In October, Northumbria and Durham universities updated their 2000 report ‘Who Runs the North East Now? Governance and Governing in an English Region’. It looks at the way that the public sector is lead throughout the region and, at times, makes grim reading. It seems that little has changed since the turn of the millennium, … Continue reading Who runs the North East now
Sufferings of the world
‘You can hold yourself back from the sufferings of the world, this is something you are free to do and is in accord with your nature, but perhaps precisely this holding back is the only suffering that you may be able to avoid.’ I have always liked Kafka. His work describes the frustrations of being … Continue reading Sufferings of the world
Poetry collection
I have never really been one for poetry. It is a medium that I have never understood yet I have made a discovery. Right here in my home town is the Northern Poetry Library. It is set in the beautiful Chantry which has stood on the banks of the river Wansbeck since as far back … Continue reading Poetry collection
Social Trust
According to the The Behavioural Insights Team, social trust is one of the most important measures that most people have never heard of. Until a few days ago I was one of them. I first came across the term in the book ‘The Social Animal’ by David Brooks. I would recommend it highly by the … Continue reading Social Trust
Storms of inequality
The storm clouds are gathering once again. This season seems to be one of the worst on record for bad weather in the Atlantic with hurricane Harvey, Irma and soon Jose battering the islands of the Gulf of Mexico and the southern United States. Just so you know, two-thirds of the strongest hurricanes (Class 4 … Continue reading Storms of inequality
Six degrees of database separation
According to Frigyes Karinthy, everyone in the world is separated from everyone else by six degrees of separation. You know some people and they now some other people and they know some others etc. until eventually everyone knows everyone. In my peregrinations of late I am becoming more convinced that this is true, People I … Continue reading Six degrees of database separation
Housing shortage
Housing shortage, what shortage? Every time I turn on the television or follow a news feed there is someone banging on about a housing shortage. It is clearly true to a large extent. There are not enough homes available in the UK for people to buy. This is is reflected in the cost of housing … Continue reading Housing shortage
Honest work
Some friends of ours have a house that they are renovating. It is in a small faded village close to the sea. It is a work in progress. They have decided to do as much of the work that they can themselves, both in a bid to keep costs down but, more importantly, to put … Continue reading Honest work
Three types of fun
There are three types of fun. I heard this on Countryfile (don’t judge me) but I did not catch the presenter’s name. Type 1 fun is something that is fun all the time, from start to finish, fun now and fun later. Type 2 fun however is something that doesn’t seem like fun at all … Continue reading Three types of fun
Lessons from La Vuelta
La Vuelta a España for me is the second most important of the three grand cycling tours of the year. I have been watching the Tour de France for many years and it has defined the start of the summer proper, while the Vuelta has come to mark the end of the season. I have … Continue reading Lessons from La Vuelta
Thoughts from a Retired Guerrilla Worker 