Monthly Archives: November 2007

The great SWRDA swindle

Posted on November 26, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

More news on the the emerging expenses scandal engulfing the South West Regional Development Agency. Freedom of Information requests viewed by The Blogger do indeed confirm that the quango spent £61,000 on a merry little all expenses paid jaunt to … Continue reading →

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Public sector p-takers of the week

Posted on November 25, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

Big shout goes out tonight to our old friends at the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA). Located in rather charming dockside offices at Temple Quay, the wealthy unelected regional quango with the transparent Merchant Venturer connections has found a … Continue reading →

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The 2008 culture weekender #2

Posted on November 25, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

Here’s some more of what we were promised for 2008: We have more festivals planned. Our capital programme includes a new circus centre, eight new swimming pools, an arena, an animation centre and an international music centre, among many other … Continue reading →

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The dangers of gentrification

Posted on November 24, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

#1 Monbiats moving in next door . . .

Posted in Bristol, Environment, Global warming, Totterdown | | There are 12 comments

The 2008 culture weekender #1

Posted on November 24, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

With the news that the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum is to leave Bristol for the more lucrative environs of London, now seems like an appropriate time to reflect on that bid, five years ago, for Bristol to become the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bristol, Culture, Local government | Tagged | There are 2 comments

It's childsplay at the Evening Cancer

Posted on November 24, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

I see today’s Evening Cancer was produced by a group of 11 year olds. It’s definitely an improvement on the efforts of the 8 year olds who normally do it.

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Education and the LEA: reform or revolution?

Posted on November 23, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

Over on the the ‘Half our pupils are missing’ education thread, there’s a clear divide opening up. It’s between those who would abolish the LEA immediately and hand more autonomy to schools locally and those who believe that there’s nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Bristol, Education, Local government | | There are 39 comments

Bristol Labour watch

Posted on November 22, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

Green councillor Charlie Bolton points out in the depths of his blog that Labour’s new proposals for the home care service will break their election promise not to privatise any more of the service. Labour’s social services boss, Peter Hammond … Continue reading →

Posted in Bristol, Home Care, Labour Party, Local government, Politics, Social Care | Tagged | There are 13 comments

It's not Christmas in Bristol until . . . #1

Posted on November 21, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

  There’s been a ludicrous row over the state of the crap Christmas lights . . .

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Cui bono?

Posted on November 20, 2007 by The Bristol Blogger

Cordwell Property Group has been appointed by Bristol City Council as preferred developer to create a – yawn – mixed-use business and leisure scheme on the site of the ‘O’ and ‘M’ Sheds on Welsh Back. Tom Wilcox, development director … Continue reading →

Posted in Bristol, Developments, Harbourside | Tagged , , , | There are 2 comments