K is for Kingston Lacy

Just for once I am going to be early with my ABC posting ;-)

Kingston Lacy is a country mansion owned by the National Trust and is set in attractive formal gardens and parkland.

The house is in Dorset and from the 17th to late 20th century it was home to the Bankes family who had previously lived in the nearby Corfe Castle until it's destruction in the English Civil War.

For more detailed information you can check out the Wiki entry.

For more ABC pictures check out Mr Linky.

A quick update for those of you who are following my computer problems. I managed to figure out how to get into the front of my PC today. I have to admit it was really easy and I feel a bit dumb for not remembering...

Everything looks fine and the fan is not clogged up. After consultation the verdict is the PSU may have packed up. So I need to test that, if that is not the problem it will have to be taken to a local PC Doctor :-/

The Project Manager Strikes Again!

Once again I have been given some last minute tasks. I was informed via a third party that I must email and phone several people regarding a Wednesday lunch time meeting that is being organised by my trade union action group. I was also instructed to include specific words and phrases which were very un-me so I ignored that bit. If I am to send out the email, I will write in my own way.

I drafted the email and sent it out to the group members. I promptly received around 30 message failures, the outgoing mail server at work was not working! Normally this wouldn't be a problem, I could do it very quickly from home later but you might recall my computer hassles over the last week... The distribution list is on my computer which still refuses to talk to me and I can't email the list home!

I had my lap top at work so using my mobile connection I was able to do it that way, but it meant typing in all those email addresses manually. I can see what you are thinking now. Why didn't I copy a draft email onto a disc/USB stick with the addresses already added? All external drives are disabled and I am still on windows NT with no USB support! And at such a late hour in the day netmail is so very slow... It took me an hour and a half to send a very simple email. I also had to be very creative with the file attachment I was supposed to be sending.

Now with glass of wine in hand it is time to relax...

Love them or Hate them!

I am sure we all agree how useful computers and the internet are when they are working and that when they are not working properly they are very frustrating!

When I was away last weekend I needed access to my emails because I was on the look out for something particular. I was staying in the one house in the street that was a mobile dead spot, so no access that way. Not to worry - I was offered the use of my hosts computer which suddenly developed a mind of it's own and refused to access the internet wirelessly and the computer was too far away from the router to be wired. The password had long since been forgotten, so I couldn't try my lap top that way. Eventually my laptop was wired up to the router and three of us were playing musical chairs trying to access our emails etc...

Then when I arrived back home there I was sitting at my computer minding my own business when suddenly a loud scary noise emanates from the direction of my computer. It sounded a bit like a rattle snake or hissing spider and I half expected something unpleasant to emerge from under the desk! It happened a couple of times and then all was quiet and back to normal until my computer suddenly turned itself off and refused to start up again...

I best not go into the troubles I had getting internet access at home (and helping some friends with their access) yesterday, which ended up with me eventually having to connect using my mobile internet option!!!

Perhaps Mutley was right and 'Big Brother' is monitoring me...

My PC's internal workings (or should that be not workings?).

PhotoHunt - View

A view from the ramparts at Walmer Castle.

The National Trust guidebook has the following to say about the castle:

Walmer castle was built in 1539 as one of a chain of coastal artillery forts constructed by Henry VIII against the threat of invasion by Spain. From 1708, it became the official residence of the Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports, an office held by many famous people, including the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill and the late Queen Mother. The castle was adapted over the years by successive Lords Warden, to make it into a more comfortable home, and the grounds were developed into attractive gardens, which are still changing today.

For more PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

Big Brother...

...is watching!!!

Not a lot more to be said really, this was taken by a friend in London last weekend.

Kick Ass Blogger

Liz has paid me a compliment by presenting me with this blog award. She has presented it to blogfriends who have attitude, in my case because of my Trade Union activities.

Thank you Liz :-)

All you other bloggers with attitude, please feel free to claim the award too!

J is for Jefferson Gardens

I am having to make this post from my laptop which is a bit fiddly. My computer broke today after making some rather alarming noises. I just hope it is easily fixed :-/

Anyway for my ABC post I bring you Jefferson gardens, they are such a lovely place to sit and chill. Maybe sharing a BBQ and a glass or two of wine, I hope you enjoy the view as much as I do :-)

For more ABC pictures check out Mr Linky.

