urbanpicketfence

Nothing reminds you of your mortality more than the unexpected death of a loved one, friend or even someone in the public eye.

Hence after a way too long hiatus I have been shocked back into action and must apologise sincerely for my absence. Thank you for the emails enquiring about my well being and I promise there will never be such a long break again.

This blog is dedicated to Rita Elaine Warner (1921 – 2012), Kelvin Ezekiel ‘Cally’ Webb (1965-2012), and Masud Sidiki (1975 – 2012).

Rita Warner sadly passed away 25^th April after short illness, however at the age of 90 I understand she said she was tired and was ready to go home.
Rita was born and died on the island of St. Kitts and her life was certainly an inspiration to me.  If any of you have read ‘The third life of Grange Copeland’, by Alice Walker, then Rita’s life was certainly a version of that.
Rita spent her early life teaching at various schools in St.Kitts whilst raising her seven children (three of whom proceeded her in death).  She continued to teach until they were grown and had all immigrated to England and theUnited states.

When she retired from her paid job as a teacher she volunteered at the Seventh- day Adventist Primary school for a number of years, however in her sixties Rita decided to move to the United States looking for a bit of excitement and to be closer to her children.  She lived and worked there for 12 years, but in her mid-seventies the extreme winter weather began to take a toll on her so she returned to her island in the sun and indeed returned volunteering at the Adventist school.  After a few years Rita began to get itchy feet again and decided she wanted to travel as much of the world as she could in whatever time she had left.

In the last fifteen years Rita’s travelling has taken her to five continents where she visited places such as Pompeii, Zambia, Suez Canal, Greece and England.  These trips included 8 cruises.  Rita was well loved and respected, she not only gave of herself to help others but she was also an example of how one should enjoy and seize the opportunities that life has to offer.

Cally sadly passed away suddenly on 29^th April only two days after burying his mum, which left his local community in Leeds in absolute shock and disbelief.  No matter what the cause, we have to accept that his time had come and he was called home. To say Cally was a good friend would certainly be an exaggeration, but his death certainly hit me like a bolt of lightening as the last time I saw Cally was only a few months ago when I bumped into him at Cabin after not seeing him for close to fifteen years.  Cally’s embraced me like a long lost friend and I felt his sincere warmth, we sat and chatted there a while, basically catching up.

I remember the joy that came from Cally as he told me that his life had maybe taken some unwanted turns but that was in the past and now he was just happy and grateful that he had the chance to be his mother’s main carer.  He spoke of the joy it brought to his life to spend time with her ‘now in her golden years’ ensuring that all her needs were taken care of.  Cally said that between that and caring for his own family his life was complete for now.

I don’t think I’d really had a conversation with Cally since ‘SaturdaySchool’ however in that short exchange I remember feeling quite proud of the person he had become and indeed telling him so.  I know Cally will be sadly missed and for his family the loss of two family members is a lot to bear but I can tell you the pain will pass but the memories never will.

Kittitian singer, songwriter and musician Kevin “Masud Sadiki” sadly took his own life at the age of 37 on 21^st May.

He was described as one of the St.Kitt’s most versatile and talented entertainers and in April 2010 Masud was one of a handful of carribean artists selected to represent the United Nation’s “Unite to End Violence Against Women” campaign, touring places like Palestine, the United Kingdom and South America.

The St.Kitts & Nevis Observer stated “the people of St.Kitts are mourning the loss of a their musical icon – a reggae singer, a calypsonian, soca artist and just a great, great individual. His contribution to the entertainment and tourism sector of the Federation will not be forgotten, and certainly we should all work to ensure that his memory is indeed celebrated.”

I was fortunate to see Masud perform here in London a few years ago and it was refreshing to hear a young black man in this day and age singing such positive and uplifting songs including Courage to Change, Stitch in Time and Love For me Momma.

