What's in a name?

Today the name Michael Brown is haunting me. News and blog reports about the Michael Brown who gave some money to the Liberal Democrats have been prevalent. But here in Look North region, as a relative newcomer to the area, I have just had the dubious pleasure of seeing ex MP Michael Brown interviewed. Described on wikipedia as having 'robust style' I was entertained by his description of Alan Johnson as not just unable to 'wield a knife, but unable to wield a penknife'. Obviously this was in response to the suggestion that Johnson could replace Brown as Labour Leader.

This was one of his vaguely entertaining quotes. For someone who lost an election some 11 years ago now, he seemed remarkably bitter still. Blut he was gloating over the prospects for those who beat him - yes those who beat him - at the next General Election whenever that may be. And gloating Tories are just never that attractive

Why don't women......

Looking at recent postings on the subject, I can't answer for most women. But I can answer for myself. And usually do ;-)

Why am I not a Parliamentary candidate? Because I didn't become involved in politics actively until I was pregnant with my first child, and looking even at our Parliamentary Party today we see a massive split between our women MPs. Either they've got older family and have done the 'little kids' thing or they don't yet have young family. And any woman knows that quite simply getting a job whilst pregnant is a lot harder than getting a job and becoming pregnant while in it.
It's harder because you're tired, sick, walk like a duck with swollen ankles. It's hard because inevitably employers are less likely to employ you for all kinds of reasons, and proving it can be the hardest thing in the world, but the unspoken questions are there. Even in our Party occasionally people voice their views on parenting and PPCs in a slightly less than positive way. There's an enforced break at the end of it and the whole process is unpredictable. And people's reaction to you is unpredictable as well, even those close by. And whilst being an MP may be on the agenda one day for me it's in my own time.

I am a bureaucrat a la Mark Valladares. I have been in lots of different roles and am currently Regional Chair. However when I was talking to someone about whether to stand for chair, someone pretty senior, I was reminded of a meeting when I was on an executive when I turned up with my fourth child, to a meeting an hour and a half away. Joseph was then 4 weeks old. I had less than three months maternity leave in total, and was still trying to breastfeed. I brought Joseph along, arrived early, fed him quietly outside in the car, went into the meeting, was one of only a tiny handful of people to have reviewed the development plan which was the main item of discussion, and input to that. As a former project manager I asked questions of the business plan put forward for another item - again the only questions asked - and succeeded in getting some essential answers in order to allow a decision to be made. But somehow it wasn't quite the thing apparently - I should have been in confinement still. I should add, unlike his mother, Joseph sat quietly and unobtrusively in his car seat, and several members didn't know he was even there during the meeting. So why don't more women do it - I guess they feel as I do.

And as for blogging why did it take me so long? Frankly I didn't feel that I had anything worth saying - and many readers may well agree! I don't dedicate my entire life to politics, but work for a large youth organisation and have 5 kids as well as being a party volunteer. I would love to write a fantastically cerebral post a la James Graham. But when your thought streams in your spare time are interrupted by Tenor Horn practice, nappy changing, Balamory, today's tub words, the playgroup committee meeting, local Town Council discussions on Christmas lights, the Easter bonnet for next week - oh and the desire to just spend a few hours with your loved ones enjoying a roast dinner - you do wonder if anyone will be interested in reading what's going through your mind!!!

I've got to a point in my life where I am enjoying it. Every rich and varied moment. I have a brain a good degree and a high-flying professional background to boot. I am capable of deep and meaningful communication and thought. But right now PC Plum, Josie Jump, Archie and the mystery of the cow pats, and why my 2 year old has a constant green stream from his left nostril, coupled with a slight concern that it may be because he's poked the crust he didn't like yesterday up there, is taking priority in my spare time. And the day job is just what it says, the day job that takes up the work time.

To paraphrase Emma Thompson in 'Love Actually', 'Today my brothers are blogging to save the free world, and I made a lego dinosaur when I got in from a knackering day at work, whilst answering a party membership query on the phone and making up pints of blackcurrant and apple for the very grubby kids who wanted their paddling pool full, whilst wondering when the weeds in my new flower beds were going to get pulled up, and convincing a three year old that just because her brother had pulled Barbie's leg off, Barbie was still a princess and looking for superglue.' And I loved it.

