A money saving tip from one of our MEP's

One of our MEP's, Vicky Ford, sends out an interesting newsletter about her work at the European Parliament.

She doesn't just confine herself to the abstract world of European politics, although what she has to say about the workings of the EU circus is illuminating.  This month she also has the following advice for female drivers:

'I am keen to encourage all women, especially younger women, to check their car insurance renewal dates, and to consider renewing policies before a new EU law comes into effect on the 21st December, which prevents insurance companies from offering discounted rates to female drivers. As younger women tend to have few accidents than younger male drivers, to date insurers have been able to offer the women lower pricing, reflecting the lower risk. Now insurers will not be able to offer this differentiated policy. There appears to be a general consensus that car insurance prices for certain women drivers will rise significantly as a result. I don't think the ruling is sensible, it throws into question the whole theory of insurance pricing'

 If you want to receive Vicky's newsletter by e mail you can sign up on her website here

Top Girls

Off to the lovely New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich yesterday evening to see Top Girls by Caryl Churchill.

Nick and I last saw the work quite a long time ago, but the play, which was written in the 1980's, has maintained its freshness and relevance.  It is a meditation on the condition of women in society, prompted when written by the phenomenon of Britain's first female Prime Minister, and also by the increasing number of women who were making it into highly paid jobs. 

The problem with Mrs T, as many saw it was that she may have been a woman, but she was not really a 'sister'.  Despite having little truck with feminism herself, she actually was a worked example of a woman who got to the top while coping with predjudice and also the demands of home and family.  None the less, and not altogether suprisingly,  she was not appreciated by the many women who were deeply affected by the changes in society that she promoted.

The high point of the play is the perfectly choreographed first act in which a late 20th century high flying female headhunter entertains controversial 'Top Girls' from the past to dinner in a restaurant (pictured above).  Pope Joan, Patient Griselda, Lady Nijo, the explorer Izabella Bird and Dull Gret reveal their individual difficulties and the price that they have paid for their fame,  over several bottles of wine. Their conversation brilliantly expresses, in an admittedly rather extreme form, the pecularities and problems of being a woman that the more mundane protagonists of the second two acts play out in a twentieth century context.  The play makes clear that it is not possible to 'have it all', as was suggested by the Superwomen of the late 20th century.

Beautifully played by an all female cast, it was good to see a modern play that has stood the test of time and gave us a lot to think about.

New faces

The new Council met for the first time yesterday.  It was strange to see many new faces in the chamber, and also to miss a number of people who, I for one, expected to be returned without trouble.

New Conservative councillors, from left to right:  Kathryn Grandon White (Hadleigh South), Frank Lawrenson (Waldingfield), Dawn Kendall (South Cosford), Peter Burgoyne (Pinewood) and Simon Barrett (Sudbury South)

We have lost two involuntarily from the Conservative Group, and also said goodbye to Colin Spence and Humphrey Todd, both of whom had decided in any event not to stand once again. In their places we have five new councillors, pictured above, so we are one seat up on where we finished last time. 

A plus is that there are now nine women on Babergh as opposed to seven on the last Council. Out of 43 councillors this is still not a very impressive percentage.  Interestingly all three group leaders and two of their deputies are women, which seems a little out of proportion!  What does it say about the men? and about the women come to that?

Most of what went on yesterday was procedural. We had new photos taken for the Babergh website.  I am afraid that four years does make a difference in this area!  The business of the meeting was concerned with the election of Chairmen to the Council, and to the major Committees, the appointment of substitutes, and other such housekeeping matters.  The real business of the council will start when we get the result of the Local Poll and we know which route we are taking.

Charlie Adan, speaking, with Pat Rockall (centre) and Nick Ridley (right) newly elected Vice Chairman of Babergh

The new Chief Executive, Charlie Adan, was present, and Pat Rockall, the outgoing CEO, said her last goodbyes.  Pat has been a good friend to me over the past four years, giving me some sage advice from time to time, and I will miss her.  Still, I managed to have a few words with Charlie at the end of the meeting, and am sure that we will get on fine.

A new site for the New Year

Peter Clifford from Chilton, who as local campaigner and Chairman of Chilton Parish Council is not unknown to readers of this site, has marked the new year by starting a new website.

Do take a look. Peter headlines motivation, confidence, empowerment and change for life as the site’s themes, and I have to say even the most feisty of us need heavy doses of these things to keep us going from time to time.

To access the site click on:

http://www.petercliffordonline.com

Peter’s first article is about women’s rights, a subject close to my heart.

Today I went to the memorial service for Suffolk County Councillor, Rosie Clark, who died on Christmas Day aged only 68. I did not know her well, but we worked together on the Suffolk Local Access Forum. She was a woman who made a huge difference, not just as a much respected Councillor, but in so many areas of the community that it made one feel quite humble to think about it. St Mary’s Church in Woodbridge was completely full, with standing room only for latecomers.

As a women in our society it is possible to make a difference, and although few are as effective as Rosie, a good number do. Although some women continue to be abused and discriminated against in the UK, I believe that they are now in the minority. As Peter shows in his article, women worldwide are not so empowered and I for one find it frustrating that it is hard to know how to reach out and help them.