S.O.P.H.I.E

While returning home though Stubbylee Park, Bacup on Saturday, 11 August 2007 Sophie Lancaster and Robert Maltby were subjected to a "vicious mob attack". A large group of teenagers assaulted Robert without provocation, when he was knocked unconscious the gang attacked Sophie Lancaster, who was trying to protect him by cradling him in her arms. It was a violent and viscous hate crime instigated solely on the clothes the victims wore. I wrote my thoughts on this crime when 2 main perpetrators and 3 others went to court in 2008.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, set up by Sophie's mum Sylvia, works towards awareness of hate crime & prejudice and teaching understanding & respect. Its logo is an acronym of the victims name Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere. Recently they released a video depicting this violent crime, it is a beautiful and haunting look on modern life and high lights a disturbing lack of secuirty in our towns.



Today Sylvia Lancaster appeared on the Jeremy Vines show on BBC radio 2 to promote the video and has had a lot of positive feedback, I hope that they can continue the work on awareness. It is not a small scale issue or a unique case (I have been involved in incidents more than once) that needs addressing, too many people are insensitive and ignorant towards this problem. Please take a moment of your day to watch the video, and (possibly) if you feel as I do, share its message with others. Its very haunting and some my find it distressing, I for one will never hear Portishead in the same way again.

Carrington farm

Since getting a new job as dog handler, we’ve fitted a serious fence half way down the garden to segregate the chickens, partly for the dog but principally because they make such a mess! Its nice to keep the farm yard in the business end of the garden and keep the patio for the people and the flowers :)

In their garden they have a bus shelter, an empty flowerbed to roll in, a windbreak and sunshade, a nice log and a custom built perch, which btw they never use *rolls eyes*. They’ve also got some other luxuries and entertainment; they are very spoiled chickens :) They do jump over said fence, namely nimbly little Esme with smarty pants Gwen following close behind but when Monty spends most of the day in the garden they are smart enough to stay in their side, despite the temptation of fresh grass and my vegetable patch.

The girls have all settled in tremulously, have oodles of individual character and are currently laying 6 eggs a week average each. Gwen in particular likes to announce her skill straight after laying her daily egg! The eggs are regular sizes now they have had some practice, and the girls themselves have also averaged out in size. Bertha isn’t the biggest by a landslide any more, all 3 have grown to near enough her size, even little Esme although she is still the smallest. Blue is rapidly gaining weight as she is so greedy and isn't too shy to snatch either, she can eat 4 cherry tomatoes in the space the others only get one!

We are managing to eat all the eggs ourselves, which really shouldn’t surprise me, as we can’t get enough of the tasty fresh eggs, but sadly means the neighbours don’t get to share in the yumminess! Sorry (but not too sorry) guys ;)

Goodbye Myspace

I have now officially closed my myspace blog account. It has been running secondary to this one since I opened my blogger account at the end of last year and now it has seen its last legs, it just had to go!

A selection of old blog posts have been transferred to Sunshine Musings if you fancy a bit of a read in the archives, Sophie Lancester and April Fool 2008 are some good ones : ) There seems to be a lot of personal stuff recently and not enough politics (it comes from being a cooped up housewife) so I'll try to find some more interesting news to give my opinion on in the future.

For now, Lub out