Mayor Milton Mckenzie OBE

Interview with the Mayor of Barking & Dagenham

Emdad Rahman

Mayor Milton McKenzie MBE is serving a one year term as the first citizen of the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham.

Mayor McKenzie attended Bethnal Green and Tottenham Technical College. He was elected to the Council in 1998 as a member for Gascoigne Ward and then for Chadwell Heath Ward, Mayor McKenzie has served on various committees. His roles have included Chair of the Labour Group and of the Development Control Board and Cabinet Member with responsibility for environmental and sustainability issues. Mayor McKenzie served as Chairman of the East London Waste Authority for 6 years, co-ordinating the work of 4 boroughs.

Politics has always been a passion for the Mayor. He was employed at the Lotus Racing Car Company and Ford Motor Company for over 26 years, before becoming a shop steward in the 1970’s and was involved for many years with the trade union as an elected member on many committees.

In these roles he fought tirelessly for the rights and working conditions of the workers. As an Executive Member of South East Regional Trade Union Council, a member of the GMB National Committee for Race and Equal Rights and as Chair of the London Regional Race and Equal Rights Committee, Mayor McKenzie actively contributed to the campaign for equal rights for the diverse workforce at Ford Motor Company.

With his passion for diversity and equality of opportunity, he provided advice to groups and individuals and assisted in community events in Barking and Dagenham. For this work he received an MBE:  “Politics with a small ‘p’ has been a feature of my life. I was a card carrying student at College, and became very active in politics during the 70’s. I fought with others for the Government to retain Grammar schools. For me the notion that a person cannot elevate themselves in education because of a lack of finances is a laughable one.”

Mayor McKenzie has represented Barking and Dagenham Council as a School Governor at various junior and comprehensive schools, serving Gascoigne, Marks Gate and Chadwell Heath. He has also represented Barking and Dagenham locally and nationally at various public events.

The Mayor hasn’t taken a backseat from his daily grind, in fact these duties are in tandem with the role he plays in representing those who voted for him. “I enjoy meeting people,” he said. As the Mayor I represent our community and my role involves raising the profile of this great borough.”

Mayor McKenzie has enjoyed living in the borough for many years: “We have good people, true people. Sure there are pockets of people who are discontented, but that is the same everywhere. I am proud of the way the people and politicians have rallied round to cope with the devastation of imposed cuts. We are a good borough.”

Mayor McKenzie is a staunch advocate of education: “Education in Barking & Dagenham is second to none. We should be proud of this. I am passionate about enabling young people to access educational opportunities and benefit from them. After all, they are our tomorrow.” 

Political participation is key in the borough, the Mayor’s advice: “Parliament and politics has a part to play in every household. Too many people think politics is miniscule. It is the deciding factor in each and everyone’s life. If you get involved you make a direct contribution towards shaping how your life goes.”

The Mayor believes that young people must take politics by the horns and be supported and encouraged to do so: “Do good unto man! Believe in what you’re doing. Education is the first objective. Young people should know the history of what they seek and work very hard to achieve their objectives because there are opportunities out there. Stand by your principles and do not sell out. Be good and honest, for a lie has to be covered by a bigger lie, and so forth.

  

The Mayor say’s that I am the most famous person he’s met. After my broad grin had subsided and I had got over the fact that it was a tongue in cheek response, I posed the question again: “I was honoured to meet the grandson of Mahatmi Gandhi, who was a hero of mine. I also met Martin Luther King’s grand-daughter and shared a platform with her. I have also met Nelson Mandela’s grandson.  All are very special people who left a positive mark on me.”

“The best part of being Mayor is you get to see inside and outside the borough. You also get to see the borough from the outside. We all need to achieve the same objectives, though how we reach our goal may vary.”

Education is not restricted and I applaud mature learners who take the initiative to learn a new skill, art or subject. It enhances our community to no end.”

Mayor McKenzie became the Youth Development Officer for Barking and Dagenham through Essex County Cricket. He has a passion for all sports and has enjoyed playing football and golf. Cricket was his main sport. He served on the Ford Sports Executive Committee for many years and was Chairman of Ford Sports Cricket Club. He arranged games, tours and developed the Colts section and was involved in coaching and umpiring. He has also been a member of Barking and Dagenham Sports Council for many years.

The Mayor’s charity is “Living the dream,”which supports young people to achieve their goals through sports and recreation.  “Barking & Dagenham has a rich sporting history and this is a great medium to help people. Not everybody who is supported by this charity will become Olympians, but they stand a chance of becoming disciplined humans and good sports people. “

It’s been a pleasure meeting the Mayor.   A gentleman who has combined belief and hard work to get to where he is. A humble man, he signs off:  “If I can do it, anyone can!”

Twenty's Cricket League

Twenty’s Plenty Cricket League, East London’s answer to India’s IPL twenty20 cricket competition is now half way through the season and the competition for the knock-out stages of the competition is hotting up.

East Enders CC lead Group One with Network AK Stars CC and Prince CC in second and third positions. In Group Two, Amez CC lead United League CC and Kothi CC.

This Saturday all teams play double headers in what should be a festival of twenty20 cricket at Hainault Recreation Ground, Forest Road.

