Checking that the Brain is Working / Coppers / Winding up The Fringe Festival.

An interesting week.

But what would I know, for much of the week I’ve been locked up.

There is a tendency for the pain and dreadfulness of medical procedures to be exaggerated, and so heading off for mine on Wednesday I was really worried about what was about to happen to me, indeed even my GP had said “poor you”.

Of course I needn’t have worried, as by the time the anaesthetic had taken it’s grip I didn’t fell a thing, indeed I felt quite the spring chicken leaving the hospital.   For those interested, the spinal juices are clear. 

But once the anaesthetic started to wear off, it was time to search for the donkey or horse that had kicked me, and the vampire that seems to have sucked a body full of blood through my arm.  The other minor side effect seems to be a few headaches and tiredness. 

Six weeks to the results………………………….     Don’t say a thing!

To have the procedure done I had to go to the Hallamshire Hospital, a bit of trek, but my Brother In Law was up to the task. But that in turn brings me to the giant establishment known as The Rotherham NHS Trust. 

Following years of building and expansion, including a very pretty main entrance, etc.  the Business Managers of the Trust have suddenly decided that by 2014 Rotherham deserves a “smaller Hospital”, and must save £50m. a figure that you might just have thought they might have been aware of before, but a strange one given that Mr Cameron insists that there is no cuts in the Health budget!!  

750 jobs are to go!!  And the Management have already said that there will be compulsory Redundancies.  Strangely there will not be a reduction in the standard of service offered.  I’m not sure how that one works but I’m sure between now and April 2013 we will find out as more detailed information becomes available.   I’m sure that there is a book of things to say………. All bollocks, and all written and said by people who are the problem rather than the answer to the problem. 

Strangely the Rotherham Trust's own Web Site says that the budget cut needs to be £20M by 2014, (HERE for the NHS version)  so already disinformation is being spread wide which appears to be this Governments tool of choice.  

I would suggest that we need to look more closely at the story though. The News Feed says that they announced in 2011 that they would have to save £50M and that by the end of this financial year £20M will have been saved.  They also say that 250 jobs per year will have been lost 2011 / 12 /13   hmmmmmmm

While we are at it can someone explain why a growing Rotherham needs a “smaller Hospital”?   Use the comment section at the bottom.

And once again on Saturday our the Streets of Rotherham were full of Policemen.  The reason?  The National Front were in Town.  The number of Police was around 800 again.  Number of National Front Marchers – around 40.  Forty too many, but the hastily organised multi-cultural event in All Saint’s Square did have over hundred.

There are rumours that other Fascist Organisations have applied to March through Rotherham all using the “sex grooming” issue as their reason for doing so.  Strangely they have not chosen Leeds or Scarborough, where Jimmy did his work, or outside “The Leaders” house in London (allegedly) .   One hopes that the Police will bring these farces to an end.  I’ll defend the right of anyone to march through the streets of Rotherham, but the moment they utter hate slogans or show themselves to racist then the right to March is lost.

I’ve just seen the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire rolling off a load of rubbish about why these right wind fascists have the right to march through Rotherham at the expense of the rights of the citizens of the Town to go about their business in a safe and orderly manner.   He was sounding like an apologist for the “right wing” indeed it would appear that he is looking for a fight at the expense of Rotherham.  I’m pretty sure that if these Marches were going off in Sheffield City Centre – well, they just wouldn’t!  

I hope Rotherham Council tell the Police exactly where to go if they come looking for money towards the cost of these operations. 

But not everything that us angels do is right and proper though.  A rumour circulated amongst the arts and political community that a certain Pub was going to act as the initial base of the visit of the NF.  RUMOUR  is the operative word.   Despite this there were talks of boycotts and some people were even being a little stronger about the new Land Lord’s intentions.   As it turned out it was the POLICE who had asked the Land Lord to open for the NF, whose response was to close until 5pm on the day of the demo.

The damage that rumours do can be irreversible.   I know.  The rumour that The Masher is a power crazed egoist, with a hard core of mercenary running through the centre, are of course understated and this has affected my reputation in Rotherham enormously.   

Seriously though when it’s someone’s business and livelihood we should not say a thing until clear evidence is available. 

I did hear, or see an argument that suggested that all the pub had to do was make a statement.  Personally I think that is very close to the very political philosophy of the very people we are seeking to oppose.   Let’s hold back and give people the benefit of doubt until proved otherwise, and of course give people the freedom to decide themselves.

What is clear though is that we in the anti-fascist contingent need to get better organised.  Once again it would have been difficult to argue that the All Saint’s Square Event on Saturday was truly multi-cultural.  That’s not a reason for us not to protest at the appearance of the NF in Rotherham, but it really would be fantastic if we could truly involve all Rotherham Communities, rather than what I lovingly refer to as the usual suspects. 

