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Showing posts from July, 2011

All Confused - Googled Out

Oh well I was going to have a productive day doing my Domestic Goddess duties.However here I am again glued to the wonders of the web. I blame Mike at wiK for introducing me to Googles circles and +1  I suspect with time I will get the hang of it.  However I must admit I am having to use the little grey cells.  I am surprised if you pass a comment on a post in google it doesn't show up on the blog Hey Ho.  Also I wonder if it affects the stats on the blog, not that I am to bothered but my blog has quietened down over the past few days. I always said I didn't mind chattering away to myself.I seem to have bored my regular visitors and they have disappeared. I am quite interested in the newsletter tool however then again if I write a newsletter whats the point of blogging. I still haven't got to grips with facebook and am almost surprised it appears to be more popular than Twitter. I am a twitter fan now and all those months ago I really wasn't interested in it at al

Enterprise Belt

Perhaps someone can help me? Is an Enterprise Belt a new word for a Business Park. I have a sense of Dejavu  a blast from the past and the scramble to save Green Belt Land surrounding the M42. Of course I may be wrong but it has a familar feel to it. Oh Well ! Boost M42 capacity, says LEP Roads Congestion on the M42 in the West Midlands has been identified as a key constraint to new economic development by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. The LEP has submitted an expression of interest to ministers for an ‘Enterprise Belt’ extending from south Staffordshire through the M42 corridor in Solihull to north Worcestershire. This would supplement the partnership’s Enterprise Zone in Birmingham city centre that was approved by ministers http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/news/?id=27411 For those of you that don't remember Junction 3 of the M42 its fields and gateway into Earlswood and Forshaw Heath had a long battle against

Police Watch Message

Police Message Inc 177 27/07/2011 Overnight Tuesday 26/Wednesday 27, offenders have forced open a shed on Springbrook Lane and taken a quantity of tools, and 2 mini quad bikes. It is believed the bikes were pushed onto The Common and possibly loaded into a vehicle. Description of bikes 50cc Kaluna 1 pink 1 red, stickers on front mudguard. If anybody has any information to assist in the investigation please call 01926 415000 and quote the inc number. This is the 2nd theft of motorbikes in the area this week, and owners of scramblers, dirt bikes, mini quads etc. are asked to review their security arrangements. Crime prevention advice is available by contacting myself on any of the numbers below. Or you can attend any of the mobile Police surgeries in the area at the times and places stated below; 1ST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH FRIDAY 5TH AUGUST FRIDAY 2ND SEPT FRIDAY 7TH OCTOBER 0840-0940 TANWORTH SCHOOL 0945-1015 THE GREEN TANWORTH 1030-1100 BIRCHES MEDICAL

Expensive Rail

OMG I am on a role today on my recent visit to the capital I had to fork out for Tube fairs and above ground rail tickets. I have to say I thought things were expensive in Birmingham however. One stop London Bridge to Waterloo cost me  £2.20 one way and less than 3 minutes on a train. I found out the following morning I could walk it in 10 minutes. The Sat Nav and Mobile came into its own that morning. The underground from London Bridge to Euston cost me £4.00 a 10 min journey. I thought we had it rough in the Midlands but £20.80 for a weekly pass all zones west midlands seems pretty reasonable  compared to the above. London just appears to be a different Land to the rest of us and I really don’t understand why it is so expensive. Why is that? we are the same country aren't we? No flipping wonder they all get waiting allowance. No wonder people are moving out to the Midlands only to travel in to the capital.  It seems to me the Capital is out pricing itself becoming 

Well Worth While Training

You know sometimes you have to give credit where credit is due. Work is a busy time at the moment with lots going on and especially with stacks of changes that will affect my very small team irrelevant of what I do and who I do it for it really doesn’t matter. I was surprised that whilst we were in the midst of doubling the team, learning about a new web site, having new in house software and in the process of moving offices and all the hassle that goes with it all to be implemented on a given date in the very near future. That my manager asked me to go on a two day management course. Although I don’t mind and will take every opportunity to learn I really did think this two day course presented its self at the most inopportune time and would have preferred to leave it until everything had settled down. I was a little apprehensive and could have done without it. However I am glad I went I thoroughly enjoyed it and have absolutely no hesitation on recommending it. It might not be ev

