Just to be clear with everyone, I've no intention or interest in using tracking cookies to follow visitors to my web site. This complies with the EU's ePrivacy Directive that attempts to stop web sites tracking your every move and using it for anything from marketing to snooping on your data. Many UK based and local web sites still seem to forget their obligations, perhaps it's time to name and shame...
But before I do, if you have any concerns you can go to the UK Governments ICO web site for further information and they have a handy tool to report dodgy data collecting sites too.
Monday, May 28. 2012
Team v - volunteering for new young leaders
Check out the Team v web site - they are doing another campaign for 2011-12 for the next batch of volunteer leaders. It would be good to see some people from West Berkshire joining up!
"After the outstanding success of the Team v programme in 2011-2012, we're recruiting 100 new leaders for our second intake – want to join the team? We are on the look out for sparky, energetic 18-24 year olds who want to change the world, one campaign at a time. Read more about the programme.
Are you
-Passionate about making a difference?
-18-25 years old (from 11th October 2012 to 30th June 2013) and living in England?
-Able to commit to 4-6 hours per week of volunteering - spread flexibly across the month to accommodate other priorities?
The deadline for applications is 29th June."
"After the outstanding success of the Team v programme in 2011-2012, we're recruiting 100 new leaders for our second intake – want to join the team? We are on the look out for sparky, energetic 18-24 year olds who want to change the world, one campaign at a time. Read more about the programme.
Are you
-Passionate about making a difference?
-18-25 years old (from 11th October 2012 to 30th June 2013) and living in England?
-Able to commit to 4-6 hours per week of volunteering - spread flexibly across the month to accommodate other priorities?
The deadline for applications is 29th June."
Sunday, May 27. 2012
Technical fault on 'Contact Adrian Hollister' fixed
Apologies to anyone using 'Contact Adrian Hollister' on my blog page - it seems these were going no where for a while. So I will try to get the information back and fix the technical glitch. If I miss you out please try again, it's working now!
Adrian.
Adrian.
Wednesday, May 23. 2012
I don't object to breast feeding a baby in public - is there something wrong with me?
I don't object to breast feeding a baby in public - is there something wrong with me? I am amazed by the number of people who object to feeding a baby in a natural way.
Half their objections seem to be based around assumptions that powdered chemicals fed in plastic and rubber bottles and sterilised in awful chemicals is healthier and better for babies. Something that I suspect only years of TV and other marketing has drummed into society.
The other half of their objections are based around thoughts that there is something indecent about breast feeding, especially in a public place.
I'm on sprog number 4 and I'm glad to say that the wife has fed all of them naturally. It's so much more convenient and so much more natural than any chemical mixture. I don't even recall any real debate between myself and the wife – it is just the right thing to do.
It's interesting though to see the reaction of different types of people to breast feeding. On the whole most men seem to look away and carry on – I would guess that most are ambivalent about the whole process and just find it a little awkward. Women on the other hand have a Marmite reaction – they either smile in that 'how wonderful' way, or they frown and mutter under their breath.
The objectors embarrassment must be a little innocence on their part - not quite understanding how the real world works. I do wonder if this pattern is matched in other countries or if this is just an old fashioned prudish behaviour instilled in some British.
For those dad's wondering what to do though, have a chat to your partner. There are significant pro's to breast feeding – grade A food on tap is one of them; but there are also some difficulties – unless you go through the rigmarole of pumping milk out, it's your partner who will be doing all the feeds, day and night; there are some people who object to breast feeding – we have even had people leave our house when the wife started feeding; and lastly your partner will have to be comfortable feeding when the baby needs it (where ever you are).
If I recall back a few years (blimey I must be getting old to start saying that) with sprog 1 we had a few weeks of things being difficult – baby not connecting right being just one thing that made feeding in public a little more uncomfortable; but after that when we were less conscious of breast feeding, you just go with the flow and do what comes naturally.
So for all those soon to be dad's out there: don't be embarrassed, it's all natural chemical free stuff that your baby needs, delivered as it should be and crucially it allows mother and baby to bond. Be supportive and do the right thing.
