So spring is almost here (even though you'd never know it with this cold front!) and as is a regular occurrence at the same time every year the road and pavements are dug up and resurfaced or repaved. Now I don't want to sound like a moaning minnie but you know what, I am. Every year for as long as I can remember wherever you may be the daffodils barely break the flower bed surface and the diggers are in place and cones multiply quicker than the glorious yellow buds can open.
You hear story after story about councils spending their budgets before the new ones come along but I just can't help believing this is just an old wive's tale?. Well I for one don't like to believe this be the main reason but it takes some pretty hard defending as history cannot lie. I would love to know why/who/when this is decided because all I see is constant disruption to the streets of London on a regular basis and just cannot see the reasoning for this constant upheaval. I can't get on a bus or take my car out without hitting a set of temporary traffic light, pot holes (which strangely seem to be allowed to get to meteor crate size before they are filled) or coned off lanes. Don't get me started on the pavements, which if you have lived in or around Islington High Street for the past few years is regularly having it's pavements dug up only to be replaced by the same paving slabs they had before (someone in the council has shares in the stone/paving slab business!).
I understand the need for renewal/safety/appearance etc of our roads and pavements but I do feel our council tax money could be spent a bit more wisely and maybe not quite so frequently. I'm sure the council would be able to list a million reasons for this apparent urgent upheaval once/twice/thrice a year but I just think with a little common sense this painfully slow procedure could be streamlined more effectively and at smaller cost.
The paving works along Upper Street in Islington have been taking place for what seems like 3 years, it's probably more like 2 but I'm just explaining how it feels to a local resident!. Not only is it the slowest process I have ever seen but for what gain I really can't understand the need when the pavements looked fine to me. Maybe the sun didn't catch the darker grey slabs they had before quite right, who knows!
Anyway I'm sure many other people have experienced the same inconsistency with regards to my rant, if only we were ever listened to, maybe I could start the first roadworks/paving disapproval campaign!? Maybe it already exists?
I shall continue to tut and remark about the ongoing problem until a councillor happens to walk past me and take me up on it........yeah right!
and breathe........over and out.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Les Misérables Update
Check this exciting news about my all time favourite musical.
Alfie Boe to star as 'Jean Valjean' and Matt Lucas to star as 'Thénardier' in the West End production of "Les Misérables" at the Queen's Theatre from Thursday 23 June 2011.
Following their critically acclaimed performances in the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2, Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that Alfie Boe will play ‘Jean Valjean’ and Matt Lucas will play 'Thénardier' in "LES MISÉRABLES" at the Queen’s Theatre from 23 June 2011. Alfie will play the role of 'Jean Valjean' until 26 November 2011 and Matt will play the role of 'Thénardier' until 10 September 2011.
Alfie Boe is one of the country’s leading tenors and best selling recording artists. His most recent top 10 album, "Bring Him Home", is now certified "GOLD" with over 100,000 sales. Alfie shot to fame while starring in Baz Luhrmann's "La Boheme" on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for his performance. His other credits include a nomination for a Classical Brit Award for his album "Onward" and a sell-out production of "The Merry Widow" at the London Coliseum. His recent opera engagements have included a return to the English National Opera to sing 'Nadir' in a new production of "The Pearl Fishers" and also his return to the Royal Opera House in Gounod's "Roméo et Juliette".
Matt Lucas is one of Britain’s most successful comic actors and writers. His TV credits include "Come Fly With Me" and the multi award-winning "Little Britain", both for the BBC. His other credits include "Shooting Stars", "Wind in the Willows" and most recently Tim Burton’s film of "Alice in Wonderland".
Hadley Fraser will also join the cast on 23 June to play 'Javert'. Hadley was also in the Anniversary Concert at the O2, where he played 'Grantaire'. His other credits include "The Pirate Queen" on Broadway and 'Marius' in "Les Misérables" at the Palace Theatre.
http://www.lesmis.com/node/294
........over and out.
Alfie Boe to star as 'Jean Valjean' and Matt Lucas to star as 'Thénardier' in the West End production of "Les Misérables" at the Queen's Theatre from Thursday 23 June 2011.
Following their critically acclaimed performances in the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2, Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that Alfie Boe will play ‘Jean Valjean’ and Matt Lucas will play 'Thénardier' in "LES MISÉRABLES" at the Queen’s Theatre from 23 June 2011. Alfie will play the role of 'Jean Valjean' until 26 November 2011 and Matt will play the role of 'Thénardier' until 10 September 2011.
