Sunday, 15 July 2007
Saturday 14th July 07
A reasonably early start, as got a train to Peterborough, where I was picked up by a nearby resident who has a child at Bourne Grammar School, and she took me up to Bourne to entertain at the music festival they've put on.
Friday, 13 July 2007
Friday 13th July 07
A day. The best thing was going on a time trial on my bike, 7.9km, organised by Clifton Cycling Club. It started at 7pm, actually a little later, and I was 18th to start, with people starting every minute. I was soon overtaken by the 19th, a large young lad, and after that by the 20th, which spurred me on to go a little faster. I came 35th out of 40 riders, not suprising as I was on my ordinary bike with lights/dynamo, bell, mudguards, and non-aerodynamic clothing. However I did take off my trailer and panniers! My average speed was just over 19mph or 30kmh. I kinda didn't enjoy the cycle as it was tough, but enjoyed the camardarie afterwards.
Earlier in the day I did a cycle through town, collected my compostables, popped into Cycle Heaven and got home for lunch.
Did only a small amount to try to rectify the YGF situation.
Feel depressed about it. Anyway, I have done my best.
The only other thing of interest was that on breakfast TV there was a short report about the lack of services for 'adult sufferers of ADHD, many of whom are condemmed to a life of chaos and even prison'. It made me cry, I feel that wobbly. Not a good feeling, and the 'condemmed' and 'chaos' feel very close to the truth right now.
Earlier in the day I did a cycle through town, collected my compostables, popped into Cycle Heaven and got home for lunch.
Did only a small amount to try to rectify the YGF situation.
Feel depressed about it. Anyway, I have done my best.
The only other thing of interest was that on breakfast TV there was a short report about the lack of services for 'adult sufferers of ADHD, many of whom are condemmed to a life of chaos and even prison'. It made me cry, I feel that wobbly. Not a good feeling, and the 'condemmed' and 'chaos' feel very close to the truth right now.
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Thursday 12th July 07
I took the boys into school and then went back to bed as exhausted.
Got up as I couldn't sleep and wasn't feeling restful, rested or restable, infact I had to go and check the emails to see if any of my friends/colleagues had sent me anything to assist in the making of the Green Festival Document to make it better and more likely to be accepted by the council.
There was one email, from Tim the council person who'd volunteered to take responsibility for organising the children's festival area, and he was pulling out. I felt depressed, rats leaving a sinking ship crosses my mind. Anyway, emailed my friends who are still supportive, I think, and asked for help.
Then it was lunchtime and after that I popped into town to put a pile of cheques in and visit Dylan at Miller's Yard and the tax office, to discuss how I deal with the impending purchase of my next bike, which will be used for Fiddlesticks, 'John the Composter' and for non-work rides. Over a phone helpline the system was explained about 'capital allowances' and how some purchases aren't considered simple expenses, but are treated a bit differently for taxation reasons. It is complicated but we'll cope!
Came back via Hes Rd Veg, Martin's Rotten Old Gunk shop and arrived back just at 3pm, in time to pick up the boys... all go... never stops!
In the evening I went to the St Nicks Volunteers event, to discuss volunteer policies and have a social. A good time was had.
Got up as I couldn't sleep and wasn't feeling restful, rested or restable, infact I had to go and check the emails to see if any of my friends/colleagues had sent me anything to assist in the making of the Green Festival Document to make it better and more likely to be accepted by the council.
There was one email, from Tim the council person who'd volunteered to take responsibility for organising the children's festival area, and he was pulling out. I felt depressed, rats leaving a sinking ship crosses my mind. Anyway, emailed my friends who are still supportive, I think, and asked for help.
Then it was lunchtime and after that I popped into town to put a pile of cheques in and visit Dylan at Miller's Yard and the tax office, to discuss how I deal with the impending purchase of my next bike, which will be used for Fiddlesticks, 'John the Composter' and for non-work rides. Over a phone helpline the system was explained about 'capital allowances' and how some purchases aren't considered simple expenses, but are treated a bit differently for taxation reasons. It is complicated but we'll cope!
Came back via Hes Rd Veg, Martin's Rotten Old Gunk shop and arrived back just at 3pm, in time to pick up the boys... all go... never stops!
In the evening I went to the St Nicks Volunteers event, to discuss volunteer policies and have a social. A good time was had.
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Wednesday 11th July 07
Took the children to school, my 9yr old dressed like a 'Punk' as part of his classes theme on 60's, 70's and 80's. Then home to get into town to deliver my map/plan of the YGF07, deliver some SUMA stuff to Peter at York Credit Union and meet up with ITV people in Out Of This World, to start filming.
We did a few shots of Duncan and me cycling through York, towards the ethical supermarket, and then some footage inside, with me greeting Marianne the manageress, and introducing Duncan who presents the programme. The programme is expected to be called 'Wood You Believe It? with Duncan Wood (hahahahahohohoho!) and will be broadcast in late September or early October on ITV Yorkshire. Duncan interviewed Marianne and then we went round the back to film the loading up of the bike trailer with 'unsold fruit and veg' (mustn't call it waste!) and then we did a couple of takes with us cycling past Clifford's Tower.
