Skyscraper Sprawl – Southwark

Too many ugly uninspired and domineering skyscrapers are now in London smothering Londoners in darkness. They have been put in ridiculous places, in the old parts and by listed buildings. They are often owned by rich fatcats. Other countries put them in ‘old towns’, so they’re separate. In the UK, skyscrapers are put up indiscriminately.

Now these skyscrapers are being built put along the Thames. You only have to see Tower Bridge and if you take a photo, a skyscraper is blocking the view. Disabled people would find it hard to live in them, particularly if the lifts are broken and the fire brigade would find it hard to rescue people in the event of a fire.

Some of these skyscrapers are now going into receivership, some are finding it hard to attract businesses due to high rents, leaving a shell of a building. Skyscrapers are a terrorist target and a danger to helicopters, they are so tall, they get in the way of aircraft.

These developers, estate agents and planners just do not care. They don’t walk outside and imagine what it would be like.

Sugar and Obesity

Sugar is at the root of our obesity crisis. It is added to so many things, even in brown bread and ‘low fat’ Weightwatchers yoghurts and sport drinks.

Before I shop, I vet all the ingredients. When I spot ‘low fat’ on the front – even more so.Fruit juices and smoothies are laden with this crap. The Government is trying to kill us.I am sick of sugar being in ‘healthy’ things.

I am battling with the stuff myself. I look for bread that has no added sugar (and there are some, but you have to hunt). So far, I am cutting down to one sugar in my tea. I have given up coca-cola, bar once a year and other fizzy drinks, including the diet ones which have aspertame. I have to say, I have lost a stone because I have cut down on it! My dentist is also a lot happier as she has seen the results. I feel proud when I have good days, and I am getting more good days now.

If my campaign helps people cut down on sugar, this can be a good thing too. On with The Struggle!

UPDATE: 27/4/14 I have since heard from an independent tea expert that sugar is being added to teabags, so check your ingredients!

Stitched forTony Benn’s Funeral, 27 March 2014

Considering that I’ve been to numerous events involving Tony Benn (he always seemed to pop up rather like Jeremy Corbyn), he deserved a craftivist stitch. I thought of putting ‘You’ve survived Thatcher – Well done!’ but thought that was a bit insensitive. I had to battle my morals and my sense of humour, the morals won:-(

I also added a ‘Shrinkles’ piece with ‘Never forgotten’ to give it a bit of texture and interest.

One thing about Craftivism is that it can evoke memories, in this case, political memories. I really like this, it adds another dimension, and I never know what to expect too.

When I put this photo on my Facebook Page, a friend of mine had this to say:

“I first saw and heard Tony Benn, in the House of Lords, around 1962, on a school trip, where he spoke for process where he could abandon his peerage and stand as candidate for MP.”

He also added:

“I think my lefty socialist Latin schoolteacher (at an otherwise dreadful Catholic Grammar school), who organised the trip must have known Tony Benn was going to speak that day. Otherwise it was too much of a coincidence that he chose that day! I doubt the Headmaster (a priest) would have realised or approved!”