Does that answer it?

I exist therefore..

I am official. Linked to from Lib Dem blogs - the criteria was it didn't have to be a politics-only blog, but just that I needed to be a member and a blogger! So here I am. But also linked to from my friend, Catherine aka bluecowmoo, a blog which has a focus on knitting. Wonder if that's a first for many Lib Dem readers.

So back from a day in London yesterday at English Council Executive, and a nice meal with baby brother Peter, who's just moved to Chelmsford. A train ride later and the drive took me past the Lincolnshire Showground where several thousand young people from all over the world are enjoying http://www.poacher.org.uk/. Seeing the tents, the floodlit site, and the activities laid out for today made me quite nostalgic. I'd really encourage anyone who has never thought about Scouting for themselves or their kids to have a look at this. Groups have been fundraising for months to make this an affordable adventure for kids from all over the place, coupled with the opportunity to mix with Scouts from all over the world. Scouting is really not about wierd rituals (although occasionally we indulge in gathering logs and a good Beaver Slam - usually at the request of the young people!) but about giving opportunities to mix, try new things and stretch yourself. Regardless of background or age there is a place in Scouting for anyone who wants to have fun - so JOIN THE ADVENTURE! www.scout.org.uk.

And now off to Winterton Showground to the Steam Rally. Poor little Joseph has been watching pictures of steam engines going up round the village for weeks and going to the Post Office takes three times as long as we have to gaze and liken them to the all-time King of steam engines, Thomas and his Friends. Unfortunately yesterday I upset him greatly - I went on a modern impostor. To quote him 'Naughty Diesel'....

'It's OK, Gordon Brown understands'

Oh well. That's alright then. He understands that yet again today it cost me £40 to fill up my tiny 4 seater, 900cc car. He understands how much it costs me and my friends to go and shop for our kids to eat healthy good food. He understands that this week I got a letter from my gas and electric company putting up my bills. Again.

I'm soooooooooo glad he understands. As he fills in his John Lewis list return, getting his subsidised bills in London with his chauffeur driven cars. When did Mr Brown last fill up a car at the pump? When did he last visit his local greengrocer desperately trying to support local business. When did he last pay a milkman at the door trying to support local milk suppliers, but worrying that at some point it is going to become too expensive?

Understand - I'd be surprised if he could spell the word.

10p tax cuts hit home

The real effect of the 10p tax cuts hit home in a stark way recently. As Chair of a local playgroup committee I was startled when a member of staff who had undertaken two weeks of cover for the manageress, at a higher rate than her normal rate, asked to meet with me in a distressed state. The additional reponsibility she undertook was a challenge, one which she performed magnificently. As an employer we're really keen to encourage and support self-development and opportunity, and we recognise that additional responsibility should be recognised financially as well.

I was presented with a pay chitty in which practically all of the extra that she had earnt had gone in tax, and her tax bill had doubled. We are talking about a dedicated child carer who works around her family, and who earns more than the minimum wage, but nonetheless who is still not earning a full-time salary. Someone who is not relying on benefits, but has found a way of working around young family, to input financially as well as being there when kids come home from school.

I looked at the chitty and frankly thought a mistake had been made, and then it hit home. Her tax had more than doubled. She wasn't funny - she understood that as employers we weren't responsible for the government's strange decision to take away the best thing that it did for those on low incomes, and par-time sessional workers have been hit harder than most. For two years our committee has tried incredibly hard to put our wages on a competitive footing, and to make our package attractive and fair. We felt we had succeeded, even supporting training with an allowance, but when the government make a decision like this which disadvantages the very people the 10p tax rate was there to encourage and support, I wonder why people bother implementing good practice when the government can render it all meaningless with a single act.

I talked with the staff member about tax credits. It transpired that she had been ineligible previously and with her oldest now finished in full-time education, chances of being eligible were slim. Tax credits are calculated on number of children and household income, and for her she won't benefit from changes in the tax credit. For her it was simply a massive increase in tax, and a reduction of income, at a time when cost of living is raised massively. And ironically in a month where she should have seen the reward of self-improvement, she saw quite the opposite.