Pic: Alam Zaman: Sports Correspondent - East London News

London Tigers Women's Celebration Event

Bethnal Green & Bow MP Rushanara Ali was in attendance as London Tigers Tower Hamlets women held an achievement awards ceremony at Stepney Green School. Ms Ali attended as a special guest to distribute awards along with Mesba Ahmed, CEO of London Tigers. 

The ladies were excited to have such a distinguished guest join their celebrations. The ceremony marked both the women’s achievements and the Bengali New Year and was attended by almost 100 members, families and friends.

The women participants are members of the aerobics and fitness sessions that London Tigers runs across Tower Hamlets in Stepney Green School, Ben Johnson School and Tudor Lodge. It is attended by women of all backgrounds including the hard to reach communities comprising of Bengali, Somali and Arab women.

“These sessions help women enhance their heart levels, health, muscular endurance, self-esteem, energy level and blood supply,” said Asma Pathan, a qualified fitness instructor who coaches the sessions for London Tigers. “As well as the physical activities, the women learn about how to lead a healthy lifestyle.”

Abdal Ullah meets Rushanara Ali

Councillor Abdal Ullah, the highly popular Betar Bangla talk show host will be interviewing Rushanara Ali, the Bethnal Green & Bow MP live on his show this Friday.

For Abdal meets Rushanara, tune in to Betar Bangla, 1503 AM at 7pm.

Online listeners can listen live by visiting www.betarbangla.org.uk

Be nice to nerds

Blooming Barking

Barking Park on the hottest day of the year...

Today's origami

Keegan....Dalglish....Beardsley....and now Suarez...

Liverpool - Seven still the magic number at Anfield

Original article

Imagine you're a gifted footballer about to hit your peak years with your native club. The best team in the country come calling and break the bank to sign you as a replacement for their greatest ever player.
More significantly, the man that signed the cheque is none other than Liverpool's greatest ever player. The scenario gives you an idea of the esteem that acquisition is held in.

Meet Peter Beardsley, a product of the academy known as the Wallsend Boys Club, and the man signed for £1.9 million to take over a colossal mantle.

King Kenny chose Beardsley as the man to take over his creative attacker's role, and in doing so broke the British transfer record to sign the Geordie from Newcastle. Expectations were high and the famed Number 7 shirt now held by 'El Pistolero' Luis Suarez, had now passed from Keegan, Dalglish to Beardsley.
Beardsley had not taken the scenic route to Anfield, having played for Carlisle United, Vancouver Whitecaps, and witnessed rejection by Big Ron and Manchester United. Atkinson signed Beardsley for £250.000 before sending him back to Canada less than a year later, with only a paltry league cup appearance against Bournemouth under his belt.

Ironically Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign Beardsley for United in 1987 and tabled a £2 million bid, but Willie McFaul the Newcastle gaffer said he would not sell to Fergie for £3 million. Thus Beardsley became the fulcrum of Liverpool's new look strike force.

Beardsley had impressed domestically and internationally. England's stuttering 1986 World Cup fortunes had kicked into gear after the late Sir Bobby Robson paired Beardsley with Lineker in the final group game against Poland – a 3-0 win. The Geordie retained his place and scored in the 3-0 win over Paraguay in the last sixteen. Beardsley (1) and Lineker (6) scored all of England's goals at Mexico.

LFCHISTORY.NET highlights Beardo's sentiments at joining Liverpool: "I'd probably decided to sign for Liverpool even before I met Kenny Dalglish. Newcastle had made it clear they wanted me to go and no other club had come in with a firm offer.

"Kenny Dalglish wanted to sign good players and build a great team. A few weeks earlier Liverpool had bought John Barnes from Watford and I fancied the idea to play alongside him.

"They had also signed John Aldridge from Oxford and I knew he was a reliable goalscorer. They received a lot of money for Ian Rush but were prepared to spend it to achieve success. The talks went so smoothly that we agreed terms within an hour."

Beardo slotted in naturally at Anfield and formed a new killer triumvirate with Aldridge and Barnes. He finished his first season with 18 goals, second to Aldridge.

Nicknamed Ceefax for his opulent football knowledge, Beardsley was one of the best English forwards of that era and a key member of the great 80s team. The Beardsley shimmy had arrived, and Kenny Dalglish's men served breathtaking football on a platter. Beardo, Aldo, Barnes and Houghton galloped forward at every given opportunity, achieving devastating results.

By the end of the season Liverpool had walked away with the title, losing the FA Cup final to Wimbledon. Beardsley netted in the final but referee Brian Hill had blown the whistle moments earlier and the goal was ruled out.

Lawrie Sanchez's deft header and Dave Beasant's reflexes from Aldridge's penalty resulted in Bobby Gould's Plough Lane boys causing one of the greatest giant killings in F.A Cup final history.

Gary Lineker, England's second-most prolific goal scorer once described Beardsley as 'the best partner I could ever have' In a ten year England career between 1986 and 1996 Beardo earned 59 caps, scoring nine times. The total would have been more but Graham Taylor largely ignored the mercurial front man. Taylor's tactics preferred the employment of target men such as Alan Smith.

