IlonaM

'Pioneering British writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah has died, aged 65, after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor' https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/benjamin-zephaniah-dead-poetry-racism-birmingham-b2460061.html https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/07/a-sandy-place-a-recipe-for-a-nation-and-a-christmas-plea-three-poems-by-benjamin-zephaniah Just been looking at his website and found his penultimate blog post, 'I've Cried a Lot Lately', from the beginning of 2020 which contains some wise words, 'In my last post, or blog, (or whatever you want to call it), I said that rather than ranting on about politics I was letting my music speak for me, although I found that I was spending more and more time on demonstrations. This is still true. With courts, (at home and abroad), accepting that the Chagos islanders should have the right to return, but being denied that right by the British government, the West Papuans and Yemenis struggling for their very existence as we arm their oppressors, and the Palestinian people still living under a brutal occupation that just seems to be getting worse, we should be taking to the streets. It’s the least we can do. The so called ‘international community’ are doing very little. At home I am absolutely disgusted the way the Brexit referendum was conducted. I was absolutely disgusted with the scheming and conniving employed during the recent election, and I am horrified by the corruption of many of our politicians. I understand that there are a few that are not corrupt. If you’re not sure who they are, they’re the ones that stand no chance of survival in this cesspit of political iniquity. Also in my last post, or blog, (or whatever you want to call it), I paid tribute to our teachers, nurses, refugee workers, cleaners and doctors, who hold our country together. After all I’ve saw last year I have to extend that to all the volunteers around the country. I have seen them in bookshops, hospitals, hospices, on the streets with the homeless, in shelters with the homeless, in women’s centres, children’s centres, in food banks, soup kitchens, on helplines, in animal rescue centres, and in almost every theatre I performed in on my last tour, there seemed to be an enthusiastic team of volunteers making things happen. Anyone who works in these areas, paid or volunteering, knows that we are heading into dark and difficult times, but verily I say unto you, don’t get disillusioned and downhearted, don’t feel overpowered and defeated. Do what you can. Do the little, (or the big), things that make a difference you can see. The tangible stuff. Or take to the streets to do something for the future. Do anything. Just don’t give up. Don’t let them grind you down. Rise up all ye sisters and brothers who know better. Stand firm in the downturn. Benjamin Zephaniah' [https://benjaminzephaniah.com/ive-cried-a-lot-lately/]

Shane MacGowan of the Pogues https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/nov/30/shane-macgowan-pogues-singer-dies

Guardian 23/11/2023: 'Ofgem energy price cap: what does the new year rise mean for households?' https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/nov/23/ofgem-energy-price-cap-what-does-the-new-year-rise-mean-for-uk-households

Article in today's online Guardian re: digital switchover and vulnerable customers: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/nov/20/as-uk-landlines-go-digital-fears-grow-for-vulnerable-people-whose-home-phone-is-a-lifeline

Money Saving Expert advice re: fixing your energy tarif (updated 16th Nov 2023): https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/-are-there-any-cheap--fixed-energy-deals-currently-worth-it--/ I looked it up having just read a report in the Guardian on the latest predictions on the energy cap: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/nov/16/energy-bills-great-britain-rise-january-cap-gas-prices

Southwark Council COL support website updated for 2023-24: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/cost-of-living-support/financial-support-and-advice/southwark-council-cost-of-living-fund-scolf See also: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/cost-of-living-support

For those interested there is a third march this coming Saturday in central London: https://palestinecampaign.org/events/national-march-for-palestine-ceasefire-now/

Hadyn Gwynne of a favourite show at the time, Drop The Dead Donkey https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/oct/20/haydn-gwynne-actor-dies-aged-66

Woken up at 1.45 or so to noise of someone trying to kick in our side gate which luckily held. He then appears to have popped next door to the empty house under renovation and managed to open a window. By the time I noticed half an hour later (feeling jittery and checking windows and doors!) and police attended (very quick response) no-one found on site. Description: Middle-aged (?) white, average height male, short dark hair with a distinctive bald patch. Wearing white/light grey trainers and dark clothing with longish, hooded dark padded jacket. Letting neighbours know in case anyone else had any problems overnight and warning about local activity. Stay safe.

David McCallum, NCIS and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. star, dies aged 90 He was Illya Kuryakin in the Sixties spy drama, ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ and Ducky on NCIS https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/david-mccallum-death-ncis-age-b2418396.html

Thames Water update: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/network-latest/16th-september-2023-sw2 Update 1025: Touch wood, pressure seems to be back at Underhill.

