Policing is not easy, with often too much being asked relating to crime

The BBC series, Blue Lights, about the police in Belfast is a truly gripping drama. The best drama on TV for some time The writing is brilliant, conveying the daily lives of the police against the backdrop of the legacy of the Troubles. The way in which the tension is retained throughout is amazing. That is coming from someone who is routinely turned off cop based TV drama, generally, due to their predominance ie there must be something other than the police to do good drama about. But Blue Lights really is something else. This drama is also authentic showing what the world of policing is all about. The very different challenges arising from the tragedies of daily life. It shows the police picking up the pieces of the daily social discord, playing the role of social dust men and women. And this is essentially the role of the police in an increasingly divided society. The police are not the answer to crime. It is always irritating to listen to the banal political debates about crime, suggesting that more police is the solution. Yes, the police have been run down and resourcing does need to be restored. There needs to be more put into community policing. The present police service is constantly being asked to do more with less, then criticised for failing to deliver. There are ofcourse many problems with the police, which have been well documented recently. There needs to be radical reform but let's not forget it is not an easy job. Most police serve selflessly, serving the community on a daily basis - often putting their own personal safety at risk. There have been a number of recent examples of this heroism. But the police are not the answer to crime, just as locking people up - out of sight and out of mind - is not a solution. The problems lie deeper in a selfish, unequal society, where many structures have broken down, not least the family. It is these deep underlying problems that need addressing to tackle crime, not just focusing on those charged with picking up the pieces. The first two series of Blue Lights is available on BBC i- player

Bullying culture fuels mental illness

Farming is not necessarily an area that many would immediately link to mental illness. But it is a growing problem in the sector. People work for long periods alone, with often only their anxieties to dwell upon. The pressures have grown over recent years, as making a living has become more difficult. Suicides among farmers have been on the increase. A recent BBC Countryfile program for Mental Health Awareness Week highlighted the problem. One cause of stress was the arrival of inspectors at a farm to check different things. The anxiety that can arise in the build up, then the devastating effect if problems are found. It became clear that stress and anxiety could be eased if the inspectors acted in a more helpful, consensual way. Not delivering brutal news in a punitive, condemnatory way. Mental health is an increasing challenge in our world today. Many are still recovering from the ravages of the COVID years, which did terrible damage. The growing isolation for many today helps fuel mental health problems. Indeed, it can be argued there is almost a drive towards isolationism in many of the ways in which society is developing. Returning to the farm inspection example, it does seem that there is an increasingly bullying culture in our society. The role of Ofsted inspectors in schools has been highlighted as another area of bullying. Stress levels and anxiety of staff increase around these regular rituals. There have been suicides linked directly to this process These inspections have value but again they need to be carried out in more sensitive and supportive manner. The bullying culture is often so embedded that those involved in the process don't recognise it. The celebration of the culture is seen amongst political leaders, who constantly talk in macho terms of being strong and tough. The political sphere ofcourse is another area where the bullying culture is rife. On TV, there are programs like the Apprentice, which appears to be a celebration of bullying management styles. Things maybe changing but the bullying culture really does need addressing wherever it is found. There are huge mental health and other problems flowing from this brutal way of operating. Mental health generally needs far more attention and resources directed towards it. The present government seems to have real problems recognising there is such a thing as mental illness, let alone remedying it. The attitude is pile on the pressure till people break- the survival of the fittest. The problems of mental health are huge and growing. There is the challenge of how society deals with those who have mental illness but also the causes of that condition. We need to become a more caring, supportive society, which means changing many of the structures that help cause the triggers for mental illness. A society that cares, rather than walks by on the other side.

Restoration of ancient woodland and temperate rainforest is essential to counter biodiversity crisis