Beardo played at Hillsborough where the game that witnessed Britain's worst football tragedy was whistled to a stop by Ray Lewis shortly after he hit the Forest crossbar. After John Aldridge was sold, Beardsley was paired with the most prolific hit man in Liverpool's history and enjoyed a partnership with Ian Rush.
By 1991 Dalglish had been replaced by Graeme Souness and with the arrival of Welshman Dean Saunders and the possible signing of Mo Johnston, Beardsley crossed Stanley Park to join Everton. It was a highly premature decision that showed a clear lack of football judgement.

There were no repercussions. The fans blamed the board. At Everton and then at Kevin Keegan's Newcastle, Beardsley produced some of the best football of his career.

Beardo played 175 games for Liverpool, scoring 59 goals. His balance, vision, dribbling, trickery and eye for a killer pass made him the ideal foil for striking greats such as Lineker, Aldridge, Rush and Cole.
Beardsley's finest personal moment in A Red shirt came in 1990 when he scored a hat trick against arch rivals Manchester United - a feat that stood until Dirk Kuyt repeated it in 2011. The 4-0 hammering riled the Red Devils so much that the late Les Sealey denied Beardsley the match ball by booting it into the crowd after the final whistle.

He also scored one and assisted two in the 5-0 demolition of Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in 1988. It is a game that is symptomatic of Liverpool's style of play during the 70's and 80's.

The Northumberland man was voted 19th in the 2006 poll of 100 players who shook the Kop.

Disclaimer: The views in this article are that of the writer and may not replicate those of the Professional Footballers' Association.

Stan Bowles – The demon footballer

In the Indy there’s talk of Alan Hudson
Nonpareil Frank Worthington
Stan Bowles the snake charmer
All with less caps than Carlton Palmer

Always one to go in headfirst
Bad boy from Northern Collyhurst
Loftus Road when the winter was harsh
Took the number ten from Rodney Marsh

Toppled the F.A Cup off its perch
Stan defied behavioural research
“Bets” rumours were wide of the mark
Still an Invasion at Roker Park

Brush with Clough and a cruel break up
No final of the European Cup
All of five caps under Alf Ramsey,
Joe Mercer and Donald Revie

"If Stan could pass a betting shop like he can pass a football,
“He would be all right" was Ernie Tagg’s catcall
Allure of the horses caused much strife
So Tagg gave Bowles' wages to his wife

Number 7
© Emdad Rahman
http://www.football-poems.com/

Today's Origami

Well yesterday - Lily & Crane...

Champions League Trophy

Couples therapy

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, 'relatives of yours?'
'Yep,' the wife replied, 'in-laws.'

Imagining with John Lennon

The Imagine with John Lennon theatre experience with young people.

Paul Hawksbee

Paul Hawksbee was co-founder of 90 minutes football magazine. I used to buy every issue and it was simply untouchable as the best weekly football mag in the market. I was gutted when it stopped circulating.

Paul was at Hyde park during the Champions League Festival. During a charity match for the Bobby Moore fund for Cancer Research UK, Paul's Talksport comrades were battered by the Houses of Parliament FC.

Near the end we strategically moved near the entrance in the hope of nabbing Paul. Imagine my delight when we were able to get easy access. Here we pose with the Talksport legend, a genuine and thoroughly nice gentleman. The kids now have a face to the guy that drives them nuts on the drive home from school.

Listen to the deadly double act - Paul Hawksbee & Andy Jacobs every weekday at 1-4 pm on 1053 - 1089 on the medium wave.

Jay Sadogar

I attended a super comedy workshop with Jay and was totally bowled over by this master Comedian. Jay is a real artist  and it was a real pleasure working with a professional Comedian.

I particularly enjoyed being coached by Jay and hope that an opportunity arises as such again in the future.

The most important lesson learnt was appreciating the finer technical aspect of comedy, and how much skill, thought and direction these guys add to their on stage delivery of comedy acts is mind boggling.

Jay's website.

Meeting Graeme Le Saux

Met Graeme Le Saux , UEFA Champions Festival ambassador at the Hyde Park Champions League Festival 2011. Graeme was smashing, and we enjoyed some banter with the Channel islander. 

Blooming Tower hamlets

Wapping...

Today's Origami

Pick a Paisley tie...

Man in black

Emdad Rahman

Im glad to say that I've earned my refereeing stripes after being put in charge of the Smithy Street pupils and parents/ carers football 5 a side tournament as part of Father's week.

With the lack of notice I wasnt able to don my referee attire but my traditional dress in my customary colour added a new tint to the concept of the "man in black."

We were also involved in a recording for a report on Father's week by a Ukranian TV Station. And no, my in play decisions will not be mulled over by Ukraine's very own equivalent of Lineker, Shearer, Hansen, Lawrenson and Dixon.

Summing it up as the man in the middle I thought I was more Pierluigi Collina meets Derek Trotter - not a bad on pitch personality I'd say. I even threatened to brandish the cards to competitive parents a few times.
It was a very good event with six teams and plenty of banter, enjoyment and camaraderie.

On a high I texted Derek Bennett, the boroughs football development officer after the final. Derek let me join a cohort two tears ago to study for our badges.