Alfie Boe is one of the country’s leading tenors and best selling recording artists. His most recent top 10 album, "Bring Him Home", is now certified "GOLD" with over 100,000 sales. Alfie shot to fame while starring in Baz Luhrmann's "La Boheme" on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for his performance. His other credits include a nomination for a Classical Brit Award for his album "Onward" and a sell-out production of "The Merry Widow" at the London Coliseum. His recent opera engagements have included a return to the English National Opera to sing 'Nadir' in a new production of "The Pearl Fishers" and also his return to the Royal Opera House in Gounod's "Roméo et Juliette".
Matt Lucas is one of Britain’s most successful comic actors and writers. His TV credits include "Come Fly With Me" and the multi award-winning "Little Britain", both for the BBC. His other credits include "Shooting Stars", "Wind in the Willows" and most recently Tim Burton’s film of "Alice in Wonderland".
Hadley Fraser will also join the cast on 23 June to play 'Javert'. Hadley was also in the Anniversary Concert at the O2, where he played 'Grantaire'. His other credits include "The Pirate Queen" on Broadway and 'Marius' in "Les Misérables" at the Palace Theatre.
http://www.lesmis.com/node/294
........over and out.
Avenue Q
Once you've started this blogging it becomes very addictive! Second post already!.
www.avenueqthemusical.co.uk
Just a quickie, went to see this musical at the weekend in Bromley, Kent. After missing it for the all years it was in London's West End finally saw it was on tour and made the effort.
One word..... Brilliant!
Go see it whilst it is on tour in the UK this year, worth every penny, hilariously funny!
........over and out.
www.avenueqthemusical.co.uk
Just a quickie, went to see this musical at the weekend in Bromley, Kent. After missing it for the all years it was in London's West End finally saw it was on tour and made the effort.
One word..... Brilliant!
Go see it whilst it is on tour in the UK this year, worth every penny, hilariously funny!
........over and out.
Can only be one thing to start with.....
I have been pondering for the last few days since I decided to start writing my own personal blog what could I begin with. Well after lots of head scratching and blank ideas I thought I'd begin with one of my favourite pastimes in life, following Arsenal FC. Now I know some that read this (mainly Spurs fans) will be sighing at this revelation but hey I needed something to get me started. I promise to keep it short to begin with and to be honest I'm not sure what I can say that hasn't been written already.
I have been a season ticket holder for just over 16 years now and during this time I have experienced many great matches, from the sadly missed atmosphere at Highbury Stadium to the more recent games at the new home of football, The Emirates. Being an Arsenal fan through this period has been one of great joy and terrible pain at times and I think this is what makes supporting this club so special. A family club that makes you feel like you belong, a sensible board of directors looking after the money, a legendary manager and some of the world's best players this club has been close to my heart since it caught my imagination at the tender age of 13.
With Wenger at the helm now for 14 years we have had great success and great regrets too but the 2010/11 season is shaping up to be one worth remembering for a long time (5 years since last trophy!). As always I won't get my hopes up just yet but I think finally this squad is showing it's talent and worth. Could this be the year we win some silverware?, well I for one will have everything crossed for the next 3 months and savour every minute and second of the ride.
Come on you Gunners......!
........over and out.
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| RVP scores his 3rd goal - Arsenal vs Wigan Premiership Football Match 22/01/11 |
I have been a season ticket holder for just over 16 years now and during this time I have experienced many great matches, from the sadly missed atmosphere at Highbury Stadium to the more recent games at the new home of football, The Emirates. Being an Arsenal fan through this period has been one of great joy and terrible pain at times and I think this is what makes supporting this club so special. A family club that makes you feel like you belong, a sensible board of directors looking after the money, a legendary manager and some of the world's best players this club has been close to my heart since it caught my imagination at the tender age of 13.
With Wenger at the helm now for 14 years we have had great success and great regrets too but the 2010/11 season is shaping up to be one worth remembering for a long time (5 years since last trophy!). As always I won't get my hopes up just yet but I think finally this squad is showing it's talent and worth. Could this be the year we win some silverware?, well I for one will have everything crossed for the next 3 months and savour every minute and second of the ride.
Come on you Gunners......!
........over and out.
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