We already heard that Bournemouth have been busy preparing to host the Air Festival this year. Now the news is that BCP Council are planning Festival Coast Live for as early as May. The event will be made up of a series of outdoor activities showcasing professional and community artists, musicians and dance groups who will be performing at pop up experiences. There will also be a celebration of food, culture, heritage, health & fitness, wellbeing and lifestyle. Nice to have something to look forward to in the not too distant future. Bring it on, I say.
In the meantime Boscombe will receive £21.7 million grant, announced in this week’s budget, to refurbish and regenerate the area. There have long been plans to bring the area back to life and the newish Sovereign Centre will disappear but the lovely old Royal Arcade and Royal ballroom will feature at the centre of the project. Let’s hope the money ends up in the right pockets. Bournemouth does not have a good reputation on this score. The government, of course, has been accused of choosing mainly conservative run councils as recipients of these town grants.
In West Sussex thieves have been busy overnight. Residents and workers were surprised to see that about 50 expensive Yorkshire stone slabs were stolen from a library car park. In fact a whole pavement was left bare and the local police were left scratching their heads wondering where they might have gone. Someone is going to have a nice new patio area for their summer barbecue.
The budget also granted nurses a 1% pay rise. I googled to see how much a nurse earns on average and found it to be about £33,000. This means that the pay rise would be £330 a year. Take into account potential increases in things like fuel, car parking and food and take off tax to be paid back to the government. There isn’t much left. Just saying.
A Spanish woman aged 64 gave birth to twins following ‘assisted reproduction’ in the US. Supposedly the treatment was not available in her own country. One has to wonder why it would be allowed anywhere but could it be about money? Once back in Spain where she gave birth the babies were removed from her care by social services as they were considered vulnerable. She has an 11 year old daughter already who was also taken into care and is living happily with relatives in Canada. The Spanish courts will allow her to appeal every two years but they don’t predict a different outcome. What a sad situation.
I’ve just finished reading an excellent novel called The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. A story about an American family who moved into a beautiful house that had been built and originally owned by a Dutch family in Philadelphia. The characters are so believable and wonderfully characterised. There’s no real mystery, just what happens when people are faced with life and life’s happenings. I hate it when I finish a good book, I now have to find another, Hey, let’s be careful out there. 💤😴 😴💤