The next stop was at Martin's Country Fresh on Heslington Road, another two or three bags of unwanted materials for recycling. On the way back home I found some wood in a skip, but we decided that it would be too complicated to include that, so we did another take arriving back minus the wood, with just the compostables. I think they got some film of unloading and taking a barrowful down the garden, and there was lots of me sorting through the stuff and putting some aside for drying and eating, with an incredulous Duncan who hadn't yet sampled the delicious dried fruit I make on top of the woodstoves. They also did a couple of shots with me coming out of the compost toilet, and Duncan 'sampling' the 4 or 5 year old well-composted humanure and sawdust mix.
Then it was time to go to school, Duncan and I cycled down and the producer Charlie and camera person Tony ( I think) went in their car as they had loads of equipment. The TV company had cleared the filming with the school, and I did my usual daily routine of taking compostables out of the bins, putting them in the compostables bin and putting it all in the composter I installed to encourage the school to take more responsibility with their environment. The school has not taken their responsibilities seriously, including not electing me into the Board of Governers under a 'sustainability' ticket, and I am extremely angry that they aren't doing more to promote recycling and energy saving, which is why I do my daily compostables retrieval as if I didn't I'd explode and it would all get messy. So we filmed this routine! I explained that the school was good with their 'multicultural' education but not good when it came to sustainability, and I was determined to assist the school with reducing their carbon footprint, even if THEY weren't that bothered. I do feel a bit odd about this, but the school has had loads of chances to do better and they just haven't risen to the challenge. So I think I am justified. But there are bound to be repercussions.
The boys, Duncan and I cycled home after Duncan tried to interview them ,relatively unsuccessfully. Gill was filmed picking loganberries, we did some filming inside about the stove and the dried fruit and water heating, and finally back outside to check out riddling the finished compost and leafmould. All this will be condensed into 12 minutes apparently.
I enjoyed the process, and they found me quite easy to work with as I have had quite a bit of experience already.
When they had gone I dared to download my emails to find out if the Council have allowed my risk assessment. They haven't, and have found more wrong with it. I just am at a loss at to what to do. It's a nightmare.
I was as close to depressed as I've ever been this evening because of the difficulties I'm having with organising York Green Festival. I passed the message to my colleagues and asked for help.
We did a few shots of Duncan and me cycling through York, towards the ethical supermarket, and then some footage inside, with me greeting Marianne the manageress, and introducing Duncan who presents the programme. The programme is expected to be called 'Wood You Believe It? with Duncan Wood (hahahahahohohoho!) and will be broadcast in late September or early October on ITV Yorkshire. Duncan interviewed Marianne and then we went round the back to film the loading up of the bike trailer with 'unsold fruit and veg' (mustn't call it waste!) and then we did a couple of takes with us cycling past Clifford's Tower.
The next stop was at Martin's Country Fresh on Heslington Road, another two or three bags of unwanted materials for recycling. On the way back home I found some wood in a skip, but we decided that it would be too complicated to include that, so we did another take arriving back minus the wood, with just the compostables. I think they got some film of unloading and taking a barrowful down the garden, and there was lots of me sorting through the stuff and putting some aside for drying and eating, with an incredulous Duncan who hadn't yet sampled the delicious dried fruit I make on top of the woodstoves. They also did a couple of shots with me coming out of the compost toilet, and Duncan 'sampling' the 4 or 5 year old well-composted humanure and sawdust mix.
Then it was time to go to school, Duncan and I cycled down and the producer Charlie and camera person Tony ( I think) went in their car as they had loads of equipment. The TV company had cleared the filming with the school, and I did my usual daily routine of taking compostables out of the bins, putting them in the compostables bin and putting it all in the composter I installed to encourage the school to take more responsibility with their environment. The school has not taken their responsibilities seriously, including not electing me into the Board of Governers under a 'sustainability' ticket, and I am extremely angry that they aren't doing more to promote recycling and energy saving, which is why I do my daily compostables retrieval as if I didn't I'd explode and it would all get messy. So we filmed this routine! I explained that the school was good with their 'multicultural' education but not good when it came to sustainability, and I was determined to assist the school with reducing their carbon footprint, even if THEY weren't that bothered. I do feel a bit odd about this, but the school has had loads of chances to do better and they just haven't risen to the challenge. So I think I am justified. But there are bound to be repercussions.
The boys, Duncan and I cycled home after Duncan tried to interview them ,relatively unsuccessfully. Gill was filmed picking loganberries, we did some filming inside about the stove and the dried fruit and water heating, and finally back outside to check out riddling the finished compost and leafmould. All this will be condensed into 12 minutes apparently.
I enjoyed the process, and they found me quite easy to work with as I have had quite a bit of experience already.
When they had gone I dared to download my emails to find out if the Council have allowed my risk assessment. They haven't, and have found more wrong with it. I just am at a loss at to what to do. It's a nightmare.
I was as close to depressed as I've ever been this evening because of the difficulties I'm having with organising York Green Festival. I passed the message to my colleagues and asked for help.
