I talked briefly with Anne (our Funding Advisor) on how to set a baseline from which to measure fundraising activity in Watford. Our discussions has been going on for a year or so: are we measuring activity or results? income from all sources or just some? where does the data come from? Intellectually, this is one of the most difficult things we're wrestling with at present.
Later I met with Albert Tucker for advice on national funding options and an update on what is happening at the Big Lottery. Later still, I visited “Apsley 2” for a meeting on quality assurance and the work of our Youth Connexions Personal Advisors. Des was present too and made some good points.
In between all this, I found time to have a quick lunch with Maria Waszkis and baby Zofia; Zofia is so impossibly cute and it was wonderful to see them both again.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Our garden is starting to look very smart and today the lawn had its first cut of the year. But maintaining our garden is beginning to feel a bit like painting the Forth Bridge: as quickly as we clear beds and plant things, the plants are eaten by voracious chickens and Aged Ken digs up the plants and fouls the beds with his smelly cat poo.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Jackie and I went to a friend’s 40th birthday party. We were dressed up for the second consecutive night but Jackie forgot that we were allowed to dress up as cowboys and cowgirls – that would have been fun!
Friday, 27 March 2009
This morning I had another of my monthly meetings with Pam, my chair of trustees. I look forward to these meetings as Pam has a deep store of technical expertise and manages always to provide the perfect blend of support, calm, challenge and guidance. Today she scored another perfect ten.
At lunchtime I visited the YMCA to pay my regards to Roger Sands who is retiring as head of the V programme in Hertfordshire. Thankfully, he will remain as a WCVS trustee.
But today was all about the Audentior awards ceremony at which c 350 invited guests celebrate all that is good about Watford. The invited guests are all committed to making Watford a special place, and the award winners are rewarded for their extra special contributions to the town. Mayor Dorothy Thornhill and Councillor Jan Brown hosted so well and it was a truly memorable night.
It perhaps shames me to recount it, but the undoubted highlight of my evening was when Marv Renshaw, collecting the award for working with young people, said he wanted to be “a bit like” me when he was older. It was a lovely thing to say, Marv. Bless you always.
At lunchtime I visited the YMCA to pay my regards to Roger Sands who is retiring as head of the V programme in Hertfordshire. Thankfully, he will remain as a WCVS trustee.
But today was all about the Audentior awards ceremony at which c 350 invited guests celebrate all that is good about Watford. The invited guests are all committed to making Watford a special place, and the award winners are rewarded for their extra special contributions to the town. Mayor Dorothy Thornhill and Councillor Jan Brown hosted so well and it was a truly memorable night.
It perhaps shames me to recount it, but the undoubted highlight of my evening was when Marv Renshaw, collecting the award for working with young people, said he wanted to be “a bit like” me when he was older. It was a lovely thing to say, Marv. Bless you always.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
I gave further detailed consideration to our 2009-10 budget and things don’t look brilliant.
In the afternoon, I met with Michal Siewniak, MENTER’s new Development Worker for Hertfordshire. We were joined by Leslie Billy and together we talked through needs and priorities. Eventually, we agreed on the need stimulate the development of local forums / networks / associations and to ensure there is an effective county-level structure representing minority ethnic communities and influencing public policy. I also agreed to write a note introducing Michal around the county; I am not sure how much good it will do and in any event Michal will have a tough job.
In the afternoon, I met with Michal Siewniak, MENTER’s new Development Worker for Hertfordshire. We were joined by Leslie Billy and together we talked through needs and priorities. Eventually, we agreed on the need stimulate the development of local forums / networks / associations and to ensure there is an effective county-level structure representing minority ethnic communities and influencing public policy. I also agreed to write a note introducing Michal around the county; I am not sure how much good it will do and in any event Michal will have a tough job.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Herts CVS met this morning in Rickmansworth. There is so much happening at present that these meetings are an essential way to keep communication flowing. On the other hand, there is little opportunity to discuss the everyday issues and it is becoming really quite urgent that these discussions take place.
In the afternoon, I received an invitation from the Police to help launch a new volunteering initiative with young offenders. Of course I confirmed our interest etc, but I was unreasonably outraged by the appalling grammar used in this invitation: do they not understand the difference between subject and object? how to pluralise burglary? the use of the apostrophe?
In the afternoon, I received an invitation from the Police to help launch a new volunteering initiative with young offenders. Of course I confirmed our interest etc, but I was unreasonably outraged by the appalling grammar used in this invitation: do they not understand the difference between subject and object? how to pluralise burglary? the use of the apostrophe?