Where in the World?

I didn't mean to be cryptic on my movements over the weekend! I was lined up with lots of requests before I left on my family visit, which meant only limited time to post. The uncertainty from my recent post was whether or not I could access the internet whilst I was there. It turned out to be more complicated than expected! Don't ya just love technology

But for now 'Where in the World' was I?

PhotoHunt - Road

My last weeks PhotoHunt entry was a close up of Dandelion Clocks. For this weeks photograph I have zoomed out and you can see many, many more of them. You can also catch a glimpse of a narrow road and also the edge of a path. I have to admit I think they look great, but I am sure some of you will be thinking weeds again ;-)

The Dandelions

Upon a showery night and still,
Without a sound of warning,
A trooper band surprised the hill,
And held it in the morning.

We were not waked by bugle-notes,
No cheer our dreams invaded,
And yet, at dawn, their yellow coats
On the green slopes paraded.

We careless folk the deed forgot;
Till one day, idly walking,
We marked upon the self-same spot
A crowd of veterans talking.

They shook their trembling heads and gray
With pride and noiseless laughter;
When, well-a-day! they blew away,
And ne'er were heard of after!

Helen Gray Cone

For more PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

Just Out of Reach...

Busy with family for the next few days, maybe you will see me here or maybe not! It just depends ;-)

I can't quite get to this tempting bench to sit and rest a while, but feel free to enjoy the tranquil space :-)

For those of you who were interested in the timing of the sale of the QinetiQ shares; Private Eye have a most interesting take on that!

Getting Organised in the Midlands

Yesterday I attended the PCS Midlands Region 'Organising Conference'. Apart from the usual train journey woes it was a great day. There were a number of guest speakers talking on a variety of topics such as organising, campaigning and engaging young members. The PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka was also in attendance to give us the latest information on the National Campaign. I did have one small crisis in the morning... my camera batteries let me down! I was feeling quite irritated, then I said to myself 'you are in the middle of Birmingham, there are lots of shops!'. Ten minutes later back in my seat with working batteries ;-)

Some of you might remember my dismay at last minute tasks. This is the result and thankfully it went down well with everyone. Sorry about the poor visual quality, that's You Tube for you!

I is for Ironbrige (Dale End Park)

Not far from the birthplace of industry which is home to the famous Ironbridge this beautiful park can be found.

"The world's first cast iron bridge was built over the River Severn at Coalbrookdale in 1779. Not only iron founders and industrial spies flocked to see this wondrous bridge, but also artists and travellers. The Bridge had a far reaching impact: on local society and the economy, on bridge design and on the use of cast iron in building. The story of the bridge's conservation begins in 1784 with reports of cracks in the Southern abutments, and is brought up to date with the English Heritage sponsored work of 1999."

For more ABC pictures check out Mr Linky.

Word Clouds

Sally suggested we all do a Wordle for our blogs. As luck would have it I had already been playing around with some, they are quite addictive.

The first one is Cherie's Place and the second one is for Bloghounds. Which reminds me I need to call all Bloghounds and remind them to nip over to the forum and vote in the latest poll!

PhotoHunt - Wild

I see these as the seeds of wild flowers, hopefully you don't see them as weeds ;-)

If we opened our minds to enjoyment, we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side. We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam, and sit with the fairies who wait on every flower.
Samuel Smiles

For more PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

It's all in the Timing

Earlier this week it was brought to my attention that the MoD have just sold off their remaining 19% stake in Qinetiq for £257.3 million. They have however kept their golden share which prevents the company falling into foreign hands.

The government has sold its remaining 19 per cent stake in the defence firm QinetiQ for £257.3 million but will retain control of the company through a 'golden share'.

The Ministry of Defence has sold all its remaining 125 million shares at 206p per share to several institutions, taking advantage of a recent surge in QinetiQ's stock.

The MoD have always intended to sell these shares but the timing is rather interesting because an announcement about the outcome of the Defence Training Review (DTR) is expected later this month. You might recall from some of my earlier posts that the preferred bidder for DTR is the Metrix consortium which includes Qinetiq.

Qinetiq was formed in 1991 from part of the in house Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). At this time 31% of the shares were sold to the the Carlyle group with the intention of eventually floating the firm. The government received a lot of criticism when the firm was eventually floated in 1996.