So Mr Brown. I set you a challenge. Not that I suppose you really care. Come and join me when I do the staff pay review, at a time when you and Mr Darling are asking for restraint, and help me explain to 6 women, all part-time workers around young families, why your MPs get a pay rise, and my staff have effctively had a pay cut?

Freshers fairs and fish

Ok so tonight we've got a Network meeting - going from strength to strength in Humberside under Mike Connor's watch. Network is the 18-25 years old section Scouting and is a great opportunity for those who are unable for any reason to take on a leadership role in Scouting for
friendship and the chance to try new and (often) adventurous activities as well as having a laugh. We've got booked into Freshers Fairs aaround the county with a view to offering the chance to join, and so we're ordering appropriate resources.

This years top ten freebies counting down are:

10. 'Child orbiter' - mainly for school visits - boomerang-type things made of card - cheap cheerful and fun.
9. Wristbands - still collectable for all ages, available thick, thin, embossed, over-printed, Oh the choice.
8. Frisbees - a new one for us, and whether or not at Freshers Fairs it turns into a weapon of choice is yet to be seen.
7. Beermats - obviously aimed at the over 18s and in particular colleges, again cheap and cheerful and a bit different.
6. Baked bean cans labelled with Network details - some genius invented this one a few years ago, when the bean wars had beans at 1p a can - yes I remember it and no it wasn't Old Pence! A must for all Student Unions.
5. Keyrings - old favourite for adult focussed recruitment, but gaining popularity for school visits for young people to put on their bookbags.
4. Bottle openers - more for the Freshers Fairs but we're combining four and five above to get a super-duper all in one - look after your keys and never be short of a sharp object to open your cans or bottles.
3. Postcards - the Scout Association have a variety for different age groups and occasions including thank yous. Have a stock handy if you do recruitment of development in your case or car and you'll never be short of the right card for the right occasion. Can be over-printed with a hand-written font to personalise.
2. A hard decision but it came down to novelty factor for the top spot. So my own personal favourite goes into 2nd - THE BUG. Yes I have sourced bugs in all colours but wearing a very cute Scout hat. I can also source wolves and beavers but they do come at a slightly higher cost. Kids love them, adults pretend not to but can't help from picking them up, and believe it or not, there are collectors out there too!
1. The top spot this year has to go to the simple, cheap and cheerful, ever-useful loo roll. How many of us remember the day we arrived at college complete with saucepan, 2 plates, toothbrush and cranky bike, to discover that the loos in halls or houses had that dodgy scratchy medicated loo roll in it. Or marginally worse nothing at all. So a loo roll a day etc ...

And now to the fish. Jessie the cat has discovered the fish. But she has not yet tried to eat it. Impressive. She is simply lapping the water from the bowl rather than her bowl. I s'pose it combines two interests. The fish seems to not be bovvered. If she can remember once she's swam round a few times.

New kids on the block

Had the pleasure last week of meeting two new colleagues, Andrew and John from the newly revamped RDS. The Regional Development Services has replaced the Field Development Service, and some of the responsibility lines have changed. For example there is now a dedicated Safeguarding Team to look after Child Protection and other Safeguarding issues, contactabl 24 hours through Gilwell.

The focus for the new Regional Development Officers is going to be more developmental than in the past, including DC induction and support to District and GSL Level, mirroring the approach taken by the Association to focus on grass-roots Scouting, and support volunteers where they are! This should complement the Local Development Officers, where they exist, really well, and we had a great couple of days, sharing ideas, comparing notes, and reviewing projects to date in Humberside.

So welcome John and Andrew, and also Peter who has just joined the Team in the North-East. The only downfall is that I'm (with the obvious exception of the boss-man) by far the oldest. The Matriarch as someone put it.... Not sure if this is a compliment.

That's Councillor Mrs Marritt to you then ;-)

Result Winterton TC by election - THE by election of the 10th July - the result was Francesca Marritt 299, Marjorie Smith 144.

It is very exciting and I've been really pleased by the positive response to my leaflet last week. Looking forward to it!

Quick wins - school visits

This morning visited a small primary school in East Riding to recruit young people for a new group which is starting in September. Fortunate in having had an experienced leader from elsewhere contact us, since 2 more leaders have been recruited and the group's registration form has now gone in. A new Sea Scout Group no less, although for the younger sections of Beavers and Cubs there is no difference in uniform or programme.