Denzil Douglas, the PM of St.Kitts commented, “Masud’s talent was enormous and his personal standards exemplary. The lyrics that flowed from his heart and soul were no ordinary lyrics. He made us quickly realize that his was an elevating spirit that encouraged us and inspired us as human beings to be better and more sublime beings than we otherwise might be.”

Also Lindsey Grant, leader of the opposition stated, “I will not only miss him personally as a friend but as an individual who gave much to the development of his community and his country. I will dearly miss Kevin as he was an inspiration to me and an entire nation. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Masud’s death clearly was unexpected and a close friend of the artist indicated that Masud suffered from an extended bout of depression, a side of him most never saw as the performer was described as an extremely positive and vibrant young man with an infectious zest for life.

(Courtesy of the St. Kitts & Nevis Observer)

So remember what I said in my earlier blog (Black or White or Shades of Grey) –‘I urge you to talk to your friends, brothers, sisters when you feel their demeanor has changed.  Sometimes the demons we carry inside catch up with us and persuade us to come over to the other side, but your voice can always be louder more persuasive.  Promise me you will keep an eye on the people you love.’

Cally and Masud went too soon and it’s not up to us to reason why, yes they were young but sometimes the young have to leave us prematurely.

So in tribute to Rita, Cally and Masud I want to borrow a phrase from Arundati Roy ‘Promise me you will live whilst you’re alive and die only when you’re dead’ !!

The poem I’m giving you this week is one that was circulated over the new year which I found uplifting so decided to keep to share with you.  Please have a look in my poetry section and read – The Daily Survival Kit

And finally here are the next two pages in my novel ‘Justice For All’. As you’ve had such a long wait for these pages you can look back over my earlier blogs to see the previous pages.

As always, comments please?

Justice For All (Pages 9-10)

Chapter 2

Third fight in as many days was leaving Robin wondering if there was any point in trying to save the relationship. The atmosphere between him and Russell had not been great for as long as he could remember. In fact after the first year, it had been going down hill fast. They’ve been together for three years now.

“It’s your job.” Russell shouted at Robin out of the blue, when Robin commented how down he had been looking lately.” You work so hard at the firm and when you do bother to come home you have absolutely no energy left for me. We don’t go anywhere, we hardly have any conversation, heck we don’t even play Scrabble anymore.”

“I’m a partner in the firm, I have to put my share in. I said I would try to find some time to get away this year.” Robin replied. On that occasion it seemed to appease Russell, but six months later, no holiday in sight Russell’s patience was wearing thin.

They were sitting in the lounge watchingCoronation Streetwhen Russell managed to steer the conversation round to ‘the state of their relationship’. Russell made his way over from the arm chair, and sat next to Robin on the sofa, he didn’t want it to be confrontational.

“Russell, I’ve been trying to create a window for us to get away. It’s just that…”

“Robin I’m not looking for a window anymore,” he tried to say it as clam as possible,

“it’s me or Richards, Rogers and Riley.”

“What do you mean?” Robin asked.

“I mean, lets throw it all in and travel round the world for a year or two, we’ll start with my islands as I have not been home in awhile, then see where that takes us. Come on Robin, it’ll be good for us.”

“I can’t do that. What about the firm?” Robin said.

“The firm, the firm, I’m so sick of that excuse. Please just be honest do you really want to be in this relationship anymore? Hello,” he gestured as if knocking on his head. ”Reality check. When people are in a relationship they make time for each other.  I mean, I’m no expert, but that’s what I’ve heard,” then he stormed out and even though Russell had done this many times during their arguments Robin somehow felt this time was different. Robin knew he was right it had been well over a month since he agreed that he would take a break but his client list at work was getting longer and now that Josephine was going to be away it would be at least another two weeks before he could even take off a couple of days.

Josephine was sitting staring out the window when Robin arrived at 7.30 am. She was determined to bring all of her cases up to date before leaving to play Miss Private Eye in St. Kitts to progress her case.

“Steve throw you out of your bed this morning”, he teased as he entered her office.

