Comment on 'Growing out of trouble' on BBC2 with Monty Don

In this programme, working alongside probation, Monty Don hopes to give six young criminals a chance to discover a different way of life. His idea is to get them to work on a piece of land, transforming it into a small farm. Six young lads were picked, one of which had been taking drugs since the age of 9. One of them was injecting speed in the school toilets at the age of 14, and had been in prison with his Dad. They had all grown up with this sort of life, and this project aimed to give them a chance to escape it.

The first programme covered the period trying to set up the project, unfortunately this was not very successful. Monty found a piece of land, which was ideal. But he was summoned to a village meeting, where he listened to the villager’s objections for the project to take part in their community. Being a decent bloke, Monty said if it turned out that the villagers voted against the project going ahead, they wouldn’t do it there.
The whole village voted and I think the vote was 98 against the project and 36 for it.

So this was the first obstacle, Monty had to go in search of some more land. I was absolutely disgusted at the villager’s vote. Six people were going to be transported to the field, work there for the day, and then be transported back. The villagers probably wouldn’t even see them. Due to the villager’s inability to give these people a chance, the project was set back for months.

The young people were very disillusioned, but still determined to go ahead with it. They had grown up with this way of life, and unless a person is very strong, the chances of escaping a life of drugs and crime are slim. The villagers not wanting them around could have knocked them back; they could have given up, but they didn’t.

Next came a fight with bureaucracy, as each stage of the project, had to wait until it had been signed and sealed by probation. Monty began the search for some other land, and wherever he went he made sure he talked to the local community. Unfortunately, in the 7 or 8 months it took to get the project started, one of the lads died from a heroin overdose. Could this have been avoided, if the project wasn’t jeopardised by narrow minded villagers and bureaucracy? Maybe if he had started working on the land, he would have seen a different way of life and began to feel better about himself.

The next instalment of ‘Growing out of trouble’ can be seen on Tuesday 12th of December. Let’s hope they get over these obstacles, and actually start building their farm. Expect some more commentary on this series.

New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of the year again, when we start thinking about New Year’s resolutions, and then excuse ourselves overindulgence over Christmas, as we will take control in January.
The New Year is seen as a time for regeneration, where we can have a fresh beginning. However making and sticking to resolutions, is not always so easy. This article will look at ways to help you pick and achieve your resolutions.

Tips for choosing resolutions


Start thinking about them now
Don’t wait till New Year to decide on your resolutions. Spur of the moment decisions are less likely to be successful. By taking time to think about what resolutions you want to make, you can explore whether they are right for you, and prepare yourself psychologically.

Choose realistic goals
Try to avoid absolute resolutions, such as ‘I will never do X again’
If you love chocolate, deciding to give chocolate up may not be realistic for you.
Think about whether you can achieve the resolutions. Habits built up over a long time, are not going to be easy to break.
Think about whether you have enough commitment to make that change.
You may want to break your resolutions down into smaller manageable steps. This could be particularly useful if you are making big changes, like wanting to lose weight, get fit, or change your eating habits.

Don't make too many resolutions at one time
By making lots of resolutions and by giving yourself too much too do, you could be setting yourself up for failure.



Tips for keeping them
One of the main reasons people abandon resolutions is they become discouraged when they don’t get quick enough results, or they don’t feel happier for making the changes.
It takes around 21 days for new activities to become a habit, and 6 months for them to become part of your lifestyle.

Persistence is the key.

Ways to keep on track

· Don’t keep your resolutions to yourself, tell a friend.

· Break them down in smaller steps you can manage

· Keep track of your progress

· Remind yourself of your resolutions throughout the year; writing it down and sticking it in your room may help.

· Make a list of the pro’s and con’s of your resolutions.

· Don’t be afraid to ask for help. With giving up smoking, for example, look at wwwgivingupsmoking.co.uk or ask at your doctors about support available there.

Don’t be too hard on yourself
Take credit for your success; don’t look at setbacks as a failure. Instead you could explore the barriers that were in your way, and see how you can do differently next time.
Resolutions are about changing behaviour, and this can be done anytime, not just New Year.