I know that there are moves to bring together a Rotherham UAF Group or Hope Not Hate Group.  If it is to succeed we need all the Communities involved.

On the Fringe Festival scene.   It was a quiet week with just the two RAE events at The Old Market Gallery.   So difficult to understand why the artists were unable to break into the Gallery on Wednesday night for the last of the Wednesday Acoustic Clubs.  I’m sure we’ll eventually get to the bottom of it and it will of course involve, murder and kidnap at the very highest levels of the Arts establishment in Rotherham.   I myself could do nothing, 1. I was laid out, 2. I don’t have keys.  By the time had managed to find a Gallery person it was far too late and the artists were all drunk in the Pub.  Well done them.

Saturday saw the second and final Saturday Brunch Club of the season.  It’s a pity we could not have done more of these as I think of the Wednesday’s and Saturday acoustic sessions the Saturday’s might well have been the most successful. 

David tells me that there were more people in this week and of course I know that we had some excellent guests as well as session singers.  My thanks to all for keeping that going.

We are now into the final few days of the Fringe Festival.  Two events remain.  On Tuesday night John McCullagh, son John, Special Effects, Phil Sinclair and Alan McGee will be in Town at The Charters.  This is a sort of free / donate please evening, and represents an amazing evening of music of all genre. 

Then on Wednesday at The Charters we have the fantastic Sheedyfrost, honestly not one to be missed, see last week’s Blog for the special.  Sheedyfrost will be supported by Tina McKevitt and Matt Hegarty, and we will presenting Karen with her awards for winning the Fringe Festival Logo.   Karen also did the main logos for Slamfest and Banners High.    Our thanks to Karen for all her support throughout 2012, along Nigel of course who she cannot be without when on stage as Swansong Acoustic.  Swansong plugged were the first Band on Stage at Slamfest. 

So please come along and give Karen a cheer or two besides listening to some fantastic songs.

Some sad news.  During the Festival hiatus it was sad to bump into Bob Humphries and be told that Florin have gone their separate ways.   Florin had a fast growing reputation for high quality music on the acoustic scene and were frequent guests in the pubs of Rotherham and Sheffield as well as popular Festival performers. 

Bob tells me that he is currently taking stock and will be heading out solo for a bit.  Rob on the other hand I believe is working on a musical project with his girlfriend.  

Just a word for MoHawk Promotions who put on an amazing night of Punk at The Charters on Friday night.  Really wish I had been able to get there myself, but I was still very much on a short lead. 

And yes, because there was a high risk that I might go stir crazy my keeper, Mrs Masher took me out on Saturday night; but only as far as the Club where Past Masters, that well known Band from the Club Circuit were in residence. I know I'm a fine one to talk, but I have to say that the technical ability of the Band lacked a bit, a few missed lead ins, chords, etc but hey, this is Party time music from the fifties and sixties, and to be honest does anyone care by 11:00pm? 

Good luck to both –   and of course we’ll miss Martin and his big violin thing,

Over the next few days more pics and stuff will be going onto the Fringe Festival Web Site, access them via the links HERE

And so we head into November………………….. yikes.    I’ve got the Diary page up but at the moment it just covers the regular fixtures, I’ll be putting the December page up soon as well.   More attention to them over the next few days.   November is HERE 

Please keep an eye on Emails etc this week as ROMP are in the process of deciding whether to call off Friday night’s Meeting of the Clan.  From what I can ascertain many of the poets are attending other events, “representing” ROMP around South Yorkshire and so it’s thought not worthwhile to hold the event.   I believe one or two ROMPERS not going to the Sheffield venues might well meet at The Bridge for a smaller word slam.

And don’t forget that over the hill in Sheffield Play On will be singing their hearts out at The Rutland.

I would remind you that the Festival Exhibition at the Old Market Gallery is now closed, but I’m assured that there is another excellent one moving in and will be opening in November – more news later. 

And during early November Cupola Gallery which can be found over in Hillsborough has a series of Tutor Free Printing Workshops.   More details available HERE

Watch out for major changes to the Poets Corner on the Acoustic Rotherham Site. Chris Bilton has joined the Team to keep the page up to date.   And our thanks to Carol Robson for her contribution towards getting the page started – Carol’s a busy lady at the moment and we wish her every success with all of her current projects.

I’ll be catching up with a lot of the stuff that has been missed or overlooked during the Fringe Festival

RAE will be going into a period of quiet contemplation, while promoting some mighty good one off events mind you.   However, we do need to give some thought as to what 2013 is going to hold for us.  This will of course require some thought about the events promoted in 2012, Banners High, Slamfest and the ROAF Fringe.  All have had their highlights and of course low lights. 

We want your involvement, and we know that you don’t like attending meetings too much so if you’ve got a view then please send us an Email expressing your concerns. Email HERE

And I think that brings things to a conclusion of this week’s Blog.

Whatever you are doing this week, have great fun, support your local artists and KEEP IT LIVE