“I could say the same to you. Is it your case, or your life that’s put that look on your face?” she asked. She had known him for twelve years now and could read him like a book.

“Both, I have a friend of a friend coming in this morning to see if I will take on a mental health case for her. I don’t know any details, but all I know about mental health is the film ‘One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest’. Can you help?”

“No but Parminder’s, background is mental health” Josephine offered.

“I’ll pull her in then, at least she can listen to the facts then bring me up to speed when she’s left.”

“Good luck,” she replied. And she meant it. Although Parminder was just a trainee, granted a second year trainee, she never offered her assistance in any case unless she could be the lead. She knew her stuff all right, and Josephine was convinced that she would make a good solicitor, but unfortunately that meant giving due regard to her ego by stroking it every so often, not to mention status, she took every opportunity to remind people that she intended on becoming a partner. She was a Hindu and on her first day she made sure she told everyone that she was from the highest cast.

“I’m Brahmin and I intend to marry only a Brahmin” Parminder announced when Errol invited her out for a drink on her second day.

Josephine settled back in her chair thinking she would catch up with Robin at lunch time to get the low down on what was happening with Russell. She had to start getting a mental list together of what needed to be done before she left for St. Kitts.

It would be a strange trip for her, obviously her primary reason for travelling was to check out the information that her client had given her, which was not very much at all. He just kept on saying that it was a case of mistaken identity, which was nothing to go on. Josephine thought she would just have to go out there and find out exactly who he was taking the rap for. She hoped her connections would not be a hindrance. Which lead to her other concerns.

She had not visited for more than ten years, and she was very fond of her grandfather, after her many visits, they had become quiet close. How she wondered how he would receive her after the many promises to visit, which never materialised. She would have to set time aside to spend passing the time of the day with him on the porch. Best of all, she would at least be able to have some sort of rest and put all her ideas about leaving the practice and being at home full-time into perspective. For now she had to get her cases in order.

Unfortunately life caught up with me for a while, but minor crisis averted I’m back. I warn you this will be a long one, so I don’t mind if you read it in stages, just promise me you’ll read it all.So what societal drama’s have been keeping you, or should say I say us, on the edge of our seats recently – lets do a quick whistle stop review of the hot topics that would have benefited from my forthright comments and observations.

One issue that’s had me animated is ‘should white people be allowed to adopt black children who are in care?’ This old chestnut seems to have reared it’s head again, as it does every so often.

As with all political issues the answer is complex – In the past few years there have been more and more white couples applying to be adopters, stating that they are willing to take children from different ethnic backgrounds. However the response from some local authorities has been ‘categorically no’. These local authorities have been operating policies of ‘same race adoptions only.

For some time now there has been growing concern that children are staying in the care of local authorities for much longer than was anticipated and of course children from ethnic minority backgrounds make up the largest numbers.

One side of the issue is that as long as there is a loving and caring home for a child/children why should the ethnicity of either be an issue. The other side is that only people from the same ethnic background has the ability to understand the issues for children of colour and therefore are more equipped to support them in all areas of their life.

Where do you stand on this issue, and why?

I think that some local authorities are still operating under the banner of ‘Political Correctness’ which I’m afraid is clouding their judgement in this area and as such are not acting in the best interest of the children in their care.  However that is not to say they should adopt an ‘anyone can adopt any child’ policy instead !

The ideal situation for most children is ‘same race adoptions’ –  the reality is that this cannot always happen, but and this is a big but, local authorities must put more effort in to recruit adopters from ethnic minority communities.  Voluntary sector organisations have been highly successful in this area whereas most local authorities have very poor track records indeed.

Local authorities must evidence their efforts to attract minority adopters, only then should they consider other families that can meet most of the child’s needs. They should then ensure they put in appropriate support to these families to give them the confidence to address difficult issues that might arise due to colour and/or culture, so that these families are able to give them a clear sense of who they are.

