Last nights events

Having experienced a range of public violence in Btistol Bradford Birmingham and Harmondsworth I feel enabled to comment in support of the vaste majority of people who were so shocked by the images of last night in Tottenham.
It is very easy for armchair critics to start blaming "the police" and ignore all the wanton acts of aggression and violence that took place.
My thoughts are with colleagues and the local people who had this foisted on them.
There will no doubt be many critics who will pontificate about the actions.
Questions will be asked about who did what when and why. Identifying the truth will be a challenge to say the least.
However officers in the Met and those forces supporting them, know that they have the support sympathy and empathy of all other police officers, staff and our families in tryig to bring this to a conclusion.
It is a most testing time for police leadership. We can only hope that those who will influence our future as a public service take into account that whilst we accept this challenge, we are also human beings as are the officers injured during the disorder last night. We remember them in our thoughts and wish them a speedy recovery.

Conferencing ourselves for cash

Just about everyday I, like many colleagues, receive invites to all sorts of conferences, summits and the like. And gradually its starting to annoy me that most involve people who are essentially within the public sector or work next door to the venue.

This one I use by way of example: Transformation in the Police - Driving Change, Collaboration and Shared Services

The people in it are very good people, I know many of them. They have made massive contributions to policing.

Yet in order to "keep up with the Joneses" it is suggested that I pay £400 plus travel, (which for London means overnight from here) to listen to them.
The venue, of course is London, and no doubt a nice place with excellent buffet lunch.

BUT we already have our own venues at Ryton and Bramshill that, whilst challenging to get to, are already being funded. Instead we invite Capita or some other organiser to put this together to make it work.

I like listening to some of the people on the agenda, but can we anymore justify attending at such an exorbitant rate.

And why can’t we provide it via video link. Last year I chaired and delivered at a conference in Vancouver from my desk in Penrith. We have the technology to do this.

As a responsible public sector that is in the media for all sorts of things its about time we started to think laterally about these events and started to push the digital boundary.

Please don’t take this as a criticism of Capita or any of those speaking. They are all good people. However, as the 5th invite in 2 days, it’s the final straw.
Thanks

http://tinyurl.com/3n9woag

Some helpful hints for Lakes visitors

This is a few hints I have created to help a Twitter colleague. Please feel free to add to it.

Thanks

Firstly you should not go out on any moor or hill I'll-prepared.
Basics such as food, waterproofs, water and first aid kit is essential. Map should be Explorer 25000 for walking and preferably in a waterproof case. Plus a compass. GPS is NOT enough.

Footwear should be firm and boots preferred especially if going out away from your car.

Lots of great things for kids to do if you want something organised.

Cumbria Tourism will help find a wonderful collectioof child friendly activities
The Lake District national park will also help http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/

A simple good walk that most young folk can do is Cat Bells thos is one of my favourite short walks and have seen many young folk go up, the views are great.

http://www.sharemyroutes.com/routes/United-Kingdom/Braithwaite-Cumbria-England/Cat-Bells/details.aspx

For good walks of all shapes sizes and length go to David Hall who has an amazing collection

http://www.walkthefells.net

Boat trip around Ullswater is a must.
http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

There are numerous tea shops and pubs doted across the Lakes all of which provide great value.

Windermere also contains a range of boat services as does Derwent.
http://www.discoverthelakes.co.uk/boat-trips-in-the-lake-district-c67.html

Follow the country code, take your rubbish home, close all gates, keep the dogs on leads, etc etc
But enjoy yourselves.

WEATHER. It is important to look ahead. We have found the best site is
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/lakedistrict/lakedistrict_latest_pressure.html

Spending a few minutes the night before studying this could be the difference between a great day and a disaster.

These are just a few hint for a newbe so add some comments and I will bring them into the next edition of this blog.

Some hints re visiting The Lakes

This blog has been done to help a Twitter friend.

It is not meant to be anything mor Ethan some helpful advice. I am happy to receive feedback from anyone better informed. Thanks

Firstly you should not go out on any moor or hill I'll-prepared. Basics such as food, waterproofs, water and first aid kit is essential. Map should be Explorer 25000 for walking and preferably in a waterproof case. Plus a compass. GPS is NOT enough.
Footwear should be firm and boots preferred especially if going out away from your car. 
Lots of great things for kids to do if you want something organised
Cumbria Tourism will help find a wonderful collectioof child friendly activities
The Lake District national park will also help http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/

For a good walk that most young folk can do is Cat Bells

http://www.sharemyroutes.com/routes/United-Kingdom/Braithwaite-Cumbria-England/Cat-Bells/details.aspx

For good walks of all shapes sizes and length go to David hall who has an amazing collection

http://www.walkthefells.net

My favourite walks include Cat Bells and have seen many young folk go up, the views are great. 

Boat trip around Ullswater is a must. 
http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

There are numerous tea shops and pubs doted across the Lakes all of which provide great value. 

Windermere also contains a range of boat services as does Derwent. 
http://www.discoverthelakes.co.uk/boat-trips-in-the-lake-district-c67.html

Follow the country code, take your rubbish home, close all gates, keep the dogs on leads, etc etc
But enjoy yourselves. 

WEATHER. It is important to look ahead. We have found the best site is 
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/lakedistrict/lakedistrict_latest_pressure.html

Spending a few minutes the night before studying this could be the difference between a great day and a disaster. 

These are just a few hint for a newbe so add some comments and I will bring them into the next edition of this blog.

Some hints re visiting The Lakes

Firstly you should not go out on any moor or hill I'll-prepared. Basics such as food, waterproofs, water and first aid kit is essential. Map should be Explorer 25000 for walking and preferably in a waterproof case. Plus a compass. GPS is NOT enough.
Footwear should be firm and boots preferred especially if going out away from your car. 
Lots of great things for kids to do if you want something organised
Cumbria Tourism will help find a wonderful collectioof child friendly activities
The Lake District national park will also help http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/

For a good walk that most young folk can do is Cat Bells

http://www.sharemyroutes.com/routes/United-Kingdom/Braithwaite-Cumbria-England/Cat-Bells/details.aspx

For good walks of all shapes sizes and length go to David hall who has an amazing collection

http://www.walkthefells.net

My favourite walks include Cat Bells and have seen many young folk go up, the views are great. 

Boat trip around Ullswater is a must. 
http://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

There are numerous tea shops and pubs doted across the Lakes all of which provide great value. 

Windermere also contains a range of boat services as does Derwent. 
http://www.discoverthelakes.co.uk/boat-trips-in-the-lake-district-c67.html

Follow the country code, take your rubbish home, close all gates, keep the dogs on leads, etc etc
But enjoy yourselves. 

WEATHER. It is important to look ahead. We have found the best site is 
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/lakedistrict/lakedistrict_latest_pressure.html

Spending a few minutes the night before studying this could be the difference between a great day and a disaster. 

These are just a few hint for a newbe so add some comments and I will bring them into the next edition of this blog.

360 degree video from Hartsop Dodd. Why the Lakes are so beautiful,

This is my first bit of video. It is clearly no Stanley Kubrik production but it gives a sense of why people come here and the value of getting up a hill. Even if you can still see your car from the top

Hope you like it