Well, I’ve done next to nothing today. Just yesterday’s Azed crossword in which I found
All too public ‘diary’ left in the loo (4)
which clues what this is.
I also held my last ever project meeting with Cardiff student; hand-in dates are looming across the country, I suspect.
Other than that, I’ve just been strolling around, and otherwise enjoying, Bute Park in the sunshine along with half the population of Cardiff. It is a pity the Council don’t take better care of the grass, though..
I chanced upon this old picture just now. It was taken in Brighton in 1989, and it shows me with Maurice, a gorgeous Burmese cat who was a resident of the basement flat in which I lodged for a while, in Montpelier Terrace. This photograph was taken in the little yard at the rear of the property, from which Maurice frequently tried to escape.
Burmese are wonderful cats, very talkative and full of personality, but their claws are like needles!
It has been a bit scary in Brighton today. The so-called March for England, took place this afternoon organized by the neo-Nazi English Defence League (no link to their website from me, you’ll observe). There was a massive police presence in town, at first concentrated on the seafront where the march was routed.
There were localized brawls between marchers and counter-demonstrators from the outset, and after the march ended various splinter groups from both dispersed around the city trying to cause disruption. The town has been at a standstill since about 2.30 as police sealed off isolated disturbances and protected bystanders. I was with a group of people near the Sea Life centre when half a dozen EDL thugs began hurling abuse and moving towards us in a very threatening way. The police intervened promptly and the agressors moved off. They may have subsequently joined a melee that then developed in the Old Steine and was attended by riot police but which did not last very long.
The number of marchers was about 150 (my estimate) with a similar number of counter-demonstrators; they were probably outnumbered by the Police, who had brought in reinforcements from elsewhere to assist with Operation Wheeler, their name for today’s huge activity. I saw vans from Hertfordshire, Norfolk and the City of London.
Anyway, with no serious injuries reported, I’d say Operation Wheeler was a success. I’ve heard that 13 arrests were made, for a variety of offences. I think the police did a very good job in extremely difficult circumstances.
Why have this march in Brighton? I don’t know, but judging by what I heard, the typical EDL marcher is not very fond of gay people and they probably came here because of Brighton’s large gay community and embrace of other forms of diversity. Racism, homophobia and other forms of prejudice seem often to be acquired as a package. To be honest, I think the EDL just came looking for trouble and didn’t really care that much where it was to be found.
Though the only violent acts I saw were carried out by EDL supporters there were extremists on the other side also spoiling for a fight. I think it would have been far more effective if the counter-protest had been totally peaceful. If thugs come looking for trouble, the worse thing to do is meet them at their level because that’s exactly what they want. The way to defeat people like the EDL is to behave better than they do which, based on today’s evidence, is by no means difficult..
The seafront remained closed for some time after the march had finished…
You can’t see very well in this image, but in the background a group of EDL supporters are being detained by the police.
These police horses are right next to “Legends”. There was a nice bit of banter going on between them and the largely gay clientele drinking out front.
Police standing by, just in case, as business returns to normal
Police vans from Norfolk and the City of London. I can’t be sure, but I think the seagull was local.
Old Steine, around 4pm. Ongoing disturbances in the background contained by police; nothing too serious by the look of it.
Hello friends. Happy International Womens Day! To celebrate, our friend Kelly Page has written us a We Are Cardiff about the first female professor to be appointed to the (at the time) Cardiff University. Go! Go!
First Female Professor Appointed in the Largest Coal Port in the World
Imagine it is 1904.
You are living and working in Cardiff, the largest coal port in the world.
Taking a post-prandial perambulation around Pontcanna Fields this afternoon, in a mixture of sunshine and fog. Here’s a view of one of the playing fields being prepared for a game of football. You can see the SWALEC Stadium in the background, with the Millennium Stadium just visible in the mist beyond. Today Cardiff City are playing Bristol City, and I could here the chanting from Ninian Park (a mile or so away) carried on the cold breeze as I took the picture.
Just time for a nano post today to alert you to the fact that my little contribution to the Charter of Light and Energy has now been published online at:
http://littlesun.com/index.php?sec=charter&p=Peter%20Coles
Please have a look, and why not read the other pieces while you’re there?
Follow @telescoperSince folk around the world are celebrating Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”) today, I thought I’d pass on the following topically inspired menu:
—•—
Starters
—•—
Mixed Horse D’Oeuvres
Colt Consommé
Boiled Trotter
—•—
Main Courses
—•—
Roast Beef with Mustang
Pot au Foal
Filly Mignon
Frutti di Mare
Mules Marinière
—•—
Desserts
—•—
Strawberries with Mascarpony
Red Rum Baba (no added Shergar)
Roast Chestnuts
—•—
Extras
—•—
Thorough Bread
—•—
I hope the above menu proves satisfactory but if not please send your suggestions for additions through the comments box…