When dealing with people needs there should never be a ‘one size fits all’ approach, every child has a range of needs that should be addressed, and they should be placed with families who can meet most of those needs, with a clear plan of how the other needs will be addressed, not just dismissed.

I have to say I remain on the fence – I know black people who were raised by white parents – some are fine rounded people aware and accepting of their culture but some are seriously damaged psychologically and feel and behave awkwardly around their own people.

Is this something you can do, if you’ve never thought about it before, consider it now. Can you give a child/children a home? Think about it – contact Action For Children at www.actionforchildren.org.uk.

Now I must tell you of a conversation I over heard on the bus the other day between two girls who must have been 12 or 13 at most.

“Whats wrong with you” asked girl number 1

“You didn’t have to be rude to my mum” replied girl number 2

“Yes, well I didn’t know I was being rude, that’s how I speak to my mum all the time” said girl number 1

Although that’s all I heard, that short exchange reassured me that there are some young people out there with a clear sense of what’s acceptable, challenging each other about behaviour.
You see there are young people with behaviours that need to be celebrated.

Speaking of young people, did you hear the reports into the causes of riots are out, and surprise, surprise they haven’t come up with anything different to what I told you in my blog – Pride, Prejudice and Riots!

Whilst I’ve been busy letting life happen to me I dared to venture out and about – I went to see Sharon Gless (Cagney from Cagney and Lacey series) in a brilliant play – Round Heeled Women at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith. I’m sorry it’s finished it’s run there, but see if you can catch it at another theatre, it’s so worth it.  The day I went they had a question and answer session with Sharon – and she is so down to earth, lovely woman.  Honest I am so not a groupie but I do enjoy meeting stars who are regular people.

What else have I been up to – I went to the South London Press Celebrating Heroes in the Community awards, at the Shell building a few weeks ago and I was so moved to see regular people’s
contribution to the community, being acknowledged.  To all who got awards please keep up the good work – you truly are inspirational. Check out South London Press website to see who they were and what they’ve been doing.

I was also invited by the Working Mens College in Camden to judge and then present prizes for the Lowes Dickenson (Portrait Painter 1819 -1908) Awards – I was honoured to be asked and again was inspired and motivated by the students at this excellent community college.  Support them, as for me these are the real places of learning – the one’s that quietly go about helping regular people from very diverse backgrounds, achieve against very challenging odds.

Didn’t I tell you that Micheal Jackson’s doctor was guilty of contributing to his death – as I said I’m not always right but I’m seldom wrong!!! But my question for you is was 4 years enough for such a crime?

Finally I have to mention the passing of Gary Speed (Football), although what can I say that hasn’t been said – he was a good man, he was young and sometimes the young have to leave us prematurely – ours really is not to reason why, but I urge you to talk to your friends, brothers, sisters when you feel their demeanor has changed.  Sometimes the demons we carry inside catch up with us and persuade us to come over to the other side, but your voice can always be louder more persuasive.  Promise me you will keep an eye on the people you love.

So to this week’s poem, which is dedicated to the memory of Harriet Tubman (1820 – 1913). Please take a look in my poetry section.  I feel the poem explains who she was.

Finally, I know you’ve all been waiting with baited breath for the next two pages of my upcoming book, but since you’ve had to wait for so long you can have the next four – enjoy and please, please give me some feedback.

Justice For All (Pages 5 – 8 )

“Apparently he has a case starting tomorrow,”

“What case, he has a bail shout in the judge’s boudoir at ten o’clock, but the client does not stand a hope in hell in getting out, what’s there to prepare for?”

“Well it’s got him pretty nervous.”

Josephine marched off to her office, again wondering how that boy passed his finals. She rang Clare Ross, the barrister in Jason Cane’s case to find out what prison her client had been taken to.

“They’ve sent him to Belmarsh for now.” Clare informed her.
“Do you want me to represent him at the appeal?” she inquired.

