Urgent Manifesto for the 1970s!

It hasn't happened for quite a while now. I might almost have thought of it as a figment of a former life- something of the past. Clearly not!

Just the other day I got into an argument! Or was it more of a 'disagreement?' Either way, voices were raised!

I doubt that it played out quite as I would have hoped yet this much I know, my side of the argument was easily the better informed. There were those moments when I was faced with either biting my tongue or else taking up the challenge and I've never really been one for a great deal of tongue biting. Still, how is one supposed to argue the point with someone who it appears has never bothered to properly identify and locate that same point in the first place?

There was red wine of the Malbec variety, food and an element of reminiscence, not of the film variety. The rain held off, affording others the chance to weave their ponderous pathways through the gardens.

Perhaps reflecting more the red wine, I cannot now recall exactly what it was that sparked the exchange. Likely it was something quite innocuous, something hidden within the broader topics of conversation. Definitely adding fuel to the embers there were years of simmering containment, scores of unspoken thoughts.

As already stated, the precise moment when the strained, polite (my take) conversation undertook its metamorphosis is now lost to memory. It really matters not because this is not the purpose of this posting... although, as ever, the two are closer than distant cousins. So, broadly speaking, the theme is really more about individual personal responsibilities in the context of a planet in crisis, a light topic, or so one might have been forgiven for thinking if one had happened to spy the vacuous receptacle, the impenetrable smirk, that was my opponent's face. Maybe it was the look of incomprehension? Suffice to report, and no further, that he (of course it was!) had/has pretty much given up upon the planet, except for those dwindling resources that he clearly intended/intends to continue to burn, consume, dispose of, or otherwise exploit to the full, as if current neoliberal governments hadn't already fully torched that corpse!

So, in looking pleadingly to an uncertain future... I offer an aspirational and long-overdue, manifesto for a possible future.

It should be understood that (some) economists cannot continue to pretend that the neoliberal nightmare has ever been sustainable. The UK must take up reins that have for far too long remained unmanned (unwomanned), regardless of the actions of other governments:
* so, full throttle into a new and a progressive green economy- all the while hoping it's not too late
* fully funded switch to alternative green energy- sever all reliance upon fossil fuels within the next five/nine years
* national (and all company) projections of economic growth to be discontinued and replaced with ecological sustainability projections
* fossil fuel corporations (including lobbyists) removed from 'all' parliamentary decision making
* all natural environments (including those reclaimed [rewilding] as such) to be fully protected from future 'development' and 'developers'
* all UK waters to be protected from overfishing and from the depletion of habitat caused through any ongoing over-zealous fishing practices
* all natural fish species to be protected from overfishing thus, and through necessity, shrinking the current fishing industry
* where industries are necessarily adversely affected by UK's ecological switch widescale retraining and relocation programs, such that communities are not to be abandoned as with previous generations
* commitment to rejoining the EU at soonest opportunity- commitment to wholesale changes in the EU, away from neoliberal economy, towards sustainability without economic growth, ultimately towards economic reductions
* a national debate upon the means to successfully shrink the economy
* shareholder dividends to be dependent upon a company's commitments to its workforce, environmental and ecological concerns, to be independently verified
* commitment to 'unhooking' UK companies from economic comparison measures such as the stock exchange in its current form
* a new raft of progressive income tax bands to be implemented at the soonest opportunity
* fix the 'upper income' glitch to the current National Insurance system
* revamped (progressive) banded National Insurance to be increased, adjusted to reflect a commitment towards combating economic inequality, to (averaging) 1% increase at the lower threshold- to be further reviewed via open national debate within 5 years
* introduce a Wealth Tax whereby future national expectation becomes, 'assets (wealth) to be taxed ahead of income' - suggested 1% tax on millionaires
* increased corporation tax to 40%, in line with former UK commitments
* educate the nation's populace upon the countless benefits of a (justly/fairly administered) high tax society- tackle current peddled misconceptions as sponsored via corporate interests
* the triple-lock on state pensions to be immediately reinstated and retained for future generations
* VAT to exclude most/all essential items sought/needed by lower paid citizens in order to attain reasonable standards of living, alcohol at 20% as at present, 'luxury' items taxed at 40%, wholesale revamp of the tax 'bands'
* debate upon the means to most efficiently tackling and stamping out the use of off-shore tax havens (most of these are anyway British dependencies)
* thorough appraisal of all UK 'taxes,' with aim of necessary modifications to ensure that all will in future operate progressively


The environment is the only one we have! It must be recognised that the continued burning of fossil fuels is known, and universally accepted, to be threatening this global environment and consequently driving racing depletion of many vital habitats around our planet. In an interconnected world a lost habitat in any continent is a loss to every continent:
* retail to phase out 'all' plastic use within ten years- notable exceptions might include provisions for the NHS- regularly reviewed via open national debate, all current treatments/procedures to be safeguarded
* an urgent international means sought, upon methods of 'collecting' the 'continental' rafts of plastic waste that are blighting our oceans and poisoning our planet
* national search for alternative to current 'landfill' approach to waste- export of the UK's waste to poorer nations to cease with immediate effect
* UK's recycling program to be fully updated and funded, publicly operated, modernised- prohibitive measures to be employed in order to ensure that retail hastens to comply with nation's recycling program/aims
* bottle returns program to be universally rolled out with immediate effect
* 'all' use of fossil fuels in provision of transport to be phased out within the next five/nine years
* absolutely no 'new' fossil fuel fields or mines to be opened (or current ones to be extended)
* all currently operational fossil fuel mines/fields to be phased out within five years- affected communities to be properly safeguarded (not abandoned as previously)
* all political funding via fossil fuel companies to cease with immediate effect
* all rivers to be pollution free within one year- enforced via fully publicly funded Environment Agency
* tightening of all environmental controls at all sewage works, enforceable through prohibitive sanctions via a publicly funded Environment Agency
* clean air act universal rollout- enforced via fully publicly funded Environment Agency
* all farm soils to be toxin free within one/two/three years- enforced via fully publicly funded Environment Agency
* pesticide use to be universally phased out within one/two years
* import of palm oils to be phased out over two years, investigate means to help reclaim (overseas) lands lost to palm oil plantations, on behalf of the former populations (peoples and creatures)
* single use plastics phased out within one/two years- with few notable exceptions (ie. NHS)
* creation of a national furniture recycling program- to operate 'alongside' council tips, whereby no viable furniture to be disposed of, instead recycled into the local communities at minimal cost (under remit of local councils)
* built in obsolescence identified (notably within the IT industry) and eliminated- the right/means to repair rolled out across the industry
* a recognition that undue/excessive lighting also acts as a form of pollution (more so to nature), in addition to also being yet another energy consumer- all public lighting to be considered in this context and discontinued/reduced where deemed unnecessary/possible


A parliament that has permitted dishonesty to flourish on such a scale is not fit for purpose. The UK should aim to create a country in which the vast majority of its citizens engages with its parliament, understands how it operates and values its honesty:
* parliament to operate 'entirely' free from lobbyists, although not free from welcomed expertise
* fullest sanctions brought in immediately for cases of proven lying in/to parliament
* inquiry into quickest means to abolish the House of Lords- possibly to be replaced with democratic second House- removing a serious obstacle (ie. an ex cricketer with a penchant for killing rare species) to achieving an 'aspiring towards democratic' status
* the current honours system is recognised as a serious hurdle to democratic due process- if an honours system is to survive it must be given a thorough overhaul in order to ensure that the current dangerous chumocracy is not permitted to perpetuate. All such former appointees should be openly debated and removed at the soonest opportunity. Any future honours not to include elevations to any second House
* public register of all foreign lobbyists working in the UK
* prohibitive financial and other sanctions for governments who misrepresent commitments via party election manifestos- not to be financially redeemable via the public purse
* all political manifestos (viably electable) to be independently costed
* an urgent rebuild of the Labour Party, from the membership upwards, to be safeguarded from any future top (National Executive Committee) down effective 'coup' arrangements- to restore the vital missing element required within an aspiring-democracy
* democracy in Labour Party to be increased- 'one member one vote' must stay- threshold for leadership elections safeguarded at 10%
* independent inquiry into certain 'influencers' who have operated inside (and against) the true Labour Party


