Avon Local History & Archæology – ALHA – does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s an organisation for local history and archæology in the Avon area, serving some 80 affiliated societies, with a collective membership of about 10,000. Founded in 1976, it has outlived Avon County Council, recognising the economic and social –ContinueContinue reading “The Founding Fixers”
Tag Archives: Cities
Bex & the Bankers
Colin Bex was on the march against austerity held in central London on Saturday (left). His attire included ‘that T-shirt’ from the 2005 election campaign in Dorset South. (The question ‘Westminster Diktat?’ appears above an image of the Cerne Abbas giant labelled ‘Clubmen Arise’ and beneath it the answer, ‘Roger & Out!’) Colin reports onContinueContinue reading “Bex & the Bankers”
We Are Not London
We know where London is, but is the rest of England also London? It seems that the London regime would like to make it so. Manchester has a proud history and a distinctive identity. Or used to. Yet Greater Manchester Transport has become ‘Transport for Greater Manchester’, because that’s the word-order they now use inContinueContinue reading “We Are Not London”
Leccy Goes Local
Until 1948, the electricity supply in Bristol, as in many towns, was run as a council department, with its own power stations at Temple Back, Avonbank and Portishead. In that year it was effectively confiscated by the London regime, without payment of full compensation, only to be sold on in 1990 as part of SouthContinueContinue reading “Leccy Goes Local”
Here We Go Again
The regions are being rebuilt, even under the Coalition. Last week a consultation began on the formation of a ‘combined authority’ for Durham, Northumberland and Tyne & Wear. It will take over transport, economic development and regeneration powers from the seven member councils. It’s almost the regional assembly all over again, and will be ifContinueContinue reading “Here We Go Again”
Growing Into What?
Labour announced last month that it will return to its bad old ways with a vengeance. Towns and cities will be given ‘the right to grow’, that is, the right to build over adjoining land. Neighbouring areas that resist will simply be stamped upon.It appears that Ed Miliband really is thick enough not to realiseContinueContinue reading “Growing Into What?”
Elected Mayors – An Afterword
It’s been an interesting week for local democracy. Last Wednesday, Doncaster’s elected mayor, Martin Winter, was seen doing his best to avoid giving an interview to BBC2’s Newsnight. Then on Friday the elected mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Mark Meredith, was arrested on suspicion of corruption. Stoke is the city that has already voted to scrap itsContinueContinue reading “Elected Mayors – An Afterword”
Hands Off Our History!
On Monday a letter appeared in the Bristol Evening Post advocating a radical overhaul of local government in Wessex, linking this with the name of our Party. The proposal was to sweep away both districts and counties in favour of Jacobin-style ‘cantons’:“the Canton of Oxford would include much of Berkshire, parts of Buckinghamshire and partsContinueContinue reading “Hands Off Our History!”
Wessex Regionalists 