The man in black has one of the hardest jobs in the world, what with all the technology scrutinising the finer details of every single blade of grass on a pitch.

After taking charge for a few hours, I think I quite like this refereeing lark and may actually take on a few more games.

Former Red working towards Anfield return

Liverpool - Didi Hamann dreams of managing his old club
By Emdad Rahman
Original article..

Dietmar 'Didi' Hamann holds the distinction of being the last player to score at the old Wembley before the twin Towers were bulldozed to make way for the new and majestic arena that we have today.

Bayern Munich came calling early and Didi from Waldsassen was snapped up at the age of sixteen by one of European football’s biggest clubs.

Amongst a myriad of German superstars, Didi was able to witness and learn from the great Lothar Matthäus. At Bayern he also rubbed shoulders with Jürgen Klinsmann and fellow Red Christian Ziege.

Giovanni Trappatoni recognised Hamann’s distinct midfield ability and gave him an extended run in 1996/97. In a position in the middle of a formation that became a frequent and flourishing pattern of play – Hamann’s presence allowed the mercurial Mario Basler to take centre stage and wreak havoc on opposing rearguards.

It was King Kenny that gave Didi his Premiership breakthrough – signing him for Newcastle for £5.5 million. Gerard Houllier followed suit by shelling out £8 million to lure Didi from St James' Park to Anfield in 1999.
At Anfield, the midfield general became the steadying influence, the right presence for the likes of Gerrard to embark on free spirited midfield rampages.

With a wiry frame, Didi was a highly intelligent player, with vision and an invaluable and calming influence. His slender build and long rangy stride were used to great effect to enforce and break down opposition attacks. Attacking forays often ended with a blistering shot on goal.

In 2001 Didi featured prominently in Gerard Houllier’s F.A Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup winning teams. In 2002 The Bavarian Bomber also became the second Liverpool player since Roger Hunt to play in the World Cup final.

Didi’s greatest game was in Istanbul during that unforgettable Champions League final. With the Reds 3-0 down against a seemingly rampant Milan, Rafa sent on Didi to replace Finnan, to quell the threat of Kaka and avoid total annihilation.

Liverpool’s reshaped midfield allowed Gerrard to revert to his ram raiding best. Didi’s sense of movement and awareness of play, coupled with a solid holding presence allowed Gerrard and the creative Alonso and Smicer to run riot. It was a beautiful substitution and the catalyst for the greatest football comeback of all time.

Didi also scored from the shootout and it later transpired that he had played out the game with a broken toe. He said later: "About five minutes from the end of extra-time this sudden pain told me there was something wrong.

"When I took my penalty, all that mattered was that I scored. I remember the Liverpool team doctor putting some ice on it afterwards but we were walking on air by then. It was only in the following few days that the swelling got worse and by time I showed it to the German team doctor it had turned blue."

Didi played for Germany from 1997 to 2006. He joined Man City revolution in 2006 and stayed for three years. In 2010 he become player coach at MK Dons and joined Leicester City as first-team coach under Sven-Göran Eriksson in 2011.

There was also talk that Didi would join Dalglish’s backroom staff. A model of Teutonic efficiency, Didi will learn well from Sven and his next step as always will be a measured one. It seems he is assured a long managerial career. After all Didi has a dream – to manage Liverpool one day.

Londoners wouldn’t want to live anywhere else

New online research from YouGov’s London Omnibus reveals that Londoners believe house/rental prices do not represent good value for money. 

However, despite this they would not want to live anywhere else in the UK.

68% of London homeowners disagree with the statement ‘House prices in London represent good value for money’. Interestingly, a higher proportion of female homeowners (76%) disagreed with this statement. Just 58% of male homeowners shared the same sentiment.

Similarly, nearly three quarters of renters in London (74%) disagree with the statement ‘The cost of renting in London represents good value for money’. Renters who worked full time were most disgruntled as 80% chose to disagree with the aforementioned statement.

However, over half of homeowners and renters in London (54% and 52% respectively) agree with the statement ‘At the moment, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the UK’.

Today's Origami

Crane...

GMF remembers a true Kop legend: Kevin Keegan

Liverpool - King Kev left a lasting legacy

By Emdad Rahman

Original article

With a heart of oak and enough raw energy to light up Anfield, Keegan Keegan is indeed one of the most celebrated footballers to have played for Liverpool.

Rejected by his native Doncaster, sunny Scunny was the first port of call for Keegan in 1968. But, earmarked for a calling to a higher office, he left Scunthorpe in 1971 to join the Red revolution at Liverpool.

Keegan was the glittering superstar in Bill Shankly's team and his transition to Bob Paisley's ship was a smooth one. His superstar status remained intact and it was unprecedented success all the way as Paisley's Liverpool men fulfilled Shankly's dream and legacy.

Keegan brilliantly spearheaded the Liverpool attack as the red half of Merseyside racked up three league titles, an FA Cup, UEFA Cup and the European Cup during 7 years of dazzling service. At Anfield Mighty Mouse's little and large pairing with Welshman John Toshack is revered as a cult partnership, and within the top five of Liverpool's greatest strike duos.