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
I accurately judged this morning’s drive to Birmingham and arrived in perfect time to join the Public Law masterclass organised by NAVCA. Of all the many NAVCA initiatives, I have found this one of the most useful and valuable. It was pleasing to see NAVCA’s CEO Kevin Curley taking part in the event: I found myself sitting beside him for most of the day, but fear I failed to take much advantage from the situation.
Monday, 23 March 2009
This morning I paid another visit to the Holywell Community Centre to meet with Pam Handley. Later I undertook two more staff reviews, looked again at our budget and had a useful hour with Michael Lassman on the future of our One World forum.
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Mothering Sunday produced a flurry of activity around the trio of mothers in our immediate family. I took off to visit my mum, Jackie took off to hers, then we hosted Jackie’s daughter and Brian for High Tea in the afternoon. This was fortunate as I still needed a bit of help to finish rebuilding a garden shed.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
While Jackie spent the day planting in the garden, I spent the day dismantling and rebuilding a garden shed.
Friday, 20 March 2009
At today’s staff meeting, I had to advise people that next year’s financial realities may make it difficult to sustain our current staffing levels. Of course I hope we can continue at current staffing levels but it will not be easy. Everyone took the news very well.
Later, I had a further meeting on plans for a new Community Assembly in Watford and circulated invitations to a further meeting of local community / voluntary transport schemes.
At home, Jackie’s toe is still very sore and poor Aged Ken (our decrepit white cat of indeterminate years) is struggling. He mews constantly whenever anyone is in the kitchen and will not use his cat flap – preferring instead to tap at the door until a human lets him out. But he loves his new basket and having his ears tickled so there is life in the old cat yet.
Later, I had a further meeting on plans for a new Community Assembly in Watford and circulated invitations to a further meeting of local community / voluntary transport schemes.
At home, Jackie’s toe is still very sore and poor Aged Ken (our decrepit white cat of indeterminate years) is struggling. He mews constantly whenever anyone is in the kitchen and will not use his cat flap – preferring instead to tap at the door until a human lets him out. But he loves his new basket and having his ears tickled so there is life in the old cat yet.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Today, I had another drive to Cambridge for a meeting of the Regional Empowerment Partnership. There is so much potential for the Partnership to provide some real leadership across the region and I hope we can sustain the momentum. I am now the proud joint Vice Chair of this august body.
True to form, and just days after public assurances that everything was on schedule, I learn today that the launch of the new Vetting and Barring scheme has been postponed for six months. You couldn’t make it up.
True to form, and just days after public assurances that everything was on schedule, I learn today that the launch of the new Vetting and Barring scheme has been postponed for six months. You couldn’t make it up.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
This morning, Jackie had her in-growing toe-nail removed: it was not pleasant to watch and around her left foot there is now a 36-inch total exclusion zone. I must be careful. After settling Jackie at home on the sofa, I took myself off to Watford for a meeting of the Community Development Network. This meeting went remarkably well and agreed to open out future meetings of the network and also some very useful amendments to my proposals for the Community Assembly. I also briefly met with Roger Sands of the V programme to talk about volunteering.
I hear that tonight’s Herts CVS Chairs’ meeting took some relatively sensible decisions on their Terms of Reference. Thank goodness for that.
I hear that tonight’s Herts CVS Chairs’ meeting took some relatively sensible decisions on their Terms of Reference. Thank goodness for that.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Today’s Herts Resilience conference was interesting. Of course it is Right and Proper that there are plans to deal with civic emergences. But I have misgivings about plans that consider only the immediate response and pay insufficient attention to the longer-term issues of recovery, community cohesion etc.
Monday, 16 March 2009
A big dose of reality has hit the Grassroots Grants programme: at previous meetings of the Community Fund Panel, we have (if anything) struggled to secure enough applications to take up our allocation. Now, this has all changed: the amount of funding has slightly reduced and the number of applications has risen exponentially. Decisions are getting much harder and there will be more disappointed groups.
Also today, I spent a long time talking with Huywadah Malik about plans for a Watford Community Assembly, where the key difficulty is to make sure that the process doesn’t end up excluding communities.
I have not found a trustee to represent WCVS’s view at Wednesday’s Herts CVS Chairs’ meeting. I talked today with Pam: we shall have to see what happens.
Also today, I spent a long time talking with Huywadah Malik about plans for a Watford Community Assembly, where the key difficulty is to make sure that the process doesn’t end up excluding communities.
I have not found a trustee to represent WCVS’s view at Wednesday’s Herts CVS Chairs’ meeting. I talked today with Pam: we shall have to see what happens.
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Jackie and I had planned to go walking in Hatfield Park, but her in-growing toe-nail put paid to that and instead we drove off to visit the Tring Natural History Museum.