The GSL has developed a fantastic programme, which is adverturous and age appropriate, with a bias for the older kids towards outdoor activities. So in we went. So many people are terrified about speaking in public - more so about speaking in front of kids. But I love it. Primary Schools are just so easy - tell them the truth about the adventure that is Scouting and what 6-11 year olds wouldn't want to join.

'So what do you like doing in an evening?' I asked. 'Skateboarding,' said head boy at the back. I skimmed down the programme, 'That's on the programme for November - and you can get a badge for it in Scouts.' 'Woah', gasped an astonished audience. 'Who likes chocolate?' I asked. Every hand including the teachers went up. 'A Cub Pack I know has chosen the theme for its Cub Camp. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' 'Wicked,' breathed most of the kids. And the teachers come to that.

Two thirds of the school signed up, and Bryan, GSL, has e.mailed to say he's already had enquiries, and that's before the letters have gone out. He was astonished but delighted.

Again, not rocket science, but just takes a bit of enthusiasm for the subject, and a bundle of kids looking for adventure!!!

Probably the worst recruitment idea in the world ever...

... is to invite parents to an AGM that is traditional and formal in format.

Why? Because they're boring. Necessary business meetings, and essential under charity law and POR but I can't find anywhere in the rules that says they have to be boring. At this time of year, Scout AGMs are rife, and it's the time of year when leaders decide to stand down, so it's fast becoming the annual plea for new leaders.

It just doesn't work.

Firstly you don't get the numbers of parents coming in to attend business meetings. Childcare doesn't allow, plus they are terrified of being roped in and that familiar plea for help, and it is so formal and 'uniformed' that it isn't accessible or friendly. Tonight in a group of nearly 30 young people, 4 parents and 1 grandparent turned up - and two of those were already on the Exec.

Secondly if you find it boring, so will everyone else. Make it fun. Make the business part of the meeting as short as possible - you can help this by circulating papers in advance, and making sure that you have nominations before hand for key roles.

Thirdly, reports don't need to written and wordy. A display of pictures with simple captions, or a little booklet with reports written by the young people is far more effective, and parents will want to see little Jenny's report on the March Easter craft or little Johnny's picture of the swimming gala.

Lastly involve the young people. After all they're why we do it. Get them to run a game to involve parents, have a quiz that each section write questions for, have a barbie on the beach.

Rule of thumb - make it fun, otherwise it's time for a cool, sharp harp!

Surreal moment

Forgot the classic moment from Church yesterday. Lovely old fashioned, but new spinning top in the toy box in the creche corner. I have become a master at whipping out the new noise-making toys. After all there'a nothing so frustrating as a mobile phone, particularly a toy one purporting to be Noddy calling Big Ears, going off during the solemn moments of communion. I can spot a felt pen at a distance of 6 metres, and if gathering up said offending articles was an Olympic Sport, I'd be Kelly Holmes.

Anyway spinning top spun prettily but I was a bit bemused by the arms hanging down by it's side, a la Mr Potato Head. Didn't pay it too much attention until the blessing of the offering, when a two year old (not mine thankfully) pulled the arm, and the blessing was conducted to the accompaniment of 'The Wheels on the Bus'.

Luckily of course, those who are most hard of hearing sit in the back rows (informal Church rule - the more difficult you find it to hear you sit further back and complain that the microphones don't work properly), very funny.

Great feedback

A few weeks ago I asked a Scout Group who were struggling for numbers both of young people and adults to take a risk with me, and let me do some school visits to up the numbers of young people. This in turn ups the number of adults who have vested interest in the group. It worked really successfully at a group in Anlaby 18 months ago who were down to two Scout Leaders, a GSL and 5 kids. After a taster evening for parents and kids, we recruited 12 Beavers, 12 Cubs and 2 adult leaders for both new sections. Just by showing them how much the adventure of Scouting can offer the whole family, people signed up. We offered flexible Scouting options. The DC, a lady in her mid 70s, was completely bought in to the approach of risk-taking - so many others could learn from her energy and zest for success. It's infectious. There were no set ideas about uniform, once a week commitments, brown nylon, flags, and DYB DYB DYB, just simply an acknowledgement of a club, which is ideals based, and at its core is the promise, common to all.