The nation's MSM needs to be an honest one that operates in the interests of its citizens and is not beholden to hidden corporate interests. Journalists should be unbound by editorial restraints. Without honest reporting of current events how can an aspiring democracy be expected to progress? Those consistently found to be in breach of these basic expectations should be curtailed or, in the eventuality of repeated offences, closed down!:
* editorial independence of all MSM journalists that they should remain unbeholden to corporate interests and/or their editors
* a fully resourced (how?) and 'independent' MSM, in order to protect the truth from corporate and other disingenuous interests
* re-adoption of formerly applied codes of reporting at all national news outlets (ie at least two supporting independent sources cited)- retweeting misinformation and then deleting it is not journalism, instead it is pandering to/feeding a corporate MSM who already has an agreed agenda
* a journalist's full legal protection, and that of their source, in cases of news leaks that are clearly in the national interest
* IPSO recognised as unfit for purpose, to be terminated with immediate effect
* new press and media regulation body fully independently resourced and given greater powers to impose prohibitive sanctions proportionate to an outlet's funds
* it should be universally understood/publicly-registered where political 'gatekeepers' (ie. Matthew Pariss, [also formerly] Andrew Neil, Gyles Brandreth) operate in the MSM guise of unaligned presenters (register of political activities) and are thus able to maintain the not so subtle slant away from honest/balanced dispersal of information/news
* highly/regularly publicised register of all media transgressions, notably within MSM (ie: Sun, Express, Mail, Jewish Chronicle and other frequent transgressors) such that the general public are to be(come) reliably and properly informed
* a fully publicly funded BBC
* a guarantee that Channel 4 remain in public hands
* 2017 General Election 'claims' to be openly and independently fact checked, transgressions made fully public (rectified) at the soonest opportunity
. home fixtures of all national sports events to be available on free to air TV and radio stations
* no gambling sites to be advertised during any televised sports events
* a new raft of sanctions to tackle misinformation shared upon all social media sites, with the ultimate sanction of closing down sites- to be independently funded and policed


It should be a celebrated expectation that those appointed to all public roles will operate always in the wider interests of those they are required to 'serve.' Where this can be proven not to be the case measures should be put in place to ensure that those individuals can be removed with immediate effect. The Royal Estate is currently an immense/expensive untapped national resource, the nation should view all such resources with an eye to the future betterment of all of its citizens:
* termination of 'all' politicised appointments currently in public roles (BBC, Channel 4, police commissioner, education, NHS, utilities), where appointment deemed to be not in best interests of the general public or the institution in its role of public provider
* Prince Andrew to stand trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, as required of international law, further charges to be investigated and pursued where appropriate
* national protection measures from politicised actions 'deemed' not to be in the wider public interest- with public consultation where appropriate- for education, NHS, public transport, housing, police force, utilities, military
* a full and open national consultation on the true value/costs to the nation of the British Royal Family
* fully dependent upon the above, plans drawn up on the public acquisition of all lands and properties currently in the Royal Estate
* art galleries to safeguard 'all' the nation's artworks from wealthy/Sotheby's acquisition and thus potential loss to the nation/world- where possible 'lost' artworks to be brought back into the public realm
* overdue open debate to be had on the continued 'ownership' of Britain's museums' colonial acquisitions and artefacts- where appropriate artefacts to be repatriated
* target of making all of Britain's galleries and museums free to the general public within five years
* further powers to councils to best operate with authority in the best interests of local people- decentralise
* funding to councils to best reflect the requirements of individual councils- more funding for the less affluent- shared authority with central government


The NHS is still the envy of much of the globe, despite many years of covert attack from disingenuous sources. It should be recognised that the vast majority of the UK population remains heavily dependent upon the NHS's continued existence. All those former services that have since been 'allowed' to fall outside of its umbrella of protection should be reclaimed at the soonest opportunity:
* a fully publicly funded NHS to cover all requirements/procedures deemed necessary/viable via independent inquiry (reviewed biannually)
* dentistry to be brought back fully under NHS provision, range of treatments made free at source
* nation's ophthalmology requirements to be brought back properly under the umbrella of NHS provision
* proper full public funding for provision of all mental wellbeing services, goal of seriously getting to grips with a spiralling national mental health crisis
* all PFI in the NHS to be phased out within one/two years
* a highly-publicised register of all ministers who have operated in parliament, or outside, as lobbyists (ie. Owen Smith, Sajid Javid [Health Secretary], Priti Patel) for private healthcare providers- a guarantee that such individuals not be involved in any consultation regarding the NHS
* the nation's social care to be brought 'in house,' thus ensuring that those who work in the sector are properly remunerated and that private equity is not permitted to siphon off much needed funds
* UNISON's 'demand' of an immediate £2,000 uplift for all NHS workers to be fully met, urgent review of system for proper future funding of all staff- recognition that surreal nationwide images of PM and Health secretary etc banging pans do not reflect the nation's feelings/gratitude/debt


It should be acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic has been further fuelled, amongst other factors, care (also) of the continued international travel of many individuals from more affluent countries. Also, that the vaccine rollout has inhumanly favoured those same affluent countries. This pandemic will continue to reap a greater number of lives from poorer nations until vaccine rollout properly reflects the international nature of the pandemic:
* waiver of all Covid-19 vaccine copyrights wherever possible
* urgent debate on the best/most direct means to a termination of unilateral vaccine rollout program- replaced with commencement of a new multilateral vaccine rollout program
* all reasonable mitigating measures, such as the wearing of masks inside of most public spaces, to be reintroduced at the soonest opportunity
* a two-pronged national inquiry into the (real) handling of the pandemic- 1. handing out of contracts and funds, to whom? 2. recognising the true number of pandemic deaths- where deaths, especially in care homes, could reasonably have been avoided?- current '28 day' subterfuge to be disposed of


It should be recognised that good education is a root/route to a (more) successful life, thus the best universal education system begets the best (whole) nation. There is an urgent need to re-establish the proper respect that is long overdue to those in the teaching profession, and to guard against a dishonourable MSM too often making them the scapegoat for the failings of others. Those who have studied and worked in the profession must be those best placed to define, better hone, and teach to an ever-evolving national curriculum:
* tax relief on all private education to end within one year
* Ofsted terminated and replaced with fully publicly funded unit charged with supporting provision of universal education to the nation's youth and beyond
. ultimate goal of 'all' education becoming publicly funded and 'free' to access
* essential within a wide curriculum, honesty must always be sought- students should celebrate also Britain's and its citizens' real gains, but also learn from historical mistakes and wrongs/crimes (including against humanity and other nations). If this is not done then how is the nation to properly own its past and build its future- issues/topics such as 'Britain's colonial past,' 'Britain's past role in the international slavery trade,' 'Britain's military overseas interventions,' 'Israel's oppression of Palestine,' should be embraced
* schools, universities and colleges should learn to 'look' at the UK's international military interventions objectively, instead of too often defaulting to unquestioning 'idolisation'- it is immoral and dishonest for the armed forces to 'recruit' from the nation's school children
* awkward questions should be encouraged, notably on historical, geographical and religious areas of study- teaching of, and around, the subject of British Empire requires serious modification to reflect also the international harms that have been wrought through British overseas rule
* students should be taught to engage in fierce/passionate debate whilst retaining respect in areas of genuine conflict
* universities strongly encouraged to discontinue adherence to the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, replaced, where a replacement sought, by the Jerusalem Declaration on Anti-Semitism- open and free debate upon the subject encouraged- funding absolutely not to be conditional
* reintroduction of further education grants
* independent inquiry into university education in its current format, in the context of reintroduction of further education grants
* where departments (notably science) are to be 'sponsored' by private interests the 'expectation' must always be that there will be no influence brought to bear
* Urgent and full de-marketisation of further education- seek immediate re-entry into the Erasmus (EU) Program
* immediate 10% pay award to teachers, begin process of restoring pay levels in both real and comparative terms


