Labour 910; Samuel Rasping, Conservative, 2050. I duly declare Samuel Rasping the County Councillor for Village division."

More cheers from Conservative supporters.

" 2-1 to us " declared Tory agent John Minor. "I don't know how we have done it, but congratulations all round, team. "

Liberal Democrats looked the most down hearted. In all seats they had finished second. And there are no prizes for coming second. The closest they came to winning was in Village, pipped by 10 votes after three re-counts. Labour had won the Town seat and the Tories had won the Country and Village seats.

Labour had hoped to do better, but were content with winning one seat. Tony, the Labour agent, came over to speak to John, the Conservative agent.

"Congratulations. That was close thing in Village with the Liberals. "

"Yes. I didn't think we were going to make it. All turned out well in the end," smiled John.

On hearing this remark, Charles, the Liberal Democrat agent, interrupted them.
"Well, I suppose congratulations are in order, but I have to say, I did not think it turned out well at all. You Tories got less votes than us or Labour and yet you succeeded in electing two councillors. In fact, overall, we had a thousand more votes than Conservatives, and 500 more than Labour. The corrupt voting system wins again. Once again the voters are misrepresented in the Council chambers. "

Charles showed the other two the actual votes casts for all three seats.

" I don't mind telling you I am gutted, " continued Charles, "More voters voted for us than they did for Conservative or Labour, and yet we didn't get a single Liberal Democrat elected to the council. It isn't the Liberal Democrats I am sorry for, it is the voting public. They didn't get what they wanted. "

ARE VOTES FAIR?

Which party received the most votes overall?
Which party achieved the most councillors elected?
Do the 1133 votes cast for Labour in "Country" have any value in electing a Labour councillor for "Town" division?
How will the votes of 5500 Liberal Democrat voters (more than a third of all the votes cast) find an expression in the council chamber?
Find the party with the lowest Total number of votes. How will these voters be represented in the Council chamber?
Is this system of elections fair?
Can you suggest any improvements to the voting system to make it fairer?

Votes Cast In The Fed-Upshire Elections

	Town	Country	Village	Total
Conservative	337	2113	2050	4500
Liberal Democrats	1706	1754	2040	5500
Labour	2957	1133	910	5000
Total Votes	5000	5000	5000	15000
	LAB WIN	CON WIN	CON WIN

Pages

Search Every Day Life

Friday 29 December 2023

Charitable Work

Death and Funeral

Recommended Reading

My Relationship to Diana Frances Spencer

13th cousins are quite distant...!

Thursday 28 December 2023

Gettysburg Address

His assassination

Recommended Reading

My Relationship to President Abraham Lincoln

How many people living today might also be 8th cousins?

Wednesday 27 December 2023

My Relationship to Helen Keller

13th cousins are quite distant...!

COMPLAINT

REPLY

Thursday 14 December 2023

Thursday 19 October 2023

ADVERTISED FOR SALE

Report a vehicle with no MOT

Report an untaxed vehicle

Sunday 8 October 2023

Tuesday 19 September 2023

Update...

Tuesday 12 September 2023

Tuesday 5 September 2023

Monday 4 September 2023

Friday 25 August 2023

Tuesday 22 August 2023

Saturday 25 February 2023

Sunday 22 January 2023

Are Votes Fair?

The Story of Fed-Upshire County By-Elections by Alan D. Winter

Purpose: A read and discuss document aimed at schools, education. An Argument for Repeal of the First Past The Post Electoral Method.

ARE VOTES FAIR?

Votes Cast In The Fed-Upshire Elections