The biodiversity crisis often seems to be overshadowed by the climate one. Both threaten the future of the planet. Indeed, they are interlinked, with the depletion of biodiversity resulting in more carbon being pumped into the atmosphere, causing climate change. The biodiversity crisis is very real, amounting to the disintegration of the web of life on which we all depend. We are amidst the sixth mass extinction of species. In the last 50 years, the number of farmland birds have reduced by half, woodland edge butterflies by 40% and insects by huge numbers. One area of devastation that has helped accelerate the crisis is the loss of ancient woodland. This process has gone on over centuries, as humanities means of living has changed. In the 20th century, there as been the clearance of tropical rainforests, making way for more cattle to feed hungry human carnivores. The UK is home to many temperate rain forests, mostly down the western side of the country plus Scotland. These areas have high rainfalls. The temperate rainforests boast lichens, moss and liverworts - they are great carbon sinks, as well as fostering biodiversity and human well being. Birds like pied wagtail and redstarts live in these habitats. Unfortunately, these rainforests have been reduced to a fraction of their former selves. Previously, they covered 20% of the UK landmass. Today, they cover less than one per cent. Just 13% of the UK is covered by trees. Writer and campaigner, Guy Shrubsole has called for the saving of existing forests and restoration of much of what has been lost. He makes a powerful case in his book, The Lost Rainforests of Britain. In many ways the best way to restore lost ancient woodland is to leave alone what is already there. Some 30% of Britain's ancient woodlands were cut down from 1950 to 1980, being replaced by quick growing conifers. This variety of tree provides commercially saleable timber more quickly but it has less biodiversity value. Shrubsole argues that protecting and encouraging existing temperate rainforests will help re-establish them into the future. Much of the devastation to trees has been caused by sheep, deer and rhododendrons. So reducing all three will help ancient woodland re-establish. A rewilding advocate, Shrubsole would like to see some of the predators of deer reintroduced - these include wolf and lynx. The spread of pine martins would control grey squirrel numbers. Squirrels also cause tree damage. Farmers have a key role to play. Working with nature to achieve sustainable farming is the way forward. The government's new Environmental Land Management Scheme, which rewards landowners for using land in a way that enhances rather than diminishes nature, can prove a powerful tool in forest restoration. So there is plenty that can be done to restore ancient woodlands and amongst that the temperate rainforests. One of the encouraging things is that much of what has gone wrong in the past can be put right by simply leaving what is there alone, let it regenerate in a natural way. Enhancements like controlling the deer and sheep population and eliminating rhododendron will help but nature is a great healer of itself. Let's hope in the coming years that our ancient woodlands and temperate rainforests revive. It will be for the betterment of all creatures living on this earth - including the human being

Why the obsession with defence

The recent macho posturing on defence spending reveals an increasingly desperate Tory government. Public services are in disarray but apparently, spending money on defence takes priority. £75 billion has been conjured up out of nowhere as the magic figure that will bring the UK spending up to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But what is the obsession with defence - or should that be offence? The conflict in Northern Ireland absorbed huge amounts of money for years. When that and the Cold War ended, new wars had to be found. Following 9/11, along came the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now, there is Ukraine and Gaza. This is about increasing the amount of arms that are put into theatres of war, thereby fuelling conflict. Every pound spend on defence means less for health, education, housing and addressing climate change. It is always useful to recall the words of former US President Dwight Eisenhower, who warned, in 1961, of the malign effect of the military industrial complex. He saw it deflecting from the cause of peace and flourishing of humanity. Earlier in his presidency, he had spoken of "humanity hanging from a cross of iron" in relation to military spending. His words were not heeded, the military industrial complex has continued to grow. In this country, there is a revolving door between the arms industry and the Ministry of Defence. Those earning from war do not want peace. Their dividends come from constant conflict. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak might also want to reflect on the impact that military spending has on other parts of his agenda. Desperate people are coming across the channel often fleeing wars. Wars that the UK has been a key part of fuelling - Afghanistan, Iraq etc. Inflation has been stoked by the impact of war in Ukraine. The burgeoning conflict in the middle east is having increasing impact here in terms of rising prices. Surely, it would be much better to invest in peace making initiatives around the world. Increase the aid budget and don't siphoning off funding into other areas. Take a more peace promoting stance on conflicts like Gaza. A more peaceful world will be better for the common good. It won't be beneficial to the arms industry but for everyone else things will be much better.

Why do West Ham want to get rid of the most successful manager in their history?