Top 20 resolutions
· I will give up smoking
· I will lose some weight
· I will eat fruit and vegetables every day
· I will be more careful with my money
· I will get out to the countryside (once a week)
· I will cut down on drinking alcohol
· I will smile more
· I will take up a new sport/exercise
· I will drink water every day
· I will cut down on junk food
· I will spend more quality time with my family and friends
· I will do some voluntary work
· I will take up a new hobby
· I will have a pampering day for myself once a month
· I will allow myself time to rest and do nothing
· I will learn something new
· I will walk more instead of taking the car all the time
· I will have a non television day once a week
· I will be more gentle on myself
· I will challenge negative thoughts, and try to be more positive.

Hierarchy of Charity Shops
After a comment from Rachel, on my last blog, I am totally in agreement with her, about the cost of books going up in some charity shops. For a while now I’ve noticed book only charity shops, which does allow for them to charge quite a bit more.

There is also I feel a difference between individual charity shops. Recently in a local town, one of the charity shops underwent a big refurbishment. It is now spacious, and well organised, leaving less opportunity for a good old rummage, and the price of the books seemed to double.

While looking for books in charity shops today, there was quite a marked difference in the prices according to which shop you were in. In the refurbished shop, I found a few books I was interested in, however I was reluctant to pay the price they asked. I found ‘Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ for £4.00, and Alice Walker’s ‘The Temple of my Familiar’, in hardback for £4.50. I didn’t buy them this time.

By charity shops charging these sorts of prices, they are competing with the sale of new books in supermarkets. I feel people are less likely to pick books up from charity shops, when they can pick up a new book for £3odd, when they’re doing their food shopping.

In contrast, I went to a local animal hospital charity shop, which was just like walking into an Aladdin’s cave. The books were no more than a £1 for paperbacks, and maybe a bit more for hardbacks. They had shoes, including some very new looking walking boots, unfortunately a size too small, for £2.

Bargains can be found in charity shops, depending where you go, the prices can vary greatly from one to the next, and it’s worth checking them all out.

Happy shopping folks.

There is so much more to Charity Shops than clothes

I love charity shops. I make a beeline for them, whenever visiting a town. Not only can you sometimes find some bargain clothes, there is so much more besides. Whether you could do with some more, wine glasses, curtains, cutlery, lampshades, dog toys, etc, Check out the charity shops.

However my biggest success has been with finding bargain books.

I would like to share with you some of the wonderful books, I have found recently.

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

A brilliant tale, set in 1940's, California. It's called Cannery Row as the main work is at the local Cannery (canning sardines). The story is about the characters of this small community, such as Doc who owns the local laboratory. Theres also Dora who runs the local brothel, and Mack and his friends who rent the rundown Palace Flophouse, from Lee Chong who owns the Grocery. The story is as much about the individuals, as the community, and we become part of their lives, as well meaning Mack and his friends, scheme to throw Doc a birthday party, with hilarious consequences.

Other books by John Steinbeck I have found in charity shops are:

The Grapes of Wrath, The moon is down, and To a God Unknown

The Good Women of China, Hidden Voices by Xinran

Xinran, presented a radio programme in China, in the late 8O's, where she encouraged women to talk about their lives. After years of political turmoil, and centuries of obedience to men, women were at first frightened of the consequences of talking openly about their experiences. This book tells the stories of the women who came forward, and talked to Xinran, and also of the opposition she faced to keep her programme on the air. The women's personal reflections, compassionately told by Xinran, gives the reader a real insight into the past and present experiences, of women in China.

Other books I have found in charity shops include:

The whole series (5 books), of Maya Angelou's autobiography starting with, I know why the caged bird sings.

Lucky and Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Island and Chrome Yellow by Aldous Huxley

Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel

The Bell Jar and Ariel by Sylvia Plath

Tis and Angelas Ashes by Frank McCourt

The road to Wigan Pier, 1984, and Homage to Catolonia by George Orwell

and lots more.

Today I picked up 'The clothes they stood in' by Alan Bennet for 20p, and my friend picked up 'On writing' by Stephen King for £1.50, which is one of my recommended course books.

So if you're a lover of books check out the charity shops, the rewards are great.