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Occasional newsletter mainly for expats

14 February 2007

Many thanks to those who wrote back to me following my plea for feedback! There were only four in fact, but these were appreciated. It is only I who is to blame: the key to regular readership is consistency; when I updated news every week I could count on more than 1000 hits per week. Over the past year however, I had found this to be a strain, and reluctantly reverted to sending occasional newsletters. One person wrote quite sternly to me, saying that I oujght to stick to a weekly newsletter because that was what I was being paid for. In fact this work is entirely voluntary; I receive neither sponsorship nor payment!

I'll have to think this through!

Ever since we had come to Bedford the education scene has been subjected to endless changes or threats of change. During these years I have seen the closure of Pilgrim school, an institution with an excellent record, purely, one feels, as a result of political manoeuvring. And during the entire period of our children's education, there was talk of closures and amalgamations. All such speculation results in uncertainty and in some cases despondency.

Some months ago an expensive consultation process took place, as a result of which it was recommended that Beds end of the three tier system and revert to primary and secondary schools, in line with just about every education authority in the country. Though this would resulted in a lot of disruption, most educationalists would agree that this was the correct direction.

And what happened? Despite the overwhelming case for change, the political masters in the county council bowed to the strong lobbying by middle schools, and it was agreed to continue with the three tier system. The position facing upper schools remains unsatisfactory, for there appears to be no common curriculum in the middle schools. That isn't to say that the individual curriculum of a school may not have merit; it is just that when children come from a large number of feeder schools the upper schools have a monumental task trying to cater for very different levels of achievement, in time for a common test of attainment (stage 3). And then the county wonders why achievement is not as high as it might be!

However, there are implications that such a decision has upon a number of middle schools. It was inevitable that some of them may have a questionable future. Such is the case in respect of Woodside Middle School and Abbey Middle school.

Despite assurances from the county council no schools have been earmarked for the chop, Woodside parents and governors are setting up a campaign group to fend off any threat. Not surprising, given that Woodside School, in Church Lane, has 38 per cent of its places unfilled.

The county council's cabinet has apparently agreed to launch a review of the situation after receiving a report which hinted Woodside might be the school in the greatest danger/ The report said:

"Although Abbey Middle School may benefit from a significant amount of housing development in its catchment area in coming years, the benefit to Woodside from additional housing is likely to be quite limited."

Looking at the extensive house-building going on in Norse road, one wonders whether the county has once again not been too wise in its predictions.

The county's education department is but a shadow of what it once used to be. It used to have very skilled directors of education but, largely due to government changes it has limited power and influence, and consequently is largely at the mercy of the county councillors. It would be interesting to work out how many of these have children of school age, and indeed whether these children are in the state system anyway.

From previous newsletters it will be clear that I am not exactly wedded to the county council, which though it has improved its standing, is still rated as "weak" in many areas of its delivery.

This school closure debate is likely to run and run.

When policy clashes with one's conscience or religious beliefs...

Introduced in what one can only say was a somewhat deceitful manner the government is committed to ensure that there is no discrimination as a result of sexual orientation. However, as I understand it - and I am open to be corrected - there is in the regulations no distinction between sexual orientation and practice.

Discrimination of any form is to be deprecated, but the implementations of the Sexual Orientations Regulations has possible repercussions in terms of human rights.

One organization that finds itself in difficulties is the Roman Catholic church, which has for many years been doing a sterling job of placing children with a difficult background into fostering and adoption. The Bible states that the practice of homosexuality is a sin, and consequently placing a child with a homosexual couple would be wrong from their point of view. They therefore requested an exemption in their case.

However, a move to rule out these regulations was defeated in the House of Lords, and it would seem that government policy is to enforce these regulations despite the large number of protests. It is not clear how the Roman Catholic church (supporter by the church of England and, indeed other faiths) will come to terms with this.

The reason why I mention this at all is because an Ampthill GP has stepped into the fray and is seeking to launch a campaign to allow doctors to be exempt.

It is claimed that under the new Equality Act's Sexual Orientations Regulations (SORs), which come into effect in April, a doctor who refuses to provide a positive reference for a gay couple wanting to adopt can be taken to court, and risks being struck off the medical register by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Dr John Lockley, based at the Oliver Street surgery, has called on Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to allow GPs a "conscience" opt out. Dr Lockley, who has been at the Ampthill practice for over 30 years, said:

"I respect the freedom that God has given everyone over whether they choose to obey His laws or not. So it is definitely not for me to force my Christian ideas on others, and I won't do it.

