I was first asked by a veteran Labour councillor to consider standing as a candidate back in 2007. "I couldn't possibly do that - and there is no way I could go doorknocking". End of conversation.There was no reason for the "I couldn't possibly" other than I had never even considered ... and it was … Continue reading “I couldn’t possibly do that!”
Lessons Learned Anya Cook, Higher Education Mentor, Newcastle College, UCU Branch Secretary, National Executive *some names have been changed Working with young people is challenging and tiring but it can also be rewarding; there is always something more that can be learned and I learn as much from them as I would hope they do … Continue reading Lessons Learned
The information that was released last week, ahead of Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Meeting at which the parks proposal will be discussed, instigated the decision at the weekend to convene this meeting today. Some of what I say this evening you will have heard me say before – but I believe that some points are … Continue reading Newcastle Parks Forum and Save Our Parks Meeting
The Grenfell fire is totemic of the politics of neo-liberalism and the drive for profit over any other human consideration. As such totem, it is beyond a local issue and is etched on the national consciousness – the refusal to take health and safety seriously, the shear and unnecessary loss of human life, of working … Continue reading Response to Grenfell
Anya Cook Newcastle Parks Forum - Chair The aim of Newcastle Parks Forum is to maintain and improve the quality and access to Newcastle's parks and green spaces for the benefit of and use by the community. The Communities and Local Government Committee has launched an inquiry into the future of public parks. Country parks, … Continue reading CLGC Parks Inquiry – Newcastle Parks Forum Submission August 2016
Mince Pies & Misery This December our UCU Branch at Newcastle College convened an open meeting to discuss George Osborne’s Comprehensive Spending Review and the implications for Further Education. In this democracy, that is our UCU branch – Neal our Branch Secretary said to me, “You can welcome people to our meeting and I’ll do … Continue reading Mince Pies and Misery