For everyone else: please be tolerant to breast feeding and get over your embarrassment – it's the most ethical, natural and sustainable method of keeping our babies healthy.
Half their objections seem to be based around assumptions that powdered chemicals fed in plastic and rubber bottles and sterilised in awful chemicals is healthier and better for babies. Something that I suspect only years of TV and other marketing has drummed into society.
The other half of their objections are based around thoughts that there is something indecent about breast feeding, especially in a public place.
I'm on sprog number 4 and I'm glad to say that the wife has fed all of them naturally. It's so much more convenient and so much more natural than any chemical mixture. I don't even recall any real debate between myself and the wife – it is just the right thing to do.
It's interesting though to see the reaction of different types of people to breast feeding. On the whole most men seem to look away and carry on – I would guess that most are ambivalent about the whole process and just find it a little awkward. Women on the other hand have a Marmite reaction – they either smile in that 'how wonderful' way, or they frown and mutter under their breath.
The objectors embarrassment must be a little innocence on their part - not quite understanding how the real world works. I do wonder if this pattern is matched in other countries or if this is just an old fashioned prudish behaviour instilled in some British.
For those dad's wondering what to do though, have a chat to your partner. There are significant pro's to breast feeding – grade A food on tap is one of them; but there are also some difficulties – unless you go through the rigmarole of pumping milk out, it's your partner who will be doing all the feeds, day and night; there are some people who object to breast feeding – we have even had people leave our house when the wife started feeding; and lastly your partner will have to be comfortable feeding when the baby needs it (where ever you are).
If I recall back a few years (blimey I must be getting old to start saying that) with sprog 1 we had a few weeks of things being difficult – baby not connecting right being just one thing that made feeding in public a little more uncomfortable; but after that when we were less conscious of breast feeding, you just go with the flow and do what comes naturally.
So for all those soon to be dad's out there: don't be embarrassed, it's all natural chemical free stuff that your baby needs, delivered as it should be and crucially it allows mother and baby to bond. Be supportive and do the right thing.
For everyone else: please be tolerant to breast feeding and get over your embarrassment – it's the most ethical, natural and sustainable method of keeping our babies healthy.
Tuesday, May 22. 2012
Another fatality at Ufton Nervet level crossing
Sad to hear the news today that another person has died on the Ufton Nervet main train line crossing. A fast London to Taunton service has been reported striking a moped. It looks like the crossing gates were working correctly, but the moped rider seems to have ignored this and crossed anyway. This crossing has been in so much controversy over the years it's disappointing to see that nothing has been done to make it safer, but if people are going to ignore the safety features then it's going to be difficult to make the crossing safe. I am glad to hear though that the driver of the First Great Western train and all the passengers were unharmed.
Reporting for Newbury Today/Newbury Weekly News, Mark Taylor filed some coverage here.
Reporting for Newbury Today/Newbury Weekly News, Mark Taylor filed some coverage here.
Saturday, May 12. 2012
Berks and Wilts Canal
Great little walk along the Berks and Wilts canal yesterday. Started at Grove and finished near Steventon. I couldn't quite get to Abingdon in the time available, but it's a start. It's not an easy walk though as most of the foot paths are very overgrown and fallen trees, flooded field boundaries and local deer don't help. Was a good hour and a half romp though.
It's amazing to see how much of the old canal infrastructure still exists - lock gates still in situ and others seem to be delicate frames hanging in the air. I'll post the route later, but here are a couple of pictures.
Update, I completed the walk easily today. After crossing the road between Hanney and Steventon it's a very straight forward walk with a good path, track and well managed footpaths.
It's amazing to see how much of the old canal infrastructure still exists - lock gates still in situ and others seem to be delicate frames hanging in the air. I'll post the route later, but here are a couple of pictures.
Update, I completed the walk easily today. After crossing the road between Hanney and Steventon it's a very straight forward walk with a good path, track and well managed footpaths.