All life should be valued and respected, except where it unjustly impinges upon other lives:
* a human right to shelter, sustenance, healthcare, association, work and education
* homelessness universally addressed with an aim of full elimination within one/two years
* re-adoption/recognition of the European Court of Human Rights
* increased legal aid to be made available
* unemployment, disability and all other benefits to be independently assessed and increased in accordance with the provision of 'reasonable' living standards
* a universal goal to insure that working will 'always' benefit an individual
* reduce levels of absolute poverty to zero within one/two years
* DWP unfit for purpose, thorough restructuring required, respect for the individual as the central ethos
* re-establish the social/financial 'safety net' that was formerly accepted as the role of the state
* scrap the failed 'Universal Credit' experiment- ensure that those in need receive what they require
* a universal basic income to be trialled
* an urgent national inquiry into domestic abuse in the UK- whole raft of severest sanctions to be drawn up and implemented into the legal system as soon as is practicably possible
* most social care to be provided by the state- 'one' home and savings up to (suggested?) £100,000 protected
* the state also to pay the hidden cost of any 'reasonable' accommodation, costs that might otherwise quickly deplete all of the above- those with private resources beyond £750,000 not covered
* state pension (available) for 'all' citizens at 65/66- serious consideration given to earlier retirement age for particularly physically demanding/stressful jobs (construction work, teaching, social work, ambulance/fire service and other areas)
* Shamima Begum's citizenship restored, repatriated and tried under the British legal system- potential future role in combating 'grooming' of minors


All citizens to have a human right to shelter. All future homes to be subject to independent inspection with the aim of guaranteeing comfortable/affordable/safe living standards for all:
* a fully publicly funded social housing program to be independently devised and rolled out within the year
* all new housing to be fully protected against investment purchase, with the ultimate target of terminating all future investment procurement of any future housing stock
*all future homes to be designed to socially 'acceptable' and regulated size, insulation, heating, storage requirements- no unviable 'bedrooms,' adequate cupboard space, outdoor space or viable alternatives
* all future mortgages limited to 3.5 x one stakeholder's salary
* all future homes to be fitted with solar panels and (where feasible) other means of green energy use and savings
* program of strict building regulations- reinstatement of many of the 'corner-cutting' changes to regulations in recent years, to ensure all new homes are fit for habitation
* all private landlord rents to be registered- rents limited by law
* all unsafe/unsound social housing to be made fit for purpose within two years, at cost to the original developer wherever feasible- full access to culpable individuals' private funds to be legally pursued
* full grants to be available to modify homes for viable occupation by those living with disabilities
* NHBC 10 year newbuild guarantee deemed unfit for purpose- all future newbuilds to be guaranteed by the developer, covered via private insurance- implemented within one year
* Council taxes upon second/ multiple homes to be dramatically increased- not to be recouped via tenants rents as all rents forthwith registerable
* with regards to the ongoing national inquiry into the events which led up to and caused the Grenfell catastrophe to occur- all 'concerned' parties to be required by law to attend and bound by law to give truthful evidence, all culpable individuals and companies to be duly tried in a court of law


The carbon footprint of the fashion industry must be regarded as immense and unsustainable. In addition it harbours many unsound/inhuman practices, globally and nationally. The UK needs an urgent reboot of the manner in which clothing is produced, retailed and dealt with at the end of it perceived use:
* the UK must seek to drive an urgent international debate upon the whole international clothing infrastructure, with the aim of quickly reducing its human and its climatic/environmental impacts
* a national restructuring of clothing retail in the UK, with a shift in focus to increased uses and durability- fashion as a concept to be minimised, with the ultimate aim of ending current system
* recycling of 'unwanted' clothing to be greatly upscaled, with the aim of replacing many current clothing markets/systems


It must be recognised that not all of the farming community has served time well as the self-anointed 'guardians of the countryside.' Henceforth all environments must be fully protected and provision of safe, home-grown food optimised:
* optimisation of provision of home-grown/produced food
* heavy fines for pollution of all rivers, lands and air- backed up by a fully funded Environment Agency
* a fully funded operational Environmental Agency with a new pallet of significantly increased sanctions
* any changes to land use to be registered and bound by commitments to maintaining or improving provision for diversity of natural species
* public enquiry into the depletion of native species/habitats with view to investigating reversals wherever feasible
. termination of all forms of blood sports and activities designed to disguise such activities
* landowners to be held accountable for the environmental and wildlife actions of their workforces
. pet trade to be fully regulated, exotic pet trade terminated with 'immediate' effect
. inquiry into the serious reduction/eventual elimination of feral cat population
* badger cull to stop immediately
* farm (over)use of antibiotics to be universally appraised and severely curtailed with ultimate goal of total elimination- other means to better (regulated) 'care' of livestock investigated
* the UK will investigate all means to reducing the nation's meat consumption in order to (quickly) minimise the nation's climate impact, and wide-ranging international environmental impact(s)
* animal welfare to be always of the highest standards throughout, enforced via publicly funded welfare units


Without adequate food we are lost. The nation must henceforth work collectively to ensure that feeding everyone takes precedence over overfeeding an elite. Access to food is recognised as a human right:
* where community kitchens continue (to need) to exist they should, in the mean time, be embraced as a positive aspect of community responsibility and fully resourced as required until they (community kitchens) can be deemed to be no longer necessary
* food waste is a national disgrace. An urgent national debate/strategy to minimise food waste (notably via supermarkets), ensuring that where surpluses occur these can be instantly diverted to those most in need. No viable supermarket surpluses to be destroyed in order to falsely maintain profits


There is an urgent need for the nation's transport to fully reflect the environmental crisis and for it to be modified accordingly:
* a roll out of a universal publicly funded and integrated public transport system
* subsidised public transport such that affordability for 'everyone' becomes the priority
* all 'public' transport (railways, buses, tram services, ferries) to be brought back into public ownership
* termination of all further stages of HS2- where possible affected habitats to be returned to former status
* all yellow lines that restrict parking but do not enhance flow or better enable access to be removed from roadsides
* creation of a national strategy for car-parking and car-parks, designed to serve communities and not to just generate profits for private companies- 'public' parking spaces to be taken back under public control, thus bring back vital funds to local councils- all NHS hospitals and other NHS units to be freely accessible to patrons and hospital visitors (all further exploitation of ill-health to be discontinued with immediate effect)
* a nation-wide program of road repairs to ensure that 'all' surfaces do not unduly impinge upon journeys- removal of all speed bumps, replaced by proper police enforcement measures and effective sanctions
* widescale pedestrianisation/partial pedestrianisation of routes/areas regularly populated by children- whole raft of speed enforcements
* a national program of safe cycling lanes to be rolled out, duly taking up any slack that should follow the roll out of a universal public transport system
* national conversation on means to ensuring that the UK's pavements are to be ensured safe for, and usable by, pedestrians- wide-ranging issues such as pavement-parking, scooter use, cycling on pavements, various obstructions, adjacent building works, repairs to, etc
* all petrol driven vehicles to be off the UK's roads within the current decade
. vehicle noise to be finally recognised as the awful intrusion that it is- all modified/noisy exhausts by design to be off the UK's roads within two years, appropriate sanctions to apply


