Are We Nearly There Yet?

This was the title of Durham Lane Primary's Christmas production.  Unashamedly celebrating the Christian festival, it also allowed children from 5 to 11 to show off their musical talents, their confidence in front of an audience, and their self discipline.  I don't know which child the man near me was waving to so energetically but well done to the child for not being distracted.
The story of the journey to Bethlehem was told in words and music with great enthusiasm but also with skill.
The Oakwood Centre again provided a super venue - the big screens and the video cameras enabled every child to have their moment of stardom, the seats are adult sized and comfortable, and the acoustics mean that children don't have to shout.  Plenty of car parking is the icing on the cake!
As always, Durham Lane school took the opportunity to raise some funds for Daisy Chain, a local charity which helps families cope with Autism and has special links with the school.  They showed a very moving video of two mums talking about the difference Daisy Chain made to their families.  I hope the collection at the end was generous.

I'm amazed

I'm amazed at the bravery of people who speak out against injustice even though they've known family members to be hurt or killed. I feel humbled when I see people on TV in far off countries who will risk all for democracy or human rights, but when I meet such a person face to face words often fail me. This week I met such a woman - Iraqi, formerly a university lecturer in Baghdad, she lost her husband when he was kidnapped and murdered. She lived in fear of losing her own life and eventually fled here to relative safety. But did she just hide away and live a quiet life in safety? No - she chose to improve her English, develop her knowledge of the law and her IT skills and to start a campaign for safety for a group of Iraqi women who are, she says, worse off than she is. These women are in jail and are subject to rape by prison guards, often in extremely brutal ways and shaming circumstances. Their fate is made worse by the fact that rape is still seen as something that only happens if the woman lets it or encourages the man. In those circumstances it's very hard to report the crime to the police or to family. Very few people will support a raped woman. The extent of the use of rape is difficult to prove of course, when women are too frightened to report it. But there is evidence around on blogs and other internet sites, if one is prepared to listen.
So this lady is doing what she can over here in England - organising a petition and talking to groups of people who'll listen to her about what is happening. She is hoping that her local MP will take it up through Parliamentary channels and bring pressure to bear on the authorities in Iraq to protect women, some of whom are in prison on what to us would seem fairly minor charges. If you agree that women should not be raped just because they're in prison then writing to your MP asking him or her to add their pressure would be a real help.
Our son-in-law also amazed me this week, being incredibly brave in a different way, by joining in The World's Greatest Shave for the Leukaemia Foundation. So the Foundation is over 2000AUSD better off and Pete has to grow his hair back to a decent state in time for 2 weddings in the next few months!
This morning was the Mayoress' coffee morning, another fund raising event for the Mayor's charity fund. The number of people coming through the door was very encouraging. Apart from enjoying a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee they spent money on raffle tickets, tombolas, cakes, books, bric-a-brac and naming soft toys. The teddy bear was very popular but a some people needed a little more encouragement to try for the giant gorilla! The photos show some of the activities. The cake stall was briefly manned by the "top team" of the Council Leader and Chief Executive, thus proving that they can do more lowly tasks when called upon! The leader of the Labour group did sterling work in the kitchen and clearing away dirty cups. All in all, it was hard work for a morning but I'm sure that a good amount of money was raised so Daisy Chain and Justice First will benefit.

I had a meeting this morning to put in place some plans for our contribution to the International Go Bananas event from noon on March 6th to noon on March 7th. Stockton High Street is the place to be - just before noon on Friday March 6th when we'll have a countdown to the world's biggest ever consumption of Fairtrade Bananas by individuals in one day. Anyone and everyone will be encouraged to bring along or buy on the day a Fairtrade Banana to eat when Stockton will launch the Tees Valley Banana Relay. The Mayor, Cllr John Fletcher, always keen to join in anything to promote Fairtrade in the Borough, will transport the relay baton - a giant inflated banana- to Hartlepool by train for their events later in the day. The serious point behind a fun activitiy is to raise the awareness of and demand for Fairtrade Bananas around the world but especially here. We'd like 500 people to join in - will you be one of them?
The evening was also about eating, but this time it was a very enjoyable meal as part of the Annual Mayor's Fundraising Ball. The Wynyard Rooms do a very good job of transforming a functional meeting area into a banqueting hall for the evening. Lots of people from the council, industry, the university, further education and local organisations enjoyed a meal together. We spent money on tombola and raffle tickets and some even danced when the band played. Young musicians welcomed us with string quartet music and the heating kept the freezing cold weather at bay. A very enjoyable way to make money for the charities supported by the Mayor this year - Justice First and Daisy Chain. And I think that for the first time this year, one or two of the men almost outshone some of the women in the colour and styling of their outfits!