When QinetiQ was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1996, the government was criticised when it became clear that the Carlyle Group and several senior civil servants had profited hugely from their shares.

In addition, the initial public offering (IPO) was only available to institutional investors, excluding the general public.

Tomas Carruthers, chief executive of Interactive Investor, criticised the deal: "Once again the private investor - that's you and me - is treated with utter contempt.

For those of you who like number crunching, more details can be found in the Financial Times here and here. Or if you are interested in the outcome of the report on the controversy surrounding the original sell off that can be found here.

H is for Hodnet Hall Gardens

Hodnet Hall Garden is set in a 60 acre woodland. It has many floral collections including Camellias, Azaleas, Rhododendrons and magnolias. In late spring there is an amazing display of bluebells underneath the woodland trees. Close to the house there are formal gardens and the grounds have several ornamental pools.

The hall itself is a red brick mansion which was designed by Anthony Salvin in the 19th century. It is the home of the Heber-Percy family and is not open to the public.

I love the garden so much it is difficult to know which pictures to choose to show you. If you want to see more you could look at the 'Virtual Shropshire' gallery or you could check out my slideshow of the Gardens.

This map gives you an impression of how extensive the gardens are.

For more ABC pictures check out Mr Linky.

Jobs for the Boys

Adam is the man mid pic.

The following letter regarding the former Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram, has just been sent to PCS members:

Colleagues,

I thought you might be interested in the well being of our old friend Mr. Ingram.

As you know the architect of Collocation, FDSCi, 13,000 job cuts, mass privatisation and pay cuts was the man who did not “give a shit” about Civil Servants. Sadly he stepped down from Ministerial duties last year. He is much missed by PCS members.

Fortunately, our loss has been others gain.

As well as being appointed Chair of the Prospect Parliamentary Group (lucky Prospect members), the Guardian reports today “Congratulations to Adam Ingram, who stepped down after six selfless years as Defence minister, for he has received the green light to become a consultant to EDS, one of the MoD’s largest and most controversial suppliers”.

The article goes on to say that “The advisory committee on business appointments, which regulates these things, said Ingram “should not become personally involved in lobbying UK ministers or crown officials,including special advisers, on behalf of his new employer for a year”.

Incidentally - and completely coincidentally - I stumbled across the following press cutting from 2006 whilst looking at this story:

The details of a financial sett lement given to EDS by the Ministry of Defence have been withheld from British taxpayers because corporate America likes to keep its cards close to its chest.

EDS said in March it was seeking “adjustments” to compensate for the “financial impact” of changes made by the Ministry of Defence to its requirements for its £2.3bn Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) project.

Neither EDS nor the MOD would provide details after they reached an agreement over the contract change in May. But EDS said its second quarter results, released this month, would.

However, when the results were published on 1 August, they failed to mention how much the MOD had paid EDS.

The matter has been raised in Parliament by Mike Hancock, Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South, last month. He wanted to know precisely how much more had been paid to EDS.

The £2.3bn contract, according to analysts at Ovum, was expected to deliver the MOD £170m of savings in its first three years, with £43m of this expected to be gleaned in the first year.

MOD Minister of State for Armed Forces Adam Ingram refused to answer Hancock’s Parliamentary question, saying the details were “commercially sensitive”.

Neither EDS nor the MOD would elaborate on why the payment was confidential.

A source close to the deal said EDS would be upset if it were to reveal the payment details. EDS has already attracted flak ov er compensation payments and confidentiality arrangements with the British government.

In April, MPs on the Treasury Committee said a £71.25m payment EDS was ordered to make in compensation for its delivery of a shoddy tax credits computer system had the “appearance of impropriety”.

Their problem was that £26.5m of EDS’ payment was contingent on the firm winning more government business. This detail had been hidden by a confidentiality clause. The National Audit Office cited it as a reason why confidentiality clauses should be banned from government contracts.

I am sure members will be delighted to learn that Mr Ingram will no doubt be back at MoD lobbying for EDS in 12 months time. I am also sure our members who were privatised under DII and are now threatened with compulsory redundancy will wish to welcome the new employee in an appropriate manner.

Regards,

Paul

National Officer
PCS CSG

I am never too sure about this sort of thing at the best of times. It doesn't seem right that people who have worked in Government or the public sector should then be able to move on almost immediately and work with the very same private companies that they had had official dealings with. In fact I thought there were quite rigid guidelines about this sort of thing, because it could be against public interest!