With careful heed to the deteriorating crisis/state of the climate, the UK must look to re-establish the type of industrial base required of a nation in a (self-inflicted) climate crisis. All the while, and with a shared sense of international urgency, we must seek to redefine the UK's international trading 'partnerships':
* building of a new national public steel industry that operates strictly to all nationally agreed 'reductions' in carbon emissions
* urgent national discussion upon the sourcing required of a national steel industry
* urgent national discussion upon the appropriate sourcing of any timbers sought throughout the nation- all the while adhering to new protections for all natural (and reclaimed) habitats
* in strict accordance with the above, identification and agreement upon which materials should in future best serve the nation and the globe


It needs to be recognised that, in light of the climate crisis, the aircraft industry will need to be seriously curtailed with immediate effect:
* all recreational flights to be limited for all individuals
* recreational 'space flight' program terminated with immediate effect wherever possible- international accord to be sought
* 'carbon offsetting' to be recognised for the deceit it is and terminated with immediate effect
* private flights and ownership of aircraft to undergo independent review and to be severely curtailed accordingly, in line with all of the above


Far greater emphasis upon a holistic approach to the running of the nation's utilities. Recognition that many of the nation's wider issues are best served via an holistic approach. A far greater emphasis/recognition must placed upon the values afforded to a nation via a rich and inclusive properly funded accessible cultural sector:
* all utilities to be brought back into public ownership
* rollback of (all) covert privatisations undertaken since 1979
* rebuilding of the national Fire Service, repairing the damage done by former governments (inc. by London Mayor Johnson)- improvements and consolidations, publicly funded
* Post Office and telecommunications companies to be brought back into public ownership
* immediate universal rollout of library service- all formerly closed libraries reopened, additional new units established where required
* all drinking water to be certified continually safe for human consumption and regularly checked to ensure that this standard is maintained
* concerted drive to fix the nation's leaks
* all CEO salaries tied to the salaries of those of the company's lowest paid employee, suggest 20:1
* increased and fully backdated outstanding corporation taxes aimed to be collected within one/two years- all current loopholes closed with immediate effect
* new (proper) living wage universally rolled out, all sectors of society


Acknowledgement that remote nation building is a failed enterprise. There must be a renewed emphasis upon international diplomacy (where more urgent measures can be avoided) and upon respect for the independence of nations:
* termination of all overseas arms sales
* all nuclear arms to be decommissioned
* decommissioning of all overseas military bases
* withdrawal of all overseas military units except in accordance with United Nations Units
* sovereign status to be supported/ sought for the Palestinian peoples, occupied territories handed back by the Israeli Government
* prohibitive restrictions upon licensing of all firearms
* in its international dealings the UK should henceforth always behave in a respectful manner towards all other peoples, even where seemingly intractable issues persist- disrespectful/disdainful terms like the 'civilized world' are to be dispensed with
* the nation should do all that it can to ensure that all (Saudi) attacks upon the Yemeni people cease with immediate effect- just one example of UK's arms sales being used to horrific effect
. UK MSM must flip to questioning, rather than endorsing, the nation's overseas arms interventions
* full and open publication of all evidence showing, amongst other inconvenient facts, that 15 of the 19 9/11 perpetrators were Saudis
* personal use/ownership of drones to be made a criminal offence within one year- high street and online sales terminated with immediate effect- all remaining private drone use to be nationally licensed and registered
* UK's role in extraordinary rendition program to be properly independently investigated, legal charges (ECHR, ICC) to be pursued and nationally supported, where possible compensation sought on behalf of all (living) victims/families
* a return scheme for all personal drones to be devised within one year
. prohibitive sanctions to be levied upon all unlicensed drone owners within two years
* full publication of any/all 'evidence' linking Western/US/UK forces to the use of chemical weapons (ie. white phosphorus) in the Middle East
* urgent repair of damage done to the UK's connections to Northern Ireland (Good Friday Agreement), contritional full agreement with Ireland and the EU to be sought
* the nation must work with everyone and anyone who is able to assist with extracting/assisting desperate refugees wishing to flee the nation of Afghanistan


There should be open recognition that gambling and its pernicious tendrils have grown to become a curse upon our nation:
* online gambling sites fully regulated, all online advertising terminated
* all identified online 'gateway' games to gambling, accessible to children, and those disguised as children friendly to be terminated immediately
. gambling sponsorship and its 'visible' association with sports terminated
* a new increased tax upon gambling revenues
* all high street gambling facilities to be removed within one year
. all gambling upon sports to be restricted to the site of the activity- heavily licensed and restricted
. national lottery and spin-offs terminated


Advertising standards have slipped and advertising has consequently adopted a far too prominent and insidious role in many people's lives:
. curtailment of all advertising in its current form- advertising standards to be significantly strengthened and all future advertising suitably modified to comply
. a reduction in the duration of advert breaks on all commercial TV channels


The nation should henceforth come to recognise the immense role that the trade unions have played in the betterment of UK society:
* full union representation at all shareholder meetings
* full tax relief on all trade union membership
* full recognition of trade unions in all workplaces
* regulated working week- maximum applied to 'all' workplaces- universal rollout (where exceptional circumstances apply generous overtime or time in lieu by agreement with trade unions and individuals)
* removal of all spyware, employed to keep tabs upon staff working from home and in the workplace- it is anyway recognised that millions of hours of unpaid overtime are routinely taken for granted every year in the UK
* Flip the current Job Centre ethos, to one which instead assists and supports job-seekers and does not look to sanction individuals- 'help' not 'judgement'
* women's rights in all areas of society to be defined and supported- enforcements and full sanctions only where deemed necessary via appropriately staffed public body
* disability rights in (all practical/possible) areas of society to be defined and supported- enforcements and full sanctions (only) where deemed necessary via publicly funded body, appropriately staffed
* all disabilities henceforth to be supported (where necessary), not judged and sanctioned
* LGBT rights in all areas of society to be defined and supported- enforcements and full sanctions where deemed necessary via appropriately-staffed, publicly-funded body