"But equally, in a free society it is not for other people to force their ideas on me, especially over matters of religious belief. A solution to the gay adoption problem is already in existence within the abortion laws.

"The patient's rights under secular law are upheld, as are the rights of carers who wish to follow their own consciences. A similar principle should be introduced into the SORs immediately."

And he said Section 4 of the Abortion Act reserves the right of doctors to refuse to be involved in the process of carrying out abortions.

To back his campaign Dr Lockley will be asking each of the 4,500 members of the Christian Medical Fellowship, the Catholic Doctors Society, as well as Jewish, Muslim and Sikh GPs, to write to their MPs, urging them to address the issue when they get a free vote on SORs next month.

While insisting he has a good relationship with gay patients on his list, Dr Lockley said he would find it difficult to provide detailed information about their suitability to bring up a child in a same-sex partnership.

The doctor, who is a medical adviser to a non-religious adoption agency, added:

"I will be failing to comply with the Government's proposed SORs if I object to a homosexual couple as potential adoptive parents. I will also be subject to disciplinary action by the adoption agency under employment law.

"Worse, if I am found to have discriminated against the gay couple, and the claimants inform the GMC, they will have to investigate. And GPs who persistently refuse on conscience grounds to provide positive references for gay patients will risk being struck off the register."

The gay lobby is very vocal, and has sometimes deliberately twisted the argument. No-one, surely, can have a concern about people who have an orientation towards homosexuality. It's the practice however that is different. But such is the mood at present that one is automatically classified either as "gay" or "homophobic" - putting people who are neither in a very difficult situation. It is a deceitful argument that those who follow the traditional teaching of the church seem to be losing.

I will try to follow up the situation as far as Dr. Lockley is concerned.

The final date for receiving feedback on the NIRAH project is drawing near. It is for an international visitor destination and Science Research Park including a tropical biotope, a Water Adventure Park, spa, three hotels, a conference and exhibition centre, 50 seat cinema, and associated ancillary retail and food and drink uses. Car parking on site at Quest Pit and at a dedicated car park and shuttle bus site at the former North Elstow landfill site.

Deputy Leader of Bedfordshire County Council, Councillor Richard Stay said: "The Nirah project could become the biggest tourist attraction in the UK and will put Bedfordshire back on the map.

"The Nirah planning application has already created a great deal of interest, but with the public consultation drawing to a close on Monday 19 February, I would encourage everyone to have their say on the exciting plans before the deadline date."

Better late, I suppose, than never. At one stage it seemed as if the County Council was putting every obstacle possible in the way of this project. However, on this occasion they have responded in a positive manner.

Snow!

On Thursday morning, as predicted, Bedford awakened to find several inches of snow. The severity of the blizzard was such that several schools closed down on Thursday and Friday.

There were the usual grumbles! "I remember the snow in 1947" one person ranted. "We never closed schools then - we walked to school as usual."

I too remember that winter. And yes, I too went to school as usual. But in those days schools were local and I was accompanied by an adult. Now, transport has dramatically changed the situation. There were some who were not deterred; I'm told that one hardy teacher walked from Elstow to his school in Brickhill drive!

Within two days or so the snow had disappeared. But it has been raining heavily, so one had to expect a degree of flooding. Bedfordshire County Council’s highway engineers have closed the bridge over the river Ouse at Harrold due to flooding. The River Great Ouse is swollen due to the recent snow and rain and the road will re-open when river levels fall and it is considered safe to use the bridge again.

Passengers on one early morning bus found themselves stranded in rising flood waters. The 7am bus service through Stevington ground to a halt in deep water leaving the two passengers on board marooned for nearly three hours.

Another bus was dispatched and made its way somewhat gingerly through the flood to pull up as close as possible to the first bus.

One brave Stagecoach employee then waded in to the waters to offer to carry the two passengers to safety, they declined and opted to wade through the knee deep waters themselves.

Sections of road near Radwell were also under six to eight inches of water. The road was still open and was passable with care.

The battle for control.

One query I received was about the submission made by the county council to expand its remit further. Details can be seen here.

The Borough's proposals can be seen here.