Keegan was an outstanding servant to Liverpool where his speed of movement and thought, wholeheartedness, and lethal shooting boots made him the darling of the Kop. For a small man, Keegan possessed a mighty salmon-like leap and his timing and accuracy left many a big defender in his wake.
There was also a red hot streak within the armoury with the famous Wembley Charity Shield spat with Mr William Bremner springing to mind.

Though Johnny Giles was at fault Keegan wasn't to know and turned on the Leeds terrier. The pint-sized pair traded punches and sent off, hurling their shirts to the ground. Both received a £500 fine and banned for 11 games - laughably eight were for throwing down the shirts.

In the 1974 FA Cup final against Newcastle, Keegan scored just before the hour mark after Brian Hall had dummied a cross into his path. The BBC's David Coleman was in raptures, proclaiming: "Goals pay the rent, Keegan does his share!"

An unforgettable moment of the game featured Keegan tapping in to complete a fluid chain of 13 Liverpool passes to make it 3-0.

Renowned for making bold spur of the moment decisions, the 1975-76 footballer of the year announced that he would be leaving at the end of the season to join SV Hamburg. Englishmen did not generally travel well, so it was a surprising career choice. The half a million pound transfer broke the British and Bundesliga transfer records.

Many Kopites became apprehensive that Keegan's departure to the German giants would leave an irreplaceable abyss..

They were very wrong. Paisley had lined up a replacement from north of the border – a wee lad called Kenneth Mathieson Daglish. It was the start of a new chapter in the glorious history of Liverpool FC.
King Kev won the league title with Hamburg and also reached the final of the European Cup, and Keegan was rewarded with the European player of the year accolades in 1978 and 1979.

The Yorkshireman, capped 63 times, scoring 21 goals for England, was always an ardent man who let his emotions occasionally run amok. This was sometimes to his disadvantage. His finger prodding 'I would love it if we could beat them' outburst on Sky is a remarkable moment in the history of the Premier League.

"Only one team can win this now – England," shouted Keegan to ITV viewers moments before Dan Petrescu struck a Romanian winner in the 1998 World Cup showdown with England.

It is these moments that have added to the Kev's legend and a reason why there is genuine warmth felt by fans towards the ex England boss.

Mighty Mouse may have gone on to become a managerial top dog, but it was his performances on the luscious green grass of Anfield which made him a Kop legend.

Arif Abdurrahmaan receives national sports award

Emdad Rahman

Arif Abdurrahmaan, a P.E Teacher at the London Islamic School (LIS), a Muslim Secondary school for Boys has been awarded the Nida Trust National Muslim Teachers' Creativity and Innovation Sports Award for 2011.

Guests at the event sponsored by Muslim Aid heard how Arif
set up and organised the annual United Madrasah Championships projects.

The prestigious gala dinner was attended by more than 400 delegates and senior educationalists and trainers.

The awards were judged by a panel of senior educationalists, including Dr Jacek Brant, Head of Faculty at the Institute of Education, Rukshana Yaqoob, Regional Adviser - National Strategies, Department of Education, Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari, the former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Ofsted Inspector Amjad Malik and Phillip Preedy, Director, Ascot education.

The Judges deemed the United Madrasah Championships as a very innovative project, used as a stepping stone to promote excellence in sport amongst Muslim schools.

The United Madrasah Championships are inter school competitions involving all the Muslim boys secondary schools in Tower Hamlets, including London Islamic School, London East Academy, Mazahirul Uloom, Jamiatul Ummah and Darul Hadis Latifiah. Currently there are two annual competitions, an Athletics Championships and a Football Championship tournament. There are further plans to participate at dragon boat racing events.

An overwhelmed Arif said: "I personally accept this award on behalf of everyone involved in this project, including the London Islamic School staff and student volunteers, for this has always been about team effort.

"I would also like to extend my gratitude to all the other schools involved for their participation as the events would not be what they are without their contribution and efforts.

"Sport is something that has always been very dear to me, especially during my childhood. It was one of the key factors which developed my skills and occupied a lot of my time, allowing me to abstain from anti social behaviour."

The Headteacher of London Islamic School, Abdul Hadi Mamon said: "Arif Abdurrahmaan has worked tirelessly and passionately on this project and continues to do so. I am extremely pleased that he has been recognised not just locally, but nationally for his efforts and pray he continues with the hard work he is doing at the school."

London Islamic School is a growing establishment and recently featured in a successful inspection in March 2011, obtaining an overall "Good with outstanding features."

The school has also gone through an expansion project after obtaining access to a new section on the 1st floor and 2nd floor. There are still spaces available for year 7's to start in September 2011.

Please check www.londonislamicschool.org for further information on admission procedures.

QUEEN HONOURS LINDA AUSTIN WITH O.B.E

Linda Austin, ex headteacher of Swanlea School has been awarded the O.B.E. for her services to the school and to education.

Linda was Headteacher of Swanlea School, which is deemed by OFSTED to be outstanding, for 18 years. She said, "I am proud to accept this award in recognition of the sustained effort of all the staff, governors, parents and pupils of Swanlea School in making it the great school it is."

Brenda Landers, current Headteacher of Swanlea School added: "All of us at Swanlea are absolutely delighted that Linda's hard work and dedication has been acknowledged in such a wonderful way. It is thoroughly well-deserved and we are thrilled for her."