The football managerial merry go round is a bizarre spectacle at the best of times but when it comes to West Ham United it goes to a whole new level. The club has been in the top seven of the Premier League (PL) for most of the season. It got knocked out of the Europa League at the quarter final stage. Last season, the club won the Europa Conference League and prior to that got to the semi-finals of the Europa League. So that is three successive seasons playing in Europe. The club have won more matches in European competition over the past three seasons than any other club - a total of 26 victories in 37 matches, compared to Real Madrid's 24 wins in 35 matches and Manchester City's 23 wins in 35 matches. Manager David Moyes has twice saved the club from relegation, first in 2018. He was then passed over for the managers job. The man who got the job, Manuel Pellegrini, spent much money in putting together a side destined for relegation. Again, Moyes stepped in to save the Premiership status. This time West Ham's board had the sense to give Moyes the job permanently. Then, sixth and seventh place finishes in the Premier League led to those European runs. Moyes has bought wisely. He brought in Jarrod Bowen from Hull for £20 million. He has prospered under Moyes, becoming an England international and scoring more than 20 goals this season. His value will now be upward of £100 million. Czechs Tomas Soucek (£20m) and Vladimir Coufal (£5m) have also been big successes. Talisman Lucas Paqueta was bought for £50m in the summer of 2022. Two brilliant seasons for the Hammers mean he also now carries a price tag of over £85 million. Despite, his success in the transfer market, Moyes has never been given the riches afforded to Pellegrini. Indeed, there has been no new money for players since summer 2022. The money spent last summer brought more successes with Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward Prowse all proving big hits. However, the funds came from the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal and Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta. So why one might ask do West Ham want to get rid of arguably the most successful manager in their history? The treatment meted out in the media to Moyes would make the objective observer think West Ham were in the running for relegation. There has been a growing number of critics, mainly due to the defensive style of football, played by Moyes. It is not the most exciting to watch but as results show, it is effective. The sack Moyes brigade first became noticeable last season, as Premier League form stuttered. The critics though had to shut up, when the club landed the Europa Conference League and began this season so positively. Criticism soon resurfaced, though, when results faltered. Moyes has tended to dismiss such title tattle. The West Ham board also stood by their man. How much disquiet was due to actual fans, and how much due to social media news outlets with no other news but seemingly obsessed with getting Moyes sacked, is unclear. However, what has emerged is that reportedly the club have been checking out potential replacements. There were negotiations between club and manager over a new contract before Christmas. Then, this was put on hold till the end of the season. Arguably, the club needed to. check out potential managerial replacements, given the uncertainty. But from Moyes angle, it must seem like betrayal, if this has been going on whilst he has been battling for a top six finish and success in Europe. He also won't have been impressed by being forced to sell two senior professionals - Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma - in January, with no replacements coming in. It is hardly surprising that a small squad, that was then cut further, should come up short in the PL and Europe. The club are officially saying nothing about the managerial position. However, Moyes himself might well decide he has had enough. He's done a remarkable job, over five years on limited resources. He has had little thanks for what he has achieved. And he certainly won't be short of teams seeking his services. West Ham fans need to watch what they wish for. The board too are unlikely to find anyone able to match Moyes achievements, whilst operating on a cut price budget. Maybe, West Ham fans will only recognise how successful Moyes has been in a few years time, when looking back. It is something West Ham fans specialise in, some remain trapped in a time warp of the middle 1960s when the club apparently won the World Cup and European Cup Winners Cup, playing Brazilian style football. Or maybe it'll come when Moyes successor spends a lot of money, only to see the club get relegated. If so, it is doubtful that the Scotsman will be back to launch a third rescue mission. published - morning star - 2/5/2024

Rye micropub offers model for East London

The search for reasonably priced, good value pubs can be a long and arduous one. But someone has to do it. A recent example, that offers some inspiration is the Waterworks in Rye, East Sussex. Originally a pump house, then a soup kitchen, the Waterworks micro pub is sited on a crossroads on Rye High Street. A micro pub the size of a large sitting room, the Waterworks opened in May 2018. It's a homely welcoming place. One memorable night was just prior to life as we know it being suspended with the COVID lockdown. That night, there were a few people, with the pub shutting at 8. Despite being relatively new at that time the Waterworks survived COVID and seems to have gone from strength to strength. It is a no frills establishment. Eight locally produced ales, two keg beers, 12 ciders, wine, prosecco, vodka and gin. Food is limited to scotch eggs, pork pies and pickled eggs. Everything is locally produced- within a 28 mile radius. The Waterworks always seems busy, with people inside and chairs on the pavement outside. It has won numerous awards, including from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The Waterworks is now brewing it's own beer as well - with a brewery and tap room in another part of Rye. Whilst a number of more traditional pubs in the area have bitten the dust, the micro pub model seems to be going from strength to strength. The prices may not be down at Wetherspoons level but neither are they up at the Belgravia end of the spectrum. The example of the Waterworks pub certainly offers food for thought for those living in this area looking for reasonably priced drinks and food plus good company. There is certainly the demand, as evidenced by the success of our Wanstead Beer Festival last year. Could it happen here - watch this space?