… because I don’t use it …

I heard a man say this on the World at One today … he actually said that the money his taxes contributed to the health service was a ‘rip off’.  And the why ? … because he ‘doesn’t use it’.  I could hardly believe my ears.  Doesn’t use it!   Isn’t he lucky … and let’s hope that he goes through life being that lucky.

I suspect, however, that he will find that he will need to use it. He will use it, his close family will use it, if he has children, they will use it, his friends will use it.

And that is why we all contribute.

Personally I hope I never have to use it … for anything other than minor things,  but I’ve seen too many healthy people suddenly find that they are struck-down by a chronic condition requiring intensive treatment, to know that just because one is fit and healthy today does not mean it will stay that way.

And the reason we all contribute is so that the service we may have to rely on is there when we need it, because we never know what will happen to us, or those dear to us, during our lifetime.

 

What is best for the school and its students?

The future of Bishopsford Arts College up for debate.  The suggestion that Harris should take over the school is now being questioned by parents concerned about their approach to special educational needs.

I have written to the Council to ask for clarification on what assessment has been undertaken on the appropriateness of any transfer of management.

I would be interested to hear from parents and students.  How do you view the position of the school and the proposal for its future?

Water shortage

Whether we end up with a hose pipe ban or not, it doesn’t hurt to be careful with our use of water, especially if you are using a meter.  Anyway, tips from the Thames Water website.

1. Fix leaking taps – if you can’t get the plumber in, let the drips go into a bowl and use the water for the kettle or other uses – don’t just let it go down the drain
2. Don’t leave the tap running to clean dishes or vegetables
3. keep a jug of water in the fridge so you don’t need to run the tap until it gets cold
4. always run the washing machine on a full load
5. make your garden ‘drought tolerant’ – a garden centre will be able to recommend plants that need less water
6. take shorter showers – Thames Water recommends 4 minutes long – the average shower uses 10 litres of water per minute
7. turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
8. fill the kettle with only as much water as you need – this not only saves water but saves energy too
9. use a bucket when you wash the car

More hotel rooms

I see in the local paper that Travelodge is planning to provide more low cost accommodation in Mitcham, Colliers Wood and Morden.  I’d be interested to hear how people feel about this.  Do you have visitors and it would be helpful to have somewhere for them to stay?  Are you a business and see this as a welcome development?  Are you concerned about the impact this could have on existing hospitality businesses in the area?

Dignity in Care

I have to register my astonishment listening to the news coverage on the Commission on Dignity in Care.  How can we have reached the position where we have to tell  caring professions that care, respect and ensuring dignity to the people they look after is needed?

I talked about this with a friend of mine recently.  A former nurse – retired some 10 years, she was similarly outraged  at how the profession she dedicated her life to seems to have lost connection with its core value.

In my view, it is not about money it is about attitude.  It costs nothing to be polite, kind or thoughtful.

Hosepipe Ban?

Sutton and East Surrey Water has just announced that water levels in boreholes are not rising and remain well below average for the time of year.   The reservoir that serves parts of Morden is 74% full.   This all means that we could be faced with a hosepipe ban this year.

Litter

If there is one thing that drives me crazy, it is litter.

There is no excuse in my book for dropping litter – there are bins around  (I’ve seen people drop litter who are an arms length from a litter bin) and if there are no bins around, you simply keep it in your bag or pocket until you get home.

Particularly annoying is litter thrown out of the window of a car – there is, in my view, even less excuse for that – as having a bag in the car is so easy to sort out.

So I was drawn to a statement made by The Highways Agency this week, calling on road users to help tackle roadside litter on England’s motorways and major A roads.   Not only is litter unsightly, it blocks drains, can cause flooding, it  can hurt wildlife and be a threat to the environment.

According to the Agency  that it removes an estimated quarter of a million sacks of litter from England’s motorways every year.  Evidently, a campaign was run in North West England and the East Midlands – reminding drivers to dispose of rubbish responsibly, and it has had some effect – so this campaign will be extended, with the Agency working with Defra and Keep Britain Tidy to raise awareness of the dangers and costs of litter.

I sincerely hope that it has the effect of reducing the volume if litter across the rest of the country.