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Jackie and I spent the day toiling in the garden and we finally finished off our waterfall. Though I say so myself, it looks magnificent in an English Country Garden sort of way. Hopefully it will encourage frogs to linger in our garden eating up lots of juicy slugs. I will say nothing about the rugby.
Friday, 13 March 2009
One can always wish
Today I worked at home to complete the report commissioned by the PCT on their relationships with the voluntary sector; I hope this report might provide the foundation for a new and closer partnership in Hertfordshire between the PCTs and the voluntary sector.
Today I worked at home to complete the report commissioned by the PCT on their relationships with the voluntary sector; I hope this report might provide the foundation for a new and closer partnership in Hertfordshire between the PCTs and the voluntary sector.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Today began with a drive up to Duxford to attend a briefing on the new Vetting and Barring arrangements. It was interesting: the speakers exuded confidence re: the implementation and glossed over the civil rights dangers. Of course I took the opportunity to have a quick look around the museum and found the Fairey Swordfish as haunting as ever. Back at Watford, I completed another staff review meeting and then did some work on the forthcoming meeting of the Regional Empowerment Partnership.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
This morning’s mywatford.net workshops went very well: my three participants were from the Senior Citizens’ Forum, the Arabic School and Glen Rovers (the local Gaelic Athletics Club) – strength in diversity indeed.
After lunch I met with Richard, the county’s new IT worker funded by Capacitybuilders and employed through North Herts CVS. I don’t want to sound ungracious and I don’t want to discourage Richard, but I was again struck by how far Capacitybuilders have led us by the nose to create a project that has already substantially failed in Hertfordshire in the guise of Net:Gain. Richard will do well to bring a rabbit from this Capacitybuilders hat.
Outside, Watford gave a proper welcome to the Royal Anglian Regiment on their Freedom of the Borough march through Watford - so much better than the reception they received in Luton yesterday. The military intervention in Iraq has proved to be shambolic and poorly planned, and clearly some of teh military have acted abominably. But despite this, it is important to maintain a proper regard for the sacrifice and courage of the overwhelming majority of the armed forces.
After lunch I met with Richard, the county’s new IT worker funded by Capacitybuilders and employed through North Herts CVS. I don’t want to sound ungracious and I don’t want to discourage Richard, but I was again struck by how far Capacitybuilders have led us by the nose to create a project that has already substantially failed in Hertfordshire in the guise of Net:Gain. Richard will do well to bring a rabbit from this Capacitybuilders hat.
Outside, Watford gave a proper welcome to the Royal Anglian Regiment on their Freedom of the Borough march through Watford - so much better than the reception they received in Luton yesterday. The military intervention in Iraq has proved to be shambolic and poorly planned, and clearly some of teh military have acted abominably. But despite this, it is important to maintain a proper regard for the sacrifice and courage of the overwhelming majority of the armed forces.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
At work today, I completed two staff reviews and then had a good discussion with Helen (Volunteer Centre co-ordinator) and Laura (voluntary transport scheme co-ordinator) on our developing “good neighbours” scheme. I worked late in the evening and then at 7:00 pm joined up with Leigh Hutchings at Vicarage Road to see Watford play Nottingham Forest. After the game, I left Leigh celebrating at the Moon Under Water while I returned to the office to prepare for tomorrow’s mywatford.net workshops. There was a lot to do and at 2:00 in the morning, Sha-Lee, Angelo (thank you both!) and I were all talking on the telephone trying to get the mobile IT training suite working. I am not sure how many other organisations would inspire such dedication and commitment.
Monday, 9 March 2009
This morning I attended the first meeting of the Holywell Advisory Group. This group comprises stakeholders in the Holywell Community Centre and will advise Sarah Pinnock on the paper she is drafting for WBC’s cabinet on WCVS’s possible move to the Holywell Community Centre. The group’s role is purely advisory and its deliberations are parallel to the substantive discussions and negotiations taking place between WBC and WCVS. But it is important to involve stakeholders and keep stakeholders engaged with the discussions. This was just a “getting to know you” meeting: the harder discussions will come when there are some concrete proposals to examine.
Spitting feathers
Later, I had to send my Chair’s apologies for next week’s meeting of the Herts CVS Chairs’ network. Pam had planned to attend but now a more important PCT meeting has to take precedence. If the Holywell Community Centre Advisory Group has an unusual provenance, this is as nothing compared to the Herts CVS Chairs’ network.
My understanding of the Chairs’ network is that it will be a useful way for Chairs of CVS trustee boards to communicate, exchange views, keep informed, share best practice etc. But the draft Terms of Reference circulated for this meeting reveal that some of my colleagues want it to be far more than this: most worryingly, it is suggested that the network should provide “strategic direction” for the CEOs group in Hertfordshire, “identify opportunities for collaborative work”, and “maximise opportunities for cost reduction” by removing duplication among CVSs.
