A special exhibition in Cambridge

The Lacemaker, 1670, Johannes Vermeer

I am sure that some people will be going to Cambridge to do some Christmas shopping this December.  The shops have improved so much there over the years, and the market always has some interesting things for sale.

We have found a very good, and relatively inexpensive, tapas bar just off the main square, and despite the fact that it is subterranean, and therefore a little dark and atmospheric for lunch time, we enjoyed our food there recently and found the service friendly and good.

If you do make the trip try to find time to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum to see the exhibition of Dutch interiors that is running until 15th January.  Although all the paintings are interesting, the stars of the show are three paintings by Vermeer. one from the Louvre, pictured above and another on loan from The Queen.

It is unusual to see so many Vermeers in one room at the same time.   An artist who painted pictures of extraordinary stillness and atmosphere, he only produced about 30 works and they are usually to be found widely scattered in different galleries across the world.

One example of his work, The Concert,  used to be on display at the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum in Boston.  Sadly it was stolen in 1990, and the Museum was so upset at the loss that it has never put anything up in its place.  It is thought to be the most valuable un-recovered picture in the world with an estimated value of $200m.

The Concert c. 1664, Johannes Vermeer

Don't leave valuable items in your car!

Do be careful and don't leave things on view in your car!  It is a great temptation to thieves as can be seen from the message below from the police:

Between 6pm Tuesday 29th and 7.30am Wednesday 30th November on the High Street, Acton offenders have smashed the rear window on a silver Volkswagen van parked on a driveway. Three power drills, Bosch jigsaw and three extension leads were taken from within.

Also

Between 11pm Tuesday 29th and 7am Wednesday 30th November on Old Post Office Row, Acton offenders have smashed windows on a grey Ford car parked on a driveway. A Tom Tom satellite navigation system and a Samsung laptop computer were taken from within.

Were you in the area at the time, did you see anything suspicious? Do you know the name of the offender or offenders? If you have any information please contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting reference SU/11/2668 and SU/11/2667.

Anti social behaviour? What is Babergh doing?

It seems that few people know that District councils have statutory responsibility for community safety.  Unlike dustbin emptying and planning a lot of the work done in this area goes on quietly behind the scenes, and is moreover, done on something of a shoestring.

Having chaired the West Babergh Safer Neighbourhood meetings for some time, after the elections in May,  I became the Chairman of the Babergh Community Safety Partnership. This has been a mixed experience.  Being honest, sitting in meetings reading reports and looking at ‘incident statistics’, I have found it difficult to get to grips with what the relevant officers actually do on the ground.

Accordingly over the next few weeks I have decided to spend a little time meeting the (rather few) officers who are working in the area throughout the District. This morning I started my investigations with a trip to Sudbury Police Station to talk to Babergh’s Anti-Social Behaviour Network Officer, Sally Watson.

Sally’s job specification is very broad.  Working from the Police Station, she has a high level of autonomy with regard to how she chooses to tackle anti social behaviour reduction in the District. With other agencies, such as the police, housing, and social services, she works with problem families, and also with ‘problem places’ (remember the boy racers around Kentucky Fried Chicken a few years ago?)  She also works in and around schools, the main aim being to nip bad behaviour in the bud through education and communication; (What would you think if someone treated your gran like that?).  A success story is the progress made in discouraging underage drinking.  A very striking video has been produced which shows young people at risk the dangers of alcohol abuse, seen through the eyes of three local young people whose lives were almost ruined by the demon drink.

Reading some articles on the subject on the internet I have discovered that many anti social behaviour practitioners are criticised for being reactive rather than proactive when addressing the problem.  I do not think that this is a criticism that can be levelled at Babergh!

Sally has won, and been nominated for, a number of awards for her work and I had a very interesting meeting with her.  I asked her if her life was a bit like painting the Forth Bridge; she might sort one group of young people out, but they would soon be replaced by the next generation.  There seems to be an element of truth in this, but the effective, work done with older troublemakers does have a knock on effect on their younger imitators it seems.

Babergh officers will strike on Wednesday.

 It is very likely that some Babergh officers will participate in the national strike due to be held on Wednesday 30^th November.

Over its 30 years plus history Babergh has enjoyed very good labour relations and if, as now seems likely, the strike goes ahead, it will only be the second time that Corks  Lane has witnessed an industrial dispute. Of course the issues at stake on this occasion are not local ones, although many officers will be affected by proposed Government changes to public sector pensions.  There is however no reason to believe that the normal state of harmony that prevails at the council will be upset for long.

Everyone, of course, has the right to withdraw their labour without fear of reprisals, and this right must and will be respected.  Nonetheless at a time when jobs are actively under review it would be natural if some officers at Babergh, and across the public sector as a whole, felt some small hesitation when considering whether or not to strike.    It is also the case that those who wish to work should not be prevented from doing so, and I am sure that any persuasion or picketing that takes place will be reasonable and peaceful.

I understand that contingency plans are in place to deal with any emergencies that occur around the District on Wednesday.   On the whole I suspect, and also much hope, that only a small number of residents will be affected by the participation of Babergh’s officers in industrial action on this occasion.

Open late this evening

The Gainsborough's House shop is staying open late this evening in order to participate in the Christmas Shopping event in Sudbury.

Do go in and have a look at the very special range of cards and other beautiful items for sale!

Volunteering, a way into work?

There is good deal in the media today about Government programmes to help young people who cannot find work.

In the course of meetings this week I have been discussing how, in a small way, two of the organisations with which I work in Sudbury are doing their bit in this area.

Gainsborough’s House has applied for, and received funding from the European Community to run a six month volunteer development scheme for the economically inactive.  This will involve some younger people, in addition to older people seeking to get back into work such as young mothers with children, and even pensioners.  Participants will learn about how the museum works and get practical experience as room stewards in the office and in the shop.  I understand from the organiser, Nick Winch, that the level of interest has been high.

The CAB has for a long time tried to attract young people as volunteers.  Often we train them and then they move on to paid work, sometimes within the CAB service.  This can be rather frustrating, but they do make a contribution while they are at the Bureau and it is gratifying when, having gained some confidence, they can move onwards and upwards.

Some people are cynical about such schemes and see them as exploitation. Of course since we are talking about volunteers no payment is involved. However, the people involved do get something to add to their CV, and it could be that that makes all the difference to that crucial job application.

Weed in the Ward

Yesterday I received the following press release from the police:

Suffolk;  cannabis factory found in Acton ,Sudbury

Police in Sudbury  have seized around 50  cannabis plants following the discovery of a  cannabis factory  in Daniels Close Acton  on Thursday 24th November 2011.Officers entered the address at 3am this morning Police picture taken at the site A 32  year-old man  was arrested at the scene on suspicion of production of a controlled drug. He was taken to the Bury St Edmunds  Police Investigation Centre Inspector Crick would like to  encourage anyone with information or concerns around possible cannabis factories or drugs in general to contact Suffolk Constabulary on 01473 613500.or speak to officers at Sudbury police station.