“The chances of me lodging an appeal are slim. Jason always wanted to go to prison. After the crime he just wanted to get settled there, serve his time and die. It was me who persuaded him to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, he was always sure of his guilt, and the fact that he should be punished for it. He wanted his life to be over since his wife was killed.”

“Ok, then give me a call if you manage to get him to change his mind. I’m sure we could appeal the sentence at least.”

“I do however have another case that I think I’ll need to throw your way, it’s a bit complicated, came in three weeks ago, but most of the crime was carried out in St. Kitts, in the Caribbean. I’ll speak to you in a week or so about this one. Thanks. We’ll speak soon.” Josephine reclined her seat ‘two lives wasted, what’s this world coming to?’ she thought.

Julia Cane was walking home from a friend on Saturday after a girlie sleep over. She had left at 2pm to get back to rest and get ready to go out for a works do with her husband. Only by six she had not arrived. After speaking to all her friends who were with her the night before, Jason called the police and reported her missing. Three days later her body was found floating in the river washed up at Camden Lock. The only information the police could give him was that she was violently raped before her body was dumped. They couldn’t say for sure how long she had been floating in the water but that they were sure she was penetrated by at least two men, and one of her nipples had been bitten off.

Jason told Josephine he didn’t know how he mustered up the strength after three weeks of the police telling him they had no clues, and that people were slow to come forward, he began to carry out his own inquiries. “I traced her last known footsteps over and over again, and showed everyone I met on the route a picture of Julia.” He told Josephine at the first interview. He’d continued until at last, seven weeks later someone said that on the day she disappeared, they don’t remember seeing her but that she did see two men and a woman bothering another woman that day. The woman managed to get away from them and ran towards her, then they ran off together.

This information proved to be the beginning of the end for Jason.

Coincidentally, four months later Jason’s cousin Vinny from Harrogate called him to tell him about a young woman in Leeds who had been attacked by a group of two men and a woman, but had managed to get away, the police had issued descriptions of the people they wanted to question. Jason told Josephine somehow he knew in his heart of hearts that these were the people that killed Julia. So he packed his machete, wrapped in one of Julia’s blouse’and headed for Leeds.

Jason knew Leeds well as it was where he went to university. He headed for some old friends that he knew would know the underground sort of people that he would have to associate with to get the information he was after, and they pointed him in the direction of Hayfield. A public house that was a sort of a front line. He was advised to simply hang out in there for a couple of days and would be bound to hear or see something or someone. He hung out for nearly two weeks before one rainy night two men and a woman entered the pub, ordered two bottles of water and a Lucozade, and somehow Jason knew it was them. He explained to Josephine that he had no idea how he knew it was them, but he had a gut feeling. They smoked five rollies laced with cocaine and then left. He followed them.

To this day no one knows how he got into the flat where they were crashing, but the police received an anonymous call days later to say that there had been a massacre. They turned up to find all three beheaded.

Jason was arrested two weeks later when the police identified the blouse that he left at scene. By then they had confirmed that the three deceased matched the descriptions of the people they were looking for in relation to his wife’s death. A week later a positive DNA result closed Julia’s case.

Jason told the police the whole story from the moment he was arrested, refused legal representation at his interview, and was advised by the judge in the magistrates court to himself a solicitor, despite protesting that he knew what he was doing and that he had prepared for a life in prison. He had rented out his flat in his daughters name, and arranged for the money to go direct into her account. When the police arrested him he was waiting with his hold-all packed.

Josephine really did not think he would get away with the insanity plea, but she had hoped that the jury would feel something for what he must have been going through,’ vengeance is mine sayeth the lord,’ she muttered.