The nation urgently needs to reclaim its democracy from disingenuous outside influencers. Where such activities can be recognised it is vitally important that they are brought fully into the light. Given that the Labour Party is (still) one of the UK's two major political parties it must be seen that this party is able to operate free from disingenuous outside forces. Heavy sanctions must, in future, be deployed in order to curtail this absolute corruption of our democracy:
* a boycott of all Israeli goods, in accordance with the BDS movement
* urgent international cooperation sought in demanding that the Israeli Government withdraw from all occupied territories and that all colonial settlements be withdrawn from, handed back to Palestinian families
* IHRA definition of anti-Seminism to be replaced with the Jerusalem Declaration on anti-Semitism
* a boycott of trade with any nation that deploys laws pertaining to apartheid
* immediate publication of the Forde Inquiry, currently being suppressed by the leadership of the Labour Party
* a full and proper open discussion into all of the findings of the EHRC report into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party
* it must be recognised the damage that has been done to the Labour Party and, especially, 'related' individuals, by disingenuous parties- full public exoneration and reinstatement of all those (still living) who have been victimised care of Labour's witch-hunt. Investigation into due compensation for these individuals redeemable via the perpetrators
* full national reportage such that all victims of the above may be fully and publicly exonerated- a corresponding 'reversal' for the perpetrators
* re-recognition of the decades of anti-racist public service that many victims of Labour Party/public will have brought to bear prior to being shamelessly hounded from office'
* in recognition of the above, a full similar report into anti-Semitist and Islamaphobic behaviours in the Labour Party and inside other UK political parties
* Independent investigation into the undercover activities of the British Board of Deputies (ref: 'The Lobby, parts 1, 2, 3, 4' YouTube, 'Witch Huntyoutube ,' Jackie Walker)
. an independent report into the uses of dishonest and disingenuous information during the Brexit debate, with full public disclosure- report to also investigate the airtime given to non-expert individuals/organisations (also on the BBC)- to openly disclose whether the public acted upon honest and truthful information
. a commitment to ensuring that any future recourse to a national referendum will involve presenting the nation with the full known facts and will not afford undue airtime to disigenuous/dishonest players, and will not necessarily be presented as an either-or option
* nation to be safeguarded from any attempt to reintroduce capital punishment
* independent inquiry into the alleged tampering into the 2017 General Election- report to include allegations of tampering inside Labour HQ, also the use of 'allegations' of unproven acts of anti-Semitism by several high profile current and former members of the Labour Party, by LOTO, major TV stations and 'news' outlets
* independent inquiry into the behaviours of the Jewish Chronicle, that has 28 times been found to have breached the editor's code and has had four libel defeats in the past three years- inquiry could reasonably incorporate MSM's reporting of these findings
* Julian Assange to be released with immediate effect and fully compensated for this act of illegal imprisonment- independent inquiry into whole sordid affair
* nation to 'respectfully' retire many of the 'elder statesman' figures from public life (May, Blair, Mandleson, Clarke, Straw, Mann, Hodge, Hoey, Adonis, Cameron etc, etc, etc), where they are more obstructing than enabling progress- except where they may be required give evidence or, on rare occasions, to be tried (ECJ, ICC) for past actions deemed suitably unjust/criminal. Space to be opened up for newer, progressive minds and those who will work in their better interests, who have a far greater investment in our nation's future


It should be recognised that the UK's arms trade and overseas military interventions has fuelled the surge in numbers of international refugees. The UK must, henceforth, shoulder a significant degree of resultant responsibility for this movement of people:
* an integrated national acceptance program for international refugees
* UK waters remodelled as a non-hostile environment for all political refugees
* the 'hostile' Border Force to be disbanded and reincorporated into the British Coastguard Service
* properly funded Coastguard Service to (also) ensure that all lives at sea are equally valued
. cancelation of all international debt where interest payments have exceeded the initial loan by ?%
* foreign aid raised to 1% GDP, with a view to increasing this in the near future


Respect for the nation's protocols of law and order should be embraced yet this ideal cannot, credibly, be foisted upon a population that increasingly recognises that the national police forces are becoming more often a governmental mercenary unit. Future priorities to focus upon enforcement of laws that benefit the nation's population:
* decriminalisation of many of the nation's recreational drugs
* national independent enquiry into the funding of the police force
* with regards to the above, ensure that the resultant force are full adequately funded
* national recognition of the right to gather and to 'peacefully' protest
* police force not to be employed to undermine the right to peaceful/lawful protest, with immediate effect
* proper recognition of the 'authority' of the International Criminal Courts


The country recognises that free access to all online services is now an essential cog to the optimisation of a better functioning world economy:
* free universal broadband provision


There must be an acceptance that the UK is now a multicultural/multiracial society and that the betterment of this society is necessarily dependent upon how fully this reality is embraced. The embracement of a multiracial/multicultural society must not be permitted to in (almost) any way impinge upon the individual right to freedom of speech:
* all forms of racism and religious persecution to be legally and equally defined and racism in its entirety removed from UK society, enforced in law
* with regard to the above, freedom of expression also to be legally enshrouded in law
* full and proper inquiry into the Windrush scandal, to be traced back to those individuals and ministers who may be implicated- with consequent legal implications
* nation's current system for migration scrapped- replaced with a properly humane one. Build a welcoming country that understands and recognises some of the trauma that often generates refugees


Obviously there must be all manner of things that have been overlooked that will also need to be patched in. Heavens, I've amended this surely embryonic list many times already!
We should have started much of this in the 1970s. Once the list is started it very soon becomes even clearer what a God-awful state the nation has been reduced to!

As Greta has said, "You have stolen my dreams with your empty words!" There should be a great deal more anger! If we can only harvest it... there might yet be a smidgen of hope.

The Over-beating Heart.

For our compact family, Thursday 21st May saw the wonderful Norfolk and Norwich Festival draw to its close. So much to see, hear and experience in so very little time! The truth being that there were actually three fancied performances on the Thursday evening alone but that Mr Cowley, having thus far eluded me, had been that little bit more keenly sought.

The Neil Cowley Trio was the third act of the week that we'd elected to watch. I'd been a fan since the release of the group's 2012 album, 'The Face of Mount Molehill,' so as soon as I knew he was scheduled to perform these were obviously the first tickets to be sought. Row three, stage left, these seats were going to prove significant!

Those familiar with The Trio will know that Neil's jazz combo has carved a tiny niche of spectacular uniqueness for itself, in a musical genre already bursting at the seams with so many mind-blowing and diverse talents. There is a pulsing drive to this group- often ostensibly piano based- slightly darker, with more dangerous undercurrents than one might usually expect from a jazz trio. Yet this is sprinkled also with the gentler, more conventional smokey jazz-club 'standard' numbers. Still, for me, it is invariably that thumping driving energy that best reels me in!

So 'twas to be the concert's second half, the meatier cuts compiled almost entirely from the group's better known stuff, that grabbed me most firmly by the throat. Numbers such as, 'Rooster was a Witness,' 'Fable,' 'His Nibs,' and 'She Eats Flies,' leaped off the stage and dragged the Cowley faithful to the edge of their seats. Feet began a-thumping, fingers a-tapping, and Evan Jenkins's drumming became ever more acrobatic, stop-start racing, a clipped perfection! Centre stage, Rex Horan swayed twisted and caressed his double bass through an increasingly complex routine, throwing also some more haunting bow work into the mix. And Mr Cowley grinned directions from stage right or else rolled with the tempo, like a helmsman battling through a gale force eleven, beating the keys with an intensity more befitting of a heavy rock combo. A tightly woven musical tapestry to spin the head, the joint was a-rocking, or conceivably a-jazzing!

And here's where our keenly sought third row seats' significance hit home! The one minor blemish if you will! As the trio really hit their straps so the tempo upped, the acrobatics intensified, the tightly woven syncopations became increasingly complex- at times not unlike turning a supertanker in a goldfish bowl- undertaken with the deftness of a hummingbird switching flower-heads mid-heartbeat. The drumming ricocheted about the stage, seemingly in defiance of the laws of time and motion, yet with an intensity as to cause the blood in the ears to simmer. That is to say, just a tad too loudly on the skins, certainly less appreciated by young Kerry.

Should The Neil Cowley Trio deign to again grace the Norwich stage, at any time in the near future, I'll be there in a flash- perhaps alone this time- eagerly anticipating another musical extravaganza. The music was magical, so as to leave the heart singing for days, but next time I might see if I can't negotiate a seat rather more stage right, or perhaps attempt to smuggle in a pair of old-guy ear plugs.