I investigated a bit further and found even more information on the PCS website. One particular bit of the article caught my eye, especially as everyone else seems to be struggling with the credit crunch:

Members will also want to note that Mr Ingram according to the ‘Register of Members Interests’ is the “Non-executive Chairman of SignPoint Secure Ltd; emergency communications. (£45,001-£50,000), Non-executive Chairman of Argus Scotland Ltd; design and construction services in the urban environment. (£20,001-£25,000) and Consultant to Argus Libya; design and construction services in the urban environment. (£20,001-£25,000)”

This means that before Mr Ingram has been rewarded for his upcoming work for EDS, he will be receiving between £85,003-£100,000 for his work with these three companies. This is on top of his basic MP salary of £61,820.

The Warp & Weft of Life

What affects one thing affects in some way all things:
All is interwoven into the continuous fabric of being. It's warp and weft are energy, which is the essence of magic.

Starhawk

PhotoHunt - Strings

If you are passing anywhere near Bristol I would recommend a visit to the SS Great Britain. The ship was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and was first launched in 1843 and continued sailing until 1886. The ship was a first and brought together new technologies such as an iron hull and screw propeller along with a 1000-horsepower steam engine. On her maiden voyage she broke the previous speed record.

When she was finally abandoned in the Falkland Islands in 1937 she had clocked up almost one million miles at sea and had traveled thirty two times around the world. Before her abandonment she had spent more than 40 years as a floating warehouse.

In 1970 a salvage operation took place in order to bring the ship back home to Bristol where she now resides in the dry dock where she was originally built.

For more PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

Last Minute Tasks

There is an organising conference on 16th September for PCS branch organisers based in the Midlands. This has been on the cards since May. I stated at the time that if I was required to do another slide show I would need more notice than I was given last time! I was told that only 6 PowerPoint photographs would be needed to accompany a 5 minute talk. I mentioned on Wednesday that I thought I was going to end up being asked to do a slide show at the last minute again!

I am sure you can guess...

A five minute talk followed by a five minute slide show is required. My other two colleauges kept rolling their eyes at me as the project manager told us how easy and quick it would be to do! We came up with the content of the talk and then I was rushed through my hundreds of PCS photos. Yes I had been instructed to take my lap top along to the meeting. Mr Project manager said "There, see I told you it wouldn't take very long!"

Fast forward to today...

I sat and prepared a show template, then myself and another colleague sat together and fitted the photos around the content of the talk. There was a a bit of a shortfall, so we had to search for some additional photos.

A bit later on I had to adjust the movement, timing and transitions for the show. All in all today I spent around 4 hours 40 minutes on it. My colleague spent an hour and a half and has to go away and write the speech. Oh yes don't forget the couple of hours we spent planning on Wednesday....

There is still more work to be done including syncing the show to the music!

I wonder if I should show the project manager this blog post ;-)

G is for Glasshouse

A couple of weeks ago I asked you how I was going to turn Birmingham Botanical Gardens into G...

Well now you have the answer :-)

I am off out soon for another Trade Union meeting where they will be discussing one of those thankless last minute tasks where I will be expected to produce some slide show or other! Whatever it is it will be something that can't be done on my computer at work.

But I shall leave you with something much more pleasant. Photographs from the glasshouses at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

For more ABC pictures check out Mr Linky.

Vesting Day

I bet you are all wondering what I mean by vesting day? It means that our jobs have now officially changed over to a new organisation. To mark the occasion we had outgoing and incoming speeches followed by a barbecue plus a pig and turkey roast. Lunch was accompanied by a brass quintet from the Blues & Royals and I feel quite privileged to have enjoyed a private performance from them. It started off so lovely and sunny then the wind got up and yes you have guessed, it turned quite chilly and started to rain. Well it wouldn't be an English barbecue without rain would it?

The organisational structure is now sorted and people matched to posts. It just remains for the space planning to be done so that people can move to their teams! I am now part of 3 merged teams and will be doing the work of 3 people.

But for now until all this is sorted it is business as usual.

Meanwhile my friends at Cosford have just found out (amongst other things) that they now have to wait until next year to find out what is happening with their jobs...