Just Rambling

My Thoughts On Media Money Computers Common Sense Do you know I am leaving Local thoughts just for a few minutes and have decided to share my thoughts on a few things that have always intrigued me. I don’t know if you remember watching the James Bond movies when you were younger with all those high tech gadgets that now appear to be in every day usage and some of the story lines that appear so far fetched they were almost beyond belief . OK what am I waffling on about? Media Well I can’t help but think the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies is very similar albeit a bit far fetched to the current News International story. If you think about it the news and the Media are very powerful they can form and shape peoples opinions they can make and break people and organisations. I actually don’t know what to believe any more and try to stay clear of national news papers. I don’t deny I do have a vivid imagination at times perhaps some would call me a conspiracy theorist. I don’t

Parish Council Report June 2011

Please Note these are not Minutes It is the Report The Parish Council met on Thursday 16 th June 2011 at 19.30 hours in Earlswood Village Hall. One member of the public was present, together with County Councillor Perry and District Councillor Atkinson. Adam Bourn of Monkspath Pumas Junior Football Club addressed the Parish Council requesting to use Malthouse Park for their home matches.   The item will be discussed by the Parish Council at the next Committee meeting. County Councillor Perry gave the following report: Councillor Perry confirmed that the Balfour Beattie has taken over the Highways contract.   Over 4000 replies to the library consultation were received.   A meeting to decide the future of libraries has been earmarked.    There is a possibility of Henley Library moving in to the police station as the County Council own the police building. There is a drive to make youth clubs centres of excellence.   Studley may become a Centre of Excellence and Henley should be

Planning !!

Just a quick observation! whilst putting my blog back together having almost destroyed it last weekend I can't help but thing 71 planning applications for such a small area is quite a lot.  Oh well

Residents Association UPDATE

Just to make the Locals aware Residents Association has now opened up their comments section.  The Residents Association has been On-Line for a few months now and does some very good work. I have a link at the top of the page however why not join and support them. http://www.earlswood-forshawheath.org.uk/

Travel To London - HS2

Once again this week I had reason to travel to London and once again I still for the life of me can't see the reason for HS2.  On both journey's from Birmingham return I had time to find a seat buy a bottle of water on the train and read a few pages of my book.  If the idea of HS2 is to carry more people to and from Birmingham perhaps we should first tackle the amount of 1st class carriages that have very few people in them.  In fact I would go as far as to say out of the several I think it was 4 or 5 1st class carriages I walked through yesterday the quantity of people did not warrant that amount of carriages. If I guessed I suspect they could have all fitted into one carriage.  Why is there this urge to supply so many 1st class carriages on a journey that left London at 16:49 and arrived at Bham international at 15:56 it took 1 hour 7 mins it just doesn't make sense. Anybody got any thoughts on this

Very Dissapointed

Today has been a sad day at work. I went out for a ciggie and noticed a crowd looking up the road.  Just because I am nosey I wanted to know what they were all looking at and went to investigate and was presented with what I now know was a young fledging Seagull. I must admit s/he didn't look damaged or hurt, looked well fed and could run s/he just couldn't fly.  By the time all the onlookers had gone there were two of us left. The gentleman asked me if I could make sure the bird didn't go on the road whilst he went to call the RSPCA.  After 10 minutes he came back to tell me what I already knew because someone else had called the RSPCA if the bird is in the road it's a Police matter. BTW the RSPB directed us the RSPCA website so as advised and very apologetically I did call Steelhouse Lane Police Station Explained the reason why I called them and wouldn't normally only to be met with the response call the RSPB. The office decided to make a box up and go and cat

Local & Missing -GREAT NEWS TED IS BACK -

Please Email me Earlswood@hotmail.co.uk Great news Ted is back, My understanding is he is a bit worse for wear but he is tucked up at home safe and sound and hopefully on the mend. Many thanks to those who helped his owners look for him.

HS2

I was thinking about the HS2 rail project. I happen to be one of those people that travel to London on business and to be honest except for the Snail Rail London Midland journey I experienced the other day, Virgin Rail and Chiltern provide me with what I require. Which is quite simply get me to London and back again. I don’t know how HS2 will add any benefit to me; I will still have to find my way to New Street or Birmingham International. Rail is a strange thing somewhere on this blog are a few photos of how Earlswood station looked in 1908 with it’s beautiful buildings and waiting rooms, that would have has an impact on those living locally. As I looked at the photos I couldn’t help but notice the lack of plants and trees.  As a child I remember the station and the signal box I also remember how awful it looked when it was demolished! and I am not that old. As an adult I look at it and it’s bushes, trees and wild life and can’t for the life of me imagine it any different. All