But, as for what could have been, 'What Will Have Been,' really topped the festival. We saw 'The Circus' on Sunday 17th May and we  instantly knew, then and there, that nothing- absolutely nothing- was going to be able to hold a candle to this. Words alone would not suffice!

Immortality!

Were that these images, or this post, had been compiled on the 5th March, but alas, 'twas not to be. Either way, I feel that I have over-posted on the Sta(r)lin(g) theme. Good riddance to the one, long live the other!



The best that I can offer, is to write that the flock continues to fascinate. Perhaps the regular roost site, above St Stephen's Street, may not be offering such reliably-pinned-down performances, but the wider Norwich conurbation appears to have taken up the slack and benefited.



These images were taken on the 9th March, whereupon numbers seemed to be in almost constant flux. My pictures were generally shot with the flock approaching its apparent maximum. I particularly enjoyed the helter-skelter moments, when the murmuration was often stretched out to lengths approximating a quarter of a mile or so.



Assuming that the presumed roost site remains constant, the birds are now ranging over a south-western section of the city, anything up to half a kilometre from St Stephen's Street.

Flock size would seem to suggest that current numbers are once again as impressive as before the sudden shift. But, with the temperatures climbing and daylight hours increasing, it must surely be but a matter of time before a (second) demise.

Starlinggrad Fallen?

The early evening spectacle, that was accumulating winter Starlings over St Stephen's Street (Norwich), appears to have taken something of a hit! Maybe others have been witness to the cause, but I can only speculate. Maybe one of the local Peregrines, perhaps a robust attempt by more determined female Sparrowhawk?

Either way, the murmuration above the city has shifted, splintered and depleted somewhat, from its winter maximum. I had earlier attempted to approximate the flock size, at around 6-8,000 birds, but readily admit to being unsure, despite actually resorting to counting a section of one of the many taken photographs.



Speculating upon numbers has now become even more problematic, as one is never entirely sure as to where the now roving splinters are to be found. They float and twist, and stretch racing out across the rooftops, occasionally briefly unifying, before again tugging apart in their uncertain ballet, set upon the deepening ultramarine canvass. But, as the blue dips in search of an ever deeper shade, the final mass is undoubtedly less than it once was.



I first witnessed this shift on Tuesday afternoon (23rd February), at around 17:30. The heavens swept low above the city, as a substantial ripple tore free from the centre to writhe, as if panicked, beyond the city walls. As the undulating ribbon dipped above my head a sound, not unlike shifting sands, filled the air. I likened the frantic trail to  an explosion of bats I'd once witnessed exiting a cave.



Rapidly the fraying tail was sucked, whipping behind the old hospital block, from where it was immediately lost to view, only to return further to the south several minutes later. Although less weighted, the smaller gathering was all the more spectacular by virtue of appearing so indecisive! 'Twas almost as if infighting was causing different factions to vie for supremacy. The coiling rope would loop across the sky, then twist back upon itself, weaving its numbers into ever more complex knots, before snapping and tearing asunder. Centrifugally, splinters were apparently abandoning the core, flapping hurriedly towards somewhere, anywhere else! The bulk contracted to a leaden blot, shimmered and then spilled out across the evening like a gossamer thin blanket, appearing to almost dissolve into the aether, before reconfiguring again and again, and again...



With good vantage, but limited peripheral vision, I was able to detect at least three distinct groups, dancing across the skies. There may well have been more. At one point I was given to speculate whether the increased activity had perhaps drawn in smaller murmurations from further afield. Maybe it was the apparent agitation, maybe the far more varied patterning, maybe the splintering, but I reasoned that there could just briefly have been even more! Or maybe I just wanted it to be so?



The late afternoon pre-roost show is still performing for the early evening shoppers and returning workers, but numbers are, I think, in gradual decline. And Spring is fast approaching!

Starlings!

The sky was clear, the light fast fading. A short stroll to the St Stephen's roundabout was in order. During my previous Starling watch (11th January) I'd arrived unarmed, the camera mistakenly left at home.


The accumulating mass.

This time (18th January) I'd hoped to make amends. So batteries fully charged, memory card uncluttered by past events, I limped along to await the gathering as four o'clock neared. Previous experience had taught me not to be overly disheartened by the somewhat meagre vanguard- twenty-or-so early birds- so, propped against a suitable wall, I set about waiting.


Tailing out far more impressively than did the recent Comet Lovejoy.

As hoped for, reinforcements duly arrived. Parties of up to two hundred or so, mostly approaching from a south-westerly direction, incrementally bolstered the living orb. The flock appeared to accelerate, in proportion to its increasing mass, yet all-the-while smaller numbers were peeling off at the extremities. I've wondered before whether a 'competing' flock of Feral Pigeons, or perhaps the rather-more-transient passing numbers of mostly Lesser Black-backed Gulls, might be acting as a partial deterrent or a distraction to some of the earlier arrivals. It certainly seems to be the case that the flock's numbers increase more rapidly once the other species have dispersed.



The Starling numbers have climbed steadily since before Christmas and, struggling to approximate, I might hazard a guess at 6,000 to 8,000 birds, but I'm happy to amend this accordingly. Yet still my pictures never quite seem capable of conveying an accurate impression of size.


Failing quite spectacularly, to capture an impression of the fanning flock.

As the blue heavens deepened in hue a far more disciplined knot roller-coasted across the sky, periodically fanning out to dapple the wider expanses, venturing further afield and later into the gloom than on my previous visits. Smaller numbers of dispersing shoppers had this time amassed at railings around the underpass, several mobile phones hoping to capture the essence of this aerial phenomenon. Perhaps the EDP or Look East will also soon be spreading the news...

Jim Froud has had a good bash at recording the flock, as of some time around the 17th January.

So made up was I that a more determined search for Mercury seemed in order. Alas, 'twas a bridge too far, Venus's diminutive cousin proving entirely less cooperative.

Secret Murmurings

Have you heard the 'secret' murmurs? Those late afternoon whisperings in the etherial towers above the fine city of Norwich? Whatever can it be?

So choreographed that one  could remain completely oblivious to these hushed exchanges. Such susurrations that might remain hidden in full cosmopolitan view, gathering in meteorological impetus as the day draws to its wintery close. Should happenstance chance to find you standing upon St Stephen's Street in the dying embers of the day, pray raise your eyes to the heavens and prepare to be amazed!


22.12.2014 at 15:25

Admittedly it's not one of those Bill Oddiesque moments, whereupon the sky darkens as if in holy portent. The plague-like proportions might be somewhat depleted, numbering into the thousands, rather than the hundreds of thousands. Far more an exquisite miniature than the bolder impasto statement. 

It would have been perhaps mid-October when I first noticed a small murmuration, twisting its multifarious knots upon the wide blue canvass. A flock of a couple of hundred Starlings, whirling in highly synchronised pre-roost anticipation. Then nothing further was noted for a few weeks. The city appeared once again bereft of performance.



Many thanks to Beverley Goodwin

On 28th November the 'returning' aerial spectacular had drawn a small audience. The knots had evolved into something more complex, the writhing rope was more robust. Shortly after 15:10 the mass-complete was sucked from the heavens, with a ferocity that might well have left a gaping vortex above the city. The chattering mass slipped into the vented roof above Poundland, south side of the street. I was there the next day at the same time, and the next. Nothing!