I could see looking around the room in Cleethorpes a few weeks ago, slight nervousness at the approach. After all the risk is get more kids, but the adults don't buy in. And it's a fair point, but one which can be overcome. Anyway following the first couple of school visits, the Cub Scout Leader rang. 'It's working' said this voice on my answerphone, 'it really does work. I've got a full section and we're restarting the Wednesday Pack in September. And I asked a few parents if they'd come on a rota to give us some extra adult support. And 4 of them agreed to help once a month. It's working!'

From being despondent, a little self-belief and a bit of thinking out of the box (and let's face it, if I can do it it's not rocket science) can go a long way. The most important thing though is to meet everyone where they are, value their contribution whatever it is, and make it fun!

I'm with the Rats, I don't like Mondays

What is it about Monday mornings. Chaos reigns, even if we go to bed wholly organised on Sunday night. Who comes in during the night and just messes up the order that we've created. I favour the boggart premise. Certainly Daisy had a boggart on her shoulder today (Guiding reference - too wierd to explain if you weren't a Guide). She refused to get in the bath, refused to have breakfast, refused to get dressed, and as for brushing her hair, well, I got 'Mummy you crush-ed my heart'. Thanks Tracy Beaker for that one. Oh well at least she went to the car happy as Daddy was taking them and not horrid Mummy.

And now to a bit of a rant - bins outside today. Our fortnightly general waste collection. I'm all in favour of it, with a family of 5 kids, including a couple in nappies, I reckon that most people ought to be able to manage with the fortnightly collections, now we have a green waste and a plastic and cardboard bin, as well as glass, cans and paper in separate boxes. But I did blow my top two weeks ago when the bin men refused to take the bin, because although not full, it was 'too heavy'. Well guys, welcome to my world. I'd lugged the sodding thing from the back of the garage to the front of the house - approximately 20 times as far as they were required to wheel it to the lorry. So we had a little label asking us to 'empty some waste' before next collection. Right. Where exactly? I only put stuff in the bin which is domestic and not recyclable in any form. All large waste goes to the tip - Winterton North Street which by the way is the nicest, friendliest and cleanest tip and everything there is recycled as much as possible. Anyway I dutifully called up and asked if they would accept a black sack as well as the general waste bin as they refused to empty it this time, and even if I empty some of it (maggots and all) into black sacks and take to the tip, I would probably fill it to the top with nearly a month's worth of waste. Oh nonononono said the voice on the end of the phone, sounding remarkably like the Churchill dog, with a similarly extended vocabulary. So we raised a complaint. And the outcome - a standard letter basically saying 'Oh nononononononono'. So we're just hoping the bin men take it today. Or the bin wars of two years ago in Scunthorpe will have nothing on me.

Top tip of the day: Febreze Cotton Fresh Air Conditioner. Very nice, and worth paying the extra, especially if you have small kids, animals, husbands, trainers, all of whom seem to delight in filling every room with a lingering reminder of them..

Lastly glad to see we've selected our 30th PPC in Y&H - Howard Keal. Now I know it's spelt differently, but I couldn't resist a burst of 'Oh what a beautiful morning'. Well done Howard in Thirsk and Malton, and good luck. Well done to the Regional Candidates Chair, Stephen Fenton, for facilitating this.

Hacking and other stuff

Just leafleted half the town with my leaflet for the Town Council by election. Positive feedback so far. Met a fab woman, called Kim who is already a Town Councillor who wants to start a Winterton Youth Council - great idea. Linking in with some of the BYC campaigns about education, workplace and civil liberties would be a good thing, particularly their current campaign against raising of the school leaving age.