Habib Rahman, Chair of Governors for Swanlea School said: "I am delighted for Linda. It is wonderful. I always knew that her services to education will one day be recognised. Her dedication and commitment to her pupils achieving has been her strength."

Today's Origami

Horses again...

Today's Origami

The Kop prepares to welcome a modern day hero

Liverpool - Jordan Henderson joins the Red revolution

By Emdad Rahman

Original article 

Anfield is buzzing after rising England star Jordan Henderson joined Kenny Dalglish’s glittering entourage.  

Henderson’s seismic transfer fee, the esteem with which he is held in by fellow professionals and commentators, coupled with his demeanour and talent has many fans excited at the golden prospects on offer. 

Whilst the case for an over inflated fee is debated, King Kenny has paid for raw ability and potential. Together with Steve Clarke’s coaching acumen this looks like a typical round pegs for round holes transfer by Dalglish.  

King Kenny has seen something in the former Stadium of Light star and I believe he could be Liverpool’s short term answer to Jack Wilshere and long term replacement for Steven Gerrard. As a Liverpool fan if it’s good enough for Kenny it’s good enough for me. 

Here I have compiled some facts about the latest red recruit.... 

• Henderson joined Sunderland at the age of seven. 

• A teenaged Henderson was educated at Farringdon Community Sports College before joining the Black Cats. 

• During a loan spell at Coventry in 2009, Henderson fractured the fifth metatarsal in his foot. 

• Henderson’s potential was spotted early by a man who knows a few things about midfield play. Roy Keane gave the Mackem his football debut. 

• Henderson began to emerge as a rising young talent after briefly replacing the absent Lee Cattermole in the Sunderland engine room.
 

• Henderson scored his first goal against Birmingham City during a League Cup tie in 2009–10. A maiden Premier League strike against Blackburn Rovers came soon after. 

• Recognition from his peers led to Henderson being voted the young player of the year in 2009/10. 

• The new Kop star’s brace against Wigan in April helped end a barren run of nine winless games for Steve Bruce’s side. 

• This year FIFA listed Henderson amongst its 13 players to watch list, adding: Composed, athletic and powerful, Henderson has been hailed as “the best young British footballer there is” by his Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce. 

• Fabio Capello also recognised the midfielder’s talent by handing him a first senior England cap in November, while Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed a public interest in prising Henderson from his hometown team.” Amongst the list were Youssef Al Arabi, Romelu Lukaku, David De Gea, and Erik Lamela. 

• Henderson does not drink, smoke and shies away from the stereotypically overbearing footballers lifestyle. He has admitted to being ‘a bit boring’ 

• The choice tipple for Liverpool’s £20 million starlet is J20. 

• Liverpool secured the signature of the rising star of the North East, after beating off periodic interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Man City. 

• Henderson’s football hero is Ryan Giggs. 

Janus Youth

7th - 12th June 2011 Daily 11am-7pm or by appointment from Griffin Rayne Gallery

Youth culture an interesting concept; we revere it by saying culture, but in the next breath we revile it. Do we long for it, in all its rose-tinted glory, or fear it as an unknown, restless and angry quantity?

There is an inescapable but dark quality to the idea of youth: we love it, cannot be without it, but it stalks our ordered selves, watching, knowing and gloating. If you subscribe to the view of when I was young it was all different, you should look at this exhibition.

If your poison however is the youth of today, then embrace its continuing counter-culture, energy, anger and militancy represented by the contemporary movement. This exhibition brings together elements of the yesterday and tomorrow of humanity. It makes an interesting juxtaposition; mature artists retrospection of youth bound together with young artist’s vision of themselves and the world as they see it now. Together these artists show a perspective which is often lost in generalisations.

Harold Eldridge leads traditional views of what was; his innocent and beautiful depiction of Penny for the Guy is surely the epitome of everything innocent about adolescence. Running in this same vein are artists such as John Christoforou, Bernard Meninsky, John Bratby, Patrick Proktor, Sarah Lederman and Stanley Lewis. As a counter balance to these is a grungier, deliberately toughened view by the youth of todays experience.

Andrew Salgado leads the way in both respects; romanticism to a point but underscored with rebellion, frenetic energy and passion. Sharon McPhee, Azadeh Fatehrad, Jenny Evans and sculptor Neil Hedger enhance a line up which cuts across modern painting and sculpture to produce a vision of ourselves which in some cases uncomfortable, is more often than not, utterly true.

Every young person, like every artist, strives against what has gone before in the effort to create a newer, brighter, more liberated present. Whether traditional or contemporary in approach this contribution is invaluable, history will judge if it is good.

'Pixels Paused'

By Caroline Hall

The DegreeArt.com Gallery, 12a Vyner Street, London, E2 9DG

1st June – 3rd July 2011 12-6pm DAILY

DegreeArt.com is proud to present CAROLINE HALL and her third exciting and thought provoking show at the DegreeArt.com Gallery.

