Was with a client at CNTWs Monkwearmouth Hospital recently. Loads of uniformed HCA staff smoking at the adult community hub exit. Your not that 'amazing' just yet!!

'Sets out its position'-translates as-"do what you like".

This Gov't are comedy gold. Do a complete volte face on the two child benefit cap, then preach about fulfilling lives.

Hadn't realised that Danny Thompson had died 'til today. A life in music-he backed many legends, including Nick Drake, John Martyn, Kate Bush, Bert Jansch, Richard & Linda Thompson. He was a fine session musician. He could make the double bass 'speak'. Xx

From the CWS ARCHIVE. 6th January 2021.

Blimey

So glad the Govt has 'seen the light' on cost of living.... or is it desperation to save their own political skins?

Schools stay closed in Scotland as snow and ice warnings remain in place across UK Met Office issues amber warning for snow in northern Scotland, with disruption to spread south later this week Hundreds of schools in northern Scotland will remain closed for a second day as weather warnings of snow and ice continue across the country. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow for large parts of north-east and northern Scotland from 11am until 7pm on Tuesday, with forecasters warning of five to 10cm of snow widely, and up to 15cm in places. Continue reading...

Schools stay closed in Scotland as snow and ice warnings remain in place across UK

Neige et verglas : cinq morts dans des accidents de la route liés à la neige en Ile-de-France et dans les Landes Le conducteur d’un fourgon est mort lundi en Seine-et-Marne alors qu’un conducteur de VTC a succombé à l’hôpital mardi dans la nuit, après la chute de son véhicule dans la Marne, dans le Val-de-Marne. Dans les Landes, trois personnes sont mortes dans deux accidents liés au verglas.

Neige et verglas : cinq morts dans des accidents de la route liés à la neige en Ile-de-France et dans les Landes

Adults

Eva Schloss, an Auschwitz survivor who dedicated her life to speaking out against prejudice and to preserving the legacy of her stepsister, Anne Frank, died on Saturday in London at 96. trib.al/NZEPlL6

A truly dismal mindset from Yvette Cooper. A foreign secretary who appears not to have an international/supra-national outlook or concern. Astounding.

Foreign affairs select committee Chair Emily Thornberry says UK and allies should "call out" US for breaking international law.

"It is not for the country that is breaking the law to say whether or not it has broken the law. It is for the West surely to stand up and call it as it is" 👏

Oh look, more unnamed "SEND experts" at The Times have another ignorant "opinion": "SEND spending has spiralled out of control. Starmer cannot wait". Uninformed views are easy; equitable solutions are hard. This is just tripe, lies and should be retracted. archive.is/PZU8b

So shifting the state pension age to 66/67 was a great idea then?

That one person can drag us into a war without consulting or even notifying Congress, or our allies, or fully explaining to the American people why this is necessary, is absolutely bonkers.

Reminder that Congress has the power to stop all of this. Where the hell are they?

He's clearly deranged.

Indeed. Trump and Putin carving up the economic spoils. Modern day imperialists.

The military-industrial complex clearly in full swing. Such a depressing start to 2026.

Whatever you might think of Maduro, the seizure and kidnapping of a head of state takes us to a very dark place. Vast, arbitrary, extra-legal power, which could be exercised almost anywhere, regardless of the character of the target government.

Northumberland nature recovery project takes shape with biggest land sale in 30 years Wildlife trust is raising funds to buy largest piece of land in single ownership to come up for sale in England for a generation

Northumberland nature recovery project takes shape with biggest land sale in 30 years

Great songwriter/musician. 'Don't Bring Me Down' is my absolute favourite pick-me-up song.

Reformer Josephine Butler (1828-1906, b. Northumberland), died on this day 1906. Arguably most effective campaigner for women’s rights of her time. She ended coverture (whereby woman’s legal rights were subsumed by her husband’s), criminalised child prostitution and human trafficking.

Ludicrous for the Guardian to badge 'single sex spaces' a key test facing Starmer. It's neither a key test (polling shows it's a voting issue for almost no-one) nor a test for Starmer (it falls to judges to try and work out the disgraceful Supreme Court meant). Still, gotta stir the culture war pot.

For the Record: An Incomplete History of Music | First Trailer | Charlotte Ritchie | Documentary YouTube video by The Cosmic Shambles Network

We are very excited to finally announce, For the Record: An Incomplete History of Music. An 8 part docuseries coming to screens next June. The entire history of music, from The Big Bang to AI, in a way that's never been told before. Presented by the wonderful Charlotte Ritchie. View the trailer now.

Good decision. The Labour Govt have been appalling on issues of disability and as a wheelchair user I have seen a marked deterioration in behaviour towards disability-so fullest respect here.

Fully respect already famous folks who refuse these outmoded Establishment lures and for not being.... OBEdient.

Millions of workers are toiling away from their families over the holidays. So thank the workers who serve you. Appreciate the workers who care for you. Respect the workers who pick up your trash. Salute the workers who get you your mail. Pay all workers a living wage.

Le Royaume-Uni annonce des restrictions sur les visas pour les citoyens de RDC Le ministère de l’intérieur accuse le pays d’avoir « échoué » à améliorer les procédures de retour des migrants qu’il voulait expulser. De son côté, le gouvernement congolais a annoncé être en discussion avec le Royaume-Uni, « afin de parvenir à une convergence de vues et trouver un accord » d’ici au 30 janvier.

Le Royaume-Uni annonce des restrictions sur les visas pour les citoyens de RDC