Leafleting always gives one time to think - mainly about what tomorrow brings, but also about things I've heard today. For example I spent quite a lot of time thinking about why we struggle in so many walks of life to recruit volunteers. I think it's about how we ask people. I went into a group meeting recently and the parents - some 30 odd - were berated for the behaviour of their kids and also for being lazy and not volunteering. Hmmmm. Not the best advert for flexible Scouting, nor for anything. We should start from the premise of what people *can* give, and allowing them to be part of the team, at their level. If they can offer half an hour a week, what about taking the register and doing the subs? If they can spare an hour a week, then come along and join in. Involve them in the planning, give them a part of the meeting to 'own', or ask them to do the shopping or cutting out. Can they be on a rota? And if someone - hallelujah - offers once a month or once a fortnight, and hints they'd like to be in uniform, then let them. Bring them on baord, include them, point out what positive benefits there are for them, and show them how to enjoy Scouting! After all, if it isn't fun, then why would anyone bother. And the same holds for any volunteer post.

Just home to find daughter Daisy railing, as usual, against bed time. Dog tired she may be, but determined she certainly is to stay up later than any other living creature in the family. Talking of living creatures, Sarah the goldfish seems to have perked up. Oh joy. Did find Jessie, the cat, looking pretty interested at the bowl earlier but the rattle of cat food won over.

Finally well done Lewis Hamilton! The glamour of Formula One gets me every time, shallow though that may be. I love the speed but my conscience does prick me, with all that fuel being used and the cost to the environment of the travelling etc. Great to have a British winner at Silverstone though.

Mad weekend

Started on Friday night with big two getting their reports. Excellent reports for both of them - am so very proud. So we went to Frankie and Bennys for a treat. Had ordered when there was a gas leak - disaster - five hungry kids all expecting pizza NOW! So we hopped in the car and down the road to Donny - 25 minute journey took hour and a half, due to caravan overturning. I like caravans but was cursing that one. Then diversion took us all round the surroung Donny villages. Had nearly lost the will to live on arrival...

Winterton Show yesterday - looked like being a washout. Had a very stylish and psychadelic Daphne costume for the Scout Scooby Doo float. Ellie was a flower on the Churches Together Float, Luke a Scooby monster, and Daisy a flower pot person for Playgroup's Bill and Ben. The playgroup was was a stunner, complete with potting shed. It bucketed down, but unlike some of the other floats being tough Scouts we got wet through and carried on dancing - and dried out when the sun finally came out. Particular favourite moment was when I had the minidress desperately rifling for my jeans, and son Luke freaked completely. 'Mummy what are you wearing?' Reply 'A minidress.' Head shakes desperately 'You can't, you're joking' for goodness sake don't bend over.' Great relief when I appeared wearing jeans underneath, but extreme consternation when I pointed out Granny used to wear dresses like that in the 60s. 'Mind you,' said Ellie, 'she is about 50, so she is old enough to have been young then.' How flattering - she was 60 in February, as I pointed out. 'Blimey,' says Ellie, 'she'll look old soon then'.

Don't you love them. Had fun time at the fair after the Show. Hot dogs, bumper cars and hooking the duck - before the heavens opened again. If anyone points out how good the rain is for the garden again, I may suggest that they can push my double buggy across the Showground in the rain and mud, or something similar.

Walked home carrying Ellie's winning - a goldfish named Sarah. Obviously there aren't enough living things in our house. That said don't think Sarah's long for this fishy world, she doesn't look too healthy, especially after Joseph and Daisy shared the crumbs of their sausage rolls with her. Generous thought...

Church this morning. Closed my eyes during opening prayers. Big mistake. Huge. Woke myself up as the organ started to play the next hymn. Luckily no one had noticed. Note to self. This morning don't close eyes. Just look down but eyes open. Preaching was excellent, about witnessing in ordinary to the glory of Jesus and his amazing sacrifice for us. It doesn't have to be in a big way but witnessing to others can be about a cup of tea at the right moment. Food for thought.

About to have lunch, and then head out for walk around town with various kids to deliver some leaflets and other bits and bobs. Entertained to hear 2 year old Joseph putting his Daddy on 'Time Out'. When Daddy replied 'I beg your pardon', Joseph came back with 'Time Out Daddy. Pooh pooh head.'

Question Time and other stuff

Last night after exec watched Question Time whilst catching up on e.mail. Just thought how well Emma Nicholson performed, and how good it is to see her developing into an elder stateswoman figure for the party. With an interesting political background, having been an MP for the Tories and then crossed the floor, Emma experienced the inevitable sceptical glances and mutterings from all sides in the House of Commons. Her subsequent election to the European Parliament and work in the Lords has kept her very busy and I haven't seen her perform for a long time. I have to say that she was excellent, although the geography and news headlines this week didn't exactly make her the ideal choice from the Liberal Democrats. She certainly brought some gravitas and common sense to the panel.