I was absolutely horrified by this draft which undermines individual CVS trustee boards, needlessly divides the CVS network, challenges existing county-wide groups such as Herts CDA, and hopelessly confuses governance and management. Frankly I am embarrassed that this ill-considered paper has even been circulated. And why? It only even begins to make sense if it is the first stage of creating a single Hertfordshire CVS. Such a monster would be the final triumph of corporate money-grubbing mediocrity over genuine honest voluntarism and I am agin it. Even without Watford CVS representation, I trust CVS Chairs will throw out this nonsense. Meanwhile, I am angry and if I had any feathers I would spit them.
Spitting feathers
Later, I had to send my Chair’s apologies for next week’s meeting of the Herts CVS Chairs’ network. Pam had planned to attend but now a more important PCT meeting has to take precedence. If the Holywell Community Centre Advisory Group has an unusual provenance, this is as nothing compared to the Herts CVS Chairs’ network.
My understanding of the Chairs’ network is that it will be a useful way for Chairs of CVS trustee boards to communicate, exchange views, keep informed, share best practice etc. But the draft Terms of Reference circulated for this meeting reveal that some of my colleagues want it to be far more than this: most worryingly, it is suggested that the network should provide “strategic direction” for the CEOs group in Hertfordshire, “identify opportunities for collaborative work”, and “maximise opportunities for cost reduction” by removing duplication among CVSs.
I was absolutely horrified by this draft which undermines individual CVS trustee boards, needlessly divides the CVS network, challenges existing county-wide groups such as Herts CDA, and hopelessly confuses governance and management. Frankly I am embarrassed that this ill-considered paper has even been circulated. And why? It only even begins to make sense if it is the first stage of creating a single Hertfordshire CVS. Such a monster would be the final triumph of corporate money-grubbing mediocrity over genuine honest voluntarism and I am agin it. Even without Watford CVS representation, I trust CVS Chairs will throw out this nonsense. Meanwhile, I am angry and if I had any feathers I would spit them.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
After the exertions of yesterday evening’s dancing, Jackie and a bit of gentle gardening and a quiet relaxing day at home.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Jackie and I visited the local Farmers’ Market and decided to splash out on a few treats: Cambridgeshire cider, Buckinghamshire ham, Lincolnshire cheese and Hertfordshire bread and sausages.
At yesterday’s community cohesion meeting there were one or two rather sneering comments about Morris Dancing. I was not happy, but at the time I let it pass. I thought I heard a cockerel crow. This evening, Jackie and I had a brilliant evening out with the Welwyn Garden City Folk Dancing Club.
At yesterday’s community cohesion meeting there were one or two rather sneering comments about Morris Dancing. I was not happy, but at the time I let it pass. I thought I heard a cockerel crow. This evening, Jackie and I had a brilliant evening out with the Welwyn Garden City Folk Dancing Club.
Friday, 6 March 2009
This morning I attended a meeting of Hertfordshire Forward’s Community Cohesion Strategy Group at Welwyn Garden City’s Campus West. Large windows offered panoramic views across the Garden City and wasted little time reminding everyone that the Garden Cities were a triumph for social enterprise, not local government. Those present nearly all represented local government and the room positively sizzled with good will and good intentions. But virtually nobody present had any firm grounding in work on equalities or community development or community cohesion – and so no access to 30-40 years’ experience of tools and methodologies and language. It felt a bit like being put into an engineering workshop with one morning to reinvent as many bicycles as possible.
I spent the afternoon working on the report for the Herts PCT and on writing up notes of the recent Watford LIVE! Community Arts Network meeting - things are really beginning to take shape for the 6-20 June festival.
I spent the afternoon working on the report for the Herts PCT and on writing up notes of the recent Watford LIVE! Community Arts Network meeting - things are really beginning to take shape for the 6-20 June festival.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Among other correspondence today, I reiterated our interest in undertaking joint “support visits” to groups with officers of Watford Borough Council monitoring grant arrangements. There is of course some danger that groups will confuse our roles, but there are considerable potential benefits too and I think these weigh more.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
I was pleased to join the Watford delegation for this morning’s annual partnership conference for Hertfordshire Forward. It was a useful and informative event. HCC provided eight of the speakers, four came from second tier authorities, one from the Audit Commission and one from consultants working for HCC. There wasn’t a single speaker from the voluntary sector or from the private sector. Nor was there a speaker from the PCT, or the University, or the Police. All rather ironic for an event themed on partnership; one is tempted to ask if the organizers ... but that is unkind of me.
