ONE DAY I WILL BE A CHAMPION

The great Muhammad Ali once said of champions thus: "Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”

Now I will never make the grade as a pugilist, although many would hesitate to pick a fight with me, but as the Borough Councils Heritage Champion over the last 2 years I have tried to use knowledge, skill, desire, dreams and stamina to try to protect and enhance and cherish and celebrate Northampton's rich heritage. However today at a meeting with the new Leader on the Council I was punished by the administration for leaving their fold by having this title withdrawn from me. The esteemed leader, Cllr Brian Hoare , informed me that in fact the 'Council' never did have a Heritage Champion.
You see this was merely a title given out by the lib Dem Group to me as token of affection and false honour. So all the time I thought I was representing Northampton Borough Council I was in fact only representing the current administration.

Well this changes things a lot. Who wants to be aHeritage Champion to a political group who allows their most precious assets like the Archway Cottages to be sold off simply to build up a war chest for 'operational costs'?(seehttp://tonyclarkeindependent.blogspot.com/2010/01/look-at-size-of-my-war-chest.html )

Not me thats for sure.
My disappointment was however short lived. In a conversation with my new
Councillor colleague Tony Clarke he told me: "Let them play their games, Jean,
they know that they have no other member who cares more passionately about this
town's heritage than you do and the only reason they have stripped you of your role is to
try to punish you for having the courage to stand up to them."

I was grateful and humbled by Tony's kind words Whilst not wanting to fall into a pit of self praise I did agree that it will be hard for them to find someone from their own ranks willing to put in the hours and step up to the mark in my stead But if they do I will welcome them aboard.

If the Lib Dems (who sell off our heritage) can have a Heritage Champion then we can go one further and have someone who in Muhammad Ali's world "Doesn't pull their punches." Tony's last comment to me over the phone was: "Jean now you are no longer limited to being the Lib Dems Heritage Champion on the Council, wouldyou be kind enough to consider being an:

INDEPENDENT HERITAGE CHAMPION

ON NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL."

Well, a rose by any other name.......

New Year 2010 and more of the same.........

So much happening that its hard to assess one thing before the next one appears......

The year began with the battle to save Weston Favell School from the change to Academy.

It seems to have succeeded except that we find that the County Council and Labour Government are STILL going on about finding another academy sponsor.

This looked like a straight win for us as local people. Parents and grandparents of current students all backing teachers and the very active School Governors with a clear message:

This school has been part of our local community, our family histories. Leave it with us and help
it to go on improving and getting back to where it was as an important part of our local scene.
Local people want a local school and to have the choice of NOT sending their children to an academy. [And thats because there is already one just down the road.]

So its round one to saving our local school.

But there's no let up in keeping eyes and ears open to find out what happens next.......

Then came the little Ice Age
We are slithering around and taking life in our hands to get out of our houses and along to the main roads that have been treated. Getting to shops, schools and everyday places became an ordeal. It didnt take long to lose the sense of Winter Wonderland and realise the reality of the situation for the frail among us. We are still shocked that it could take so long to get contact with Mr and Mrs Randall the Kingsthorpe couple who died alone in the cold. There will be two sides to the story -
but to read this as front page news in the national Daily Mail just makes so many of us ask what is going so badly wrong?

It seems a lot of people who could claim help dont know that there is a bit of extra with the heating bills. benefits have not been claimed
Cold Weather Payment has to be claimed.

from the website:

"If you're on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment may be available to help you for each week of very cold weather in your area.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each week of very cold weather in your area if you get Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance with a support or work related activity component in the main phase.

You may also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each qualifying week if you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase and have one of the following:
a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium
a disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium
a disabled child premium
Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
a child who is under five in the family

phone The Pension service 0800 99 1234

Its worth spreading the word.

MORE COLD COMFORT

We go into the new year with a threat to the Schools Music Service

This touches so many lives. Its the County Council run Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Service. It appeals to kids of all ages , across all the usual boundaries of background and experience. It brings things into everyday life that makes us all feel good, much needed when other things are hardgoing.
Like so many things that are not essential services, this budget is being cut almost completely, and at very short notice. The threat is to most of the subsidy - £238,000. Do people know that Northamptonshire Music Service is one of the top 3 in the country? at least thats the judgement from musicians outside this County. This is something worth saving.

So now we have another campaign on our hands.