Ruth is a poet from the U.K.
A guest of Mysore Bed and Breakfast who has become a good friend.
Not only that she’s actually published books of poetry and some of her poems are about India and her early years living here.
Check Ruth’s latest poem, you’ll realise why I show this image.
Not forgetting Lucie being spoilt by Ina.
And then again, not satisfied with one we had to have another.
This time following the theme of the radiant sun that Manjula brought into our lives and still appears exactly when it’s needed.
Gathered today on Manjula’s bench, next to Manjula’s garden, eating Manjula’s radiantness cake and celebrating her wonderfulness on her 51st birthday celebrations that have already gone on for a week. we have Kaveri, Radhika, Maria, John, Ina, Lucie and Stephen.
Please note Ina is naughty, bribing Lucie for affections with cake.
That’s after Mr No experience was coerced into decorating Kaveri’s palm
Next day
SB couldn’t miss out and had to have more cake….
Yes that’s two pieces. One was supposed to be for her son Naveen.
Disability Services included day and residential centres, equipment and adaptations to their homes, WORKLINK to get integrated employment, daily meals, care at home, social work and housing.
I have very fond memories of our time together and the dynamic team we created that made a difference in so many people’s lives.
We were fortunate and known for a programme of work (LEVEL BEST) to be able to involve disabled people in telling us what they wanted from the services leading to a series of innovations, including ….
– information service
– advocates to help people understand and get the services they needed
– community based daytime activities
– integrated housing
– disabled people’s electronic village hall providing access and training to computers
– a shop selling equipment
– accessible transport service to the wider disability community.
…and a conference to pass on our learning to other organisations.
We were a wonderful team, at a special time who found ways to do things differently .
Thanks guys.
Footnote
LEVEL BEST was a campaign of different methods such as: a reference group, market research panels, public meetings, interviews, to involve disabled people in telling us what they wanted from a reorganised public service. It led to a business plan and fundamental reorganisation of the overall service.
After footnote
That was thirty years ago. Unfortunately the money available to provide such services is reduced and demand has increased. Political priorities change. People are however continuing to provide essential services in difficult circumstances.
Rubbish weather, high prices, useless government, the kingdom is collapsing.
But it’s also magical
On this tour I’ve found ….
Unicorns in Bristol
Gorillas in London
Monsters at WOMAD
And wonderful friends everywhere …
Fab
My friends in India often ask what things are like in the U.K. so here’s My granddaughter’s school.
I’m here to collect her at the end of the school day.
It’s probably a school from the 19th century when ‘board’ schools were introduced.
I love the old building and it has a great feel.
It’s managed by the local government
Here’s one or two great additions to help improve safety.
Manny is overseeing the renovation work at the school.
I’ve stayed with Poppy and her parents Ben and Alice in north London.
Catching up with friends
My first trip back to the U.K. in over two years.
The journey through the airports and flight went smoothly as fast as pre-pandemic. I had test results and certificate proving I’d had my vaccinations. No one checked anything.
Being entertained by and entertaining my granddaughter Poppy. She’s eight and I’ve missed seeing her for two years! All of us share that pandemic experience.
Exploring Hebden Bridge with Liz, the mum of my boys, big ex or as Manjula would say: wife number one. We remain close and dear friends of over thirty years.
In the early 90s I was a senior manager in local government in England.
We had a reputation for innovation in trying to respond to community needs. I sometimes sailed ‘close to the wind and on one of these occasions I was disciplined for breaking the rules.
Towards the end of the financial year I realised there was money underspent in one of our budgets that would be lost.
Rather than lose the money as it couldn’t be carried over the year end, I identified computer equipment we could buy for a new project we were setting up to promote access to computers and training for disabled people.
I quickly contacted three companies that could supply the equipment to get verbal quotes . Chose the best price and company got a formal written quote and agreed, we could go ahead.
In my rush, the mistake I made was not to get formal written quotes from all the companies.
I was investigated and at ‘the hearing’ I was put on ‘final warning.’I completely accepted I’d broken the rules and should have been punished. As public servants, responsible for significant budgets, providing quality services and the health and safety of our service users and teams we are and should be fully accountable.
Why do I share this with you now?
I can see political personal and institutional corruption at the highest level in the U.K. and I wonder how the guilty will be held accountable.
Just look at this.
Me and MYCycle 