One learning point from the event was that it again underlined how reality can be distorted. Time after time, surveys show that the biggest concerns in Hertfordshire are things like: violent gangs, drug abuse, burnt out cars, prostitution, drug dealing ... In precisely which bit of Hertfordshire do these people live? Or do they derive their concerns just from the press and media?
In the afternoon I met briefly with Anne Boyd and Vanessa Levy on our Basis 2 project, and then visited the Holywell Centre for another look at options.
One learning point from the event was that it again underlined how reality can be distorted. Time after time, surveys show that the biggest concerns in Hertfordshire are things like: violent gangs, drug abuse, burnt out cars, prostitution, drug dealing ... In precisely which bit of Hertfordshire do these people live? Or do they derive their concerns just from the press and media?
In the afternoon I met briefly with Anne Boyd and Vanessa Levy on our Basis 2 project, and then visited the Holywell Centre for another look at options.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
I was pleased to see Leslie Billy this morning. He exudes such good sense and good will that it is impossible not to warm to him. In the afternoon I was visited by Maggie Woods for the annual review meeting about our BME Advocacy Service contract.
Monday, 2 March 2009
This morning I visited the Centre Point Community Centre to talk about incorporation. In the afternoon I went to Apsley to meet with Caroline Tippen, Youth Connexions manager for Watford, to talk about our mutual interests in the Holywell Community Centre. After this, I stayed at Apsley for a meeting of the BME Advocacy Service Advisory Group.
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Spurs excelled themselves in the League Cup Final and were probably the better team overall. But after extra time it all came down to a penalty shoot-out. I can’t remember Spurs winning a penalty shoot-out since 1984 against Anderlecht and they sustained their miserable record. Ho hum.
To console myself, I checked out some references in The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles concerning the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1011. This is the sort of thing that Spurs fans do. I can now barely remember why this interested me. But the same Chronicle entry refers to the Danes overrunning East Anglia and the South East - imagine my delight in discovering that this is the first recorded use anywhere of the word Hertfordshire (or at least Heortfordscir but we know what they meant). Just two years to our millennium! I wonder if they’ll be a party with cake and jelly?
Recent reading
I finished reading David McKie’s splendid book Jabez – the rise and fall of a Victoria scoundrel dealing with the collapse in 1893 of the business empire founded on the Liberator Building Society. The book was very well written and researched and the Liberator collapse reflects many features of the current financial crisis: too rapid growth, toxic assets, greedy unscrupulous bankers - and of course the poor paying the price.
I have also recently treated myself to four of Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason stories (The Cases of the Black-Eyed Blond, the Buried Clock, the Careless Kitten, and the Haunted Husband). I enjoy Perry Mason but do not read them often because one of my pretentions is that I will only read them in the green Penguin editions which you rarely now see in charity shops and I certainly won’t pay collectors’ prices for them!
Philip Larkin’s Collected Poems was an unexpected delight and journeyman Edward Marston’s Excursion Train was a little too self conscious about its period detail. LAG Strong’s The Rolling Road (1954) I mostly read because of its wonderfully attractive cover and its eccentric sub-title: The Story of Travel on the roads of Britain and the Development of Public Passenger Transport.
To console myself, I checked out some references in The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles concerning the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1011. This is the sort of thing that Spurs fans do. I can now barely remember why this interested me. But the same Chronicle entry refers to the Danes overrunning East Anglia and the South East - imagine my delight in discovering that this is the first recorded use anywhere of the word Hertfordshire (or at least Heortfordscir but we know what they meant). Just two years to our millennium! I wonder if they’ll be a party with cake and jelly?
Recent reading
I finished reading David McKie’s splendid book Jabez – the rise and fall of a Victoria scoundrel dealing with the collapse in 1893 of the business empire founded on the Liberator Building Society. The book was very well written and researched and the Liberator collapse reflects many features of the current financial crisis: too rapid growth, toxic assets, greedy unscrupulous bankers - and of course the poor paying the price.
I have also recently treated myself to four of Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason stories (The Cases of the Black-Eyed Blond, the Buried Clock, the Careless Kitten, and the Haunted Husband). I enjoy Perry Mason but do not read them often because one of my pretentions is that I will only read them in the green Penguin editions which you rarely now see in charity shops and I certainly won’t pay collectors’ prices for them!
Philip Larkin’s Collected Poems was an unexpected delight and journeyman Edward Marston’s Excursion Train was a little too self conscious about its period detail. LAG Strong’s The Rolling Road (1954) I mostly read because of its wonderfully attractive cover and its eccentric sub-title: The Story of Travel on the roads of Britain and the Development of Public Passenger Transport.
