Author: maggiemellon

writes, talks, organises, works, cooks, cycles, swims, sings in a choir- and has an allotment

The Children and Young People Act 2014

Why with the Children and Young People Act 2014 we are in danger of creating a surveillance and not a support system for children and families

Debate with Jackie Brock of Children in Scotland –

this debate took place on Thursday 5 November at the CiS conference. I spoke to the motion and was defeated by a large margin. I did not expect to win, but it was striking that most of the people I spoke to afterwards admitted not having read the Act, and to having been surprised by what I said. but here is what I said – and please do go read the Act if you have not already done so.

Continue reading “The Children and Young People Act 2014”

debate with Jackie Brock of Children in Scotland – why we are in danger of creating a surveillance and not a support system for children and famiies

Source: debate with Jackie Brock of Children in Scotland – why we are in danger of creating a surveillance and not a support system for children and famiies

A whole season gone

imageNot a lot of writing this year.image Crops yes. Not enough of them. And plums not nearly so many as last year. Slim pickings. But we has loads of kale, tatties, beet leaf, gooseberries, and other things . But….the main aim now is getting right back to basic plot. And so digging, uprooting, hacking and pulling up of old spent fruit bushes and horrible weeds is major full on aim. Next year a full plot to work.

Council proposing to raise rent 300% in order to make a profit. Unbelievable that they are not happy with breaking even… But then, they are desperate for income.

First visit of 2014

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Helen and Ellie and I went to the allotment on Sunday 5 January with some protective fleece for our tiny patch of beans, garlic and onions that we put in just before the winter set in properly. They are all sprouting as they should be, but needed a little protection from the increasingly cold weather.  It was so cold that we barely stayed half an hour. Despite lots of tales of sheds broken into, our shed and our greenhouse, both unlocked, were fine. The aim of the breakers in seems to be just to get in, and not to steal. Noone reports anything missing, just massive damage to locks, and to windows.  So we will definitely not be investing in locks or other security devices.

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our little lawn is greener, but lots of weeds have bedded in rather than grass grown.  But the overall impression is green, and we can weed the patch later.

Cant wait till the weather improves.

 

Meanwhile have been drinking the damson gin.  In cocktails, with vermouth, and soda.

 

end of October

lots of cardboard down and lots of topsoil and compost on top. About two thirds of the ground is now in some sort of order, and with luck should be ready for planting next year. We have kept an 8 by 6 ft dug over bed, which is ready to sow now. Onions, garlic, broad beans for a crop early next year is the plan. The broad beans are in.   The little grass area is growing well…looks quite good from a distance anyway. I think I got too carried away with the cardboard and compost area and could have left little paths between and created raised beds rather than try to cardboard and soil the whole area….but too late now. Every time I go, it seems that the sun comes out. But a friend pointed out that I don’t go if it is raining so…it will tend to feel like the sun always shines there. Like playing out in the summer when you are wee. Sunshine all the time. But if it was raining, you would be in?

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