Rubbish Collection
Some parts of the UK seem to be having problems with collection of rubbish.
But!
I’ve recently moved just before Christmas into the London Borough of Hackney. I thought there might be problems, what with disposing of all the moving boxes, the deep snow and unfamiliarity on my part with the new systems.
But not at all!
Everything has worked smoothly and they even made a return collection for all the excess cardboard.
So what has gone wrong in places like Birmingham and Exeter. This article from Channel 4 News offers some reasons.
It says this about Birmingham.
Refuse collections have been hit by a combination of cold weather and industrial action – at a time of year when there’s already far more household waste than usual.
December’s heavy snow and icy roads meant many collections were cancelled for safety reasons, as it was deemed too dangerous for refuse trucks to negotiate slippery roads.
On top of that, hundreds of binmen have been involved in a work to rule, after a one-day strike before Christmas, in a long running dispute over pay. The dispute relates to the council’s obligation to equalise pay rates between men and women, under the Equal Pay legislation – but the GMB union claimed some workers, like binmen, could be left £4,000 worse off.
I think Birmingham’s rubbish problems may only be just starting as the Government cuts will mean that Danegeld will no longer be a solution.
England in the Pink
England finished the day on 488 for 7, which is a good score that could get even better with some quick runs and then a couple of quick wickets tomorrow.
The most amazing thing was that yesterday was Jane McGrath Day, in memory of the cricketer, Glenn McGrath’s wife, Jane, who died of breast cancer. Obviously, all the money raised will be wisely used. My late wife, C, had breast cancer a few years before she died and fully recovered, so I’m all for days like this and we should see more of them.
Provided of course, they raise either funds or awareness!
Northern Ireland Shoots the Messenger
It is being reported that the Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Water, Lawrence MacKenzie is being asked to step down.
It may be partly his fault, but as The Times said yesterday, non-privatisation and the consequent lack of investment is the real cause.
England Need a Touch of the Trevor Bailey’s
One of Essex’s greatest players was Trevor Bailey, who is probably enjoying his county counterpart, Alistair Cook, bat on in Sydney.
Bailey was renowned for his all-round abilities and supreme determination. There can’t be many people, who have played over 60 times for England at cricket and have played in an amateur football team, that drew at Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Bailey was nicknamed Barnacle and this spirit is what England needs to see out the day in Sydney. Even if they score perhaps a little bit faster than Bailey’s reputation, summed up in these words from the great Neville Cardus.
Before he gathered together 20 runs, a newly-married couple could have left Heathrow and arrived in Lisbon, there to enjoy a honeymoon. By the time Bailey had congealed 50, this happily wedded pair could easily have settled down in a semi-detached house in Surbiton; and by the time his innings had gone to its close they conceivably might have been divorced.
But perhaps Bailey is having the greatest last laugh on his detractors in that at 83, he is still watching a lot of cricket and he only needs another 17 for a famous and well-deserved ton.
England Survive Triple Nelson
111, 222 and 333 are dodgy totals as far as England cricketers are concerned.
They’ve just survived the so-called Triple Nelson. Let’s move on now for a bit.
The Anonymous Widower 