22.12.2014 at 15:26

'Twas 15:30 on the 19th December, before I managed to reconnect. This time the ballooning mass was constantly drawing in smaller parties of thirty, fifty, ninety, two-hundred or so. 'Twould swoop below the city skyline to re-emerge somewhat depleted, then gradually re-establish its mass, as if through some form of inverse centrifugal motion. I think the murmuration is currently maximising at something in the region of 4,500 birds.

I'm planning to keep an eye upon the sunset skies above St Stephen's Street, hoping that this living cloud might yet multiply further.

A Big-Dolphin Of A Time!

I've seen more than a few cetaceans, but not for a good few years now. Most of 'mine' were seen in Scottish waters- magnificent country- or Cornwall, either spied from a prominent headland or the deck of a chugging ferry to or from one of the various islands off the west coast. Many of my sightings involved ponderous distant fins and sleek dark backs sliding along a distant sea-line, thus were of uncertain species.

I still recall, with much affection, sailing alongside a pod of half-a-dozen Orcas, when I was travelling out to The Uists some time in the late 1980s. In my excitement, I was eager to share the experience with some of my fellow passengers. "Look, !" I seem to remember shrieking to a party of five or so, "A pod of Killer Whales!" They barely broke stride as they hastened to the bar.

At the time this dismissal seemed unfathomable, but I suppose that's one of the many things that makes wildlife watching so special, that imbued niche intimacy that positively radiates from some, yet it remains curiously alien to most.

Special thanks to Javier Delgado Esteban

On Monday, 10th November, I was finally- eventually- able to reacquaint myself with that indescribable sense of awe that seems sometimes to almost overwhelm the captive observer upon the event of these wonderful chance encounters. The day hadn't started well; I'd contrived to spread my characteristic given-inability to organise, by filling 'young' David's van with a surfeit of furniture whilst at the same time failing to confirm drop-off times with the proposed recipients, thus dragging out a two-hour job into a full day's heel-kicking wait! As David said, "There's never a day that's so bad that it can't get worse!"

Extra special thanks to me ol' mate David Bryant

What else for a couple of tired old bird-watchers to do, other than to trundle coastwards in search of wildlife? A far-away Rough-legged Buzzard, a few now-you-see-me-now-you-don't Red-throated Divers, a shimmering island of Golden Plovers. The Visitors' Centre at Cley, with its seductive whisperings of coffee and cheese scones, upped its appeal and duly sucked us in...

Thirty minutes later, as we gazed meditatively towards a distant horizon, the idea of anyone 'picking out' genuine activity upon the pencil-thin line of ocean had seemed highly improbable. Yet, as whisperings became more animated, we couldn't help but be drawn in. "Pilot Whales... " a chap over at the far end of the centre seemed to be explaining. How can it be possible to know or to see, I'd thought. 'Twas the marvel of science, I was informed, someone on the beach had simply phoned the news to the Visitors' Centre.

And again, to Javier Delgado Esteban

The forgotten furniture was duly subjected to moments of simulated weightlessness, as the vehicle chose to disregard the minor undulations of the coast road. We arrived at Salthouse early and set about waiting. After much searching the sea still remained steadfastly devoid of cetaceans. A boot-sliding march revealing little, bar a cloud of sixty-plus Snow Buntings that tumbled along the shingle bank ne'er to be relocated upon the deck. At this point it had seemed that the chances of a more intimate study of the passing Pilots had perhaps expired. We thought maybe they'd drifted slowly back out into the deeps.

So, to return to Salthouse to discover a single tier of half-a-dozen telescopes trained upon an indeterminate distant line upon the sea was a truly wonderful moment. David and I stood and observed the cork-bobbing party, for perhaps an hour. Estimates gradually climbed from an initial dozen or so, culminating with a total of almost thirty Long-finned Pilot Whales.

Loyal friend and top blogger David Bryant

The creatures appeared not so much concerned with actually feeding, more with simply bouncing upon the swell of the ocean, surveying the world above- spy hopping- much as the local seals might do. Gleaning further information retrospectively, it would appear that there was much concern regarding a potential beaching- the down side to the occasional pleasures we wildlife-chasers prefer not to dwell upon- British Divers Marine Life Rescue were on standby throughout the pod's brief flirtation with the Norfolk coastline. Ultimately, all was well and the gathering crowds were fortunate indeed to have shared such a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Special thanks must go to driver David, also for his lifelong tolerance of his passenger's vagaries. There isn't a day that's so good that it can't get better!

Magic

Had you been fortunate enough to have spent Saturday night (7th December) at the delightful Norwich Arts Centre you'd have witnessed the gathering of a slightly older generation of music types. More to the point of this post, I'm delighted to report that The Norwich Arts Centre is where I had chosen to spend my evening.

The attraction, on this occasion, was The Magic Band- that of Captain Beefheart fame, no less! Sadly The Captain is no longer with us, having succumbed to MS some three years ago. Entirely given to that of a somewhat complex persona during his performing years it is most unlikely that he would have put in an appearance, even if he'd been a spectacle of perfect health. The recorded history of the band leaves us in little doubt that he was not a man with whom to trifle over musical differences of opinion. But, boy, was he a producer and performer of edgy music.



Perfect, from Sundaram Ramaswamy

At the Arts Centre, as many of the man's loyal following gathered, words like 'gig' were once again heard to be uttered, coffees instead of beers were seen to accompany many of the punters into the hall; no pushing to the front, many of us were simply grateful to find a patch of floor upon which to sit and wait. Many in the crowd were older than your's truly, the prospect of all present standing throughout the concert had seemed a touch daunting at the outset.

I should never have doubted my own stamina; the mere sight of Rockette Morton, Denny Reebo Feelers Walley and John Drumbo French striding onto the stage was enough to transport me back three decades. Sadly no Zoot Horn Rollo on this occasion.

For those unfamiliar with the music of Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band any amount of wordy explanation  could only fail entirely to convey even the merest essence of their unique style. Those lurching asymmetrical rhythms, the surreal poetry of numbers like 'Golden Birdies,' where on earth could one even start?



Many thanks to the creative brx0

In the absence of the band leader, the gravel-throated John Drumbo French had stepped to the fore, voice resonating up through the floor, from whence it seemed to gather force in the gut, partying with Morton's driving bass lines.

Excepting the notable error of permitting a short drum solo to start the second set- I find that they're never quite short enough- Beefheart aficionados could not fail to have been thoroughly delighted. Worth the ticket price just to listen to Denny Walley bending the hell out of those immense slide guitar notes.

For those familiar with the music: 'Sun Zoom Spark,' 'Moonlight on Vermont,' 'When it Blows it Stacks,' 'Alice in Blunderland,' 'Click Clack' and the immense once-heard-never-forgotten 'Big Eyed Beans From Venus' might have even impressed The Captain.

Well, if not unreservedly The Captain, they certainly kept me and a happy gathering of like-mindeds fully wired.

The Current Drug of Choice.

I can still well recall when cafe coffee was deemed by most to be something of an abomination, something probably bought partially concealed within a cumbersome glass jar. It was something that was, I'd learned to presume, more to be endured than enjoyed. 'Twas curiously granular in texture, produced to resemble nowt more appealing than crumbled sun-baked earth. The odour that would then have been liberated, upon a swift twist of the lid and consequent puncturing of a foil seal- was there a seal way back then?- seemed selected entirely in order to repel those of a curious bent. Either that or else to firmly consolidate a mistrust amongst the more discerning consumer. Adding boiling water simply intensified its repellant qualities, to the point of inducing mild nausea. It therefore ushered the vast majority of then-beverage-seekers into the far greater camp of tea-drinkers. Not that tea, with its meagre dribble of milk- and frequently stewed to the colour of discarded engine oil- faired a great deal better.

