Image thanks to Wansbeck Food Bank Foodbanks! If ever there was a sign of modern times it is the foodbank. The thought of people going hungry in one of the richest countries in the world galls me, especially the children yet I gather there are over a million of them skipping meals every day. It … Continue reading Feed the poor
Stop building roads
Image thanks to Highways England They’re widening the AI around Newcastle, from a two lane dual carriageway to three lanes. There isn’t really enough room and so I imagine they will be narrow lanes. The problem is that it will make no difference to traffic flows. I remember when the bypass was built. Before that … Continue reading Stop building roads
Vanishing Bitcoin
Image thanks to BBC A colleague of mine was lamenting the fact that he had bought 10 Bitcoin, way back in the day when they had very little value. He had lost the 40 character long password and had no paper copy. Though it’s money he never had he would have been sitting on a … Continue reading Vanishing Bitcoin
Measuring the health of a nation
I’ve written before how GDP is such an ineffective measure of how well we are doing. It hides such a multitude of sins and masks huge disparities in wealth within a country. Nations can seem to be doing well by a trick of statistics or the variety of industries that they are strong in. Also, … Continue reading Measuring the health of a nation
Twenty is plenty
Driving at twenty miles per hour can feel like a pain, but when you are in the middle of a housing estate with parents taking their children to school, a slower speed makes sense. Cars and children don’t mix. Yet for some people it seems an impossible ask. Despite warning signs on the estate where … Continue reading Twenty is plenty
E-begging
Image thanks to The Chronicle I’ve always been in two minds when giving money to people who beg in the streets. I am aware that some of those I pass by are part of organised gangs, yet seeing two people asleep in a doorway in the centre of Newcastle in the middle of the day, … Continue reading E-begging
Renewable energy
Image thanks to BNP Parisbas Before I start, don’t get me wrong. I am all for renewable energy sources, though I am a bit skeptical about nuclear power as a future alternative. I’m delighted therefore to hear the efforts of the energy companies to move away from fossil fuels to renewable sources. I gather that … Continue reading Renewable energy
A morning in Rothbury
A drive to Rothbury and a walk along the river felt like a good idea and so off we set on what turned out to be a lovely summer’s morning. We drove along the winding road that leads to Rothbury, past where the landslip had been and along by the redwood trees that mark the … Continue reading A morning in Rothbury
It’s the people
The idea of a morning of themed play and crafts for kids may not sound that inviting but when you have a little one to occupy in a safe environment where you can get a cup of coffee, your choices aren’t that great. This is how we found ourselves at Owl Tree Cafe in Red … Continue reading It’s the people
Don’t they look like
Image thanks to Very Well Family Those of you who regularly read my blog will know that I am lucky enough to have two grandchildren. They are the lights of my life, (not to detract from those others who are also very important to me). It is amazing watching them grow into their own characters, … Continue reading Don’t they look like
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 