Josephine was tired, tired of work, tired of being tired of work, and tired of going home and being tired. She felt she’d been tired for most of Naomi’s life, and now that she was sixteen she wanted to spend more quality time with her. Maybe it was time to talk to Steve about her working with him. It seems silly that he has his own solicitor that deals with his theatre contracts, when Josephine was one. ‘Lets keep work and family separate.” he would always say, ”it’s always best to keep these things simple.” She knew it was time, even if he didn’t want her to work for him, she was prepared to play the dutiful house wife, dinner ready for him when he came home, house always spotless. She could learn to play Bridge. There was a Bridge club on Westend Lane that shed passed everyday, maybe she would inquire about membership. Tonight on her way home she would pop in.

“It’s Belmarsh, where they’ve sent you’re client”, Errol popped his head around her always open office door.

“Thank you Inspector Clueso, I’ve spoken to Clare”.

“Who’s Clare, oh yes the Barrister.”

“Glad to see that you’re still paying attention. What case are you preparing for anyway?” She asked with a smirk on her face.

“You asked me to do that bail shout for you tomorrow. I need to present the facts in as a succinct a way as possible because you say we only have ten minutes”.

“Have you ever done one of these before?”

“No”.

“Not even pretending at university?”

“No,” he replied shyly.

“Why didn’t you say. Get to court for about 9.15am. Find out what court and the name of the judge, wait outside the court. The usher will call you when the judge is ready, you go into his office, sit around his mahogany table. There should be you, the judge, the usher, and someone from the prosecution. You say why you think that he should be allowed out on bail. Why, Errol?” Josephine asked.

“Because he will not leave the country,” Errol said. Josephine raised her eyebrow. “Because he has family here,” he carried on. She raised them even more.  “Because he hasn’t killed anyone?”

“You can use those if you want, but only when you have finished with suggesting the judge sets a high bail amount, offering him comprises like they can put him on a ‘tag’. I think for this one you will also need to offer house arrest. What the hell, throw it all in. The chances of us getting bail on this case is about as high as Jason Cane agreeing to appeal his sentence”.

“So you don’t think they’ll let him out?”

“Oh, I don’t know Errol, let me see. An ex-con strikes a deal where he agrees to be used by the police to lure even bigger fish. He agrees to act as the contact in St. Kitts for a Colombian trafficker to send drugs to him, and he distributes it. Only instead of distributing it, he should pass it onto the police. When they have made three drops, the police would have enough evidence to link the distribution to Mr. Bigshot Columbian living in the Cayman islands, and ‘hey presto’ they arrest him, and our client turns state evidence. Simple.”

“So why is our client locked up?” a confused Errol asks.

“Because, lets say that he decides that he can cream off from the top, and send this on to England, through his own contacts. Let’s say that the police get suspicious because they know how much is leaving the Caymans. Suppose the police in England have got their own little investigations going on which lead them to St. Kitts to the doorstep of our client. And before you know it the St. Kitts government allows them to arrest and bring our client here for trial. Do you think he should get bail?” Josephine asked.

“It’s not up to me.”

“Good answer. If it’s all true I don’t think he should, but he reckons it’s a case of mistaken identity, so you go tomorrow and give it your best shot.”

“You don’t think he will intimidate me in the room, do you?” Errol asked before leaving.

“Not unless he has ESP. He’ll be in his cell Errol. This is one party that he is not invited to.”

(Copyright © Ellen Johnson 2011)

 

I see normal service has resumed as far as the weather is concerned, yep autumn came in swiftly following our belated summer – wrap up warm, winter is hot on its tail.

Just to reassure you, nope I will not be doing that very British thing and commenting on the weather every week – only anything unusual and 27degrees is unusual even for British summertime!

So to South Africa – Cape Town has long been top of my priority list of places to visit, so in my attempt at fact finding and positive thinking I thought I’d look it up and check out what’s going on since Apartied. Imagine my surprise when I found out that not much has changed; in fact a sort of Apartheid still exists there. I’m left bewildered.

When Mandela and the ANC took over power in 1994 it was on a wave of optimism…the hope was anything could be achieved – It’s like when Blair government came into power after 23 years of conservative rule, or the flood of optimism that carried Obama into the White House…all key milestones in history. Have all three failed?