Instant coffee, back in the day, was consequently deemed to be very much a no-go zone. Tea, even at its slicky worst, was marginally the more prudent choice, from within that extremely limited market. Should one have been preparing the beverage of choice at home, where milk might not have issued forth as if still rationed, tea was invariably a run-away winner! As for those mysteriously still opting for the 'lesser' preference of coffee, one would naturally have presumed a severely compromised pallet, perhaps brought about through the misadventures of smoking. 

Thanks to max_thinks_sees

It wasn't until many years later, having finally fledged the nest, that I was even made aware of the concept of 'real coffee', a fallback term that I still occasionally use today. Any first, and highly tentative tastings would have been undertaken entirely with minimal expectations, perhaps more through accepted youthful challenge than with any genuine hope of reward. Perhaps I had then been seduced by other new-to-the-pallet and more exotic flavours, perhaps the task had been approached as if through the illusory veil of an alcoholic stupor. I can no longer rightfully recall, but I suspect that some form of curry would have featured in the proceedings. Either way it was undoubtedly the case that the British menu was teetering very much upon the cusp of a new dawn. And, thank Christ for that one would have been fully justified in concluding!

Who could resist such temptations? I certainly couldn't. 

Several decades later we find ourselves with very different expectations, regarding both the far wider selection of global foods and the often mind-boggling variety of available beverages. For those of us who now partake of the occasional coffee it is probably fair to write that a seriously rank cup is almost unheard of, perhaps with the notable exception of that served at certain service stations. Cafe coffee these days, invariably, widely reflects the tastes of a far more discerning clientele.  

This written, it would be only just to point out that coffee supped in comfort and the right atmosphere might illicit a far more favourable reaction than that supped in less sumptuous environs. But, in so far as this blog entry is judging- and it sort of is- it is the coffee that ultimately counts and outweighs all other considerations. Coffee, as many of us now know, possesses such alchemic qualities as to justify such outrageous claims.

So it befalls me to comment upon my encounters with the delicacy that is coffee, as undertaken in my cycling exploits on and around the North Norfolk Coast. Please note that it is not here my intention to damn any cafe or other establishment, rather to highlight one or two particularly outstanding providers. If it is below mentioned then I would claim it is worthy of your patronage, especially if you happen to be cycling, perhaps even worthy of a minor adjustment to your route. 

It goes without saying (or typing) that coffee chains have actively been avoided, unless you count any National Trust outlet. Thankfully the big names (Starbucks, Costa, Cafe Nero) don't seem to feature, outside of Kings Lynn or Norwich. 
   

Thanks also to antwerpenR            

Titchwell RSPB Visitors' Centre Tearoom. Should the weather be kind enough you may wish to sit outside and watch wild birds massing at the feeders provided. For the bird enthusiast this is more rewarding during the winter, what with the occasional Brambling dropping in. The preference of the non-birder might well be to sup inside. *** 

The Victoria, Holham. Staff may well claim that this establishment offers the best cup of coffee on the North Coast and it is rather good, but is it really the best? ****

Wells Deli. There are just a few, quite cramped seats inside, squashed up against the window, that look out onto the harbour. But often supping outside might be the better preference anyway. ****

Blakeney Seafront Caravan (at the edge of the car park). I'm not actually sure what this place calls itself, indeed it may occasionally change hands, but the coffee remains reliably consistent. I don't think this establishment is open right through the winter, maybe because there really is no alternative to sitting outside. Two points to note are that:
1. The wonderful collection of exotic wildfowl that used to provide much interest, whilst partaking of one's coffee, had all but been removed(?) the last time I was there.
2. Blakeney Parish Council, in the interests of no-one whatsoever, seems intent on pretending to serve the local community, by occasionally putting this plot out to tender. Hence, there may be, an unexpected change of face, making it all the more difficult for the souls in charge of this outlet to establish a reputation. *** 

Wiveton Hall Cafe (fruit farm), Blakeney. Easily missed! It is signposted but it's far enough away from the main road to be tucked out of sight. This, of course, is part of its charm and appeal. The food is also excellent, if a touch on the expensive side. Sadly not open through the winter months. ***** Competing strongly, during the summer, for the best cup of coffee on the north coast. The second image is of my elbow beside a cup of Wiveton Hall Coffee.

Picnic Fayre (Delicatessen), Cley. This place will certainly seduce you with its wonderful selection of foodstuffs. It serves, possibly, the smallest cup of coffee along the coast. Not always what you might have hoped for, when you might be gagging for a cup. **

Cley Marshes NWT Visitor Centre. Offers a fantastic panorama across the marshes. You may even get to sup your coffee from behind one of the telescopes set up for bird-watching enthusiasts. ****

The Cafe Racer, Salthouse. Coffee is provided from the back of a small van, often (but not always) parked almost on the beach at Salthouse. Obviously this coffee will have to be consumed in the open air. ***

I couldn't resist this mug either.

Byfords, Holt. Another delicatessen that will absolutely seduce you with its offerings, not least of which are its huge and wonderful coffees. Perhaps the largest coffees along, or relatively close to, the coast. *****

Wiveton Bell. A good option if you also fancy a plate of chips. Coffeewise it has the awkward challenge of being sandwiched between Wiveton Hall Cafe and The Art Cafe at Glandford, both of which are within easy cycling distance (but neither offers chips). ***

The Art Cafe, Glandford. Definitely not to be cycled past without due consideration, as I had mistakenly done far too many times before I chanced upon this establishment. A delightful place, with quite possibly the best coffee in the region of the north coast. *****

The Red Lion, Drayton. Strictly speaking, nowhere near the north coast, but I've ended up here on several occasions and its conveniently situated along The Marriot's Way, thus enabling one to cycle there without undue exposure to heavy traffic, always a major bonus. ****

The Old Reading Room, Tea Room and Gallery. Such a mouthful, don't you think? I've  only ended up here once, but I'd certainly stop again. Unusually, they don't provide lattes or cappuccinos but will attempt an approximation of the former with "a milky coffee." **

The Village Store, Weybourne. Outside seating is fairly adjacent to the road, but the road's never that busy. I think there may be just a few seats inside, along the window. Certainly one of the coast's best coffees, that I've yet encountered. One can also avail oneself of a loyalty card, thus every ninth coffee will be 'free.' *****

Clementines Cafe, West Runton. This friendly family unit will go out of their way to accommodate all manner of dietary requirements. They even serve gluten-free fish and chips once a week, but this may require ringing and thus planning ahead. ***

The Turret Tearoom, Felbrigg Hall. This is the one National trust stop that I have visited. Being National Trust the traffic is never going to impinge upon your coffee moment. ***

Poppylands Tearooms, Horsey. Hugely generous portions of food and a massive panoramic window, from which you might conceivably be lucky enough to see Common Cranes. I haven't, yet! I also think this establishment closes, except for at weekends, during the winter months. ****

Horsey Shop and Tea Room. This is the wooden hut-type place, beside Horsey Windmill. Sometimes there is no alternative to sitting outside and, again, I'm not sure whether it's open through the winter. From this place I have seen Common Cranes, albeit somewhat distantly. ***

Winterton-on-Sea Beach Cafe. This cafe is situated at the edge of the overpriced- aren't they all?- beach car park. Much like its rival, Poppylands, this establishment closes, except for weekends, during the winter. Strictly speaking, we're drifting round to the East Coast now. ***

Obviously I realise that I've missed out more than a few alternatives, but one cannot be expected to comment upon places that one has not visited, it just wouldn't be fair! And not a chain outlet in sight! 

The best of coffees might even deter the rant...