On a Scottish note, I was sad to see Nicol Stephen standing down as Liberal Democrat leader in the Scottish Parliament. I haven't really followed his career closely although my husband was involved in the K&D by election that saw him elected to the Westminster Parliament years ago, but know that at various points his future has been considered to be bright. What saddened me most was the reasons he gave for standing down. The incompatability of working in politics with family life is depriving us of very able younger and less young people, with real life experience, who are in touch with real people in this country. It is a shame.

Pushing the boundaries

Wednesday night saw the culmination of a lot of hard work with a taster evening at a community centre in East Hull. Catered for 50 - about 40 kids turned up and 10 supporting adults as well. All bar one wanted to join the Scout Club, and the older ones were keen to help.

Just seeing it all come together on the night, although the social workers had never seen the room so full, was amazing. Seeing the older teenagers playing a new ball game with the younger kids outside was fab, and even commented on positively by one local resident that it was great to see them playing constructively rather than climbing on the roof.

So next step, some funding is secure to get additional staffing, and Beavers, Cubs, Scouts AND Explorers will start in September. How cool is that? The nice bits about starting new groups kick in now - applying for the start-up grant, registering the group, deciding on a name and most exciting, what should our necker look like?

If we're new and different, how about new and different names and neckers?

Oh typical

Hm. Have just reviewed the last three posts in the company of my two year old, Joseph, whilst listening to Abba Magic (clearly the Paul Daniels of Abba Magicland), and watching the nauseating love-in between Diane Abbott and Michael Portillo, and have realised that I have indeed chosen, without realising, the same template as my good friend Sandra Gidley MP has for her Romsey Redhead blog.

And have just checked my e.mail. I'm going to get cross. Why do some people need to 'ate' words that don't need 'ating'? Obligated - why use it when obliged is perfectly adequate. Reminds me of my old boss, Dave Wheeldon, who enjoyed 'diarising' events. Where do these words come from? Read one I did rather like the other day tho - 'buggerupable'. Says it all really.

Beavers

So why Beavers gather blogs? Well work it out, but any LDOs or RDOs will work it out, and any Beaver Leader will be with me straightaway.

Tonight was a small meeting, with only half of the Beavers there, 'cos there was a show on at one of our catchment schools. We worked on teamwork, using giant jenga to try and develop group working technique. Interesting results....

Given I do this for a living, I am often asked why I volunteer as well. Quite simply it's fun. The kids are all eager to learn, they help to develop their own programmes, and it is great to watch them develop through their time in the group, from being new and quite nervous, to being one of the grown-up lodge leaders and helping the younger ones.

Election

Am standing for the Town Council. First contested election in Winterton for some 25 years. It's all pretty exciting. Have been really buoyed by the support I've had from Chapel and friends in the Town. I think it's great that there is interest in local politics to this extent, but feel that it is crucial to get a diverse group of people onto the Town Council, or any public body for that matter, to make sure it remains representative.

Winterton is a great place to live, and has amenities to rival many much bigger towns. A community with much to be proud of, it has much to offer both business and residents alike. We try and buy all food locally, including vegetables, which will soon be ready from Jean's farm just up the road in Wintringham, meat (although we eat very little) from the local butcher, and fish fresh from Grimsby. The kids enjoy all kinds of activities locally and we're all looking forward to the Show this weekend.

If you are looking for a fu day out on Saturday come to Winterton, and enjoy our Show!

Starting out

Well this is it. I'm starting to blog. Husband Stuart asked why exactly a few minutes ago. Hard to answer but I can type quicker than I can write so an online diary sounds easier than a written diary.

Anyway loads of my political contacts have blogs, but haven't seen any Scouting type blogs. So here is a blog dedicated to Mums everywhere, Scout Leaders and those who work for the Scout Association, and anyone who has random interests in gardening, Liberal Democracy, Formula 1 and Guernsey. Not forgetting the very beautiful area of North Lincolnshire that we live in.

So I hope you enjoy my random thoughts, and even if you don't I will have enjoyed writing them.