On The Verge Of Giving Up

Don't you just hate it when you start off with a brilliant idea it all starts off well and then it goes pear shaped.  I knew I should have just left my blog alone. I was trying to achieve a clean look blog and I have lost just about everything so will be spending the day re-establishing links.  I have now sorted the comments out but failed and lost the tweet and face book buttons. I must admit I am now tearing my hair out. Memo to ones self remember to read the instructions before changing the blog. Update - Its getting there slowly :o)

Staying Away

I have tried to stay away from blogging for a week. I almost got there but come Saturday afternoon my weeks events have me wanting to render a post. What ever you want to call it I have a desire to scribble away.  At my normal time of day on Wednesday I tried to get out of the drive. Its a flipping good job I don't whiz out. In any case there was an inordinate amount of traffic and it took me more time than usual to make my way on to the High Ways and By ways of Warwickshire. I was actually quite pleased on this day, I had the dog with me and needed to drop him off at my MIL. I dread turning right out off my lane on to a 60 mph road and will do everything to avoid including it in my journey. So I normally turn left and go the long way around. Wednesday the road to the left was closed (News to me) but I appreciated being able to turn right in relative safety. Do you know what no one knew Forshaw Heath Road was going to be closed except for an A4 leaflet on lamp posts only readabl

NEW 3 MONTH Trial Alcester North Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Police surgeries that will be on trial for 3 months . Please pass the details on MOBILE POLICE SURGERY DATES 1ST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH FRIDAY 5TH AUGUST FRIDAY 2ND SEPT FRIDAY 7TH OCTOBER 0840-0940 TANWORTH SCHOOL 0945-1015 THE GREEN TANWORTH 1030-1100 BIRCHES MEDICAL PRACTICE, BROAD LANE 1100-1200 SHOPS UMBERSLADE ROAD 1215-1245 MALTHOUSE PARK KEYHOLE, MALTHOUSE LANE 1330-1400 EARLSWOOD NURSERIES 1400-1430 WOODSIDE JUGGINS LANE 1500-1530 ULLENHALL VILLAGE HALL

Public Consultation - Earlswood Cross Roads

There will be a Public Consultation Meeting, with regard to traffic improvements at the crossroads junction in Earlswood Village,  on Wednesday 20th July. This will run from 3.00pm through to 8.00pm,   Earlswood Village Hall, probably room 1. Please spread the word. Posters will go up soon. http://www.earlswood-forshawheath.org.uk/ Please share this information have your say!

Broadband Speed Its getting worse!!!

Try broadband speed test Oh dear it is getting worse :o(

HS2

I am sort of mixed up about HS2. I really do think our current rail system is sadly lacking in something.  Do I think it needs a complete rebuild on new land my answer is NO. I really do not know what the problem is. I go from New Street to London in an hour and a half unless of course if I catch a London Midland Train that stops here there and every where and that takes 2.5 hours. I just don't understand why a few minutes will make any difference.  We may all arrive in London at super fast times but you can guarentee we will not be struggling to get where we are going once we arrive in London on the out dated underground. May be the quality of our trains and the load capacity is something to do with the widths of carriages for example in Spain it is 5ft something they are wider they are air conditioned and they carry people comfortably. I have a 2nd thought! why is it so important to transport people from Birmingham to London in quick time? I personally think no matter what

My Little Hyper Local Project

PC = Parish Council SDC Stratford District Council What Am I doing? Trying to formulate an up to date list Of Parish Councils who use the Web to inform their communities. Why am I doing This? Because information should be easily available when it comes to where you live and its always best to stay informed and in touch with what is happening around you. Parish Council's are the best place to start. If you don't know they are there beavering away how can you expect to keep informed. I also think in the year 2011 basic information should be easily accessible and up to date at  Hyper Local level. Whilst talking or corresponding with one of my fellow bloggers It sparked interest in exactly how many of the Parish Councils within the SDC area have a presence on the web. At first glance I was disappointed as I really would have thought the majority  of PCs would  be officially represented on the SDC website.  The list below has been collated  in the first instance from the S
Try broadband speed test

Logical or Illogical

Meet my new clogs. I just love the House Of Fraser when it has a 70% off sale on + a bit more and I just love these.  They are so Un-Carrie like because normally things this high make my life difficult and I don't like heights.  But these are just so comfortable I don't believe it.  I don't think I will be taking the Dog a walk in them and they will probably return to work and stay with the great Trousers I brought that were to long.  This way high heels means I don't have to take the Trousers up. I am astounded I have found something to make me look taller and that they are comfortable as well. Who said Women weren't logical thinkers Long Trousers + High Heels means no need to sew the hem up on the trousers = Less work