A new series of abstract work based on digital video imagery. Caroline’s work reflects a life surrounded by the moving image. In this digital age, her work is supplementary to the way in which life is constantly lived through lenses. It’s captured beautifully in the paintbrush of Caroline’s ‘moving Pixels’

Stripping back the process of production, ‘Pixels Paused’ was created through inspired visual reference, individual frames as well as looped video footage. Obviously more painterly in their approach these paintings still clearly reference their digital roots.

“Working with projection is an important part of my work but the process had become too refined, too predictable.  These paintings are all about my attempts to create a physical and material presence out of something that is essentially cold and transitory”.

StillEven

ALANA LAKE

“Alana Lake is restless. She will not be what you want her to be. Refusing to be typecast, she does not fit into one of the half dozen or so categories which critics use to traverse contemporary art photography. She could easily fit into several; or all of them; and more besides.” David Evans, 2011

The Aubin Gallery is pleased to announce a solo exhibition of  photography and video by Royal Academy of Arts graduate Alana Lake.

Lake has a playful approach to image making, incorporating  intervention and jarring composition. Juxtaposition is employed as a tool for introducing a non-linear fantasy narrative; atomised fragments collide to invoke the mythology of Lake’s

connection with her surroundings.

Although her photographs are an account of what Lake sees  and feels, the work is also intended to operate on a more universal level; hinting at our shared reality of dislocation, obsession, isolation, loss and desire. Lake has a recurring set of motifs that feature in her work; birds, hands, inversion and symmetry which symbolize freedom, death, rebellion and beauty in her personal iconography.

Lake (born 1981) is a young British artist, from a small town, Tamworth in Staffordshire. She has an international exhibitions record, having shown in London, Milan, Turin, Helsinki and Zurich.

3 June – 30 June 2011

http://www.aubingallery.com

Stepney...

Strolling down the Lane

Tottenham Hotspur Club Tour
Emdad Rahman
 
It's not everyday when you're welcomed to one of football’s most famous institutions, given a comprehensive tour and allowed to experience the view from the director's box whilst posing questions in the press conference room.
 
Well our group were given access to all areas on a unique tour of the home of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
 
White Hart Lane has been the historic home of Tottenham Hotspur since 1899. Throughout its history many famous matches have walked within its confines and some of the world's most recognisable players have graced the pitch.
 
On a White Hart Lane stadium tour you get the chance to see behind the scenes and view trophies and items of historic significance to the Club. Your tour will start on the High Road inside the foyer of the Club Megastore and will take you down Bill Nicholson Way and in to the famous West Stand. From here you will be able to walk in the footsteps of Spurs legends and heroes by entering the tunnel, viewing the home dressing room and seeing the unique view of the stadium from the technical area and dug-outs. In addition you will see the press auditorium, Director's Box and much, much more.
 
We had dual input on our tour, superbly coordinated by our tour guides Gary Belsham and Cheryl Terri - Cardew. Pairing tour guides is a good strategy and the variation in information imparted is much more enjoyable and leads to a much better quality of service for those on the tour. It is similar to Liverpool where the baton is passed to a different member of the club personnel at each leg of the tour. 
 
The press room is where it all begins and attendees can sit on the chair Harry uses to take centre stage at press conferences. 
 
With the pitch being re-laid we were given an informative perspective of the thankless and meticulous nature of the role played by ground staff. We were also able to get a view from the Directors seat and I even warmed Don Fabio Capello’s reserved seat for his next visit down to the lane. 
 
The changing rooms were interesting. There's no mind games at Spurs like at the Riverside, where the away changing room is “L” shaped, proving very difficult to give effective team talks. With an insight into football psychology we were reminded that “L” also stands for "Losers."
 
There’s no fancy Dan Emirates Feng Shui from Arsene Wenger, whereby obstacles are dotted around the dressing room to disrupt the flow of positive energy. It’s just a plain square shaped dressing room with no added frills.
 
Next up was the tunnel as we excitedly headed towards pitch side. I told my group about the players who'd played there - Greaves, Roberts, Hoddle, Ardiles, Villa, Waddle, Gascoigne and Mark Falco – cue blank stares.
 
White Hart Lane is a smashing ground with great facilities. I won't be popular with David Lammy for saying this but the club need to expand or move as a matter of urgency. With such a huge fanbase, Spurs are a club capable of filling a stadium with double the capacity. And with their minted neighbours at the Emirates, the men from White Hart Lane will need to tackle the issue of increased stadium capacity sooner rather than later. 
 
There's no rush at Spurs and visitors are given ample time to take as many pictures as they want. This is great for the clubs local and global image. 

 To book a tour, interested parties should call 0844 844 0102 and select option two or alternatively they can email tours@tottenhamhotspur.com

GMF tribute to a true Liverpool legend: Ian Callaghan

Liverpool - Anfield was just made for Ian Callaghan

By Emdad Rahman

Original article

Ian Robert Callaghan MBE is reserved a personal gala suite within the pantheon of Anfield’s greatest. With a record 857 appearances only Jamie Carragher comes close to the talismanic icon of Liverpool City. Cally is second to Carra in the European appearances record. 

As a sprightly 15-year-old from Toxteth, Cally signed on the dotted line for a ‘tenner’, and was earmarked by Billy Liddell as the prospect most capable of filling his massive boots. At 18 he took to the field for his first outing. Liddell was proving hard to follow, and the youngster was the 9th player Shankly tried in the problematical outside right position. 