Some water but low pressure this morning at Horniman/South Circular end of Underhill Rd. Anyone else finding water problems? Nextdoor has a thread also about Brixton & Streatham Hill [https://nextdoor.co.uk/p/WhkHwYzrmsPN?post=17592221334879&utm_source=email&is=tpe&section=post&mar=true&ct=TjzWracS_Hd81t-L57ekV7OxxQYPRRUMJ3Avo84myUlrcDUPCnrbwt0omMuDHfbm&ec=OWKiQRDj9vEHAYwTV6YMARldwuFdgGkeefhwfGYAE0s%3D&mobile_deeplink_data=eyJhY3Rpb24iOiAidmlld19wb3N0IiwgInBvc3QiOiAxNzU5MjIyMTMzNDg3OX0%3D&link_source_user_id=17592188300251]. Not seeing a report on ThamesWater website.

Link to Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/sep/14/great-britain-draughtiest-homes-scheme-insulation-energy-bills 'Households could save up to £400 a year on energy bills under a new means-tested scheme to insulate more than 300,000 of Great Britain’s draughtiest homes. The government is spending £1bn on grants for homes that have low energy efficiency ratings and are in lower council tax bands. The Great British insulation scheme, which was announced in November and is up and running, will offer upgrades – such as roof, loft or cavity wall insulation – that could cut energy costs by between £300 to £400 a year. ...' Direct link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme

Will the lovely neighbour be paying for treatment of injuries to cats or local widlife? There are a lot less injurious ways to deter cats etc. such as sprays, citrus peel etc.

You could ask her why she has put barbed wire over them, or get some advice from the RSPCA who might pop by for an informal chat with her about animal welfare and humane cat deterrents.

Direct link: https://abscent.org/ I came across reference to this website in Alan Jenkins' excellent gardening column in the Observer this morning and, in particular, the information on retraining your sense of smell (https://abscent.org/learn-us/smell-training). I thought it may be of interet or assistance for anyone recovering from long covid etc. who has experienced loss of smell.

Rose Elliot's 'Not just a load of old lentils' is a classic intro to vegetarian cooking from the 70s (still available on various resale platforms). If you like Italian cuisine there are a lot of Italian vegetarian options - Valentina Harris does a recipe for a delicious Ligurian spinach and ricotta pie, for example.

A couple of articles re whether to fix your energy tariff or stick on the Price Cap which I found useful when looking at my own situation today: 1) Independent article: 'Energy bills forecast to stabilise but stay well above pre-pandemic levels', 27/07/2023 https://www.independent.co.uk/money/energy-bills-forecast-to-stabilise-but-stay-well-above-prepandemic-levels-b2383161.html 2) moneysavingexpert.com article: 'Should I fix my energy or stay on the Price Cap?', updated to 5th September & with a new 'Should you fix?' calculator https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/-are-there-any-cheap--fixed-energy-deals-currently-worth-it--/

Guardian article in today's paper which may be of interest: 'How to save on food shopping: from discount apps and cashback to free stuff' https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/aug/26/save-food-shopping-food-apps-cashback-free-stuff-prices

New post from Freedom of Movement blog: 'Who qualifies as a “durable partner” under the EU Settlement Scheme?' Durable partner = 'those couples who are not married or in a civil partnership, but who are nonetheless in a committed relationship' Source: https://freemovement.org.uk/who-qualifies-as-a-durable-partner-under-the-eu-settlement-scheme/?mc_cid=7987b8fff1&mc_eid=bcf851a85d ' '…some parts of the rules relating to the EU Settlement Scheme are so difficult to comprehend that it is at least arguable that they lack the clarity of law. An aspect of the definition of a ‘durable partner’ contained in Annex 1 of Appendix EU (definitions) is one such example.' Upper Tribunal Judge Canavan Those were the words of Upper Tribunal Judge Canavan, trying to decipher the definition of “durable partner” under the EU Settlement Scheme. This post is my best attempt at simplifying this incredibly convoluted definition...'

New post from Free Movement: 'How does absence from the UK work under the EU settlement scheme?', 27/07/2023 Direct link: https://freemovement.org.uk/how-does-absence-from-the-uk-work-under-the-eu-settlement-scheme/?mc_cid=ed0fa94da7&mc_eid=bcf851a85d 'Absences from the United Kingdom — time spent outside the UK, basically — can have an impact on whether a person qualifies for full settled status under the EU settlement scheme. If you spend too long outside the country, you may lose your eligibility for settled status. This rule has particular importance given how many EU citizens spent time outside the UK during the pandemic, so it is worth making sure you understand the rules and how they work...'

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/met-office-b2371758.html Mile-long swarm of flying ants spotted near south coast and more could be on way The Met Office picked up the ants on a rain radar on Friday and people took to social media reporting sightings saying it was ‘flying ant day’. ... A swarm of flying ants a mile long was caught on a weather radar on the south coast – and more could be seen in the coming days. The Met Office picked up the ants on a rain radar on Friday as people took to social media reporting sightings saying it was “flying ant day”. The forecaster said the winged insects are usually picked up on their radars at this time of the year over the space of about a week...'