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Jackie and I spent another day gardening, this time with our grand-daughter Bethany. She helped me clean out the chickens and then distribute about a cubic yard of last year’s home-produced compost. We then turned over this year’s compost and saw millions of squiggly worms.
Aged Ken (our decrepit white cat of indeterminate age) is almost grateful to see some sunshine. He no longer even attempts to use the cat flap; if someone is around he simply pats at pathetically and mews until the door is opened. Strangely if no-one is present, he does manage the cat flap alone because we hear him at night.
After last night’s defeat for Wales, tonight it was England’s turn to lose. The omens are not good for a Spurs victory in tomorrow’s League Cup Final.
Aged Ken (our decrepit white cat of indeterminate age) is almost grateful to see some sunshine. He no longer even attempts to use the cat flap; if someone is around he simply pats at pathetically and mews until the door is opened. Strangely if no-one is present, he does manage the cat flap alone because we hear him at night.
After last night’s defeat for Wales, tonight it was England’s turn to lose. The omens are not good for a Spurs victory in tomorrow’s League Cup Final.
Friday, 27 February 2009
David Fitzpatrick of Hertfordshire Community Foundation this morning hosted a meeting to introduce some new ideas on IT to colleagues in Hertfordshire’s voluntary sector. The guest speaker was Dave Carter who has spearheaded so much good work on telecommunications in Manchester. My first learning point for the day was the discovery that Dave Carter actually attended Watford Grammar School. He spoke very well about digital inclusion and his work in Manchester. We can’t replicate this work in Hertfordshire (circumstances are different and times have changed) but everyone agreed we ought to do something to address Hertfordshire’s problems - I hope we can reach agreement on what this means before interest wanes and other demands and priorities take over.
In the afternoon I met with our Youth Connexions team. In the evening, I was disappointed by Wales’s loss in Paris: I can’t remember ever watching the Six Nations before on a Friday.
In the afternoon I met with our Youth Connexions team. In the evening, I was disappointed by Wales’s loss in Paris: I can’t remember ever watching the Six Nations before on a Friday.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
I worked home all day, enduing many frustrating IT problems. In the afternoon I drove into Watford to attend a small event to mark Emma Gadsby’s departure for somewhere with the unlikely name of East Northamptonshire. Emma has been Watford’s Performance Improvement Officer ever since I started at Watford CVS - I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her and could not let her leave without saying my farewells.
In the evening, Jackie and I again returned to our folk dancing. Our normal “caller” understands that Jackie and I are new-comers and he nurses us through things, but Terry is still recovering from radiotherapy and the substitute caller from Stevenage was unprepared for the problems that can be caused by inexperienced and ill-disciplined dancers. On one particular dance, we wrought such complete chaos that it was a miracle no-one was injured. Jackie and I retired in hysterics with our Welwyn colleagues smiling patiently but I fear our visitor from Stevenage may have found us insufficiently reverential.
In the evening, Jackie and I again returned to our folk dancing. Our normal “caller” understands that Jackie and I are new-comers and he nurses us through things, but Terry is still recovering from radiotherapy and the substitute caller from Stevenage was unprepared for the problems that can be caused by inexperienced and ill-disciplined dancers. On one particular dance, we wrought such complete chaos that it was a miracle no-one was injured. Jackie and I retired in hysterics with our Welwyn colleagues smiling patiently but I fear our visitor from Stevenage may have found us insufficiently reverential.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Today I attended three important meetings.
First, I met with Laura (our Voluntary Transport scheme co-ordinator), Sarah Mathieson of Roundabout Transport and Ann Donata of Hertsmere Community Transport. We talked about how we can best collaborate to strengthen and support each other’s services. We concluded with a commitment to meet again and discuss the possibility of drawing up a voluntary transport framework for south-west Hertfordshire. This is rather ambitious but it is needed and is perfectly achievable.
Secondly, over lunch, I met with Watford’s elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill and Chair of the Council Jan Brown to examine nominations for this year’s Audentior Awards and help take some decisions.
Finally, in the evening I attended the latest meeting of the Watford Community Arts Network to discuss the Watford LIVE! festival planned for this June. Thankfully, Marv had returned from Wales and had hit the ground running sorting stuff out.
First, I met with Laura (our Voluntary Transport scheme co-ordinator), Sarah Mathieson of Roundabout Transport and Ann Donata of Hertsmere Community Transport. We talked about how we can best collaborate to strengthen and support each other’s services. We concluded with a commitment to meet again and discuss the possibility of drawing up a voluntary transport framework for south-west Hertfordshire. This is rather ambitious but it is needed and is perfectly achievable.
