by Paul Scully | Sep 4, 2008 | News |
Many thanks to all of you that voted for me as one of your top political blogs. This year, I’ve reached the giddy heights of 57th 56th top political blog in some highly esteemed company, up from 155th in 2007. As a local blog, I don’t expect to compete with the best-known blogs but I’m very appreciative of the support and I hope that it helps to raise the profile of what is happening in the Borough.
The last year has seen more debate on the blog as people get a little bolder, leaving comments. Readership has picked up overall though dipped in the summer as I posted less frequently. Absolute Unique Visitors as measured by Google Analytics reports a monthly readership of between 350-500. Not bad when you consider that Sutton Council could only muster 22 responses to its annual budget consultation.
My resolution for the coming year is to post more regularly. This is akin to the giving-up-smoking New Year resolution as other commitments start to call upon my time, but I’ll persevere whilst trying not to dilute the site with posts that are covered far better by others. Let’s see how long it lasts anyway. Keep the comments coming and the debate flowing.
Update: 2nd resolution is to proof-read a little more carefully. Thanks to a very public sociologist for pointing out that he was 57th whilst I was 56th.
by Paul Scully | Aug 27, 2008 | News |
Much has been said about the amazing success of Team GB at the Beijing Olympics. I rediscovered a quadrennial passion for Yngling sailing and the Keirin (greyhound racing on bikes where instead of chasing a hare, the cyclists chase what looks like a pizza delivery bike), as well as the more commonly known sports.
I was caught up in the moment cheering on every one of our medallists and look forward to the sport in four years time. There is a long way to go and I suspect that I won’t look forward to the bill for the games but that is for another post. In the meantime, have a look at the video and watch Boris at the handover party looking forward to London 2012 as only he can. Now where is my ox?
by Paul Scully | Aug 17, 2008 | News |
Now my computer is just about back to normal, I ought to catch up with the events of the last week or so.
I was invited to the attend the final and closing ceremony of the Carroms European Championships held at Sutton High School. If you haven’t heard of the game before, have a look at the Wikipedia entry and this simple summary of the rules. Essentially it is similar to pool but played on a board with counters which are potted by flicking a ‘striker’ instead of hitting a cue ball.
The great thing about the game is that it is easy to get into, costs very little to start and can be played by young and old, male or female, fit and unfit. My grandfather made my father a board over half a century ago, which my family still pull out and play on every now and again. Being accessible is only one test of a great game. Longevity is the other. The final was three hours of enthralling play. The skill and concentration shown by the two finalists, both from the UK was remarkable and the time flew by.
Vijay Sharma of the UK Carrom Federation was a terrific host with contestants from Italy, Holland, France, Germany and Poland amongst others. It occurs to me that with a bit of a helping hand from the Council, Vijay and his colleagues could organise some demonstrations of this compelling game in Sutton schools and encourage a few young people to take up the game. Young people often talk about not having anything to do. We respond with youth provision without truly understanding whether youths are interested in what is provided or not. Offering a choice can only be a good thing and carrom is easy, cheap and different. Well worth a crack in my book.
by Paul Scully | Aug 7, 2008 | News |
Iain Dale reports that he is having to bring the deadline forward for voting in the blogging awards to this Friday. I’ve covered how to vote and what it is all about here.
If you’re feeling generous and would like to help me reach even loftier heights than 155th, please send your top 10 blogs (preferably with me in it) to toptenblogs@totalpolitics.com.
Apologies for the lack of posts. My hard drive has died and it is taking sometime to get my data back. More soon.
by Paul Scully | Jul 29, 2008 | News |
A couple of weeks ago, an eagle-eyed resident from Clockhouse saw a truck emblazoned with the Sutton tree logo tipping cuttings onto an overgrown area near Corrigan Rec. He took a photo of the truck as it left and reported it at a residents’ meeting attended by Cllr Tim Crowley. Further investigation showed that this wasn’t the first time that this had happened and that the rubbish was being dumped over the borough boundary into Banstead & Reigate.
It is not acceptable that we are lectured on fly tipping when the Council takes a different line for its own actions. Although we were told that there was nothing to worry about, the waste was hurriedly cleared up by several employees and a couple of tractors on a Sunday, presumably at double pay. Whilst the political administration continue to attempt to ‘contain’ the issue, Council officers seem to taken action, holding their hands up and started an investigation to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Many thanks to all of you that voted for me as one of your top political blogs. This year, I’ve reached the giddy heights of 