Tuesday 10th July 07
A lovely day working in a local school, a circus day for year 3 children (7 yr olds) who have missed out on a school trip, so instead they had a fun day with me, dressing up, face painting etc.
I first did a 1 hour show and workshop with all 28 children, then came back for lunch. Then just before 1pm I went back and did 2 circus skills workshops with 14 children each, followed by a balloon show and workshop with all of them. A very satisfying day, quite reasonably paid, for lots of fun.
Had an early tea and was picked up by Erin the Recycling Officer in her car to go to the Ward Committee in Dunnington, to present a York Rotters info talk and questions session. Lots of interest in the Rotters stall, very satisfying.
Home to the stress and difficulty of my last chance to improve my documentation for the Green Festival later this month. Spent til 2am finishing it off and drawing the plan of the event onto the map of Rowntree Park.
Didn't write my personal blog, as no time.
I don't want to do this Festival organising thing again. I feel I have had very little help, and almost obstruction from the Festivals Officer who has been sarcastic, rude and quite unhelpful. I will complain about her when all is done.
I first did a 1 hour show and workshop with all 28 children, then came back for lunch. Then just before 1pm I went back and did 2 circus skills workshops with 14 children each, followed by a balloon show and workshop with all of them. A very satisfying day, quite reasonably paid, for lots of fun.
Had an early tea and was picked up by Erin the Recycling Officer in her car to go to the Ward Committee in Dunnington, to present a York Rotters info talk and questions session. Lots of interest in the Rotters stall, very satisfying.
Home to the stress and difficulty of my last chance to improve my documentation for the Green Festival later this month. Spent til 2am finishing it off and drawing the plan of the event onto the map of Rowntree Park.
Didn't write my personal blog, as no time.
I don't want to do this Festival organising thing again. I feel I have had very little help, and almost obstruction from the Festivals Officer who has been sarcastic, rude and quite unhelpful. I will complain about her when all is done.
Monday 9th July 07
Recovering from a busy weekend in Sheffield and Warrington, and spent the best part of the day doing the Risk Assessment for York Green Festival. Difficult.
Was told by the Council that what I have submitted so far is not acceptable, and if I cannot get something better in by 4pm on Weds, then they will cancel the event.
At teatime I went down to the school in Heslington to help with a York Rotters stall at the Ward Committee open air info day. I got my bike 'tagged' by the police so if it gets stolen and found, it can be scanned and it will come up as mine.
Home to write my paid blog which was about Live Earth and Sheffield Green Fair.
Then spent til 2am trying to make the Green Festival document fuller and more like a risk assessment that I was given last week as a template.
Not an easy task, frustrating and needed lots of concentration. Didn't write personal blog, no time.
Was told by the Council that what I have submitted so far is not acceptable, and if I cannot get something better in by 4pm on Weds, then they will cancel the event.
At teatime I went down to the school in Heslington to help with a York Rotters stall at the Ward Committee open air info day. I got my bike 'tagged' by the police so if it gets stolen and found, it can be scanned and it will come up as mine.
Home to write my paid blog which was about Live Earth and Sheffield Green Fair.
Then spent til 2am trying to make the Green Festival document fuller and more like a risk assessment that I was given last week as a template.
Not an easy task, frustrating and needed lots of concentration. Didn't write personal blog, no time.
Sunday, 8 July 2007
Sunday 8th July 07
Oh such an early start... I got to the station to catch the 6.58 train to Manchester, but it went the long way round to Leeds because of engineering work, and when we left Leeds we got stuck for 20 mins with some late finishing working so our train was late getting in to Manchester and I missed my connection so had to wait an hour for the next one, so arrived in Warrington at 10.40 not 9.40, so started the event at 11, not at 10 which is when the Disability Awareness Day starts.
However got going and did lots of unicycling aroung and being loud and silly, making people laugh and interacting humourously, devilsticking and greeting people.
Then did some inside stuff, in the Arts Marquee, and did assorted workshops, had sandwiches for lunch and then worked solid all afternoon. It is a brilliant event, so many interesting people and happy kids.
Sabrina's band 'The Heroes' played their last gig and I enjoyed that, and went soon after. The free bus was waiting for me and as I got on several people cheered!
There was just a 20 min wait at the station before the train came, no changes, so got to York at about 7.30. I popped into Out Of This World to see if there were any recyclables, and there were lots of out of date things, and plates, and serving cutlery, and lots of other things, so came home very well loaded.
However got going and did lots of unicycling aroung and being loud and silly, making people laugh and interacting humourously, devilsticking and greeting people.
Then did some inside stuff, in the Arts Marquee, and did assorted workshops, had sandwiches for lunch and then worked solid all afternoon. It is a brilliant event, so many interesting people and happy kids.
Sabrina's band 'The Heroes' played their last gig and I enjoyed that, and went soon after. The free bus was waiting for me and as I got on several people cheered!
There was just a 20 min wait at the station before the train came, no changes, so got to York at about 7.30. I popped into Out Of This World to see if there were any recyclables, and there were lots of out of date things, and plates, and serving cutlery, and lots of other things, so came home very well loaded.
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