Secondly, over lunch, I met with Watford’s elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill and Chair of the Council Jan Brown to examine nominations for this year’s Audentior Awards and help take some decisions.
Finally, in the evening I attended the latest meeting of the Watford Community Arts Network to discuss the Watford LIVE! festival planned for this June. Thankfully, Marv had returned from Wales and had hit the ground running sorting stuff out.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
This morning I visited Stevenage for another monitoring meeting for our BME Advocacy Service. Later in the day, I met with Dr Saleh (of the Watford Arabic School) who improvised for me a highly informative lecture on Islamic art.
Monday, 23 February 2009
In the morning I first mailed off the fruits of my Sunday night labours. Then there was a rather awkward meeting to plan some of the “behind the scenes” admin stuff around the “Watford LIVE!” festival. It was awkward only because Marv Renshaw was still in Wales and although Amy Lazzerini and Kelly Vintiner and I did our best, every single discussion soon ended with one of us saying “we’ll have to leave this until Marv can tell us ...”
Later in the morning, I went to the Holywell Community Centre to meet with Andy McBean and Dave Cobb. It is perhaps my twelfth visit to the Centre since Christmas and for the first time, helped by Andy and Dave, I could begin to see how the site could be used to fulfil all the different competing demands that will be placed on it.
Later in the day, I talked to the ever-impressive Lincoln Beckford about incorporating his charity StreetStars.
Later in the morning, I went to the Holywell Community Centre to meet with Andy McBean and Dave Cobb. It is perhaps my twelfth visit to the Centre since Christmas and for the first time, helped by Andy and Dave, I could begin to see how the site could be used to fulfil all the different competing demands that will be placed on it.
Later in the day, I talked to the ever-impressive Lincoln Beckford about incorporating his charity StreetStars.
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Thankfully, Jackie and I are rarely parted except by the demands of our work. Today, we spent a wonderful day together in the garden and there is nothing better: being with Jackie, lung-fulls of fresh air, a bit of light exercise, close to nature, recycling compost, growing pretty flowers, growing our own fruit and vegetables ... all very relaxing and therapeutic.
Refreshed and revitalised, I determined to finish the PTC report for circulation tomorrow and I again worked into the wee small hours to make sure the paper was ready. Though I often suffer the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” I can usually rely on sheer dogged obstinacy to pull me through.
Refreshed and revitalised, I determined to finish the PTC report for circulation tomorrow and I again worked into the wee small hours to make sure the paper was ready. Though I often suffer the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” I can usually rely on sheer dogged obstinacy to pull me through.
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Jackie and I visited my sister Caroline for lunch in Hitchin together with her son Andrew and his charming lady friend Jade. In the evening (doubtless while trying to find an edifying broadcast on BBC4) Jackie and I stumbled across a random few minutes of a dancing show in the run up to next month’s Red Nose Day and we saw comedian Robert Webb hilariously scary performance of “What a feeling” – although switching camera angles 39 times in less than 100 seconds rather ruined it. I’m glad I’m not one of those people who complain all the time.
Friday, 20 February 2009
Today I had my much-valued monthly meeting with my Chair of Trustees, and afterwards a staff meeting. I also met with colleagues from Watford Borough Council and together we produced a final version of proposals for the creation of a new Community Assembly for Watford to feed ideas into the One Watford local strategic partnership. This draft will now go to the Community Development Network and the Chief Officers' Information Network - and then we can really start moving!
Thursday, 19 February 2009
I spent another day on the telephone and drafting a report for the PCT. Once you have re-assured people that you are not selling anything and just want their views, it is astonishing how easy it is to have very intimate conversations with complete strangers. People can be so welcoming - and startlingly frank.
In the evening, Jackie and I went to our local folk dancing club – a great evening’s fun slightly soured by news that one of our fellow dancers was having treatment for cancer.
After this, I stayed up ‘til the wee small hours catching up on so many outstandking bits of correspondence.
One disappointment I had today was the guidance on commissioning issued by the Compact Commission. The gudiance does emphasise that there are four stages to commissioning: analysis, planning, sourcing, and monitoring/review. Statutory agencies typically see only two paths to commissioning. On the one hand, there is contracting: proper, grown-up, modern, mainstream processes through which the statutory sector establishes the agenda and then sets private and voluntary sector agencies at each other’s throats for the right to do the statutory sector’s bidding. What a power trip - everything is transparent and safe and clear and no-one has to think too much about anything because the process justifies itself.