People had high expectations; they expected life changing transformational government eager to make the necessary changes and impact in areas such as social justice, education, employment, housing and tackling the widespread inequalities linked with poverty. If anything little has changed in Cape Town or the townships.

I would argue Mandela was a great figurehead and inspirational leader, however he was not equipped for the real nitty gritty politicking and hard choices required to turn South Africa aspirations into reality. But then this is where his government should have come in – he was seriously let down by his cabinet and elected people within the ANC.

I think it’s a disgrace that townships still exist in the same conditions as they were under apartheid. In Capetown the ruling local government is still majority ‘white’, quite a number of black South Africans still work for pittance in the luxury hotels or the houses of the ‘haves’ yet the “have nots” had to travel back to their township shacks with no electricity, running water or toilets. They sleep on the floor and the money they make cannot even feed their family for a full week.

Cape Town has a long history of immigration and uniquely the blacks find themselves in the minority. Under Mandela and subsequent ANC governments, blacks expected to be liberated, but has it got worse? What do you think?

                                 Strength, Loyalty and Friendship

And so to change the subject – What’s with the MJ trial?

The doctor definitely played a part in the final act that took Michael’s life, but let’s face it anyone with the sort of issues Michael had would have killed himself sooner or later. People say “a life lost” however I’m afraid that life was lost a long long time ago. Yes I did feel a bit sorry for him – his childhood was indeed stolen by his parents, or certainly his dad, so maybe there should have been more people in the dock. Whilst I remain on the fence as to whether or not he molested those children, I do believe that right up to his death, despite being an excellent showman and music entrepreneur, there was still parts of him that remained a child.

This leads me nicely onto a subject that’s quite alarming really – Youth Unemployment. Figures out today say they are around 8.9% unemployed, the highest it’s been since 1996! What on earth has happened here?

I’ll tell you what’s happened, this government or for that matter the one before have not executed any credible policy for kick starting or sustaining small businesses’ or local industries apart from those policies aimed at bailing out and protecting the financial banking industry.

Fifty years ago we were producers and exporters, now we’re consumers and importers. Successive governments have failed to invest in skilling up young people for employment in the 21st century. The school curriculum fails to equip those young people interested in entering work instead of university. For those aged 15-18, most schools and colleges are more biased towards academia and traditional forms of qualifications. What they need is choice and access to high quality vocational industry qualifications and proper apprenticeships. A time for major change wouldn’t you say?

Unfortunately those young people out there who really want to work have got to be prepared to go the extra nine yards, and by that I mean yes you do have to accept jobs that you may feel are beneath you such as burger flipping in McDonald’ or Burger King and working your way up or out – because it’s a fact it’s easier to get a job when you’ve already got one. So you need to start somewhere.

Also, those of you seeking voluntary work to gain the necessary skills, knowledge and social skills employers are seeking – be prepared to work hard for little or nothing, so you can increase your chances of securing future careers. But remember I’m not always right but I’m seldom wrong!!!!!!!!!!!

And so at last I urge you to read my poem of the week in my poetry section – it is dedicated to the family of Milton Williams.

Milton Williams, a Guyanese born poet, immigrated to England in 1960 and was sectioned in 1964. He remained in psychiatric institutions until he died in 2005.

I was fortunate to meet Milton and work with him for a couple of years.

On his death numerous files full of poetry were found in his belongings. These not only expressed his feelings about being part of the mental health system, but also his feelings of loss and separations from his homeland and family, and living in a country where he felt alien.

Various art forms have long been recognised as an outlet for the emotions of mental distress, and as a help towards recovery.

Historical figures including Beethoven, Charles Dickens, and Van Gogh have all suffered from mental disorders.

Creative writing and Art appear to be the two main areas people who suffer from mental illness choose to express themselves, and indeed enrich our lives…… Check out his poetry.