Cally was a duck to water, replacing his hero and notching up a gargantuan appearances record during 19 years at his beloved Liverpool. 

Remembering his debut he said: “Like everybody else in Liverpool I was very much aware of the respect the great Billy Liddell commanded and it was awesome to realise I was taking over from him. He was a great man who offered me good advice and was always very nice to me.”

And what a debut it was! The result - a 4-0 rout of Bristol Rovers left Graham Fisher of the Daily Express purring that the new number 7's bow ‘was the most accomplished league debut I've had the pleasure to witness’. 

Cally won a Second Division Championship medal in 1962. With Peter Thompson on the left flank and Cally on the right there was ammunition aplenty for St John and Hunt. Cally’s pinpoint cross was headed in by the Saint to win the 1965 FA Cup against Leeds United. 

Cally was also a 1966 World Cup winning squad member, providing the assist for Roger Hunt’s clincher during the 2-0 defeat of the French. 

The year 1970 was a personal turning point for the prowling right winger who after a career defining operation relinquished his wide berth for a central midfield slot. Cally's intelligence enabled him to adapt immediately to change. He displayed an ability to spray accurate passes and execute timely tackles. The change was the spur needed to add longevity to his Anfield career. 

In 1977 Cally became the only Liverpool player to have gone from Second Division to European Cup winner. The 35-year-old also held the merit of being the only Liverpool player who had played during the clubs first European outing in 1964. 

Cally has the enviable experience of transcending two golden eras in the Reds history – replacing Liddell and seeing in the Dalglish era before the end of his Reds career. 

Cally was a mild mannered gentleman with a temperament to diffuse the most explosive encounters. He was never sent off and booked just once in his entire career. 

Bill Shankly said of his young protégé: "If there were eleven Ian Callaghan’s at this club, there would never be any need to put up a team sheet.” Shankly added. “He typifies everything that is good in football, and he has never changed. You could stake your life on Ian.” 

Between 1960 and 1978 the humble Callaghan collected five championships medals, two FA Cups, two European Cups, and two UEFA Cups, scoring 69 goals. A not so well known piece of trivia is when Cally made history when selected for his third international cap 11 years after his previous outing against France during the 1966 World Cup. It is still the lengthiest ever gap between England appearances. 

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo about the man who became the most decorated member of England's 1966 World Cup winning squad, Jamie Carragher paid tribute to the Anfield stalwart: “When I think of you, Ian, playing all the way from the old Second Division to a European Cup final, that's some achievement,” said Carragher.

“I'm still trying to work out how you made 857 appearances! My target is to reach 700 and then I'd be second to you.” 

Robert Galvin, the author of The Football Hall of Fame, the official book of the National Football Museum reproduces a quote from Bob Paisley: “If every player in the game was like Ian Callaghan there would be no managers left, simply because they would not be needed. 

“To call him a great professional does not do him justice. In addition to his outstanding playing qualities, he never lost his temper, never got ruffled, never shouted the odds, and never got carried away with anything. 

“Add it all up and you are left with a true role model, an example of what all youngsters should aspire to. I knew Ian from the first time he came to the club in the 1950s, and his character and personality never changed. As a man and a player they come no greater than Ian Callaghan.” 

Replaced by man mountain Graeme Souness, Cally went onto enjoy spells with Toshack at Swansea – winning two promotions, Cork and Crewe – where he set a FA Cup appearances record of 88. He retired just before his fortieth birthday. 

To gauge an understanding of Cally's on field prowess and his worth in the modern game I refer to Tommy Smith's comment taken from his Liverpool Post column where he penned: “The game against Wigan last weekend may have ended in disappointment but it did give us the chance to see Luis Suarez in action in his full debut.

"And I really liked what I saw. He reminds me of Ian Callaghan the way he darts about and is so full of energy, something so many of our players lacked earlier this season.” 

Julian Dicks & Steve Keen

Met Julian Dicks, ex West Ham & Liverpool star, and recent West ham caretaker at a charity match event at Upton Park yesterday.


It was evident what makes these stalwarts such heroes at the club. Both legends signed autographs, mingled with fans throughout.

Dicksie took pictures with fans right from the gates opening at 6:30 pm through till the 7:30 kick off. No warm up for the man mountain as he joined the game right away. Both did the same at half time.


This is the total opposite to when me and the boys greeted the Ivory Coast team as they came off the coach for their Boleyn Ground training session prior to playing Italy in a friendly last August. Apart from Salomon Kalou, we were snubbed by Eboue and his mates. Last summer, Chelsea stars attended the Adidas store in Central London for a very short time. It was ridiculous. The queues stretched as far as you could see and amidst the drizzle a helpful steward told us not to waste our time as we wouldn't make it in.


In a hugely entertaining match, Tony Cottee's Hammers Legends defeated a team representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity 6-3.
Visitors were also able to take part in a special fundraising raffle, with shirts signed by the Legends and former West Ham star Frank Lampard among the prizes to be won, with proceeds going towards Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. The hospital, in central London, treats more than 175,000 youngsters every year.