On the other hand, there are grants: old, unfashionable, a blunt instrument (they cannot easily be purchaser-led but priorities rather arise through open dialogue), and they can produce just so many disparate and unpredicted outcomes. And yet grant programmes empower the voluntary sector and move whole communities and they are so essential to a healthy community.
Contracting and grants are both forms of commissioning. And the Compact Commission’s new guidelines gloss over the value of grant arrangements: poor show.
In the evening, Jackie and I went to our local folk dancing club – a great evening’s fun slightly soured by news that one of our fellow dancers was having treatment for cancer.
After this, I stayed up ‘til the wee small hours catching up on so many outstandking bits of correspondence.
One disappointment I had today was the guidance on commissioning issued by the Compact Commission. The gudiance does emphasise that there are four stages to commissioning: analysis, planning, sourcing, and monitoring/review. Statutory agencies typically see only two paths to commissioning. On the one hand, there is contracting: proper, grown-up, modern, mainstream processes through which the statutory sector establishes the agenda and then sets private and voluntary sector agencies at each other’s throats for the right to do the statutory sector’s bidding. What a power trip - everything is transparent and safe and clear and no-one has to think too much about anything because the process justifies itself.
On the other hand, there are grants: old, unfashionable, a blunt instrument (they cannot easily be purchaser-led but priorities rather arise through open dialogue), and they can produce just so many disparate and unpredicted outcomes. And yet grant programmes empower the voluntary sector and move whole communities and they are so essential to a healthy community.
Contracting and grants are both forms of commissioning. And the Compact Commission’s new guidelines gloss over the value of grant arrangements: poor show.
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
After taking my car to the garage to have its puncture repaired, I returned home and spent all day making phone calls to inform the report I am preparing for the PCT on their engagement with Hertfordshire’s voluntary sector. Talking to a wide range of groups in a short space of time is always a pleasure and a revelation - but it does leave me a bit dizzy.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
This morning, WCVS staff had an enjoyable interlude doing Fire Extinguisher training at the Newton Price Centre: strange to think that this training might one day save a life.
In the afternoon, I met with Lynne Coulthard and Peter Hosier from Youth Connexions to discuss the contribution our 2.5 fte Personal Advisors make to local youngsters.
In the afternoon, I met with Lynne Coulthard and Peter Hosier from Youth Connexions to discuss the contribution our 2.5 fte Personal Advisors make to local youngsters.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Today, the Watford Community Fund Panel met to consider the latest local applications to the Grassroots Grants programme. Anne Boyd has worked flat out to solicit and conjure applications and at this meeting we approved £50,000-worth of applications for small Watford groups and agreed criteria for prioritising future applications: I was particularly impressed by the input at the meeting from the six panel members – two each from the private, public and voluntary sectors.
Sunday, 15 February 2009
A little the worse for the previous night’s excesses, Jackie and I spent a gentle day in the garden before visiting my brother’s family for a full roast with "all the works".
Saturday, 14 February 2009
St Valentine's Day
By mutual agreement, Jackie and I agreed to ignore St Valentine’s Day. Of course it’s not that I’m not romantic or deeply in love, just that that I think there are too many days ruthlessly exploited by evil greetings card companies. I did make us breakfast in bed, though.
I suffered my usual sweet agony of split loyalties for the annual Wales vs England game in the Six Nations. How can I not support a team with six Joneses on the field?! And what a game! But I spent most of the day as kitchen maid to Jackie while she prepared a meal for her brother and sister-in-law and a great evening was had by all.
By mutual agreement, Jackie and I agreed to ignore St Valentine’s Day. Of course it’s not that I’m not romantic or deeply in love, just that that I think there are too many days ruthlessly exploited by evil greetings card companies. I did make us breakfast in bed, though.
I suffered my usual sweet agony of split loyalties for the annual Wales vs England game in the Six Nations. How can I not support a team with six Joneses on the field?! And what a game! But I spent most of the day as kitchen maid to Jackie while she prepared a meal for her brother and sister-in-law and a great evening was had by all.
Friday, 13 February 2009
Today I sent the papers off for next week’s review meeting with Youth Connexions, booked a meeting for the re-launch of the Watford Polish Association, completed Farzana’s annual review, then was surprised by a visit from Diarmuid Welsh of the Glen Rovers Gaelic Athletic Association - of course I had arranged the meeting with him but had then somehow completely lost track of it. He was very understanding. Thanks Diarmuid!
After a fairly frantic week, I was home in time for a wonderful meal with Jackie. Thank goodness she is so understanding – and thank goodness that she can still make me roar with laughter. I am a lucky chap.
After a fairly frantic week, I was home in time for a wonderful meal with Jackie. Thank goodness she is so understanding – and thank goodness that she can still make me roar with laughter. I am a lucky chap.
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