Justice For All

(Pages 3 & 4)

Josephine hated cases that were called up at Southwark Crown Court. One because it meant it was a big case, that more likely than not would result in some media coverage. But more importantly it meant that she had to cross the great divide, the Thames, which always threw her into a frenzy about which bridge to use. Had she left from home then most definitely it would have been Blackfriars, but coming from Palmers Green today meant it made sense to use London Bridge. Except that meant to avoid traffic she had to travel through Stamford Hill, and when she arrived at the junction of Kirkland and Amhurst Road behind three cars, two driven by recent arrivals to the country and one by Mrs Yashmak, she knew she was doomed. Ten minutes she waited for the first car to realise that this was London at rush hour which meant, as far as traffic was concerned it was everyone for themselves. Calculating in her mind Josephine noted had it not been for that one junction she would probably have been on time.

Traffic at a standstill again she knew it would all be over by now, so as soon as she could she pulled over and called Errol from her mobile.

“Where the hell are you?” were his first words on recognising Josephine’s voice.

‘Never mind , how long did he get?”

“Forty five years. And was Judge Chambers pissed at you”, he replied.

“Forty five years, what do you mean?”

“I mean, three life sentences to run consecutively, to serve no less than forty five years in total.”

“Can he do that?”

“Well he just did. But you, what are you going to tell the judge, he wants to know why you weren’t in court, and he wants to know by five or he’ll”.

“He’ll what?” Josephine interrupted. “Maybe he hasn’t realised that I’m not the barrister. Anyhow I’ll get to him later. Do you know which prison they have taken him to?”

“No one told me,” Errol replied.

“And you didn’t bother to ask?” Josephine knew he didn’t. To this day she wondered how Errol had passed his finals. Thick as two short planks, sprang to mind. “I’m on my way back to the office, if you get there before me can you start making some calls?.”

“About what?”

“What do you think, to find out where the judge lives.” Josephine replied.

The silence on the other end of the line told her that Errol did not get it. “Hello, which prison?”

“Oh, sure.” He hung up.

Josephine was a partner in the firm Richards, Rogers and Riley-RR&R. She had worked as a social worker for ten years, and then decided she wanted out. Not for any other reason than she was tired of defending social workers and social work practice. Then the Jasmine Beckford case was the last straw. “Incompetent social workers allow five year old girl to die at the hands of her parents”, read the headlines, the day she walked in to her office in Willesden, and handed in her notice. Well not actually giving notice, she had four weeks annual leave due, so she left on the spot.

She took a career break and had Naomi, then when she was two Josephine decided to study law. It took two years to qualify, given her past experience and qualifications, and after working as a trainee for two years, she worked in Wills & Probate for a further two years in a firm that was owned by a friend of her fathers. For Josephine that was an experience of working with and for the dead, so with her husbands nagging, she took up an offer of setting up her own firm with Robin, and Gaynor, friends from university, but after ten years criminal law was beginning to get to her. It was always her intention to pursue a career in medical negligence, but when the firm was set up no one wanted to practice criminal law, but they all recognised that it was a must for any new law firm based in the high street of an inner city area. Although technically speaking Kilburn was not an inner city area, nonetheless they drew straws, and hers was the short one.

Ten years practicing criminal law, and she’d had enough. Her husband Steve on the other hand was happy. He was very happy with his life and that of his wife’s. He enjoyed telling people that he was a theatre director and his wife was a solicitor. He thought that the two careers complemented each other.

She arrived back at the office at twelve, “half the days gone, ‘she thought.

“I hear you didn’t make it to court” Robin commented.

“Long story”, she said to Robin as she rushed past him in the corridor heading for her office.

“Yeah , Errol said you were caught in traffic, or something.”

“Something like that. Where is he anyway?”

“Gone to the library to prepare for his case? Robin replied.

“What case?”

(Pages 1 & 2 on Pride Prejudice and Riots Post)

Please, please let me have some comments !