Write-Place

 Woke up today feeling the need to vent about many things but also not wanting to get into too negative a mood. So here we have the very first post of this blog way back in 2008, to refresh on what was happening in the world, from my point of view at least and the responses it received. Write-Place -   March 05, 2008 Hello to whoever is reading this and congratulations - you are the first (or one of the first) to read the initial posting on this blog. I have said that I intend to discuss all sorts of things here and will do so in the next post - just wanted to say welcome and thanks for coming. Please leave a post and let's get talking. Can I suggest a topic for your first subject matter? REFERENDUM: 1) Should we have a referendum on the Euro? 2) Is there a valid case for Britain to withdraw from the European Union altogether? It would be good to hear everyone's opinion on this. This topic usually manages to rouse strongly held beliefs from all sides of the political spectrum....

Writers Talkback One Word Challenge - "Scarlet" Akram is jostled in the crowd, struggling to push his head up between the knees and elbows that are digging into his small body. He is almost deafened by the sounds of angry voices chanting and car horns signalling their discontent. He grasps the hand of his older brother, desperately clinging on. He knows he must not let go. The crowd surges and Akram's five year old feet are lifted off the ground as they move forward, nearer to the group with the white peaked caps. Akram's brother will be in deep trouble with Mama if she finds out he is here. In the past few months since the troubles got worse she has forbidden them to go to Friday prayers at the Ummayad Mosque in the city and they  have stayed indoors much more than usual. But she won't find out - not yet. Tricolours of scarlet, whiter and black with two green stars in the centre, wave above the heads of the people as shots are fired. Akram's limp, now li...

Dear Mr Barron and anyone concerned with democracy.... I have forwarded to you an open letter sent by Mr Don Buxton (with his permission) in response to the appalling attitude of one of your "colleagues" Mr Iain St John. Perhaps you may have seen this letter, of Mr St John's but it is unlikely as you do not use email, despite your super, up to the minute equipment. However, let's not go over old ground again. The reason for this mail is to bring to your attention the utter contempt that many of those connected to RMBC show to their constituents. I am sure that you already know this but a small reminder never goes amiss, I believe. Perhaps, like Mr St John, you may also wonder why you have been sent this "nonsense" as he describes it. Well, just to reiterate that if any cllr/or MP classes the views of the public whom they represent as nonsense, just because their views differ from the "elite" then we are in a very sorry position. From past experie...

Much has been said about Maltby Town Council over the past couple of years, much of it showing the decisions and actions of some to be wholly inappropriate. Much has been discussed and written and some of us have been wrongly accused of postulating. Whatever I am accused of, I can place my hand on my heart and say that I never lie, cheat or fabricate. I have and will continue to follow through my words with actions. This is not a “holier than thou” attitude – it is me. Democracy is non existent in MTC. What are you, the reader of this, doing about it – if you care ? A few quotes on this subject: “Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” Andrew Jackson “An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.” Arnold Glasgow “The shortest answer is doing.” Lord Herbert of Chirbury “People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do. “Lewis Cass “We cannot do everything at once, but we c...

Following the cancellation of the Wentworth Valley Area Assembly meeting on 8th January, a further meeting was held on 15th January at Bramley Parish Hall to discuss the issue of “Democracy” as had been previously planned. At the earlier meeting, the new chairman, Cllr Chris McMahon and vice-chair Cllr Amy Rushforth, put in place as many say unethically and against the constitution, by Rotherham Labour Councillors, called a halt to the meeting amidst cheers and jeering. The previous chairman Cllr Peter Thirlwall (who had the total support of the Assembly) was told he was out of order when he tried to speak and members of the public were told to be quiet when they tried to ask questions about the election of the new chairman. The next week, the meeting at Bramley was of a completely different nature from start to finish. Everyone was welcomed by Rob Foulds, a well known council critic and campaigner from Bramley, who clarified the reason for the meeting. A vote was then taken as to who...

What a splendid example of the "democracy" that is in process in Rotherham, was shown at today's Area Assembly meeting at Wickersley - where the main item on the agenda was DEMOCRACY. In other words - there IS none! At a very well attended meeting, the "new chairman" (elected in a way that is against the constitution of the assembly itself) was asked by a member of the public to introduce himself, as he attempted to run a meeting with total disregard for public opinion and views - which is the whole idea of the Area Assemblies. At today's meeting after refusing to acknowledge a part of the constitution that was read to him, the Cllr acting as Chairman told various people to "be down sat" (????!!!!) when they tried to voice their opinion on the situation, and then he closed the meeting. Cllr Thirlwall suggested that those who wished to, remain and discuss the main item on the agenda. He was told that this would be an illegal meeting as the room was ...

The next Wentworth Valley Area Assembly (Rotherham, South Yorkshire) will be held on 8th January 2009, at 4pm at Wickersley School and Sports College, Wickersley, Rotherham. The theme of the meeting will be "DEMOCRACY". This should be a very interesting meeting with the "new chairman" Cllr C McMahon chairing the meeting after the completely UN - democratic way that the current Chair, Cllr Peter Thirlwall has been ousted from his post. Cllr Peter Thirlwall had the full support of the members of the assembly (public and cllrs) and yet has been thrown out of his post by the "democratic" labour members of RMBC. When a motion is carried despite the support of the opposing party for the support of a member, and the complete LACK of support by the electorate ...something has surely gone desperately wrong with our system. Wake up Rotherham to what is really happening with the governing of our town !

The old man of the village who was thought to be the wisest, had a visit from his neighbour one day, who asked to borrow his donkey. The old man didn’t like this neighbour much and not wanting to loan the donkey said, “I would love to loan you my donkey, but my brother came only yesterday and borrowed it. The donkey, sadly, is not here.” The neighbour was disappointed but thanked the old man and began to walk away. Just then the donkey, which was in the old man’s garden, let out a loud bray.The neighbour turned to the old man and said, “I thought you told me that the donkey was not here!” The old man looked at the neighbour. “My friend,” he said, “Who are you going to believe? Me or the donkey?” Living in Maltby at the moment, it is very easy to feel like that neighbour. Who are we to believe and who’s lead do we follow when we are presented with divisions and disputes which appear to increase as each day goes by ? Those who have been elected and presumably strive towards the betterme...