A brand new housing development in Bedford was officially opened today by the Mayor Of Bedford, Frank Branston and Margaret Allen, from the Housing Corporation, giving more people the chance to get their foot on the property ladder.

More than 300 new houses have been built off Ford End Road in Queens Park, and 91 are affordable homes. The houses have been built with Raglan Housing Association in partnership with Bedford Borough Council and the Housing Corporation. Frank Branston, Mayor of Bedford said as he officially cut the ribbon, “This is an exciting time for Bedford as we are transforming our county town into one of the region’s most vibrant and successful places to live and work and shop. We look forward to working closely with our housing association partners and the Housing Corporation over the coming years to help deliver the growth programme and help build mixed, thriving and sustainable communities ”

Rising house prices in the region are forcing many first-time buyers out of the property market, but the successful affordable homes scheme in Bedford is allowing more people to get their first foot on the property ladder.

A cash injection of £8.5million over four years has been pledged by Bedford Borough Council to help fund more affordable homes in an effort to combat the problem of increasing house prices. In the last year, this has helped fund the provision of 211 new affordable homes.

This latest affordable housing development site includes 77 rented flats and house and 14 shared ownership flats. Chief Executive of Bedford Borough Council, Shaun Field explained how this new development is part of the bigger picture: “By 2021 we plan to build up to 4,000 affordable homes. These will be part of major new developments, including the Wixams village which will see 4,500 new homes being built, and the re-developments set to happen in Bedford town centre. This is an exciting time for Bedford as we are transforming our county town into one of the region’s most vibrant and successful places to live work and shop. We look forward to working closely with our housing association partners and the Housing Corporation over the coming years to help deliver the growth programme and help build mixed, thriving and sustainable communities.”

Vote please!

Bedford Borough Council has been specially selected to trial new plans aimed at modernising the voting system and encouraging more people to take part in local elections.

Following a Government announcement, Bedford Borough will be one of just 12 pilot schemes in the country to try out the latest voting innovations, at this years elections in May. Bedford is already special in that this year there will be both the election of ward councillors and the election of the Mayor for the whole of the Borough.

New initiatives Bedford voters will be trialling are:

Advanced voting during the week before polling day
Electronic scanning to count ballot papers
A new single column voting system for the Mayoral Election

Additionally voters will be asked to sign for their ballot papers replacing the current practice of voter identification, ensuring increased security in the electoral process.

These new arrangements may help, of course, but it will not diminish the sense of disillusionment which has been generated over the years. I asked some young people who qualfy for the vote for the first time, whether they will be participating. Their replies, paraphrased because I was not recording their comments, were interesting:

"It won't make a scrap of difference whether I vote or not. So why bother?"
"They spend all their time getting at their opponents and writing unpleasant letters to Bedfordshire on Sunday."
"They live in their own world and are out for themselves."

Over-statements, of course, and rather cruel to many councillors who are really dedicated to the job. But that is what this group felt. My guess is that the formation of the "Better Bedford " party, without the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat labels, may restore greater interest. As far as I can make out, some of the leading lights in the party may have inclinations towards one party or another, but have sublimated them in the interests of the town. Frank Branston will be the first one to admit that there have been blips on the way, but will be quietly confident that people who can stand back and see the full picture will agree that Better Bedford under his leadership has had a really positive impact.

Catering for Youth

As more and more targets are thrown at local authorities, so do certain services that are not top priority decline.

One example of this is Adult Education, which has more or less been squeezed out of existence. It has always been the cinderella of education, and is sometimes (quite unfairly) been regarded as "Bingo for the affluent" and such remarks.

Another area that is very low down the pecking order is provision for young people. There is very little under the name of Youth Services any longer. And then people wonder why young people feel alienated at times!

One organisation that has been quietly getting on with a great deal of positive work is Youth Matters. This is masterminded by Doug McWilliam, a scot with a sense of mission and a heart for young people.

Youth Matters takes in young people who have been marginalised in the education system, who may have dyslexia or aspergers syndrome, for example, or who may have been in trouble and want a new start.

Youth Matters was located in the High Street, but a fire gutted the building. They are now located near to Lurke Street car park, and dozens of young people have been through his hands.

More details can be seen here. Youth Matters is a not-for-profit organization that richly deserves encouragement and funding.

An increasingly uncommon scene! Friday morning

More soon!

Robert